Lucy Pevensie sat in the library of Cair Paravel deep inside the world of a novel. The library was one of her favorite places in the entire palace. It supplied her with hours of entertainment, travels to other worlds, and a lovely view of the Eastern Sea through a window bigger than her. Due to the size of the library, Lucy had happily (and more than once) lost her way through the weaving maze of bookshelves stuffed with romance and adventure. The libraries in Finchley hardly compared in size and magnificence, although Lucy did not remember them much. She had lived in Narnia with her brothers and sister for years. It was the seventh year in the reign of the four Pevensie children. That particular day was the afternoon before Lucy's 15th birthday, and she had escaped from the planning of the ball to be held that night in her honor.
"Lucy!"
Lucy's head jerked up. She sighed as she reluctantly began to close her book. Suddenly, and idea popped into her head. Her novel, which was dog eared and worn from her reading it numerous times, was about an assassin sent to kill the king of her country. She meets a boy, who happens to be revealed as the prince, they fall in love and the king is saved. Lucy jumped out of her chair and ran behind a shelf of cookbooks. She peeked out over and saw Susan.
"Lucy, where are you?"
Lucy edged around the shelf until she was behind Susan and facing Susan's back.
"I know you're in here," Susan said. "Cecily has been at the door all day." Susan began speaking to herself. "She said Lucy hasn't come out yet."
Lucy suppressed a giggle as she slowly backed toward the door. When she had reached it, she nodded to Cecily and ran as fast as she could to the throne room. She entered and darted to her throne. She plopped into the velvet cushion and sent a smile in her brothers' direction. Lucy smoothed the skirt of her yellow dress and combed her fingers through her hair before fixing the crown of shell and pearl laurels encircling her head.
"Susan's looking for you," Peter told her, the look of curiosity shining in his blue eyes. He rested his elbow on the arm of the chair, causing the maroon fabric of his tunic to fold over itself.
"Is she?" Lucy replied breathlessly.
At that moment, Susan entered the throne room, forest green dress swishing around her legs at every step she took.
"Lucy, there you are. I've been looking all over for you," Susan reprimanded.
"Have you?" Lucy responded.
"Yes. And I decided to check here after you ran out behind me."
Susan laughed when she took notice of the surprised look on her sister's face.
"Cecily is a very trustful badger," she stated.
Lucy laughed. "Apparently," she replied.
Susan took her seat in between Lucy and Edmund, also taking the time to adjust her crown and relay the top layer of fabric of her her dress over the bottom layer.
"What are we waiting for exactly?" Edmund asked, fingering the golden chord connected to his sapphire tunic.
"Oreius informed me there was an important visitor," Peter answered.
Suddenly, Oreius entered the room followed by a servant in a farmer's tan jacket and brown trousers.
"Mayfe, from the house of Tith," Oreius announced.
At the mention of the latter, Peter jumped from his throne. Noticing his siblings' confused looks, Peter told them, "There is no need for you to be present. You may leave."
Lucy scooted forward in her throne. "But Peter-"
"Please."
Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, sensing their brother's urgency, exited the throne room. Susan and Lucy headed off to the kitchen to finish preparing the menu for Lucy's ball. But Edmund, after his sisters were out of sight, turned back and returned to the door of the throne room. Peter was alone, reading a letter he held clamped between his white fingers as he paced the floor. When he finished reading, Peter sat in his throne, deep in thought.
"What was that about?" Peter heard a voice say.
Peter jumped. "Ed! You didn't hear anything did you?"
Edmund looked at him suspiciously. "Was I not supposed to?"
Peter stood. "Never mind. It's nothing. Let's go help your sisters with Lucy's ball."
