pre-wedding

[called_lioness]

She's...not exactly nervous.

A little nervous.

A tad nervous.

But not scared, really, as she looks at the dress Susan made her and the flowers Mary's brought, and fidgets, slightly, trying to remember how to breathe.

The twins are sulking around her feet, and it's something of a comfort that makes her smile.

Comments

[once_a_queen]

"Oh, let's not talk about me," she says, wincing. "I'm fine. Aside from wishing I'd never opened my mouth towards the end of the evening."

She gives Lucy another squeeze. "You look beautiful. I believe the word is 'glowing'."

[called_lioness]

"You were quite, um. Smashed, actually," she smiles, gently, and closes her eyes. "You realize Tirian is Caspian's great-great-great-something grandson, yes?"

And she laughs again. "I'm terrified, a little."

[once_a_queen]

"Oh. Yes, I did know that, but- oh heavens. I don't quite know what to say. Or think. Um. Oh dear."

She is flustered. Very much so.

[called_lioness]

"I think," Lucy says, softly, with a small smile, "you should ask him to dance at the wedding."

[once_a_queen]

"Perhaps I shall, but first we have to have the wedding. When do you want to put on your dress? Oh, and here. I didn't forget."

She takes a small velvet pouch from her pocket and hands it to Lucy. Inside is their Great-Grandfather Pevensie's signet ring. Both Lucy and Susan thought of the same ring independently, so it will serve nicely.

[called_lioness]

"I don't know," she laughs, and the nerves are clear.

She very much wants this.

She's just realized again she's getting married.

"I suppose we should soon. And oh, thank you, Su." She's smiling as she looks down at it.

Nicely indeed.

[once_a_queen]

She presses her lips to the top of Lucy's head and holds the embrace for a moment before rising again.

"I think we should begin with tea. I'll go get some."

She returns several minutes later with a tea tray with a fancy silver tea service and a platter of biscuits.

"Nothing but the best for you today."

[called_lioness]

"Ta, Su," she says gratefully and takes the cup.

"I just...never really thought this would happen, in a way."

[once_a_queen]

"I know. I didn't either," she says, pulling up a chair to sit beside her sister.

"But here we are."

[called_lioness]

She gets a mock-offended look.

"Thanks ever so, Susan!"

[once_a_queen]

She laughs and sticks her tongue out. "I thought we'd never get you married off."

[called_lioness]

"I was perfectly willing to marry!" she protests.

[once_a_queen]

"The lady doth protest too much, I think," she giggles and hands Lucy two small boxes.

"Here, open these."

Inside one of the boxes is a set of old pearl hairpins of Susan's. The other contains a sixpence.

"The dress is new, so I think you're set."

[called_lioness]

"Hmph," she grumbles, and then grins at the pins in the box.

"Thank you, Su. Help me get dressed, then, I suppose?"

[once_a_queen]

"I'll be wanting those hairpins back, Lu," she teases, going to the dress where it hangs. "That's the borrowed part of the rhyme. Well, and the old. Two birds with one, that."

She fluffs out the dress and carries it over to Lucy. "Thy dress, Highness."

[called_lioness]

"I'll be quite careful when I take them out tonight," she promises, as she begins to take the robe off and slip the dress on.

[once_a_queen]

She guides the dress over her head and smoothes down the fabric before zipping up the back.

"I'm glad we did one last fitting. It's going to be perfect."

[called_lioness]

"I think so," she agrees, softly, and runs her hand over the fabric.

"It's beautiful, Susan."

[once_a_queen]

"Not as beautiful as you, sister. Look at you."

She turns her around to face the full length mirror.

"My baby sister is getting married today."

Susan sniffles. Just a little.

[called_lioness]

Lucy looks at herself and has to smile as she leans back against Susan.

"It's perfect."

[once_a_queen]

"Hair and makeup next? I know, I know, not much of either. Just a bit of powder and some color on your lips, I think."

[called_lioness]

"You may do what you like, Susan, today," Lucy says after a moment with a small smile.

[once_a_queen]

"I haven't much to do. Oh, Lu, Caspian is the luckiest man in the world."

She leads her to the vanity and adds the last touches needed for this special day.

[called_lioness]

She's smiling still, when Susan finishes, and pushes her hair back as she answers, finally, "I rather think I'm the lucky one."