A/N: This story has been one of my favorite to write. While it's taken a while to get out of my head and onto (figurative) pen and paper, it has been a blast to create. I'm sad to see this end but I hope you all enjoy this final installment!
Epilogue
Queen Lucy grinned brightly as she watched the festivities occurring throughout the clearing and surrounding woods. Narnia and her allies had prospered greatly from the alliances of the last ten years. She watched as Arthur and Gwen's daughter, Igraine, chased Merlin and Morgana's son, Gorlois, conjuring a flaming dragon every time the little boy gets too far out of her reach. Her eyes caught the shadowed bodies of Susan and her husband. They were sitting on the ground, away from the crowd and under the outlying trees. Lancelot had his hand resting on her enlarged belly as he whispered gently in her ear, and Susan smiled serenely. Lucy turned away from the private picture and was startled by the light touch on her elbow. Ariela entered her vision.
"I am sure you are enjoying watching the festivities but I do believe you are being called for, sister." Lucy looked to the clearing and saw a group of mixed citizens dancing wildly to some music being played by the fauns. One faun in particular smiled at her and beckoned mid dance. Lucy smiled and slipped her way through the throng. Lucy pushed through the thickest of the crowd and frowned at the lack sandy curls meeting her eyes. Suddenly her hand is grabbed and she was pulled into the circle of dancers, her feet automatically moving in the right steps.
"You look radiant, My Queen."
"And you dashing, My Love." The youngest queen said smiling at Tumnus. The current song ended and a slower one started up. Tumnus froze for but a moment before Lucy pulled him back into the dance.
"You did not go through with it." She reminded him, knowing that the lullaby always haunted him with the decision he almost made that night they first met.
"Bless Aslan that I did not." Lucy smiled gently at him and pulled him away from the dancers. The two found a space near the feast tables to rest, passing an impromptu friendly duel in the process.
Ariela and Alvina sighed heavily as they watched their men square off. The swords they gripped were warded by Mordred so they wouldn't cause any harm other than bruising. The Knight goaded the King and the duel quickly commenced. Most everyone enjoyed the food or the dancing but a small ring did start to gather around the two. Ariela leaned towards Alvina and whispered in her ear.
"Is your Knight aware what he has asked for?"
"Mordred knows what he's doing." Vina stated confidently.
"Mayhaps." Ariela stated with a smirk that looked entirely wrong on a dignified Narnian Lady.
The duel lasted longer than any Narnian was expecting, but considering Mordred had been a knight for 13 years now, he should be able to take on Edmund for a least some time. The first five minutes Edmund played it safe and Mordred appeared to be winning. He had Edmund trapped against a tree before the young King ducked under the sword and kneed Mordred in the gut. A typically unsportsmanlike move but the Knight held no ill will towards the King for his move. The next ten minutes were full of bated breath as the men danced across the makeshift field, matching blow for blow. Finally, in a move very few could follow, Edmund flicked his wrist, causing Mordred to lose his sword, swept out his leg, knocking the knight off balance, and brought his sword to the man's throat. Time stood still as the men stared at each other. Mordred nodded his head lightly and Edmund grinned before offering his sword to Mordred hilt side, and helping the knight up. Mordred laughed jovially and made his way towards his wife. Ariela walked up to her husband.
"That was near a diplomatic incident." She chided.
"If it were true that Camelot took offense to such an event, then they would be far more foolish an ally than we deemed them." The Lady held in a sigh and glanced towards the ring of children making flower crowns.
"We best pray that your son not hold those same beliefs."
"At eight summers passed, he hath already shown his proclivity towards his mother's grace and wisdom." Edmund responded with a charming smile and kiss to her hand.
Alvina and Mordred passed by crowds of celebrating people and headed for a spot near Lucy and Tumnus. Mordred looked at Alvina worriedly.
"You look pale. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just a bit tired." She said waving her hand.
"I should not have let you come."
"Sir Mordred of Camelot, you would not dare try to keep me from the most highly anticipated party of the year because of a little tiredness. I'm pregnant, not ill."
"But with all the excitement, and the travel…"
"It's fine. We've not even known about the baby for a fortnight yet. You need to stop worrying so much." The last sentence was spoken as they neared the other pair.
"Speaking of worrying," Lucy said nodding her head towards Peter, who was sitting an appropriate distance from Elyan but with an air of intimacy around them that none could deny, as Alvina took a seat next to her. "It is gratifying to see him at peace and enjoying the festivities, rather than worrying." His younger sister said. Mordred nodded.
"He and Elyan are good for each other. Elyan has always had an adventurous spirit, and Narnia's magic and Peter's presence have helped settle that. And I believe I'm making an accurate assessment when I say that Elyan has helped him to be more at ease and recognize how far he has brought your country, rather than just worry about the future." Lucy nodded her agreement. The couples sat quietly, watching the dancers and enjoying the food. One song ended and before another could start up, a silence descended upon the clearing. Everyone in attendance turned to the archway made by the trees, where a toast is made annually by rotating royalty. This year Arthur stands there and everyone waits with baited breath.
"My friends! Ten years ago our people came together to fight against an evil that had plagued both our great countries for far too long. With our united front, we defeated these witches and ushered in a new era for our people. One where all of our people were treated equally no matter the gifts one may possess, or the traits they may have shown beforehand. Trade flows freely between us and Camelot has learned much in the ways of magic from Narnia, much as Narnia has met allies through Camelot. Our people officially signed a treaty uniting these two countries ten years ago on this day. We have held an annual celebration in this land between our lands ever since, and have now seen my brother bonded to High King Peter, and one of my best knights bonded to Queen Susan. We hope to continue the betterment of our people and our land together, henceforth. So Camelot, Narnia, may we always be friends."
finis