Chapter 12

I blink my eyes open, but pain blurs my vision for a second. I blink again, and the haze clears. I see Cassidy pacing, Lacey and Thomas, her husband, sitting in chairs, looking worried, and Caspian sitting by my bed, holding my hand. Bandages cover my wound, and I'm wearing a simple dress. Caspian looks up when I move, but Cassidy gets here first. She scoops me up in a gentle hug, and I smile and return her embrace. She's crying, and I'm crying, and so is Lacey when she finally gets her hug. I'm not usually like this, but with everything that's happened, I really needed to cry. Thomas gives me a quick hug, and, finally, it's Caspian's turn. He pulls me into a gentle hug, and I wrap my arms around his neck. He pulls back slightly, and presses his lips to mine. We break apart, and I'm not sure if I should smile, laugh or cry. I notice that my hair has a streak of gold in it. Aslan, I think with a smile.

"Oh my Lion, Aura!" Lacey exclaims. "We thought you were going to die!"

"How long was I out?" I ask in disbelief.

"3 days," Caspian says gently. "The entire kingdom is worried, word leaked out about the Witch. We postponed the gathering until you're ready."

"What about Will?" I ask, somewhat afraid to hear the answer.

"Missing," Cassidy says. "No one has seen him since the battle."

"Good," I say. "Maybe he'll stay out of sight, lay low, or, even better, maybe he'll come here."

"Hopefully," Lacey adds her voice. "But, Caspian, there's a kingdom waiting for you. The people are beginning to get nervous. You'd better go see them. They're gathered outside."

"Can you make it?" Caspian asks me.

"As long as 'it' doesn't involve fighting," I say with a smile. "I can do anything."

"We'll see about that," he says with a worried look. A giggle escapes my mouth. "What?"

"You're cute when you're worried," I mutter. "Let's go." I sit up and wince. Caspian offers me a hand, and I take it with a grateful glance. I slip my arm around his waist, and his arm goes instantly around my shoulders. Cassidy stays close to my other side as we walk out to our horses. Caspian helps me onto Midnight and rides close to me as our horses trot to the platform near the city gates. We dismount, and Cassidy takes our horses over to a pasture. Caspian lets go of my hand and steps forward.

"What you've heard is true," he begins. "The Witch was almost brought back. But you have nothing to worry about. 3 days ago, some of my men and I attacked the camp of our enemies. We could not have won if it wasn't for Aura." At this, I step forward, taking my place next to Caspian. "She killed the Witch, and was willing to kill her own brother to save Narnia. She was badly wounded, and is recovering." The kingdom claps and cheers. I smile, but I'm totally unprepared for what comes next. Caspian turns to me.

"Aura, I love you more than anything in all the worlds," he begins, and I could've sworn he was literally glowing with love, for me and for Narnia. "Ever since I met you, I've wanted to ask you this question. You're beautiful, kind, and caring, and I couldn't imagine a better queen for Narnia." He drops down on one knee and takes out a beautiful engagement ring. "You're my best friend and the love of my life. Will you be my queen?" The kingdom is so quiet, later I would wonder how they got that silent. Tears of joy stream down my cheeks.

"Yes," I whisper. "Yes, of course I will!" Caspian slips the ring onto my left ring finger, stands up, and spins me around. We're both smiling, and the kingdom breaks into a chorus of "Aw!" I laugh, and Caspian kisses me for the second time today. We break away to the cheers of our kingdom, breathless and happy. Caspian wraps his arms around my waist, and I put my hands on his chest as the people go back to their houses and businesses. We watch them for a few minutes, not able to stop smiling. Finally, we walk down to our horses, where Cassidy and Lacey practically squeeze the life out of me. I manage to mount Midnight myself and we ride back to the castle, getting congratulations and bows the entire way. Despite what happened 3 days ago, I'm happy. Truly, wonderfully happy. Marcus will always have a place in my heart, but I know now that I love Caspian even more than I did Marcus, and I always will. We eat dinner together, in private with Thomas, Lacey, and Cassidy. We talk and laugh, and generally have a good time until around midnight. Servants have cleared out my room and moved my things to Caspian's, and now my, private chambers. It seems strange that my room is so empty. But I soon will forget it, I tell myself. I belong with Caspian. I stay out on the balcony after I get my nightgown, when Caspian is changing. After a little bit, he joins me, and I show him all of the Narnian constellations.

"No one could tell that we had been fighting for our lives just 3 days ago," I remark. "So much can change in such little time."

"And they're going to keep changing," Caspian says. "Just think, in a few months, we'll be married and ruling over Narnia together." We share a smile.

"I can't stop thinking about how, just 3 years ago, I was back at that village," I say. "That 3 years ago, I despised you. And maybe, change is welcome." Caspian takes my hand.

"A lot has happened since then," he says. "And I couldn't have asked for a better queen."