Chapter 12 Celebration

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Things moved quickly after that. Caspian and Alex returned to Telmarine, bringing the news of Miraz's end. Just days later, there was the biggest and most unexpected celebration: the day two Telmarines became king and queen of Narnia. Aslan stood before Caspian and Alex, as they strode down the long aisle of the throne room.

The Pevensie siblings stood to one side, looking on with a mix of joy and melancholy as their successors stepped forward before Aslan. Trufflehunter walked behind them, carrying their crowns. Trumpkin stepped forward as the two knelt down, accepting the crowns Trumpkin gently placed on their heads. Alex looked up at him with shining eyes and they shared a small smile.

Turning, they face their subjects as Aslan announced the new king and queen of Narnia to the cheers of Telmarines and Narnians. As they set off on the traditional march around the city, Alex riding side by side with Caspian, their crowns sitting proudly on their dark curls, Alex was overwhelmed by the number of people cheering them on. She spotted Narnians standing side by side with Telmarines and she felt her heart swell with joy and pride.

Behind the siblings rode Susan and Peter, followed by Edmund and Lucy. The ride around the city was accompanied by many cheers and flower petals floated down the whole way. In one way, Alex was saddened by how happy the people were at the news of Miraz's death- it was a sign of just how much of a tyrant he had been. But she was happy knowing that it was indeed ended, and she looked with eyes full of hope to the future: a future where Telmarines and Narnians could live in peace.

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That night, there was a huge celebration ball thrown in honor of the new monarchs and the victory of the Narnians. Alex stood nervously beside Susan and Lucy at the top of the circular stairs, her stomach twisting in knots as she wrung her hands.

"Stop it, you'll be fine." Susan chided and Lucy added teasingly, "And you're beautiful, don't worry. Edmund won't be able to look away."

Susan and Lucy laughed as their friend's face turned red and Alex had to laugh with them. She looked at Susan, in a lovely white and gold dress.

"And Caspian won't be able to keep his eyes off of you!" Alex teased and Susan blushed but a sad smile appeared on her face.

Alex didn't dwell on it as Lucy giggled at her sister's embarrassment. The girl was dressed in a beautiful red gown, also lined with gold, and her blue eyes were shining with excitement.

At that moment, the trumpets blew, signaling the girls' entrance. Susan gave the younger girls a final reassuring smile before turning the corner and heading down first. Lucy grinned at Alex, following after her sister. Alex took a deep breath and stepped out to face the music- literally.

Edmund looked up as the trumpets blared again after the boys' entrance. He saw Susan begin to descend the stairs and he had to suppress a smile when he saw the dumbfounded look on Caspian's face. Lucy followed, and she beamed down at Trumpkin, but Edmund barely noticed as Alex appeared at the top of the stairs.

His mouth dropped open and his brown eyes widened. She looked like a goddess brought to life, in a green gown that reminded him of the forests he loved, her long dark curls piled up in a soft bun on her head. Pearls were set in her hair, as with all the girls, and her silver crown glinted from its place on her head.

Not noticing Peter's smirk, Edmund stepped forward as Alex reached the bottom of the stairs, offering her his arm with a smile. She gave him a shy smile, taking his arm and the pair moved to the center of the dance floor. Caspian and Susan were already there, as were Peter and Lucy. Edmund placed a hand on Alex's waist, seeing her blush at the contact. She raised her own hand to his shoulder while their other hands met. She grasped his hand tightly and Edmund gave it a reassuring squeeze as soft music started.

Alex barely noticed the fauns playing their little pipes, her eyes never left Edmund's as they stepped into the waltz. He twirled her, and she spun under his arm, only for him to catch her in his embrace once again as the music continued. Too soon, the song came to an end, and Alex had to break eye contact with Edmund to accept the congratulations of other attendees on her coronation.

Edmund stayed close, never taking his eyes off of her. He started when a hand fell on his shoulder and he finally tore his gaze away. Glancing over, he saw it was Peter, an amused smirk on his face.

"Shut up." Edmund muttered and Peter laughed, shaking his head at his brother.

"You really do like her." Peter said softly, his face taking on a melancholy expression. Edmund turned a questioning gaze on him, and Peter just smiled at him. Just then, Alex turned back around, having finished receiving well wishes and Edmund pushed away the bad feeling as he smiled back at her.

"You majesty." Peter mock bowed, and Alex laughed.

"Don't start." She warned and Peter grinned.

"Can I steal her for a dance, Ed?" Peter asked amusedly as both teens blushed at his implication.

Edmund mumbled embarrassed and Alex took Peter's offered hand. Edmund leaned against a pillar, watching them dance, smiling each time Alex peaked over at him. She was then accosted by her brother and Edmund laughed as he watched the siblings twirl away, Alex sending him an apologetic look while Caspian shot him a smug one.

Edmund's attention was caught as Lucy came up to him, and gestured for him to dance with her. He took her offered hand and they joined the throngs of people. Edmund spotted Peter and Susan dancing some way away as he spun his giggling sister.

Finally the song ended, and as they clapped Lucy moved off to dance with Trumpkin. Edmund smiled as he moved away, heading back to the side of the ballroom. He was startled when Alex appeared next to him. She smiled at him and he grinned back.

"Want to get some fresh air?" He whispered and she nodded.

Together, they moved outside, standing on the balcony next to some bushes. She sat down on the ledge, and Edmund joined her. They sat in comfortable silence, Alex staring at the stars and Edmund staring at Alex. She noticed and turned to face him with a smile.

"I wish this night could go on forever." She sighed happily and Edmund grinned.

"I, King Edmund," he said regally and Alex giggled as he turned his nose up pompously, "do decree that this night shall never end. And all of Narnia will listen."

He stopped as Alex burst into fits of laughter and he joined in, their laughter echoing through the gardens below. Eventually they calmed down and Edmund grinned as Alex gazed up at him. Her eyes flicked down his face before she looked back into his eyes. Swallowing, he leant forward as Alex tilted her head up to meet him.

They pressed their lips together in a chaste kiss, breaking apart to stare into each other's eyes, before leaning back in again. This time, Edmund moved his lips against Alex's, his hand sliding down to her waist. Alex moved her hands up Edmund's chest, snaking them around his neck. She parted her lips in a sigh that Edmund claimed as his own. The kiss heated, and Alex tangled her hands in his hair as he pulled her closer, his hands on her hips.

Eventually, they broke apart for air. Alex was gasping and Edmund breathing heavily as they leaned their foreheads against one another. Edmund rubbed his nose against hers and she giggled, her breaths blowing against his cheek and causing him to shiver.

"I, King Edmund," he whispered, and Alex opened her eyes to peer into his, "do declare...that I think I love you."

Her heart stopped for a beat before it sped up impossibly as she swallowed. He smiled gently as her face broke into a wide smile.

"I, Queen Alexandra," she whispered and Edmund chuckled lightly, "do declare that I think I love you too."

His heart raced hearing her reply and Edmund leaned back down to gently claim her lips once more.

And so they stayed, beneath the stars until the night came to an end. Edmund walked Alex back to her room. They stopped outside her door, where they embraced gently. Edmund finally released her, and Alex stepped inside, closing the door with a smile that Edmund returned. As the door shut, Edmund's face broke into a wide smile and he wandered back towards his own room in complete bliss, unaware of Aslan's gaze watching the pair sadly.

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