A/N: Just a short little scene with Lucy and Edmund, because I had a Narnia bug skittering around my brain. That sounds kind of gross. Anyway, enjoy!


A young woman, grown into her gracefulness, surveyed the courtyard from her stone bench. It was fall in Narnia, and the trees had lost most of their leaves in brilliant color. The fountain in the center was dry, closed down for the winter. The courtyard was encircled by open corridors, and from time to time a courtier would rush by, their footsteps echoing off the stone.

She pulled her cloak tighter around her to ward off the cold. It was a bit stupid of her to be out here in this weather, but she needed to think.

Heavy wool settled on her shoulders. With a start, she twisted around to find her brother, who smiled sheepishly.

"You couldn't pick a warmer spot?" Edmund asked.

She grinned and scooted over to make room for him. "The cold air sharpens the thoughts," she told him mysteriously.

"Had enough in there?"

"Did you?"

He laughed. "I'm all right when it's trade routes or ambassadors, but when we get to fishing rights…" He shook his head in mock defeat.

"I couldn't stand those southerners fawning over me," she said with a shudder not entirely due to the cold. "It's like they think if they're nice to me, I'll marry them on the spot."

Edmund sensed they were nearing the real reason she was hiding in the courtyard. "They're not all bad," he protested. "What's the name of that big blonde one, the one in bright purple?"

"Nysath?!" she cried, snickering despite herself. "The Baron of Nysath?"

"I thought he was nice," he said with a sly smile. "Very…attentive…"

"More attentive to himself than to me," she objected. "I think he carries around a mirror just so he can stare at himself all day."

"No, the mirror's definitely for looking at you from around corners or when you're surrounded by all your other suitors."

"Perfect stalking device," she agreed with a laugh. Then she stopped, and pulled the cloak tighter, looking out across the courtyard.

He followed her gaze. Mr. Tumnus was walking through one of the corridors. He saw them, and waved; they waved back.

When the faun was out of earshot, Edmund glanced at his sister. She was staring down one of the cobblestones and twisting her fingers in her dress.

"You want to talk about it?" he asked quietly.

She shook her head.

"You want to go back to the treaty negotiations?"

Lucy managed a shaky smile. "They can't talk fishing rights without us, can they?"

"No," Edmund said, helping her to her feet. "No, they can't."