All characters and character likenesses are copyright of C.S. Lewis and everyone affiliated with him and his estate. I only own parts of the plot and any miscellaneous characters I may introduce.

This is a heavily alternative universe based on the Chronicles of Narnia series, and I do not intend to offend any purists out there. Again, I own only parts of the plot.

'Return to Gold' – Chapter 14 – Birthday Coronation

Lucy was somehow not surprised that Susan had decided not to stay. She had always been the most practical of the four, the most grounded and down to earth. Privately Lucy sometimes thought that Susan was so down to earth that she was the earth, unable to see the sky and dream. She had Caspian and her brothers, so all was not all lost.

Speaking of Caspian, his coronation was supposed to be taking place an hour past lunch. She thought it was quite fitting that he was going to be crowned on his 21st birthday, stepping into his role as a man and a king in one move. She was proud of him as well as anticipating what the future held for not only for him, but her and her family as well. He was called away shortly after Susan left, needing to prepare for the ceremony. He dropped a quick kiss to her lips before letting her go.

"See you soon." He whispered and disappeared into the depths of the castle.

"It's strange not having Susan here." Lucy sighed as Aslan rejoined them, the others dispersing.

"I know." Edmund added scratching the back of his neck.

"We will have to learn to move on without her." Peter shook his head. "I still can't believe that she left. I know that we have all grown and changed over the last year and a lifetime, but I never imagined that she had changed so much."

"Unlike the three of you, she had grown beyond my reach." The Great Cat spoke sadly. "Sometimes it happens that way. Everyone grows, sometimes they move away instead of coming closer. As much as it hurts, there is nothing that I can do to change their minds or convince them that what they seek can be found with me."

"That's horrible." Lucy was shocked, feeling as if that was what had happened with Susan.

"While I may be the Great Cat, Son of the Emperor who made all things, even I am powerless when it comes to the will of others."

"On a happier note." Peter changed the subject, not wanting them to dwell on what has been done. "I'm proud of you Lucy; Caspian seems to be the man that you were made for."

Lucy, blushing for no real reason other than that she was talking so openly with her brothers and Aslan replied,

"He is amazing, I'm lucky that we found each other."

"You know, at the Battle of the Howe, Peter practically told Caspian that he was wiling to let you marry him and Caspian accepted." Ed punched Peter lightly. "They really bonded over you."

Lucy was speechless. Peter and Edmund approved of the two of them, just like that? There had to be more to it than that. The two of them had never made up their minds easily or quickly, but now that their minds were made up, there would be no changing them. Not that she would want to.

"Really?" She coughed, voice and throat suddenly dry.

"You've always been a good judge of character, and if you love Caspian, then we know that he will make you happier than anyone else could." Peter hugged her, smiling indulgently. "I've seen the effect you have on him even if you don't. Only love does that to a person."

Lucy, not saying anything looked from her oldest brother to the other before turning her eyes to Aslan. All three of them looked proud and a touch sad, knowing that she had grown up, but at the same time had found a man that would cherish and treasure her for the rest of her life. Their smiles were crooked, not forced but not quite effortless. Her heart filled with love for her family and the Lion.

"Thank you." She felt tears gather in her eyes. "I don't know what the future holds for us, but I'm glad you approve of what I feel for him and are here to support us in whatever happens in the future."

Caspian was surrounded by valets as they forced him into his most regal set of robes, not having has the time to make him a formal set of dress robes for the coronation. He liked it only in the way that he knew the clothes would fit and be somewhat comfortable, but the pulling and pinching had to stop.

"Hold!" He finally called out, making all the men in the room freeze, comical expressions of the faces as they paused in the oddest positions.

"I know you are trying to help, but if you could just summon High King Peter and King Edmund, they are all the help that I will be needing right now."

The servants scurried off to do his bidding, leaving him alone in a simple but thin set of a tunic top and breeches. With a sigh he collapsed into a chair, mind spinning on what the rest of the day and the future would hold. He mind wandered to a small locked chest that sat at the back of his wardrobe, secured inside were all of his most valued possessions. A small, jewel encrusted ceremonial dagger, his birth records, a locket with his parents pictures and a small, velvet lined box.

"Caspian?" Edmunds voice called through the door to his chambers followed by a knock.

"Come in." He stood and turned to see Peter, Edmund and Aslan walk through the doorway before it closed, servants hovering in the hallway. "Welcome Aslan."

"No need to be so formal, young one." The Lion sat before the empty hearth. His next words took Caspian by surprise.

"You seek to ask for Lucy's hand in marriage?"

"Yes."

"Then we give you our blessing." Peter clapped a hand on the dark man's shoulder. "You will be a good match for our baby girl." Caspian looked from Peter to Edmund, who nodded.

"We have seen you to be the man we would have love her and protect her in ways that neither we nor Aslan have the ability to do. You are the King to her Queen." Edmund spoke, giving Caspian a glimpse of the poet's soul that resided in the younger king, a talent that many female historians had gushed about in the records.

"I have always known." Aslan merely swished His tail lazily, golden eyes smiling brightly.

"Come, we need to get you dressed." Peter pushed Caspian to the center of the room.

"Yes, let's leave the mushy stuff for later." And with that, Edmund the Poet was gone.

A little over an hour later Caspian stood alone in the antechamber to the throne room, listening to the page announce Aslan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy. Nervously he slid his hand into a pouch that hung off his belt opposite the ceremonial blade from his wardrobe, fingers closing over the cool gold of the ring that rested there. Closing his eyes, praying for the strength he needed and taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for the first step he would take into his future.

"Caspian the Tenth, Prince of Narnia."

All heads turned, more Narnians in the crowd than humans, to the back of the throne room. Lucy was slightly saddened by the fact that most of Caspian's human subjects had either passed across or were dead. But on the other hand, it allowed room for the Narnians to flourish and replenish their numbers without fears of running into the people that had stolen their lands and homes from them ages ago.

A rush of love and pride so powerful filled Lucy at the sight of Caspian decked out in his most royal of regalia that she was almost knocked off her feet. While she had always felt love and pride toward her siblings, this was new and unique to Caspian alone. He held her heart in his hands, and her future was tied so closely to his that it almost scared her.

Caspian's eyes met hers across the room, sparking a warmth in her chest and stomach. A small, secret smile pulled at his lips, fanning the heat inside her with love. Shyly she returned his smile before turning her eyes to the dais where Aslan stood waiting. The Great Cat glanced at her before turning his attention to the young man that was approaching him. She felt her brothers watching her out of the corner of their eyes, making Lucy want to squirm and scratch, an itch crawling across her skin.

"Caspian," Aslan spoke as he knelt before the Lion, robes trailing behind him, draping gracefully down the steps behind him. "You are about to begin one of the most challenging and rewarding phases of your life.

"To rule is not to follow personal gain, but to guide and protect those that follow you. You hold their fate and well being in your hands. Every action is a reflection of not only you, but those of your people as well. You are their sword and shield, their harbor and home; they look to you for justice and guidance.

"Do you vow to honor your obligation as their King, to protect, serve and rule with a kind and just heart, to place the needs of your people above your own, to be selfless in your love?"

Lucy held her breath, still impacted by Aslan's words just as he had been all those years ago when she and her siblings took the throne. To know that from that point on you were no longer totally alone, responsible only for your wants and desires. The knowledge that ruling was not a game to be taken lightly, a glorious title allowing you to do what you wanted to do when you wanted. She knew that Caspian felt that he was ready, but she prayed that he truly was ready to be the man and King that she knew he could be.

"Yes." Caspian's voice rang out, pure and strong, clear as a bell. "I vow to honor my people, to rule in their interest selflessly."

Trumpkin and Trufflehunter came forward, the badger holding the pillow that cushioned the crown. Lucy, eyes misting, watched as the red dwarf lifted the golden head ornament and settle it onto Caspian's head. As he stepped back, the newly crowned king raised his head, a new aura surrounding him. Aslan smiled into the king's face, nodding his head as he stepped back. Slowly Caspian stood, turning to face his people. Lucy noticed that his eyes seemed overly bright, as if there were unshed tears in them, his smile bright but slightly wobbly.

"It is done. All hail King Caspian."

The crowd went wild, cheering madly even as Aslan added, "And happy birthday."

"Thank you Aslan." Caspian spoke gently. "Thank you all for believing in me. I never could have done this without you."

Lucy nodded, proud that Caspian was acknowledging his people for helping him retake the throne. Peter and Edmund were whistling, faced relaxed for the first time since they had returned to Narnia. She smiled at their happiness.

"If High King Peter, King Edmund and Queen Lucy would join me?" Caspian's voice made her jump before she followed her brothers through the crowd, wondering what was about to happen.

Caspian felt as if a weight had been lifted off on his shoulders once Trumpkin settled the crown on his head. He knew that he should be feeling the opposite, but he only had hope for the future. The power and conviction of his vow to Narnia and her people still resonated in his blood, making him feel more alive and purposeful than he ever had before. He tried to quiet his mind as the crowd parted for the Old royalty, needing his thoughts to be in order for what he was about to say and do. The three of them moved to bow but he stopped them.

"No, you do not bow to me, my friends." Caspian waved a hand, dismissing the slight murmur he heard in the crowd. "If anything, I should bow to you.

"All of you," He spoke to his subjects. "I may be the king of this present time, the one who is the rightful ruler, but these Kings and Queen deserve the same respect that you would show to me. They will be the main members of my Council, and we will all draw upon their experience and wisdom."

Most assembled Narnians were nodding, remembering that 'One a King or Queen in Narnia, always a King or Queen.' It was one of the oldest sayings in the culture of Narnia, a way to show respect to those that had come before. Although, this was the only time that the adage was quite literal and Caspian intended to clear the matter up in the best possible way. Caspian took another deep breath to calm his uneasy stomach.

"High King Peter and King Edmund; there is no way I can express how I feel at having been blessed with your knowledge in defeating Miraz. I hope to continue to seek your council in all matters in the future."

"You have but to ask, King Caspian." Edmund replied for the two of them. "We are honored to give you our council."

The three men nodded a bow to each other even as Caspian's mind raced forward to what would come next. His entire future depended on it. Licking his suddenly dry lips he turned his attention to Lucy. Dear Lucy who stood resplendent in a deep emerald green dress made of a fine linen, so light it looked like silk. Her beautiful hair was piled atop her head in a mass of messy curls, making Caspian long to let them loose and run his fingers through them, drawing them over her shoulders. Love brightened her eyes, a small smile on her beautiful lips.

"Lucy." Caspian cleared his throat, making her smile deepen indulgently. "I wish I knew pretty words to describe what I feel for you.

"I love you. Your faith and support has brought me to stand before you today. I am offering you my heart and love." He knelt on one knee before her, her gasp echoing in his soul, eyes burning into his heart.

"Will you, Lucy Pevensie, be my wife and Queen?"

He drew the gold ring from its pouch, a large emerald cut emerald sparkling in the light spilling in from the large windows. On either side rested a round cut diamond, drawing more light to the ring. His heart was pounding and his palms were slick with nervous sweat as he held the ring up, waiting on Lucy's answer.

Lucy knew that Caspian was waiting on her answer, but she couldn't speak. Tears were clouding her vision and her throat had closed, making it hard for her to breathe. She was looking into the dark eyes of the man she loved, unable to believe that all of her dreams were coming true. She was home in Narnia and was about to begin her second life with the man that she loved more than anything else. Still unable to speak she nodded her head and lifted her hand for Caspian to slide the ring onto her finger.

With a gusty sigh of pure joy, he gently slid the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit, just as she knew it would be. Then he stood and gathered her into his arms, dropping his head to rest on her shoulder. Distantly she felt the crown on his head slip, but one of her brothers caught it. Caspian didn't move and she could feel his tears of joy on her skin as his chest shuddered with his breathing.

"Oh Caspian, don't cry." She managed to whisper, running her hands through his hair. The sound of the crowd cheering wildly penetrated the haze around them. Caspian laughed and raised his head, more hope in that one sound than all of the roars Aslan could every manage.

"I present to you, King Caspian, and his bride-to-be, Queen Lucy." Aslan's voice rang out.