Chapter 2
A/N: This chapter starts out 1 year (Narnian time), then does a flashback to 6 months before that, and then comes back to the 1 year mark.
Anne stood in front of the mirror, in one of the many rooms of the castle, simply admiring herself in her beautiful, Narnian style wedding dress. She couldn't believe that this was really happening. She couldn't believe that in just one short hour, she and Caspian would be married, and that she would then be Queen of Narnia. Never, in all her wildest dreams, had she ever imagined that this would happen.
As she waited for the ceremony to begin, she couldn't help but think back to just 6 months earlier, back to when her soon-to-be husband had asked her that all important question.
6 months earlier...
It was mid-afternoon, and she had been walking through the gardens, just enjoying the view, thinking about how lucky she was to be there, and to have the most wonderful man in her life to share it with. Right about that time, she had felt two strong arms wrap around her waist. She knew right away who it was.
"It really is beautiful here, isn't it?" she had asked.
"Yes, but not as beautiful as you, my love." he had whispered in her ear, before he had dipped his head down, and placed a gentle kiss on her neck. She had turned around, and found herself still wrapped in his arms, and looking right into his eyes. "I love you so much, Anne. Never forget that."
She had smiled. "I love you, too, Caspian. Always and forever." They had both leaned in, and shared a very gentle, yet very passionate kiss, before he had taken her hand in his.
"Come with me, my darling. I have something I want to show you." He held out his arm, which she had gladly taken. They had walked only a short distance, when they had all of a sudden stopped.
"Now look all around you, Anne. One day, all of this, everything your eyes can see, will not only belong to me, but to my Queen, as well."
"Why are you showing all this to me, though?"
"I'm showing all this to you, my love," He got down on one knee, and produced a small black box. "because I want you to be my Queen." He then opened the box, revealing the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It had a band of 6 small diamonds on top, one big diamond in the middle, and another band of 6 small diamonds on the bottom. Her hands had flown to her mouth in utter surprise. She had had no idea that he had even been thinking about doing this.
He took her left hand in his, and had looked deep into her eyes. "When I first laid eyes on you, I thought I was dreaming, because I didn't think it was possible that anyone could be that beautiful. The first time you smiled at me, my heart literally skipped a beat. From the first time we kissed, I realized, right then and there, that I wanted nothing more than to wake up in your arms everyday for the rest of my life. You really are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Anne, I love you more than life itself, and could never imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?"
As you can imagine, tears had now started streaming down her face. "Yes. Yes, Caspian. Of course I'll marry you." They had both smiled, as he placed the ring on her finger, and had then picked her up and twirled her around in his arms. He had gently set her back down, and they had both leaned in for a kiss. This had been no ordinary kiss, though. This kiss had been a promise. It had been a promise that one day they would be husband and wife-a promise that one day, she would be his Queen, and she honestly couldn't have been any happier.
6 months later...
She was just starting to come back to reality, when she heard a voice on the other side of the door.
"It's time, dear one. Are you ready?" Aslan asked.
"I've never been more ready for anything in my life." she replied. She walked out of the room, and he stood next to her on her right side. About that time, the music began to play, and everyone there stood up to watch. She glided down the aisle, with him right by her side the whole time. All the guests were absolutely blown away by how beautiful she looked, but she was completely oblivious to all of them. The only person she was looking at was Caspian. He was the only person in the room she truly cared about. He gently took her hand in his, and together they turned to face Aslan, who had already made his way up to the front. He nodded to everyone, signifying that they could sit down, and the ceremony began.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join your new King, Caspian X and Lady Anne Pevensie in the bonds of holy matrimony. If anyone here sees any reason why these two should not be joined, please speak now, or forever hold your peace." There was an ever so slight pause, and no one said anything, so he continued. He spoke briefly to everyone, before then addressing the two of them.
"Now, please face each other, take the other persons' hands in your own, and look deeply into each others' eyes. They did, and he first looked over at Caspian.
"Will you, Caspian, have Anne to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort and keep her, and forsaking all others remain true to her as long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
He next looked over at Anne.
Will you, Anne, have Caspian to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort and keep him, and forsaking all others remain true to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
The rings were then brought forward, and Caspian took the first one.
"Caspian, place this ring on Anne's finger, and repeat after me:"
"I have for you a golden ring."
"I have for you a golden ring."
"It is made of precious metal, which symbolizes that your love is the most precious element in my life."
"It is made of precious metal, which symbolizes that your love is the most precious element in my life."
"This ring has no beginning and no ending,"
"This ring has no beginning and no ending,"
"which symbolizes that the covenant between us will never cease."
"which symbolizes that the covenant between us will never cease."
"I place it on your finger as a symbol of the vows which have made us husband and wife."
"I place it on your finger as a symbol of the vows which have made us husband and wife."
Anne reached in and took the second ring.
"Anne, place this ring on Caspian's finger, and repeat after me:"
"I have for you a golden ring."
"I have for you a golden ring."
"It is made of precious metal, which symbolizes that I value your love above all else."
"It is made of precious metal, which symbolizes that I value you love above all else."
"The ring goes endlessly on,"
"The ring goes endlessly on,"
"just as our love will endure forever."
"just as our love will endure forever."
"I place it on your finger as a symbol of the vows which have made us husband and wife."
"I place it on your finger as a symbol of the vows which have made us husband and wife."
"Caspian and Anne, in as much as you have each pledged to each other your lifelong commitment, love
and devotion, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
"Caspian, you may kiss your bride."
They both smiled at each other, and leaned in and shared a brief, but passionate kiss, before turning
to face their guests.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you, for the very first time, Caspian X and
his wife, Anne-High King and Queen of Narnia!"
They headed arm-in-arm back down the aisle, and down the hall, where the reception would be held.
The music had already started playing by the time they walked in. The first couple of dances were for everyone. The last one, though, would the most important of all-their first dance as husband and wife and King and Queen. Anne mingled with a few of their guests, before Caspian walked over, and held his hand out to her.
"My Queen," She gladly gave him her hand, which he then held up close to his face, and kissed. "May I have this dance?"
"Why of course you may, My King." she replied. They walked out onto the dance floor, and everyone else moved out of the way, clearing a path for their new King and Queen. After the dance, they mingled with a few more of their subjects, before deciding to bid everyone goodbye, and head up to their private chambers. Once they got there, he opened the door and lifted her up into his arms, with her wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I love you, my darling." he said smiling, as he moved in for a kiss.
"Not as much as I love you, your Majesty." She returned his smile, and his kiss.
He carried her over, with them sneaking brief little kisses along the way, and laid her gently down on their bed. He then got on top of her, the kissing now becoming much more intense. This was what they both wanted, though. It was the night they had been waiting for for so long. Tonight was their night, and nothing was going to stop them from enjoying it. Absolutely nothing.