Caspian's new room was much more extravagant than his old, she thought it was too much space for just one person, but what did she know really? The rain hadn't dulled the festivities even in the slightest, but Alessandra's dress had felt ten times heavier with the water soaking it. So she decided to call it a night, she told Caspian that he didn't have to retire with her but he wouldn't hear of it.

When he yet again led her into a part of the castle where she had never been instead of towards her room she was confused for a moment but didn't question him. His bed was twice the size of his old one, and even though they often migrated towards each other in sleep, with the size of his bed they could comfortably spread out with room to spare. He had a fireplace too, he stroked the dying embers since they were both soaked to the bone before going to fetch her a drying sheet.

When he returned from what she could only assume was his wardrobe or washroom, his shirt and boots were gone, he opened the linen as he approached her before wrapping it around her shoulders, rubbing her arms with his palms to help warm her up faster. The rain beating down along the walls of the castle provided a gentle background to when Caspian deemed her dry enough for now to start drying his chest with the other sheet.

While he did that she took the end of the sheet to start squeezing the water from her hair, Caspian turned her around to start working at the back of her dress, which if she were to guess had about a thousand little buttons and ties to her corset holding it together. She only knew because it took both Odette and Iris to chinch her into it. But he was patient in undoing every little one, even with the rainwater dripping off the beads.

Finally she was free of the heavy fabric and it fell in a sopping pool around her feet, even her undergarments were soaked through, she stepped out of it and Caspian scooped it up to lay it across a chair where it could freely drip dry. When he returned to her his eyes were heavier, as he helped strip her of her undergarments, as intimate as the gesture was combined with the look in his eye and the gentle glow of the fire in his room, the act felt more domestic than it did sexual.

Only when she decided that it was her turn to undress him did that start to shift, it was easier for her than it was him since he had done half the work for her. All she had to do was loosen the ties on the front of his pants and push them down, when he stepped out of them she placed her hand in the center of his chest and pushed him back towards his massive bed. His touch whispered across her wrist as he went tugging her along, falling to sit at the edge and tugging her into his lap a second after he settled.

"You were incredible tonight," he muttered running his hands up along her bare back.

"I hardly did anything."

"You impressed people," he said before kissing her once, "You impressed me," he added to her surprise, "That was more than enough."

She smiled into his next kiss as a blush rose to the tops of her cheeks, from his words rather than his actions, "I don't think I've personally saluted you as yet."

"You're doing fine," he said, tucking his head into her neck, mouthing at the sensitive skin, she giggled at his nonchalance yet gripped his hair in her hands and pulled, drawing him back and guiding him onto his back.

He went willingly tracing his hands up and down her lovely thighs taking in her mischievous grin, "Long Live the King,"

Somehow the next morning they managed to wake before the sunrise, despite the late night at the festival and even later activities in Caspian's room. When Alessandra rolled over and blinked awake she was shocked that it was barely dawn, Caspian's back was to her so she scooted herself closer tucking her arm up underneath his and curling in close. A reversal of their usual position.

She was content to wait until he woke or, depending on what time that might be, sneak out before he woke. So she was surprised when his hand wrapped around hers and brought it up to kiss the back, she responded by kissing his shoulder before he turned over. She moved with him in comfortable ease as he settled onto his back rumbling out a 'good morning as he did, she responded in kind throwing her bare leg over his equally bare hip and laying her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head as his fingers began toying with the ends of her hair.

"Tell me about the work you've been doing in the city." He requested gently after a long comfortable silence.

"I don't think it's that remarkable."

"Tell me anyway."

She sighed again, curling into his chest further when his hand ventured from her hair to her scalp, "When I went back down there, to find the mouse where I was raised, I was, shocked."

"Why?"

"I knew that it may not have been in the best condition, that much I can remember. But it was awful. Hardly any clean water, very little food."

"Just there?"

"No, nearly everyone was suffering in some way or another. I couldn't stand to let it keep happening."

His hand tightened beneath her head before leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead, "Good, that's one of the things I love most about you," she twisted her head on his chest to look up at him and his hand followed, thumb caressing her cheek, "Your compassion, I know this has all been a big change for you, so I'm happy you're not allowing yourself to be trapped here."

She smiled, kissing the edge of his thumb, "Speaking of change," she said sitting up to look him more fully in the eye, "I'm not the only one that's been experiencing big changes," his brow furrowed in question, "The Narnians have been a great help in assisting with getting things in the city back to normal, but I think sometimes they still feel like outsiders, like they're being judged or watched."

"What do you suggest?"

"I think you should rebuild Cair Paravel."

"Really?"

"Yes, more than anything I think it could be a gesture of good will. But it can also be a true fresh start, for anyone."

He was quiet for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face, "I think that's a wonderful idea," he said with a prideful grin before kissing her again, she smiled but pulled back before he could deepen it placing a hand on his chest, he paused immediately, "Odette should be up soon," she explained, gesturing to the rising sun. Before she could even think to swing her legs over the bed and stand Caspian caught her waist and pulled her back down beside her, "Cas!" she giggled when he caught her lips in a kiss, "I have to go."

"No you don't," he said shortly before kissing her again, "You're going to be my wife, they can wait or come and find you themselves."

He silenced whatever protest would come next by kissing her again.

True to his word, Odette did eventually make her way to find her in Caspian's room, the older woman refrained from any snide comments when she found her but she could see it in her eye that she was annoyed. Not at her predicament but at having to come and find her when she had gotten used to storming into Alessandra's room at dawn and finding her waiting.

Her Governess threw a robe around her and tied the knot around her waist, thankfully she said nothing about the fact that she had slept in one of Caspian's dress shirts, and not much else. She knew that the older woman was more than aware of her and Caspian but that didn't mean she wanted to rub it in her face, once more Iris was waiting with tea once she was escorted back to her room.

Even though the coronation was yesterday and that was most likely the worst of what she'd have to endure as the King's betrothed. She did have to keep up appearances as the King's betrothed, that meant riding alongside him on today's parade. And most likely being by his side for many events to come.

She was starting to appreciate the work that went into the dresses she had to wear, today's wasn't nearly as extravagant as the one she wore for Caspian's coronation but it was lovely either way. It was a bluish-grey colour and the sleeves went down to her wrist unlike yesterday's shorter sleeves. Odette also left her hair down and just pulled back the front to expose more of her face. Before she knew it her governess was ushering her out the door.

They didn't make it very far through the halls before she paused at the sight of a familiar blond, "Peter?" she called, making him look up from where he was gazing out of one of the windows.

"Les'," he said while straightening up.

"Give us a minute?" she requested of her handmaidens who nodded and turned the corner ahead to give them some semblance of privacy, "Are you alright?" she asked, moving closer to his side.

"Yeah, just waiting to see Aslan."

"Aslan? He's still here?"

"Somewhere, he wants to speak to Susan and me."

"How can you tell?"

"It's just one of those things you have to get used to with him."

"You don't seem happy about it."

"This one just feels different," he said with a sad sigh as his shoulders slumped, before she could think to console him he turned to her with a forced smile, "But I don't want you to have that on your mind, you've got enough to think about."

"Nothing's more important than taking care of the people I care about."

"Thank you Les, but I'll be fine. Let me escort you down?" He said, turning and offering her his arm. She took his deflection for what it was and accepted his offered arm.

The ride through the city reminded her of the day they returned after the Battle at Aslan's How. Except this time Telmarines poured out of their homes without needing to be prompted by the dryads, and a variety of Narnians walked alongside them.

The horse that Alessandra still and yet to name was new as well. While she didn't know very much about horses, she could tell that this one was itching to stretch her legs and was enjoying her trod through the city alongside Destrier very much.

She didn't think that Caspian had any particular direction in mind and they would circle back to the castle, but she was proven wrong when he led them to the edge of the city, where Aslan was waiting next to a tree atop a platform that she didn't even know existed overlooking the sea.

Bruno and Suncloud helped her down from her horse. The former stayed down with the rest of the observing people while Suncloud helped guide her up the steps where she took her place on the other side of the Kings and Queens of Old and next to the Narnians that consisted of Suncloud, his father, Doctor Cornelius Trumpkin and Reepicheep.

"Narnia belongs to the Narnians just as it does to man," Caspian spoke to the people gathered, who had quieted down in anticipation of what the new King had to say, "Any Telmarines who want to stay and live in peace are welcome to. And for any of you who wish, Aslan will return you to the home of our forefathers." He finished gesturing to the lion.

"It has been generations since we settled in Telmar." One of the men in the crowd said skeptically.

"We are not referring to Telmar," Aslan said stepping forward, "Your ancestors were sea-faring brigands, pirates run aground on an island. There they found a cave, a rare chasm that brought them here from their world, the same world as our kings and queens," he said with a respectful nod to the Pevensie siblings, "It is to that island I can return you. It is a good place for any who wish to make a new start."

There were confused and fearful murmurs from the crowd. Many people though curious, like Alessandra suspected, were cautious of Aslan's offer.

"I'll go," General Glozelle said to everyone's surprise if the scattered gasps that rippled through the crowd was any indication, "I will accept the offer." He repeated in confidence.

"So will we." Prunaprismia said after a moment of silence.

Glozelle wrapped an arm around his niece and the former queen, carrying her baby, and another Lord who Alessandra didn't recognize and Prunaprismia's handmaiden climbed the steps to stand before Aslan awaiting their fate.

"Because you have spoken first, your future in that world will be good." The great lion said before breathing on them then the tree behind Caspian twists, forming a round opening.

The volunteers bowed in respect to Caspian and Prumprisma shared a meaningful look with Alessandra before they walked through the door in the air… and vanished from sight.

The crowd gasped in almost unison and some of them even took a step back, Alessandra was shocked as well and even Caspian couldn't hide his curiosity and disbelief as he peered into the air where the people once were.

"How do we know he is not leading us to our deaths?" Someone from the crowd shouted in fear and she couldn't blame the man.

Reepicheep stepped forward and spoke directly to Aslan, "Sire, if my example can be of any service, I will take eleven mice though with no delay." Aslan seemed pleased at the mouse's declaration but didn't respond, instead he directed his and everyone's attention to the Kings and Queens of Old. The oldest of the siblings looked at each other before Peter nodded, stepping forward.

"We'll go."

"We will?" Edmund asked in shock.

"Come on," Peter said gently, taking in the saddened expressions on his siblings' faces, "Our time's up." he walked over to Caspian and offered him his sword, "After all, we're not really needed here anymore."

Caspian was speechless but accepted the sword, "I will look after it until your return."

"I'm afraid that‟s just it," Susan spoke up for the first time since Peter had, "We're not coming back." she explained sadly.

"We're not?" Lucy gasped

"You two are," Peter clarified before looking at Aslan for real confirmation, "At least, I think he means you two."

"But why?" Lucy questioned near in tears, "Did they do something wrong?"

"Quite the opposite, dear one," Aslan said in that disarming way that he had perfected, "But all things have their time. Your brother and sister have learned what they can from this world. Now it's time for them to live in their own."

"It's alright, Lu," Peter said, stroking his sister's hair. "It's not how I thought it would be, but it‟s alright. One day you‟ll see too. Come on."

Susan came to stand in front of Alessandra and she shook her head in disbelief, "I don't know how I'm going to do this without you." She confessed.

Susan smiled for her comfort but there was deep sadness in her eyes, "The same way you have been," she said easily, "You're ready."

Alessandra couldn't help but pull the younger, but technically older girl into a hug, which Susan returned tightly.

"Sorry I'll miss the wedding." She joked when they pulled away.

Alessandra released a laugh that was more watery than she realised, "It's okay."

"I did bring you a gift," she said putting something in her hand, when she looked down she realized that it was her famed horn, "I'm sure that Caspian will make sure that you don't need it." Susan teased and Alessandra huffed a laugh before hugging her again.

Lucy was tearfully hugging Trumpkin when Peter stepped in front of her, "I am really glad to have met you," he told her genuinely repeating what he'd told her back in the How.

"I'm happy I met you too."

"It never would have worked between us, you know?" he teased with a smirk.

"I know, you are 1300 years older after all." she shot back and was happy that it pulled a genuine smile from him before she placed a hand on his shoulder leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. Peter closed his eyes as if to savour it then hugged her once she pulled away.

"I'm sure I'll understand when I'm older," she heard Lucy whisper.

"I'm older, and I'm not sure I want to understand." Edmund responded as Peter finally, dare she say reluctantly, pulled away.

"Goodbye Peter."

"Goodbye. Alessandra."

Then he joined his siblings standing just in front of the tree, where the oddest of the tour looked around for the last time. Lucy looked at Alessandra and raised a hand to wave goodbye, Alessandra and returned before the four siblings made their way through the tree. Lucy was the last to go through and she looked back one more time, Aslan nodded as a heavy hand landed on Alessandra's shoulders. She held onto Suncloud's hand as the tree twisted closed once more.

Caspian approached her quickly and raised a hand cupping her cheek and wiping away a tear she didn't realise had fallen with his thumb, her eyes met his and she nodded in response to his silent question. He stroked her cheek once more before nodding, he also nodded to Suncloud in respect before turning back to address the people once again.