JUST AND MAGNIFICENT
Volume 3: The Price We Pay For Love

3.1 – A JUST AND MAGNIFICENT WEDDING

Volume 3 of Just and Magnificent starts about 3 years after the events of the movie. It is the last of three volumes. It is AU and if you haven't figured out, contains slash and incest. Hopefully you find it handled in a way that is as pure as possible.
Summary: Susan and Orrin's honeymoon becomes an adventure. Peter and Edmund's wedding day is finally here.
Warnings: Slash, Incest, Love, Romance, Adventure, Mystery, Action.
Disclaimer: Only characters that are mine are the Pretty Eyes People from Shian! And since they're all dead except Orrin, well I only own him now! All the rest belong to that master of awesomeness, C.S. Lewis

IT IS HIS DESTINY

Peter's dreams were filled with hope and love. Hope for the future, and love for his Edmund. He dreamed of sunny days and fields of green, golden rays and summer dreams. The taste of wine lingered on his lips. The smell of Edmund's hair, fresh with summer rain permeated his senses.

"Peter? Will it always be this way between us?"

"I should hope so, Ed. I should hope so."

It felt as though he was wrapped inside happiness itself. He held his lover in his arms as they stared into the sky and whispered sweet nothings to one another. Yet the sky would quickly turn to gray and overrun with clouds.

"Come on, Peter. It's time to go."

Now suddenly he was aboard his steed, in the middle of a forest, swept with leaves. He could hear Susan's voice calling him and he turned to seek her out. When their eyes met, he smiled and cantered toward her and Lucy. Then he realized his Edmund was not behind him. He turned around to see his Edmund standing in the forest, smiling sadly at him.

"Come on, Edmund." Peter called.

Peter turned his steed to go back to Edmund when the sound of a mighty roar stilled him. His horse would not move, and so Peter dismounted, feeling a rush of fear over him. He ran to Edmund, but before he could reach him, he was held back by a wind that would not let him pass.

"Peter …" Edmund said in a voice that carried on the wind, "I cannot follow."

The wind became a wall. A wall that kept Peter from reaching out to grab Edmund. Their hands pressed against the invisible barrier, just inches from one another. Peter did not understand what was happening.

"Edmund?" yelled Peter, "What is happening?"

Try as he might, they could not touch. It almost felt as though he was being ripped away from the world. The wall between them was like a window between two worlds. He could see tears in his Edmund's eyes as he reached his hand out. He called out for Peter, but he did not hear Peter's replies.

Slowly, he could see Edmund begin to falter and fall to the ground. He called out to Peter, and Peter cried back, yet Edmund could not hear him. His eyes slowly began to close as he laid on the forest floor, leaves sweeping over him. He could see Edmund reach out and call his name, before he lay still and breathed no more.

"It is his destiny."

"Edmund!" Peter yelled as his eyes shot open and he sat up in his bed.

Cold sweat ran down his brow as the high king jumped out of his bed. His bare feet struck the floor with intent as he bounded for his chamber doors. He knew it was just a dream, but still his heart would not abate. He ran the seemingly endless distance to Edmund's chambers, and just barely managed to compose himself.

"Edmund?" called Peter as he knocked softly on Edmund's doors.

He was about to open the door, when the door opened for him. Like a relieving angel, there stood his Edmund. He looked both tired, as he should, and yet altogether the most beautiful sight Peter could remember seeing. At least perhaps until they next time he laid eyes on him. And though Edmund's eyes were bleary, he smiled at Peter as if understood exactly what the high king was doing outside his chambers in the middle of the night.

Without a word, Edmund took Peter's hand and led him into his chambers. He lay down in his bed and held open the covers for Peter. With a grateful sigh, Peter slipped in beside his love. Silently, Edmund slipped himself inside the warm embrace of the older king.

With a grateful smile, Peter held his love tight in his embrace and closed his eyes. Once again he dreamed. He dreamed of hope and love. Hope for the future and love for his Edmund. He dreamed of sunny days and fields of green, golden rays and summer dreams. This time however, his dreams remained dreams, and no more nightmares came.

A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME

For another pair of fated lovers, it was time to celebrate a honeymoon. For Queen Susan the Gentle and Prince Orrin, their month long honeymoon was almost at an end. They had sailed to lands far and wide, and all manner of islands in between. It was far more of an adventure than Susan had anticipated.

They had found themselves in a strange port occupied by exiled dwarves. A port they soon learned was named interestingly enough, Exildwa. Hardly original by Susan's thinking. It was not a place that Orrin had planned for their travels, and they had stumbled upon the island quite by accident. And though its occupants were less than hospitable, Susan found the port terribly exciting.

"We should not be here." Orrin said as he and Susan sat in one of the port's many taverns, "This place is not for those who follow the lion, nor those of Narnia."

"Come now, Orrin. When we are old and gray, we must have stories to tell our grandchildren. I imagine this will be quite the tale."

"What are you doing here? You have no rule here, Queen of Narnia." said a particularly snide looking dwarf, "Say … you look like that …"

"That what?"

"That rogue warrior fellow who came here. When was it? About a year ago? Caused a right lot of trouble, he did. Only reason they let him leave here alive is because he did in that awful dragon. And … well … because nobody could match him in a duel."

"I believe he speaks of King Edmund." Orrin said with a small smirk.

"I believe so, my sweet prince. I wonder what adventures led him here? It's no wonder he simply hates being a regular old king now." said Susan, "I wonder how he's handling his duties."

"I've heard whispers you know. Whispers from the darker side of this place. The ones you don't want to mess with."

"What whispers do you speak of, Dwarf?" Susan asked curiously, "I pray thee, tell me."

"In these parts the Rogue Warrior is a bit of a legend. There's a whisper that he is amassing a huge army. An army of fallen. If you believe that sort of thing. I heard about some fallen army a couple years back. Scared the hair off my head."

"Is that so?" Susan smiled, "You obviously are not aware of who that fallen army came to the aid of."

"You're joking. Well then you're likely to heed these whispers. See here in this place, people tend to follow the dark power. Not me. But don't let that one out or nobody will ever come into this place. Anyway, there's a whisper that he is amassing a huge army of fallen and living, far in the north. Many of the dwarfs who believe in the old dark power have traveled north to join him. There are whispers of a war coming. With an army the size he's forming, I don't think he's after one land. I think he's after all of them."

Susan shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Her eyes met those of her husband's, and they both knew the whispers the dwarf spoke of, were indeed true. Edmund had warned that the war was not over, and that one day it would return. Yet she doubted that he knew it would come in such a large and fearsome fashion. Their new outpost secured by Edmund in the distant north, would prove invaluable at giving them enough warning to mount a defense against any army that would come.

"The whispers that might really interest you are the ones that involve him."

"Speak more of this whisper."

"He fears the rogue warrior. He does not wish to meet him in battle. So he's sending one of his best ahead to … assassinate him. It's not just a whisper either. I think the one they speak of was in here not two days ago."

Again, the newlyweds shared an exchange. An exchange that would hint that they had been married for far longer than a month. For their wordless exchange hinted that they had known each other their entire lives. They both seemed to automatically know what the other was thinking. That knowledge brought both a fearful glance, followed by a mischievous smirk.

"Time to be gentle, my dear?"

"Never doubt why I married you with instinct like that, my sweet prince." Susan said returning her stare to the dwarf, "Who is he?"

"He is a satyr named Garlo. He walks around in a hood as dark as knight. I think he is one of those fallen folk. Most unsettling to see them with my own eyes."

"Where is this satyr, Dwarf?" Orrin asked with urgency, "We must seek him out."

"He's still here. He gained passage from a local merchant. Leaving today."

"Susan, today is not the day for you to be gentle." Orrin said as he stood to his feet, hand resting on the hilt of his long sword, "I will be gentle for you."

Susan entertained his proposal for a good few seconds before she stood up and brandished her own sword. With a sigh of resignation, Orrin smiled before the two newlyweds marched out of the tavern together. They made their way to the port harbor with an urgency in their step. If an assassin was on his way to Narnia, they would do their best to make sure he never arrived.

"I told you we should have traveled with an entourage for this leg of the trip." Orrin said raising a small smile at his gentle wife, "This is supposed to be a honeymoon, not an adventure."

"Living is an adventure." Susan smiled back, "And besides, I will not let some assassin venture to Narnia to hurt my brother. I don't care whether he's the Rogue Warrior or ex King of the Fallen. I can still protect him."

The port was surprisingly quiet today, which made finding their target surprisingly easy. Even more so when the port was mostly occupied by dwarfs. A satyr in a black hood definitely stuck out. Though Orrin already had his hand ready draw his sword, Susan stayed his hand.

"Satyr, a dwarf has told us of your intent to assassinate King Edmund the Just, of Narnia. If this is true, then draw your sword, for we shall not let you pass. If it is not true, then say so. So say I, Queen Susan the Gentle, ruler of the southern lands of Narnia."

The satyr said nothing and yet neither did he draw a sword. He opened his robe to reveal that he in fact carried no weapons of any kind. Yet still Susan did not take the gesture as one of peace. She had seen fallen before, and knew they were bound to follow the commands of the one who led them. For the Fallen Army of Beruna, that leader was Edmund. For this new army, she knew it was someone far more sinister.

Her fears proved correct. The satyr ran at the pair, with nothing but his fists to arm him. They proved more than a match for both of them. He fought with a style very similar to the one Edmund had used on the hag. He fought with no weapons and still managed to disarm both herself and Orrin. Though when Susan found herself being kicked backwards, Orrin's protective instincts kicked into overdrive. He grabbed the satyr by the neck and slammed him into the ground with rage. In a flash, he had spun his sword out and brought it down to the satyr.

The satyr kicked Orrin's sword out from under him, but not before the Shian could land a staggering blow to the satyr's windpipe. Normally, this would've rendered any opponent useless. However, against a fallen enemy, it was rather pointless.

Sensing that perhaps Orrin was a match for him, the satyr spun on the ground and tripped the Shian prince. The satyr ran for the wharf and jumped for a nearby boat, but not before Susan sat up and let an arrow fly that caught him in mid air. The satyr fell into the deep water of the port as the married couple ran along the wharf.

They watched for a sign of the satyr and found nothing. And though both wanted to believe they had dispatched him, they did not claim victory. They feared that even if they had won this day, it was only a prelude of what was to come. The war was coming. He was coming.

"When our children ask us what we did for our honeymoon, what will we tell them?" Orrin asked with an awkward smile.

"That we spent it together." Susan said taking his hand, "And that it was wonderful."

ONCE MORE BEFORE OUR WORLD CHANGES

By the time Susan and Orrin returned to Cair Paravel, they found Narnia alive with anticipation for another wedding. The wedding of High King Peter the Magnificent, and King Edmund the Just. And unlike her wedding to Prince Orrin, Peter and Edmund were not going to wait the customary three months. In fact, she had soon learned that Peter could barely allow half that time. Yet she was grateful he had relented, or else she may very well have missed their wedding. As would have any guests, who needed such time to travel to Narnia from far off lands.

Edmund welcomed the return of his older sister, yet on the night of her return, he was greeted by some troubling news. She warned him of her encounter in the uncharted port. She warned of the assassin and the massing of forces far in the north.

"I can't believe you went all the way there." smiled a surprised Edmund, "Why in the world would you go to such a foul place? Did you two have a good honeymoon?"

"I just told you that an assassin was hunting you, and even if we did stop him, there's still an army out there."

"The war will come, Su. And it will be unlike a war we have ever fought before. But it is not here today, and it will not be here tomorrow. I am more intrigued as to what you were doing in such far off places. That does not sound like the place to spend a honeymoon."

And though Susan was still unnerved by his complacency, Edmund thanked her for her attempts to watch over him. They spoke of Susan's honeymoon and her new life as a married woman. They spoke of the coming wedding between himself and Peter. She could not help but notice the blush in his face whenever the mention of a wedding was made.

"Ed? I know it is plainly obvious to all who have witnessed the trials you and Peter have faced to be together, but it is so wonderful to see in your face how much you truly love him."

"I do." Edmund sighed wistfully, "I love him more than words can do justice. We have come so far, and still I melt when I see him smile at me. Do you think me foolish for saying such things?"

"Of course not. It is why you are both getting married in the first place. And in my opinion, it is long overdue."

"Oh, Su. I was uncertain what to expect once we were both here in the same place. Yet each day he treats me like …"

"Like you are the only thing of consequence in his entire world?"

"Exactly." blushed a shy Edmund, "I suppose you would already know. But I must say, he melts me with his words. He slays me with his affections. He is my every dream, Su. I feel as though everything we have endured, was a nightmare, and now our dream is finally about to begin. I know we are in the same castle, but I cannot wait for us to be married so are not forced to be apart at night. I know he thinks I enjoy keeping us in separate chambers at night. Most of the time at least."

"Most of the time?"

"Trust me, Su. No rules have been broken, I assure you."

"Edmund, you are so proper now. What happened to my mischievous little brother?"

"He died." Edmund laughed, and then stopped when he realized Susan wasn't, "Sorry, bad joke."

"Obviously he didn't." Susan smirked, "So … you are happy? This wedding is what you want?"

Edmund did not answer, but the blushing smile on his face said it all. He was both calm and on the verge of breaking out with tears that would scream with joy. Instead, he simply nodded his head in that coy, shy fashion that only he could do. Susan kissed him goodnight and he returned to his chambers to retire. He was surprised that he had not seen Peter yet, but he knew the high king was busy reviewing the infantry recruits. War was coming, and Narnia was not going to be taken by surprise.

Yet Edmund's mind was only on his love, and how he wished to at least kiss him goodnight and say how much he loved Peter. He could hardly wait for their wedding day. The longer he spent at Cair Paravel and the more time he spent with Peter, the less he felt like the doom and gloom dark knight and Rogue Warrior or King of the Fallen. He truly did feel like just Edmund. And though he hoped that would not take the edge off his ability to fight when the war came, he much enjoyed the softer side of life. Hags and witches be damned.

When he arrived at his chambers, he was greeted by the sight of a single rare neros rose from the wildlands of the north. His heart felt a flutter as he smelt the rose and entered his chambers. The chambers themselves were bathed in moonlight, and yet Edmund could already tell the room had been tampered with. As he lit the lamp beside his chamber door, he could see just how much his room had been tampered with. Where one of the rare roses rested outside his door, dozens now adorned his chambers. On his bed lay a parchment card with a simple message;

'Their beauty is but a shadow of the love you give me, but perhaps they will remind you of how grateful I am to have it'

Edmund could not help himself from gushing at that moment. He still marveled at how Peter continued to woo him as if courting him for marriage. Edmund did not expect Peter to continue wooing him in such a fashion when their wedding day was confirmed and set. Peter did not have to prove his love or regale him with declarations or sweet gestures, and yet every day he seemed to find some way to do just that. Whether it was with gentle words or surprising gifts, he never ceased to be amazed with just how determined Peter was to show his love. This was just the latest example, and it made Edmund feel both exhilarated and unworthy all at once.

"What have I done to deserve you, Peter?" Edmund smiled as he fell back onto his bed.

He held one of the roses to his face and closed his eyes. The day was almost upon them both. He still couldn't believe how sweet Peter was to him. It made him want to both smile and cry, but instead he sighed and imagined his Peter was here with him now.

He didn't have to imagine long, for he could soon hear a voice calling to him through his window. He opened his eyes and rushed out onto his balcony. Sure enough, Peter stood on the courtyard below, staring up at him as he sat on his steed.

"Do you like them, Doubt-bucket?"

"I love them, Peter." yelled a happy Edmund, "Thank you."

Peter smiled up at him, his face weary from a day of duty and activity but this one moment seemed to bring a sparkle back to his eyes. Edmund felt himself tempted to leap over the balcony and climb down the wall to Peter. He knew he could do it, but something told him this moment was just perfect as it was. The look of silent gratitude on Peter's face was pure bliss for Edmund.

"We will be married soon, Edmund, and I will not have to suffer the despair of saying goodnight to you and leaving your side again. But until that day, I shall suffer a little longer and bid you goodnight, my love."

With those words still ringing through his heart, Edmund smiled gratefully. His eyes welled up with emotion when he thought of just how much Peter loved him. With a sigh as deep as it was sincere, Edmund waved to Peter with a longing in his eyes.

"I love you, Peter!" Edmund yelled down, gushing like a lovesick fool, "Did you hear me? I love you!"

"I love you too, Doubt-bucket." Peter smiled up, as he slowly cantered away on his unicorn, "I love you too."

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO

Though both Peter and Edmund anticipated their wedding day with more and more anxiety and frayed nerves, it seemed that Susan and Orrin had all too quickly gotten over their honeymoon period. Though both possessed a great deal of patience, it seemed the Prince's patience was sorely tested by Susan's unwillingness to yield when he tried to ensure her safety.

"This will not do, Orrin. You cannot keep me here like some … child!"

"Majesty, please." Orrin said trying to calm Susan.

"I am your wife!" Susan yelled, for all in the throne room to hear, "My name is Susan!"

If her words were intended to garner a reaction from Orrin, she succeeded. She turned to walk away from him, while he glared after her. She seemed quite pleased with herself, though she was undeniably surprised when he followed her outburst with one of his own. Indeed, his call to her was nothing less than fierce;

"Susan!"

"Yes, my prince?" Susan said with a hint of a pleased smile.

"I call you by your title because we are in formal business. It is my place to speak to you in the tone that all subjects should. It is not proper for me to address you in any other fashion."

"So why call me Susan just then? Why speak in such an authoritative tone?" Susan asked as she turned to face him.

"Because … because …" Orrin said as he turned either side of him and realized he had everyone's attention and he didn't seem at all pleased with himself, "Forgive me, Majesty. It shall not happen again. I beg your forgiveness."

He was without a doubt, a proud son of Shian. Someone who was not used to dealing with a woman as free minded as Susan. And though she did intend to rile a reaction out of him, she did not mean to embarrass or hurt his pride, as was obvious now. He adjusted himself and raised his chin, trying not to make obvious that Susan had wounded him.

"Your entourage will be ready to receive you momentarily, Queen Susan." Orrin said with a small bow, before he promptly left the throne room.

"Orrin!" Susan called, realizing her tactic had backfired.

And as she rushed out after her husband, Peter and Edmund shared a look of anxiety. It was a look shared by Lucy, and in a moment all three were laughing.

"I guess that's what we have to look forward to." Edmund said with a smirk, "Isn't married life looking wonderful, Peter?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Peter smiled as he reached over to Edmund's throne and laced their fingers together, "Having second thoughts, Doubt-bucket?"

"Never, Peter. I just wish the time would hurry by so it can be us arguing like an old married couple instead of them."

With a smile that was sincere and longing, Edmund leaned across and gave Peter the softest kiss on the cheek. After all, anything more would have been most improper. Not that anyone would, or could have made a complaint.

"It's going to be wonderful." Lucy chimed in, "I simply cannot wait."

Meanwhile, lost to the ears of Peter, Edmund, and Lucy, was the conversation that took place just outside of the throne room. Susan had found Orrin standing outside the throne room looking like a wounded soldier. His chin was straight and defiant, but his eyes were just slightly wet and obviously hurt.

"Forgive me for my outburst." Orrin said as he tried to compose himself and look more like the soldier prince he was raised to be, "I was out of line, Queen Susan."

"No, my sweet prince. I was out of line." Susan said with regret in her eyes as she leaned her head on Orrin's shoulder, "I should not have taunted you like that. I did not mean to hurt you. I only wish for you to treat me as an equal. I am not your superior. I am your wife. That is first and foremost above anything else. I am your Susan. I love you, Orrin. Please do not remain cross with me."

"I only wish to keep you safe from harm." Orrin sighed, relenting from his stoic demeanor as he allowed himself to hold Susan, "I only want to protect you."

"Then please do not be so formal with me. I am your wife. Treat me as that first of all, before you treat me as anything else. Please, Orrin."

"I promise, Susan." Orrin said as he kissed the top of Susan's head and held her, "And I am grateful that you are my wife. I am sorry if I have made it seem otherwise."

"You are a wonderful husband." Susan said as she kissed his neck, "And I am a grateful wife. I love you."

"I love you, Susan."

PETER THE NERVOUS

Finally the day had come. The union of King Peter and King Edmund would be sealed with marriage. The trumpets and sounds of Narnia filled the city of Cair Paravel. There were even more guests present than for Queen Susan's wedding. Once again, the site of the old north tower had been chosen as the location for the wedding ceremony to take place.

The two kings had been kept apart for just under a week. For Peter, it was perhaps the most anxious week of his life. And though it had been fraught with the notion of breaking protocol just so he could see Edmund, Susan had kept him as calm as he could possibly be.

Today however, was a much different story. Today his dreams were finally to become reality. Today he would marry the love of his life.

"I think I shall die." Peter gasped, as he paced back and forth in the throne room, "I think I shall die painfully, if this day is not over with soon."

While the rest of Cair Paravel was abuzz with activity, the throne room was surprisingly calm. Susan had made sure Peter would be kept from anything that would distract him. She stood before him, offering reassuring words while Peter paced back and forth, with his fists clenched so tight his hands were white.

"Peter! If you clench your fists any tighter, they'll fall off."

"I'm so bloody nervous, Su." Peter gasped, "What am I doing?"

"You're marrying your one true love."

"I know that, but … what am I doing today? I have practiced this every day since we announced the wedding and now … I have forgotten it all. I have forgotten my vows, I have forgotten where I am to stand. I have forgotten it all, Su."

"You're just nervous."

"What if he changes his mind? What if he gets cold feet?" Peter gasped anxiously, "I have to see him!"

"Peter!" Susan said slapping him across the face, "Get a hold of yourself!"

"Su!" Peter said grabbing Susan's arms, "We're getting married! We're really getting married!"

To the few who bore witness, Peter seemed to be going quite mad. His emotions ran the gamut, and yet no one thought odd of it, for all knew what the high king had endured for his love. It was quite understandable for him to be so anxious.

"Promise me nothing will go wrong. No one is going to interrupt us. Nothing is going to interfere."

"Peter." said Susan with her calming voice, "I have taken care of everything. Edmund is not going to disappear on you. No one will dare to interrupt this day. Narnia is safe and protected, because you have been a magnificent king. All of Narnia is here to celebrate this day with you. I promise you, nothing is going to interfere with your day."

Susan still had the slightest fear in the back of her mind that perhaps Edmund's life was still in danger. She and Oerius had done everything to prevent a surprise attempt. She had taken it upon herself to make sure security would not be an issue today. Though she had fears, they were not noticed by Peter, for she buried her fears beneath a sea of calm.

"Everything will be fine, Peter. I promise."

"Oh my bloody stars, Su." sobbed an anxious Peter, his face a mess of tears, "I can't take this. We have to bring the ceremony forward. I have to see him! We have to marry now. I think I shall lose my stomach if we wait any longer."

"Peter! Your wedding is less than two hours away. Pull yourself together before I throttle you and tell Edmund that you're completely mad."

"I am mad, Su." Peter smiled through his tears, "I am mad with love. We have come so far. We have been through so much. I simply cannot believe this is really happening."

As though this was a needed exercise, so he could release his tensions and anxieties, Susan held him. His head fell upon her shoulder and he let out a pained gasp as he cried. For Peter, it really was about to happen. After all they had endured; he and Edmund would finally be married.

"You have earned this day, Peter. It is yours. Be calm, be composed, and appreciate every single moment. Do not rush to see it end, because it will never come again."

EDMUND THE JUST AS NERVOUS

"Orrin! What do I do when he gives me the ring? What line is it?" Edmund said as he paced back and forth in a sealed southern wing of the castle.

"King Edmund, we have been through this." sighed Orrin, "You know what happens next."

"Oh don't jolly well King Edmund me! You're family. Call me Edmund already!"

"Edmund, you must be calm."

"You've been hanging out with Susan, haven't you?"

"She is my wife."

"Oh, right." said Edmund, pausing before he glanced at his hanging wedding outfit, "Do you think Peter will like my outfit?"

"Of course he will."

"You know … if he's my husband, what am I to him?"

For a moment, Edmund could see Orrin's lips curl ever so slightly. It was a strange sight to see the Shian smile, for he almost had as proud a demeanor as a centaur. Orrin's smile did nothing except to incite Edmund's anger.

"Orrin …"

"I said nothing, Sire."

"It's Edmund!"

"You will be his … his … I'm sorry, I have no idea. We Shian do not even refer to one another as husband or wife traditionally. We are simply both referred to as 'promised one'." Orrin relented, "Susan however, prefers to be called my wife. As far as you and his royal majesty are concerned, won't you simply be his husband too? His betrothed? And regardless of any of that, what is most important is you are his Edmund."

"Oh, I guess so. Thank you, Orrin." smiled a grateful Edmund, "Promised one … I like that."

As if hoping that perhaps he had served out his usefulness, Orrin bowed to Edmund. At first Edmund did not realize Orrin's intention, and returned the gesture. When Orrin spoke however, Edmund's demeanor changed from grateful to horrified.

"May I go now, Majesty?" Orrin asked respectfully.

"Like hell you can go now." Edmund gasped, before admonishing his bad language, "You're my first liege, which means when I suffer, you suffer. You don't like it, take it up with the king. By the way, I am the king."

"You certainly are." sighed a disappointed Orrin, "I am at your service, as always."

"Orrin?"

"Yes, Sire."

"Ok, Prince of the Shian, I am going to go rogue on you very soon if you don't stop calling me sire."

"You are just like your sister." Orrin said with a staunch fix of his chin, "You must forgive me. I come from a very traditional society. It is not appropriate for me to address you as anything but with the proper title. Something that Susan seems intent on changing. She is my wife, and so I will place that duty above all others. You however, are not. You are my king and my ruler. To treat you as otherwise is not acceptable."

"You're married to my sister. I call you Orrin." Edmund said in surprise, "We're family. And we're friends, aren't we?"

"I am a prince, you are a king."

"You are bloody infuriating, that's what you are."

"Yes, but I am extremely effective at the art of diversion." Orrin said with a smile, just before the bell tolled, signaling time for proceedings to begin, "And wouldn't you know, King Edmund? It's time to begin preparing for your wedding ceremony, Sire."

With a grateful smile and a heart that began to flutter in anticipation, Edmund surprised the Shian with a hug. He surprised the Shian with his strength, by lifting him off the ground and jumping up and down.

"Orrin, you are a legend."

"Why thank you, Sire." Orrin asked uncomfortably, "May I go now?"

"No!"

A SATYR IN THE WORKS

Cair Paravel was awash with guests from all over Narnia and beyond. The city seemed to be overflowing with a myriad of creatures. The atmosphere was jovial and merry, with Queen Lucy doing her very best to make sure each guest was treated like royalty.

For one guest however, the atmosphere was neither jovial nor merry. For one guest, the sun shone a little grayer than for every other guest. For one guest, the offerings of food and wine were lost on him, for he did not eat or drink. For this guest was a fallen.

He was no ordinary fallen. He was indeed a satyr, hidden beneath a cloak as black as night. He walked among the crowd, with his hood down so as not to draw attention. As the bells tolled to signal the guests to gather at the northern pavilion, he made his way in wait for his prey.

A DREAM REALIZED

A mighty herald of trumpets could be heard through Cair Paravel and right throughout Narnia. The high king was about to be married to his one and only love. After years of being denied, High King Peter and King Edmund would finally be sealed in matrimony.

Peter the Magnificent. To all who watched him standing in wait for his love to appear, he was nothing less than magnificent. He wore the formal attire that was expected of a high king of Narnia. Adornings of white, embroidered with lashings of gold and red.

He had staved off Narnia's enemies and led Narnia into a golden age, free of Jadis and her hundred year winter. Even when she had tried to return from the realm of the departed, he had staved her off again. He had staved her off, even with the belief that it had cost him his one true love. Though his despair was great at having to lose Edmund, he continued on and ruled Narnia with a firm and guiding hand. By the grace of Aslan himself however, Edmund was returned to Peter.

Their love had been tested, but it had endured. Though the hag, Dalzell, had tried to break and taint their love, she had failed. A love that truly knew no bounds, had overcome all that had threatened it. Even death could not break it. Now, after all they had endured, the day had come for Peter and Edmund to marry.

It had taken almost three years for this day to arrive. It had taken heartache and sorrow, joy and celebration. As Peter stood at the center of the northern pavilion, he thought back on everything he and Edmund had been through. He smiled and sighed to himself, letting the moment sink in. Susan was right; this day would never come again. He had found his calm and wished to appreciate each instant of this wonderful day.

Finally, the bells and trumpets rang out in unison, along with the songs of the naiad and dryad. His Edmund had appeared. He was adorned in simple attire, which was more befitting of a simple knight. Yet on Edmund, it was nothing less than spectacular. His long flowing cape swirled from his shoulder to his feet and trailed away behind him. The cape bore the mark of the lion and that of the high king, as a symbol of his unwavering loyalty to Narnia and to Peter. His suit was in colors that represented his time as a fallen king and rogue warrior, to pay recognition to the time and events that had led to this day.

The sight of his one and only love sent Peter's stomach reeling with anxious joy. He felt the rush of emotion build up inside his soul. He had wanted this moment, and now it was here. Using all the calm he could muster, he held himself back from running to Edmund and kissing him. He could not however stave off the few tears that broke his resolve. Tears of relief, of joy, of gratitude, and of love. So often his heart had feared this day would not come. So often he had believed that Edmund would never be his.

The entire audience stood to their feet as Edmund began the long walk toward Peter. Peter smiled gratefully and Edmund returned the gesture. Even from this far apart, they were as close as anyone could be. Their eyes were fixed only on one another. Their hearts beat as one, with a love that would bind them till the end of a golden age.

A SATYR AND A SHIAN

Far above the northern pavilion, in one of the watchtowers, the two kings of Narnia were being hunted. The satyr tracked their movements with a keen eye. Cocked in his arms was a longbow centered squarely on King Edmund the Just. As the two kings ventured closer to one another, the satyr waited in silence. His orders were to strike King Edmund dead the moment he reached the side of King Peter. All so that King Edmund would die in their arms of the high king. His death would send a signal that he was coming. A signal which would be felt far beyond the borders of Narnia.

As King Edmund finally reached the side of King Peter, the satyr pulled the arrow back. He had one shot to make the kill. One shot that would strike King Edmund dead before Queen Lucy would have a chance to use her cordial.

The satyr let the arrow go, but it did not find its target. Instead, the arrow bounced off a metal plate that had fallen over the window. The window had been sealed shut before the Satyr even knew what was happening. He turned back in surprise to see the door had also been sealed shut with iron bars.

He realized his room had become a prison. A prison that had no doubt been set out just for him. He had walked into a trap.

He ran for the door and struggled, but he could not escape. Finally, he laid eyes on the person responsible for his capture.

"Not today, Satyr." Orrin said with a hint of a smirk.

The satyr glared at Orrin but said nothing. His assassination attempt had been thwarted. Though iron bars separated them, Orrin could feel the satyr's accusing eyes on him. He could feel the anger coming from the fallen creature.

Orrin did not falter under the satyr's glare. He simply raised one eyebrow and stepped closer to the iron bars. They stared one another out, waiting for the other to falter. Neither faltered.

"Lock him down!" Orrin yelled as he turned to the guards behind him, "Speak nothing of this to the kings. Let them have their day in peace."

A JUST AND MAGNIFICENT WEDDING

Oblivious to the attempt to stop their marriage, Peter and Edmund continued with their wedding ceremony. Peter did not even notice the smile of gratitude that Susan gave Orrin as he rejoined the ceremony. Instead, his eyes were still fixed on Edmund.

"I, Peter, take thee, Edmund, as my betrothed. To be my friend, my lover, my husband, my all. I will be yours in times of joy, in times of pain, in times of celebration and failure. For all that our life promises, I will stand beside you. I promise to be true and faithful, to be loyal and understanding. I promise a life that is filled with love and sincerity. I promise all these things to you until the day I die."

Slowly, Peter slipped his ring upon Edmund's finger. Though Edmund did his best to mask his emotion with his typically shy and demure smile, his eyes could mask nothing. He gazed up at Peter, and felt as though he would drown in those deep blue eyes. Those open eyes that looked down at him with gratitude and unyielding love. And it seemed now that the formal part of his vows had been said, Peter was about to speak again, from the heart.

"Edmund … Doubt-bucket …" Peter said with eyes that were open with tears, his words beginning to fail him, "We have waited so long for this day, my love. Thank you for never giving up on the love that we share. Thank you for enduring all the obstacles that have been placed before us. Thank you for believing in us, and for believing in me. Most of all, thank you for loving me as no other ever could. Thank you for giving me the greatest joy that I have ever known. You are my heart and my soul, and without you, I am truly a shadow. I swear before all who stand here today, that I will always be true and will never love another. My heart, my body, my soul, are yours for all of eternity. With this ring, I pledge myself to you. I love you."

Edmund smiled gratefully through his tears, marveling at the new ring that adorned his hand. Though he was still lost in Peter's words, he steadied himself. He took the last ring sitting on a pillow held by Mr. Beaver. He held it in his hand, as his eyes met Peter's once more.

"I, Edmund, take thee, Peter, to be my … promised one, for the rest of my days. To be my partner, my friend, my lover, my husband, my family, and my world. I will be yours when you are weary and when you are happy. In times of weakness and strength, I will promise to stay with you, until the day I die. I promise to honor … and occasionally obey." Edmund said with a mischievous smile that was masked by his tears, "I promise to be true and faithful. I promise to love you and cherish you, for the rest of … for the rest of my life."

Slowly Edmund slipped the ring onto Peter's finger. That one gesture brought Peter to shudder with relieved tears. He closed his eyes and breathed in the moment, yet Edmund was not done. It was his turn to speak from the heart, with words that had not been planned or composed.

"Peter … I love you. I have always been in love with you. I will always love you. Thank you for loving me as you do. In times when I feel unworthy, you never fail to soothe my foolish aches. I once feared the knowledge that I do not breathe unless you love me. I know longer fear such a thing. Today I look in your eyes and I know that as long as you live, you will love me as no other could. And so I am grateful to be yours. Grateful beyond any words. As long as I am able, I will honor your love. As long as I draw breath, I will do my best to make sure you know just how magnificent you truly are. I am in awe of you, Peter. I am truly in awe. There is no one who will ever touch my heart as you do each day. I will do my best to love you in a manner that is worthy of you. And though I am certain I will stumble along the way, I take solace in the fact that we are married, and that as we take this journey together, you will be there to help me when I fall, as I will be there for you. You are the sun to my moon. As long as you are with me, I shall never be lost. I am no longer falling, Peter. And it is because of you. It is because of your love. Thank you. Peter … with this ring … I am yours. Yours for e… yours for … the rest of my life."

With tears that were tinged with the slightest sadness, Edmund let go of the ring. When his eyes rose to meet Peter's, his brief faltering spirit was once again filled with hope and gratitude. Their hands remained clasped together and Edmund's eyes did not waver from Peter's. Even as Mr. Tumnus spoke, their eyes remained on one another;

"Do you, Peter, take Edmund, to be your betrothed?"

"I do."

"Do you, Edmund, take Peter, to be your husband?"

"I do."

"Then let it be done, in the name of Aslan, Narnia, and all that is good. I now pronounce this marriage ... sealed. It is done." Mr. Tumnus said with a smile, "You may kiss."

To the thunderous applause of all who watched, Peter breathed a sigh of disbelief. Finally, Edmund was his and he was Edmund's. Finally they were married. The two kings shared a tear filled smile before finally Peter leaned in to seal their marriage with a kiss.

With a kiss that ached to be more, their lips met. Peter could not help himself from cupping the back of Edmund's neck, but their kiss remained pure and sweet. His lips lingered on Edmund's for a time. He could taste the bitter sweetness of Edmund's tears on his lips, just as Edmund tasted his. And though there were thousands of eyes upon them, their eyes, their hearts, their souls, were only for each other. Finally, their marriage was complete. And now a life ahead awaited them. A life, which like their marriage and their love, would be nothing less than just … and magnificent.

- TO BE CONTINUED -


A/N: You know, I suck at fluff, but I think that chapter had lots of it. This could have been the final of the last volume, but I thought it served better as an opener since the last chapter closed off everything with the hag and the Shian. Between Susan/Orrin and our golden couple of Peter/Edmund, it was all love in this chapter, besides of course, the hint of things to come. Let the celebrations begin as the wedding continues and much frivolity ensues. And though it should be obvious there is action ahead, there will no doubt be a lot of fluffand good times in the chapters ahead. I think Doubt-bucket and King Traitor-bucket deserve it. Good thing Susan and Orrin are there to protect them! This is the final volume of 'Just and Magnificent'. I really hope you enjoy it! Please review, they are food for my muse! And she is very hungry.