Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 18
The very next day, everyone started back to Narnia. The journey didn't seem as long going back.
Before they knew it, they were back. Then, preparations for Melendie's coronation were underway. It was to be at Cair Paravel, which Narnians were busy repairing every day. But construction stopped for a few days so the coronation could happen.
After a week, everything was ready.
Melendie was very excited. Her dress was beautiful. Unlike what she was used to wearing, it was made of a sort material that flowed gracefully around her ankles. And instead of the browns and other dark colors she always wore, this gown was a bright aqua blue with gold trimming.
When she first tried it on and saw herself, she forgot for a minute that just a few weeks before, she was a poor slave girl with no future. When she remembered what she used to be, and looked in the mirror at herself now, she no longer saw that girl. She now saw a loved, future-queen, and wife who had a bright future.
In her happiness, she started twirling around the room, watching her dress spin around with her.
Suddenly, someone stopped her. She looked up and saw it was her husband: Peter. He was holding her around her waist and was smiling at her.
"You seem happy," he told her.
"Just reminiscing in the fact that I'm no longer 'poor, slave-girl Melendie'," she replied.
"Now she's my beautiful wife." He kissed her. "So, when you're done," Peter continued, "we're ready."
"Alright, I'll be right there."
Peter started to leave. But he turned back and kissed her once more. They both smiled, and he left.
Melendie took another few minutes and looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled at what she saw, and left.
(20 minutes later)
The trumpets started, and off Melendie went. She walked down to the throne that had been built for her. Everything seemed like a blur. But she remembered everything perfectly. She made it to the throne. Peter crowned her. And Aslan told her the same things he told the Pevensies when they were crowned. When everything was done, the crowd started chanting "Long Live Queen Melendie the Lion-Hearted!"
Melendie had never felt so happy.
Then came the celebration.
Aslan hadn't forgotten what He promised Melendie. During the party, He took her and Peter aside to give her the potion.
"Drink this," He told her, "and you will age the same way Peter does in his world."
Melendie took the cup and drank it. She was expecting it to be a terrible taste, but instead it tasted sweet. When she was done, she could feel the magic working through her.
"Now you are guaranteed to be a young age when the four return," Aslan concluded.
"Thank you, Aslan. Truly, thank you," Melendie told Him.
"You're welcome…my Queen." She smiled.
"Aslan, what happened to the people who owned me?" she asked, curious.
"They have found another. A boy. He is a Calormene slave. He is used to the harsh conditions."
"I still feel terrible that anyone has to put up with those two."
"Don't worry Melendie. His previous master was much harsher. To him, they will seem very easy," He told her.
That made Melendie feel better, but she still felt bad for the new boy.
I'm in the middle of writing the next chapter, so I don't know exactly when I'll be posting next. But it will be soon, I can promise that.
Only a couple more chapters to go till the end!
Review pretty please with a cherry on top!
