Hello everyone! I am sorry for the long wait but i was in Kansas for my cousins wedding so i didn't really have computer access. It's a filler pre-wedding chapter so yeah. Please let me know what you think.

Oh, and P.S. I am TOTALLY grateful for all the favorites and story alerts i have received for this story. And I don't mean to sound snotty or ungrateful but if you like this story enough to make it a favorite I would really appreciate it if you would tell me specifically what it is that you like about it so I can improve my writing. Thank you very much! I would really appreciate it!

Caspian lay in the courtyard of the Cair, sprawled out in the grass and soaking in the sun. Two more days. Two more days and he would be the happiest man in the world, his and theirs. Two more days and he would be standing at the altar before nearly six hundred and fifty foreign dignitaries saying I do. Two more days and Peter would be walking Susan down the aisle and all eyes would be on her. Two more days and he would be taking his first steps as a married man. Two more days and they would share the first dance of the ball, the first dance of their new life. Two more days and Susan would be his forever. Two more days and Susan would be his wife. The word sent shivers down his spine. For three long, agonizing years that word had stricken fear to his very core.

How could he have married when he had no heart to give? How can you pretend to be happy with someone when your heart belongs to someone else? Even someone that is gone forever? How could you give away your whole entire life to someone you didn't love? Even a little bit? He shuddered and then shook his head, erasing the memories of the horrible pain and suffering that had plagued him for so long. He hadn't been alive those three years. He had been an empty, black, broken shell of a person without her in his life. But now, he would have her forever. He would hear her laugh everyday and see that beautiful smile everyday. He would someday raise his children with her and wake up next to her every morning.

Excitement and anticipation bubbled up inside of his stomach. He didn't have to give up his life for a woman he didn't love. Instead he got to spend the rest of his life with someone he loved totally and completely with his whole entire being. The rest of his life by her side. It was too perfect for his brain to even comprehend. Never in his life did he even dream about marrying someone he was in love with. He had always thought he would end up marrying some spoiled, stiff, air head princess or lord's daughter chosen by Miraz and his awful council.

And he wouldn't have been expected to have any feeling for the poor girl. He had to marry and produce an heir and put on a brave face for the country. That was what Telmarines do, he had always been told. Put on a fierce mask for the people and grin and bear were strong and fierce and had no emotion. That was how he had always expected it to be. He was to be king and it was his job. And it of course wasn't his first choice to spend the rest of his life with someone he detested and he would have felt horrible about not being able to give his wife the love every woman deserves but he had been willing to give up his happiness for Narnia. Ten generations of unhappy, strained, loveless marriages...and then Susan came along. Ten generations of Telmarines had been forces into politically strenghtening marriages.

But no sir, not him. He would be the first of ten generations of Caspian's (and their brothers and sisters) to marry for love and not have an arranged marriage. Just the thought of an eternity with Susan, his love and his heart, was enough to make his blood rush to his cheeks and his whole body tingle most pleasantly. Oh he was so nervous! The most wonderful, joyous, amazing nervous anyone could possibly feel. He was particularly looking forward to the moments after the wedding ceremony…

He rolled over on his side in the grass and inhaled the sweet smell of the Narnian air. He groaned and a childlike frown appeared on his handsome face as two large shadows towered over him and blocked his sun. Caspian cracked one eye opened and quickly shut it and rolled over onto his stomach. Perhaps if he feigned sleep they would go away…

"Nice try Caspian. You're not getting rid of us that easy," the smug voice of the High King daunted and Caspian growled haphazardly and batted a hand idly at the air.

"Please say this is not about flowers or tablecloths or …food or something." he groaned lazily and Edmund laughed.

"Oh no brother. It's better. Much much better," the Just king said in a smug voice, rubbing his hands together wickedly

"C'mon. Get up. We are going to the tailor." Peter said, his face turning into a mask of agony and he sighed grimly as if announcing their presence was required at the gallows.

Caspian groaned even louder and felt as if he might cry.

"Oh sweet Aslan please no! Not the tailor!" he cried with another groan, putting his face in his hands. He absolutely despised going to the tailor. All that standing! He couldn't stand it! How did Susan do it? He could only imagine how long she had to stand there on that little pedestal to be meausured for her wedding dress.

Peter grimaced and pulled his friend to his feet. "I know, I know. It's okay Caspian we have to go too. Don't cry," he said patting his friend on the back and began dragging him (with the help of Edmund) across the courtyard and to the palace.

"Do we have to go? Can't we just like...hide in that tree or something?" the Telamarine King said hopefully.

"Sorry buddy. But just think, my poor sister had to stand on that bloody pedestal for nearly two just to be measured.

Caspian's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. Two and a half hours? He would be bloody grateful for forty-five minutes thank you very much.

"Plus, by order of Queen Lucy the Valiant, we have to 'get our butts down to the tailors room immediately unless we wish to wear our underwear to the wedding and face the wrath of the Gentle Queen of Narnia," Peter said in a very kingly voice.

Edmund grinned wickedly and turned to Caspian with a wicked smile. "Well, I'm sure my dear sister the Gentle Queen would have no problem with that choice of clothing for you eh Caspian?'' he said cheekily, elbowing Caspian in the ribs.

Caspian blushed so hard his scalp burned but couldn't help laughing at the spectacular shades of red and green his soon-to-be wife's older brother turned. Peter turned to Edmund and gagged.

"I am just going to pretend I didn't hear that." he said, his face still green.

"White or purple?"

"Hmmm..."

"White. Or. Purple."

"I don't know! What does it matter! White?"

Lucy glared and raised her eyebrow at her distracted sister. Susan smiled and shook her head in pity for her poor little brother. He paused for a moment.

"Purple?"

Lucy nodded, satisfied.

"There you go," she said encouraginly, grabbing a stack of lilac cloth napkins and handing them to the scullerly maid with a grateful smile.

Edmund groaned and flopped onto the carpet at Susan's feet. "Why? Why are you doing this to me Su? Did I do something wrong to you? Do you hate me? Are you trying to get back at me for making you go to dinner with Jason?" he said in a desperate voice.

Susan snorted. "I had actually forgotten about that horrible dinner but thank you for reminding me," she said icily and Edmund stuck his lip out in a pout.

"Oh come on Su, he wasn't that bad. At least he was good looking," he said in an almost coaxing manner and Susan shoved him with her foot.

"He stuck my straw up his nose and pretended to be a walrus...and then put the straw back in my drink!" she said loudly and Lucy started giggling like a mad person.

"You're not cheating on me with this walrus person now are you my love?"

Susan's heart beat faster at the sound of that heavy Spanish accent and an incredible warmth flooded her body. She laughed as he wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her shoulder blade.

"Oh no no no no sweetheart, you are much better than any walrus I've ever met..." she said quickly with total innocence and Caspian rolled his eyes.

"Oh thank you dear. That is the most wonderful thing you have ever said to me,'' he said sarcastically and Susan kissed his cheek and patted his arm reassuringly. "No aquatic animal could ever come close to you darling," she said before giving him a quick peck on the lips. He smiled like a kid in a candy store.

"Why thank you love. I'm flattered."Caspian chuckled.

Edmund gagged. "Ugh, you two are so sweet you're making my teeth hurt," he complained although his eyes were warm. Susan stood up and stretched, realizing just how tired she was. She had spent every minute of the last two weeks choosing flowers, tying ribbons, picking fabrics and writing out invitations. She yawned and blinked rapidly a few times. All she wanted was to lay down and sleep the next two days so she wouldn't have to deal with all the anticipation and impatience and nervousness. Just two more days and she would be married to Caspian!

Caspian, sensing how exhausted she was, wrapped his arms around her once again and rested his head on the top of hers. She was too tired to reciprocate the hug and just leaned against him heavily. "Just two more days love. Two more days and this will all be over and we can enjoy our honeymoon..." he whispered cheekily and Susan rolled her eyes and swatted his chest, pulling back with a smile and walking across the room to help Lucy decide on a flower arrangement.

Her eyes lit up as she leaned in and smelled the arrangement of lavendar and white roses. She hummed happily and a soft smile graced her lips as she gently rubbed the smooth rose petal against her face and closed her eyes taking in the softness and sweetness of the beautiful flowers, exposing the long faded scar on her cheek. Caspian winced and his blood boiled. How could something so disgusting and vile happen to someone so sweet and gentle and kind and beautiful? He could almost feel the angry tears prickling behind his eyes at the memories of her limp body in his arms crossing the river, madly dashing away from that terrible hell hole. But all traces of anger and guilt and disgusst faded as she glanced up and caught him staring at her. Her smile widened and her blue eyes light up and sparkled. She blushed slightly and wiggled her fingers at him and he smiled back at her. Caspian winked at her and she giggled, blowing him a kiss playfully and he grinned. He had never seen her so...giggly and excited and playful. Maybe it was the lack of sleep...

Lucy's brow furrowed and she followed her sister's gaze and rolled her eyes playfully, her eyes gleaming. She grinned reproachfully and grabbed her sister's arm and gently turned her back around to face the flowers.

"Come on silly, focus. You have forever to make goo-goo eyes at Caspian."

The next day of last minute panic and last minute wedding preparations passed agonizingly slowly for the soon to be happy couple. Susan thought if one more person came to her in a panic about flowers or tablecloths or food or clothing her brain would start leaking out of her ears. Caspian, who was no fool, had spent most of that long day hiding in an apple tree-so as to avoid the very issue Susan had been confronted with at least fifty times that day.

It was late October and the leaves in the trees were just starting to turn red and gold and brown at the edges, falling in crinkly piles at the roots of the trees. He loved this time of year. Naturally, he was a Telmarine so he detested cold with every nerve in his body so winter was his least favorite, although he thought the snow was very beautiful, covering the earth and trees with its icy crystals. He was most comfortable in the summer for he was designed to withstand scorching sun and blazing heat but after a while he tired of the never changing scenery and welcomed spring with open arms. The flowers poking their heads out of the ground, the trees coming alive and the chill in the air melting away.

And so sat King Caspian X of Narnia between the golden red October leaves, reading one of the Professor's stories about the Golden Age and sipping a cup of chocolate, hiding from a ravenous band of wedding planners. He smiled and delicately ghosted his fingers across a drawing of Susan in his story book. His beautiful, beautiful, Susan who would be his forever this time tomorrow. He had been so insanely impatient all day. He just wanted this day to be over and for it to be tomorrow.

He wanted to walk down the aisle and hold her hand at the altar and say I do. He wanted to take his first steps as a married man now. He wanted to twirl her around on the dance floor before nearly four hundred jealous men, having the satisfaction of knowing out of all of them, the most beautiful, sweet, gentle, smart, generous, loving, kind, woman in the world had chosen him. He wanted to be married now. He wanted his wedding night now…

He sighed contentedly and closed the book, balancing it precariously on the branch next to him. The king of Narnia carefully draped himself across the branches of the tree and crossed his arms over his stomach, gazing over Cair Paravel spread before him, even grander and more magnificent than he could have ever imagined as a child. He shuddered as he remembered his child hood.

The only pleasant memories of the first sixteen years of his life were the very few he had left of his father. He had been only four when his mother had caught the strange Calormene flu and, as Caspian was not known for his keen memory, he had but a few blurred images and sweet bits and threads of songs of his mother remaining in his memory.

As for his father, he had so many many wonderful memories of his beloved father. His father teaching him to play chess, his father practicing swordplay and beating Narnia's finest warriors, his father singing him to sleep (rather loudly and very off key), his father reading him Telmarine bed time stories, usually of hard men who came, saw, and took, as was the motto of a 'true Telmarine' he had been told endlessly as a child.

And after the murder of his father, he had nothing. Shrill nursemaids, a distant, cross aunt and a hard, cruel, evil, monstrous, uncle. He still stomach churned from the flashes and images of the cold gaze Miraz fixed him with his whole life. His eyes became almost black (with what little Caspian thought was a trick of the light) but knew now was the look of one who has been so consumed with jealously murder and deceit and treachery and foulness that his very soul had been replaced with a bloodthirsty beast. Never once, even for a moment, was he loved by his aunt and uncle. The only touches he received from Miraz were solid slaps on the back, and several hard smacks upside the head and sometimes even slaps across the face.

Little Caspian had always been convinced that Miraz was just disciplining him the way his father had disciplined him and that he really did love and care for him but just didn't know how to show it. His aunt however, he had hardly any contact with. She was always quite civil and very quite and almost nervous around him. Several times Caspian thought she looked like she wanted to hug him but never did.

Before, he had nothing. But now, he had everything. Susan had given him everything. Two fun, smart, kind, strong, witty, clever, amazing brothers and the wonderful little sister he had always wanted. She had taught him how to love and be loved. Other than his parents, he had never experienced the feeling of love or being loved for or from anyone else. He had always tried to convince himself that he loved Miraz but never could.

But now, his heart was bursting at the seams with love. He loved his new family more than he thought was ever possible and Susan…

There were no words to even begin to describe what he felt for her. He felt so many things when he saw her sometimes he was positive he was going to explode. She was his everything. Every dream he ever had every smile that ever spread across his face, every moment he was living. If he didn't have her, he didn't have anything. He wanted her, all of her, everyday, for the rest of forever. And no matter what happened to him or her or them, every moment he saw her smiling and felt her in his arms was the best moment of his life.

His contented sight escalated into a yelp when something big and hard flew out of nowhere and hit him square in the chest, almost knocking him totally off the tree branch altogether. A shoe. He heard malicious snickering and sniggering from down below and rolled his eyes, shaking his head. a wonderful idea crept into his brain and he twisted around and looked for the largest, hardest apple he could find and tucked it into his pocket. The gears in his head started turning when he spotted the neighboring apple tree-not a meter away from his hiding spot and quickly picked his way across the gnarled branches like a cat.

He laughed to himself as he came to the edge of his own tree and wrapped one arm around the other branch and swung himself across it, agilely landing between the boughs of a tree facing his soon to be brother in laws backs. He snickered as he settled himself comfortably between a fork in the trunk and pulled the hard shiny apple from his pocket and tossed it up in his hand. Perfect.

Caspian took his aim and chucked the apple at the back of Edmund's head as hard as he could. Edmund squealed like a little girl when the apple hit its target spot on and then rattled to his feet. Peter jumped a bit and then started snickering to himself.

"Was that horrible squealing noise coming from you brother? I thought Lucy had snuck up on us!'' he gasped between his laughter and Edmund glared at him. "Oh shut up. This apple just came out of nowhere and hit me in the back of the head!" he defended himself.

Caspian quickly picked his way down the tree and landed on the grass like a cat and very quietly snuck up on his two brothers, not making a single sound.

"'Evening, boys!" he said louder than usual, his mouth right next to Peter's ear. Both kings jumped and spun around so quickly they almost rendered Caspian toothless.

"Good God Caspian!Don't do that you jerk!" Edmund yelled, punching Caspian in the arm. Caspian grinned like the cat that ate the canary.

"I am sorry. I could not resist such and opportunity. Especially after that wonderful little squeal," he teased and Edmund puched him again.

"You are so lucky you're getting married tomorrow or you'd have a nice shiner to show my sister," he said wickedly and Peter smacked his forehead with the heel of his hand.

"Oh yeah, we have to go. Now." he said mishievoulsy and Caspian frowned.

"Alright then, have fun?"

Peter laughed. "By order of her Majesty Queen Lucy the Valiant, King Caspian X of Narnia is forbid to set eyes upon Queen Susan, that would be your fiance, until precisely the moment she walks donw the aisle with her devishly handsome escort, that would be me, tomorrow evening, for it would be horribly bad luck for you to see the bride to be until the wedding" Peter said in a very kingly voice, his face totallly serious but his eyes shining.

Edmund whined and stamped his foot like a little boy unsucessful in getting his mother to buy him something. "Come on, stop it with the 'Queen Susan, Caspian X, Lucy the Valiant' crap and get to the good part!" he whined, tugging on his brother's sleeve. Peter rolled his eyes and turned to his brother.

"Edmund, I'm getting there now cool it."

He cleared his throat. "Furthermore, by unanimous decision of the lovely Queens of this lovely country, King Edmund and myself, that's us, are to accompany you to the How where we will all be sleeping on the eve of this great wedding." he finished, his voice losing kinglyness and enthusiasm as he got to the part about sleeping in the How.

Caspian groaned. "Of course, because I didn't get enough experiance sleeping on the floor of the How.''