I'm in Love With The King

Part Seven

The weeks go by, everything seems still and quiet in Narnia. Peter and I have restored our love, happily married. Goodness, that word still does not seem right when describing myself. It seems more like an inseparable love that just holds us together, I know that is precisely what a true marriage should be but "married" just does no justice to Peter and I. We just love each other differently.

It is now one year since Cair Paravel has been finished. Caspian and Susan are now courting and everyone seems to be holding their breath for the engagement announcement, myself included, Peter only shakes his head and smirks. Edmund and Lucy travel back and forth from Caspian and Cair Paravel, enjoying every minute of it. Peter and I have moved comfortably into Cair Paravel. The Telmarines seem friendly towards the Narnians and vice versa, although sometimes they become quite hostile towards each other and today seems like one of those days.

"Your Majesties, the Telmarines Myre and Taravelen would like a word with you," Lord Drinian announces, bowing before Peter and I as we stand in the garden.

"I will be there in a moment," Peter assures him. "I'll only be gone a moment love," he tells me, kissing my cheek softly.

"Ok, I'll be on the balcony," I tell him, receiving the kiss.

He strides away and I continue my way to the balcony. There are many balconies in Cair Paravel but Peter and I have one special balcony. This one over looks the Eastern Ocean and the shore. This one is special to us, we sit upon the bench and talk about anything and everything. Nothing is left secret.

I walk to the castle and down the long, echoing corridors. I walk through the glass doors and out into the salty ocean air. My legs set me down on the marble bench and I lean against the stone railing and wait for Peter. I watch as the sun sinks slowly down the sky, it is late afternoon. The hours drag on and on, one then two. Two and a half.

"Josephine, are you ok?" I hear a sweet voice come from the doors.

I turn around, Lucy is standing in front of me, looking at me with sweet sorrow.

"Only waiting for your brother," I smile. "He had an unexcpected meeting with some Telmarines."

"Should we go and see him?" she suggests.

"Why not?" I sigh, standing up and walking with her down the corridors until we get to the Great Hall where all meetings with the High King take place.

The two Centaurs stand like statues gaurding the doors, they lay their seeing eyes upon us, nod their bow and open the heavy doors for us. Lucy and I nod to them as we walk into the large hall-like room.

"Josephine," Peter says, almost surprised as he stands up from his throne and looks at Lucy and I.

The rest of the room bows to Lucy and I. I walk to the back of the room, watching the people.

"Continue," I tell them, waving my hand for them to continue.

Peter gives me an apologetic look, his eyes plead my forgivness and I nod my head once, showing my willing forgiveness. The meeting continues for a few minutes and then Peter declares an end to the meeting. As soon as the Telmarine bodies start to leave Peter runs over to me.

"Josephine, I am so sorry! I had no idea that the stupid meeting would go so long! Can you please-"

"Shh, it's fine, I understand! Part of being married to a king means being patient, and waiting for a long time for a few minutes of alone time," I smile.

Lucy clears her throat and slowly slinks away, making sure we noticed her until she was out of ear and eye shot. Peter and I laugh a little then he takes me in his arms, looking around at the empty room.

"You know we're alone right now," he says quietly.

"I know, but for how long?" I ask.

"I can make sure it's for as long as you want it," Peter says mischievously.

"Oh, then make it for a long time," I drag out 'long' and our foreheads touch gently and we look into eachothers eyes.

"I love you Josephine, I want you to know that everyday. I want you to know that you mean more than both of our worlds to me," Peter whispers, gently kissing my lips.

"I love you too Peter," I respond, setting my hands on his shoulders. "What took so long?"

"Some Telmarines are disobeying one of the orders Caspian made when the Narnians rejoined the kingdom openly," he tells me. "Can we talk about this another time?"

"Absolutely," I whisper as his lips touch mine again.

* * * *

The Telemarines that had approached Peter a few weeks ago have decided to join the Calormens. Now they have declared war on Narnia. Caspian, Peter and Edmund are now readying the troops for a fast approaching battle, or maybe even a full out war.

"Peter, I will fight with you," I tell him.

"No, you cannot, I have to protect you Josie," he tells me again.

I do not understand why he things that I cannot fight anymore, I am more skilled than I ever have been because of formal training in the castle.

"Peter, I'm fighting," I state, matter of factly.

His face relaxes, defeated. I kiss his cheek and go down to the archery range. I nock an arrow, walking up to a target. I take aim and release the string from my fingers. The arrow merges with the target with a muffled thud directly in the middle.

"You have great skill your Highness," says a Centaur, standing by my side.

"Thank you," I nod, readying another arrow.

"Will you be fighting with us?" he asks.

"Yes I will, it took some convincing but I managed to get King Peter to agree with me," I laugh a little, aiming and firing.

"His Highness loves you and does not wish for you to be harmed," the Centaur tells me.

I sigh and turn to him, "I know," I say quietly.

I start to walk away as Edmund runs up to me.