narnia au;

[illuminescent]

how did you get here? through a wardrobe, or through death, or maybe a portal gone terribly astray. a ring. the roar of a lion. in the bottom of a cup. because you were looking for something, or missing something. no matter how you got there, this is where you belong.

Comments

[curlytop]

[He's giddy with relief, and he takes hold of her face with both hands and kisses her.

For about a second.

And then he pulls back and looks horrified with himself.]

Sorry! I'm sorry, your majesty! I didn't mean to...

[illuminescent]

[She stares at him, her eyes wide. She didn't expect that, but-

But it wasn't bad. In fact, she stays still a moment, and then she's kissing him back, fast, her hands on his face.]

Of course you meant to.

[She says it with a blush, and then she dips her head.]

Should you like to again?

[curlytop]

[On instinct, George looks around, as though Rabadash may be lurking in the shadows somewhere. Or at least Longtusk.]

I'd like to, but I don't think I should.

[illuminescent]

[There is no one. They truly are alone.]

I want you to.

I want you to kiss me again.

[She lets his face go, but she doesn't move away.]

[curlytop]

[George doesn't pull back, and he smiles just a little, corners of his mouth quirking up.]

And your brother the king? What does he want?

[illuminescent]

Why should I care?

My brother the king is not my lord. He is only my brother.

[This is Narnia, George. Peter's desires for his sisters are eclipsed by their desires for themselves.]

[curlytop]

[Where George comes from, any man would be worried about an older brother who thinks it's a lark to tame giants.]

Aye, it's the brother part I'm worried about.

[illuminescent]

He will not do anything to you.

[She smiles at him.]

I promise.

[curlytop]

[He looks at her a moment, a smile playing at his lips. He lifts his hand to touch her cheek lightly with the backs of his fingers.]

I believe you.

[He leans in to kiss her again.]

[illuminescent]

[She breathes right after, an intake of breath that feels like a miracle.]

Will you stay in Narnia?

[He is free. She meant it.]

[curlytop]

[He feels that as well, the way that breath changes things. He doesn't pull away, but he settles back more comfortably on the rugs.]

If you'll have me. If anyone's earned my loyalty, it's you, your majesty.

[illuminescent]

I would have you.

I would have you as my guard, if you wish it, as the head of it, if you so desire. I would have you as a knight, if you prefer.

Or you can be a private citizen, but I-

[She sits there with him, and this is the most tender she's been yet.]

-I should like you by my side, always.

[curlytop]

A knight?

[This is said in the tone of a boy who has always wanted to be a knight but who had a very vague notion of what being a knight entails. There's a brightness in his eyes that makes him look as young as he still is.]

I would be whatever you asked. If you need me as the head of your guard, I will do so. If you need a knight, I will happily kneel for you.

[illuminescent]

[Her smile is bright, and happy.]

Oh, I should gladly knight you, and the none can say you do not merit your place at my side.

[curlytop]

[He gives a dry laugh.]

I'm not sure there's anything you could do that would stop folks saying that, majesty.

But I'd like to be by your side, for all that. Your guard is where I'd be most use, likely.

[illuminescent]

Then let us start there.

[She will agree to that.]

Is it foolish to say that I would much relish an affair of that nature?

[A guard who loves her is, after all, the most serious and most potent kind. He would never let anything hurt her for more than one reason, and if he loves her well and keeps her happy, then all the better.]

[curlytop]

[George regards her seriously for a moment.]

It's not foolish. Only...

[He wants to make sure he says this the right way, and that's not always his forte.]

I want to say yes? Only, all I can think right now is how grateful I am, and I don't want to confuse things. I know that I kissed you, and I wanted to. I just...I don't ever want you to wonder if I'm with you because I love you or because you saved me.

[illuminescent]

[She smiles a little.]

Then stay, and be in my guard, and learn of me as you will, and decide your feelings.

And then we will revisit if you love me, or if you are grateful.

I can be patient.

[curlytop]

[George smiles a little as well.]

I wish we'd met differently. I wish I'd come here instead of Calormen.

[illuminescent]

The only way to Narnia is the road you must take.

[She says it carefully, as if anyone would deserve what he endured. They wouldn't. He didn't. But it is not about merit; some things simply are.

But she nods.]

I wish so too. That you had come to me, lost, first.

[curlytop]

[He nods. It sounds a lot like something he might have heard at school.]

Aye. I wouldn't be what I am if I'd come here another way.

And I am glad to be here, now, and glad to pledge my service.

[illuminescent]

Yes?

Good.

[She stands up, and looks him over.]

Would you like Narnian garb? Oh, bother, we should just go back to Cair Paravel, and then you may rest a bit, bathe, and have some time to yourself. Yes?

[curlytop]

[George stays seated, feeling a little overwhelmed by the options. All two of them.]

I...yes. Yes, that might be best.

[At least having time to himself would let him process. Feel without exploding all over Lucy. He pulls himself to his feet with ease.]

[illuminescent]

Can you ride?

[She asks with a nudge, indicating he should open the tent flap.]

I can have a horse arranged for you.

[curlytop]

I'm a Calormene warrior, your majesty. Of course I can ride.

[Not that he learned to ride in Calormen, but he's even better now than he was.

He holds the tent flap open for her.]

But I would appreciate a horse.