"Your majesties, I apologize for interrupting, but this message just came," the young faun said as she bowed and handed the letter to Peter.
"Thank-you Fiona, you may go," Peter said absently as he broke the seal.
"What does it say Peter?" Lucy exclaimed as Peter read the letter silently to himself. Obliging his little sister he read aloud,
"'Dear Kings and Queens of Cair Paravel,
His Majesty has instructed me to tell you he expects to arrive at Cair Paravel within an hour after you receive this letter.
Long Live the True King!
Abihu'"
"Abihu, wasn't he Aslan's aide, you know the leopard?" Edmund queried.
"So that means Aslan is coming," Lucy squealed as she grabbed the letter out of Peter's hand, clutching it to her chest.
"Well if Aslan's coming we have much to do to prepare. Fiona!" Susan called. The faun ran into the room and dropped a curtsey.
"Yes my lady?"
"Tell Cook to prepare a banquet, Aslan is coming and I want everything perfect. Make sure the dining room is clean. Oh and tell all the staff that Aslan is coming. I will be down shortly to help with the meal," Susan ordered, her breath trying to catch up to her words.
"Susan, the servant's skills are certainly more than adequate enough to prepare a feast for Aslan, and I'm not sure it's really necessary that you help prepare the meal. I mean don't you want to just be with him?" Edmund asked, "We haven't seen him for 2 years, don't you just want to be in his presence?"
"I will still have time for talking to Aslan. Oh and Lucy I would like your help."
"Of course, I don't think it's so bad to make him feel welcome, I would love to help!" Lucy answered excitement dancing in her brown eyes.
An hour later, the girls were in the kitchen helping the dryads and fauns prepare the feast, when Edmund came running into the kitchen.
"Lucy, Susan Aslan just arrived! Come greet him!" Edmund turned on his heel and was immediately followed by Lucy. Before she had gone a few feet, she realized Susan wasn't following.
"Susan?"
"You go ahead, there is still much to do. But come back, I still need your help," Susan admonished. Lucy nodded and then turned and hastily followed her brother.
A half an hour later, Lucy had still not returned to the kitchen. Laying aside the knife she was using to slice bread, Susan wiped her hands on a tea towel and went to find her absent sister. Susan walked into the dining room, to find Lucy at the feet of Aslan listening to his stories. Any other time Susan would have laughed it off and would've sat beside Peter to listen, But Susan had worked so hard to make this feast perfect that she was upset Lucy wasn't helping her.
"Aslan doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me," Susan said in an impatient tone.
Aslan lifted his golden head and said "My Graceful lily, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Lucy has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."