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]

[George moves immediately to take her hand, splashing a little over the side of the tub.]

No, mo chridhe. You have nothing to be sorry for. Don't...I'm sorry.

[illuminescent]

[She laughs just a little, but she's so close to crying that it's clear that she's trying to keep herself together. She kisses him on the mouth, and presses their foreheads together.]

I think we are both tired, and too terribly stressed for this. Can we-

-finish here, and come to bed. All right?

[curlytop]

[He closes his eyes a moment as she presses against him.]

Aye. Do you want to go on, and I'll be in when I've finished?

[He doesn't want her to go, but he only needs to rinse his hair.]

[illuminescent]

[She gets up, and she nods. She undresses and curls in her bed, and knows he won't be long.

When he gets there, her hands reach out for him, first.]

George.

[She smiles just a little.]

[curlytop]

[He slides into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her. When she's so close to him, the rest of it doesn't matter so much.]

Lucy. I'm sorry, love. I hope you know I don't blame you. I don't...none of this was your fault.

[illuminescent]

I do know that.

[She tangles close to him, her head against his chest, so that she can hear his heartbeat.]

It has been a very tiring day. It is a miracle that we did not say a word that we could use to harm each other.

[curlytop]

Aye. I think you're right about that.

[He holds her close against him, one hand curled around the back of her head.]

I love you, and I'm so happy to have married you. Whatever else comes with it.

[illuminescent]

I love you.

[She says it, and she smiles just against his chest.]

I love you, and I do not regret that I love you. You are meant for me.

[curlytop]

[He smiles as well, into her hair, and relaxes a little.]

And you are meant for me.

[He's quiet a moment.]

Do you know what I think? I think Aslan brought me here for you.

[Or the Angel sent him, but he's been in Narnia too long not to have realized who it was who found him in that cave.]

[illuminescent]

[She smiles.]

You do not oft speak of the Lion, my love.

[She keeps her body pressed up against his.]

I think so too. I think you were lost, and only I could find you.

[curlytop]

It feels...strange to talk about him.

[People don't talk about Raziel at home. Not like he's real. Not like they talk about Aslan here.]

I'm so glad you found me.

[illuminescent]

Will you sleep?

[She asks, and she presses her head against his heart.]

I will be here when you wake. And you do not have to leave.

[curlytop]

Aye.

[He trails his fingers over her back, up the back of her neck.]

Will you? I'll still be here when you wake this time.

[illuminescent]

Perhaps I will not.

Perhaps the High King will summon me early to tell me a new rule he has concocted to make me regret marrying you.

[Joke's on him - she will not regret it.]

[curlytop]

And you'll wake me, so I can go with you.

[He's still the queen's guard, whatever else he may be.]

[illuminescent]

But what if you're sleeping so peaceably?

[She is teasing: of course she'll wake him.]

[curlytop]

As soon as you leave the bed, I won't be.

[He knows. And he wouldn't sleep through her summoning anyway.

He nuzzles into her hair, relaxing under her warm weight.]

You'll sleep too, hm?

[illuminescent]

I will try.

[That's as much as she can manage, she thinks. She won't lie to him.]

You really would wake, if I left the bed, wouldn't you?

[curlytop]

[He wishes he could give her a peacefulness rune, something to help them both sleep better.]

Of course. I always know when you're not there.

[illuminescent]

When will I learn that talent?

[She wants to know when he's not there, she wants that secret. It would make everything better.]

[curlytop]

It's not one you'd care to learn.

[It comes from long years of training both in Calormen and in Idris. Much of it painful. It's born of fear and paranoia.]

[illuminescent]

[She kisses him.]

Sleep, my sweetheart.

[She won't leave without him.

In fact, the next morning, no one comes to get them and she wakes up with him right there against her.]

George.

[She whispers it, and crawls up on him, so she's straddling him.]

[curlytop]

[There is a slight moment of disorientation when George wakes and his not in his cot in the room next to Lucy's. He startles and then smiles as she settles on top of him.]

Good morning, m'eudail.

[His voice is sleep-rough and rumbling.]

[illuminescent]

You're awake.

[She says it gently, and leans her chin on his chest, just against his tattoo.]

And here. With me. In my bed.

[And her smile is sweet, and happy.]

In our bed.

[curlytop]

I am.

[He smiles as well, sleepy and pleased, and far more content than he's been in a long while now.]

And so are you. No royal summons.