The Early Chronicles: The Story of Swanwhite

Epilogue

The doors of the great hall flew open before Swanwhite.  Knights, lords, ladies, counts, countesses, servants, and Creatures of all kinds turned their heads to look at her.  Banners were draped from the ceiling and the marble pillars were wrapped in golden silk.  Swanwhite's dress billowed around her like a white and gold cloud, and her hair was curled into golden ringlets with a few of them braided away from her face.  She took a deep breath, held her head high, and strode down the center of the room towards her throne.  It nearly took her breath away when she saw her golden throne between her parents' thrones.  It had a cushion of royal red and arm rests carved into beautiful scrolls at the ends, and the back of the chair was intricately designed with swirls and curves with the head of a swan directly in the center.  She kept her head straight but glanced beside her with her eyes and smiled at all of her dearest friends and companions that had prepared her for this day.  Ulmnus the Faun stood at the end of the aisle holding her diamond crown on a red velvet pillow, and Rufus stood beside her throne wearing a golden royal cape.  Swanwhite could think of no one else she'd rather take Cygnus's place at the crowning ceremony than Rufus.  Her stomach twisted into nervous butterflies as she neared the steps to the throne.  When she looked up and saw Aslan's intricately-carved likeness above it, her fears calmed.  She knelt on the step and kept her head looking straight ahead at the throne that would soon be hers.  Rufus retrieved the crown from Ulmnus and stood in front of her.

"Do you swear to rule the land of Narnia with justice and fairness, as well as kindness and nobility?"  Rufus said in a solemn tone.

"I solemnly swear so to do."  Swanwhite answered.

"Do you promise to protect the people to the best of your ability, and strengthen your defenses against any trouble that may arise?"

"I solemnly swear so to do."

"And do you swear to govern the people with wisdom and grace, as your forefathers did before you, and stay true to the reign of Aslan and follow His bidding?" 

"I solemnly swear so to do."

"Then by the power given to me, I crown you Swanwhite, Queen of Narnia."  Rufus declared and placed the heavy diamond crown on Swanwhite's head.  Swanwhite took a deep breath and felt a strength as well as calm sweep over her.  She took Rufus's offered hand and slowly rose to her feet.  She climbed the stairs and walked to her throne.  The only sound in the room was her dress sweeping the floor.  She turned around and saw the sea of subjects, her subjects, gazing at her with devotion in their eyes.  Glancing at Rufus who nodded, she gracefully sat down on her golden throne.

"Once a queen of Narnia, always a queen.  May your wisdom embrace us until the stars reign down from the heavens."  Rufus said, then he turned forward and shouted triumphantly, "Long live the queen!"  

"Long live the queen!"  Shouts echoed from the Narnians through the castle walls and up to the painted ceilings.  The shouting was so loud and joyful that Swanwhite was certain all of Narnia could hear it.  "Long live the queen!  Long live the queen!"

Long live the queen, indeed.

The End

Thank you so much for reading "The Story of Swanwhite"!  Look for book two in The Early Chronicles entitled "The Lone Islands" and watch what happens next after Swanwhite becomes queen!