"Slow down Lucy!" Susan called laughing, "We can't follow you if you go so fast."
"Well that is not my problem," Lucy called back giggling as she spurred her horse on faster.
I shook my head spurring my horse, Arabian, to go faster. He chuckled too before picking up the pace to match Lucy's horse who happened to be his daughter, Lotus. Susan, riding Sky, Arabian's son, sighed realizing that the young male wasn't planning to go any faster any time soon. Soon the tree line broke to reveal a magnificent beach.
"Oh my," I gasped as Arabian continued forward.
The water glittered a beautiful deep blue with emerald green waves lapping the shore. The sands were pristine white.
"I told you!" Lucy cried pointing ahead of us.
Three heads popped up above the waves. I smiled as the long haired women waved at us.
"I thought surely you had lost your mind," Susan snorted coming to a stop along side me.
"Their names are Lea, Mar, and Callissa," Lucy said ignoring her sister, "This is Susan and Aewryn."
We dismounted and walked into the water. They got closer to reveal beautiful shimmery tails. I smiled as the three bowed.
"Greetings Queen Susan and Queen Aewryn," the one in the front, Lea, said.
"Oh, I'm not a queen," I laughed shaking my head.
"Not yet, but soon," Mar replied with a smirk.
I looked at Lucy with wide eyes. She and Susan laughed.
"They have the gift of prophecy," Lucy explained.
I nodded looking back at the mermaids. We stayed and talked with the mermaids until the sun began to go down. As the sunset began, we headed back to Cair Paravel so that we would get back before dark. The horses headed to the stable as Lucy, Susan, Nd I went to dinner.
"Another suitor came for you today, Susan," Edmund announced as we all took our seats.
She made a face to which Lucy laughed and I smiled shaking my head.
"Oh yes, he was very disappointed that you were away for an indefinite amount of time. We suggested he come back tomorrow," Peter added with a sly smirk.
I raised an eyebrow at him to which he simply winked. Edmund was smirking too. Suddenly the door opened and a faun stepped into the dining room.
"Your Highnesses, Lady Aewryn, may I present to you Lord Justice of Pernum," the faun announced as a tall dark haired man strode in.
Susan put her head in her hands with a soft groan. The boys snickered before putting on formal looks of importance. I shook my head at them but decided to play along. Lord Justice stood in the doorway almost expectantly.
"Well come sit will you? You look awfully stiff standing and watching us eat. You must be famished, please come sit," I called waving the young man over.
Susan glared at me.
"I beg your pardon?" he blinked in surprise.
"Come eat," Lucy repeated holding in a small laugh.
He came over and sat down beside Susan looking a bit awkward and unsure of himself. We continued dinner as if it were the same as always. Lord Justice was rather funny in my opinion and good natured. He seemed like a pretty good young man. However Susan seemed less than interested. Peter stood abruptly during dessert. We all looked at him in expectant confusion. He casually smiled.
"Aewryn, would you accompany me to the West Gardens? There are some matters I wish to discuss in private," he said before adding, "It's rather important."
I gave Lucy and Susan a confused look but they simply shrugged. Hmm... odd. They normally tell me when things come up. I stood setting my napkin on the table.
"Of course," I replied.
As we left the dining room, I slipped my arm around Peter's. We walked in silence until we reached the gardens. In the pale moonlight, some of the flowers had begun to glow faintly. We continued for a little longer in silence.
"That was a rather mean stunt you and Edmund pulled," I remarked as a sudden thought.
"Yes, but inviting Lord Justice to dinner was fun in my opinion," he chuckled.
"The poor boy looked scared half to death," I chided smacking his chest lightly.
That only added to his laughter. I shook my head but was unable to stop the smile that spread across my lips. We continued on until we were near the center.
"What is it you wanted to discuss? If it's about the new horses, I have left them all in Arabian's care. I'm sure he can whip them into shape in no time."
"No, it's not about that," he chuckled.
"Then what is it about?" I asked with a slight frown as my brow furrowed.
"Shh...just wait," he murmured with a smile taking my hand in his, "C'mon."
I allowed him to lead me along to the very heart of the garden. In the very center, a large statue of Aslan resided amidst glowing white roses. I smiled at the sight of it. Soft music began playing suddenly. I looked around only to see no instruments or musicians. When I looked back to Peter, he was holding out his hand with a playful smile. I laughed shaking my head and taking it.
He pulled me to his chest as his arm glided around my waist. We began to dance around the courtyard. The soothing music brought a smile to my face. A large beam of moonlight illuminated the entire area. Peter spun me around dipping me before pulling me to his chest again and swaying back and forth. Giggling, I rested my head on his firm chest.
"Is this what you wanted to talk about?" I asked softly.
"So impatient," he teased.
I looked up at him with a small sigh. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my head. I closed my eyes leaning into him even more. As we continued to dance, I heard him whisper something under his breath. Then he pulled away. I frowned as he took a deep breath.
"Aewryn," he started looking suddenly unsure of himself, "The day we first met at the Beavers' dam, I had no idea how much you would affect my life. I remember the first thing I thought when I saw you was 'beautiful'. Everything about you seemed to radiate not only beauty but warmth and love. I found myself drawn to that warmth and love and soon found myself wanting it to be my own. For that love and warmth to be for me and for me alone. Over the past years, we've combatted armies, innumerable enemies, and impossible circumstances. It has been an amazing journey."
I looked at him curiously wondering where this was open.
"I want to continue this journey with you," he continued.
"And I with you," I said with a small smile.
"Good because before the eyes of Aslan himself, I wanted to ask," he paused reaching into his pocket as he knelt, "Aewryn Kirk, will you marry me?"
I gasped as he opened a small jeweled bow to reveal a stunning silver ring. It was a delicately carved band that closely resembled tree branches being entwined. A lump formed in my throat as I felt tears prick my eyes. Smiling wordlessly, I nodded.
"Yes," I forced out continuing to nod, "Yes Peter, I wil marry you."
He slipped the ring on my finger before scooping me up in his arms and spinning me around. I laughed holding onto him tightly. As soon as he set me down, his lips were on mine. I smiled into the passionate, loving kiss drawing him closer. We drew away from the kiss slowly remaining in each other's arms.
"Well," a deep voice rumbled causing us to turn.
The statue of Aslan had come to life and the golden lion now stood on its pedestal looking down at us with a gentle smile.
"It took you long enough," Aslan stated.
The two of us laughed looking at each other again. Peter's gorgeous blue eyes bore into mine intently. All I could see in them was love. I leaned up and connected our lips once more. This time he was the one to smile and chuckle before returning the kiss. We whispered the same thing at the same time:
"I love you..."