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[called_lioness]

Caspian has asked, and Aslan's said yes, but that doesn't mean that Lucy doesn't wish to see him yet.

She always does.

And so she's sitting by the lake and...hoping, maybe.

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[treading_dawn]

Hope is not always rewarded--at least not immediately.

But this time, this one time, perhaps a little bit of immediacy will do little harm.

And so there is sweet-scented golden fur brushing her fingertips, and a vast rumbling warmth pressed against her side.

"Dear one."

[called_lioness]

And her smile is bright as she looks up at him and reaches out to stroke his flank.

"Good evening, Aslan."

[treading_dawn]

"So it is, child."

His tail twitches, almost idly.

"Such things are often better with company."

[called_lioness]

"Most things are betting if the company is you."

It's said with another smile.

"Caspian said you'll wed us."

[treading_dawn]

"So I will, and be very glad of it. It is time and past time for a little joy in this place, is it not?"

He nuzzles the side of her face very gently.

[called_lioness]

"Oh, say true," and she's smiling with utter contentment.

"I've wanted this for a very long time, I think."

[treading_dawn]

"Think, only?"

Aslan's voice is warm and rough with amusement, tail curling lightly around his flank.

"I had heard tell rather differently."

[called_lioness]

"Well," she admits, "I know."

There's a kiss to his fur.

"It's a little overwhelming."

[treading_dawn]

"Little wonder. Love is something human hearts are well-suited for, and still it is not easy."

Solemn golden eyes watch her, lit from within by a quiet sort of watchfulness.

"Shall you bear up under it?"

[called_lioness]

"I don't know."

It's honest.

"I'm frightened, a little, because I don't know. But oh, I shall try."

[treading_dawn]

"I have no doubt you will, dearest. Try, and learn in the trying, as all must do, at one time or another."

[called_lioness]

There's a flash of a smile.

"I shall. And I don't intend to fail. I waited too long for him."

[treading_dawn]

"Too long for many things, dear heart."

He nuzzles her cheek again.

"But there is time, yet."

For a while.

[called_lioness]

For a while, yes.

"I asked Adam," she says, after a few moments of just enjoying his presence, "to give me away."

She knows he knows. But some things you say.

[treading_dawn]

His voice is solemn as he asks, "And his answer?"

There are reasons for that.

[called_lioness]

"He agreed."

Softly, "There's no one else I could ask that I would have."

[treading_dawn]

"Not here, no."

His voice is almost gentle, but there is something heavy in it--an old weight.

[called_lioness]

"I wish he were."

It's quiet, and then, "But he's not. And I--I love Peter. And I love Edmund. But I won't have them for this, and I cannot ask Eustace if I don't ask them."

[treading_dawn]

"Others might, but it is not in you to do such a thing."

He nuzzles at her cheek again.

"Already you have proof that on occasion it is not only about love. Remember that."

[called_lioness]

"I wish it were."

It's rather wistful.

"I love them. But I'm not fond of them, I find, of late."

It's one way to put it.

[treading_dawn]

"There is always work to be done."

His tail lashes at his flank.

"By many."

[called_lioness]

"Of that," and it's a little rueful, "I've no doubt."

[treading_dawn]

"But always, too, there is time for revels."

Again his tail lashes his side.

"Your wedding, when it comes, may be such a time."

[called_lioness]

"I would have it be so," she says firmly.

Very firmly.

Very, VERY firmly.

Enough that she has to laugh at herself, even.

[treading_dawn]

The rumble deep in Aslan's chest is not quite a purr, nor is it quite a growl.

"There is often a way, where will enough can be found."

[called_lioness]

"And do you think I may have enough for this?"

She's grinning, as she looks at him.

[treading_dawn]

"It matters very little what I think."

At least in this.

[called_lioness]

"It matters very much, ever, what you think," she contradicts.

[treading_dawn]

"It matters more what you know."

There is a gentle weight on his last few words, and he nudges his muzzle against her shoulder.

[called_lioness]

"Mayhap," she allows, and presses a kiss to his nose, softly.

"But I know that ever since I met you, what you would think has mattered to me."

[treading_dawn]

Another rumble-growl flavors his words.

"You have always had will enough, did you choose to make use of it."

[called_lioness]

And that makes her rest her face against his coat again.

"I thought I wasn't supposed to at times," is the response, murmured against golden fur.

[treading_dawn]

Aslan says nothing, merely leans against her, tail flicking idly in the grass.

[called_lioness]

Some things have no good response.

And can't be changed, any way.

As it is, she is content to sit with him and--and while she thinks of the times she didn't use her will, she also thinks, with a small sort of smile, that at least this time she has.