Inheritance: Scales of Change

Chapter Twenty Six - Change

    As if the elements were responding a huge gust of wind blew down the aisle, causing Cornelius to pause mid sentence. When it stopped, his jaw dropped as he looked up. Caspian and you followed his gaze towards the end of the aisle, and out of the corridor stepped a massive Lion.
Caspian and Cornelius immediately fell to their knees, and you followed their lead. Soon after everyone in the courtyard did the same as this magnificent creature softly padded his way up towards you.
    You were surprised to find you weren't scared. Instead you felt almost comfortable, as if you recognized him, which wasn't possible because you knew you had never met a lion before...
"Rise, My King, My Lady." The Lion spoke softly, yet his voice reverberated off the stone in the courtyard.
Caspian stood obediently and smiled. "Aslan, what a surprise, and honor."
"The honor is mine, Sire." Aslan responded, then turned to you. "And a pleasure to finally meet in person My Lady."
"Aslan..." You were having trouble forming words. "I saw you, in my dream..."
"Yes. You were a different woman then." Aslan smiled. "I am so proud of how you've grown."
"I wasn't sure it was real." You gasped.
"It was. As I am." He nodded.
"For a while I thought..."
"That I was punishing you."
"Yes." You averted your gaze.
"As I believe your wise husband once told you, I do not give more burdens than I know one can carry."
"But... after everything..."
"You still stand. And what's more, you stand as the future Queen of Narnia."
You bowed your head. "I just miss my mother so much..."
"I know, Dear One, but be glad in the knowledge that she is happy with me, in my country. She is very proud of you, and you will see her again someday."
You nodded.
Aslan turned back to Caspian. "I apologize, Sire for interrupting your wedding, it is a beautiful occasion."
"Not at all, you are welcome anywhere at any time, you know that." Caspian responded.
"Thank you. I just needed to be sure of something before you officially took this woman as your bride."
Caspian looked at him, then to you, then back to him. "With all due respect My Lord, there is nothing I am more sure of than taking this woman as my bride." You almost heard a hint of protectiveness in his voice.
Aslan chuckled. "Peace, My Good King, I do not doubt your love for each other."
"Then, what?" You finally met the Great Lion's gaze.
"I needed to see if the love in your heart outweighed your anger. If you were able to change what you use in your moral scales to make your decisions."
"What... what did you see?" You asked cautiously.
Aslan smiled, then looked past you to Cornelius. "Doctor, if you would please finish the vows."

    Cornelius stood and exhaled. "It would be my pleasure, Sire." And Aslan took a step back into the crowd. "By the power invested in me by the crown of Narnia, I now pronounce these two man and wife! You may kiss your bride!" He smiled.
    Without hesitation Caspian grabbed your waist and pulled you in, cupping the back of your head with his hand, and kissed you. You smiled as you kissed him back, faintly aware of the clapping and cheering from the crowd, but you were immersed in him. His tongue parted your lips and danced across yours, and you took him in for as long as he allowed it. But to your dismay, he began to pull away.
"Just wait until I get you tonight." He whispered down to you.

    Aslan stayed for the feast that night, to everyone's delight. As much awe as he inspired he was just as casual and easy to talk to as your father. He ate, drank, danced, and spoke with everyone, but somewhere towards the end of the night, you noticed he and Caspian were missing.
    You left the hall in search of them, and followed the sounds of hushed tones back out to the courtyard. You stopped when you saw them speaking on the opposite end, not wanting to interrupt. In the dark you could only make out their silhouettes, but they both turned towards you.
"Come, My Love." Caspian beckoned to you.
"I didn't mean to interrupt." You said shyly as you approached them.
"I'm sorry for borrowing your husband." Aslan chuckled. "I wanted to give you my gift before I depart."
"You're leaving already?" You asked disappointedly.
"I will never truly leave you, Dear One." You felt Aslan smile. "I am just going to be watching from a place you cannot see me. Will you both kneel, please."
It was more of a command than a request, and you and Caspian complied.
    "I give my protection over this union, for as long as you are faithful to each other, the protection over you, and your families will hold." Aslan blew a warm breath over both of your faces, and it stirred more than your hair and clothes. Something within you tightened, something that pulled at the bond you had with Caspian.
"Thank you, Aslan." Caspian nodded.
"Yes. Thank you." You added. "Will we ever see you again?"
"Yes. The more you look, the more you will see of me." And with that, the Great Lion turned and walked into the shadows, and was gone.