So this is the next chapter, sorry if it seems a little random or something. I'm trying to hurry up and get Lucy to where Caspian's at so this can really get going. Oh and I am making Lucy go to Calormen in search of Caspian because I'm not really sure where Caspian would have been after Dawn Treader, so I'm making it up...lol

Oh and the name Dannsair is from a series of books I read, called Hoof beats. It supposed to mean Dance, I think. I'll have to go check and make sure though...

Chapter 7-Dannsair and Ruffians

I just stared. It was all I could do. How could this have happened? I brushed a piece of straggly hair out of my face.

"What is this?" I wondered aloud. I stood slowly, standing and bracing myself against the flowery tree, my body was aching all over from the previous night's storm and various attacks.

I couldn't help but smile despite everything. It was just so amazing to be back here, unbelievable, and yet here I was. And regardless of all my questions I wasn't going to let them ruin this moment.

I released the tree, smiling my thanks to this one, realizing I had probably grown up around it, but it had just been a baby when I last saw. The thought made me smile even wider.

And if I wasn't mistaken I thought the tree acknowledged my thanks with a rustling of its long leaf covered braches.

I still gazed around in question; I bit my lip still grinning. What should I do first? I had no idea! I was finally here again, I had daydreamed of moments like these and yet I did not know what to do first!

It seemed so completely ridiculous that I felt a laugh trembling in my chest and I felt I had to open my mouth to release the joyful sound. Letting it flow through my body washing away the difficulties of last night. After a moment of this I forced it back down until a great grin covered my face, surely.

I didn't think, I ran, forgetting the aches in my body I ran to the sea that I knew would still be there.

Never changing. That's what it was. Splashing through the water had been the first thing my siblings and I had done when we'd come here a second time. Stripping shoes and the sweaters of our ridiculous school uniforms off and just played. And laughed.

So that's what I did, just ran down the hill through the apple orchard that surrounded this magnificent place, to the sea. I smelt the salty air before I ever saw the water but when it did finally come into view I let out a little squeal of delight. I really couldn't help myself.

My feet barely touching the ground I was running so fast now, I didn't slow until my feet sank into the soft sand at the edge of the delightfully clear blue water.

There's no water like this anywhere. I thought, memories of the Dawn Treader floating through my memory adding to this wonderful moment.

My feet moved of their own accord into a delighted dance, salty water splashing upon my bare legs as I moved to deeper water the waves collided with my body soaking me though for the second time that week, but this time I was not fighting it.

After who knows how long, I collapsed on the pure white sand of my former home, sighing in bliss at the castle above me. I closed my eyes and quickly opened them again to make sure the view would not disappear just like that.

It didn't.

I lay soaking in the warm sun almost wishing I was lying on the deck of the Dawn Treader sailing to an adventure with my siblings and Caspian, especially Caspian. Mostly Caspian. I thought, too happy to feel guilty for it.

We wouldn't just be King and Queen, we'd be anything but, be whatever we wanted. Lying on the deck of our ship at night lazily looking at the stars. His arm around me, pulling me closer so I could rest my head on his chest. Listening to him breathe. His velvety smooth accented voice tickling my ears as he whispered his thoughts, his dreams...

I was gazing unseeingly at a perfectly blue sky that seemed to reflect off the water and not even trying to stop the delighted grin that to anybody would probably think looked a lot crazy.

And then he might kiss me... My thoughts trailed off as I tried to imagine a moment like that with a king like him, no, I corrected myself. Not with someone like him, with him. I was still so deep in the midst of these thoughts that I didn't hear anyone coming up behind me.

"Tell me, young lady, just what might you be doing down here?"

I jumped, flipping onto my stomach pushing my hands into wet sand to shove to my feet. Trying to pull my gown down to decency in the process, though I imagine at my knees is indecent and that's as far as this torn rag was going. Oh well.

The person that had spoken was, indeed, not a person, but a beautiful horse.

I stood stunned for a second the shock of being near an animal that could speak again was...both exhilarating and strange at the same time.

The horse spoke again, tossing its head proudly. "Are you just going to stand there daft, young lady, or move off of my part of the beach."

I shook myself out of it asking. "How is this your part of the beach?" I was not aware horses owned the land around Cair Pairavel. No matter how long I'd been gone, this seemed beyond strange.

The horse pawed her delicate hoof making droplets of water splash around us. "My family and I have lived on this land since before I was a little one," She shook herself arrogantly. "And we do not like strange human trespassers."

I looked at the horse with a half-smile almost disbelieving of the horses insistence that this was her home, and maybe it was. I had been gone a long while and not wishing to argue with the stubborn animal I said. "I will be on my way very shortly," I glanced back at the horizon, the sun now high overhead, and my spirits still equally high. "I just had to see this place again." I smiled at her.

She snorted again, disdainfully. So I turned on my bare heel headed back up towards the castle.

I hadn't made it very far when I heard a clip clopping coming up behind me.

"Excuse me!" The horse whinnied out. "You didn't tell me who you were." I thought you wanted to get rid of me. At my confused expression she hastily said. "To make sure you don't come here again."

I started to argue that, how, exactly, knowing my name was to keep me from coming here again. But instead I smiled kindly at her, introducing myself. "I'm Lucy."

"Well then, Lucy, you may be on your way now." If she'd been human she would have been fluttering her hands at me, gesturing at me to be on my way. I smiled at the thought and asked her a question of my own. "And what is your name, if I may?"

She tossed her head again, the sun glinting off golden hide, making her dazzling and hard to look straight at in the sunlight. She sparkled like a rare gem. "Yes, well, perhaps you might've heard of me? My name is Dannsair."

"Quite nice to meet you Dannsair" I smiled politely at her again and glanced at the sky, the sun a little past being overhead now. "I really must be going."

"Quite right you should. You should be ashamed of yourself, young lady!" Dannsair exclaimed.

I smiled, puzzled at the horses strange behavior. "Ok then, goodbye Dannsair." I said my goodbye quickly before she could accuse me of something else.

I had again barely gotten ten steps away when I heard her coming after me again. "You said your name is Lucy, did you not?"

"I suppose I did." I kept walking back up the hill towards the castle.

"That's a strange name for a girl, such as yourself, don't you think." She replied a little snidely and it wasn't really a question.

I was somewhat appalled at her. What had I done? I said as much to her. "I don't see what's much wrong with my name, if you don't like it, I won't trouble you with my presence any longer."

I picked up my pace, not quite a sprint, but nearly.

The horse, Dannsair snorted in derision of my statement. "I was not insulting you child. Lucy is a perfectly lovely name."

I felt dizzy from this conversation. "Then why, may I ask you, is it such a strange name for me?" I asked this letting some annoyance come into my voice.

"For a peasant girl," She said like I would gather her meaning." Like yourself," She added seeing only confusion on my face. Then with a huff. "You must be from far away indeed, to not know that the name, Lucy, among our people is held to higher standards."

I nodded, some understanding coming to me now. "And why is this?" But I think I already knew.

Dannsair studied me skeptically, probably expecting me to laugh at the ridicule of my question. "Well, you see," She looked a little flustered now. I smiled encouragingly. "Lucy was the name of a dear Queen that once ruled long ago. Queen Lucy of Narnia, that is, Lucy the Valiant."

I sighed at hearing my old titles, it felt somewhat refreshing to hear the name off someone's lips and they not know that I was actually standing right in front of them. I spoke abruptly stopping whatever else Dannsair would have to say on the matter of my being Queen. "Do you think you could help me out Dannsair?"

The horse looked positively mad at having been interrupted. "What would you like to know young one, perhaps a lesson in manners." She said this haughtily and I bit my lip on a grin.

I bet she wouldn't say that if she knew that I am Queen Lucy.

"I would like to know as to where King Caspian now resides after his return of the Dawn Treader? Is he staying near here?" I could hear her outraged thoughts almost as if she'd spoken them aloud and after a moment's shock she did.

"You speak very plainly of our King; we do not like strangers taking lightly to his Majesty. Your lack of respect is quite rude." She stated evenly.

I wasn't smiling now. I hadn't spoken lightly of Caspian. If she only knew how much I respect him. Maybe a little too much. I chewed thoughtfully on my lip, what could I say to convince her that I was not just a servant even if I looked the part ?I hated the fact that if I was a commoner, even if I wasn't, that I wouldn't be able to see Caspian. This seemed very unfair and not at all Caspian-like.

I wondered if he knew that some spoke and believed like this. This was something that could eventually cause war in Narnia, if enough people were behind it. I'd seen it happen before.

I made a promise to bring this up when I saw Caspian again. When, not if. I thought forcefully.

So caught up in these thoughts that I had ignored whatever Dannsair had said next and she shoved me with her nose to get my attention again, I stumbled almost falling. "Hey!" I protested.

"Pay attention when I'm talking, young lady!" Right about then I'd had enough. I could find Caspian on my own. I turned to head up to the castle again. This time I am going to get there. I promised silently.

"Goodbye Dannsair!" I said with some finality. She didn't respond.

I headed up the hill, making my way back to the spot in the apple orchard where I'd been lying. I could start from there, I knew the way to Calormen. I think.

But on foot it would take a couple days, at least, and I had no provisions for the journey. Perhaps some of our old things are still here. I pondered that. Maybe, just maybe. I turned, redirecting my steps to the old entrance where Ed, Peter, Susan and I had first discovered this had been our castle, once upon a time.

I grasped the handle, which was surprisingly clean despite having not been in use, and wrenched it hard, expecting it to be hard to open. I stumbled as the door swung open quite easily and dragged me with it.

I tumbled back onto the ground. "Ooph!" Various parts of my body throbbed from my experience of the previous night as the ground jarred them back to life.

I shoved back to my feet brushing, uselessly at my torn nightgown. First thing to do? Find some clothes! Stopping my worthless effort, I stared into the hallway the door had opened to.

It was so much cleaner than I remembered. Puzzled I let my eyes wander up and down the stone hall. Shaking my head because I could not come up with any good reason for the change, I started in. My bare feet made slapping sounds on the cold stone floor as I walked through, making a left turn to head towards the throne room.

I shivered slightly. It was strange being in here by myself. No one knows where I am. The thought sent fresh chills down my back and I picked up the pace, sprinting to the room.

I entered after just a few moments; I glanced around hurriedly, wanting to be out of there as soon as possible. Something made me pause, and I made my eyes stop and go slowly over the interior of the room. It was clean in here too.

But not just clean, it was basically spotless and repaired too. I continued, looking on quizzically. This room had been partially destroyed the last time I'd seen it. I frowned in thought.

Who's been here? Are they here now? The thought made me excited; if someone was repairing the castle then they might could help me find Caspian. And if not then maybe give me a ride to Calormen. But surely this must be Caspian's doing. Nobody else really had the right, or the desire, probably.

I stopped my rambling thoughts when my eyes landed on my old trunk, which still sat on the far left of the room next to Edmunds. Except now, newly polished and looking gorgeous in the room, the others had been polished to, of course.

I walked over to the chest, running a hand over the top, tracing the scrollwork that was etched into the dark red wood, gilded in dark grey silver. Smilingly, I reached for the latch pulling the lid up and open.

It was almost empty. No daggers. Was my first thought, I shouldn't have been disappointed though, Caspian would have kept them along with Ed's sword and Eustace's small rapier. And Susan's bow. I added, silently remembering that I had borrowed it last time.

There was, however, clothing still in the chest and I had already shoved my hand deep into the chest when I remembered too late that I was now around the size Susan had been the last time she'd been to Narnia.

I groaned out loud, for there was no one around to hear and scold me for it. Susan's dresses had been so...unpractical. I really needed something, well, like pants. I grimaced and rummaged further into my trunk, hoping that something would appear that was my size.

It didn't, of course, so I headed over to Ed's trunk shoving it open to see if there was, perhaps, a pair of pants that was very small. I pulled out a pair and held them to my body for consideration. I turned them a little, pondering maybe finding a length of rope or something to hold them up.

I tossed them back into the trunk in frustration and shoved the lid. I was wasting time on clothes.

I came to Susan's trunk which was a lighter wood than mine and heavily gilded in gold. She loved this thing. I half smiled at the memory.

Opening it up, and expecting to see all sort of finery, instead I glared into the trunk. There was nothing in it. Why are her clothes gone? I nearly slapped a hand to my forehead. Surely Caspian hadn't had them removed?

I slammed Susan's lid in annoyance, the sound echoing in the great room, so loud I jumped.

He didn't have mine moved.

I shook the thought away, that wasn't fair; anyone who saw Susan's dresses would know they had been worth a lot, and mine, not so much. He would've been a fool not to have put them somewhere safe. Here any thief could steal them with little or no effort.

It still made me angry. I was a queen after all, were my dresses not good enough?

I stopped myself, shaking my head in disbelief at my attitude. Was I really being so ridiculous over clothing? That wasn't the real reason it bothered me and I knew it. But I pushed the thoughts away and instead headed back to Ed's trunk and grabbed a long tunic out of it.

It was at least a bit longer than my ripped gown, coming to just at my knees. And the dark green cloak I grabbed matched the tunic, would keep me concealed if I needed cover on my way through the forest if I couldn't get help on the way. I had no real idea if Narnia was at peace right now, it could very well be dangerous to walk anywhere alone. It made me wish for any of our old weapons.

Looking around the room one more time, I shut Ed's lid and headed back the way I'd come.

~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~

I stood on a great hill looking out over Cair Paravel. I had just climbed up here to see if I could see anyone in any direction. I really would like to have some provisions for my hike to Calormen.

Who's to say if they would even be friendly when, or if, I made it there? They weren't always the most reliable people in my lifetime. I shaded my eyes with one hand and squinted into the sun that still shone brightly overhead, though noticeably lower than it had been.

I studied the horizon slowly, until my stomach gave a horribly loud growl. I had not eaten properly since almost two days ago. I licked my lips and gave thanks that the apple orchard had been ripe with red apples. I picked one up biting into it, savoring the juice as it dripped off my chin.

I was halfway through my second apple when I heard a shout. What? I blinked out of my sleepy daze. I jerked to attention and stared down the hill.

I saw men. Counting at least a dozen right off... and they were pointing at me. I gulped a piece of apple down hard; they made me nervous for some reason. They continued pointing at me, shouting at each other.

I picked up my last three apples shoving them into the pockets of the tunic; they bulged with the little weight.

I paused waiting to see what the men were doing. My mouth fell open a little as I saw that every man had disappeared. Did I imagine them? The second the thought formed I heard something in the trees behind me. I swung around staring intently into the dense trees the opposite of the way I'd gotten up here.

I hesitated for a moment. Why would they be after me? There was absolutely no logical explanation for it. Oh, dear Aslan, I sound like Susan!

I distinctly heard a limb crack under someone's foot now and listening harder, I heard a murmur of male laughter.

Maybe it was foolish but I opened my mouth and called out. "Who's there?" Trying to make my voice steady. I heard outright laughter at my question.

I was also getting a very bad feeling about this.

A second later I heard a man's deep scratchy voice call out saying. "Stay put little sweetheart, we're nothin' to be fraid of."

I tensed. Aslan, I could really use some help right now. I took a step backward away from the direction the man's voice had come from.

He spoke again. "Now, now, little darlin' we ain't goin' to hurt ye." I cringed waiting for him to appear.

"We just wanted to help ye out a bit..." He trailed off as if he were thinking. "And maybe ye could help us out a little while." His crude insinuation got my feet back moving. I scampered a few feet away wondering where I could go.

I bit my lip hard. They probably have me surrounded. The apples I'd eaten turned over in my stomach at that. I had no weapon. But I couldn't, no; I wouldn't stand here and be dragged off by a band of ruffians.

I had one choice as far as I could see. And that was run into the forest with the men and hope I was fast enough to find a hiding place or find a flying Pegasus to escape on. I was betting on the aforementioned.

That or I could stand here and- well let's not think about that. I was in motion now. Going from standing to an all-out run in a second, bounding to the trees, praying I would make it out alive, or rather, in alive.

The outraged shouts of men surrounded me and I nearly felt paralyzed with fear but I forced my legs to hold me up and keep moving. Faster! I ordered myself. Come on! Imagine this is a race against...Susan! The thought, even if it was fake, of losing to Susan, made me faster.

It worked for a minute or so. The men were pounding through the brush with no other thought other than to find me. That was what really had my attention.

And I was tiring already. I already had a painful stitch in my side, but I refused to stop, even when I was almost bent double, hand pressed to my side in an attempt to ease the pain.

"Aslan, Help me."I gasped the prayer in time with the steps I was taking.

I had veered to the right when I man rose up out of the brush in front of me. I bit down a scream, and tried to go around him but I was going too fast. The scruffy looking man, dark skinned and laughing at my attempts, arms wide like he was going to catch me.

I couldn't slow and I bowled into into the man, hard. I heard him roar as he tried to keep us upright but we both fell, me on top. He tried to force large arms around my middle and I am not sorry to say he earned a kick to his large bulky frame as I forced my way up, I saw another man emerge from behind us as I took off again.

I didn't look back. They were still after me. Where could I hide? I couldn't keep this up much longer.

In my frenzied mind I tried to remember the land around my former home, it would not do to just being going in a circle back to Cair Paravel. I was going to Calormen or whatever city, town, came first, provisions or no.

At this rate I'd probably be there by sundown.

I was really slowing now even when I could still here the men behind me, their hard voiced sounded fainter. I heard something. I tilted my head trying to hear over the pounding of my heart. It took a second but I distinguished it.

The river! My memory had served right, there were caves all around here, and surely I could house myself in one for a few hours and be safely hidden. I scrambled over rocks falling to my knees only once, the sharp rocks bringing tears to my blue eyes.

I jumped wading through the shallow river and up the other side of the steep embankment. I grabbed whatever would hold my weight, rocks jabbing harshly into my now raw hands. I spotted several crevices that could have easily kept me hidden but I wanted to be as far as I could in case the men came this far.

I waded across the river twice more to be safe and my eyes nearly missed a tiny crevice that, if the water had been up, would have been impassable to human. I made my way to the hole lowering myself and curling into the hole, hoping no animals resided there.

As I relaxed back into the crevice. I listened and hearing nothing I made my way back further, resting my back against rock.

I don't know how long I stayed there but I heard footsteps come and go, and still I waited. Dark came and I felt myself drifting to sleep. I let the darkness envelope me.

~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~

I yawned widely and tried to stretch in the claustrophobic hole. The sun just starting to wake up itself. I need to get out of here. I was trying to make my tired eyes open when a voice said loudly...

"Well its about time!" The declaration seemed to echo in the early morning stillness.

I just had to leave this a cliffhanger. So if you want to know who it is, review! ;)