Born For Better (A Peter Pevensie/ Narnia Fanfic)

Chapter 13- Of Coronations and Promises

Annabelle's POV

I stood to the right of the four golden thrones at the front of the grand hall in Cair Paravel. Narnians gathered in, waiting anxiously for the ceremony to begin. I smoothed out my dress nervously, reciting the words I had prepared in my head over and over again. My heart beat was faster than normal as I looked out the window to see the sun hanging high in the sky.

Horns sounded and the doors at the other end of the hall and Aslan walked in, the four Pevensie's walking along side him. Peter and Edmund wore beautifully crafted tunics while Susan and Lucy wore perfectly fitting dresses. All of them wore long cloaks, looking rather regal. They walked down the aisle and up the stairs until each one stood in front of their throne. Peter glanced over at me and smiled. I returned the smile and bowed my head slightly.

Aslan turned to face the crowd. Mr. Tumnus stepped forward, wearing a new velvet scarf. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver walked next to him, both holding pillows that supported two crowns each. Mr. Tumnus picked up the first crown, decorated with silver laurel leaves, laurel flowers, yarrow flowers.

"From the glistening Eastern sea, I give you Queen Lucy the Valient." Aslan declared as Mr. Tumnus placed the crown on Lucy's head. He bowed to her and she smiled. Mr. Tumnus stepped back.

"From the great Wester woods, King Edmund the Just." Aslan said. Edmund bowed his head and let Mr. Tumnus place a silver crown, decorated with birch leaves, on his head. He stood up tall, squaring his shoulders proudly.

"To the radiant Southern sun, Queen Susan the Gentle." Susan bowed down, Mr. Tumnus placed a golden crown with daffodils and mountain ash leaves on her head. She stood up straight, a wide smile on her face.

"And to the clear Northern skies, King Peter the Magnificent." Mr. Tumnus placed a golden crown decorated with acorns, apple leaves, and oak leaves. Aslan turned back to the kings and queens as they turned and sat in their thrones.

"Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen." He said quietly before continuing louder, "May your wisdom grace us until the stars come raining down from the heavens." The hall erupted into cheers.

"Long live King Peter! Long live Queen Susan! Long live King Edmund! Long live Queen Lucy!" Everyone shouted, clapping loudly. Aslan turned his gaze on me and nodded. I walked forward, bowing my head to the great lion before kneeling down before the newly crowned kings and queens.

"I, Annabelle Rox, do so solemnly promise to serve by your sides, as friend, ally, adviser, and Seer of Narnia, for as long as you all shall rule. I swear to protect and watch over your rule and reign, offering guidance when needed. These things I vow to you, forever binding me to this life and purpose. If you see fit to accept this covenant, I shall serve diligently until Aslan calls for my departure from this life.

I knelt there for a moment as Peter stood up and offered me his hand. I took it and he pulled me to my feet.

"I speak for my sisters and my brother when I say I accept this vow." He said, clear enough for all to hear. The hall erupted in cheers again as Peter led me to my place next to his throne. As the cheering died down, celebrations were moved to the grand ballroom, where music and laughter filled the area.

Several Narnian's began to dance with one another to the gentle music, peaceful smiles on everyone's faces. Mr. Tumnus led Lucy out and began teaching her the steps to the current dance, the two of them laughing. Edmund grumbled as Susan dragged him onto the dance floor, but was soon swept into the joy of the music. I stood up against the wall, swaying slightly to the beat of the music, a small smile on my face.

"Not much of a dancer, then?" I jumped at Peter's voice in my ear. He chuckled as I whipped around to look at him. I tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.

"Actually, I used to dance a lot when I was younger. And I have very distant memories of my father dancing with me." Peter's brow raised in surprise.

"Well in that case," He held out his hand and bowed slightly. "May I have this dance?" I placed my hand in his and nodded. He slowly led me out onto the dance floor, placing his other hand on my waist while I put mine on his shoulder. We began to dance in the midst of the others. Peter looked around at the others around him, a strange look crossing over his face.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked. He brought his gaze back to me.

"If you were to have told me weeks ago that I would be a king, I would have called you crazy." I laughed slightly.

"I would have believed that I was crazy." I said. Peter twirled me around, before bringing me back into his arms. His blue eyes twinkled brightly as he looked deeply into my own. I tore my gaze away from his eyes and looked down at our feet.

Peter's hand left my waist and went to my chin, lifting my head back up. He didn't say a word as his face inched closer to mine.

"You look beautiful." He whispered in my ear. I felt my face go red.

"Thank you." I murmured.

The music came to a stop and I pulled away. Peter faltered slightly before standing straight. I glanced around to see Lucy standing by herself at the balcony.

"I'm going to see Lucy." I muttered, bowing my head to Peter before hurrying away. Trying to compose myself I approached Lucy and leaned on the banister of the balcony, looking out at the beach.

Walking alone on the beach was Aslan, heading away from Cair Paravel. Lucy sniffed next to me and o noticed she held one of her handkerchiefs tightly in one hand.

"I know you said he would leave, but I thought he might at least say goodbye." Lucy said quietly.

"He'll return one day." I told her. "Maybe not in the way you expect." Lucy turned to me, a new hope in her eyes.

"Did you see it? When will he come back?"

"That, I do not know." I sighed. "But I have seen it. When Narnia's need is greatest, Aslan will show his face again."

"That doesn't rhyme, you know." Another voice spoke. Lucy and I turned to see Susan walking up to us, a smile on her face. Lucy giggled next to me.

"That's besides the point, Susan." I joked back as Susan joined us, standing next to Lucy. Her smile faded as she saw Aslan leaving, but she stood straight and squared her shoulders.

"So then we must spend this time preparing for his return." She said with a determined nod. "Since we do not know the day or hour, we must be ready."

"Already sounding like a true queen." I commented.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and Aslan disappeared from sight, Susan and Lucy went back to the party. I stood by myself, listening to the waves crash against the rocks below. And for the first time in a long time, I felt at home.