"Love, please relax."

"Our son just climbed on a... a dragon! And you want me to relax?!"

The queen continues pacing the great hall some time after her son disappeared into the skies. The king still keeping calm even with his wife's loud voice raising in volume. He is aware after many years of how she processes her information. Analee's attitude reminding him of a kettle. She will speak and pace til her steam eventually evaporates. Usually, the king would allow her to go through her motions however now he needs her to think of the baby.

"Sweetheart-" The queen whips up her hand palm facing him motioning for him to stop speaking. He lets her take a few deep breaths before continuing. "He is with Artemis, we have nothing to fear."

The queen drops her hand looking to her husband incredulously. "Artemis may have the ability to heal but what happens if he falls off or worse- the dragon attacks them."

The king strides to her taking her hands into his. He leans forward pressing his lips to her forehead. She releases a shaky breath and attempts to control the flood of emotions raking through her.

"I would not allow our son to go into a situation I wasn't sure of." He pulls back looking into her glossy eyes. Releasing her hand, he cups her face. "That dragon is the one who rescued Artemis when she fell ill."

The queen's eyes go large unaware that Artemis was stricken with illness. The king nods his head affirming her unasked question. She relaxes her forehead to his chest allowing his heartbeat to comfort her like all the times before.

"She is well now, yes?"

The king strokes her head nodding his head before realizing she can't see him.

"Yes love, I still am unaware of all the details. As soon as they returned, she left for you."

The queen sighs her mind reverting to the dark memory. Her husband pulling her tightly to him feeling her muscles tense. Her body relenting to the comfort only her husband can bring about.

"She is going to make a phenomenal queen."

"With your guidance... I have no doubts."

The queen smiles against her husbands chest letting her worries wash away. Her husband begins to gently sway side to side. Her body mimicking his actions. He begins turning and dancing making her laugh softly and smile at him. He hums while the outside world fades away. The dance is slow and caressing showing utter and pure affection for each other. The queen's mind wandering back to their first dance when she was just a princess and he a boastful prince. He thought he could rule her... He had a lesson to learn. After a rough beginning, their love grew. Now over two decades later, the queen wouldn't place her heart with any other.

"You are my King..."

"As you are my Queen."

Goliath continues watching the happy couple and feels the love radiating off of the pair. A thud alerts him and the loving couple towards the door. It opens with their princess skipping in followed by Navene. She strolls to her parents leaning up to kiss both their cheeks before stepping back.

"Does anyone know where Caspian or Artemis are?"

The king and queen look to each other before turning back to their daughter's questioning eyes. Casden kneels down in front of his daughter taking her hands into his own.

"They are currently visiting someone but they should be back shortly."

Cassandra pouts but nods in understanding. Tesara rubs her side making the princess graze her hand over the wolf's coat. The king smiles to the wolf reaching out to pet her. Tesara leans her head into his palm. Goliath stands up walking over to sit by the queen who mirror's her daughter's actions rubbing the wolf's head.

"Your Majesty."

"Yes Navene." Navene fidgets for a minute before gathering the courage to ask him.

"What will come of the Kingdom of Darion now?"

The king looks to his wife whom's face becomes solemn before turning back to the young lad.

"King Maximus had a son, Prince Vispan. He will take his father's spot."

"Will he come after the queen again?"

The king involuntarily stiffens before feeling his wife's hand on his shoulder. He stands back up straightening out his shirt. His queen wrapping her arm through his for support.

"I shall hope not but I have not heard a word from him."

Navene nods thoughtfully while his mind wanders to Artemis. His heart suddenly begins beating rapidly as if about to burst from his chest. He clutches his chest as if it could control it. His eyes searching for the cause until he realizes. It's not his emotion he is experiencing...

Artemis.

While Navene attempts to control the emotion, Artemis' body is going into overdrive. Caspian grips her hands seeing the fear swirling through her eyes wishing for anything but that emotion. He can tell she is surprised by the sudden statement. It is not that he hasn't made his intentions known but merely the speed of his affections.

"Love, say something..." He whispers gently continue to search her eyes.

"I-I.." She stutters trying to gain control of her tongue. "Caspian, this seems too fast. How can you be sure?"

He relaxes and chuckles gently before coiling his arm around her bringing her fast beating heart to his. He continues looking into her metallic eyes.

"Artemis, you bewitched my mind upon our first encounter. I couldn't even see your beauty and yet your skills with your bow and sword ensnared me." He leans forward pressing his forehead to hers. She sighs allowing her muscles to relent to him. Her eyes closing on their own accord while listening to him continue speaking. "The evening I saw you by the lake, my god... I thought an angel had walked the earth."

Artemis giggles gently recalling that evening and her fear of rejection. She received quite the opposite.

"Will you promise to love me Caspian?"

"Absolutely."

"Will you promise to stand by my side through all the times that lie ahead."

"There is not a power in this world that could place me anywhere else."

Artemis smiles gently leaning forward to feel his lips against hers gently. He inhales sharply gripping her firmly in his arms.

"Then my prince... I would love to walk this life by your side."

Prince Caspian's heart fluttered. His happiness exuding off of him as he lift swirling her in the air. Her laughter dancing upon his ear. The moment is pure euphoric. Placing her back on her feet, he can not resist crashing his lips to hers. This time not lust driven but love filled.

"You.. Lady Artemis are my queen."

"As you will be my king... someday."

Caspian laughs at her shrug on the word someday. He pecks her lips once more before they make their way towards the gate. The guards opening for them and they race back to the castle. The young couple smiling ear to ear and laughing along the way. The guards and maids seeing the interaction as they smile along with them. Happy that their prince has found a woman worthy of being the future queen.

Upon arrival into the castle, they are requested in the dinning hall for supper. Walking in, they are immediately greeted with the queen racing to engulf Caspian. Artemis steps away to give them space as she walks over to Vatalanie who set perched by the king. She nods to the king before kneeling down to her friend. All the while, Caspian's twinkling eyes remaining on her. The queen sees the interaction and practically squeals.

Artemis, are you alright?

Artemis looks up to Navene. His worried eyes searching her. She tilts her head in confusion while walking over to him.

I am well. Did something happen?

I felt your fear earlier.

Artemis realizes how heighten her emotion must have become if he could feel it as well. She rubs his head with a smile gracing her lips. She turns to Caspian who is still looking to her.

I apologize Navene. Caspian surprised me... That is all.

So did you say yes?

She whips her head to him while he wears a cheeky grin. His eyes dancing with amusement. She pinches his nose playfully making him push her hand away.

I did

Navene nods looking to the prince. He can see the clear affection the man holds for his guardian. Turning back to her, he says the one thing that matters most to Artemis.

I am glad Artemis. You deserve this love...

His blessing meaning more than she could fathom. She leans down kissing his forehead before taking her seat beside him. Sitting down, she looks across to see Caspian's eyes still locked upon her. She quickly turns her attention down to her plate while her cheeks become rosy.

"Mother, Father... I have an announcement."

Everyone's attention immediately drawn to Caspian. His attention solely focused on the beauty before him.

"I have asked Lady Artemis for her hand... And she has accepted."

The queen practically jumps out of her seat before running to her son wrapping him in a hug. The king leans back in his seat watching the smiles of the table. He looks to Artemis who won't meet his eye. He is aware she is fearful of his reaction and he wants to put an end to it.

"Lady Artemis, walk with me."

The smiles falter looking to the king before looking to Artemis. She shakily stands up following the king out of the room. He stops to allow her to stand at his side before continuing to stroll forward. For a few minutes they walk in silence making Artemis' tension grow.

"You have nothing to fear Artemis. I am glad my son has chosen a lady worthy of the title."

"Thank you your majesty."

"Please call me Casden or Dad.." He shrugs the word while Artemis feels the air escape her lungs. "You have protected my family on more than one occasion... I do believe you rescued my children in the forest, did you not?"

Artemis' eyes go wide an alarm not aware he knew of this. The king laughs clutching his stomach at her expression.

"Princess Cassandra has a loose tongue. Do not trust her to keep a secret."

"Duly noted my king." He puts his elbow out allowing the young maiden to take his arm. She timidly takes it as they continue walking. "Do you not fear how your people will react to a commoner becoming the princess and future queen?"

"We both know you are anything but common Artemis but to answer your question... No I am not worried of their reactions. They have seen you and have had nothing but kind words towards you."

"I am grateful to hear that." Her words merely a whisper but still he heard her. She is not boastful but humble. She is not outspoken nor is she shy.

"As long as you continue to love and care for my son... That is what is important to me. And also, your love for the people."

Artemis nods as they make their way back to the dining hall. Caspian quickly walks to her cupping her face and searching her eyes for any emotion but only seeing love reflecting in them. He leans forward kissing her forehead while his father walks by patting his shoulder.

"He did not scare you, did he?"

"Absolutely not... He wanted to make sure my love was true."

"And I'm assuming it is?" His words resembling more a question than a statement.

"More and more every day..."