Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't...

Summary: Fireworks... They can cause an uproar, set plans awry, or even be a pleasure.

A/N: This story is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe. Enjoy!

Fireworks

Part Seven: The Honeymoon

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8 Greenroof 1009

It was a combination of things that woke me. The scent of cinnamon mixing with different flowers, the tickle of something soft and silky, a weight on my shoulder, and a warmth pressed against my side. I opened my eyes to see I was still cradling Alambiel, my wife. Wife. And to think there was a time when I thought I would never call her that, when I feared I had lost her forever. Her head was resting on my shoulder and her hair was all around me, spreading across my chest like a soft mantle, and I conceded that I would gladly wake this way for the rest of my life.

Brushing Alambiel's hair back from her face, I pressed a kiss against her forehead. She didn't even stir. I glanced at the window and could see the early pale light of dawn peeking past the curtain. Long habit prompted me to rise and I carefully shifted Alambiel over but before I could do more than prop myself up on an elbow, she reached for me. "Mmmm, no. Stay." She tugged at my arm until I lay back against the pillows. "Stay." Glancing down, I was certain she was still more asleep than awake as she curled back against my side then shifted so she could rest her head over my heart.

Wrapping my arms around my wife, I reminded myself that today I did not need to leave her early in order to tend to my duties. I stroked her hair, plucking some of the remaining flowers out of her tangled locks whenever my fingers caught on them. I whispered a prayer of thanks to Aslan that the wedding had come together successfully and that Alambiel and I were finally wed. The new chapter of our story was beginning and today my only duty was that of husband.

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I didn't bother to open my eyes as I raised my arms and indulged in a luxurious stretch. Then, I realized I smelled something. Opening my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of a rose with forget-me-nots twined around its stem lying less than an inch from my nose. Well, that's a first.

Grinning, I picked up the flowers and smelled them. But where was Oreius? Sitting up, I scanned the room. No Kentauri. There was also another . . . inconvenience. I didn't have any normal clothes to wear. My wedding dress was lying folded on the bench in front of a dressing table and the cape was still lying in a pile on the floor. However, Oreius' tunic from yesterday was lying across the trunk at the foot of the bed.

As soon as I pulled on his tunic and did my best to tame my tangled hair with a quick finger comb (because I had to find a brush too), I could smell something cooking and my special blend of coffee. Padding down the hall, I peeked into the kitchen. Oreius was standing with his back to me as he tended to the food. And I couldn't resist the opportunity. Stealing up behind him, I stretched out a hand toward his tail.

It didn't quite work out the way I had planned. Oreius spun about and caught my outstretched hand. "Minx," he growled then pulled me against him. "We have not even been wed a full day and you seek to devil me?"

I laughed. "Well, I did pledge to tease you."

The Kentauri arched an eyebrow. "And teasing requires pulling on my tail?"

"Sometimes." I leaned up to kiss him. "And other times I do it simply because it entertains me. What time is it?"

"An hour past noon." Oreius tightened his embrace for a moment then let me go, grinning as he observed my attire. "I think my tunic suits you far better than it does me."

I rolled my eyes when he turned back to the stove and began shifting breakfast to the plates he had already set out. "I doubt you'll want me to walk back dressed like this." I took a sip of the coffee he handed me then added, "So when do we have to leave?"

Oreius looked at me and then he smiled. "We are not leaving for some time."

Now that caught my attention. "I thought the plan was to return to Cair Paravel tomorrow."

He shook his head, a touch of triumph gleaming in his dark eyes. "We will return to Cair Paravel after we have had our honeymoon."

"We're…having a honeymoon? How long?"

"Ten days." Now he gave me an apologetic look. "I would have given us more time but with the Giants stirring to the north, I-"

I stopped him with a kiss. "Ten days is longer than I dared hope for, Oreius. Besides, I know I married the General."

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"Ow. Ow. Ow."

I was beginning to regret insisting that Oreius cease playing and give me my pack, which he had apparently fetched from Tuulea and Stonebrook's home yesterday afternoon while I was being dressed for the wedding. My hair was such a mess that I was also wishing that Leeta was here. Squeezing my eyes shut, I felt the particular knot that my brush had caught on. There was probably a flower stuck in this one too. I found the flower and tugged it out then carefully dragged the brush over the remaining tangle. It snagged again. "Ow! Never should have let them put so many razzinflabbin no-good-to-anyone flowers in."

A hand wrapped around mine, stilling the brush (not that it was making much progress to begin with), and then Oreius kissed my cheek. "But you were the most beautiful bride in the history of Narnia with your bridal flowers, Alambiel."

I opened my eyes to look at him in the mirror. "You're completely biased, you know."

The Kentauri grinned. "I have every right to be biased but that doesn't make my statement any less true, Wife."

My waist-length hair was a complete snarled and tangled mess with the added bonus of day-old flowers sprinkled in the mix, but I couldn't help smiling back at him. Nor could I deny the warm feeling of delight that uncurled inside when Oreius called me 'Wife.' Tuulea was right about married life bringing unexpected simple pleasures. "And just what are you planning to do with that brush, Husband?"

He chuckled. "I'm going to help you. Now hold still." Taking the brush out of my hand completely, Oreius didn't say anything for a while as he focused on brushing my hair back into some semblance of order. The brush still yanked on occasion but it wasn't as bad as when I was doing it. He ran his hand over my hair and I could tell he was considering something.

"What are you thinking?"

"I was wondering if you would leave your hair down. I enjoy seeing you like this with your hair loose and flowing." As soon as I bit my lip, his expression softened further. "Only if you want to, Alambiel. I know you've never liked for people to see it loose."

I almost confessed then that it wasn't just because I wanted to only let my husband see me with my hair completely down as something special I could do for him, but that I had another darker and more fearful reason for avoiding letting my hair down. But . . . How much control did I let the Monster of my past have over my present? Too much, still too much. Taking a deep breath, I smiled. "Well, I will wear it loose when practical, Oreius."

He smiled then kissed the top of my head. "Thank you."

Running my hand over the dressing table as Oreius resumed brushing my hair, I finally asked the question that had been bugging me off and on since last night. "Oreius, whose cabin is this?"

"Mine."

I twisted around to look at him. "What?"

The Kentauri met my gaze, suddenly a lot more solemn-looking. "The cabin is mine. I helped my uncle Helios build it during the last eight years of my apprenticeship to him and it was intended to be my home and my family's home when I found a bride and chose to leave my sire's house. But . . ." He trailed off, looking around the room, before he touched my cheek. "My life was led down a different path and I left home far sooner than traditional but I never felt that I could live here. It was meant for my bride and me . . . but not for the General of Narnia's Army. And although I am glad that I have been able to bring you here, this is not home."

Curling my fingers around his hand, I placed a kiss against his palm. "Home is Cair Paravel. We would be bored if we had to live here all the time. However, it is nice to have a place that's ours and ours alone for when we're in desperate need of a holiday. Don't you think?"

I peeked at him from beneath my lashes and grinned when I saw him smiling. "Yes, I think you are right. But first, love, I believe you should take a closer look at our cabin's surroundings."

"You do realize I'm still wearing your tunic, right?"

"Alambiel, I am very much aware of that fact. None of the Birds or Talking Beasts will intrude on our sanctuary here, I promise. Now come." He pulled me by the hand until we were standing next to the lake with the waterfall. Oreius breathed in my ear, "What would you say to a swim, sweet?"

Then he pushed me in.

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10 Greenroof 1009

I chuckled as Alambiel swam up to me. "Enjoying yourself?"

She nodded, smiling broadly, as she looped her arms around my neck then stole my breath away with her kiss. "If I had known it would take marrying you to get you to come swimming with me, my General, I would have said yes sooner."

The little minx didn't give me the chance to respond as she immediately splashed me in the face and then pushed off of me to swim closer to the waterfall. I struggled to feign irritation when her laughter stirred such joy and wonder in my very soul. As I chased her around the meadow, keeping her from retreating to the cabin, I wondered how long it would last. Her happiness, her joy, especially when we returned to our home. I was also somewhat anxious about what mischief the Four would get up to in our absence for Lion knew they were prone to falling into danger. I had hesitated over staying at the cabin for more than a few days.

Still I knew we should treasure our time in the cabin and meadow. I had no doubt that the end of our honeymoon would come rapidly and when we returned to Cair Paravel, duty would reign supreme once again. Would she be happy?

"Oreius, you're being serious again."

I tightened my arm around my bride as we lay in the center of the meadow, looking up as the first stars began to rise from their beds. "It is nothing and I am always serious."

"This is more the brooding serious than your usual state of passive seriousness. You're worrying about something." Alambiel rose on her elbow and peered down at me before she raised one hand and traced my features with her fingertips. "What's wrong? And if you tell me nothing again, then you're forbidden to think about it, my Chuisle."

"Cushla," I repeated her Irish word thoughtfully. "You have not taught me that word. What does it mean?"

My wife looked at me with a hint of color rising in her cheeks. I raised an eyebrow. Alambiel cleared her throat. "It means heartbeat." She picked up my hand and pressed it against her chest where I could feel her heart beating. "You are my Chuisle, my heartbeat, and my heart only beats for you."

"You are mine as well."

She smiled. "Well, if you don't want to talk about whatever has your tail in a knot, then we might as well do something fun."

"Fun?"

"Yes." To my surprise and slight disappointment, Alambiel got to her feet then ran off toward the cabin. She looked back at me once and laughed. "Stay there, Kentauri. I'll be right back."

It seemed I would be waiting. Habit forced me to rise and patrol the perimeter of our sheltering glade. While my herd made its home deep in Centaur territory, it was not unheard of for Fell or mischief-makers to breach the initial defenses and if any wanderers happened upon the light trail leading here, I would ensure Alambiel remained undisturbed and direct any trespassers to seek shelter in the village.

I had almost completed the circuit when I heard stealthy steps approaching from the trees. An object was thrown at me. I caught it then stopped. In my hand was one of my twin swords. Alambiel emerged from the trees carrying its mate and grinning as she unsheathed the blade. She quirked an eyebrow at me, mischief lighting her eyes, and then she lunged.

I reared as she slashed at my forelegs. A laugh escaped me as I unsheathed my sword and forced her to break off her follow-through, our blades clashing for the first time. "What treachery is this?"

Alambiel shoved our crossed blades up then kicked at me. "It's called entertainment, Kentauri. You must have heard of it at some point."

I dodged to the side then lunged, grabbing her by the back of her skirt and yanking her against me, our swords crossing in front of her. "You mean you did not attack me out of some quarrel I was unaware we were in?"

"Not yet." She rammed her elbow into my ribs and then dropped into a crouch and rolled free of my trap. I needed to remember that one. She leapt to her feet and then slashed at my horse ribs. I darted away, still keeping an eye on her movements.

"Yet?"

She nodded, grinning as we clashed again. "I was thinking this would be a nice addition to yelling, ignoring, and throwing things and people when we get into our more strenuous arguments."

I could not help but admire her tactic as she abruptly bent backwards to avoid my strike then twisted away into an immediate attack, this time aiming for my torso. I blocked her. "You plan to quarrel with me often?"

"Not really. But we do quarrel. Anyone who has an opinion will find quarreling inevitable. And we have opinions."

"We do." I caught her blade with mine and locked them in place. "But I thought my method of tossing you into the sea was sufficient for diffusing those times when our opinions clash."

Alambiel opened her mouth to say something but all that came out was a startled gasp as I shoved her into the lake even as I rescued my second sword. I rested both swords point first on the ground as Alambiel surfaced. "Oreius!"

"Yes?"

"You weren't supposed to push me in now."

Mirth fought to escape but I forced myself to maintain a serious mien. "When would you have liked me to push you in, my sweet?"

She scrambled out of the lake and glared at me. "Do you really think resorting to pet names is going to make me happy? The sun set quite a bit ago."

I nodded, not really seeing why she mentioned it. "Yes, and it is a very pleasant summer night. Warm but not overly so."

"The water is cold."

"Refreshing."

Alambiel scowled and I finally laughed then pulled her into my arms. "Do you think I would let you catch a cold? I will keep you warm through the night, I promise."

A hint of a shy smile appeared and she clasped her hands behind my neck as she looked up at me. "You'd better. I refuse to catch a cold on our honeymoon."

"Come then. I will see you are dried off and then we may dine and perhaps I will read the stars to you."

"Perhaps?" Alambiel echoed as we walked hand in hand back to the cabin. "I thought marrying a Centaur guaranteed me a star reading every night."

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I hovered between waking and sleeping, trying to hang on to the last tendrils of a wonderful dream. Rolling over, I snuggled against the pillow and a sigh of contentment escaped me. It was a very good dream but wakefulness still called. However, I had found that curling up against Oreius and listening to his steady heartbeat was a very effective way to lull myself back to sleep. He made me feel safe, far safer than I ever did except when I had slept between Aslan's own paws, and so far the nightmares had stayed away. I stretched my feet out but didn't feel him behind me. I stretched out a hand, feeling for him, but all that met my searching fingers was the cooling sheets.

With great reluctance, I opened my eyes and then lifted my head. "Oreius?"

The door leading into the bath was standing partially closed and I could hear Oreius' muffled steps before he answered, "I am here. Go back to sleep, love."

Easier said than done. I rubbed my hand over my face, yawning, and then forced myself to abandon the bed in favor of going over to the bath. Pushing the door all the way open, I paused at the sight of the Kentauri standing in front of the washstand with a razor in hand. "You shave?"

The blade stopped just shy of his right cheek as he looked at me in the mirror. "Of course. I do not let my beard grow fully out."

"I know." I crossed my arms as I leaned against the doorframe, watching my husband shave.

"Then why are you surprised?"

I had to think about it. My memory had returned in full now (or so I assumed since it had been a while since the last time I ran into a blank spot) and I didn't really have a good reason for my surprise. Except for one that I happily used. "I have never seen you shave before. I don't think it ever occurred to me to think about you shaving to keep your beard in check."

Oreius looked over his shoulder at me. "Alambiel, how else would I keep it in check?"

"Glaring."

His lips twitched. "Glaring?"

I had to fight back a snicker as I nodded. "Yes, you would probably glare at any unwanted hair until it shriveled from the shame of attempting to make your beard look less than perfectly groomed."

Oreius laughed out loud. It was fun making him laugh, always had been. He shook his head as he turned back to the mirror. "Go back to bed, Wife. You look tired."

"And whose fault is that?"

"Yours. You are the one who kept poking me to see if I was awake."

I couldn't quite manage a contrite expression. "Well, it's rude to fall asleep when your wife is talking to you."

"I shall endeavor to remember that the next time."

"Uh-huh."

I glanced at the bed, which didn't look quite as inviting anymore, then decided to surprise my Kentauri. Choosing not to say anything else, I pulled the door to and then quietly left the bedchamber. Hopefully, Oreius would assume I had gone back to sleep.

Entering the kitchen, I moved pots and pans as silently as I could, pausing only to toss my hair back over my shoulders. It was funny that I hadn't actually made breakfast during our honeymoon before now. Oreius kept getting up too early (he still didn't get the concept of being intentionally lazy when on holiday). Humming to myself as I cooked, I didn't notice when the kitchen was invaded until fingers ran though my hair. The memory swept over me and I froze, the last thing I remembered was the Monster's mocking laugh as he thanked me for leaving my hair loose for him.

Perhaps it was a blessing that I didn't remember the memories I relived this time. I remember the fear, the overwhelming, spirit-quailing fear but not the images of my darkest past. It was a blessing.

When I first came aware of my surroundings, it was because I heard someone calling my name. "Alambiel, sweetheart, open your eyes. Chéadsearc, open your eyes. You are safe. I am here. No one is going to hurt you. Open your eyes."

I felt his fingers stroking my face and became aware of the fact that I was being rocked. It was harder to open my eyes than it should have been and I realized I was crying. I gasped then swallowed, which hurt. Great, I had had a full-out screaming panic attack. Like I hadn't had enough of those last fall. Shame flooded me as I met Oreius' concerned gaze and I looked away. "Sorry." I winced when I caught a glimpse of the spilled food and two pans lying in front of the stove. "Well breakfast hasn't gone the way I hoped."

"Alambiel, look at me." I didn't want to, it was bad enough when I had a panic attack in general but having a really bad one when I knew I was safe, when we were on our honeymoon and supposed to be celebrating our new life together . . . It was humiliating. "Alambiel." Oreius cupped my chin and gently pushed until I met his eyes. There was no scolding or judgment or even pain in his dark gaze, only love and concern. "Why didn't you tell me touching your hair would cause a panic attack?"

I took a deep breath. "Because it doesn't always or at least it didn't until today. I was fine when you touched my hair until now."

Oreius frowned, considering, but he didn't stop cuddling me close and stroking the side of my face. "I am sorry, love. I should have realized there was a reason beyond your charming peculiarities that you did not like to wear your hair loose and I should have made my presence known."

My husband thinks I'm weird. "You just called me weird."

"Charming."

"Peculiar means weird."

"Charming," came the gentle correction once again. Oreius kissed my forehead and hugged me close before he finally rose, pulling me to my feet. He made me sit down on the chaise-lounge before he quickly cleaned up the mess I had made of breakfast. Exhaustion set in as I waited and the next thing I remembered was Oreius shaking me awake. "Alambiel."

I sat up. I could smell breakfast and even my own special coffee. And what did I do? I buried my face in my hands and burst into tears.

Oreius let me cry. All he did was wrap his arms around me and hold me until I got the last of my tears out. I could still smell the food and coffee so I must not have cried for as long as it felt like I did. My head rested against Oreius' chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear, while he stroked my hair. He didn't scold or question why I was acting so unpredictably. This was what Charlie's wife, Maria, had tried to explain to me so many years ago and a world away from here. That marriage was not to be feared, that someday I could find someone who would love me for who I was, scars and all, if only I let myself let that one person in. And that was true . . . it took me a while to let him into my heart, but I knew without a doubt that Oreius loved me for who I really was, scars and nightmares and everything else.

He didn't shy away from the fact that I was damaged. I almost smiled, remembering how he had gently corrected my fears that he would be better off with someone less damaged only a few days before he proposed. He wasn't going to abandon me. He would do everything in his power to keep from abandoning me. My Kentauri had defied his kings to come after me once.

His free hand was entwined with mine and I squeezed lightly. He immediately squeezed back. Musing over the fact that I was doubly glad we had reserved ourselves for each other, I realized that while we both could have lived our whole lives without ever falling in love, without being with each other, together we were stronger and life was just a bit sweeter. My lips curved in a slight smile at that particular thought; yes, it was sweet and doubly so because I had jealously guarded these feelings, these pleasures, until I could share them with my husband alone. Listening to the Kentauri's heartbeat while he gently stroked my hair, I knew I would never trade this feeling and I sighed, letting the balm of his love help soothe the scars of my past.

"Oreius?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

He looked down at me. "For what, sweet?"

"Being there for me. Loving me."

"Always, Alambiel, always." Then he kissed me.

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We sat beneath the stars that night. Oreius insisted we needed to do so. I think he just wanted to make sure I had plenty of pleasant things to think about after the panic attack. He didn't seem to realize that he was more than enough to distract me from dark memories.

I peered up at the stars. "Okay, I think I've figured out what they're saying tonight."

"Oh?" He actually managed to keep the skepticism to a minimum. I was impressed.

I nodded. "Yes, the stars are saying that to celebrate our marriage, you should give me a catapult, and there's something about a swarm of evil marmots."

Oreius burst out laughing. "No. And marmots?"

"It was worth a try."

He was still chuckling as he asked, "Do you refer to your attempt at another futile request for a catapult or your attempt to read the stars?"

I feigned a scowl. "Ha ha, very funny. One of these days you will give me a catapult."

"Why?"

"So I'll stop asking for it, of course."

He shook his head, still laughing. I shoved him, not that that would actually do much. He is a Centaur after all. "And not all of us have been taught to read the stars, you know."

"I do not think you should try again. You might offend a number of people."

I stuck my tongue out at him then twisted and flopped back on the grass with a huff. "If I had had time to learn, I could probably read the stars just as well as you can. Alas, I only learned how to navigate by them so I wouldn't get lost."

Oreius leaned over me. "Of that I have no doubt, my lovely Bird of Paradise. I can teach you to interpret what the stars have to say if you wish."

Sitting back up, I grinned. "No." I wrapped my arms around his neck as I sat on his bent forelegs. "I like listening to you tell me what they say." Kissing the tip of his ear, I added in a whisper, "But I might pick up a few things when you teach our foals how to read the stars' dances."

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14 Greenroof 1009

A soft scuff caught my attention, which was followed by an even better smell, which pulled me out of my dreams entirely. I sat up and smiled at Oreius. He had my coffee. I immediately held my hands out imploringly. "Coffee! Love you."

He handed the cup to me with a chuckle. "Do you love me or the coffee?"

I grinned at him and answered by taking a sip of my coffee. His gaze flickered over me and he started to smile wider. I blushed (I had no idea I was so very prone to blushing . . . I blame it on being a newlywed) and pulled the covers up before I mumbled, "What time is it?

"It is almost tenth hour." I took another sip of coffee as Oreius got back into bed. Then that cheeky Kentauri took my coffee at the same time he kissed me. He took my coffee after I'd only had two sips and I didn't care? Yep, I'm in love. He broke the kiss long enough to reach past me and set my coffee on the nightstand. Then, he went back to kissing my neck, setting off my own fireworks again. By the time I remembered I even had coffee, it was cold.

Eventually we recalled being hungry and made our way to the kitchen. We were halfway through a late brunch when I heard pounding hoofbeats above the dull roar of the waterfall. Oreius was scowling as he rose and went to open the door. I had a moment to thank Aslan I decided to wear something other than Oreius' spare tunic before Androcles stepped into the cabin. Rising, I offered a respectful curtsey to the Centaur elder.

He nodded to me, smiling with the same approval he had shown from the moment Oreius introduced us, before he turned to the Kentauri. "I apologize for the intrusion, Oreius, but a soldier has come to the village. He would not state his business other than to declare that he was given a message from the High King to be delivered to your hand as soon as possible." He handed Oreius a thick envelope with Peter's personal seal. "It was only through great effort that Alcippe and I persuaded him to let me bring word to you rather than doing so himself. Alcippe is keeping him occupied. However, I doubt he will wait long."

Oreius nodded. "Thank you, Androcles." He read the letter then looked at me for the span of a single heartbeat. His tone was all General as he turned to his great-uncle. "If you would, inform the soldier to wait for a half hour and then I will give him his orders."

Androcles bowed his head slightly. "I will do so."

I barely waited for the other Centaur to get out the door before asking, "What is it?"

"It seems there is an army of Fell approaching the northern border. We are needed." The Kentauri looked at me apologetically. "Alambiel, I-"

"Am the General, I know." I smiled. "Besides, it's the Fell I'm blaming for cutting our honeymoon short even if it was only by four days." I waited until he started to look relieved before I added, "Lucky for you. However, there's always what happens when we get home."

He looked a little worried and I smirked as I walked down the hall to pack. I was almost certain I heard him breathe, "Let there be many Fell to distract her."

Well, with our history, I wasn't really surprised that our honeymoon was disrupted by something. At least we had fireworks. Just before we left the glade, Oreius stopped and squeezed my hand. "We will return."

I smiled. "I know. And we shall always have fireworks."

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Well, it took awhile, but I finally finished. I hope y'all enjoyed this glimpse into Kat and Oreius' newlywed life. The story picks up immediately after this one in ALitD: Unveiled. Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.