The Queen of Narnia

Chapter Seven

~ Lucy ~

  "Edmund," I said, getting my brother's attention as we leaned against the railing of the Dawn Treader. Sailors milled around, not paying us any attention as they went about fulfilling their roles. "Do you think if we keep sailing to the end of the world, we'll just... tip off the edge?"

  He shook his head. "Don't worry, Lu. We're a long way from there."

  "I see you're still talking nonsense, the two of you," A familiar voice made us both look up to see Eustace emerging from below deck, stomping over to stand next to Edmund with a scowl sketched on his face.

  Still, I tried to be polite. "Are you feeling better, Eustace?"

  "Yes, no thanks to you," He grumbled. "It's lucky I have an iron constitution."

  "As effervescent as ever, I see," The three of us glanced up to see Reepicheep hanging onto some ropes overhead. "Find your sea legs?"

  My cousin scoffed. "Never lost them. Simply dealing with the shock of things. Mother says I have an acute disposition due to my intelligence."

  Edmund almost choked on his drink of water, and Reep said simply, "I don't think he has a cute anything."

  "I'll have you all know!" Eustace exclaimed. "As soon as we find civilization, I'm contacting the British Consul! Have you all arrested for kidnapping!"

  He began to storm off, but since he wasn't looking where we was going, he slammed right into Caspian, who made his way over to the commotion with Susan on his arm.

  "Kidnapping, is it?" Caspian asked, amused. "That's funny. I thought we saved your life."

  "What he means to say," Susan corrected, giving her husband a pointed look before turning a gentle tone on Eustace. "Is no one took you away on purpose, Eustace. We simply pulled you out of the sea so you would not drown, and allowed you to take refuge on our ship."

  "You held me against my will!" Eustace continued with the same outraged tone. "In, what I must say, are the most unhygienic quarters. It's like a zoo down there!"

  Caspian and Susan only held back their own laughter at his tantrum, while Reep looked up at me.

  "He's quite the complainer, isn't he?"

  Edmund snorted humorlessly. "He's just warming up."

  "Come now, Eustace," Susan miraculously kept her tone even and reassuring. "You've been through quite an ordeal, nearly drowning and then there's the shock of arriving in this new world-"

  "Speaking of which!" My cousin cut her off. It must have been unheard of to interrupt the queen, as a couple sailors glanced over with wide eyes. Even Caspian's amused smirk became a small frown. "This is where you've been for the past year? When Mother and Father said you'd gone to America and never spoke with the family again, they thought you'd eloped! Everyone did! It was only logical, either that or you were killed. Either way, you brought folly on your own name."

  That made Susan pale, and in a snap, Caspian's patience had run out. Slight fury crossed his face, and even Edmund stood straight at our cousin's remarks, ready to chew him out for it. Neither of them got the chance though, as a sharp cry overhead sliced through the tension.

  "Land ho!"

~ Susan ~

The ship approached land as the sun reached the horizon, painting the sky in golden light and shadows. I peered at the island ahead through a scope, a slight frown forming on my face as I handed the scope to Caspian, who did the same.

  "The Lone Islands," Lord Drinian reported from his own scope. "The port of Narrowhaven."

  "Strange," Edmund commented. "Not a Narnian flag in sight. But the Lone Islands have always been Narnia's."

  We all stood at the front end of the ship, trying to get the closest look possible at the island before making the decision to stop there or not. The lack of Narnian flags was off putting, but the determined look on Caspian's face told me that we were going to land anyways.

  "It is suspicious," I agreed with my brother.

  "I say we prepare a landing party. Drinian?" Edmund announced, his tone taking charge. Caspian, Drinian and I all exchanged a look, and I bit my lip slightly as the captain spoke.

  "Forgive me, your majesty," I silently thanked Drinian for taking on such a respectful tone. "But the chain of command starts with King Caspian and Queen Susan on this ship."

  Edmund's face fell and a hard expression crossed it before he nodded. "Right."

  Caspian was quick to concur with my brother's idea though. "We'll use the longboats." He announced. "Drinian, pick some men and come ashore."

  The captain nodded. "Aye."

  I turned to face the Minotaur behind us. "Tavros, issue the orders."

  "Man the longboats," Tavros commanded as Caspian took my hand and led me back to the study. "Furl the sail, and prepare to drop anchor!"

  We weaved through the sailors who rushed to fulfill Tavros' orders, which was easy given that they parted anyways at the sight of us. Once we made it, I quickly slipped on a leather vest that would protect my chest better than my tunic, and slung my quiver over my shoulder, taking my bow in hand. Caspian grabbed a crossbow from the weapon chest, along with his sword sheath.

  "What do you think will be easier for Lucy?" I asked, frowning slightly. "She can't just go in with her dagger. Perhaps a crossbow?"

  He nodded, pulling out a smaller crossbow that would suit my sister fine. As he handed it to me, a small frown formed on his face, and he said, "Do you think Edmund is unhappy over his lack of command?"

  I took a long breath before replying. "I think he's excited to be back. Yes, his command was technically invalid, but there is a certain rush that comes with returning to Narnia. Especially being a high king or queen."

  "I hope it didn't offend him," He continued frowning and faced the weapons chest once more. I moved over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my cheek into his back.

  "Do not stress over my brother," I reassured him. "If it makes you feel better, I'll speak with him once we return."

  Caspian carefully turned, still enclosed in my arms, and pressed his lips gently to my forehead. "Thank you, Susan."

  "Of course," I smiled up at him. "Now, let's see what is happening on the Lone Islands, shall we?"