Music played softly as the guests made their way to congratulate Susan and Caspian. Susan grinned as she was pulled into numerous hugs from her family as well as old friends such as the beavers, and had her hand shook by those who may not have known her personally but were excited that the Gentle Queen had wed. Some of the Narnians in attendance had lived well after both Susan and Caspian were out of Narnia, as the wedding was open to all who wished to attend, yet they still held enthusiasm at the idea of seeing a figure that was legendary.
Susan's face broke into a wide grin as the next two guests approached, and she couldn't help but throw her arms around their necks. "Mum, Dad!"
"Oh my sweet girl, you look so beautiful!" Her mother hugged her tightly, happy tears running down her face.
"Congratulations, Su." Her usually stoic father grinned widely. "Now, can you let us go so we speak to the man who won your heart?"
Susan released her parents from her embrace and turned to Caspian. "Caspian, I would like you to meet my parents."
Caspian shook her father's hand. "It is an honor to meet you both. All of your children have told me many stories of the land from which you come, and of you as well."
Susan's mother gave him a bright smile, pulling him into a hug as if she had known him all her life. "Edmund and Lucy have told us all about you this past week, Caspian. The honor is ours at meeting someone who so fully loves our little girl."
"We will speak to you more through the night, but it appears we are holding up the line. Besides, I need to see my eldest and find out why he has not come to visit us..." Susan's father looked for Peter, and upon spotting him, the Pevensie parents made their way to him.
Susan laughed lightly. "Peter is about to get an earful..."
Caspian chuckled. "I wish we could watch that go down."
They continued to greet guests until the line ended. Once that was done, the dancing began.
Susan smiled as Caspian led her in their first dance as a married couple, blending different traditional dances together. This was not the first dance they had ever shared, as they had danced at Caspian's coronation, but now they could dance more freely, not having to follow as many protocols and customs as they did as unwed teenagers.
However, her mind soon drifted to the events at the wedding. Caspian had said his ex-wife was a sweet and kind woman. Why would she have interrupted their wedding? Did she feel forgotten or set aside, and thus chose to have one more moment in the spotlight by interrupting the wedding? But hadn't Caspian said she was the one who wanted to call things off in the first place, as she knew his heart would never belong to her?
"Is something wrong, dear wife?" Caspian asked quietly as he spun her and pulled her in close.
"I'm just thinking." Susan replied, following the next step of the dance which led them to separate, face each other, and put their hands together as they moved.
Caspian gave her a knowing look. "It's about the earlier interruption, isn't it?"
Susan nodded, the two of them switching hands as they switched directions when the music cued them to. She knew their conversation was quiet enough that while those around them could see them speaking, no one could hear the words. "My only question is to why she would do that? From what you said about her..." Susan trailed off, not wanting to dwell any further on the fact her wedding day was almost ruined.
"I am unsure myself." Caspian seemed to be able to tell she wished to speak on it no longer, for he let them fall back into a peaceful lull as they finished their dance, Caspian dipping her as the music ended.
Lucy rushed to them right as the next song started. "Sorry, Susan, I'm stealing him for a dance!"
Susan laughed as Caspian was pulled into a dance with her younger sister. However, it was not long before Edmund had her dancing with him.
"You look lovely, Su." Edmund smiled. "And as for our conversation last week... you were right and I apologize."
Susan knew he was speaking of the way he had acted with the knowledge of Lucy and Tumnus being an item, and she just nodded. "I'm glad you've worked that out."
"I realized I was acting like Peter, and, well, no one wants that." Edmund laughed. "We don't need two overly protective men in this family. I'm far too funny, handsome, and charismatic to be that serious."
Susan laughed brightly through the remainder of their dance as Edmund continued to talk himself up. Then, it was the third dance and she was stolen away from her chance to dance with Caspian by Peter, who cut her groom off to dance with her.
Peter laughed at the look on Caspian's face and motioned for him to dance with Elizabeth Jane in his place.
"I followed up on Lilliandith's interruption." Peter spoke quietly. "I just thought I would let you know that no one saw her enter the event, and that no one seems to have believed any of her words or think ill of your union."
Susan did not want to think of Lilliandith, but she was thankful for her brother's words nonetheless. "I'm glad to hear it."
"I do think it helps that all present saw Aslan step in your favor." Peter seemed not to notice Susan's unwillingness to speak of Lilliandith and the days events. "Still, from what I know of the woman, it seems very out of character. And did you see her face? It seemed as if she was clueless to their separation, even though witnesses were there and the document with her signature was on it. Do you think she has some form of amnesia?"
"I don't know. Perhaps." Susan answered shortly. Susan remained tight-lipped through the dance as Peter continued to ponder the interruption, and was relieved when Lucy came bounding over and grabbed her hand.
"It's my turn to dance with Susan now!"
Susan grinned and was happy to be pulled to dance by her sister. Scanning the dance floor, she noticed her husband had asked her mother to dance, and it made Susan's heart swell with joy.
"Mum's been completely won over by him." Lucy spoke, and Susan saw her sister had followed her gaze. "Though its hard not to be."
Susan smiled softly. "I'm a lucky woman."
"I'm glad you two finally got your happiness. If ever two people deserved to have everything work out for them, its you and Caspian." Lucy squeezed her sister's hand.
"You'll have your happiness soon too." Susan spoke quietly, her glance shifting over to where Tumnus sat watching the dancing.
Lucy's gaze softened as her eyes locked onto him. "I hope so."
"You are going to dance with him at least once tonight, aren't you?"
Lucy nodded. "Once it gets to more of the festive Narnian dances he promised me a dance."
The sisters finished their dance, and Susan found herself facing her father next. He offered Susan another small smile, and the two began dancing.
"My children, rulers of a land I could never imagine and my eldest girl a married woman..." His voice was wistful. "When did you all grow up?"
"We grew up once before this... now that you know of Narnia, I'll tell you all sorts of tales when I come visit you and Mum."
He nodded. "I'd like that. You know, Su, it seems you've found yourself a very good young man. I'm glad to see you happy." He gave her a look Susan could not quite place until he spoke again. "Back at home, I didn't realize... you all had lost this, lost being respected as adults and seen as having influence. I was so blind to how you all hurt... how could I have been so blind?" A tear ran down the face of the normally stoic man, and Susan felt her own eyes well up. "How did I not see how you all were hurting, especially you? I ignored the signs of your pain and let you suffer in silence. And for a whole year... you were alone, my dear girl, and I couldn't do anything to comfort you."
"Oh Dad..." Susan started to speak, but her father continued.
"I know I was gone a lot, and that I was not the most hands-on father, but I need you to know that if I had any clue, even an ounce of an idea, that you were suffering, I would have done anything in my power to make it better."
Susan pulled her father into a tight hug, unable to speak. How did one respond to that sort of confession? How could she tell him that it was not his fault he did not notice, for she had not wanted anyone to? All she could do was hold him tight, and whisper quietly. "I know dad. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart."
When the song ended, Susan's father took her hand and led her to where Caspian was. Giving her husband a smile, her father left the two of them. Caspian gently wiped the tears from her face.
"Is everything alright?"
Susan smiled and she pulled him into a kiss. "Everything is perfect."
As the night went on, more dances were shared and more memories made. The couple left the reception to enjoy their honeymoon as the sun was just starting to rise, and they knew that in that moment nothing could ever separate them again.
"I love you, my beautiful wife."
"And I love you, dear husband."