CHAPTER 21

Caspian and his crew crouched along the ledge of the cliff. Looking into the dark abyss not one man could make out a shape. Caspian glanced to his men, "Slow steps, and allow your eyes to adjust before advance again." He waited until everyone nodded before he gave the signal to move. Like a bride down the aisle they advanced.

Voices, like a thousand humans speaking as one echoed off the rocky walls. She will not last long, we need another.

She is still strong enough to fight our influence. Until she is no more, we can still use her.

Caspian stopped beside a large boulder, five dark figures moved in circles around a tall cemented slab. As she listened to their argument he realized that their mouths weren't moving. It discussed him the way they spoke of Lucy as if she were a feast. Embracing to give orders to his men Caspian paused when he noticed they weren't moving. Every single man was frozen in their couched positions, as if they had suddenly became stone statues.

Come join us, little prince. We have been expecting you, young Caspian.

Standing Caspian reviled himself. "How is it that you know my name?"

There is one who calls for you.

Lucy's whisper broke above the silence. "Caspian…. Caspian…. Caspian."

"LUCY!" Caspian spun in circles trying the pin point the fainted echo. Turning back around to face the small, yet large group, it was then that Caspian's eyes landed on a small angelic foot. "Lucy."

Ah, so you have come to her rescue. Shall we make the game one a bit more challenging?

A cyclone of dust whirled in the corner of the room, disbursing to revile a beautiful woman.

"Susan?"

Susan smiled, "Caspian, you've come to rescue me!"

Caspian shook his head, "I don't understand. How are you here?"

Her smiled brightened, "What does it matter? I'm here, we can go home."

"Home?"

She giggled, a sound Caspian had long ago forged into memory. "To Narnia, to Paravel."

"But it is not finished yet-"

"It will be," Susan encouraged. "It could be ours. Yours and mine."

"But Lucy. You're married." He frowned in confusion.

"No," Susan denied as she walked to stand before the Faes. "Not here."

So young one, the choice is yours. Save the woman you love or the one you think you love. The tallest Fae said as he placed his hands reassuringly upon Susan's shoulders. His face leaning down as if sniffing along her neck. The one you love is courageous, strong, with a heart full of kindness. She holds all else above her own. Her safety. Her joy. Yet over all, her love is given unconditionally and without reserves. So I shall ask you again. Save the woman you love, or the one you merely imagine you love.

'Love,' Caspian thought, 'Susan?' He starred at the woman before him. She was beautiful, and strong. Everything he had ever hoped for within his queen. But the woman of whom the Fae had described wasn't Susan. It was Lucy.

It was Lucy who was strong and courageous beyond her years. Her heart was bursting with nothing but kindness. She has placed others before herself numerous times. She loved him with all of his mistakes, even with all the pain he caused her in the past and present. Her love was unconditional. Yes, Lucy loved him. Just as he loved…

"Lucy."

Susan's head flew back with an ear piercing screech as she braced her hand upon her head and dissolved into the grains of sand she was. Just as the ground began to shake with heavy footprints.

"Carter." Caspian informed as the swarm of men came plowing through the opening.

"MOVE CASPIAN!" Carter yelled as he ran towards the group.

Caught unexpectedly, the Faes struggled to gain air. Arrows embedded themselves into raven wings, while swords and axes severed limbs. Knife like claws slice, wound and even felled two. The Faes were strong, having consumed nearly all of Lucy's essence, they healed just as quickly.

"Rip off their heads!" Carter ordered.

Caspian emerged from his stupor and rushed to Lucy's side. She was pale and cold. Raising his sword high within the air Caspian hacked at the thin wire that cut into Lucy's flesh. To no prevail.

A rough hand slapped down unto Caspian's arm. "Fae magic. It won't break until they are dead."

At a loss for words, Caspian nodded, turned and joined the fight. Three Faes lay dead upon the floor only a few men stayed by their side cutting them into pieces. There was only one that Caspian wanted. The leader, the airborne Fae that had created Susan. Caspian advanced upon the pile of fallen bodies around the creature.

Well, if it isn't the little prince. It teased. Come closer for thy death.

"King. I am King Caspian, and you shall know my sword."

With a hiss it flew at Caspian, claws bared.

….

A maze of darkness trapped Lucy. No matter where she ran she could not escape. The sounds of battle rang out all around her. She stopped, hands on her knees as she panted to catch her breath. "What's happening?"

Suddenly a light far off into the distance flickered on. Cautiously, Lucy walked closer. When she drew near she noticed that it was a lamp post shining brightly in the middle of a snowy wood. I know this. A small snapping of a twig had Lucy turning her head to the left just as a figure emerged. "Mr. Tumnus?"

He smiled at her as he drew closer. "Hello, my dear little friend?" Lucy ran and embraced he long ago friend in a loving hug. "My have you grown."

"I don't understand. You're…"

"Passed on?" Tumnus offered at her silence. With tears breaming in her eyes, Lucy sadly nodded. "Only in flesh. Aslan takes good care of us in his land."

"Does that mean that I too, am-"

"No!" Tumnus stated firmly. "Lucy you have a lot more life to live, and a family to live it for."

Lucy shook her head, "I feel so weak. I don't know how to go on fighting, Mr. Tumnus."

At his comforting smile he told her, "Lucy you have always had an inner fire within you. It was there when I first saw you." The darkness faded as Lucy and Tumnus watched an image of their first meeting, like a giant movie screen that stretched all around them. One by one Lucy's acts in, not only Narnia but London as well, played out around them. Acts of strength, courage, kindness, bravery, but most of all…

Acts of love.

"Your fire is your lifeline, Lucy," Tumnus added as the scenes began to play repeatedly each round faster than the last until it was all a blur. "It's time for that internal fire to become external. The time has come, dear little friend, to wake up." Red flames began to circle around Lucy as Mr. Tumnus stepped backwards. The flames didn't burn, instead they lifted Lucy into the air engulfing her body and spirit in warmth. "Wake up, Lucy."

…

Lucy's eyes flicked open as she was raised into a standing position upon the slab, the flames still dancing around her. Some men stopped and starred in awe at the sight. Witnessing a golden flamed crown burn above Lucy's waving hair. She had transformed.

She was gowned in a dress of a Queen, with gold sticking and designs flowing from the bodice to the skirt. Her hair had curled, flowing in midair as if a summer breeze caressed its fingers through her chestnut locks.

Her eyes focused in front of her as the last Fae battled a cut and bleeding pair of Captains. Carter and Caspian. She floated forward, still raised above the dusty ground. When both men saw her they were stunned into freezing mid-swing.

Taking advantage of their distraction, the Fae leader raised its clawed hands to strike the final blow.

Lucy raised her head as she closed her eyes. Bringing her right hand out before her. Lucy shot the swirling fire straight at the Fae engulfing him in flames. All eyes watched as the Fae attempted to extinguish the burning fire. In the end it let out a scream and turned to ash.

Caspian and Carter looked at a flameless Lucy. Smiling at them, her eyes rolled behind her lids and she fell into Caspian's arms.

"Lucy."

…

A/N: Let me know