Note: Here's Lu's one-shot! I felt like this one had a few plot holes in it, but as I was unsure as to how to fill them, feel free to interpret them in whatever way you will. I hope this one interests you. Enjoy and feel free to give me some feedback!

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Mr. C.S. Lewis, although I'm sure he's rolling around in his grave because of how his fans have manipulated his characters.

The Benefits of Knowing Your Siblings Well

Lucy: 23, 22, 20, 18 she's possessed by an evil dryad spirit and made to almost kill Aslan with her dagger, Peter catches her and restrains her, He quickly embraces and comforts her for almost killing Aslan.

Year: 1010

Ten years into the reign of the Pevensie children, Lucy was possessed by a malignant dryad spirit. Although the possession did not last very long, she was gravely affected and was not quite the same for a long time. Being possessed took its toll on her of course, but her actions while possessed were what drove her to be so deeply affected.

Lucy, a kind, loving, brave soul, loved to adventure in the woods around Cair Paravel. She never ventured far from her guards, but one afternoon she disappeared from their sight for some time. Just as the guards began to call out for her to return to them and their protection, the youngest Pevensie reappeared, smiling, and holding several wildflowers. This was not very unusual at all, for the Valiant queen often collected flowers for herself and Queen Susan. The guards thought nothing of it, and soon the group returned to Cair Paravel safely.

The young queen thanked her guards and went on inside the castle through the stable's entrance, greeting her many subjects along the way. Once inside the castle, she hurried to her chambers, appearing eager to change her dress and dine with her older siblings.

She reached her room, and after making sure no ladies-in-waiting were inside, she relinquished her hold on the wildflowers. They went tumbling down to the floor, most already wilted and dead. Lucy gave a sigh and went to change into suitable dining clothes, and after brushing her hair for a moment, headed back out of her room. She walked toward the royal dining area, and eventually encountered her older sister.

They hugged each other and exchanged a few words of greeting, all the while Susan looked a bit confused and put-off. Some of Lucy's guards had been talking about her collected wildflowers and how the queens must love them, for they were so very beautiful. Susan was confused because her little sister regularly gave her beautiful flowers, but always immediately after her time in the woods. This time she hadn't. But, although Susan was confused by this, ever a gentle soul, she led her sister to the dining hall where their brother kings awaited them.

They entered the hall and Lucy immediately raced to her seat, just barely reaching her spot without lifting her skirts. The other three Pevensies laughed and Peter joked that Susan might not let Lucy receive her food first, as was customary, if she continued to insist on running to her seat. Susan playfully glared at the high king, before taking her own seat quietly, while Lucy pouted just a bit. Although the younger queen was eighteen, she was still a child at heart, and therefore used her sweet puppy-dog eyes to her advantage as often as possible. She turned her "weapons" on the high king, who could never resist them and a few moments later he relented, smiling widely at his youngest sister.

Edmund saw the exchange and teased both his siblings, calling his high king a pushover before Peter elbowed him playfully. Soon, the siblings quieted down, having had their fun, and awaited their delicious meal. Peter began discussing renewing their treaty with some neighboring country, as it had grown old and outdated after a decade of their rule. Susan and Edmund chimed in, saying they wanted to help with the diplomacy and the forming of the treaty, as the country was a friendly one, and each sibling loved their ally. But Lucy remained silent throughout the conversation, which no Pevensie was ever accustomed to. Usually she was begging Peter to let her visit the neighboring country with Edmund, just to see it again, or telling Susan about a past trip there that ended in much dancing and joy.

But, their younger sister was silent. Each noticed rather quickly, feeling the lull in the conversation that Lucy usually filled with her bright happiness for all things Narnia. Susan reacted first and cautiously took her sister's hand in her own from across the table. Lucy started, as if realizing where she was for the first time. Her older siblings exchanged worried glances and Edmund asked what was wrong. Lucy did not answer, saying that she must simply be tired and that she was eager to dine, for all she wanted was to sleep.

None of the siblings had a chance to say much more because their meal was brought out just then. As was their custom, Susan and Peter took their turn in helping serve their younger siblings by carrying out the heaviest platters and pitchers. While the older king and queen helped serve them, Edmund and Lucy regarded each other.

Edmund's face was open, guileless, and concerned; Lucy's was guarded, stoic, and unmoving. Edmund asked again what was the matter, but Lucy only shook her head and took the large plate of apples that Peter handed to her gently.

Edmund couldn't imagine what was going on with his sister, he hadn't even seen her smile since Peter had joked about Susan preventing her from eating! She also wasn't trying to sneak any chocolate-covered strawberries from the piled tray in front of her, something she'd done every meal, without fail, for years! What had happened to his beloved sister?

Soon enough, their older siblings retook their seats and they bowed their heads to send a silent message of thanks to Aslan. However, when Peter glanced up he realized that Lucy had been the first to stop praying, which was highly unusual for the royal family. Lucy had always been the last to stop praying to Aslan, and the first to begin; this time it looked as though she hadn't prayed at all. Peter began to question his youngest queen's behavior even more thoughtfully as Susan and Edmund stopped their prayers as well. The siblings exchanged glances, waiting for Lucy's words to begin the meal, it always involved Aslan and a spark of child-like joy. But she refrained.

Now, the older Pevensies were extremely worried. Being tired and hungry they could understand, especially the kings, as they always were after a hard battle or spar, this simply wasn't Lucy's personality! Lucy seemed to finally realize that her siblings were staring at her and quickly said a hasty, "Praise Aslan!" before diving for the vegetables. At that, Peter's eyes widened even further, his little sister was willingly eating her greens! It was simply unheard of! Susan and Edmund exchanged worried glances, but also began eating, but Peter remained statue-like for another moment.

All three siblings knew there was something badly wrong with Lucy, but it was an unspoken rule in the household of Cair Paravel to not bring any negative energy into their dining hall while they were eating. It was their unofficial safe room, all of them used it to their advantage one time or another, but all were also mature enough to work out their problems wisely. Lucy didn't appear concerned about her actions one bit, rather she seemed more concerned about her rolls of bread.

It may have been against the Pevensies' unspoken rule to worry, theoretically, but that didn't stop any of them from breaking the rule. Peter was gazing at his sister with a watchfulness not unlike that of a predator stalking its prey, though with much more love and concern than violence and hunger. Susan and Edmund had the poise to be subtler in their worry, but were no less concerned and alert.

The Pevensies eventually finished what would become one of the oddest and most uncomfortable meals of their reign, and after an exchange of hugs and kisses, as well as a clearing of their dishes, went their separate ways. Susan returned to her room to look at the letters her latest suitor had sent. Edmund hurried to his office to review his notes about a criminal whose trial was the next day. Lucy walked off towards her room like her sister, while Peter followed. This had always been the Pevensies' way of life, before and after the wardrobe. The distraught sibling would run off, Peter would quickly follow, leaving the two remaining siblings to go about business as usual. On the rare occasions when Peter was the distraught sibling, his younger siblings would wordlessly elect one of them to go after him. It varied depending on his needs. If he needed logic and steadfast support, Susan would be sent. If he needed courage and loyalty, Edmund would be seen chasing after his brother. If a little spark of faith and love was what he needed, Lucy would always hurry after her eldest brother.

This time however, Lucy wasn't chasing Peter. And Lucy, of course, wasn't aware that the High King was following her and did not take care in moving slowly. She raced towards her chambers, reached the door and in a move, that shocked the entire floor of the castle, opened and slammed the door with an almighty crash. Peter, following her as quickly as possible without arousing suspicion from their subjects, was now extremely worried for his sister and sprinted toward her rooms without delay.

What he found was extremely worrisome. Lucy's door was locked tightly and it didn't seem as though it would be opening any time soon. Peter quickly ordered a nearby serving badger to find Susan and Edmund and escort them to Lucy's chambers with haste. While the badger raced off to do just that, Peter gestured to a waiting centaur to control the crowd of Narnians who had gathered around Lucy's rooms after the crash. After the crowd dispersed to go about their business, Peter turned back to his youngest sister's door. Just as he was about to knock lightly, it burst open with an equally loud crash as the first time.

Lucy barely acknowledged her brother and elected to go racing pell-mell down the corridor, straight toward the approaching Edmund, Susan, and the serving badger. Peter saw Edmund catching at his younger sister's sleeve as she ran by, but she quickly tore out of his grip and raced in the direction of the stables. Edmund and Susan gaped alongside their brother, who had given chase after Lucy. None of the Pevensies knew what was going on, they just knew they wanted their sweet baby sister back. Preferably the one who didn't crack her heavy oak doors or almost bowl over Edmund.

The poor serving badger was even more confused, and tried to slip away while his kings and queen were distracted. Susan asked him to come back and give them his name, Maizebundler, and he did so, even more confused than before. But his Queen Susan only wanted his name to address him as such. And so, she did, asking him to round up a group of centaur guards to try and catch Lucy before she exited the stables. Maizebundler raced off to do just that, while the sovereigns hurried to the stables as much as a royal can without causing a panic.

Each mounted their given horse bareback, Susan quickly changing into her spare riding clothes while the kings bridled her horse. Susan observed that Lucy's spare outfit was already gone as well and the sovereigns wasted no time in racing out after Lucy. Only Edmund had the foresight to send a messenger to Oreius and Mr. Tumnus, leaving Tumnus in charge of Cair Paravel and asking Oreius to join the centaur guards that Maizebundler had clearly gathered, and follow his kings and queens. None of the royals reined in their horses until they were out of sight of Cair Paravel's courtyard, breaking every rule for royalty that had been set before their time. The first being to never panic subjects unless every single one is in danger. The second to never seem desperately worried, even in the face of a possible family death or kidnapping. The second one was obviously routinely broken by the Pevensies when one of their family was all but lost to them.

The three siblings slowed their horses (or Horse in Phillips's case) once out of sight, to allow Edmund to track Lucy's ride's hoof-prints. He quickly caught sight of the tracks, and then they were off again. They went slower this time, but with no less urgency, for they loved their loyal little queen with every fiber of their souls. Soon, Peter gave a shout, having caught sight of his lost queen's blonde hair deep among the rocks of the steep cliff side. The siblings gave chase, galloping now, even when they heard the bone-chilling sound of an enchantment being spoken. They turned the corner where Peter had seen Lucy and found nothing, not even tracks. Each royal spun this way and that, searching for their sister's light, sun-kissed hair among the grey of the cliff's rocks.

Finally, they saw Lucy approach her glistening Eastern Sea, as Aslan called it. All three Pevensies realized that she had been the one speaking the enchantment earlier, and exchanged glances; this was obviously not their sister. But still, they cautiously walked forward, abandoning their rides after tying them to the roots among the cliff side. Phillip followed his boy faithfully, and they were all close to Lucy, Peter in the lead when Aslan seemed to appear out of nowhere. Each Pevensie gave a little gasp, even Lucy, for she had a small reprieve from her chanting. The youngest queen had her back to the rest of the group, but her gasp could've carried for miles to her siblings, especially Peter, who would know it anywhere.

Aslan approached His most loyal subject, the Valiant queen, and appeared to be speaking softly to her. In a move that shocked and devastated all the good Narnians within in sight, Lucy pulled her dagger and attempted to stab the Lion. Aslan stepped aside quickly, giving Peter time to recover his senses and race towards Lucy. Aslan didn't retaliate, simply allowed Peter to approach his youngest queen with trepidation. Aslan, of course, would never strike at one of His most loyal subjects. But His most loyal subject seemed happy to strike against Narnia. Lucy lashed out again, this time at the High King, but he simply sidestepped and disarmed her in a move Aslan clearly could've made but hadn't. Because He knew that Peter was who Lucy needed right now, not He. At least not for a few more moments.

Releasing the dagger seemed to have a momentous effect on the Valiant queen, for she collapsed in on herself and began weeping in her brother's arms. Peter simply held her, glad that he'd known exactly what she needed, a release from her dagger's enchantment and possession. Aslan approached once again, the sight of Him causing renewed tears in the youngest queen's eyes, but He simply breathed on the dagger. A deep green smoke emerged from the tip and the High King wrapped his arms even tighter around his youngest. Aslan told all four of the royals, Susan and Edmund had now approached, that Narnia was safe from an evil once again. Then, He told Lucy that she had done nothing wrong, causing her to lift her blue eyes, bright with tears, to His gentle ones. They gazed at each other for a moment, some understanding passed between them, and then Aslan began walking away from the party.

Lucy watched His entire retreat, then allowed Susan and Edmund to collapse beside her and embrace her like Peter was. She sighed, feeling herself for the first time in many hours, and leaned back into her oldest brother's arms. Peter was more than happy to hug her tighter, just as Susan and Edmund were. Lucy felt entirely content now that she was wrapped completely within her oldest sibling's embrace, with her other siblings near and as safe as a royal could be. The Pevensies did not return to Cair Paravel for several hours, long after they sent Phillip, the later arrived centaur warriors, and the horses back.

Note: Wow! Almost four whole pages on Word for this one. Hope you enjoyed! Next up is, of course, our High King and his equally protective siblings. Looking forward to it!