A/N - DONE! (I wish I could say that about my revision...) This marks the final chapter and this story is now complete! I hope you've enjoyed reading, please leave me just one final comment and tell me your favorite part, or annything else you liked or even disliked about my story!
I leave you with one final reminder that I have started planning and have written the first few chapters of a follow on story so please cast your vote on whether you'd like me to upload this (I'll post the first chapter as a taster shortly) on the poll on my profile.

Really wishing I could nip into Narnia now but alas, I don't own Narnia so can't just wander in as I please...

Chapter 18 – Just one problem left

I woke with a start as I felt someone hold my uninjured hand. In a panic I threw myself to the left, onto my wounded shoulder, reaching for my dagger which I had left on the table beside the bed.

"Hey, Shh, it's alright." Said the presence to my right, his strong hand on my shoulder, stopping me from rolling further onto my left in search of my dagger.

I flopped back, closed my eyes and took a deep, controlling breath as a gentle kiss was planted softly on my forehead. I opened my eyes and looked into the deep brown, almost black eyes of the King. He sat on the edge of the bed, his chest covered by white bandages, his arm in a sling and an apologetic smile on his face.

"Good morning Your Majesty." I sighed as I pushed myself up with a wince. The past few days seemed a painful blur, the attack on the castle, the King being captured and Harriot's rescue mission all jumbled together in my mind.

The King smiled as he moved a cushion behind my back for me to lean on. "I'm sorry I startled you, how are you feeling?" he asked gently, his concern painfully obvious on his face.

"I've felt better." I replied with a small smile. "The doctor thinks the arrow has left behind an infection and I'm bruised all over but it's nothing that won't heal in time."

"Good," he rested his hand gently on my own. "Because I have a favour to ask of you. The kingdom wants to see The Archer, the young woman who saved Narnia. I have called an address this afternoon, I'd like you to join me if you feel strong enough."

I nodded slowly, still unable comprehend the idea that I was part of a prophecy and had saved Narnia. "I still don't believe it though." I said quietly, blushing slightly at the thought.

"Whether you believe it or not Ariadne, it's what the people believe and it gives them hope." He stood, moving away from the bed and picked up my bow from the stand to my right. "Did you read this Ariadne, the inscription on your bow?" Caspian asked, handing the fine weapon to me.

I looked at the wood, realising that I never had properly looked at it before, it had always just been a weapon, a tool, only now could I see its beauty. "The bearer of this weapon will bring peace once again." I read aloud, before looking at the King. "I don't understand."

The King smiled, "It was always going to be you Ariadne. Even your weapon was trying to tell you so. 'Frail at first but strong at the end' you fit everything, you were weak and helpless when we found you but now look at you, even with an arrow in your shoulder you were prepared to fight Ilius to defend me. You might not think it but you are strong, and perhaps you aren't physically but you have the heart of a lion."

I blushed as he spoke, realising the truth in his words but unwilling to accept it.

"The people believe it, Harriot, Ilius and Parareepit believe it, I believe it. You just need to believe it yourself."

XXX

A few hours I stepped out onto the royal balcony next to King Caspian X, he wore a simple shirt and tunic, covering the worst of his injuries, his arm no longer in a sling as he addressed his people, seemingly uninjured aside from the cuts and bruises on his face. I stood quietly behind him in a loose fitting dress with my arm in a sling feeling exposed as the crowd looked up at me despite Harriot standing next to me, his hand on my back in a supportive gesture.

"Lady Astrum is the true hero today, without her the castle would still be in the hands of Commander Yarlet. She and her loyal friend, the recently promoted General Nefrey, were instrumental in the Commanders defeat and so I would like to present to you Lady Astrum, The Archer and The Bringer of Peace."

The King stepped to the side and held out his hand to me as Harriot gently encouraged me forwards. I took the Kings offered hand, grasping it tightly as I moved towards the edge of the balcony seeing the gathered crowd for the first time. They cheered and shouted up to me, waving scarves and throwing flowers. I smiled back despite myself, it was true what Caspian had said, they believed in me, every single one of them, the only problem was me.

"There's something I wanted to ask you Ariadne." Said the King quietly as he smiled at his peoples response, "Will you stay here, in the castle with me, as my guest? I'll admit I'm completely captivated by you but above all I want to make sure you're safe." He turned to me, placing his other hand on my hip. "I don't want to force you to do anything, but it would make me truly happy if you would stay with me."

I nodded as tears began to roll down my cheeks as the whole experience began to overwhelm me. I smiled "Nothing would make me happier." I admitted as my true feelings rose to the surface for the first time. It was true, I had fought for him because he was my King, but ever since he had rescued me at Aslan's How I had denied any personal feelings, telling myself I was a silly love-struck girl.

The crowd cheered anew as the King pulled me towards him and planted a kiss gently on my lips.

XXX

Nearly two years later I was lying on a bed holding my first child, a beautiful boy who had just entered the world. King Caspian stroked my hair gently as he rocked a second baby boy gently in his arms.

"Two boys." He said softly as he planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Two princes, and my beautiful queen, what more could I need."

Thanks again for reading, until next time my Narnian friends!

:)