Estel spent all of her time stuck in her room, pacing. Aside from a basket yarn and knitting needles, there was nothing to entertain her. Dharmesh and King Atash made her attend dinner, again dressing her in the ridiculous costume for Calormene women.
"My darling, how are you enjoying your room? Are your accommodations to your liking?" he asked.
She glared at him and sucked in a breath, "Actually, since you've asked...no. All I have to entertain me is a yarn, some thread and some knitting needles. Could I at least have some books?"
All of the men at the table laughed, "Oh my dear...women in our land don't read. Your fragile minds cannot handle the stress of philosophy and true reason. Just busy yourself with the knitting needles and I am sure you will create something lovely for our son."
Estel had never known any man who acted that way toward women. In Narnia, women were equal under law. They could fight, become blacksmiths, professors or physicians. Here, women weren't even taught to read? She shook her head at the thought and put her fork down, pushing her plate away.
Dharmesh raised a brow, "Have you lost your appetite my darling?"
"Yes...it seems my fragile mind is buckling under the pressure of too much knowledge. Now if you would excuse me..." she stood and was followed by her "escorts", but they were nothing more than prison guards that were making sure she didn't make a break for it.
She laid on her bed and hugged her pillow as she thought of Rilian. She wondered if she would be rescued...after all, she was facing the fate they had planned for her.
She was his motivation. He would fight for her until she was free or until he died. Dharmesh would not keep her as his prisoner wife, she was a free princess of Narnia and would marry who she saw fit...hopefully that would be him.
Rilian blamed himself for her kidnapping. If only he had stayed with her that night. Perhaps she would still be safe in his arms. In the dark of night, the gryphons dropped them just outside of the city walls. One returned with word that the Archenland ships carrying Peter and Edmund were in place in the harbors behind the city.
When the signal was given, they quietly moved through the city to the castle gates. Legolas bounded across the rooftops, taking out castle guards with quiet, expert precision. He was able to drop behind the castle gates and lower the bridge, letting in the the troops he commanded with Caspian and Rilian. Rilian started to run off, but was snatched back by his father, "Where do you think you're going?"
He looked at Legolas and his father, "I need to go find her father...please."
"You and I are going together...we move as a team. Legolas is the only one skilled enough to penetrate that castle alone. She is not yours to protect my son...not yet." Caspian patted his son on the shoulder and pulled him away as Legolas looked up at the castle. He hopped onto a ledge and began easily scaling up the wall to look into windows. He had the misfortune to accidentally peek in on an old fat man bathing. He kept looking through the windows until he found his daughter, curled up on the bed crying softly. He quietly knocked, only loud enough so she could hear. She had partly inherited his keen sense of hearing.
She looked up quickly and hopped up, opening the window, "Ada! Guren linna gen cened! (Dad! My heart sings to see you!)"
He landed softly in front of her and wrapped her in a tight hug, kissing her forehead, "Iell vell...(Beloved daughter...)" He held her face in his hands and looked her over. When he was satisfied she was in good health, he released her and handed her her bow and an extra quiver he'd carried along, "Aphado nin. (Follow me.)"
Ever since Estel was little, her father had taught her the ways of the wood elves. From arching to tree climbing, she was well versed in the ways of her father's people. With his help, she climbed back down to the ground below. Guards rushed at them, but they both released bows with mind blowing speed and expert aim.
He allowed Estel to finish off the remaining few guards and smiled at her as he took her by the arm and led her back toward the gates, " Mae coren! (Well done!)"
Peter and Edmund had led the Archenland troops into the back of the castle, while the Narnians had overtaken it from the front. The officers who had been guarding the city attempted to offer their help, but the surprise of the attack left the Calormenes confused and unprepared.
After the fight had ended, Rilian wiped his blood stained sword and turned around as he sheathed it. That's when he saw her. She was far more beautiful than she ever had been, despite the ridiculous robes she was wearing.
They ran and jumped into each others arms, hugging tightly, "My love...I've missed you so much."
As they leaned in to kiss each other, they were stopped by the feeling of eyes staring at them. They turned around and looked at their fathers, who smirked and shook their heads before turning away to give their kids some privacy. As soon as their heads were turned, Estel grabbed the back of Rilian's head and pulled him into a passionate and hungry kiss. He grabbed her waist and picked her up as he spun her around.
It took them over two days to get the defeated Calormene monarchs to admit defeat and concede their power to the Narnian and Archenland governments. King Caspian and King Casimir appointed four of their most trusted advisors and council members as liasons to help integrate old Calormene into the new allied system.
When they returned home, Susan, Jasmina, the twins and Elessar rushed out to greet them. Susan hugged her daughter and husband tightly as Jasmina did the same to her family. As the hugs slowed, Rilian held his hand out to Estel, who took it immediately. He looked at Legolas, "It is with great humility and respect that I ask for your daughter's hand in marriage, Legolas, Duke of Narnia...Prince of the Woodland Realm."
Legolas and Susan smiled at each other, "My daughter's hand is granted...that is, if the King and Queen approve."
Caspian and Jasmina nodded, "We approve! We greatly approve!"
Lucy, her husband and her children rushed in from Archenland to attend the royal wedding of Princess Estel Pevensie Greenleaf and Prince Rilian. Susan was happy to once again have all of her siblings in the same place at the same time. The night before her daughter's wedding, she gathered with them inside of the study at Cair Paravel, reminiscing over a bottle of wine.
"Lucy! Do you remember when you slapped that minotaur on the nose for stepping on Reepicheep's tail? I still remember the look on his face!" Peter laughed as he tried not to spit out the wine.
Susan giggled as she took another swig of wine, "Lucy's always been the bravest of all of us!"
Lucy shook her head and laughed, "Right...I wish!"
"Oh Luce, you know it's true. Archenland is lucky to have you as their queen...how is it? I mean, how is it different from being a ruler of Narnia?" asked Edmund as he poured himself more wine.
Lucy shrugged her shoulders, "I don't have to do as much work! It's not as magical, but the people are good...genuine...very kind hearted. I do miss the fauns and centaurs, but since I'm there, they've become more open to allowing the talking beasts and mythical Narnian creatures to cross their borders."
Peter sat back and sighed, "Do any of you ever miss Finchley?"
Susan hadn't heard the name of her birth place in so long, it almost sounded foreign to her. She shook her head, "No...I am more than happy to be here. I thank Aslan for allowing us to stay here each and every day."
Peter, Edmund and Lucy nodded in unison. Susan looked around at the faces that were so familiar, yet so different. They all had husbands, wives and children...all had grown and changed for the better, but one thing still remained constant...and that was the fact that they were and would forever be the Kings and Queens of Old...the rulers of the Golden Age of Narnia...the Pevensies.
The next day, Susan helped dress her daughter in a long, flowing white gown. She held a handkerchief to he face as she broke into sobs for the fifth time that morning. Estel turned around and laughed softly, "Mother...are you sure you're going to be alright?"
Susan sniffled as she collected herself and nodded, "I was just thinking about the time you fell and scraped your knee in the courtyard...I had to come sing to you to get you to feel better."
Susan hugged her daughter and cried as Estel smiled and rolled her eyes over her mother's shoulder. She wondered if Rilian was having the same problem with his parents.
Since Caspian didn't trust himself to emotionally hold it together to perform their wedding, he asked that Peter do it. It was a beautiful ceremony. As the bride and groom exchanged personal vows, there was not a dry eye in sight.
During the feast, Rilian leaned over and whispered to his new wife, "I do not know how much longer I can wait..."
She smirked and squeezed his hand, "Neither can I..."
As the festivities ended, they were escorted to separate rooms to prepared for their wedding night. Rilian was the first to arrive in their new chambers. It was a large room with an adjoining sitting room, bathing room and empty spare room. When Rilian asked his father what the empty room was for, he simply shook his head and laughed, clapping him on the back. Rilian deduced that it was a nursery. It made him nervous.
He sat on the bed and rubbed his hands together. He had waited for this night for so long. His breath caught in his throat as Estel entered the room wearing a robe. She smiled and walked toward him as she fiddled with the tie on her robe.
She bit her lip, "I'm a little nervous."
He smiled up at her and slowly untied her robe before pulling the fabric off of her shoulders and letting it slide to the floor. He shuddered as she stood naked before him. He meant to say, "So am I", but he was at a complete loss for words when he saw her standing before him in all of her glory.
She blushed heavily and looked down, "You're staring..."
He shook his head and cleared his throat, but kept his eyes on her body, "I am sorry my love...but you are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I would be a fool not to stare at you."
She blushed even more as he ran his hands up to her waist and pulled her body toward him. He laid soft kisses over her chest as his hand reached down and slowly caressed the soft, untouched crevice at the apex of her thighs. She jumped slightly, but soon settled against his touch as he gently explored her body.
Estel leaned down and captured his lips in a loving, soft kiss as he continued to rub her soft mound, feeling her juices coat his hand. She arched her back slightly as she broke the kiss.
He picked her up and laid her down next to him on the bed after shedding his own robe. Rilian soon turned his attention to her pert nipples as he began to suck and kiss her breasts. She was delicious...every inch of her was smooth and sweet.
After a few more moments of caressing and kissing, Rilian looked into her eyes and moved between her legs, "Are you ready?"
She nodded nervously and ran a hand through his hair. He reached down and rubbed the tip of his manhood against her opening, not knowing quite where it was supposed to go. She reached down and helped guide him into her.
As soon as they felt his large shaft invade her tight, wet folds, they both gasped and shut their eyes tight. He felt the barrier within her give way as she let out a slight cry. He stopped and looked at her, "Did I hurt you?"
She breathed out and smiled, "It's ok...I'm fine. Don't stop."
He stared at her for a moment to be sure she was telling the truth before he kissed her lips and settled his full length inside of her. She moaned softly as she felt him move against a sensitized spot within her.
Rilian was lost in the sensation of being inside of her. They had wanted each other for so long, they were determined to drink in this moment for all it was worth. They made love slowly, passionately and lovingly. The only time his eyes left hers was when he kissed her. Estel began to shudder as she felt a delicious warmth radiate from her belly and spread throughout her body. Her entire body shuddered as she climaxed, pushing Rilian over the edge as he quickened his pace and cried out her name as he spilled himself inside of her.
They panted as he collapsed on top of her, laying his head against her breasts, "My love...my love..."
She ran her fingers through his hair and grazed his scalp and let out a small laugh, causing him to look up, "Is something funny my wife?"
She shook her head and touched the cleft in his chin, "No...I'm just so happy I get to fall asleep in your arms every night without shame or worry."
He kissed her neck and smiled, laying his head back down on her chest. They stayed like that for several minutes until they moved to the bathing room to bathe together. She laid with her back against his chest as they soaked in the fragrant water. He cupped her breast, causing her to giggle.
He laughed and leaned his head back against the edge of the tub, "I must be particularly funny tonight."
She took his hand and intertwined her fingers with his as she laid her head back, resting her forehead in the nook of his neck, "No...I'm just not used to being touched in that way yet. If you continue...I'll get used to it with no problem."
He kissed her forehead and smiled as she nuzzled her face further into his neck.