There was a grand celebration when the Dawn Treader docked at the first island it came across leaving Narnia. Families were reunited. Tears were on everyone's cheeks. It was an occasion to be proud of.

As a thank you, the lord of that island, Lord Bern, ordered for a feast to be made while he met with Caspian. He wished to discuss the progress of fixing the island's government and get Caspian's suggestions.

You spent your day getting led around by Gael and her friends. She showed you her favorite places in the city and a few of her toys. There were a few moments she mentioned Lucy, how much she missed her. You heart ached knowing you wouldn't see your friend for a long time if ever again. Same for Edmund and his teasing. You missed the Pevensies too much.

When night fell over the city, the celebrations began. In the center square was a space for dancers lined with tables for people to sit and watch or talk. You and Caspian sat with Lord Bern and received the nicest service when it was time for dinner.

Caspian's eyes lit up when he held out his fork with a morsel of roast on it. "Try it."

Glancing at your own plate of the same meal, you raised an eyebrow. "I have and it's delicious. Why… why are you trying to feed me your food?"

"Humor me, Y/N."

"There's no need for this, Caspian."

He leaned close. "Isn't there some sort of tradition out there where newlyweds feed each other?"

"With cake, yes. Not a roast."

"I don't see cake."

"Aren't we supposed to cut it?"

"Be my guest."

Rolling your eyes, you put your lips around the meat on his fork and pulled it off. "Happy, my king?"

He glanced at your food with a cheeky grin.

"Goodness…" You wasted little time getting a piece on your fork and holding it out to Caspian who ate it slower than you.

Before you could lean all the way back into your chair, he stole a short kiss from your lips. "Now I'm happy."

"You are incorrigible."

"Only for my queen."

Several hours later, the feast and dancing came to an end. Lord Bern recommended getting some sleep in real beds, offering up many rooms in the inn nearby.

"We wouldn't want to impose," Caspian said. "We are perfectly happy on the ship. Leave the beds to those who need them."

"Pish posh, my liege." Lord Bern waved off Caspian's words. "All of you will stay in the inn tonight. It seems much of your crew are too intoxicated to make it back to the ship in the first place."

"I suppose we can stay tonight."

"Wonderful! Elaine! Your best room for the king and his wife!" And Lord Bern walked away ordering for preparations to be made for everyone.

"He is an odd man," Drinian commented as he walked by.

"Insistent, too," Caspian nodded.

You shrugged. "I'm glad we found him."

"He certainly knows how to throw a party," the captain said. "It may not compare to our return to Cair Paravel, but it's a morale booster all the same."

"Indeed. Go get some sleep, Drinian."

Drinian smirked. "You as well, your Majesties." He walked away.

You groaned. "It will never end, will it?"

"Maybe when we've been married a few years and have a child."

"Then they will ask when the next one will arrive."

Caspian kissed your head. "We will do things at our pace, not theirs, okay?"

"I know. Thank you."

"Anything for you."

The room given to you and the king was spacious with a bed three times the size as the ones on the ship. You were quick to lie across it with a sigh.

"I know that sleeping on the ship would have been just fine, but this is nice. I miss having a bed that doesn't move."

Caspian pulled his hair out of his leather tie. "It will be a nice change."

Closing your eyes, you listened to your breathing, feeling every breath in and out. You hadn't realized you dozed off until Caspian touched your shoulder. He was already out of his day clothes, donning the tunic he wore that day and his sleep pants.

"Did I fall asleep?" You sat up and rubbed your eyes.

"You did. I was concerned you'd sleep all night in your boots."

"Help me get them off?"

He chuckled and picked up your foot. He slipped off your shoe, his hands warm on your skin. Before he moved to take off your other boot, Caspian squeezed your foot in a gentle massage. You did not expect it to feel so good. He repeated it on the other foot once your boot was discarded.

Falling back on the bed, you sighed. "My boots are off. I can sleep now."

"Y/N."

"I'm so tired, Caspian."

"Would you like some assistance then? It's better to be comfortable when getting rest."

"Do you even know how to help a woman undress?"

"Well, you are wearing trousers, so it's not so different from my everyday task of undressing for bed."

You waved one hand in the air. "Then be my guest, darling."

Caspian laughed. "Did you drink too much wine tonight?"

"Not even one glass."

"I find that hard to believe."

You felt Caspian's gentle fingers working on your belt. "I didn't drink anything because I didn't want to make a fool of myself again with so many eyes to see. I am a queen, you know."

"That I know very well."

Next were your pants. As he pulled them down your legs, he also tugged your shirt down. It made you giggle.

"So kind of you to keep your wife's modesty secret to yourself."

Caspian leaned over you, taking your lips fervently. "I would hate to upset her because I didn't give her the option of modesty."

"You are a good king," you said, holding his face. "And a good husband."

"I'm happy you think so." Your pants were tossed off to the side and he straightened your shirt. "Better now that you're comfortable?"

Nodding, you twisted around to lay on your side. "Thank you, Caspian." A pause. "I'm sorry."

He climbed into the bed, sitting beside you. "For what? You've done nothing wrong."

"I let my fear get the best of me, delaying this. It's not as terrifying as I once thought because you… you care for me in ways I didn't expect. I have nothing to be fearful of. We could have been married far sooner had I taken a moment to push away my fears."

"Don't apologize. Please." His hand laid on your hip, his thumb soothing where it touched. "We're here now. I can't recall a time you were ever unafraid of your future as a queen."

"I knew I couldn't rule alone, but I was afraid of the man I'd have to marry."

"Am I so frightening?"

Laughing, you curled up closer to Caspian, letting your head rest on his lap. "No. I'll admit that marrying you didn't cross my mind as a child because you were just my best friend. When you told me how you felt… I couldn't fathom it not only because I believed Susan was your interest, but because seeing you as my husband seemed strange."

"No one ever said we couldn't be friends and be married at the same time."

"I know. But how often are royals given a chance to find someone outside of an arrangement? I can't recall anyone in history who had that option."

"If my father was living when you came into my life, I would expect this to be arranged."

"Really? Why then did our mothers keep that from happening?"

Caspian shrugged and brushed your hair away from your face. "Maybe they hoped it would happen without an arrangement. You saw how they gazed at us playing the older we got. I think they secretly hoped it would be the two of us in the end."

"Would your father be happy with this outcome?"

"I wish I could say, but I don't see why not. He wasn't like his brother from the stories I've heard. I think he would have liked you. I would hope he'd be happy because I'm happy."

"Even though I'm not a Queen of Old or a star?"

He chuckled. "It's because you are not those things that I have fallen deeply for you."

Your cheeks burned.

"I believe it's time for us to get some rest, yes?" Caspian carefully lifted your head off his lap to help you under the covers. "No need to give anyone ideas as to why we look exhausted in the morning."

You pulled the covers up to your chin watching Caspian settle under the covers next to you. "It's not so strange for a husband and wife to lose sleep in a new marriage, you know."

He leaned over to kiss your forehead. "Yes, but for your sake, I think it's best we wait until we are off the sea. I can't imagine what it would be like to sail while pregnant."

"My mother has told me vague situations about being pregnant… She said she was sick nearly every day. I would assume that wouldn't pair well with sailing."

"So, we will wait."

"If that's what my king wants," you yawned, snuggling into your pillow.

"I want you to be taken care of and happy."

You nodded and closed your eyes. "You need care and happiness, too, Caspian."

The last thing you heard before losing yourself to sleep was Caspian reassuring you that he had just that with you by his side.