Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with the Chronicles of Narnia.

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.

Authors note: Thank you everyone who reviewed. Still makes me so happy to see all those emails pop up for reviews and alerts :):) A slightly shorter than normal update as I didn't want to go too long without giving you guys some more and I still seem to struggle to find a good stopping point… As always I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 10

Cara jumped when she heard a knock at her door. "Come in," she called harshly

She stood as Caspian entered and smiled a cruel small smile.

"Caspian darling, come here." she said

Caspian walked forward without saying a word and stood in front of her. He looked weary but impassive as he stood waiting.

"Sit," Cara ordered and Caspian sat.

"Did the council agree to your request?" she asked

"It took time, but I managed to convince them that emissaries should be sent and it was agreed that we shall decide who will go tomorrow." he replied vacantly

"Good. Have you made the suggestion as to who should go?"

"Yes, I told them it should be Lord Trumpkin and Lord Darmir to Archenland and Lord Revillion and Lord Gregoire to Calormen."

"Good, that will work in our favour if those four are not around." Cara stood suddenly, smiling maliciously at Caspian. "Would you like some tea darling?" she said in her shrill voice.

"Yes my lady," he answered.

She poured tea for them both and added a few drops of clear liquid from a vial to Caspian's cup before handing it to him.

"Here you are. Drink up."

Caspian took the cup and drank deeply, emptying the cup in one go.

"Very good," Cara said.

Caspian put down the cup and seemed to slump on his seat. He mumbled slightly.

"Quiet," Cara snapped at him.

She stood and started pacing as she spoke at Caspian.

"Now darling, you must make sure that Trumpkin, Darmir, Revillion and Gregoire are the ones who are sent as emissaries. Is there anyone who will object?" she questioned,

"Yes," Caspian replied blearily.

"Who?" she demanded.

"Lord Trumpkin, Lord Bern and Queen Lucy. Others may follow their example." Caspian said quietly.

Cara made a disgruntled noise in her throat, "Urgh, as if Lucy should have any say at all. Well Caspian, you will make sure they do not interfere. Make sure you speak highly of their diplomacy and negotiation skills. Flattery always wins men over. You must ensure that the council chooses these four. Understood?"

"Yes my lady."

"As for Lucy," she said scathingly, as she turned back to Caspian and leaned toward him "You are not to be alone with her. You must carry on avoiding her company."

"Yes my lady,"

"You are mine." she stated bluntly, "You are in love with me and you will do my bidding."

"Yes my lady," he replied again.

"Good, now leave and go to bed." she ordered.

Caspian stood and walked out without so much as a backward glance.

"Hmm," Cara thought smugly to herself, "Things seem to be right on track."

XOXOXOXO

Lucy was sat in her bedroom, sitting at her dressing table. All her things had been swept to one side and replaced by a stack of paper, pens and ink. She was sat at the desk, bent over and furiously scribbling away. She was trying to write out as much as she could remember from the council meeting.

Lucy had done this many times during her school years. She always remembered things more clearly if she wrote them down and she found it easier to reason and resolve problems if she had written down all the arguments.

She had almost finished writing all she could remember when there was a knock at the door.

She stood and walked into her sitting room, as she called out "Come in,"

A soldier that Lucy recognised from earlier that day opened the door and bowed quickly.

"My lady, Lord Trumpkin has returned. He has asked if you can attend him at his study?"

"Yes of course. Dunn is it?" Lucy asked.

"Yes, my lady." he answered

"Can you show me the way?" she asked

"Of course," the soldier replied.

They walked quickly and quietly towards one of the other living quarters. Dunn stopped a fair way down one corridor.

"This is Lord Trumpkins study." he said as he gestured to the door,

"Thank you," Lucy said as he bowed and left.

Lucy knocked gently on the door.

"Come." she heard Trumpkin's gruff voice call out.

Lucy walked in and stopped, she was amazed by the sheer number of scrolls that were in the room. The walls were stacked with cupboards, which were full to the brim and the desk at which Trumpkin sat had at least another twenty on it. She looked at Trumpkin and took a deep breath.

"Trumpkin, I am pleased you are back." she said, relief clear in her voice as she sat in a chair opposite him.

"As am I. It sounds like it has been pretty eventful while I've been gone. Lord Bern has filled me in. Sounded like the council meeting went on for some time? And I thought I had it bad with the centaurs," he quipped.

"Yes it was certainly a long meeting. I've not had to sit through anything like that for quite some time." Lucy chuckled then quickly became serious again. "But that is not all that has happened today. Caspian came to see me earlier this afternoon" she said, then she proceeded to tell him all about Caspian's strange visit.

"Right, well, that's very odd," Trumpkin said, sounding confused as she finished.

"Indeed, I did not know what to make of it at all." Lucy said.

"Hmm, so much to think on," Trumpkin said as he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes.

"You must be tired. I won't keep you long, but I have one further question." she said faintly

"Yes?" Trumpkin prompted her.

"Do you think you will go to Archenland as one of the emissaries?" she asked quickly

"Caspian has entrusted me with such duties before and apparently I have a knack for these kinds of negotiations. So if Caspian and the council deem it for the best, then yes I will."

"Oh," Lucy said as she felt tears start to swim in her eyes once again. "I do not think you should go."

"Lucy?" Trumpkin sounded concerned

"I have a really bad feeling about this, Trumpkin. Something in the pit of my stomach tells me you should not go." she said in a rush.

"You know I can take care of myself and if this is the best for Narnia then I must go." he said frankly.

Lucy stifled a sob.

Trumpkin looked slightly uncomfortable as he said "You are very tired. Go to bed now. This will be discussed in the morning by the council."

"Will I be allowed to attend the council?" she asked

"Only if you want to? But I had it on good authority that you stood your ground when it was insinuated that you should not be there?" Trumpkin said now smiling slightly.

"Hmm, you heard about that? Well I stand by what I said." Lucy said proudly and a teeny bit smugly as she remembered the look on Cara's face.

"Well, I agree that you should be there, so I have made arrangements for another seat to be added next to mine. I value your opinion Lucy. I know you have always been right, remember?"

"Indeed," Lucy laughed slightly remembering the time he thought her mad for seeing Aslan, "I just wish I could see him now." she said.

"Me too, me too. Now go to bed." Trumpkin said kindly.

"Alright bossy. Goodnight." she said amused, as she stood and left to go back to her room.