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Chapter 24~Carasaul of Life

Three months passed from Caspian's council, and they almost flew by. Wedding plans were made, engagement proposals were thought of, spar matches took place along with many horseback rides and days at the beach. Shaina became bigger with each day, and Rose and Edmund continued to fall deeper in love, even though they both kept trying to hide it from each other.

However, these peaceful three months came to an end on the day of Shaina and Peter's wedding. The day before would be the last normal day of their lives.

"Goodnight everyone. We'll see you tomorrow morning," Lucy smiled, waving good-bye to the rest of the bridesmaids and Shaina.

"I still can't believe I'm getting married tomorrow," Shaina beamed. Lucy laughed and kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight dear. Goodnight Rose."

"Night!" Lucy and Rose left the room and sighed in relief.

"There was too much estrogen in that room for comfort," Rose said, and Lucy laughed. "I love them all dearly, but…"

"I know what you mean. Let's be off; we need to check on the boys before we go to bed. Make sure they aren't making any mischief."

"Them? Make mischief? Never."

"Especially with Damien and Rhince in the same room."

"I just had this image of those two telling Glenstorm to stop making a ruckus."

"I think there is a better chance of Peter eloping with Jacinda than that." Lucy knocked on the door and Trumpkin opened it.

"What are you two doing here?" he asked.

"Probably making sure we're behaving ourselves," Rhince said with a wink.

"You know us too well darling," Rose laughed, and sat down in front of him, her back resting on his legs. She didn't notice the jealous glare Rhince was receiving from a pair of blue eyes on the opposite end of the room.

"And I bet you were tired of being around so many women," Caspian added, and kissed the top of Lucy's head.

"Are men psychic?" she asked Rose.

"No, women are just easy to read," Drinian shrugged. "Well, Lucy is anyway. Rose is rather difficult."

"I don't know whether or not to take that as a compliment."

"So how is Peter holding up?" Lucy asked, and Edmund said,

"He's so happy it's rather annoying."

"That's about Shaina's status as well. Where is he, anyway?"

"Well you see, Peter drank my last bit of wine, so I killed him," Edmund said sarcastically. "Do you think that was wrong?"

"Why is he so bitter today?" Rhince whispered to Rose.

"It probably has something to do with the wedding. He's never been one to be happy about the thought of love." Rhince noticed the expression on Rose's face and said,

"Oh darling, I'm sure he shall come around soon. And if he doesn't, I shall make him. You have my word." Rose laughed and crossed the room over to Edmund.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me. You're awfully bitter and it's rather unlike you."

"Don't worry about me."

"Why not? You do it to me."

"That's because I have to. I can take care of myself."

"And I can't?" Rose asked, obviously offended.

"I'm sorry love, that isn't what I meant…" Edmund sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.

"Alright, you're coming with me," Rose said, and got up, pulling Edmund along out into the hall.

"Goodness, what was that about?" Lucy asked.

"Part of me doesn't want to know," said Damien. "Oh, and Lu, Peter went to bed. He was almost fainting he was so excited."

"I'm going to go check on him then."

"Have you notice how much women worry about men?" Trumpkin said

"Well we're all rather protective of them too," said Damien. "Look at Lucy and Shaina and Rose… "

"Yes, and they hate it," Drinian pointed out.

"Maybe we should stop," Rhince suggested. Caspian rolled his eyes and said,

"We can't just stop. It's in our natures." Damien laughed, and caught Glenstorm out of the corner of his eye staring out at the sky.

"Glenstorm, is something the matter? You haven't spoken all evening," Damien said quietly, joining the centaur at the window.

"Dark times lie ahead, my dear friend. I fear for Narnia." Glenstorm turned away from the stars and said, "I must bid you all goodnight. I shall see you in the morning." He bowed and left the room, passing Edmund and Rose on the way.

"Ok Ed, will you just tell me what is wrong? I hate seeing you upset."

"I'm not upset…"

"You know, for a politician and a diplomat, you are horrible at lying."

"Only to you and Lucy."

"That doesn't matter. What is wrong?"

'Hm…what is wrong. Maybe the fact you're in love with Rhince and not me? Maybe it's the fact I waited too long and lost you because of my stupid pride? Or maybe it's because I'm so completely in love with you and I can't have you?'

'But you can have me Ed…I love you too.'

'Of course you don't.' But Edmund crashed his lips against hers anyway, with such passion she felt as if she'd melt right there on the floor. He ran his hands through her curly hair and down to the tie of her tunic.

'Oh Ed…' Rose moaned, and he began kissing her neck while sliding off…

"Ed. Edmund!"

"Wh-what?"

"You had this awfully blank look on your face and you completely zoned out on me. What in the Lion's Mane were you thinking about?"

"N-nothing. I need to go to bed. Goodnight love." He kissed the top of her head and walked off.

"I hate love. I hate men," Rose whined to herself and sunk down.

"I take offense to that," Damien chuckled as he sat down next to her.

"Why are you out here?"

"I needed some quiet to clear my thoughts."

"I see."

"Did you find out what the problem is?"

"No."

"If I know Edmund I bet he thinks you have feelings for Rhince."

"What? Why would he think that? And why would he care?"

"Because you and Rhince are always together, and he cares because he's completely smitten with you."

"Smitten?"

"It's a good word."

"Maybe in your own special world." Damien chuckled and put his arm around her. The door opened and Lucy and Caspian walked out.

"Would you like me to walk you to your room?" Caspian asked, and Lucy smiled slyly.

"I would like that very much," she said with a wink. Caspian raised an eyebrow and kissed her lightly.

"By the sounds of this I'm going to be doing more than just walking."

"Much more," Lucy grinned, pulling him down for another kiss. They ran off, completely oblivious to Rose and Damien. Damien just sank into the floor and groaned.

"Are you alright?" Rose asked sympathetically.

"No," he sighed. She smiled sadly and squeezed his hand.

"I'm sorry."

"It can't be helped. She loves him. And as long as she is happy, I don't want to stand in the way."

"That has to be one of the sweetest things ever said by a man."

"I mean it."

"I know."

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"I am not a fan of this," Lucy grumbled the next morning as she let Rose tie the ties of her corset.

"You aren't? Atleast the maid of honor dress is blue. I have to wear pink!"

"It goes ever so wonderfully with your hair," Carina joked, and Rose stuck her tongue out at her.

"And I guess dresses don't matter…what matters is two people we love are getting married today," said Lucy.

"I could not agree more," Elizabeth, a dryad, said. A beaver noticed Rose tying the laces of Lucy's corset and hobbled over.

"Oh dear, you're doing it all wrong," Olga said. "Let me." Rose stepped aside and allowed Olga to handle the corset.

"Is she always like that?" Rose whispered to Julia, and the squirrel nodded.

"Never get on her bad side. Or Arianna's for that matter. She is Glenstorm's wife, so things can end badly."

"I see."

"I AM GETTING MARRIED!"

"Morning Shain," Elizabeth chuckled.

"Oh dear, you look absolutely breathtaking," Olga tittered.

"I could not agree more," Caspian said, entering the room and kissing Shaina on the cheek. "We have to go down to the chapel now."

"We'll be right down," Carina assured him. The woman was true to her word, and in ten minutes time Lucy was lined up with Edmund, Rose with Rhince, Carina with Drinian, Arianna with Glenstorm, Elizabeth with Caspian, Olga with Trufflehunter, and Julia with Trumpkin.

The music began and Lucy and Edmund made their way down the aisle. Peter was already standing at the altar, a large smile aluminating his handsome face.

Once all the bridesmaids and groomsmen reached the altar, Shaina and Damien began to walk down the aisle. The look on Peter's face when he saw her was of pure joy. Not a hint of nervousness could be found in either of them; all that could be seen was the love they felt for each other.

"You look beautiful," Peter said softly after Damien put Shaina's hand in Peter's.

"So do you," Shaina beamed.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…" The door burst open and Skyen the raven flew in, an urgent look on his face. Everyone but the priest noticed this, and so against their will Peter and Shaina became rather fidgety and impatient as the priest took his time saying the blessings very slowly. An hour later the vows had been taken, and Peter kissed Shaina to seal their marriage. He took her hand, they smiled at each other, and then turned to Skyen.

"Your majesties, I have grave news," Skyen said as he flew to the front.

"What is it?" Edmund asked.

"Calormen has declared war on Narnia."

Sorry for the wait, and the cliffy ;) Don't worry, Chapter 25 will be up very soon. Most likely tomorrow or Sunday. Hope you liked it, and tell me what you think please!!!