Lucy Penvisie sighed as she gazed out the train window at the passing landscape. Christmas would be strange this year - just her, and her older brothers, Peter and Edmund. She would not have minded nearly as much if Susan were there, but the house in Finchley was empty. Susan and their parents were in America and would not be returning until late spring, and everyone else was away at school - She at an all girls boarding school(boring), Edmund at an all boys preparatory school and Peter was attending Oxford University. They would be meeting at Kings Cross in London. She sighed again, at least she was not at school with her shallow, materialistic and immature classmates, Peter and Edmund were far better company. She turned to see the compartment door open and one of the younger girls from her school stood there. She gave a genuine smile at the smaller girl's uncertainty.
"You can come in." The girl was dragging a trunk that was obviously too heavy. Lucy stood and lifted it, the girl glanced at her nervously. "Were the other girls picking on you?" the girl nodded and Lucy sighed. The girl's dress was obviously secondhand and her plain brown hair fell about her pale, lightly freckled face. "Hmm, let me guess - they said mean things about your appearance, dress and family status." The girl looked down, shoulders slumped as she nodded. Lucy lifted the girl's chin and met the watering blue-green eyes with her warm brown eyes. "You shouldn't listen to them - children are cruel. I'm Lucy, may I have the honor of making your acquaintance?" The girl blinked.
"Helen." she wiped at her eyes. "But they're right - I'm ugly, poor and -" She began to cry, Lucy hugged her, rocking her and whispering soothing words. Once she calmed down some, the girl turned pink with embarrassment. "Sorry I-"
"Shh" Lucy smiled at the girl. "I know exactly how you feel - I won't tell anyone if you promise not to tell everyone I did the same thing to my sister after first year." Helen blinked.
"But why would anyone pick on you? You're pretty, well dressed -" Lucy shook her head.
"I'm strange, and compared to my sister Susan I'm as plain as a button. But really, its the inside that matters. You strike me as a gentle soul, one who is kind and friendly. And you are not ugly, you are quite pretty in your own right." Helen didn't look convinced. "Come here I'll prove it." Lucy dug in her handbag for a comb and hair ribbons. "Pick your favorites." Half an hour later Lucy pulled out a small looking glass. "See," Helen's jaw dropped. Lucy had plaited her long hair and looped it around back and had left two strands of hair loose to frame her face. "Now smile" Helen did so and leapt at Lucy giving her a big hug.
"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" Lucy chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Can you teach me?!" She nodded and began showing the younger girl the basics of braiding. It wasn't until they arrived in London that she realized Helen had distracted her from her self induced misery. She carried the younger girl's trunk to the station.
"Lu!" She turned to see Edmund motioning for her.
"Come on Helen, Ed will help us find your family." They made there way to the tall dark-haired boy, he looked older than his official 15 years, two more than Lucy. "Ed, this is Helen - we're trying to find her parents. Helen this is my brother, Edmund." He gave a courtly bow and kissed her hand causing her to giggle.
"Helen, such a queenly name for a beautiful young lady, I am honored to make your acquaintance." Still giggling she curtsied in reply, clutching Lucy's hand. "Ladies allow me to handle the luggage." He took Lucy's light bag from Helen and the heavier trunk from Lucy and placed them on the cart with his own bag. "Now my fine Lady, where were you to meet your parents?" Helen was still blushing, and whispered her answer to Lucy.
"They were supposed to come to the platform. Oh, is that them?" Lucy pointed to a short, slender woman in a faded wool dress and coat and a slightly taller man. The woman resembled Helen. She nodded. Edmund approached the couple and led them over to where the two girls sat on the bench. Helen leapt off the bench and hugged her mother.
"Mum, this is Lucy and her brother Edmund. Lucy did my hair!" She turned so that her mother could see it better, "And she's teaching me to braid!" Her mother gave a kind but tired smile.
"That's wonderful dear." She looked up at Lucy, "And thank you for watching her." Lucy smiled.
"It was my pleasure Ma'am, Helen is a sweet girl." Helen was blushing again and leaned against her mother who smiled at the two Penvisies.
"Thank you anyway Miss, and you too lad." They turned and began to walk away,
"Merry Christmas!" Lucy called after them and as they were lost in the crowd she saw Helen turn and wave at them. Lucy's smile faded once Helen was gone. "I want to go home." Her voice was a whisper, but Edmund pulled her into a hug.
"Me too." He whispered in her ear. They waited another half hour before they heard a familiar tune being hummed.
"Peter!" Lucy sprang to her feet and embraced her eldest sibling. Peter was nineteen, tall and handsome with a strong face, blond hair and lively blue eyes.
"Hey there Lu." He gave Edmund a one armed hug because Lucy was clinging to his right arm. "Ed."
"Pete." Was Edmund's soft reply.
"Come on then - I have a marvelous surprise for the two of you. But first - tell me about your semesters." They began walking through King's Cross, and Peter lead the way out of the station.
"Where are we going?" Lucy asked when he hailed a cab. Peter simply grinned.
"If I told you it would spoil the surprise. Cabby, take us to Charring Cross Road please."
"Yes sir." They were off a few moments later
"Pete, I thought we were going to the house in Finchley." He shook his head.
"I thought we'd stay in London for the holidays, seeing as no one's at the house there's no purpose in going there." The younger siblings gaped at their brother.
"Pete, not to be rude, but how are we going to pay for this - a cab is expensive enough, but a hotel?" Edmund's voice was serious and his expression pensive. Peter merely shook is head.
"I made the arrangements last time I was in town, about three weeks ago. It's all set." Lucy rolled her eyes. Peter, once he decided something was 'set' was impossible to move. She and Edmund exchanged a look; they also knew from experience that he would not say anything about their 'surprise' due to that same stubbornness. So instead they pestered Peter about college, which he found dull, and why he was in London in the first place. He had grinned at that and began his story.
"Three weeks into semester, my dorm mates decided to have a night out in London at some club. They badgered me into going with them - after Francis insisted he'd buy me a ticket. I knew they wouldn't quit until I went so agreed. I was handed a round trip ticket set to leave Sunday afternoon - we left on Friday evening. When we got in we went to the club - it was nasty, full of smoke and the music grated on my ears. The next morning I went out on my own as no one else would be coherent until at least noon. I went out for a walk and stumbled upon the place we're headed, a small pub and inn called the Leaky Cauldron. I'm not going to spoil the surprise but I met an old friend and spent the weekend touring. I decided to surprise you and made the arrangements with his assistance. You'll love it." Both Lucy and Edmund wanted more information, but knew they would get it soon enough as the taxi had just stopped at Charring Cross road. Peter paid the cabby as Lucy and Edmund clamored out in to the biting wind.
"There it is!" Lucy pulled Edmund with her towards the warm lantern light of the Leaky Cauldron. Inside they brushed the melting snow from their coats and glanced around the dark interior. The door behind them opened and Peter entered with a gust of wind. A teen in an apron scurried over.
"G'devnen sir. Kin I take yer bags?" Peter shook his head.
"No thank you Tom."
"Aye sir." Peter turned to his siblings with a smile. "Come on you two, lets go get changed out of these wet things." As they walked to the hallway across the dining room Lucy frowned noticing that everyone seemed to be wearing cloaks. She shrugged, cloaks were not that unusual she supposed. Peter unlocked a door which led to a spacious sitting room with a roaring fire and a dinner setting laid out on fine silver. The walnut walls glowed in the flickering light.
"Oh Peter, this is marvelous!" Lucy spun about in the center of the room. He chuckled.
"Lu, this is your room. Ed that one's yours." He indicated the two doorways. "Get changed and we'll have dinner." Lucy entered her room. It too had walnut flooring but the walls were painted a gentle cream a large four poster bed with cream, mint and chocolate linens dominated the room, a cream settee with a large looking glass and a dark walnut wardrobe ran along one wall and a luscious rug filled he space between the bed and the other two items of furniture. Lucy hung her coat on the rack just inside the door and removed her wellies before stepping onto the rug. She crossed to the other door which opened into her own personal bathroom that matched the bedroom. She opened the wardrobe intending to put her clothing from her bag in it and dropped the bag. In the wardrobe, hanging innocently was a gown identical in appearance to one of her favorites from home, it was the color warm earth and had a cream underskirt she removed it and lay it on the bed before examining the rest of the room more thoroughly. She found a nightgown, a robe, soft leather boots, hairclips, a brush and a warm woolen cloak. She washed quickly and dressed before plaiting her hair, fastening it with one of the clips in her room. Looking in the mirror she saw not Lucy Penvisie but Queen Lucy the Valiant of Narnia. Head high she swept from her room intent on enjoying this strange holiday to its fullest. However she halted abruptly as she gazed at the table. Peter rose as she entered and smirked at her startled face.
"Lucy dear, I'm sure you remember our dear friend Gripshok." She swallowed and approached the table, a look of joy growing as she approached the short goblin.
"Of course." She beamed. [How wonderful to see you again!] The coarse syllables of the goblin language flowed from her as she took both his knarled, scaly hands in hers and gave him a kiss to each cheek. [How is your family?] Lucy sat beside the goblin, face glowing with joy. Edmund's door opened and he exited a pensive look on his face before he too halted abruptly.
"I feel like we've gone back in time." Lucy bounded over to him.
"Oh Ed this is wonderful! Someone from Narnia! Here!"
"Actually Lady, I'm not from either Narnia or here." Lucy retuned to her seat with a confused face.
"But -"
"As I explained to your brother." He indicated Peter, "We goblins come from Underground. It, like Narnia, is another dimension or world. We goblins have the ability to create permanent 'doors' between Underground and other dimensions. We goblins bank and trade interdimensionally, after all there are many like yourselves who have found doors between the worlds."
"Bye Jove- that's how you're paying for all this Pete. We can access our Narninian fortunes!" Peter nodded to Edmund with a chuckle.
"Through Gringotts, the Goblin Bank here in London, or any of their other branches." Gripshok nodded.
"I knew you were crossdimensional when I met you so I set up all of the accounts so that you could access them whenever you returned home - of course you had to go to Gringotts before we knew where you were." Lucy's beamed.
"I thought I was dreaming! These really are?" Peter nodded.
"Well not the dress - the others were ones that were in Narnia's general vault, but that I recognized as being yours. I'm planning to take you out tomorrow. Now before we eat I have one more bombshell for you. There is a hidden magical world here - one made up of creature and beings from other worlds, a large number of humans are also part magical. The Leaky Cauldron is the main entry point too the magical world." With that Peter tapped the center of the table. "Dinner." And a scrumcious dinner appeared in the center of the table. Lucy's eyes got wide then she and Edmund grinned at each other.
Gripshok was decidedly uninformed about the magical community on Earth as he ran the banks for Narnia and several other smaller worlds. However they did have a wonderful visit and learned what was happening in Narnia, They were thrilled to hear that Eustace had returned and with him a friend, but saddened by Caspian's death. It was past midnight when they finally retired and Gripshok left, promising to provide a more knowledgeable guide for the morrow.
Tom swept the floor in the main area of the Cauldron puzzling over Lord Peter. The man had been clueless when he stumbled into the Caldron in September, in fact Tom would have been thought he was a muggle, except he could see the Leaky Caldron on his own and knew what pumpkin juice was. He himself had let the man into the Alley, sending him towards Gringotts so that he could get money to pay for the lunch he had just eaten. He had returned with a money pouch - something only exclusive clients of Gringotts received, and dressed in wizarding style clothing, minus the robe. He returned the next day then a few weeks ago he came in and arranged to rent the best suite at the cauldron for three weeks, mid December to just after New years.
Earlier that day he'd shown up to take the rooms, changed and entered the Alley. He returned and spoke to Tom's uncle, Will who owned the Cauldron. Then Will had pulled him aside and told him to keep an eye out for when Lord Peter would return and to let him know so he could send the letter to Gringotts. Tom had been shocked when his uncle told him that Lord Peter would be entertaining a goblin this evening. Sure enough the creature showed up, Tom had escorted him to Lord Peter's suite. Lord Peter had made the strangest sound - which Tom now realized was the goblin Language because the goblin had replied then thanked Tom, as had Lord Peter. And four plates of dinner had been eaten, so they really had entertained the well dressed goblin. Tom looked up when he heard grumbling in the hall and the subjects of his contemplation entered the dimly lit room. Peter nodded to Tom and continued out to the Alley entrance with the goblin. Tom looked away quickly and started sweeping and Peter returned a moment later. He glanced towards the hallway then at Tom.
"It's a bit late to be cleaning." Tom shrugged and the other gave him a measuring glance, Tom felt like the man could see right through him. Him and the spotless room that he had been cleaning for hours. The young Lord sighed, "But I commend you on an excellent job. Goodnight Tom."
"G'night sir." As he watched the man return to his room Tom felt that the man was disappointed - not in him, just in general. Tom shook his head to clear it and put up the broom before heading to bed, he really hadn't thought that the goblin would stay that late.
Lucy sighed contentedly as Peter and Gripshok left and smiled at Edmund.
"Isn't this exciting Ed?" He nodded.
"Aye Lu, it is. I just wonder what type of political and interracial messes we'll be introduced to. Humans can be right idiotic when it comes to those who are different. I suspect these wizards are no different." Lucy shrugged.
"Well then - if they are we'll do everything to make the situation better - right? There's no use worrying about it until we have more information anyway." Edmund shook his head with a grin.
"Always looking at the bright side of things, 'ey Lu. Your right of course. But I'm going to grill our guide tomorrow for information." Lucy shook her head with a rueful grin.
"I'd expect no less of King Edmund the Just. And I'm sure Gripshok will as well. I'm off to bed - I've missed the comforts of a decent canopy bed. I also have to make our shopping list - Susan would have me balancing books on my head for days if I don't get us the right outfits and accessories." Her face became both pensive and hopeful, "You do think that this will bring Su back, right? I mean you always said that she couldn't deal with the loss - I hope this will be enough to soothe the loss - I miss her so much." Edmund met Lucy's pleading eyes and embraced her.
"I hope so. I miss her most when she's here, but she's not our Susan - she's just Susan Penvisie. This - it can't hurt at the very least. I'm not sure if she'll ever be the same, I think she'll carry emotional scars from being forced to leave, but we all have scars." Lucy nodded and squeezed Edmund, leaning her head into his shoulder for a long moment. Then sighed and spoke from that position.
"Do you suppose that it will be dangerous? What little Gripshok told us sounds like everyone is extremely powerful." She glanced up and Edmund tilted his head to the side.
"I suppose, but we may have power as well - at the very least we have the blessing of Aslan." She nodded into his shoulder.
"Your right. I guess I'd better head to bed. Good eve, Royal Brother." She gave him one last embrace then pulled away he gave her a slight smile.
"Good eve, Royal Sister." Lucy had entered her room when the main door opened and Peter entered. Edmund nodded to him then frowned at the pensive look on his brother's face. "What is it Pete?"
"Tom was up when I escorted Gripshok out. He was sweeping, but the entire room was spotless. I think Will insisted that he stay up until Gripshok left. I went back to the main room after opening and closing one of the closet doors in the hall and he was gone." Edmund's frown deepened.
"It is as I feared - These wizards look down on the other races. I cannot say I am surprised, just that I am disappointed in my own race." Peter sighed.
"And not for the first time. Why are humans so stupid?" Edmund shrugged.
"Does it matter? They are and always have been. I was already planning on grilling our guide tomorrow. Good Eve Royal Brother." Edmund gave a miniscule bow to which Peter nodded absently.
"Good Eve, Royal Brother. I will see you in the morn. At least we're not shopping with Su. If I know Luc she will have a detailed list of exactly what we will need, or Susan would want us to have, and will hand it to the seamstress, then will review the selected fabrics and all we will have to do is get measured once." Edmund chuckled.
"True - and if Su was here we would try everything on and she would dither for hours before deciding exactly what was on Lu's list and we would be tired, frustrated and cross." Peter nodded.
"Thank Aslan Lu's shopping. Eve, Ed."
"And Ye too, Pete." They retired to their respective rooms.
Meanwhile Lucy was doing exactly what they had said she would do. Having bathed, plaited her hair and turned down her bed she was seated at the settee with a cup of tea transcribing a list of what would be purchased on the morrow. She hated being fitted and had long since learned exactly what she and her siblings would require. The packet left blank the measurements(except Susan's which Lucy approximated as she was not present) but included colors, fabrics and styles for each gown, undergarments, tunics, shirts, trews, cloaks and robes. She even included sketches for the seamstress. It did not take long for Lucy to readjust to the quill and ink located in the settee and she finished the list in short order. She then created several sketches of modified outfits that she could wear at school that would be both more comfortable and more ascetically pleasing. She had designed tem before, but was a horrible seamstress, despite being an excellent artist. It was half past two when she blew out her candle and drifted to sleep in comfort since the last time she slept in Cair Paravel.