Well, this chapter originally started out with both Jill and Lucy interrogating Tia, but my computor had a hissy fit and decided not to save it. Not happy chaps!

Ah, well I am unhappy that the Galma adventures have to be dragged out another chapter, but there you go. And for those of you who read this chapter, and think 'But this is the NEW Narnia! Nothing bad is meant to happen', remember that Aslan has his hand in everything that happens there. And everynow and then you get bad eggs, like the street King and Rat. They started out good, but just got progressivly worse from there :S

REVEIW :3

* * *

Tia growled at the red dress queen Jill had just presented her with. It was long and red and made of some mysterious material that Jill called 'velvet'. Tia had already taken a liking to the wily Queen. She seemed so... human, and spoke to Tia as if she were one of her old friends. Tia soon learned that this was how she spoke to all of the Narnians. The Queen was currently seated at a polished writing desk, her legs crossed in her chair. She was scribbling ardently on a bit of parchment, her lips twisted up into a slight smile.

That dress. How on earth did you put it on? Tia had spent her life in simple dresses, up until her parents died, and then had switched to breeches and boots. But THIS dress was another matter. It had a white under dress, and the red velvet went over the top. There were intersecting bits of cord that looped together at the back. That must be how you were meant to get into it.

Her quick fingers undid the knots and she stared into the white tent that was the inside of the dress. She sighed and slipped behind the stands that shielded Jill's dressing area. She stripped out of her grubby shirt and breeches, and slipped her thin frame into the dress. So far, so good.

Now, how did those infuriating loops go together again? She reached over, grasping for the cord. She couldn't reach. She began to panic, and was NOT going to lower her pride enough to ask a QUEEN to help her. She began to silently twist is endless circles, snatching for the evading cord. She suddenly managed to step on the smooth hem of the dress, and went down in a heap of red velvet and dark hair.

Tia heard Queen Jill's laugh, and she buried her head into her hair in shame. Still laughing, Tia felt the Queen's arm around her shoulders, helping her up.

"You, know, you could have asked for help"

"Your Majesty, I couldn'"

She sighed and deftly laced up the back.

"I don't like Galmanian dresses. I would give you one of mine, but you would be swimming in it."

That was true, Queen Jill was about two feet taller than her. Were all Narnians that tall? King Peter certainly was, but she wasn't sure about Queen Lucy. But Jill had now backed away, stole a look out the window, then settled down into the couch, again crossing her legs. She patted the empty space in front of her.

She knew this was coming; Jill was going to interrogate her about last night. She sat warily in the offered position.

Jill sighed and leant back, looking awkward.

"I suspect you know what's coming, you just need to tell what happened. You see, I'm not very good at this. I need Edmund or Eustace."

King Edmund, Tia guessed. Eustace must be the other King. How Narnia managed with five monarchs she'll never know. Galma couldn't even manage with one governor. But to her story

"Well, I live on the street, with some others, and I worked as a sort o' messenger for the Street King. I think his real name's Macet, I'm not sure. Anyway, after I saw you and the others in the street, I wen' back to my patch, but Rat found me. Rat is the King's second in command. He took me to the castle wall, an' I felt somethin' wasn' right, because I didn't go within 2 leagues of the castle. But that's when I got grabbed by the King –"

Tia noticed that Queen Jill's lip turned up whenever she said 'King'

"- and he told me, that you were coming around the corner, and that I had to go sit and be a poor little street girl. He didn't tell me why, and when I refused he hit me..."

She felt the scab on her cheek. Jill's eyes had narrowed to slits, and she seemed deep in thought.

"Continue"

Tis looked at the riled Queen uneasily, and went on.

"Well, yes, he hit me, and then he grabbed my around the neck, and, and then you came in"

There, the story was out. Tia felt the shadow of guilt settle on her belly. Queen Jill didn't REALLY need to know about The King's murder of her parents? He would make it his life's mission to kill her if anyone ever found out.

Jill was still in thought, her hands pressed to her lips, her eyes still slits. Then she unfolded herself and leant forward looking right into Tia's eyes.

"That's all? You've been a messenger for him all your life?"

There was something in Tia that made her throw up shields, and for a reason that she could not understand, she lied.

"Yes, that's all"

She couldn't believe herself, she had lied to a Queen, not just a Queen, a good Queen, one who had stood up for her, and who had given her a bed and food and support. But she had still lied, and she didn't know why.

But the Queen accepted that, and stood.

"Thank you Tia. Macet will now be accused, and if he pleads guilty he will be jailed in Galma for... one month. Not long enough in my opinion. Now what will he be charged with? Dammit, Edmund would know!"

She had trailed off talking to herself. Tia sat awkwardly on the couch. Jill suddenly snapped out of it, turning to the girl with a fierce smile on her face.

"Come! Let's go wake my royal companions, and then throw this 'King' to the rats where he belongs!" She said triumphantly.

Tia smiled despite herself, and hurried to the Queen's side.

* * *

She stood on the courtroom of Galma and marvelled at the splendour. Queen Jill, Lucy and King Peter appeared unimpressed, and Lucy had actually let out a derisive snort. They had been ushered into the front seats, and they looked down on Macet, who seemed like a smudge of dirt on a diamond. Jill was staring daggers at him, but he didn't show any knowledge of it on his grubby, yet handsome face.

Everyone was getting settled, and the three Narnians were deliberating between themselves over who was going to actually accuse Macet. Peter had volunteered, and Jill was telling him what to say. But the chamberlain was looking at them pointedly, and Tia tugged on Jill's sleeve. She spun around, asking what was wrong.

"I think you have to start talking now"

Jill noticed the chamberlain, and nodded to Peter. The High King then stood, and looked down at Macet. The two men were about the same age, but it was easy to see who had domination in the scenario. Peter squared his shoulders and began the accusation.

"I, Peter, High King of Narnia, Emperor of the Lone Islands, Knight of Narnia and Lord of Cair Paravel, do hereby accuse Macet, who fashions himself as 'King' of Galma's streets, with these atrocities: Of breaching the walls of Fenral Castle illegally; of conspiring to the commit unknown atrocities on the body of mine companions; of questioning and speaking against the orders of Jill, Queen of Narnia and Lady of Cair Paravel; and of the abuse and attempted murder of Tia of Galma. Do you plead guilty or not guilty?"

All was silent in the court. Tia was looking at Macet, who was in turn looking at Peter, as if sizing him up. He then grinned maliciously and said, "Guilty"

Peter seemed pleased yet disgusted by this answer, and Jill and Lucy swapped a grim look, before Jill turned to Tia, snaking an arm around her shoulders. Queen Lucy then stood to join her brother. They were so alike, both possessing the same joyful blue eyes.

"I, Lucy, Queen of Narnia and Duchess of Lantern Waste, wish to question the said guilty"

The chamberlain nodded, and Lucy continued.

"Firstly, what where you doing in the castle of Fenral last night, and were you planning to commit said atrocities?

Macet smirked.

"To that dear Queen, I can say that yes, we were planning to 'commit said atrocities.'"

And with a grace and air that astounded all in the room, Queen Lucy asked, "Were you planning to murder mine companions?"

Macet suddenly seemed to appear off guard and lost his mocking tongue.

"Well?" Asked Lucy, "Were you!?"

"YES!" he roared, "YES! We've had enough of Kings and Queens, and we would have done it! If that STUPID bitch that the 'Queen' is defending hadn't gone all heroic on us! I'LL KILL HER, JUST LIKE I KILLED HER PARENTS!"

Tia said nothing, but the entire court was rocked with a horrified gasp. King Peter leapt to his and began to issue orders. Jill put her arms around Tia, and drew her away from the raving Macet protectively.

"Governor! What is the amount of years servable for murder?!"

The Governor, a round, pompous man called Dromd, roses and called back, "25 years, High King!"

"Then guards! Have this man thrown into the dungeons of Galma, into a single cell. Macet of Galma, You have been found guilty of the murder of – Tia what were their names?"

"Genevire and Stephron," Tia whispered.

"Found guilty of the murder of Genevire and Stephron, and of the attempted murder of Queen Lucy, Queen Jill and High King Peter of Narnia. You will await another trial tomorrow!"

Five huge guards had Macet handcuffed and were dragging him through what seemed a door that must lead to the dungeons. Peter leaned over, planted a kiss of his sisters forehead, and Jill's lips, then explained that he had to go organise another trial for tomorrow, and that they would have to remain in Galma for another day. Just before he left he gave Tia a reassuring simile.

Tia didn't smile back. She didn't do anything. Her eyes were watering, but she made no move to wipe them. Jill just pulled her closer, and she wept for the first time in two years unleashing all the tension and sorrow that she had kept inside. Even though a deranged, terrifying street king had sworn to kill her, Tia felt surprisingly safe. She made her decision. Even if she had to get down on her knees and beg, Jill HAD to take Tia with her back to Narnia.