So, I really did intend to post this chapter a little sooner, but I'm actually really nervous about it. :/

I made my husband read through it and he says it's fine, but then again I haven't made him read the whole story yet, so I don't know...It may just be paranoia or reluctance for this story to be so close to complete.

Please let me know what you think.

I Will Wait…

Chapter 14: Or when the wind calls free…

2357 February 8

I could always tell when Rilian was lying, and he wasn't lying now. He was being completely honest. I saw the truth in his eyes, and I felt my breath leave me entirely. I was certain that my heart had stopped and any moment now I would cease to live. Everything I wanted, everything I desired was once more ripped away from me. I saw it fleeing and then it was gone.

"No. I do not want to court you."

How could he do this to me? How could he say such things? How could he fight me the way he did only to walk away from me now? This couldn't be happening. None of this could be happening. My mind searched for all the possible reasons this could be happening. I was dreaming. I had simply heard him wrong. He was still enchanted. The Green Mist from the stories had somehow survived the great battle and made its way to Narnia and this was all an illusion.

Nothing seemed to fit.

Nothing made sense.

I loved Rilian, but apparently he didn't love me anymore.

"I do not want to court you, Penelope," he said again. I wanted to scream, and yell, and protest, and fight for his love. But I found I had no strength for any of that. I had no strength to push myself off the wall. I had no strength to even form tears to cry.

"Courting is not enough for me," he continued. "I need more than a courtship. I don't want to court you. I want to marry you, Penelope. I love you, and I want to marry you. I want you…I need you to be my wife, to be my Queen. I love you so much, Penelope, I cannot stand another day without you."

Marriage?

In an instant all of my anger and hurt had vanished and it was replaced with love and joy. But I still had no voice and no strength for a response.

Marriage!

"Please, Penelope, won't you say something?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"Yes you'll say something or yes…"

"Yes," I said again interrupting him. "Yes. I will marry you. Rilian, I will. I love you, and I...I will be anything, everything you need me to be. I will be your wife. I will even be your Queen. My heart will forever be yours."

My eyes hardly had time to register the smile spread across his face before his lips captured mine in a searing kiss. There was nothing left unsaid, for this kiss said it all. It held every 'I love you' that would have been said over the twelve years. And it held every 'I love you' that was to come in future years. In that one kiss was wrapped every joy, every hope, and every dream that we once shared and that we would share again. The kiss was suspended in a time that was not ours. It was a kiss which celebrated and declared our love both past, present, and future. It was a kiss that would not soon be forgotten.

It was a kiss well worth waiting for.

XOXOX

Following the Unforgotten Kiss, in which Rilian and I somehow ended up across the room with my arms around wrapped securely around his neck and one of his hands curled in my hair while the other held me close, Rilian and I made our way to the dining hall for dinner at last. We could hardly contain our excitement when we arrived, nor did we want to. Much of my family was already present as were Rhea and many of the Lords. When we shared our great news there were many cheers and applause, but I had the sinking suspicion that some already knew.

The next two months went by rather quickly. Rilian and I didn't want to wait any longer than necessary and I always wanted a spring wedding; I loved the spring weather. So our wedding date was set for the twenty-third of April. Wedding plans and coronation plans alike were made; they were planned for the same day, one directly following the other. Why wait? I met with someone daily to discuss the upcoming nuptials and coronation. I was amazed at how much planning needed to be done. I had helped Rhea and my mother plan the Winter Ball every year, and I had seen glimpses of Lorna's, Sara's, and Kareen's wedding plans, but they were nothing compared to a Royal Wedding.

Most of the citizens had never seen or experienced a Royal Wedding before. King Caspian had wed on Ramandu's Island at the edge of the world with only the Dawn Treader crew as witnesses. There were a few of the younger crew members still alive, but most had made the final journey to Aslan's Country. Before King Caspian the Tenth there were his father and mother. King Caspian the Ninth and Queen Asonya were wed under Telmarine law and only the very elite and the Telmarine Lords witnessed their union.

This Royal Wedding would be quite different; not only were many of the same dignitaries from Rilian's coronation invited, but the whole Narnian country was invited as well. The Princes Armel and Basile were attending, as was the Lone Island Duke. All the Narnian Courtiers and Lords would be in attendance as well, but even with that there was still room left in the great hall. So, upon my wishes, a random selection of common Narnian citizens would be in the hall as well. It was the first in our history, but hopefully not the last. Apart from the citizens in the hall, there would be citizens gathered in the courtyard outside. It was an affair that no one wanted to miss.

2357 April 22

After ten weeks of planning, fittings, planning, picking out the flowers, planning, a bit of stressing, and…planning, my wedding day was nearly here. There was nothing left to do but sleep and wake up in the morning, ready to marry the man I loved.

I was in my room preparing for bed; my stomach was all a mess, so my mother and sister were with me when there was a knock on the door. Lorna answered it while my mother continued to brush out my hair.

"Rilian," Lorna greeted. "Or should I say, 'Your Majesty?'"

"Rilian will do just fine, Lorna," Rilian replied. "I was hoping to have a word with Penelope."

"Just a moment, Rilian," I called from my mirrored vanity. I nodded to my mother and she stopped brushing my hair. I stood and wrapped my dressing gown around me, for I was already in my night dress. Then I told Lorna to let Rilian in.

"I hope I am not interrupting anything," Rilian said as he entered.

"I was just readying for bed."

"So early?"

"Yes. There's something going on tomorrow, but I…I can't seem to recall what it is. I'm sure it holds some importance," I teased.

"Oh? Is that so? Well, perhaps I should remind you?" He stepped in closer and placed a hand on my waist. Just before he could kiss me though, someone sneezed and I suddenly remembered that we weren't alone. I quickly leaned away and stepped around Rilian.

"Mother, Lorna, thank you for all you've done, and goodnight. I will see you in the morning."

"Alright dear," Mother said with a small sigh before she came over to me and stroked my hair and kissed my forehead. "I know it will be difficult, but do try to get some sleep tonight."

"Yes, because you won't receive any after the wedding," my sister added.

"Lorna!" I exclaimed.

"What? It's going to be a very busy week celebrating our new Queen." She smirked and I knew she wasn't talking about the week of festivities that were planned.

"Alright, we're leaving now, Lorna. Goodnight, Penelope."

"Goodnight, Mother."

"Goodnight, Sister," Lorna said with mock innocence.

My lips smiled but my eyes glared. "Night."

When I looked back at Rilian I noticed that his cheeks were slightly red.

"Well Lorna has…grown," he said.

"I blame the Archenland air."

"Why Archenland?"

"Because my father was from Archenland and I'm told I have many of his bold qualities. Now Lorna lives in Archenland and she has become worse than I."

"So naturally the Archenland air is to blame."

"Naturally," I replied with a coy smile and a shrug. "What brings you to my chambers so late in the evening the night before we are to be wed?"

"I wanted to give you something and it is my hope that you would wear it tomorrow and the days to follow."

Then he handed me a square wooden box about the size of my palm. The lid was secured on by a piece of blue ribbon. I untied the ribbon and opened the box to find a shining silver chained necklace lying inside on a bed of soft velvet. The pendant was a small square turned on its side, and floating in the center of the square was a blue jewel. It was beautiful, and yet somehow familiar.

"Rilian, this…this is exquisite, but where have I seen this before?"

"It was my mother's."

Suddenly it was clear to me. "The Star's Necklace," I said barely above a whisper.

The Queen always wore this blue star necklace; she was never without it. I hadn't seen the necklace in years. I just assumed it had been left on the body when they buried her at sea.

"Do you know the story behind that necklace?" Rilian asked softly.

"No, not really. I just thought it got its name from the fact that it looks like a star."

"It was a gift, a wedding gift for my mother."

"From your father?"

"No. It was given to her by the Blue Star, Liliandil, at the edge of the world on her father's island, on the island of Ramandu. According to the Star, the necklace belonged to her mother—the Star's mother, not my mother's mother."

I nodded in understanding.

"You see the Star knew that when my mother married my father her Naiad magic would no longer protect her. So she infused the necklace with her own Star Magic and gave it to my mother in hopes that it would protect her from disease and illness, so that she and my father would have a long, healthy marriage.

"After my mother died I blamed the necklace. I hated it, almost as much as I hated the serpent. I thought the necklace had failed, as I had failed. If only the magic had been a little stronger it could have defeated the poison and saved my mother from death. It wasn't until years later, during one of my sane hours, that I realized the necklace had worked. If it were not for the Star's magic, and later for Rhea's magic, my mother would have died there in the glade. The Star's gift afforded my mother some time to say goodbye. It gave her one last chance to tell us all how much she loved us."

Through his story I remained silent. Rilian had never spoken of the day his mother died before. Before his disappearance, when I tried to bring it up he would only close down and change the subject. Eventually I stopped trying to talk about it, figuring he would tell me when he was ready. And now here it was, the night before we were to be wed.

"Rilian, this is beautiful, and I thank you for such a precious gift; it is clear to see how important it is to you. But I am just a girl, and this is your mother's necklace. Who am I to hold such a treasure? I don't…"

"Please," he interrupted me. "Before you decline to wear it, let me say one thing more," he pleaded. I nodded silently.

"Before my mother died, she gave this necklace to me with one request: that one day I give it to my Queen so that the Star's magic would protect her as it protected my mother. Even as she lay dying, my mother only thought of the future happiness of her children and her husband. She wanted to ensure that my wife, my Queen, and I would have a long marriage. I knew it then, as I know it now, that you are my Queen, Penelope. I know that it is still difficult for you to see yourself as such, but I have always seen you as my Queen. Please, Penelope, do me this great honor of wearing this necklace as your own."

I still felt unworthy of such a treasure, but I saw the earnestness, trust, and love in his eyes. How could I refuse such a gift as his love and trust?

"Alright, I'll wear it for you, but under one condition."

"And what would that be?"

"I'll wear it, if you'll do me the honor of securing it around my neck," I said as I held the box out towards him.

"Gladly," he replied with a smile. After he gently took the necklace from the bed of velvet, I turned around and pulled my hair to one side. I felt the cool metal on my skin, but the moment the clasp was hooked a sudden warmth spread through my body and the blue jewel at the center of the star glowed. My hand instantly flew to my chest and I let out a small gasp.

"What is it?" Rilian asked, suddenly worried as he hurried to stand before me.

"It's alright. I'm fine. It's just…I can feel its magic."

"What does it feel like?"

"It's difficult to explain. It's a warm…purity." As the glowing jewel faded back to its normal radiance, I felt a tear roll from my eye. Rilian reached out a hand to gently wipe the drop away. "It's like I felt all the love that must have gone into this necklace to make such a pure magic. There is no other way to describe it. It was beautiful."

"Then it suits you perfectly. I'm glad you like it."

"Thank you, Rilian."

Rilian said nothing more, but the kiss he gave me told me just how happy and thankful he was that I had agreed to take ownership of his most prized possession. We kissed and embraced for a few moments more before biding each other farewell. And as he walked out, it suddenly dawned on me that after tomorrow morning we would never have to leave one another's rooms again. We would forever be united as one.

XOXOX

2357 April 23

I awoke the next morning not feeling the least bit nervous like I thought I would. When I passed by my mirror though, I saw that the blue star hanging around my neck was glowing slightly. I knew then that the Star's magic was taking my nerves away. That…or I realized I simply had nothing to be nervous about; I mean, I was only getting married in front of the whole kingdom and then immediately pledging my oath as Queen. Why was there any reason to be nervous?

…

…

Aslan help me.

…

…

My mother and sister arrived soon after I had awoken, and they were not alone. With them came breakfast, which was a healthy assortment of fruits and grains, as well as Rhea, Sara, and Kareen. After eating, it was time to get dressed. As the hour of the ceremony grew nearer, the jewel's brightness steadily increased, and my nerves stayed at bay. Then at last there was no more time to wait, and I stood before the double doors leading into the great hall. It appeared then that the jewel had reached its potential for it glowed no brighter and for the first time that day I felt the prickling of nerves.

As I began my long walk down the aisle alone I held no flowers in my hand, but gradually, as I passed by the children of Cair Paravel, I was handed a flower. Then at last I stood before Rilian with a bouquet of a dozen assorted flowers. He took my hand, with a pleasant smile on his face, and led me up two steps to the officiant.

"We are gathered here today in the name of Aslan and before this company, to join together Rilian, King of Narnia, son of King Caspian tenth of that name, and Penelope, daughter of Sir Orlich, in matrimony." The officiant's words sounded distant and muffled due to my rapidly beating heart.

"Rilian, Penelope, do you each take the other for your lawful wedded spouse, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish each other from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only onto the other for as long as you both shall live?"

I cast my eyes to Rilian. With one simple smile from him, my heart was instantly stilled. Why was there need to fear or worry? The love in Rilian's eyes told me everything I needed to know. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze before we both responded in unison.

"I do."

And then it was time for our vows to one another. With each spoken word we were that much closer to being husband and wife.

"I, Rilian, King of Narnia, son of King Caspian, tenth of that name, take thee Penelope, daughter of Sir Orlich, to be my wife and Queen…"

"I, Penelope…take thee Rilian… to be my husband and my King…"

"…secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love..."

"On this special day I affirm to you in the name of Aslan and before these witnesses my sacred promise to stay by your side as your wife and Queen…"

"…in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad…"

"I further promise to love you without reservation…"

"…honor and respect you…"

"…comfort you in times of distress…"

"…provide for your needs as best I can…"

"…encourage you to achieve higher goals…"

"…protect you from harm…"

"…laugh with you and cry with you…"

"…grow with you in mind and spirit…"

"…always be open and honest with you…"

"…and cherish you for as long as we both shall live…"

"…and beyond."

Then, with direction from the officiant, Rilian took my left hand and slid a golden band on my finger, and he said, "With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment." I, in turn, said and did the same to him.

Then the officiant spoke once more.

"May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive, and experience more joy with each passing day, with each passing year. Rilian and Penelope, are now beginning their married life together, we hope that they may have loving assistance from their family, the constant support of their friends and country, and a long life with good health and everlasting love. In so much as Rilian and Penelope have consented to live forever together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company, having given and pledged their loyalty, each to the other, and having declared the same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife.

"You may now seal the promises you have made with each other with a kiss."

The kiss was simple and sweet, but the applause from the crowd was deafening. Now, having been wed, I received no break. After our kiss Rilian instantly took me by the hand again and led me over to where a golden crown sat waiting for me. There I knelt before Rilian and the officiant and pledged my oath as Queen. I promised to love Narnia and her inhabitants as my children, to keep their best interests at heart, to treat them fairly and justly, and I promised to rule beside and in accordance with the King.

"Under Aslan and under the High King you shall be Queen of Narnia to rule side by side, as an equal, with your King," Rilian said as he placed the crown upon my head. Then he held out his hands and helped me to my feet. "Arise, Penelope, The People's Queen. May you be magnificent, gentle, just, and valiant in your reign."

As I turned to stand side by side and hand in hand with Rilian to face the people, the room once more erupted into deafening cheers and cries of "Long live the King!" and "Long live the Queen!"

Afterwards, Rilian and I walked out onto the balcony where we were greeted with more thunderous applause and more chants. Amongst the chants of long life were chants for a kiss. Rilian and I lovingly obliged them with a small one. When Rilian and I reentered the castle it was to celebrate by feasting and dancing with our guests. The feasting and dancing occurred outside in the courtyard and the streets of the town as well. Celebrations lasted well into the night when fire was sent into the sky, until Rilian and I retired to our suites. There we were truly united as one.

And it was beautiful.

And it was glorious.

Celebrations continued for much of the week. There were tournaments and parades and feasts. At one point I sat on my throne in the throne room and all the Lords came forth and pledged their loyalty to me. They were followed by the knights who pledged their protection.

It was a whirlwind of a week, but none of the festivities mattered. All that mattered to me, was Rilian. He was home and he loved me. We would never be parted again. And though I would have no need to, if I had to, I would wait for him all the days of my life. I would wait for his love, because love is a thing worth waiting for.

Well?

Many of you already guessed (or hopped for at least) what Rilian was going to say, but that's okay. I still have the satisfaction of leaving chapter 13 with a cliffhanger. Thank you all for sticking with me. There's still the epilogue left and I do hope you come back for that, I am really looking forward to reading your responses to that. I will probably post it next Friday, as on schedule, but it might be sooner.

Thanks again!