Mostly the Magnificent Chapter 11, a chronicles of narnia fanfic

-Chapter 11-

A/N: This is the chapter we've all been anxiously waiting for! Sorry for not posting sooner; this chapter is incredibly long and took a lot of hard work to think through and plan out. Yes, you're right, it's the wedding chapter! I'm so excited to finally post it!

For Peter and Analiese's vows, I used some vows I found on the internet used with the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America). Yes, I am Christian, and yes, I am of the Lutheran denomination. I'm proud of my religion and love God! I've replaced God and Jesus' names with Aslan and the Emperor's names in the vows. Just clearing that up so you don't wonder. Oh, and I asked a few of you (not everyone, so don't feel left out) what song should be Peter and Analiese's first dance song, and you picked... *drum roll* ... well, read and find out!

I worked really, really, really hard on this chapter. It's really, really, really long. Please have the common decency to review when you're finished reading to thank me for the hard work I've done for you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Narnia. I also do not own Analiese's title as High Queen. The idea was brought to me by OJSZ. (OJSZ- Thanks so much!) I also don't own the song in this chapter.

Analiese sat at the white, wooden vanity in the matching chair. Lucy stood before her, blocking the bride's vision. Not that she could see anyway. Susan had ordered the girl to keep her eyes closed at all times until she was told she could open them. Susan stood behind Analiese, doing her hair. Yes, this was it. This was the day of the wedding.

Lucy dabbed around Analiese's face with a brown, soft, circular pad that held some sort of powder. She rubbed a liquid makeup and moisturizer on the bride's face. Then there was the black, super volumizing mascara that Lucy had ordered from Tashbaan, the dark brown eyeliner that was applied on the top lid and lightly on her bottom waterline, the light pink blush, the neutral-colored eye shadow that glittered ever so slightly, the light pink lipstick, the shiny light pink lip gloss, and more. The amount of makeup she was wearing was almost overwhelming.

"Holy Aslan!" Analiese exclaimed an hour into the makeup process. "This is more makeup than I've ever worn in my entire life!"

"Yes," Lucy giggled. "And we're not even a quarter of the way done yet."

Analiese groaned at this, and Lucy giggled again.

Meanwhile, Susan was busy attending to the bride's hair, braiding it intricately around the hair combs that were stuck on either side of where the veil would be, at the middle of the back of her head. Underneath where the veil would be, Analiese's hair was styled in a bun, the braids leading into it. There were a few strands of curly blonde hair that hung out of it stylishly, courtesy of Susan. Analiese was beginning to think they would never be done when the hands were removed from her hair and the brush gave its last stroke across her face.

There was a period of silence that lasted for five whole minutes before she spoke. "Um, can I open my eyes now?"

"No!" both queens shouted simultaneously.

"We still need to put in your veil and get you dressed," Susan explained.

"Erm... what am I wearing now?" she asked suspiciously.

"You're not wearing anything, An," Lucy said, and she could detect a smile in her voice.

"What do you mean, I'm not wearing anything?!" Analiese exclaimed, using her hands to feel around her body. When she felt the fabric on her body, she sighed in relief, then smirked and blindly slapped someone's arm.

"Ow!" one of the queens yelled, while the other began laughing hysterically.

"She-she actually t-th-thought that she was n-naked!" Susan choked out, and Analiese knew that she was the one laughing.

"If you two weren't the best sisters a girl could ask for, you'd be dead right now," Analiese said jokingly. Then she got serious again. "But seriously, what am I wearing?"

Lucy chuckled. "You're wearing the pink under dress."

Analiese sighed in relief. "Thank Aslan," she muttered.

Susan picked up the garment bag that held the white wedding gown from the bed and handed it to Lucy, who proceeded to unzip the garment bag, remove the dress, and straighten it out. Then, she told the bride to hold out her arms so it would be easier to put the dress on her. Analiese willingly obeyed and squeezed her eyes closed tighter, resisting the temptation to peek.

She felt heavy, white fabric slide over her body. It was surprisingly very soft and comfortable, though she was sure that the weight of the gown would change her mind pretty quickly within a few minutes of wearing it.

Then, Susan lifted the veil from where it was neatly laid out on the bed and pinned it in just between the two gold hair combs, which had pretty, little pink jewels accenting the gold and matching the gown's two "spare colors," as Susan called them. The front of the veil wasn't covering Analiese's face yet; Lucy had told Susan not to flip it over until the very last minute so it didn't smudge any makeup.

There was some scuffling around as the two queens straightened the dress and adjusted the veil. Finally, there was ease in the air. "You're done," Lucy said, sighing in relief.

It didn't last long, though.

Knock, knock.

"Who is it?" Lucy called, glancing at her sister's bedroom door.

"It's me… and a surprise visitor," a voice that could only be Avaline's replied from the other side of the door.

"We're done now, so come on in," Lucy said, turning back to her previous position. The door opened and in walked Avaline, along with a familiar click of high heels that Analiese couldn't quite place. She'd heard it before, but who could it be?

"Oh my goodness," Avaline said, stopping in her tracks. Susan looked at her and smiled, knowing that her best friend was referring to the wonderful job she and Lucy had done on Analiese. "It—it… it's beautiful."

"It?" Analiese laughed, her eyes still closed. "Either you think I'm some sort of animal, or you aren't talking about me."

"I'm sorry!" the Telmarine queen chuckled. "I wasn't exactly thinking about my grammar, but you know what I meant."

There was a long pause. "So, are you going to introduce me to your visitor?" Susan asked.

"Oh, her? This is Peighton Welch, sister of Analiese," Avaline said.

Analiese froze, and the smile disappeared from her face. She was shocked. Her sister… here? But why?

"Lucy, can I look now?" the bride-to-be asked nervously.

"Of course. I've been telling you for five whole minutes now that we're done with you. Hint, hint, that means you can look," the Valiant Queen replied.

Analiese slowly opened her eyes. For most brides, the first thing they would have done when they opened their eyes would be to look at themselves in the mirror. But Analiese didn't. Instead, she continued to slowly turn her head until her eyes reached a tall, dirty-blonde-haired woman. Her eyes met the grey eyes of the woman's, and, looking down, Analiese saw what had made the familiar click-clacking of high heels on the wooden floor. It was the shoes her sister was wearing.

"Peighton?" Analiese said cautiously, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Yeah. You know, it's sort of sad that you don't even recognize your own sister," the woman remarked.

"I did recognize you! I just-" Analiese paused, and the confused expression left her face as excitement replaced it. "Come here, sister!" And when she did, both embraced each other happily.

"I've missed you," the bride said, pulling back to look at her sister. "You look older."

"Thanks," Peighton said sarcastically. "I love getting told that I look old." She gave a laugh, then continued. "You don't look so bad yourself."

"What do you mean, you don't look so bad yourself? Does that mean that I look bad every other time you see me and that today is a slight improvement?"

"No, it just means that you're always beautiful and I love driving you insane by saying things like that." Both girls laughed at each other, then Analiese got serious.

"Where's mother?"

"Mother? She's in Great Hall with father, Uncle Fredrick, and… well, the entire family!"

"The entire family?!" Analiese exclaimed. "You mean to tell me that the entire family, meaning everyone with even the most distant relation to me, is here? Today? At this wedding?"

"Yes, Ana, everyone wanted to see their relative become a queen today. And that's not it. Have you seen how many people are lined up outside the gates of the palace? It's incredible. I've never seen so many people and creatures in my life!"

"Oh, Aslan, help me!" Analiese cried, putting her face in her hands.
Lucy, who had been standing in the corner of the room with Susan and Avaline, trying to let the sisters have a moment, suddenly shouted, "No!"

Analiese looked up in surprise. "What is it, Lucy?"

"You'll ruin your makeup!" the Valiant Queen exclaimed, dashing over to her soon-to-be sister-in-law's side. She thoroughly examined Analiese's face, and when she found no signs of smudged or messed up makeup, she walked away.

"Close one," Susan commented from the other side of the room with a hint of humor in her eyes. "That could've ended the world."

"Hey!" said Lucy, looking to her older sister. "Just because you only spent a fraction of the time I did makeup doing her hair doesn't mean that it can't be messed up beyond repair."

"What do you mean?" Susan asked.

"Take a guess."

And then they chatted until the moment that the wedding was about to begin.

00000000

"I'm so nervous," Analiese spoke quietly to Lucy. They were standing at the very top of the grand, white marble staircase that led down to the Great Hall, which was set up especially for the wedding.

"It's okay. That's normal, feeling jittery and all," the Valiant Queen replied, patting her shoulder.

Analiese nodded. She looked around nervously, wondering how in the world she could make it down the stairs without tripping on her dress, or make it down the aisle without passing out, or even simply smile at all the guests without having a full-out panic attack.

Today was the day that all girls dream of from the time they're little to the moment it actually happened. If anything went wrong on this day, Analiese would have to live with it for the rest of her life. Today was a day that she could never redo, only relive through her mind. And sometimes, daydreaming doesn't solve all your problems.

"Where's father?" Analiese asked.

"He's coming. He just had to take care of some things with Edmund and Peighton first."

"What did he have to discuss with Edmund?"

"Ed is Peter's best man." Lucy paused. "I thought you two went over this and made the wedding decisions together," she commented suspiciously for a reason Analiese couldn't figure out.

"We did, until he decided he didn't want to anymore."

"Why would he decide that?"

"Because-well, it's a long story," the bride said quickly, trying her hardest to make it sound casual. She did not succeed, though, as she discovered when Lucy raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Much to Analiese's relief, the strawberry-blonde-haired queen shrugged it off without a single question.

"There she is! My big girl," Analiese's father said, smiling and opening his arms when he saw his daughter.

"Daddy," she greeted, embracing the man. Her father, Lord Wilson Welch, was a well-known noble and member of the Narnian court.

"Are you ready, darling?" Wilson asked Analiese. She glanced nervously at Lucy, who nodded slightly, then turned back to her father, who was holding out his arm to her. The bride took his arm, hooked it, and looked down the long staircase.

Music began to play downstairs.

"It's time," Lucy said quietly and came to place a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Come on."

Susan then appeared from behind them, dressed in the same beautiful dress as her sister. They both were wearing light pink, strapless dresses with gold stitching top and hem. They wore their hair in curled buns also, and though they had each styled their hair flawlessly, they had taken care to make Analiese's hair, in almost the same style, perfect so that it was all anyone would see.

"Is it time?" Susan asked, walking over to stand next to Lucy.

"Yes." Lucy said.

There was a silence, then Susan asked, "Have you been downstairs?" Lucy nodded. "Is Avaline downstairs?"

"Yes," Lucy replied.

"Edmund is with Aslan at the front of the Great Hall?"

"Yes," she said again.

"Caspian is downstairs?"

"Yup."

"Edmund has the rings?"

"Mmm-hmmm." Lucy looked down to her nails and examined them at several different angles in the air in boredom.

"Peter is in front of the thrones?"

"Susan!" Lucy exclaimed in exaggeration. Her sister back at her in surprise. "Calm down. Everything is going to be fine."

"Okay," Susan took a deep breath. "I guess the wedding jitters are getting to me."

"It's not even your wedding!" Lucy and Analiese cried in unison.

"Hey, I've been the one planning this thing for two months!" Susan stood up for herself.

"And you think we haven't?" Lucy asked, irritated.

"No, I just... oh, who cares? Let's go!"

So the two queens, chosen as Analiese's bridesmaids, stood next to each other in front of Analiese and Lord Wilson.

"Are we late?" Peighton asked, appearing from a corridor behind the four people. In her arms was Analiese's niece and Peighton's daughter, Sophia.

"No, but you're about to be," said Susan. "Come on!"

Peighton took her place behind her younger sister, and held onto the lace train of her wedding gown. Five-year-old Sophia handed Susan and Lucy the bouquets of pink Calla Lilies then adjusted to the weight of the basket in her arms. As the flower girl, Sophia had to carry the flower basket all the way down the stairs and down the aisle, which would be a big task for such a small girl.

The music that signaled them to go began to play, and Sophia counted to three in her head and began to walk. Behind her, Susan and Lucy counted to three before they descended after her. Analiese watched them go until they disappeared to the other side of the twirling grand staircase. Then she listened to their retreating footsteps.

"Are you ready?" Wilson asked, turning his head to look at his daughter. She nodded. "Are you sure? There's always time to stop this thing."

"I'm sure, dad." Analiese spotted tears in her father's eyes. "Why are you crying?"

"I just-I just don't want to see my little girl grow up," Wilson replied, his voice cracking.

"It's okay," she murmured, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "I'll come visit you whenever I can. And I'll bring Biff to visit you and Uncle Fredrick. I'll be such a good wife; I know you'll be proud of me."

"That's my big girl. You just grew up so fast," he said with a smile. "I love you, Ana. No matter what happens, you will always be my baby girl."

"I love you, too, daddy," Analiese whispered, her own eyes brimmed with tears. "Forever."

They embraced for a moment more and then Wilson looked at his watch. "Come on, Miss Welch. We're going to change your name before your husband runs away."

And with a laugh, Analiese took her father's arm and, on the count of three, they descended the stairs.

When Analiese reached the bottom of the staircase, she could barely believe her eyes. She could hardly recognize the Great Hall. The aisle was a long, red carpet. On all sides were eyes focused on her, and her only. The guests sat at round tables with white tablecloths laid across. The tablecloths had a nice, gold trim at the ends. All around, in streams hanging from windows and columns were lines of light pink flowers. On the carpet were the pink rose petals that Sophia had tossed. At the end of the carpet, on the opposite side of the room, were Analiese's friends.

She took in the people at the makeshift altar, all of whom were smiling welcomingly at her. To the left side were Susan, Lucy, Peighton, and little Sophia. On the right side were Edmund, carrying the rings, Caspian, and Peighton's seven-year-old son, Darren. Then, at the directly before Analiese's eyes was Aslan. Then, her eyes shifted to the left slightly, where she saw Peter standing.

His hands were behind his back, he stood with his back straight and chin high as only a king could. He wore dark brown trousers and boots, and a gold tunic with a red lion stitched onto the middle of it.

Wilson tapped his daughter's arm, signaling her to continue walking, and she did. Suddenly, her eyes met Peter's and for a moment, all she could see was him. It was if the world had stopped turning; nothing else mattered except for them. They were the only people in the room for a few glorious moments until Wilson stopped walking. Analiese stopped as well, and she realized she was standing before Aslan, who was standing in the middle of the two, long steps that led to the thrones.

Aslan glanced over at Caspian, gave a small nod, and Caspian stepped forward between Peter and Analiese. He faced the crowd as he spoke. "The grace of Aslan be with you," he said, raising his hands high.

"And also with you," the congregation replied from their seats. Caspian made a small hand motion, and then they all stood.

"Peter and Analiese have come to make their marriage vows in the presence of Aslan and of this congregation. Let us now witness their promise to each other and surround them with our prayers, giving thanks to the Emperor for the blessing of marriage and asking Him for His blessing upon them, so that they may be strengthened for their life together and nurtured in their love for Aslan. We rejoice that marriage is given by Aslan. Therefore, let marriage be held in honor by all," Caspian said.

Then he turned to Peter. "Peter, living in the promise of Aslan, joined by Him by baptism, will you give yourself to Analiese in love and faithfulness? Will you share your life with her in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, in rich and in poor, for better or for worse, and will you be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"

Analiese looked at Peter. His face was composed and he looked calm. "I will, with the help of Aslan."

Caspian turned to Analiese, looking her directly in the eye, before looking down to read out of the marriage book that contained everything he was supposed to say.

"Analiese, living in the promise of Aslan, joined in Him by baptism; will you give yourself to Peter in love and faithfulness? Will you share your life with him in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, in rich and in poor, for better or for worse, and will you promise to be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I will, with the help of Aslan," Analiese said, looking straight at her friend and trying to pretend she was back in the library practicing rather than actually saying her vows.

Caspian looked to the congregation. "Families, friends, and all those gathered here with Peter and Analiese, will you promise to support and care for them in their life together, to sustain and pray for them in times of trouble, to give thanks to them in times of joy, to honor the bonds of their covenant, and to affirm the love of Aslan reflected in their lives?"

"We will, with the help of Aslan," the congregation replied.

"Let us pray," Caspian said. The congregation and everyone at the front of the room bowed their heads and closed their eyes. "Eternal Emperor, our creator and redeemer, as you gladdened the Battle of Beruna with your son Aslan, so bring joy to this wedding by His presence now. Look in favor upon Peter and Analiese and grant that they, rejoicing in your gifts, may at length celebrate the unending marriage feast with the Great Lion, who lives and reigns with you, one creator, now and forever. Amen."

Everyone in the room opened their eyes and raised their heads, and Caspian gave another hand motion telling the congregation to sit.

Out of the corner of her eye, Analiese saw Wilson moving and felt his arm slip from hers. He took hold of her hand and moved it until it touched something warm. She looked and saw that her father had just placed her hand into the large, warm hand of Peter. She glanced up and Peter met her gaze. However, the bride quickly looked away when Caspian motioned for Peter to begin his vows. But Analiese was the only thing he could look at.

"I take you, Analiese Welch, to be my wife from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come, and I promise to be faithful to you until death do us apart," Peter vowed, looking Analiese straight in the eyes. And as it was her turn to exchange her vows, she had no choice than to gaze into his deep, blue eyes.

"I take you, Peter Pevensie, to be my husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come, I promise to be faithful to you until death do us apart," Analiese vowed in response.

Analiese and Peter turned their heads to see Edmund coming forward with a red velvet pillow with two rings lying on it. One was a beautiful gold band with a light pink diamond stuck in a rectangular shape around the top section of it. This ring was for Analiese. The other was a gold ring of the same color with two lighter pink diamonds embedded in the top.

Edmund approached the couple with the pillow and stood before Caspian and between Peter and Analiese.

Caspian looked between the bride and groom and began to speak. "Bless these rings, Aslan; let they who wear them live in love and fidelity, and continue in your service all the days of their lives, through the Emperor Over the Sea. Amen."

Peter looked to Caspian, who nodded at the High King to continue, and proceeded to take Analiese's ring from the pillow. "Analiese," he said, "I give this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of Aslan."

The blonde-haired king gently slipped the beautiful gold band onto Analiese's fourth finger on her left hand. She took in a sharp breath as his fingers brushed against her hand, leaving chills behind. Not knowing exactly what had just caused her to act that way, she shook her head slightly at herself to clear her thoughts.

Analiese slowly took the remaining ring from the pillow, and Edmund stepped back next to Peighton's son, Darren, as his job was done. The blonde-haired girl looked up at her soon-to-be-official-husband and said in a small, nervous voice, "Peter Pevensie, I give this ring as a symbol of my vow. With all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of Aslan."

She looked away from him and down at his hand as she slid the ring on the fourth finger of his left hand carefully and gently. She then took a step back from him.

"Peter and Analiese," Caspian continued speaking. Peter sure was getting tired of his talking. Hopefully, his voice would go out and Peter wouldn't have to hear his voice again for at least another couple of days, because after today, the High King was sure he'd have enough of Caspian's talking as he could possibly take. "by their promises before Aslan and in the presence of this assembly, have joined themselves to one another as husband and wife. Those whom Aslan has joined together, let no one separate."

Then the congregation said in unison, "Amen."

And suddenly, to Peter and Analiese's utter surprise and complete shock, Caspian announced, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!"

Analiese could feel all eyes on them. The bride and groom stood in shock and horror, however, each staring into the other's wide eyes. Peter had prepared himself for this moment. He had no idea why in the world he was so surprised.

'You knew this would happen,' Peter thought. 'Just lean in and kiss her. Walk it through just like you did in the gardens.'

And so the High King leaned in slowly, one hand cupping her cheek and the other on her waist. His face inched closer and closer to hers and though he felt as if their lips would never touch, each movement brought him a lot closer. Finally, the groom's lips met the bride's, and they moved in a sweet, joyful kiss.

The kiss, it was so perfect, so wonderful, that for a moment, it actually gave Peter hope. For a fraction of a second, all worries left him. He felt as if he were floating in happiness. His troubles were eased and everything was right. It was that one moment of bliss that Peter lost himself in that caused confusion and frustration in both of them. So when Peter pulled away and his eyes met his wife's, he wasn't sure what to think. All he knew was she had kissed back.

There wasn't enough time to ponder, though. The crowd was watching. So Analiese grabbed Peter's hand and held it tight, turning each of their bodies to face the crowd as they cheered for the High King and his new wife. But the ceremony wasn't over yet.

"Now, with the greatest respect, the Great Lion Aslan has come to crown," Caspian announced, stepping aside to stand next to Darren, Wilson, and Edmund.

Aslan stepped forward to stand between Analiese and Peter. "Welcome, Narnians, Archenlanders, Tarkaans and Tarkheenas, Calormenes, Terebinthians, and others. We have gathered here today both to see the marriage of High King Peter and Lady Analiese, and also for the coronation of Lady Analiese.

"Narnia has been through many trials and much tragedy. There are many people who have ruled and helped this country that shall always be remembered: Digory Kirke, Polly Plummer, King Frank, Queen Helen, Queen Swanwhite, High King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, Queen Lucy, Prince Cor of Archenland, Aravis Tarkheena, King Caspian X, Queen Avaline, and now we shall add one more." Aslan looked to the right. "Step forward, young Darren."

Darren walked over, carrying the same square, red velvet pillow that Edmund had held earlier, only this time the two wedding rings had been replaced by a pure gold tiara with tiny diamonds embedded into it.

Darren placed the tiara upon Analiese's head when she bowed it. "To the bright northern star, I give you High Queen Analiese... the Courteous."

There were shouts around the large room of, "Long live King Peter, long live Queen Susan, long live King Edmund, long live Queen Lucy, long live King Caspian, long live Queen Avaline," and the loudest of all, "Long live Queen Analiese!"

Analiese's smile grew wider and wider as she heard more people chanting her name, proud to have her as their queen. She was proud of herself, too. Who would have thought that such an ordinary girl would grow up to accomplish such great things?

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The wedding and coronation ceremonies had ended two hours ago, and the reception party had begun directly after. All of the guests appeared to be having a great time, and as Peter watched his friends and family chat with the guests and entertain themselves, he smiled. He couldn't ask for a better wedding.

Peter stood in the corner of the room sipping red punch from a small glass. He leaned against the refreshment table as he looked around. He saw Avaline chatting with her old nurse from her princess days, Balmia, and her husband, Lord Jeffrey. A few feet from Avaline were Lucy and Trufflehunter, laughing at something Reepicheep had just said to her. Susan was eating a cookie and pretending to be interested in something one of the Bulgy Bears was telling her. She kept glancing around with a helpless expression on her face, wanting so badly for someone to interrupt the bear's blabber. Caspian was surrounded by women, all of whom were hoping he would marry them. He was the only king left that wasn't in a relationship, of course he would have hundreds of admirers. Peter chuckled to himself. How are you liking being single now, Caspian? Peter thought.

The High King looked to his right to see Edmund, who was looking around with a frown on his face. He was walking closer to Peter, searching the room all the time. When he finally approached his brother, he asked, "Have you seen Analiese?"

"No," Peter replied. His face was questioning. "Why?"

"They're about to have the first dance," Edmund said, continuing to look around.

"So?" Peter had no idea where Edmund was going with this.

"'So?' What do you mean, 'so'?"

"I mean, why do you need her for the first dance?" Peter asked.

"Susan didn't tell you?" Edmund raised an eyebrow when his brother looked at him quizzically. The Just King sighed. "The first dance of a wedding is always done by the bride and the groom."

Peter's eyes widened. "Are you kidding me?"

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"Can I fake an injury?"

"No, but I can give you one for free if you don't help me find your freaking wife!" Edmund said, exasperated.

"Fine," Peter said, taking a step back from his brother, just in case he was serious. "She's probably talking with her family or something."

"You aren't going to help me find her?" the dark-haired king asked.

"No," Peter replied, crossing his arms. "I'm enjoying my punch." He gestured to the glass of red juice in his hand.

Edmund glared at the High King. "Fine, you can stand here and twiddle your thumbs now. But you're going to regret it when the best man's speech comes around."

Peter raised both eyebrows. "Is that a threat?"

"No, that's a promise." And then Edmund disappeared into the crowd to find Analiese.

It was five, short minutes later when Caspian made his way to where the musicians were and announced that everyone needed to clear off the dance floor for the bride and groom's first dance. Peter wasn't happy about it, but when he saw his wife standing in the corner, pausing her conversation with a guest to listen, he reluctantly made his way over to her.

He held out his hand to her wordlessly, and she graciously took it. Peter led Analiese to the dance floor, where the lights were shining on them and all eyes were watching. Music began playing, and Peter placed his unoccupied hand on her waist while she placed hers on his shoulder.

There I was again tonight
Forcing laughter, faking smiles
Same old tired lonely place

Peter moved himself to the music, leading Analiese as well. He didn't know what song was playing; he'd never heard it, but he knew he'd like it just by those first three lines. It fit tonight perfectly.

Walls of insincerity
Shifting eyes and vacancy
Vanished when I saw your face
All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you

Analiese followed Peter's lead. She had always been a fairly good dancer, so it wasn't too hard to pick up on what he was doing. She listened to the lyrics of the song, too, and was reminded of the night she met Peter.

Your eyes whispered "have we met?"
Across the room, your silhouette
Starts to make its way to me

That moment when Peter had begun walking toward Analiese at the ball was one terrifying encounter. Analiese had had no idea what he had wanted when he first approached.

The playful conversation starts
Counter all your quick remarks
Like passing notes in secrecy
And it was enchanting to meet you
All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you

Peter leaned forward to whisper in Analiese's ear. "Does this song sound like a first-hand account to you?" he asked in a whisper.

Analiese chuckled and nodded. It did sound a lot like the day they met at the Pevensies' return ball.

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

Peter sped up the pace of their dancing as the song sped up, then slowed back down once the second verse of the song began.

The lingering question kept me up
2 a.m. who do you love?
I wonder 'til I'm wide awake
Now I'm pacing back and forth
Wishing you were at my door
I'd open up and you would say
It was enchanting to meet you
All I know is I was enchanted to meet you

Peter chuckled to himself. That entire verse sounded exactly like him. Except when Analiese did knock on his door that one night when she needed her cloak, he had more than enough courage to say, 'I was enchanted to meet you.' As a matter of fact, his courage led him to kiss her, which led to nothing but trouble in their relationship. The smile was wiped from his face.

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
This night is flawless, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

Analiese looked up into Peter's blue eyes. It was like a sea of blue, the color blue that the ocean theoretically was, washed over her when her eyes met his. Yes, this night was flawless. And if she didn't have to stay at the palace after the reception was over late that night, she would have gone home and danced around all alone in joy.

This is me praying that
This was the very first page
Not where the story line ends
My thoughts will echo your name
Until I see you again
These are the words I held back
As I was leaving too soon
I was enchanted to meet you

The lyrics made Analiese think back to when Peter went off on her at the end of the ball, and how she wanted so badly to make it up to him, and to make him happy. And then there was that day in the gardens where they had their first kiss. Directly after the kiss, they had had to go, and had gone their separate ways. Analiese had gone home and immediately ran up to her bedroom, where she had locked the door, sank to the ground against it, and simply smiled for what seemed like hours because she couldn't wait to see Peter again.

Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you
Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you

Peter thought back to when he asked Analiese if she was in love with anyone else. He knew that it was wrong to hope for it, but he couldn't help but pray that she had no one else in her life.

Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you

The song ended, and looking at Analiese, her hair, her smile, her eyes, he couldn't help what he did next. He slowly leaned in, taking the hand that held hers and holding it up to their shoulders. Using the hand that rested on her waist, he pulled her closer to him. Within seconds, his lips were on hers.

When their lips first met, Analiese's eyes widened in surprise. But as she felt the soft, warm, loving lips on her, her green eyes fluttered closed and the arm that rested on Peter's shoulder gently crept around until it reached the back of his neck. All around was cheering and applause, and when Peter let Analiese go, neither felt any regret. The blonde-haired bride knew she wasn't in love with her husband, but she somehow couldn't find any reason that she wouldn't like the kiss.

The newly-weds cleared off the dance floor and other couples soon filled it up again. Peter and Analiese, instead of dancing to another song, sat down across from each other at one of the circular tables and watched. After a few minutes, Peter asked, "You're not mad?"

"Mad at what?" she asked, looking at him.

"Mad at what happened back there." He pointed over his shoulder at the dance floor.

"No, why would I be mad?"

Peter felt as if she were avoiding what he was talking about. "Um, I kissed you."

"Uh huh."

"And you kissed back."

"Yeah."

"And you don't like me."

"So?" she asked.

"So, most people don't kiss somebody back if they don't like the person kissing them," Peter explained. He thought back to what he had just said and rolled his eyes when his words didn't make any sense.

Analiese had been watching the people on the dance floor again, but suddenly turned to look him in the eye. "Where did you get that from?"

"Get what from?"

"That I didn't like you," she replied, getting irritated with their pointless questions and confusion.

"Um, I kind of got that from you," Peter said.

"Peter, I never said I didn't like you. I only said I didn't love you." She paused, and when he said nothing, she continued. "You can't honestly tell me that you expected I'd fall in love with you the moment I saw you. Come on, Peter, we both know that love doesn't work like that. You have to give me time, okay?"

Peter nodded, looking away. Even though he couldn't see her face, he knew her eyes were on him.

"Peter," Analiese said in a soft voice. He looked over at her in answer. "Give me some time."

He nodded, and Analiese sighed. Peter wasn't exactly the patient type.

00000000

"King Edmund," a woman said, and Edmund turned to see a Calormene girl standing behind him.

"Yes?" he asked.

"I'm Lady Morgana from Calormen. I saw you standing here alone and was wondering if you'd like to chat with me," she replied.

"That's very nice of you," Edmund said. "Of course I would." He led her over to the refreshments table. Peter and Analiese had already cut the gigantic vanilla cake, and there was some left, so they both took a slice.

"This cake is really good, don't you think?" he asked, taking another bite. Of course he was using a fork; he was king, not an animal.

"Yes, it is, my King," Morgana responded politely, taking a much smaller, more polite bite of her piece of cake than Edmund had.

"Correction: it's not really good, it's delicious!" He smiled and took another huge bite. It smeared light pink frost on his nose and all over his mouth. Morgana laughed as he grabbed a napkin off the table and wiped it off, then balled up the napkin and tossed it into the trash can from five feet away. Edmund couldn't care less about how this made him look to other people. You see, as long as there was good food in front of him, you could expect the Just King to be completely manner-less monster until it was gone.

"Susan always scolds me for eating like such a pig, but I never listen. I don't really care how others think of me, because deep down inside, somewhere in every man is a horrible, savage beast that wants so badly to spill spaghetti sauce all over his shirt and smear it in, to stuff a huge slice of cake down his throat in one bite, and to chug twenty cans of orange soda in row. For some men, that side of them is hidden deep inside. For others, such as myself, we tend to show it in everything we do."

Morgana laughed. "Well, I admire the fact that you're not afraid of others' opinions about you. That something that many people struggle with, your Majesty."

"Yup, and that's why Susan scolds me. She thinks that everyone should bow down to people's opinions like slaves so they don't think badly of us. And you know what I say to her?"

"What, my King?"

Edmund leaned in to whisper in Morgana's ear. "Bite me." He pulled away to gauge his companion's reaction and smiled when he saw her fighting a laugh.

"You can laugh if you want, milady," he told her, and she immediately burst into laughter.

When she was done, she looked at the Just King. "And you don't have to call me 'milady' or anything. Just 'Morgana' is fine."

"Okay, Morgana," he smiled, "you have to call me 'Edmund.'"

"But I just met you, your Majesty."

"And I just met you, yet you told me to call you by your first name," he retorted.

"But that's different. You're a king and I'm-"

"A kind woman who needs to be quiet before I send her to the dungeons."

Morgana's mouth immediately snapped shut and her eyes widened in fear. Edmund began to laugh hysterically.

"Y-you thought I was going to lock you in the d-dungeons?" he asked, still laughing.

"Yes, King Edmund," she replied, her voice shaky and eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"What did I tell you about calling me that?" he demanded jokingly.

"To not to, but what-?"

"Morgana, I was just kidding with you. I'm not going to throw you in the dungeons. As a matter of fact, I don't even know where in this humongous palace the dungeon is!" With the last sentence, Edmund opened his arms wide to show how large Cair Paravel was.

"Okay, okay," the Calormene girl said, laughing. They both watched the people around them having fun, chatting, and dancing. "Have you danced with Queen Avaline tonight?" she asked.

Edmund's eyes widened in surprise. "Y-yes, w-what makes you ask?" he stuttered out.

"Oh, nothing. I just haven't seen you talk to her once this evening," Morgana replied, shrugging.

Edmund looked down at his feet. The party was going to end sooner than later, and he probably should find Avaline. He really hadn't made eye contact nor had he spoken a word to her for the past couple of days. Ever since their big fight, she had ignored him and he had been too afraid to talk to her. He didn't know why he was afraid, but he was. It was almost as if he felt he'd lose her if he tried to apologize again. But deep down inside, he knew that he'd already lost her.

"Edmund," Morgana whispered, taking a step closer to him and resting her hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," he replied. He saw her disbelieving expression and said, "Really."

"Then why don't I believe you?" she asked. It wasn't an accusing tone, but one of sincere care.

"Because it's really not okay," he said, sinking to the ground and leaning against the wall next to the refreshment table.

"You can talk to me, you know," Morgana said, sitting down on the white marble floor next to him. She sat on her knees so as not to be unladylike.

"Well, Avaline and I have been fighting lately. She hasn't even looked at me in nearly a week now. It's killing me."

"Why won't she talk to you?"

"Because I admitted that I made a mistake," Edmund replied, thinking back to the note he had left on his pillow for her. She must have been so hurt when she read it. He had never in his life seen her act like this toward him, or anybody else either, for that matter. If anyone found out what had happened, it would draw the entire monarchy of Narnia apart. As the Just King, Edmund vowed that he wouldn't let that happen. For his country.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," she said gently.

"No, it's fine. It's just that me and Avaline did something that we both knew was wrong before it even happened. I could've stopped, we could still be happy now... oh Aslan, I'm such an idiot!" he cried. He put his head in his hands and rested them on his knees, which were pulled up to his chest.

"Shhh," Morgana soothed. "You're not an idiot. Everybody makes mistakes. It's not like you've committed some major sin or anything."

"But I have," he said, face still covered.

"No, you haven't. What you did can't be that bad."

"But it is." He heard her silence and looked up, into her eyes. "I did... 'that'." She raised an eyebrow. "Yes, exactly what you think."

"Edmund, she loves you, she'll forgive you."

"No," he whispered. "She told me she hated me."

"That's just something girls say when they're upset. She doesn't really hate you. Talk it out later. If it's been almost a week like you said, she's had enough time to think it through and cool off. Maybe she's already mentally forgiven you but is waiting for you to make the first move." They sat in silence for a few minutes while Edmund pondered this, then she spoke again. "It's time for me to go, but I've had a wonderful time. If you ever need to talk to me again, I'll be glad to write you."

"Why can't you just come visit me here?" Edmund asked.

"It's a long way to come here all the way from Calormen, Edmund. But since me and Queen Analiese have become friends, when I visit her next, I will be sure to see you."

"Promise?" he said hopefully.

"Promise," Morgana answered, a small smile on her lips. "I have to go. Good luck." And with that said, she was gone.

00000000

And so the seven monarchs ended the reception party on a much better note than they had before. It almost seemed as if the wedding had brought them together instead of tearing them apart, as they all thought it would.

Analiese and Peter were talking to each other again.

Edmund was going to apologize to Avaline, and was given hope by his new friend.

Lucy had met a new friend as well, Duke Camden of Durham.

Susan had been successful in her wedding planning.

Caspian had been flattered by hundreds of female admirers.

Yes, it seemed that the High King's marriage was indeed the start of something new.

A/N: I loved this chapter! It was so... I don't know. But everything is all better now, thank goodness. I didn't think I could write two angry couples at a time for much longer. So now it's one down, one more to go. Things are starting to pick up with this chapter. Edmund has finally met Morgana. Peter and Analiese are happy, or happier at least, than they were before. I don't know about you all, but I'm getting excited!

OMG, my friend texted me yesterday morning and told me that William Moseley talked to her on Instagram! HOLY COW!

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

By, the way, speaking of reviews, I should get times ten the amount of reviews I normally get. You know why? Because this chapter was freaking 8,100 words long starting here! Literally, I'm not even kidding. And the word document says it's twenty-four pages long. Do you people understand that? I could've spit this chapter into three different chapters if I wrote the amount I normally did, which is around 2500-3000 words, but I didn't, because I love you all and I didn't want to make you suffer while waiting for the rest. And plus, I just had my birthday a week or so ago. So yeah, REVIEWS x10 PLEASE! I love you people!