The Queen of Narnia

Before

  By the time I reached the port across the canal, doubt was finally starting to set in. A pair of giants in armor stood at the port, ready to collect me just as the letter said they would be. I turned to my crew, my single trunk in hand.

  "Thank you all for your service," I said, as I was truly grateful. They'd all volunteered to escort me, though it meant going completely unarmed into the reach of a potential enemy. "You may continue your journey to the mainland. I will send word to the king once I require a ride back."

  "With all due respect, my lady," Captain Drinian, the only captain to agree to come along on this crazy mission. "We have orders from the king to remain at port until you return."

  I nodded. "I know, captain. But I don't want to force you all to sit here for who knows how long."

  "My lady," he shook his head. "We would be honored to remain at your service."

  A quick glance at the crew, all of whom nodded as well, confirmed the captain's words. A smile tugged on my lips, but I fought it back. "Very well. Remain here, and do not cause any trouble for our hosts."

  With that, I turned to the giants. Truthfully, they weren't all that tall, only looming a couple feet over me. I did have to look up at them, but not far enough that it would break my neck. Still, I might get a neck cramp if I was looking at them for too long.

  Courage, Susan. You're here for Caspian and Narnia. Be courageous.

  So I smoothed my purple dress, the royal color of Narnia, and adjusted my golden lion brooch before smiling at the pair of giants. "Good afternoon."

  They nodded, and one held out a hand to help me off the ship, despite the sailor from my crew doing the same. With a quick smile at the sailor, I took the giant's hand instead, carefully stepping onto the port without getting caught in my skirts. The other giant took my trunk, which I was grateful for since it was mostly weighed down by the weapons Caspian had hidden between my dresses.

  "Lady Susan," The giant who had helped me bowed his head slightly. "On behalf of the Northern Court, we welcome you to our land."

  I smiled warmly. "Thank you. What are your names?"

  The pair looked surprised, exchanging their startled expressions, before the first one spoke again. "Our names?"

  "Yes. If I am to be traveling with you, I'd like to know a bit about you, if you don't mind."

  "Do not at all," He said quickly. "It is just that you're a lady of the court and- we're just guards."

  "It matters not what your position is. You're still a Narnian, just as I am."

  They still looked stunned, this time the second one speaking. "My name is Whistleshock, my lady. This is Grandridge."

  "Well then, Whistleshock, Grandridge," I inclined towards the mainland. "Shall we?"