Thanks to Eve and The Wise for reviewing. I will not stop writing this story until it's finished. Many of my readers share your fears. Though I do appreciate it, because it tells me how much you feel for the story.
Chapter 36: Sacred Union
"It's today! It's today!" exclaimed Lucy as she ran through the halls of Cair Paravel on her usual jubilation run.
"Yes Lu, it is today," smiled Peter. "My future wife and your future sister-in-law is coming today."
"Oh it sound so lovely," Susan sighed as they walked to breakfast, "Nerina being your future wife, your betrothed, your love." She began to dance down the hallway with Lucy.
"Women," said Edmund with a chuckle as he rolled his eyes. Turning to Peter he asked, "She's coming the usual time- right after lunch, right?"
"Yes," Peter replied, "and everything must be perfect before then."
"Don't worry Peter, everything is fine!" said Susan as she and Lucy continued to twirl down the hall. "Even her new quarters for after you are married are all set."
"Oh I just want her to be here already," he sighed. It had been almost half a year since he and Lucy left Arcadia, and Peter could not wait to see his beloved again.
NTMNTMNTMNTM
"There she is!" shouted Susan. "I see the carriage!"
The morning had gone by quickly, and now the four monarchs, along with their council, Cair Paravel staff, and many other Narnians, waited in front of the castle. They watched as the large carriage drew closer and closer.
A while later it halted in front of the crowd that had gathered, and Adelphos hopped down from the driver's seat.
"Greetings from Arcadia!" he sang. "Good day to you Narnians, and good day to Your Majesties," he bowed, a grin on his face. "We have traveled this day for a special occasion. An occasion that will bind our two countries together." His voice began to rise. "An occasion that will-"
"Oh come off it Adelphos," said a voice sharply, and Nerina opened the carriage door, laughing, and descended, followed by Filia and Koros.
The crowd cheered, and the four waved. The Narnian Monarchs came forward and greeted their friends. Servants began unloading the large carriage, and the eight walked inside.
The next week was wonderful. Filia and Koros instantly fell in love with Narnia, and the final details of the wedding were decided. The couple chose a date and sent a messenger to Arcadia with the official marriage proclamation.
In the weeks leading to the wedding, Cair Paravel bustled with activity. Flora and Fauna were called upon once more to make the bridesmaid dresses for Filia, Susan, and Lucy. Filia was to be the maid-of-honor. Their dresses were gorgeous turquoise dresses made of silk.
Nerina's gown was made in Arcadia, and was exquisite. It was a shining white with silver beads woven into the bodice. The arms were made of a sheer material that also had silver beads woven in. The lower part of the dress puffed out, and had a long train. Nerina's favorite part was the veil, which was attached to a tiara of crystal flowers. For her feet were simple satin shoes.
Peter had chosen Edmund as his best man, and Adelphos and Koros were the ushers. Each was made an intricate tunic. Peter and Edmund's were gold and blue, and Koros and Adelphos' were silver and blue.
As the big day drew closer, rehearsals were held. Peter and Nerina had decided to incorporate both Narnian and Arcadian customs into their wedding. After their final rehearsal, the couple walked along the beach together, holding hands.
"Tomorrow at this time we will be husband and wife, and both our peoples will assemble here to witness it," sighed Nerina.
"Yes, I can hardly believe it," Peter replied.
"What's that supposed to mean?" teased Nerina.
Once upon a broken heart,
I was walking alone in the dark
Looking for a way to start again,
What I wouldn't give for a friend.
There was no love in my life,
There was no light in my eyes
All the tears that I had cried and cried
Seemed like they'd never end…
"It just seems so long ago since we rescued you. You were brainwashed, sick, and frail. Now look at you. You have become a strong, beautiful woman, whom I love very much." Peter stopped and kissed Nerina.
Nerina rested her head against Peter's chest, listening to his heart beat, while her own beat at the tempo of the song that had brought them together that first dance class.
NTMNTMNTMNTM
And I
Never believed fairytales came true
But now I know that they really do
Now that I found you, now that I'm here with you
Just look at the sunshine, and you
Showed me a world
That I'd never seen
I woke up and fell into this dream
Happily ever after just took time
Once upon this broken heart of mine
"In just a moment," continued the Narnian priest, "this man, and this woman will say their vows. In doing so, they will become one. They will pledge their lives to one another in Aslan's most sacred union. Their hearts will beat as one. In Arcadian culture, a man's soul is referred to as his "harmony", and a woman's her "melody". Both men and women must search for their perfectly matching counterpart. Once joined together in Holy Matrimony, the harmony and melody will combine to make one song. Both parts are equal, and each needs the other to survive. Keeping this in mind, we pray to the Great Aslan that their souls will make a long-lasting beautiful song. And now we continue with the vows."
Nerina turned and handed her bouquet of bluebells and white roses to Filia. Mr. Tumnus then presented the rings to the bride and groom.
"The couple will say the vows of their respective countries," said the priest. He turned to Nerina. "Princess Philyra, do you promise this man, in the presence of Aslan, your Creator, to love, cherish, care for, and support him? If so, say, "I do." "
Long ago and far away
I could never dream of the day
That your love would come my way and stay
And sweep me away and I…
"I do," said Nerina, and tears of joy fell down her beaming face. She slid the wedding band onto Peter's finger and sang, "With this ring, I promise you, High King Peter, that I will love, cherish, support, and care for you. I commit my melody to your harmony, so that we shall become one spirit, as Aslan meant for us. I promise to be yours forever and always, until the end of time."
The priest then turned to Peter. "High King Peter, do you promise in the presence of Aslan, to care for Nerina? To love her, comfort her, be loyal to, and to protect her? If so, say, "I do." "
…Never believed fairytales came true
But now I know that they really do
Now that I found you, now that I'm here with you
Just look at the sunshine, and you
Showed me a world
That I'd never seen
I woke up and fell into this dream
Happily ever after just took time
Once upon this broken heart of mine
"I do," said Peter, gazing into Nerina's shining eyes. He slid the wedding ring onto Nerina's finger. "With this ring, I promise you, Princes Philyra Nerina Anaxandra Pagos Basilikos, that I will care, love, comfort, support, and protect you. With this ring, in the presence of Aslan, I bind myself to you in love, until the stars rain down from the heavens."
Susan and Lucy wiped tears from their eyes as the priest said the final sentences:
"I then pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
The couple did so gladly. Then they turned to the large group that had assembled for the marriage.
"I now present to you High King Peter the Magnificent and Princess Philyra Nerina Anaxandra Pagos Basilikos- two souls now united."
The Narnians cheered and the Arcadians sang.
This is the way a fairytale feels
This is the way I know it's real
'Cause this is the way a broken heart heals
Later the reception was held. Nerina sang a song with Lucy, Filia, and Susan that she wrote for Peter. Peter in turn sang a song for his bride. After, in keeping with Arcadian tradition, the two sang their first duet together as husband and wife. Then, in keeping with Narnian tradition, the couple danced first, beginning the dancing. Instead of dancing with her father, as Narnians did at their wedding receptions, Nerina danced with Chorevo, who also gave her away during the wedding.
And I never believed fairytales came true
But now I know that they really do
Now that I found you, now that I'm here with you
Just look at the sunshine, and you
Showed me a world
That I'd never seen
I woke up and fell into this dream
Everyone danced with everyone that evening. Eventually Peter and Nerina found one another again, and danced in each other's arms, feeling as if they were the only two people on the beach.
Happily ever after just took time
Once upon this broken heart of mine
Song Used-Once Upon A Broken Heart-The Beu Sisters. I always see Nerina coming up the aisle with Chorevo when I hear this song. If I were to direct this as a movie, that's what I would do.
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Until next week!
Haras