I'll Stand By You

Chapter 7: A Duel & Another Crew Member

As soon as Eustace ran around on deck we saw Reepicheep pop up onto the deck.

"Trying to run away?" I heard Reepicheep say as he ran towards Eustace. "We're on a boat, you know."

"Look, can't we just discuss this?" Eustace asked, not wanting to fight.

Reepicheep ignored him, cutting his shirt open. "That was for stealing! And this is for lying!"

He now had an orange on his sword, which he slapped Eustace with. "And that...was for good measure."

Eustace's hand that held the sword was clenched. I could see the anger rising from within him.

Eustace tried to hit Reepicheep with his sword, however he failed as it was a horrible swing.

"That's the spirit, now we have ourselves a duel!" Reepicheep exclaimed and then he threw the orange to Drinian. "Catch."

Drinian caught the orange with an amused look on his face.

"This should be interesting." I said as I crossed my arms.

Drinian chuckled. "Very interesting."

As the duel progressed I noticed Reepicheep giving Eustace advice and even going easy on him. Then what surprised me was when Reepicheep fell overboard.

"Oh no!" I gasped. "We have to help him!"

"There's no need for that, your majesty." Drinian commented as he pointed towards the ropes.

That's where I saw Reepicheep standing with a smirk across his face. That clever and sneaky rat. He tapped Eustace with his tail on his shoulder and once Eustace turned around, Reepicheep pushed himself towards him.

Eustace fell back into a basket, that's when we heard a scream. What in the world? Lucy slowly walked towards it and I gasped upon seeing a hand reaching out towards the deck from the basket.

"Look." Lucy said upon seeing this.

Then the girl from the market stood before us. She had probably wanted to come along with her father.

"What is up with everyone sneaking onto this ship?" Caspian asked as he stood next to me.

I gave him a sheepish smile. I glanced over Caspian to see Xavier and Gemma with him, looking curiously at the girl.

"Gael?" Her father who's name is Rhince came forth. "What are you doing here?"

He had pulled his daughter into a hug, which was soon interrupted by Caspian who made his way towards them. Rhince castes his eyes towards the ground, afraid of what was to come next. We all waited in silence until Drinian spoke up. "Looks like we have an extra crew member."

He then handed her the orange which Gael took with a shy smile. Rhince smiled upon seeing this.

"Welcome aboard." Lucy and I said.

"Thank you, your majesties." Gael said with a bow.

"Please just call me Lucy."

"And call me Sabrina." I said.

"Come I'll show you around." Lucy said as she extended her arm out towards her.

"Mother can we go along with them?" Xavier asked.

"Of course you can, make sure you take care of them, Lu." I advised her.

She nodded. "Of course."

And with that she took them to see the entire ship. I stayed on board until Tavros had informed me that Caspian was looking for me.

I made my way to the map room where I suspected Caspian to be and there he was along with Edmund and Drinian. Upon entering, Caspian's frown turned into a smile.

"Ah, there you are, my love." Caspian said.

"Tavros said you wished to see me, love." I replied.

"Yes." Caspian said with a nod. "We are looking at this island."

I walked towards them to see which island they were talking about. I glanced down at the map to get a better idea of where we were headed.

"It looks inhabited." Caspian commented. "But if the lords followed the most east, they would've stopped here."

"Could be a trap." Drinian advised him.

"Or it can hold answers." Edmund argued.

"What do you think?" Caspian asked me.

All three of them turned to look at me as they waited for my answer. I glanced down at the map before turning my attention back to the three of them.

"I say we should check this island out, however this time we are more cautious than last time." I suggested.

"Alright. Then it's settled, we spend the night on shore." Caspian informed us. "Then scour the island in the morning."

"Aye, your majesty." Drinian replied before walking out.

"Tell Lucy and the others to gather their things and inform them that we'll all be on the shore tonight." Caspian ordered Edmund.

"Will do." Edmund said.

I turned towards Caspian, his expression was hard to read. He was observing the map until he felt my gaze on him.

He smirked. "Like something you see?"

"Very much." I said as I walked towards him.

In no time he pulled me into his lap and our lips moved in sync. A content sigh fell from his lips as we pulled away.

"Please tell me you'll be careful." He said. "I don't want us to get separated like last time."

"It won't happen, I assure you." I assured him. "This time I'll be by your side."

"Good." Caspian replied as he extended his hand out for me to take. "We will be going now, my queen."

I wore a grin as I took his hand in mine. "Lead the way, my king!"

With that we walked out of the room with our hands interlaced just like when the Susan, Peter, Lucy, and Edmund left.