Dear Reviewers,

I know I hardly give anyone a chance to review before I post again, haha, but thanks for your reviews regardless. I can't stop writing, my little fingers just type type type and cannot slow down. Yipes :)

Personal responses to comment and queries are below, thank-you again for all your encouragement. Your excitement for this story is just contagious! It makes me even more and more stoked to write!

Love to all,

Pip

PS: If you haven't checked out my review for Dawn Treader yet, you can see it on my tumblr account, papayapie (dot) tumblr (dot) com

Lovina Holmes: It's good to have you on board again! Look forward to hearing from you more. And no, I don't think Caspian and Pippin are happening… after all, he meets his future Queen near the end of his voyage!

skywalker05: Thank-you for your notes, that was very helpful! I went back and fixed them up, taking out the bit of ferry lights and adding the simile to "fluttering like moths" which I felt worked better with the imagery of a summer evening. Don't feel obligated to be my unofficial beta reader, but feel free to point out anything that bothers you :)

cartoon Moomba: I'd go see the movie with you again and again if I could! And you know, I've a mind to include that black armor bit somewhere in this story, if not in the Dragon's treasure, then somewhere…

VERY IMPORTANT AUTHORS NOTICE… LIFE ALTERING IMPORTANT ;)

PLEASE don't skip over haha.

I am going to change my penname, just what I use for purposes to "PippinStrange" instead of Pippin Baggins. Pippin is a name in use, before and after LOTR, Baggins is most definitely Tolkien, and not belonging to me and me only. I want a little identity of my own :) So I will be changing the penname to PippinStrange.

My profile will remain: http : / www (dot) fanfiction (dot) net / u / 1075411 /

My easy link will probably be: www (dot) fanfiction (dot) net / ~ PippinStrange

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STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN

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Chapter Four,

In Pools and Kitchens

When breakfast was finished, Caspian gave thanks to Aslan for the blessing of a full table—both with food and with very good friends. He then informed us that he was proceeding to the throne room, and the days' tasks shall begin.

I was unsure as to whether I should follow, but he soon motioned with his finger for me to follow him. I trotted on after him, soon followed by a flood of all sorts of people let in through the front of the palace.

"Who are they all?" I asked, hiking up my skirt again. I see some dryads that are barefoot. Hang it all.

"Courtiers, stewards, reporters, heralds from nearby countries, messengers from outposts in the kingdom, workers and builders, and those who simply want to wish us a good journey come tomorrow."

"It's so busy!" I commented. Caspian ascended the stairs and sat on his throne. My little fold-up chair was left there from the night previous, so I followed his example.

For some hour, I simply watched as each party was permitted to enter and speak with the King. The room was very busy with his guards, Trumpkin trotting to and fro (being his chief advisor) and many other creatures that almost seemed to be passing through just because they wanted to see the interior nearly complete.

"Sire," said talking hound dog, panting up to the throne's foot. "I've come to ask—do you want the treasures of the four monarchs to be brought on board?"

"Oh, yes, absolutely," Caspian answered.

"Even the peculiar torch?"

"Yes, yes, the torch."

"The torch," I interjected. "Edmund's electric torch?"

"It seemed to be the only treasure he left behind," Caspian said seriously. "It may come in handy yet."

"Very wise," I said, becoming bored. I began to tap my feet lightly on the marble, to the tune of "Super-cali-fragilistic-expiali-docious".

Kep showed up, toiling with difficulty from a medium sized trunk he held in his hands. He brought it to my feet, instead of Caspian's, and opened it wide. "Thought you may have a look at this, before we take it on board," said he, dancing from side to side with hurry.

"What a fine idea," I said, kneeling at the trunk. Inside was a tiny basin, pitcher, many rags, soap, a tiny tin of lip balm, five rolled up pairs of trousers, wide belts, five plain white shirts, and…

"Is that a corset?" I gasped.

Kep waved his hands wildly. "No need to ask me! One of the maids saw to it that all a lady would need at sea would be inside!"

Looking around to make sure no one was watching, I unfolded two plain bodices for beneath the white shirts. They were like corsets, meant to be laced up for—support I guess—but not to give me a waist skinnier than Barbie. And for that, I was quite grateful.

"Well these won't kill me," I laughed. "But why is the trunk so heavy?"

"The maid said a young lady would be bored to death," Kep shuffled still. "She packed four or five books."

I let out a squeal and dived in, pulling the heavily-bound books from beneath the rolled trousers. "Oh I see!" I squeaked. "What a marvelous, kind, lovely maid she must be. I love books sooo much. I love books more than anything. I'd eat them if they'd keep me alive like food. Oh boy oh boy oh BOY!"

Suddenly, most of the hall burst into laughter.

"I like to read!" I said in my defense, and all the laughter died down as various creatures tried to hide the fact that they were guffawing.

"And what did she pack you?" Caspian said with interest. "You know I am very fond of reading too."

"Oh yes, didn't your nurse always read tales to you?"

"Tales of ancient Narnia," said Caspian, reminiscing.

"Why, that's the very granny who helped with your trunk," Kep explained. "She has stayed on, and works in the kitchen. She is a very good cook. See, she thought that since she almost rightly raised his Majesty, that she best stick around so that she can oversee his health, she does care for him so." He stopped, as if he was talking too much, and bit his lip.

"Such a wonderful woman," Caspian said respectfully. "She involves herself in the most helpful ways. I'll have to go see her before we leave."

"I love her," I gushed. "And I love that she has packed me books. What a smart person. I'd like to meet her."

"She'll be at the launching, I'll invite her," said Caspian. "What books did she pack you?"

"Are you going to steal them from me?"

"Well, you can't read all at once!"

"You won't have time."

Caspian responded with mocking "Hmph!" and went back to addressing those who still waited to see him.

I examined the books and found The Golden Age: a History of the Four Monarchs, The Sea and What Lies Underneath, Narnia's Genesis as Told By King Frank and Queen Helen: The First King and Queen of Narnia, The Eastern Sea: Collections of Wisdom and Words from the Lion, overheard and recorded from Those Who Followed Him (with contributions by the Four Monarchs) and lastly, Is Man a Myth? I chuckled heartily, for the fifth title reminded me of something.

…

"This isn't fair," I said, back in my shorts and tank top from the day before.

"Life is, as the saying goes, not fair," Caspian replied.

"I meant not fair for you, it's—well, your lunch break!"

"We can eat afterwards. No one minds the delay."

"But…"

"Pippin," Caspian twisted his mouth into what a musician would call stinky face, the look of intense concentration and anger when someone has a bass, guitar, or drum solo. "I am, honestly, not accustom to being told no."

"Oh, right, FINE. You being a king, and all." I plugged my nose and launched myself off the wall and into the pool of cold, cold water.

In the instant of OH. COLD. DEATH. ICE! I resurfaced and gasped.

"You said—the—the—water-r-r-r—was—warm!"

"I lied."

I tread water uncomfortably, gazing around me. We were in a wide, marble room, with many live plants growing and trailing about its edges with vines and fronds. The entrance, which went up a flight of stairs to the castle's huge kitchen, was next to the make-shift throne. This throne faced the wide, open doors at the end of the room, which let in the ocean. The ocean's tide—when at it's highest—barely trickled into the basin in the floor, which was the pool for mermen and mermaids to enter and make their requests to the king—just like I'd imagined!

"What happens if the ocean r-r-r-rises?" my teeth chattered.

"The mer-people put a spell on the doors when they were installed. No water shall pass unless we mean it to."

"I didn't know the mer-people could do magic," I chattered uncontrollably.

Caspian crossed his arms over his chest. "We're here for a swimming lesson—not a cultural study."

"I can't tread water for another minute," I declared, relaxing. I floated on my back and waved my arms around gently, skimming the surface like a slow water-bug.

"Hm," said Caspian, "So when you tread water, you don't just—swim?"

"I float!"

"But what about the choppy water?" Caspian asked. "There's a wave coming in."

"Oh?" I said, when suddenly, I was crashed into by a very heavy force and plunged in dark, muted panic of black bubbles. Thinking only of a vague fear of drowning, I struggled in the clutching, smothering death grip of the water. I had my bloomin' mouth wide open with an innocent non-verbal when the army of tide decided to attack my face.

I resurfaced and instantly began coughing out the invasive, disgusting taste of ocean from the lungs.

"You alright?" Caspian asked, not really concerned.

I didn't answer. The truth was, I felt a little angry. I kept coughing till I was nearly vomiting. Ugh. This always happens when I try to go swimming. Bleh.

I clutched the side of the wall and kept trying to rid my mouth of the fearful taste. Caspian sighed and held out a hand, which I took with some revulsion, and pulled me onto the wall. I sat there, finally calming my lungs, but now my throat felt aflame with seaweed, salt, fish poo, and all-around bad, bad smell of droopy tide pools.

"Sorry," Caspian said shortly, handing me a towel. "I suppose I should have warned you earlier."

Another wave came in with a pleasant crash, and the surf lopped at the wall and splashed pleasantly at my feet. Dumb, dumb water. Dumb me.

"Pippin, the ocean doesn't give any warning," Caspian said. "And it's thrice more dangerous than—well, than this."

I shivered in my towel. "Yeah, w-w-well, swimming lessons aren't supposed to drown people, either."

Caspian sighed. "Don't fall off the ship."

"You'd have to push me off," I said, my voice giving out into that silly, hoarse sound when someone has been singing opera for far too long. (Hey, it happens, okay?)

Caspian ran a hand through his shaggy hair, thoughtfully, but with frustration, too. "I think I've failed at this point."

"Just as a swimming instructor," I said in a throaty, raspy voice. "You're still a pretty nice king."

"Pretty nice?"

"Decent. Nice."

His look was incredulous.

"Alright, you're grand. Let's call it a day."

"Call what?"

"Let's call the swimming lesson over please."

"It's over," sighed Caspian, offering me a hand. We stood up and went up the stairs to the kitchen. I left a trail of water behind me.

When the cooks, maids, and servants saw the King himself emerge from the stairs (the kitchen had been mostly empty when we passed through the first time) they all acted very surprised and suddenly the room was a henhouse.

"Your Highness, can I offer you anything?"

"Your Majesty! What an honor!"

"My King, are you here to sample the lunch menu?"

"Why, your Highness, what can we do for you?"

There were so many questions at once, that Caspian began to laugh lightly. "Have you got anything for a sore throat?"

They were all chaotic at once, till one stout woman with the jolliest of faces came forward with a teacup already steaming. The other cooks are chuckled that they hadn't been quick enough to serve him first. With a bow, the woman said, "Here you are, your Highness," and held out the tea expectantly.

"It's for her," Caspian said, pointing at me, who looked like a very miserable creature indeed. My hair dripped into my eyes and my mood was dark.

"Poor dear, you sit right here," the old woman pulled out a stool from the island in the middle. The kitchen looked very much like a grand kitchen from a mansion made in the early 1900s, converted into a museum, about forty-five minutes drive from Walden. On the end of the room was a great stove, all blackened, like a fireplace but big enough to hold racks or a cauldron—or two! The counters ran all the way around the edges, and the island in the middle held cupboards full of china and tin pots and pans hanging above it. There was a great window looking out to the ocean. On the opposite side of the room was a china blue, Victorian papered wall, where pantry doors, a door to a cellar, and a low box sat. The box was waist-high, bathtub length, and full of dirt with tiny green plants growing tall. Sitting on the stool, I accepted the tea and nodded gratefully.

"Thought it'd be some time before you visited," said the jolly old woman.

"How heartless you must think me!" Caspian held out his arms and embraced her tenderly like a boy would his favorite, fragile grandmother. "And how are you?"

"Well indeed, sire! Well indeed! Lucky that I could be hired as staff! Long have I cared for you, and I've no aim to stop anytime soon."

"If you had not been hired, I would have come and find you myself," Caspian smiled down at her. "I hear you've also been some help with the packing."

"Why yes! Helped that poor shy faun with necessities for a young woman."

With some effort, I swallowed and interrupted gleefully, "That was me! And I cannot thank you enough! The books threw me into such an excited—uh, tizzy—and you were so good to do it for me."

"Aha!" said the nurse, looking at me. "So this is the new traveler. I thought to myself, why, a young lady won't have a single thing to do out there except do some book learning."

"I'm sure we'll have some adventures," Caspian said hopefully.

"Don't tell me that you'll drag her around dirty villages, meeting natives or swabbing a deck," scolded the nurse. "A lady stays inside and cultivates her mind, while helping with the cooking, or entertaining those tired sailors."

"I'll remember that," I said kindly before Caspian could argue with her. "But I did want to say thank-you for the books. And I did so want to meet Caspian's caregiver."

"Oh, tish tosh," said the nurse, "You hush, deary, and drink your tea. I've a mind to keep you here to be a kitchen help if His Majesty insists on dragging you on a Voyage when you're ill. I thought I may have raised you better than that!" here she turned to Caspian and wagged a finger at him. "Fancy you, a King like yourself, thinking of the tea but not thinking of long term care."

"Oh, I'm not sick," I insisted. "My throat was just dry because I swallowed some nasty sea-water on accident." I neglected to tell the part about Caspian turning out to be the epic fail of swimming teachers.

Caspian gasped with mock hurt. "Why, nanny, you accuse me…"

"Oh hush, I suppose it doesn't matter anyhow!" the nurse put a pudgy hand to his cheek. "All grown up, you are, can't help you so much as I once did."

"On the contrary, you are a great help."

"Bah! Anyone can cook and pack a few books—you done with that tea?" ("Just," I replied.) "—well give it here, we'll get you some more." She took the cup and trotted over to a teapot, poured in more hot water, and chatted lightly as she stirred in the tiny burlap baggy of peppermint leaves. "But after Miraz sent me away, I thought, well my serving days are not quite over! I've waited 'round a few years, and behold, that big battle—then you, Caspian! Leaving in the middle of your parade to see me!"

"I heard you," I interjected. "When we passed by, I heard you talking about him."

"Fancy that!" she replied. "Well it wasn't long before I began to tell all those folks that I used to be his nurse. Miraz sent me out of the castle, see, and I just settled in town—though I hear that Miraz made it appear that he had killed me off."

Caspian sobered. "I was under the impression that he had done something horrible to you."

"Well, never fear! For Caspian finds me, and so I know that a good laddie has taken over the country. And when construction began on the ancient ruins of Cair Paravel—well! Did you think I was about to just sit in Miraz's poorly built town and do nothing?"

"Not at all," I said, entranced by her story. I wordlessly accepted the fresh cup of tea that she handed me.

"You are right!" she declared, slapping her hands together emphatically. "I marched right here and demanded a job. Saw Casp—excuse me," she curtsied, "Saw His Highness once or twice, for he is so very busy, and look at us now! Talking in the kitchen like common folks!"

"I'm common," I assured her. "I like kitchen talks. It's the best place for a talk."

"I like this girl," said the nurse, "What'd you say your name was?"

"Pippin," I smiled. "And what was yours…?"

"I'm a simple old woman. Old Maid Maberly will do it."

"Old Maid!" cried Caspian, grinning. He put his arm around her and hugged her a second time. "See if some knight doesn't fall for you yet, you devil."

"Stop your fussing," she shoved him away playfully. "You'll turn into a soft one yet. I may have raised you on fairy tales, but you are a man's man. And they aren't allowed in my kitchen!" with a glimmer in her twinkling eyes, she turned to me, whispering, "Except on very special occasions."

"I think my dear nurse is kicking us out," Caspian looked towards the door. "And I am afraid that I've got many things to do."

"Go on with you!" she flapped like a hen and shooed him out. "The little lady will follow when she is through with her tea."

"Alright, Pippin?" asked Caspian.

"Of course, go on," I laughed, my throat feeling much better. I continued sipping my tea, contentedly, and began to swing my legs. Who would think a few days ago, that I would be sitting in a Narnian kitchen with a charming old woman, and drinking peppermint tea?

"Grow your own peppermint?" I asked when Caspian disappeared.

"Take a look!" the nurse pointed at the other end of the room. "We grow all the herbs and tea-things inside that indoor bed," she said. "That was my idea! Easy access, I say, and less damage from this ridiculous ocean air."

Ah, so that's what the box was for! "Remarkable," I said. I had been hoping to use the word for hours and hadn't the chance yet.

"Isn't it, though?" the nurse was proud. "You done with that tea?"

"Just," I repeated, thanking her again as I handed it back to her. "Thank-you for your hospitality, and all your help." I pulled the towel closer around me. "I think I'd best go change before following Casp—the King—around on his duties."

"Just one thing," said the nurse lowly, "You in love with my young charge?"

The kitchen was suddenly very quiet, and with an awkward look at each other, all the busy cooks resumed talking to try and not appear as if they had been eavesdropping.

"Um…no. I don't—well, I mean I do know him, but—I don't think of him that way. He's my superior first, friend second, and thirdly, just a guy I met when we were in the same war together."

She looked at me with eyebrows lifted. "Is that so?"

"That's the truth, ma'am," I nodded desperately. "I am not a Mary Sue!"

"And what defines a Mary Sue, my dear?" the nurse chuckled, as if I was just in denial.

I leaned forward, put on my story-tellers voice (a much higher pitched version of the Movie Trailer Man) and replied, "She walks the woods, they say, smelling of strawberries. She is perfection, and with a simple wave of her hair, glitter—like the sparkles of freshly fallen snow—falls in all directions. One word will cause any man to fall at her feet and promise his hands in marriage, his soul, and all of her dreams. They search fantastical new worlds, such as Narnia, for victims. For once they have the man, all they wish for is power. If I were hankering after Caspian, I would be no better than a Mary Sue."

The nurse laughed heartily. "I don't believe in such spook stories!"

"Narnia was once only stories," I countered.

The nurse tapped the stool I sat on, and I quickly hopped off. "So you say," she concluded, "But if these Mary Sues do exist, than I am certainly glad you aren't one. But there ain't no harm in a little love."

"I don't give out tiny portions of love," I confided, "I give my heart or none at all. Caspian shall have my friendship, no less, and no more."

The nurse tucked my stood back under the counter, and gave my toweled shoulder a kindly pat. "I suppose that's all right, then. Now get along, and catch up with your friend. I'll be waving a red hanky at the launch—you point that out to his Majesty, will ya?"

"I will, it was a pleasure meeting you," I shook her hand with a broad grin.

"And you," Nurse grinned back. "Now go along before I sweep you out with my broom."

…

Back in my room, I ran the towel through my hair and changed back into the black dress from that morning. After breakfast, Caspian insisted that we have a quick lesson in order to subdue Trumpkin's worry, yet we all know how well that went.

While waiting for my (very thick) hair to dry, I put my earbuds in and turned on the ipod. Skimming down to the M of artists, I cranked up Billie Jean as loud as I could stand.

"She was more like a beauty queen, from a movie scene!" I sang loudly in my best Michael Jackson tenor-warble. I jumped up onto the bed and struck a pose. "I said don't mind but what do ya mean I AM THE ONE!" Doing a horrible dance, I jumped off the bed and tried to do the moonwalk, but my heel caught on the edge of the rug and I nearly fell backwards. "ACK!" I screeched. Then I resumed, with awkward shuffle from side to side (no one but me would call that dancing) "Who will dance—on the floor—in the round!"

"Ahem."

"BILLIE JEAN IS NOT MY—hello!" in mid twirl, I stopped, hands in the air, and my feet about to launch into the crab walk.

In my open doorway (open? REALLY now? Just my luck…) there stood a frightened looking servant girl.

It was human—I think. Are those gills?

"I don't mean to interrupt," said the lady creature, who looked about my height. She had a wee bit of green glitter shining from the backs of her hands and from the lids of her eyes. "His Majesty's advisor, Lord Trumpkin, would like to request the pleasure of your company for a little stroll outside the castle walls."

"Uh, yeah!" I said, lowering my arms and pulling the earbuds out. The maid's eyes were wide with curiosity. "I'll, um, definitely come. Where should I meet him?"

"The main entry, at the bottom of the staircase," said the maid. "If you do not consider it impertinent… what were you, uh, doing?"

Before I could stop myself, I was speaking in a Spanish accent. "Sometimes… amiga… when you are a woman… you where stretchy pants in your room. Just for fun."

Her stare was still wide-eyed and expectant.

"Exercise," I added drolly. The first explanation, courtesy of Nacho Libre, didn't do the trick. "Physical exercise. Working on… flexibility. And stamina."

…

I met Trumpkin downstairs, and with his rough voice disguising his excitement to show off the premises, he led me around the perimeter and told me about Caspian's grand plans for Narnia. He asked me about how I was, and what I'd been doing for the past three years. I launched into an animated lecture of what I did in college, what I studied, and what the life in my world was like currently. He nodded throughout politely, but admitted most of it was lost on him. But I didn't care—the fact that he asked meant the world to me.

I was in the middle of trying to explain what I meant by double-spaced essay when Trumpkin suddenly held up a hand to stop me. With a mischievous look, he said, "Sorry, Pippin. But I think there is someone here to see you."

I followed his gaze. Waddling from the tree line—striped, soft, and pudgy—was none other than Trufflehunter.

"Hello, Pippin! Trumpkin told me you were here, I had to come say hello!" Trufflehunter waved with his clawed paw excitedly.

I froze, mouth open. "Oh! Oh my! Trufflehunter!" I squealed and ran right for him, dropping to my knees and enveloping him in a hug.

"There there!" Trufflehunter smiled fondly at my over-exuberance. "Why, are you crying?"

"Am not," I said, but I really was. "It's just so good to see you."

"How come I didn't get any blubberin' when you saw me?" teased Trumpkin, catching up to us.

"You argued with me instead," I laughed, wiping my eyes. "I don't—know—why I am getting emotional right now. This is so (hic!) silly."

"Three years is a long time," Trufflehunter's beady eyes softened, and his cute little snout was nothing but a smile.

Embarrassed, I wiped tears away. "Oh, first Caspian, then you, and then you," I grasped Trufflehunter's paw in my own and shook it. "You have no idea how much I've missed you all."

"Why Pippin," Trufflehunter said comfortingly, "There's no shame in a few happy tears. This is a reunion! We ought to be celebrating like this! Tears and all!"

"Say, let's go back to the palace, I've a stash of the best cranberry cordial and nut mixes this side of the Beruna," Trumpkin offered in a droll voice, obviously masking his enthusiasm with the impression that the stash wasn't there for special occasions. "That will be a real celebration!"

"By bottles and breadsticks, let's go!" I said cheerfully.

"Careful now, talk like Trumpkin once, and it'll stick with you for sure," Trufflehunter warned with his snuffly laugh.

"I want to stick around here, forever," I paused, looking out over the hollow where the trees thinned and merged into sandy surf. We were on the road now, the circumference of palace property, and going back to the side where the ferry was kept.

"Stay for as long as you want, Pippin," Trufflehunter urged, putting his paw in mine and giving my fingers a squeeze. "Adventures await you here, I'm sure of it. Perhaps you can stay when they are over."

I could only nod. I knew that would not be the case.

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Thanks for reading, my lovely reviewers! Don't forget that I'm changing my penname soon! Please leave a review my way :)