Black and Blue
AllzStar
EPILOGUE
I was awake, but still dreaming. As the maids pushed and pulled at my plump white gown, my gaze drifted aimlessly out the window, looking out at the sparkling river and the perfect, cloudless blue sky above it. The emerald green hills rolled and stretched endlessly on either side of the band of blue water, speckles of purple and pink and blue wildflowers dotting them.
Right now, I was Carmen-Marie Jackson-Levi, Lady Knight of Narnia.
But in ten minutes, I would be Jaxx Pevensie, High Queen of Narnia and Leader of Aslan's Imperial Army.
It had been three Narnian years since Caspian had been crowned King of Telmar. Three long, anxious years of waiting to be of age. Waiting until we could finally be married and bound forever.
Susan giggled and tugged on my bodice. "Stop fidgeting, Jaxx, or I'm going to stick you with this pin!" She held up a tiny silver sewing needle.
"I'm sorry; I can't help it," I replied, smiling at my soon to be sister in law.
Susan grinned back and continued to make last minute alterations to my dress. The sunlight streaming through the window caught the diamond on her ring finger and sent rainbows dancing onto the walls.
"Set a date for yours yet?" I asked, gesturing to the ring.
Susan chuckled. "We're not even thinking about our wedding yet, what with someone else's wedding being today and all." She looked at me knowingly.
Caspian had asked Susan to marry him shortly after Peter and I had set the date for our wedding.
"There might be another one soon," I reminded her. "Lucy and Jack are getting quite snug."
Susan wrinkled her nose. "Lucy's too young."
"She won't be in a few years," I chimed.
The son of one of the Telmarine Lords, Jack, had taken an instant liking to Lucy upon their meeting at the society balls where Lucy had made her debut. At thirteen (and he fifteen), she was still much too young to even think of marriage, but for now they were merely the very best of friends.
"Five," Susan sniffed. "And even at eighteen Peter won't let her get married. It's far too young."
I rolled my eyes at the hit towards me. "I know you don't approve, Susan."
"I approve," said Susan quietly. "I just think you and Peter could have waited a few more years."
"I know," I sighed. "But we've been engaged for three years already. There's no point in prolonging it any more than necessary."
The double doors at the end of the hallway were pulled open by guards and a handsome dark-haired, freckled boy strolled in. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me standing on the dais in my wedding gown. Maria and Lucille, two girls I had met at a ball last season and who were to be my bridesmaids, bowed their heads at the youngest King of Narnia.
Edmund's eyes widened. "Jaxx," he breathed. "You look…"
"Stunning," Susan said for him, smiling at her younger brother. Then her expression turned to one of scolding. "Edmund, what are you doing in here? This is the ladies' room!"
Edmund shuffled on his feet, pink seeping into his cheeks. "Peter wanted me to…deliver a message," he said quietly.
"Well, go on," said Susan impatiently, placing her hands on her hips.
Edmund hesitated, and then stepped forward, towards me. With Susan's help I got down from the dais and leaned forwards, expecting him to whisper it in my ear. Instead, he planted a sweet little kiss right on my cheek.
"That's from Peter," he said quickly, before I could whimper in surprise. "Not me. Peter told me to do it. I'm sorry!" He threw his arms over his face.
I laughed. "Don't worry, Ed, I'm not going to send you to an iron maiden just for kissing your soon to be sister-in-law on the cheek by order of her soon to be husband!" I tugged on his arms. "Run along, now, the ceremony starts in two minutes; we'll be out soon."
Edmund smiled at me, squeezed Susan's hand, and then took off all too eagerly out the door.
I chuckled again. "He's so sweet."
"He's never shy around anyone but you," Susan pointed out, going back to the last minute adjustments to the dress.
I sighed. "I know. Perhaps it's because of my involvement with Peter."
"But you two were the best of friends before Peter interrupted," Susan said, smiling to herself.
"I suppose…." To be honest, I'd missed spending time with Edmund. During our first visit to Narnia, we'd started spending ample amounts of time together right after the coronation, and we'd become very good friends. We'd stayed close when we'd come back to Narnia as well (that is, once I remembered him). But now, things were somehow different. We barely spent time alone together. Edmund almost avoided me sometimes. I didn't understand it.
The doors opened again and a little fawn stuck her head in. "It's time, You Majesties," she whispered excitedly.
I gasped as butterflies erupted in my stomach. All thoughts of Edmund vanished, and all I could think about was what was about to happen.
Susan giggled and helped me down from the dais. "Zip me up?" she asked, turning around.
I fumbled with the zipper of her beautiful cherry red gown, and finally got it done up with my shaky fingers.
Susan took my arm and led me out of our little chamber and up the flight of stairs. We paused outside the double doors. Maria and Lucille followed behind, checking each-other for any unseen flaws.
Edmund was waiting at the door, nervously awaiting our approach.
Susan kissed me on the cheek and gave me a hug. Then she lined up at the front, followed my Maria, and then Lucille. Ed and I stood off to the side as the doors opened and the three girls made a procession down the isle.
When the doors closed again Edmund and I took our own positions. He stood on my left, and I took his arm, clutching it for dear life.
He chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "Relax, Carmen," he whispered.
I nodded, too nervous to scold him for calling me Carmen.
"Here we go," Ed said softly, and I whimpered in fright.
The double doors swung open, and Edmund and I, perfectly together, began our trek down the isle.
