After the End (Narnia)

Chapter XXVII - To Have and to Hold

The morning of the wedding was dewy and fresh. Half of the castle was awake at dawn to begin setting up the Great Hall for the gigantic event. It's strange, Lucy thought. We're putting in so much effort, and we're going to be the only ones at the wedding anyway. All of the Narnians in the surrounding district had been invited to the event, but in reality the couples were mostly concerned with their close friends and family - who just happened to be the people organising the event.

The Great Hall had been set up with vines that twirled over the rafters and trailed to the floor in certain places, accompanied by touches of gold and silver leaves. The wooden pews that were usually kept in the Cair Paravel chapel had been moved into the grand room, giving an old-fashioned touch to the decor. We've done a good job, Harriet thought. I hope the girls like it as much as I do.

"Stop daydreaming!" Lucy called to Harriet. "We need to help the girls get ready!" She was already halfway through the doors as she finished her sentence. Well, I guess it's not everyday that your sister gets married, Harriet thought. She has the right to be excited.

The rooms assigned to the the bridal party were chaotic, to say the least. Various makeup and hair products littered the vanities that had been set up around the room, dresses and other items hung up wherever there was space. Hair pins were pinned to clothes and tossed around the room, along with words of encouragement and frustration. "We can do this ladies, we can all look amazing by the time the wedding starts," Susan encouraged.

"Sit still Susan!" Lucy scolded. "These hot irons will burn you if you keep fidgeting!" Susan stopped moving, resigning herself to being less animated. A burn would not be a good start to her wedding day.

"Bridesmaids!" Jill called. "We're ready for you, now." Most of the girls started moving towards the far corner of the large room to collect their dresses. The operation quickly followed them, as the two brides watched their friends see their dresses.

"I feel like a princess," Lucy sighed. The satin dress' blue folds swirled around her as she twirled around the room. Harriet followed suit, and soon all of the girls were twirling around like excited children.

"You ladies look absolutely gorgeous," Jill sighed. "I'm so glad to have you as my bridesmaids." The response came in the form of warm smiles from all of the girls. There was an exodus to the vanities to finish their hair and makeup.

"We're going to go get changed into our dresses," Susan explained. "You finish off here. Then, we'll come out and show you."

"Do you need any help getting into them?" Lucy asked.

"No, some of these ladies will help us if we need it," Jill reassured, motioning to some of the other women who lived in the castle.

The bridesmaids finished their makeup with a sense of anticipation. Gasps echoed around the room as Jill and Susan emerged from the adjoining room they had changed in. Lucy ran and hugged her sister. "You look beautiful Susan," she said warmly.

Susan wore a dress similar to the one she wore when she had left Narnia all those years ago, a Grecian-style white and blue dress with vine-like embellishments. Jill had taken the more traditional route in a long gown trimmed with white lace and a sheer panel over the shoulders. Both of the women were beaming.

"Well then, let's go," Harriet exclaimed. The women filed out of the room, a cluster of excitement.

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Eustace and Caspian stood at the altar, both extremely nervous. Caspian fiddled with his cuffs as he stared at the doors. She would be here any minute. "Nervous?" Eustace whispered.

"Beyond belief," Caspian returned.

"They're going to be here soon," Eustace smiled. "I can't wait."

Music swelled as the doors were opened by two fauns. Diggory and Polly led the procession, walking perfectly in time, just as they had practised, followed by Harriet and Edmund. Maybe one day I'll get to see her walking down the aisle, Edmund thought with a smile. Peter and Lucy walked together as the Best Man and Maid of Honour, followed by the two girls, Susan walking a little in front of Jill.

Eustace's jaw dropped. Jill had come a long way from the tomboyish girl he had met at school. She looks stunning, he thought. Caspian's face looked almost identical to Eustace's as he looked at Susan. Her dress was so similar to the one she had worn the day she had left Narnia. The day of our first kiss, he thought with a smile.

Finally the procession was over, and the wedding party stood on the platform where the thrones sat, waiting for Aslan to speak. The lion had been appointed as their official pastor to marry them, after a long discussion. After all, he had known both of the couples for a long time.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Caspian X and Susan Pevensie, as well as the union of Eustace Clarence Scrubb and Jill Pole...."