Chapter Twenty: Home At Last
The next two years passed quickly for Peter who was busy restoring order to Narnia, from battling giants, to subduing the remainder of Jadis' followers, to establishing foreign relations. Ahlejandra proved to be very helpful and aided him in diplomatic affairs frequently. She seemed to realize that Peter did not wish to court any woman in the court and backed off, though she insisted on remaining to help in Narnia. She had also expressed a desire to live in Narnia for the rest of her life, saying that she found the country and its people charming, refreshing, and hospitable. Peter appreciated her greatly for it and they became fast friends.
Elsa had also remained at Cair Paravel and constantly endeavored to woo the young king. He resisted her every attempt, but nevertheless, he allowed her to remain for as long as she chose. Tension mounted between Ahlejandra and Elsa with each passing month, stemming from Ahlejandra's opinion that Elsa should let Peter make his own choice, which opposed Elsa's opinion that the Calormene princess was just jealous.
Rhianna had sent word to the palace several times over the intervening two years, much to Peter's joy. She truly had begun to make a name for herself and had become known throughout Narnia as a skilled fighter and wielder of justice. Her assistance in tracking down the last of the White Witch's followers proved to be irreplaceable, and she had finally taken on the mantle of her people and was now fully recognized by all of Narnia as the last elf and thus the queen of her race. Her title now well-established and her reputation secure, she sent word to Cair Paravel, informing Peter of her return, accompanied by the question of whether he still wanted her. He replied immediately with a resounding yes.
Now, on his eighteenth birthday, Elsa redoubled her efforts to ensnare him. She dragged him off to get him alone, flirted shamelessly, and preened constantly whenever he was around. All her efforts were in vain.
"Peter? Darling?" Elsa said, gliding into the library, where Peter sat reading a book. He looked up, his eyes flashing in annoyance.
"Yes, Elsa?"
She ran a hand through his hair and sat on his lap, forcing him to move his book. "You never want to sit and talk anymore," she pouted, shifting her weight. "What's gotten into you?"
He rolled his eyes. "We never talked, Elsa. It was always you talking about what you did to get ready that morning. You're hardly interested in Narnia's political and economic affairs." He pushed her off his lap. "Something that I'm very interested in, I'm afraid." He studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Give it up, Elsa. You should know by now that I'm not interested in marrying you."
The Dryad looked as though she'd been slapped, her mouth dropping open in a small 'O' in surprise. Then, just as abruptly as she'd entered, she jumped up and left the room, leaving him in peace. For a moment, anyway.
"Peter?" Lucy – now nearly eleven years old – had finally found her brother.
"Yes, Lu?" he said, looking up affectionately at his youngest sister. He set aside his book and pulled her into his lap, where she perched on his knees, looking hopefully into his eyes.
"Is Rhianna really coming home? Why did she leave, Peter? She never even said goodbye."
"I know, Lucy," he said gently. "But it's a long story, one that I can't tell you without her here. But yes, she is coming home."
Lucy nodded in acceptance of this simple statement and got up to browse through the books on the shelf nearest her. Peter returned to his own book and, as they did nearly everyday, Susan and Edmund joined them until all four monarchs were settled comfortably in armchairs with their respective books. Ahlejandra had also taken to joining them, finding that she liked their quiet company over Elsa's mindless chatter. She came in now, but not to join them in reading.
"Forgive me, Your Highnesses, but there is a situation outside with Elsa – one with which I think it best if you interfere," she said quickly, bowing slightly as she finished.
Peter got to his feet and followed Ahlejandra's lead to the main hall. He heard Elsa before he saw her.
"What are you doing here!" the Dryad screeched, "The royal family no longer requires your services, in case you haven't noticed, so I think it's best if you just run home to your little hole-in-the-ground."
Peter looked cautiously around the corner to behold Elsa – her back to him – confronting a tall, slender, beautiful woman clad in black breeches, black boots and a long, pale green tunic that fell halfway down her thighs and was tied around her slim waist by a forest green sash. She had her hands on her hips and tossed her head of waist-length brown hair, her midnight eyes flashing. It was Rhianna.
"I was under the impression that Cair Paravel was open to all guests and that Peter did not refuse to see anyone," she remarked coolly.
"That's High King Peter to you, bodyguard," Elsa snarled. "I don't think you quite understand that Peter no longer needs you…"
Rhianna's eyes moved past her shoulder to settle on Peter's form down the hall. He stepped out and leaned casually against the wall, grinning broadly. Rhianna allowed her eyes to twinkle merrily in response. At a slight nod of her head, Peter came striding down the hall. "Actually," he said, causing Elsa to jump visibly, "I think I need her very much." He brushed past her and swooped down on the elf, wrapping her in his arms and placing a firm kiss on her lips. "I've missed you," he murmured in her hair, forgetting all about Elsa, Ahlejandra, or anyone else.
"And I you," she whispered back, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, "More than you'll ever know."
"Rhianna!" Lucy squealed in delight, coming around the corner and barreling down the hallway. Peter stepped aside and Rhianna bent to catch her up in her arms, laughing. Susan and Edmund joined her and caught the slender elf up in a tremendous hug, also laughing in delight at her return.
Ahlejandra also came down the hall to greet the elf warmly. "It's been a long time, Rhianna. Where have you been?" Her dark eyes twinkled merrily as she added, "Your Highness."
Rhianna smiled and blushed faintly. "It takes some getting used to – this idea of being a royal figure. I don't think I'll be answering to it for some time."
"You're a princess!" Elsa said, startled out of her silence by Ahlejandra's comments. "But I thought…"
Peter had ignored Elsa's outburst and addressed Rhianna instead, "Oh, I think you'll have to learn to answer to it." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small black box. Susan, Lucy, and Ahlejandra inhaled sharply, their eyes shining in expectancy, while Elsa's eyes narrowed dangerously. He ignored them all, his eyes focused solely on the woman before him. Dropping to one knee, he placed the box in her hand. "Rhianna, Princess of Elves, Daughter of the Wood, will you marry me?"
Rhianna opened the box to reveal a small, elegant diamond ring made of bands of intertwining vine-shaped gold. She smiled through the tears filling her eyes and pulled him to his feet. "I may," she began, her lips twitching as she tried not to smile, "have to worry over it for a few days…" His face fell, beginning to wonder what he'd done wrong, but before he could even form a sentence in his mind, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. "But whether the wedding is tonight or next month, my answer is yes," she said when she pulled away. Relief flooded his face and he scooped her off her feet, spinning her around, laughing.
THE END!
Author's Note: Well, that's all guys! I'll leave the rest to your imaginations! Tell me what you think of it (criticism welcome - but no ranting flames please, keep it constructive!) and I'll reply. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR REVIEWING! Especially Brezzybrez (for her faithful reviews on every chapter), Cass P. (for her helpful comments in the first few chapters), Tynan Fay and Creep ( for answering a few of my questions), leezh, and domlando blonaghan (for the constructive crit.)and to everyone else (whether they reviewed or not) who read my story! Luv, elenamindollin