Chapter 7

A/N: Speedy update this time. The muse strikes when she strikes…

The days passed quickly one after another, as Edmund, Peter, Lune and a sullen bandaged Corin, continued to shut themselves away in Peter's rooms, strategising and finessing plans.

Susan and Lucy excluded from the war council were given the task of entertaining the rest of the Archenland guests; which Susan, apparently lacking any curiosity as to what was happening in Peter's study, took to with aplomb.

Lucy though was alternately frustrated and furious. Always babied as the youngest, her siblings continued determination to keep her in the dark, had guided their over-protective actions her entire life. But Lucy was not ignorant and she overheard the whispers at court, she saw the sombre looks exchanged between Susan and her brothers and she knew something bad was coming to Narnia.

Stopping Susan one morning from just outside the hall to where their guests waited Lucy demanded that she tell her what was happening.

"Lucy, everything is fine" sighed Susan irritably. "Now please stop fretting, we have a lot to do today".

"No, you're lying to me, you all are. Something is happening right now and I want to know what it is. I can help" demanded Lucy refusing to budge from in front of the door.

Susan gave a little patronising laugh, and shook back her long black hair, her lovely sparkling blue eyes twinkling in seeming amusement at her younger sister "dear Lucy, what a suspicious little creature you are. Now stop being so silly. Why you know your brothers are planning your marriage to Corin or had you forgotten dear?"

Lucy blushed at the thought of her wedding. Truth be told as she had hardly seen Corin the last few days and thoughts of secret councils had been occupying her instead, she had all but forgotten the reason for the Archenland visit.

"Now come along dear, I'll need your help with Thelonious, he's such a bore" confided Susan threading her arm through Lucy's and nodding to a servant to open the doors.

Angry and embarrassed Lucy allowed herself to be placated by Susan but vowed that she would not let the matter rest.

Automatically dismissing Peter as a source of information; he tended to think of his youngest sister as a cross between a troublesome toddler and a precious ornament to be guarded, she ordinarily would have asked Edmund. Though her brother's moods could be unpredictable and occasionally cold towards herself she knew Edmund would always tell her the truth.

However, Lucy thought smiling to herself, as Susan had so astutely reminded her, she was now engaged, and as it so happened her former childish playmate was even worse than her at keeping a secret…

That evening Lucy waited in her chambers until the sounds of the Castle began to die down as their guests went to bed. Slipping quietly down silent corridors she made her way to Corin's room and paused outside. For a moment she considered turning back, it would be her first time alone in a man's room who was not a member of her immediate family.

Giving herself a mental shake for being so cowardly, Lucy took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"What?" she heard Corin's voice snapping inside, half irritated, half fearful.

Lucy pushed the door open and beheld Corin sat by his window anxiously smoking a long cigarette.

"Lucy?" he half-rose, flinging the cigarette out the window. "What are you doing? You can't be here".

She swiftly closed the door behind her. Ignoring his panicked expression, she hurried over to him "I don't care about that. I want to know what is happening. Why you, my brothers and your father are closing yourselves away every day".

Corin turned away from her rubbing his hands through his sandy hair "seriously, you need to leave right now. If he should catch you here…"

Lucy shook her head impatiently "Who? It doesn't matter. You are my friend; they are my brothers – I need to know what's happening. Is it…" she paused "Rabadash?"

He started at the name and tried to push her away as she clutched his arm. "I'm right, aren't I? Tell me!"

"You don't understand" he groaned, collapsing onto the window-sill his head in his hands.

"Then help me to, please Corin". She knelt by him resting her arms on his knees. He looked into her eyes, his own as dark as pine needles, the bandage on his nose incongruous with the misery etched on his face. Lucy laid a tender hand against his cheek, "please, I want to help".

"War is coming Lucy, unlike anything we've seen before" Corin whispered "and we must all play our part".

The silence filled the air as Lucy stared uncomprehendingly up at him. He looked utterly wretched.

"I don't….I don't understand" Lucy began.

"We are taking a proactive approach" Corin said with a twisted smirk. "Your brother wants to lead a secret operation into the heart of Calormen. Kill Rabadash before his armies come for us".

"Edmund" Lucy said. It was not a question.

Corin nodded bleakly "it is suicide. But it is my duty as my father's son. We leave in 3 days". Looking down at her again he caressed her hair "there will be no wedding Lucy, I am sorry. Peter does not want to leave you…a widow, should I not survive the mission".

Lucy caught his hand in her hair, brought it to her lips and kissed it "thank you Corin" was all she said, rising to her feet.

Corin stood then and held her about the waist as he bent down to kiss her. His lips were warm and Lucy could feel his tenderness, but it left her sadly unmoved even when she felt the tears mingle on his cheeks and tasted the salt on his kiss.

Leaning away she broke apart from him, kissed his cheek, smiled and walked to the door. She turned to see him standing like a little lost boy in the centre of the room, one arm stretched towards her. "Good night" she said, and opening his door she stepped out.

Closing it behind her she was suddenly seized from behind.

"Lucy?" it was Edmund.