Sequel to Wishing Only Wounds the Heart
Notes: I own nothing. I used a direct quote from the song "Can't Take It In" from the movie soundtrack in this chapter, so I don't own that either.
Acknowledgements: This could not have been done without the great help from mrstater on livejournal that was my beta for this chapter.
Dedication: To all my readers of the first story, you have all been so kind. I hope this meets both our expectations.
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Lucy spent the next days in her room, unable to face the questions that she couldn't answer and hearing the whispers that she wasn't supposed to hear. Taking her meals in her chambers, she often disregarded them to look out the window in hopes of seeing a red scarf through the trees. Her siblings soon gave up trying to understand what was going on and after five long days, they were relieved to see her come out, to her normal schedule of things. Her heart wasn't in it, and her mind wasn't focused, but at least she was out in society again.
Once, she found herself thinking that this separation was for the best but soon dismissed the idea as her heart ached even more for Tumnus' return.
When alone she could be found in the gardens, a soft smile upon her lips in remembrance of their times together. Soon she found her love growing for him, despite the fact that he was not there to cause such a surge. Finding this odd, she contemplated the reasons why and found no answer. Steadily the weight of her sadness also lessened and was replaced with a burning hope of his return.
The young Queen's days were spent performing her duties and her nights were outside, lying underneath a tree to confess to the stars. It had been a few weeks after he had left when she looked to the stars and said quietly, "I feel as if I should empty my heart to make room for this feeling." Closing her eyes, she soon fell asleep, dreaming of his return and oblivious that she was being carried to her room.
"I believe I could have dropped you three times during the climb up those stairs and you would still not have woken. You are quite a sleeper, Lucy Pevensie."
Frowning into the sunlight, her ears registered his voice and she bolted straight up in bed, finding him sitting on the far end, a slight smile upon his tired face. He held up a hand to keep her from saying anything as he picked up his bag and produced a small circular box about the size of his hand from inside. It was silver and there was a design on the top of a circular kind. The intricate patterns around the outside were different colors and Lucy recognized them as The Eleven. A question rose to her throat and again he silenced her. Taking a breath to steady himself, he nodded as if agreeing that this was right and passing it to her, their hands meeting briefly during the exchange. She made to open it but he covered her hand with his, "This is not just any gift, Lucy. I must tell you why I've been acting the way I have been."
Lucy leaned forward, laying the box aside to give him his full attention.
"After two years of courting, the male leaves for an unspecified time. The female is not told why nor is she told when he will return. This is a test of their trust and love for one another. It's a difficult process for both, and rarely do the couples come out of it for the better. And I'm sorry to have put you through it." His voice broke and he held her hand, before continuing. "So the male is gone on his trip and he makes a gift."
"You made-"
"Please, let me finish." He moved closer to her, taking his time and she could tell he was struggling with his words. "The gift is to represent both of them. A-and then he presents her with it."
A breath was taken in and he colored in a sure sign of nerves. "H-he presents her with it as a gift of marriage."
His eyes hesitantly met hers and upon seeing her blank face, he stood in a hurry and made to leave.
"Tumnus!"
Hand upon the door handle, he looked to his hooves. "I-I shouldn't have…you're not ready for such a thing a-and it was foolish… a Queen of Narnia…"
The covers were thrown aside as she stood beside him, resting a hand on his arm."You involved me in something that is a part of who you are. Of course, I did not know of it until now, but now I understand."
Sneaking a sideways glance at her he smiled softly, "I am glad of that."
Going back to the bed and taking the box in her hands, "And you made this…"
"Y-yes." He took his hand off the handle and took a few steps towards her.
The Queen took a great deal of time examining at the box, and then found him with anxiety written all over his face. "Dear Tumnus, why are you so worried?"
"A Queen is-"
"Is in love with a Faun, yes." Laughing at his shocked expression, she took his hand, "I think your trip has made you forgotten the past two years. We are in love, are we not?"
"We are," a faint smile was across his lips as he moved slowly closer to her.
"And those in love do generally get married." Turning her hand around in his, she intertwined their fingers, "although I usually do not enjoy doing what others do…"
"That is true, you are quite the opposite of most." He ducked his head slightly to meet her eyes.
Lucy nodded, suddenly getting nervous herself upon noticing how their voices were getting more quiet with each sentence, "I suppose I have made you wait long enough for my answer…."
"I would most certainly say so," he moved one of his hooves backwards just in case that she should answer in the negative and he would have to make a hasty exit.
A grin crossed her face as she touched his nose with her own, "Although in my culture we wait a while before telling…"
Narrowing his eyes, Tumnus said playfully, "Now you are just being cruel."
"Cruel? Is that what you call your future wife?"
"Cruel. I have to wait-" He stopped, "F-future…"
"Wife." Setting the box at her feet, and without waiting, took his face in her hands and kissed him deeply.
Laying her head in the crook of his neck, she breathed in, able to tell that he had been outdoors for most of the past days. Her hand resting upon his scarf as he sighed happily, "Dearest wife…"
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Author's Notes: Because I'm a total loser, I based off Tumnus' Wedding Box off of something in my mind, totally created the image to my own liking. And then I thought that maybe you dear readers would care to actually have an image of it, just because I like my image so much, you know? So, if you would care to see my representation of Tumnus' Wedding Box, it is the following link: (if the wink does not work, it'll be on my user information).
http/img. before I get loads of questions asking if there is going to be more, the answer is yes. I just have to find time to do it. So stick with me, dear readers, this will be continued!