Disclaimer: Contrary to my wish, I am not CS Lewis

A/N: Well, this story is going to be tougher than OAQ, because it demands action, so it's going to be slower to update. Let me know if you like it, please.


Susan and Edmund where in Lucy's rooms when Lucy entered her dressing room, Susan was talking rather loudly, "I wish I knew what was going on."

Lucy shucked her tunic and pulled on a lose dress and walked out of her dressing room tying a sash around her waist. "Peter," she said calmly, as her siblings turned to look at her, "is taking issue with my learning self defense because we're adding weapons." She strode across the room, "Completely ignoring the fact that I was given a dagger by Father Christmas that first year. He wouldn't have given it to me if I wasn't supposed to use it, Susan."

"I thought we agreed to let Peter handle the fighting," Susan replied.

Lucy took a moment to glare at her perfect elder sister. At eighteen, there was no doubt that Susan was a woman, elegant and beautiful. Lucy, on the other hand, despaired of her brown hair ever being anything other than a mess, and was all knees and elbows. "I don't want to go to war, Susan," Lucy replied. "I just want to be able to look after myself if I'm ever ambushed and my whole damn escort gets killed."

"Lucy!" Edmund yelped.

"Oh shut it Ed," Lucy said, "it's not like you haven't said worse; you either Susan. I'm fourteen, I'm older than Edmund was when we got here and he fought in the war!"

"Those were exceptional times," Peter said as he walked out of her dressing room, followed by one of his griffin guards. "Swiftwing, wait for me in the hallway." The griffin inclined his head and passed through the room with great dignity. As the door swung shut, he raised an eyebrow at Lucy, "Secret passages, Lu?"

"I didn't put them there," Lucy replied, "I just found the door." She tossed her head and glared at him, "I'm mad at you, by the way."

"Lucy, I told you," Peter replied, "I don't like you learning the sword."

"Why?" Lucy replied, "Why can't I?"

"Because I don't want you to get hurt," Peter said.

Lucy opened her mouth to tell Peter what she thought of that sentiment when something slammed into Peter. Susan screamed, Edmund yelled, and Lucy leaped forward to grab the bird, a Hawk. "Junea!" Lucy called, as she threw herself carefully backwards.

"High King," the Falcon cried.

"Easy," Junea said as she appeared at Lucy's side. "You've made it to Cair Paravel." As the Hawk stopped struggling, Junea turned golden eyes on Lucy, "This is not one of ours."

"No," the Hawk panted, folding her wings. "I am a mountain Narnian."

Peter reached down, "I am High King Peter, Lady Hawk." He gently picked her up and placed her on the perch Lucy kept for the Bloody Fang's flying members. "What is your message?"

"It's the Giants, majesty," the Hawk said, "they are attacking again."

Lucy stood up as Peter nodded, Junea pressing close to her side. "How far had they come and how long have you been traveling?"

"Three days, majesty. I was scouting for the garrison when word came of their approach, as the fastest flyer, I was sent here." The Hawk replied.

"Right," Peter said. He turned, and smiled to find Swiftwing and his partner Windswift looking in the door. "Windswift, send someone to Oreius, Uriel and Witherwing; have them meet me and Edmund in the war room."

"Yes, High King," Windswift said and withdrew.

"Lucy, will you take care of our friend here? We will want to meet with her in two hours in the war room." Peter asked, turning to his younger sister. He paused, "We will finish discussing your weapons training later, Lucy. For my sake, don't let it get around that you train in Ed's cast offs. If we don't have this discussion before I leave, I ask that you not advance your bladed studies. Captain Joren is an amazing strategist, perhaps he could be persuaded to give you instruction in tactics and strategy, that your education be well rounded."

Lucy grinned, "Of course, Peter."

Peter turned, "Susan, you'll have to head off the Calormen ambassador. He won't be happy, but he'll have to live. Either he can deal with you, or he can wait."

"Yes Peter," Susan said.

"Ed, go ahead with your planned trip to Archenland," Peter said, "King Lune can be trouble enough without an insult like that. Make sure you take some war guards with you, there was an issue with bandits over the border in the last report. For now, join me in the war room."

"Yes, High King," Edmund said, in that mix of serious and teasing that he tended to use when Peter was at his most officious. Peter cuffed him lightly as the pair headed out of the room. Susan started to follow, then turned back to Lucy.

"Go," Lucy said, "I need to dress properly for the war room. We can talk later, Su."

As she watched her sister leave, Lucy was suddenly overcome with the sense that she would never see her sister again. The feeling was so strong that she very nearly cried out against it, only biting her tongue kept the cry internalized. As soon as her sister was gone, Lucy turned, "Friend Hawk," she said, "I'm Lucy."

"I am Red Strike," the Hawk replied, "It is an honor to meet the great Kings and Queens of Narnia."

Lucy smiled, "The honor is mine." She turned to smile at Tirana, "Send to the kitchen, have fresh meat and water brought for Lady Red Strike. Then help me select the proper dress for the War Room. I'm thinking…innocent little girl."

"Of course, Majesty," Tirana replied.

Lucy walked into her wardrobe as Tirana made the request to the kitchens and began to look at the different outfits. Not that she had many, Narnia's coffers had been drained by the White Witch, and it was a slow thing to rebuild a kingdom. Clothes were last on the list.

With Red Strike fed and Lucy properly dressed, they journeyed to the War Room, taking advantage of the open galleries and exterior stairs for Red to fly on her own. Lucy had opted for a simple dress which was not unlike those worn by the few human women who lived in Narnia. She did, of course, wear her crown. Everyone remembered the 'scullery' incident from last year.

As the main building, Lucy walked quickly, inkling her head when people acknowledged her, but intent on her path. She reached the war room and hauled it open to let Red in and then followed. "Peter," she said, giving her brother an impish grin, "here's Red Strike, as you asked. Did you need anything else?"

"Not right now," Peter replied, giving her a Look. This one was the I don't know what game you're playing, but you need to stop Look.

Lucy curtsied neatly, "Of course, Peter. Red, if you want to come find me later, I'd love to finish hearing your stories." She pushed the door open and let herself back out, her laughter held in by the skin of her teeth. She loved being young enough to play innocent little girl sometimes. Glancing around, Lucy headed back for her chambers, she had a long talk with the Captain coming up.