That night they feasted, everyone sat at a table and ate as much as they could. Some had never seen a full plate. The hall was lit with torches and candelabras and the glass doors to the balconies were opened to let in the night air. There was another throne and place for the King and his family at the head of the circular room with stairs leading up to it but Caspian did not sit there: e roamed around the room, hugging his friends and Doctor Cornelius who beamed at him. He went from table to table, talking with everyone.

Lily and her friends laughed and reenacted the battle for Leland and Gabriel.

"They were trees!" Lily exclaimed, the Pevensies laughing at her. "I couldn't believe my eyes!"

Leland laughed and clapped his sister on the shoulder, "nothing should take you by surprise anymore, Lily."

Lily had told Leland about Alvarez and his death. Leland told her that it was Alvarez that had convinced Miraz to take them as prisoners, the only request he had ever made to Miraz. After hearing of his death, Leland was quiet.

After feasting, the fauns and musicians began to play music, encouraging everyone to dance. They moved away from the tables and onto the wide spacious floor, dancing gaily with each other.

They danced well in to the night, never tiring or wanting to stop. Aslan departed before the feast; Lucy said he often went off by himself.

Lily laughed as she broke away from Eris and Lucy, needing to catch her breath. She went outside onto the wide arching balcony that was decorated with flowers. She rested against the banister, looking up to the twinkling stars. She could have sworn that there were more stars, too, and brighter than before. Everything was different now.

She looked down at the city, lit with burning torches and street lamps. There were even people dancing in the streets, all coming to the castle. Caspian announced that everyone was welcome into the castle, not just noblemen and councilmen.

She sighed, listening to the happy music. Then she heard someone walk onto the balcony behind her.

She turned and her cheeks reddened when she saw Caspian.

"Your majesty," she said automatically as she bowed. She had heard everyone say it a hundred times that day, it felt only natural to say it now.

But Caspian looked at her questioningly. He removed the crown from his head and placed it on the banister carefully. He reached out to her and lifted her chin, meeting her blue eyes.

"I am still me," he said with a sad smile.

She smiled blushingly, "with a great deal of responsibilities."

He dropped his hand from her face. Her face was warm where his fingers had touched her.

He looked down at his crown and she sensed his doubt.

"You will be a great king."

Caspian's mind was elsewhere; he was distracted. He looked up at her, meeting her eyes, and was breathless at her beauty: the soft curl of her long hair, the way her eyes shined as if she saw more than what was in front of her, the way her lips were lifted in a soft smile.

He thought about his conversation with Leland earlier when he was preparing to be crowned.

"Just go for it," Leland had said, smiling. Caspian had looked at him, confused, but he knew to what Leland was referring. "If you ask, she will say yes. I know she will."

He knew he could not resist his feelings any longer.

He took a deep, even breath and looked up at the stars. He spoke slowly, carefully, and his accent made the words even softer.

"A king is nothing without the grace and strength of a queen by his side."

Lily nodded as she looked down at her hands resting on the banister. He did not understand why she looked sad.

She laughed quietly, "I suppose you are right…there are many suitable girls…"

But she paused, thinking. She looked up at him and he looked down at her softly, seeing understanding dawn in her striking eyes.

She was at a loss for words, "Caspian…"

He looked down at her hands and took them gently in his, holding them close to him. His hands were warm.

"Do you remember when we were younger, before we were separated, we used to go to the southeast tower to look at the stars? I showed you the constellations I learned from my professor and you said the stars left you breathless…"

He paused, seeming nervous, but he looked into her eyes and she stared up at him, feeling more vulnerable than she had ever felt before.

He spoke slowly, with purpose, "I felt breathless too…but it was not the stars' doing."

She read his dark eyes, listening to his every word. Her heart beat faster than a bird's wings.

"You were taken from me and it was…unbearable. And it was then I realized that I never wished to be separated from you again for as long as I live."

She couldn't breathe.

"Lily," he said gently, looking at her as if she were more precious than the sun itself. "Will you have me?"

She stared into his eyes for the longest time until she smiled the most beautiful smile Caspian had ever seen.

Her eyes shined with joy, "of course I will."

Caspian laughed and smiled in spite of himself, disbelieving her words. But he took her hand and pulled her back into the dancing room and through the crowd. Lily ran to keep up with him as she held a corner of her dress off the ground, laughing. Everyone looked at them in confusion, wondering what was going on.

They ran to the front of the hall and faced everyone, Caspian still holding Lily's hand.

He nodded to the band leader and the music stopped. Everyone turned to look at him and some smiled, like Leland and Susan, who already knew the news.

"Everyone," Caspian said breathlessly, his eyes bright with excitement. "This has been the happiest day of my life. And I am happy that you are all here, my friends, to share in this moment with me…"

He turned to Lily and his eyes were filled with amazement as he looked down at her, holding her hand to his chest, "tomorrow, Lily and I are to be married."

The room exploded with cheers and Lily laughed as her cheeks reddened.

"I knew it!" Edmund shouted.

Lucy and Susan both elbowed him playfully.

Leland whistled loudly as he clapped, smiling up at them proudly.

Fireworks suddenly lit the night sky outside the windows and everyone rushed to the balcony to see them. Caspian and Lily went to join them.

"You are sure this is what you want?" Caspian asked Lily, reading her face.

She met his eyes and smiled tenderly, her eyes genuine, "Since meeting you, it is what I have wanted most."