Back to updating on the weekends- however, the next two weeks will be crazy! Moby Dick goes in front of an audience soon and as much as I love giving you updates, I also enjoy not being killed by my directors….

I hope to update you guys normally but if not- well, you know why.

That night my dreams were a jumble of Narnia, my family, Caspian, Jonathan, Caspian, Andrew, Caspian and a strange shadow lurking in the forest. Did I mention that Caspian was in them?

The strangest one by far was also the hardest to understand. I was in Narnia, yet so was Aribella. She had waist length hair, contrast to her chin length hair that she had in real life. She was running into the forest, followed by Andrew. But as soon as I got into the forest, they were no where to be found. Then suddenly Caspian was at my side, whispering in my ear- and yet, I couldn't hear him. Then a bright light washed out the whole scene.

"Rise and greet the morning Queen Lucy!" A voice called into my dream like haze. I painfully opened my eyes to see that the bright light had been Martha pulling back the gauzy curtains that surrounded my bed. I groan and flopped back down on the pillows.

"Now, now, none of that child." She scolded me gently, pulling the blankets back. "I already have a bath drawn - his majesty wishes to have breakfast with you."

I huffed slightly, but shook myself out of my dreams and rolled over. My body creaked, my joints popping in protest of leaving the warm bed. I reached up gently, stretching my stiff body down to my toes. I glanced back out the window to see the sun raising sleepily over the eastern sea border. I took a deep breath, smelling something sweet from the outside. I guessed it to be about eight by the sun's position in the sky.

I padded to my bath and submerged myself in the warm waters. I ran my fingers through my hair- untangling it as gently as I could. I felt a pang of missing Ari and the way her fingers could manage my bird's nest of hair. I winced as I snagged on a tangle, biting down on my lip.

Martha came in with an array of bottles- most of which I'm sure were for my hair. She set them down carefully and opened the first. "Now, let's make something manageable out of those locks." I groan and ducked under the water again.

My head throbbed slightly as I sat in a fresh shift on my bed. Martha was still finishing my hair, but I couldn't be too upset. Martha was like Ari, an artist when it came to hair. She was all to happy to tell me about how much she had missed doing someone's hair. She used to do her nieces' until they had gotten too old, and without a queen living in the castle, it had been quite along time since she had been able to fiddle with someone's hair.

We talked absent-mindedly while she braided chunks on my hair. She then took the strands of braids and twisted them complicatedly into a bun that rested a few inches above the nape of my neck.

When she had finally finished, I fished around in the wardrobe for a dress to wear. I found a lilac one that I had favored during the golden age. It was light and airy, giving me enough room to get into a friendly sparing match with Edmund if I was so inclined. I recalled that nearly every time I wore this dress, Su wore a power blue one she had. I closed my eyes as the pain of Susan forgetting Narnia ran through me like a knife. I brushed off that thought and went to change.

I looked in the mirror when I had finished. I smiled a little when I did, running my hair down the front of the dress. The fabric was cool and soft to my touch. My hair admittedly did look rather nice braided back, leaving no hair in my face. My eyes sparkled, the color of the dress complimenting the blue hue.

I wasn't conceded, far from it. I really didn't care what I looked like- not after what happened on the Dawn Treader. But something about my old dresses fitting me again- it made me feel wonderful, and well, pretty. It was the second time I had grown to be sixteen, and I had honestly missed being older.

I turned and headed out the door. I was pleasantly surprised to see Jonathan there, his hand raised to knock on my door. I smiled down at the child. "Good morning Jonathan."

"Good Mornin' Queen Lucy." He greeted me, still shy. "I'm suppose to bring you to meet King Casthpian." I nodded and took the boy's hand. We set off down the hallway.

"Where is Caspian?" I asked him once I realized we weren't going towards the dining hall. "He's in his study." Jonathan said. I nodded and was just about to ask him he wanted to take a passageway when a stern voice called out. "Jonathan!"

I turned to see a guard that I didn't know coming up. He noticed me and bowed low, "Queen Lucy." He straightened and then continued, "I apologize for interrupting but Jonathan is needed."

"Not a problem." I smiled politely, squeezing Jonathan's hand, "I know my way." I looked down at the small boy; "I shall see you later." He nodded and then took off after the guardsmen. I stared after them for a moment and then stole down the side hall. Stepping behind a tapestry and took off down a hidden stairwell that led to the system of tunnels. I hope I still remember the way to the study.

I quickly found out that who ever had built the castle was a student of history- the tunnels were exactly as I remembered. I could still trace my way to Susan's old room or Edmund's study. I also knew the way to Peter's old room, now Caspian's. I decided not to delay too much, knowing Caspian wished to speak with me still.

I headed down the tunnel Jonathan and I had used the other day to reach the study. As I got nearer, I noticed that Caspian was not alone. I couldn't quite make out who it was, although I could only guess it was Andrew.

"How did she get to be here though?" Caspian's voice suddenly rang through clear. "Aslan told her she was to not return." They're talking about me?

"Are you saying you'd rather her not here?" the voice answered- definitely Andrew's.

"No! Lucy being here- it's almost like a dream." Caspian's voice took an interesting turn. "It's more than I could have ever hoped for."

"So you intend to tell her then?" Andrew's voice became patronizing. Tell me what?

"That's not any of your business." Caspian answered, "And you might me careful of your tone- she's not Arella."

There was a hiss and then a silence. I could feel the tension in the room through the wall.

"I'm sorry." Caspian said, "I shouldn't have said that."

"That was a rather low blow." Andrew finally said, the pain evident in his tone.

There was a thick silence that coated the room again. I backed up slowly, fearing I shouldn't have heard any of that. Unfortunately, I stumbled over something and nearly fell. I held my breath, praying they didn't hear me and catch me spying.

There was movement in the room and I froze. But then I heard muffled farewells and footsteps. The door closed and the room was once again silent. I thought about returning to the main hallways, seeing as Caspian was most likely expecting me a while ago.

Then the secret door that led into the hallway creaked, as if under some weight. I crept towards it, curious on what would cause it to do that. Then I nearly jumped out of my skin when Caspian's voice called "I know you're in there Lucy."

After I had climbed out of the tunnels and Caspian had checked to make sure I was unhurt he went back around his desk. He sat in his chair, folded his hands and looked over at me. "How much did you hear?" he asked. He didn't sound angry, more curious.

I walked over and sat down on his desk on the opposite side of him. "Not much." I said. He raised an eyebrow at me. "At least not much I could make out. The tunnels muffle sound and anything I did hear was out of context." I said sheepishly.

Caspian nodded and then smiled, "Well, it doesn't matter much." He stood and came around his desk until he stood in front of me. "Would you tell me your story now?" He asked and grabbed my hand. I smiled, glad that he wasn't angry, and nodded.

"I guess it all really started a few days before Fall Festival…"

Caspian listened intently to my story, never interrupting. A strange expression crossed his face when Scott came into my story, but he quickly controlled it. He looked over to see I had noticed and he shook his head lightly. I mentally filed that to my questions I had to ask him when I got the chance and continued on with the story.

By the time I got to arriving at the castle, the sun had risen fairly high in the sky and it was well past breakfast. I glanced over at Caspian, who appeared deep in thought. He once again caught me looking over at him, but this time he smiled. "Sounds like you've had quite the adventure in the past few days."

"More so than I have all year I suppose." I mused quietly. Narnia always brought adventures, and I couldn't wait for the next to start. I looked over at Caspian to see him staring at my arm. "What?" I asked.

"You have a scratch-" He gently grabbed my arm and turned it over, "-right here." He traced a finger over the mark and I winced. "Does it hurt?" He asked, suddenly very protective. I shook my head, "Not physically."

"What do you mean?" Caspian asked, his eyebrows coming together in confusion. I looked away, feeling a sudden tightening in my throat and tears start to sting my eyes. "Lucy?" Caspian called gently. He reached for my face and brought it back to look at him. "What is it?" He pressed urgently, seeing the tears in my eyes.

"It's not fresh, Caspian," I choked out, "it's- it's a scar."

"From what?" His hand stilled on my arm, "What happened Lu?"

"I was-" but a sob escaped. Caspian wrapped his arms around me, trying to calm me. "Lucy, you don't have to speak of it." He whispered, rubbing soothing circles on my back, but I shook my head vigorously. "No, I've held it in to long."

"Held what in to long?" Caspian asked, sounding almost fearful.

"What happened between Scott and I." I whispered, letting more tears fall.

It was a bright, clear day. Too bad I was to spend it all day in school. I pulled absentmindedly at my hair. It was in a messy braid, left over from Aribella doing it before classes today. We had already completed morning classes and my classmates and I were rewarded with a lunch break outside. Aribella had run off somewhere, and I couldn't seem to find anyone else. I merely sat in the grass, content to be by myself.

"Well hello there love." A cold voice called. Well, this was a pleasant day.

"For the last time Scott," I huffed out, not even pretending to have patience left with him. " I am not your love- or your anything for that matter."

"Touchy today aren't we?" He said, coming closer still. "What's wrong?"

"What wrong is you're here ruining a perfectly lovely day." I snapped. I was very tired of him. I stood and brushed off my skirt. "Now if you excuse me-" I turned to leave but he grabbed my arm.

"I'm not done talking to you." He growled out, his grip tightening.

"If you wish to keep your hand attached to your body, I would let go." I hissed out. I tried to break away, but his grip held firm. "Let go of me Scott!" I hissed out again.

"I'm a little tired of you playing hard to get." His nails bit into my skin, despite them being short. "So why don't you just play nice from now on?" He sneered.

"I said-" I growled out, "Get. OFF!" I wrenched my arm from his grip, his nail cutting a slash into my arm. I kicked out, knocking him over and ran as if my life depended on it.

(One week later)

"Lucy?" Edmund said suddenly, "Where did you get that cut?"

I glanced down at my arm, "Oh, I must have fallen." I lied, not exactly sure what possessed me to.

"You need to be more careful Lu." Edmund scolded me gently, "That's most likely going to scar."

I continued to sob through out the whole story, I almost wondered if Caspian had understood any of it. One look at his face told me that he had understood every word. He looked murderous, his eyes flashing a dark glint. "Lucy," He tried to find the words, "I don't know what to say."

I shook my head at him, and simply leaned into his shoulder. He adjusted so that I was surrounded in his arms. I closed my eyes, feeling warm and safe. "I know he can't hurt me anymore Caspian." I murmured.

"Did you- ever tell anyone Lucy?" He asked cautiously.

"No." I admitted, "This was the first time I told anyone." Caspian stiffed, but tightened his grip. I buried my face deeper into the crook of his neck. He smelt like the sea after a storm mixed with a musk scent of some kind. I breathed it in deeply. I was content to stay forever when thunder rolled in the distance.

I snapped my head over to the window. The sun had now disappeared behind growing clouds. The sky in the distance was a frightening black. I tensed as another roll of thunder clapped in the distance.

"Still not a fan of storms I see?" Caspian teased me from behind. I stuck my tongue out at him, but then jumped when it thundered again, causing him to laugh. I gave him a sarcastic look and then looked out the window worriedly again.

"Well Lu, I should probably get you some food." Caspian started to say, and then right on time, my stomach growled lightly. He chuckled and then offered his hand. I smiled and took it, letting his lead me away from the window and the brewing storm.

Remember when I said something else happen between Scott and Lucy? Yeah…

He was originally going to come into play more, but then I came up with a better idea and wanted to focus on that.

For those of you who remember my hints- that was Andrew's secret/ Lucy listening. Also- brewing storm….hmmmm…. ;)

Review?