The main auditorium was filled with Padawans, Jedi knights, fighter pilots, and senators of the New Republic. They were all here for a very important ceremony: the ceremony honoring those who successfully defended the temple from Jadis and her minions. And it would be another big day for the four Pevensies; in fact it would be almost as big as their coronation day.
"I wonder what they'll do for us." Lucy commented as she waited with the group of honorees behind the auditorium doors, which included her and her siblings, Mr. Tumnus, Tegan, Ayonna, the other four Padawans, and the beavers.
"Oh I imagine we will be given a very high honor indeed." Mr. Tumnus said.
"What could it possibly be? We already know we can't be trained to be those so called Jedi." Edmund remarked.
"We know that, Ed. It'll still be a high honor like Mr. Tumnus said, so just be patient." Peter said.
Edmund sighed as he drew an imaginary circle on the floor with his boot. He couldn't think of any honor higher than being coronated a king of Narnia. He just hoped that whatever he received would be good.
"Eddy, Eddy! Dis da big moment for yousa!" Ayonna suddenly shrieked as she began jumping up and down.
Edmund was startled by Ayonna's sudden burst of excitement, then realized why she was so excited. The huge double doors into the auditorium had slid open to reveal the massive crowd waiting to observe the honor ceremony.
"This is it, our big moment to shine." Peter said.
"Are you ready, sire?" Mr. Beaver asked.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Peter replied.
"Then let's go!" Mr. Beaver exclaimed and began walking into the auditorium while escorting his wife.
The rest of the honorees followed the beavers down the long aisle towards the big stage and past the massive crowd of beings gathered to observe the ceremony. Memories of the Pevensies' coronation ceremony and the Solos' knighting ceremony came flooding back to the Narnians as they walked closer to the stage where their friends were waiting for them.
"Now I know how you felt when you became our kings and queens." Mr. Beaver said to the Pevensies.
"Now do you see why we were nervous?" Edmund asked.
The beavers both nodded as they finally approached the stage and stood before it, ready to receive their honors. Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin were standing before them, smiling brightly and dressed in their finest Jedi clothes and so was Luke. Leia was wearing a most beautiful white dress and her hair was in a braided bun at the top of her head. Han and Chewie were wearing their best as well for the ceremony, as they were part of the group that would present the honorees their awards.
"Come forward, beavers and faun Tumnus." Luke said.
The beavers and Mr. Tumnus walked up the small flight of stairs to the stage and promptly kneeled before Luke. Luke smiled warmly at them and gesture for Han to come stand next to him. Han stepped forward, carrying a pillow with three shiny gold medals on them.
"You have done well in protecting our Jedi Temple. We will forever be thankful for your actions." Luke said.
With that, Han stepped forward and held the pillow in front of Luke, who picked up the medals and placed each one around the necks of Mr. Tumnus and the beavers. All three Narnian creatures were beaming as they admired their medals, feeling quite proud of themselves.
"Thank you very much, sir." Mr. Tumnus said.
"Yes, thank you kindly." Mrs. Beaver added.
The three of them bowed in thanks then stepped to the side to allow the next group of honorees to come forward, who were the four Pevensies. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy made their way up the stairs to the stage and kneeled before Luke for their turn.
"I also extend my deepest gratitude to you, great royalty of Narnia. You have proven yourselves quite worthy and courageous in battle." Luke said.
Now it was Jaina, Jacen and Anakin's turn to step forward with the Pevensies' medals. Anakin held the pillow in his hand while Jacen presented Peter and Edmund their medals and Jaina presented Susan and Lucy their medals. All four siblings were indeed quite happy to receive these awards of honor, especially Lucy.
"Oh thank you so much!" Lucy exclaimed.
"No problem, little queen." Luke responded.
Now that the Pevensies had received their medals, it was time for the last group of honorees, the Padawans, to receive theirs. Leia stepped forward with another pillow, this time with six medals on it. Luke smiled proudly at these six Padawans who had displayed great skill, courage, and determination in protecting the temple.
"I am indeed quite proud of all of you for your hard work. You will indeed make great Jedi knights one day." Luke said.
Chewie growled a happy reply as he picked up each medal with his big furry hands and placed them around the necks of the Padawans. They were all happy to be honored in this ceremony, but Tegan and Ayonna especially felt proud of themselves as they had been the Padawan leaders in their battle against Jadis's evil minions.
"Muy, muy! Me love you!" Ayonna squealed upon receiving her medal.
"Yes we know that, Ayonna." Tegan said, sounding slightly annoyed.
"Oh I shall never get used to Gungans." C-3PO moaned and received a high-pitched reply of beeps from R2-D2.
Everyone snickered at the droids before turning back around to face the massive crowd of people. The crowd broke into an uproarious applause for those who successfully defended the temple from evil. The honorees bowed with pride before the applauding crowd, feeling quite happy of their accomplishment.
In the dining hall
The Solo family was in the private dining room, enjoying a small celebration dinner with the Narnian honorees. It was indeed a lovely dinner, consisting of delicious meats, fruits, sweets, and drinks from Yavin.
"Oh this is delightful." Mrs. Beaver said as everyone was eating.
"Yes it is, love. Thank you so very much for your hospitality to us." Mr. Beaver said.
"It is indeed our pleasure, my friend." C-3PO said.
Everyone smiled as they continued eating their dinner. It was indeed a wonderful, delicious meal, even though the food wasn't food the Narnians were used to. They were curious at times as to what some of it actually was.
"This is so good, especially this fruit. What is it?" Lucy asked as she bit into a small slice of fruit.
"Well Lucy, remember that day we ran into the wolves outside the temple?" Jaina asked.
"Yes I do. It was horrible." Lucy said as she shuddered at the memory.
"Yes it was, sweetie. But that fruit you're eating is the fruit you saw in the tree that day. It's called a Yavin pear." Jaina said.
"Oh it is? Well it's delicious." Lucy replied.
Her siblings nodded in agreement as they continued to eat their dinner. They were indeed enjoying their time with their friends but there was one thought pressing on their minds.
"I don't know how much longer we can stay here." Peter said.
"Peter, do we really have to go home?" Lucy asked.
"I'm afraid so, Lu." Peter replied.
"I don't want to go home yet. I don't want to leave Jaina." Lucy moaned as she squeezed Jaina's hand.
"When will you ever give that a rest, Lu?" Edmund said, sounding extremely annoyed.
"And when will you ever stop being so beastly to Lucy?" Peter asked as he kicked Edmund in the ankle.
"Stop it, you two! You're kings; you should behave better than that!" Susan exclaimed.
"Please do calm down, dears. I think I may have an idea." Leia said.
"What is it, ma'am?" Susan asked.
"Well, if I remember correctly my children spent a month in your world. If it is allright with you, I would like to reciprocate that hospitality and invite you and your friends and family to spend a month in our world." Leia said.
"My lady, do you honestly mean that?" Mr. Tumnus said.
"Yes I do, Master Tumnus." Leia said.
"Please say yes, Peter. Pretty pretty please." Lucy begged her older brother.
Peter turned around to look at his siblings and Narnian friends, who all nodded in agreement with Leia's suggestion. He turned back to look at his little sister who was now snuggled up against his side.
"Why not, Lu? They stayed with us for a month so I guess we can stay with them for a month." Peter said.
"Thank you so much, Peter!" Lucy shrieked and hugged her brother tightly.
"I have to deal with this for a whole month?" Han groaned.
"Give it a rest, Han. She's a sweet child and besides, Jaina was just like her at that age if you remember correctly." Leia said.
"Oh Jaina, we're going to have so much fun together!" Lucy squealed to her best friend.
"I know we will, sweetheart. We'll have lots of fun in the temple." Jaina replied with a huge grin on her face.