20. There's a Narnian wedding; what happens, what's it like, and who is getting married?

"Edmund."

"Almost ready, O Queen."

"We are going to be late and thus disgraced."

"Thou art the bestowing the blessing; the wedding canst end before thou arrives."

"It behoves us to be in place from the beginning."

"Then let me find my belt in peace."

"I spy four other belts within the doors of thy closet."

"They fail in their single task."

"Then eat more wedding cake, and perhaps they will not!"

"Wedding cakes have far too much sweet—ho, enter!"

"The horses await below."

"Lucy! Persuade your brother that the belt that matches his red-rich tunic will be fine!"

"Art looking for something, brother of mine?"

"The belt that succeeds in keeping these loose and formal clothing where it should be, and keeps all attention on the groom and bride, and not myself."

"The worn one with the long gash from the Minotaur's blade, the one that the tailors long to throw in the pile of worn-out saddles and bridles?"

"Exactly, sister mine."

"Susan hid it."

"Lucy!"

"Where did she hide it?"

"That I may not say."

"Then I shall not go."

"Then I shall tie a rope around thy waist so tightly the very breath leaves thy body but thy clothes remain in place! The belt is bad enough with thy normal clothes, brother, but it will not do with wedding finery!"

"He is thinking, o sister."

"Hark his clouded brow."

"A bargain, then. If I wear a belt—or rope, or sash, or anything else of thy choosing—to this wedding, wilt thou return the belt to me?"

"Now it is thy turn to be thinking, sister."

"Hush. Thou wilt understand when thou is more advanced in years. I will return thy belt—mended and restrained, waxed and made better—a week after we return. Agreed?"

"Very well."

"Then take this belt, and let us be off."

"What shape dost thou think the cake will take?"

"What did you say, brother mine?"

"Your sister says I should eat more cake to keep my failing belts in place. I desire to know what shape it will take, so I may know what to look for. What is thy guess?"

"Oh, I don't—"

"A horse, of course. What else could it be? Now please, let us go through the door and to the horses! Peter is waiting."

"All well, my siblings three?"

"All well, now that our royal sister has hidden my belt and persuaded me to wear a new one."

"By the Lion's mane, I did not think I would live to see such a day! I bow to thee, Gentle Queen. And here is my hand, to help thee onto thy horse."

"Many thanks. Will we be late?"

"It is several days travel; if we ride till late tonight, we will arrive in good time."

"Then let us be off!"

"Heed our youngest sister! Come, let us catch her!"

"Welcome, welcome to Archenland! We are most honoured to have the Four with us. Come in for refreshments!"

"Our thanks, King Lune. Where might the royal groom and bride be?"

"Ah, that. Well, King Peter…That is not hard to say. Just listen for a moment! Hear the yelling? I believe my son has trod on Aravis' train once again. Happy will I be to get them on their time away, where they may argue as loudly as they like, and leave the rest of us in peace!"

"Peace, perhaps. As long as my royal sister keeps her hands off of my wardrobe."

"Sorry, King Edmund, what was that?"

"Nothing but well wishes for the peace and harmony of Archenland's future King and Queen!"