The sun was starting to set and a cool breeze moved through the forest. It had been another long day of traveling for Peter, Edmund, and Lucy and they weren't even out of Narnia. Even though they still had a long way to go to find Susan, they knew they would have to rest for the evening.

"Can we rest here?" Lucy asked as the group entered a clearing by a small stream.

It was the ideal setting with no branches or stones to make them uncomfortable as they slept. It was just a nice, wide patch of green grass next to the small band of water and surrounded by tall pine trees. Above them, the sky was turning beautiful shades of red, yellow, and purple through the clouds as the day ended.

"I don't see why not. It's perfect," Edmund said.

The trio climbed off their horses, slipped off their bridles and saddles, and gave them some treats from their saddle pouches. It was important that the horses were just as comfortable during the night's sleep due to the long hours of walking they had put in during the day.

As the two kings lay out the sleeping blankets and their little sister gathered sticks and stones for a makeshift fire pit, there was only one topic of conversation on their minds.

"Is it really going to take two weeks to arrive at the castle? I mean, we've only been traveling for two days and we haven't even left Narnia yet. This is taking too long," Edmund complained.

"Then we need to travel faster, don't we?" Peter replied, sounding slightly annoyed.

"And how are we going to do that?" their younger sister asked.

"I really think the only way is to travel for as long as possible before taking a break," the High King said.

"And pray to Aslan that we don't run into anymore of that witch's minions," the younger king added.

Lucy was silent as she knelt on the grass and placed more sticks into the fire pit. The mere mention of Melora's vile creatures was starting to make her uncomfortable, even more so than the actual encounters she and her brothers had so far. It brought to mind what horrific ordeal
her sister was dealing with in the foreign castle far away from her beloved Narnia.

"I think the horses need more water," she finally said.

"I just gave them water, Lu. Why would they need more?" Edmund asked.

"They had a long journey. They deserve it."

As Lucy walked over to the stream, she still had thoughts of Melora's hideous minions in her mind. It was certainly not something she wanted to be dreaming about during the night as she slept.

Middle of the night

The fire had almost died out and Peter and Edmund had fallen into a deep sleep
on the soft grass. But their little sister wasn't even close to closing her eyes. Lucy was laying on her back staring up at the trees. Even the warm night breeze did little to make her tired. She
hadn't slept a lot since Susan's disappearance, but hearing Peter and Edmund talk earlier about how much more they had to travel and how they might have to deal with Melora's troops made it even harder.

Lucy turned around on her side, hoping to get into a comfortable position. She still didn't feel her eyes start to close, so she tried running her fingers through the grass to take her mind off of things.

At least I have a decent place to sleep and I'm with my family. Susan doesn't even have anyone who loves her right now. I have Peter and Edmund to protect me. I doubt Susan has any way to protect herself from that vicious woman, Lucy thought sadly.

Sighing, she sat up and picked a few grass blades from the ground. The guilt she had been feeling over the argument with her sister was not going away and she was at a loss on what to do.

I hope Susan forgives me for this, she though.

"My child, do not feel down," a soft voice called out.

Lucy was surprised as she looked towards the trees. She carefully stood up and turned around to look at her two brothers, both of whom were still fast asleep on the soft grass. Feeling
confused, she turned back towards the trees and took a couple of careful steps forward.

"Aslan?" she asked quietly.

"Dearest Queen Lucy," the voice called out again.

The young queen was curious as she cautiously walked towards the woods, her hand firmly gripping her dagger. She looked around the trees to try and figure out the source of the voice. Part of her felt that it was Aslan talking but she was also fearful that this was another trick by
Melora to lure her away from her family.

"Aslan? Is that you?"

"Come, my dear one. Do not be afraid," the voice said from right behind Lucy.

Startled, the little girl whirled and brought her dagger up from her belt, ready to fight the mystery voice talking to her. She was surprised, though, to find that there was nobody behind her at all and that she was pointing the dagger at thin air.

"Where are you? What do you want from me?"

"We must talk, my queen."

A cool nighttime breeze began to form in the spot where Lucy was pointing her dagger. The youngest noble of Narnia was stunned to see leaves and flower petals began to swirl up from the ground and began to take a familiar shape. She was also slightly embarrassed at this as she
was always very friendly with her forest friends and never tried to harm them in any way.

"Oh, I am so sorry. I thought you were with that horrible witch," she said.

As the dryad's shape became complete, she smiled warmly at Lucy and laughed softly. She reached out a hand towards her, which the young girl calmly took.

"No apology necessary. I am the one who should apologize for frightening you so," the dryad whispered.

"I do accept your apology. But what is it you want from me?"

"I have felt your pain and anguish over the disappearance of our Gentle Queen. You must not feel like that."

Lucy looked down at her feet and traced a small circle in the grass. She took a deep breath to keep herself from having another crying spell.

"I was so horrid and mean to my sister. But I didn't mean it. I love Susan so much and I just want to say I'm sorry."

"And you will be able to, my dear Lucy."

Lucy looked up and gave the dryad a confused look. "But my sister is so far away from Narnia. My brothers and I have a long way to go to Archenland. How can I talk to her?"

A warm smile spread across the dryad's face as she clasped both of her hands together on Lucy's and said to the little girl "Do not worry about anything. All you need to do is tell me what you wish to say to your sister and I will make sure it gets passed on through the trees."

Lucy had a flutter of hope in her heart. She would finally be able to say something to her lost sister, even if wasn't face to face like she wished. She closed her eyes as she concentrated deeply on what she wanted to say.

"Do you know what you want to tell your sister, dear one?"

The young queen opened up her eyes and gave the dryad a sad but serious look. She did have the words she desperately wanted to send to Susan all figured out.

"Please send this message: Susan, I am so sorry for what I did. I love you very, very much and I want you back safely. Peter and Edmund are with me and we're on our way. Please hold on. Don't let that witch beat you down."

"My Valiant Queen, that was well said. I will begin to spread the
message immediately. And rest assured, your sister will receive it and
she will know that it is from your heart," the dryad spoke lovingly.

"Thank you. Please hurry and send it to her." Lucy said.

The dryad slowly lowered her hands to her side and Lucy watched her as her leaves started to swirl up into the wind. She had a feeling that maybe this would be a small but sure start towards healing the rift between her and Susan.