Chapter Seven: The Duke's Reply
(Lucy)
When we arrive, Poggin the Dwarf says
"It's ready, Queen Lucy." rather gruffly, but his eyes are twinkling like gemstones.
I smile, thank him—quite well, I might add—and hold out a hand with some large rubies as payment. I heft the large package and walk to Corin.
"Let's walk outside for a while." I suggest.
"Alright." He smiles.
"Goodbye, Poggin!" I call as I link my free hand with Corin's.
As we walk, I suddenly pause and hand the gift to Corin.
"I thought you'd like this." I mumble quickly, rather embarrassed. He raises an eyebrow when he sees me biting my lip—it's well known that out of my four siblings, I am the master at hiding my emotions. Perhaps it's because I was always the one in school plays in Spare Oom—the memories are very vague now, so I'm not sure.
Corin unwraps the silk and holds up a smooth leather scabbard. He quickly unsheathes the sword and holds up the Narnian version of his own.
"I thought I could teach you how to fight with two blades like Edmund and I do." I say shyly. He sheathes the sword again before grabbing my waist and spinning me. I laugh freely. When he stops, we kiss for a few minutes. Pulling apart, I smile at his whispered, "Thank you." and we continue our walk.
If only life could stay like this forever….
(Corin)
One week later…
Lucy and I have been courting for a week now, and I love her more every day. I tell her this after a spar—I'm bloody awful with two swords, although not as bad as Lucy apparently was, according to Orieus—and Lucy laughs, saying,
"And I, you."
We are interrupted from a second spar by Mr. Tumnus.
"Your Majesties." He cries, wringing his hands.
"The Duke of Galma has sent an envoy. High King Peter is waiting for you to read it."
Lucy is pale, but she slowly nods her head, saying,
"Lead the way, dear Mr. Tumnus." We sheath our blades and make our way into Cair Paravel's throne room. Peter is holding a thick scroll tied with a lavender ribbon. Lucy freezes and says quietly
"I don't know if I can do this." to me. I hug her for a moment before whispering,
"It's okay, I will always be here for you love." in her ear. She smiles slightly and walks to her throne. I stand off to the side as I am an Archenlander. Peter opens the scroll and begins to read out loud. I grow paler the longer he reads.
"To the High King Peter, the King Edmund, the Queen Susan, and the Queen Lucy of Narnia,
I, Adney, third Duke of Galma, demand the Queen Lucy as my wife. If she is not delivered to me by the tenth moon, war shall be waged on Narnia, and the Queen seized. I care not that she is already in courtship, she will be mine. We duel on the dawn of Greenday in three weeks.
Adney, Duke of Galma"
There is silence for a moment after Peter finishes. Then Edmund explodes.
"That…that…" he splutters. Then he goes into cursing so badly my ears burn.
"He dares threaten Narnia!" Susan exclaims. This is the first time I have ever seen her as anything less than gentle. Peter is seething, but turns to Lucy.
"Lu, please let me fight him for you." He begs. Lucy shakes her head and opens her mouth to tell him no when I step forward.
"Peter, I will be fighting for Lucy, and you are not going to persuade me differently." I announce. Lucy glares at me so strongly that if looks could kill, I would be quite dead at the moment. She stands up slowly and I gulp.
"CORIN! YOU WILL NOT BE FIGHTING FOR ME, AND NIETHER WILL EITHER OF YOU!" she shrieks, pinning her brothers and I with her angry stare.
"I WILL NOT SEE ANY OF YOU HURT, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" she yells. I step forward again.
"Lucy, I'm doing this because I love you, and don't want to see you get hurt, please let me fight him." I plead. She slowly walks over to me. I hold my breath, waiting…
SMACK!
I blink in shock—I never took Lucy for the type that would hit someone like that, and yeow did that hurt!
"None of you will be fighting for me. I WILL NOT LOSE YOU!" she snarls. With a sweep of her skirts she is gone, banging the doors behind her.
I rub my cheek silently. Peter breaks the silence.
"Well that went well." he says sarcastically.
(A.N. sorry it took so long, I hope you like this, but I have had hours of homework every night and a super busy weekend without internet too. Enjoy!)
