Chapter Twenty-Five: Old Faces – Lucy

Lucy's POV

She died in her sleep two days after contracting the fever.

Who?

Josie. My sister – the only family I had in Archenland. It felt like losing Grandmother Augustina – but much, much worse. I didn't know her for a long time – but she was still my sister, and I loved her.

A week later, the epidemic ended, but not before claiming many lives. We had a month of mourning before we continued with our daily lives.

I stitched one stitch after another, feeling nothing. My mind was still numb after losing two people who were dear to me. Mistress Jane worked on a dress for one of the court ladies next to me.

"Have you heard the news, Lucy?" Mistress Jane asked me, not taking her eyes away from her work.

"What?" I asked.

"The Narnian delegation is to arrive next week, they have a new ambassador"

"Oh"

Calm yourself, Lu, I told myself. Father wouldn't be part of this delegation – he was only serving during Ambassador Peridan's time – and that's already over. And besides, I've changed a little bit these past years. My hair has grown longer and turned wavy, no longer the lifeless and ugly hair before, and I was a little taller too. A few more months, and then I would turn eighteen. I had to admit to myself I had grown a little…pretty.

But not as pretty as the others.

Next week arrived and I got a rather large shock.

Lord Eustace Scrubb was the Ambassador Glimfeather's assistant. And with him was my sister, Catherine.

Catherine looked a little different – she looked older than nineteen. Her blonde hair was placed onto a tight bun and she looked so severe and stern.

I made sure to be careful while they were here in Anvard. I tried to not make any of them noticed me – except for Catherine, but she didn't seem to recognize me at all. I wonder if it is an act.

But I do seem to have rotten luck.

Three days later, Jill somehow managed to evade bringing the oats to the stables and I was given that certain duty. I was just bringing in the last sack when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I whirled around and saw no other than Catherine Pevensie standing before me.

"Catherine!" I smiled hesitantly.

"Lucy" she greeted me back, "You seem to be getting along well"

I nodded, "Well enough. What are you doing here?"

"Haven't you heard? Princess Helena's here, and she's the reason why I'm also here. I'm her new governess"

I was only a little surprised at her news. Catherine would be fitting in that role as a governess.

"How is –" I hesitated slightly, "How is Father? And Gael? Anne? Edmund?"

Catherine smiled, "I thought you'd never ask. Father pushed his pride out of the window. He and Caspian Martin have a truce. Your engagement with Eustace Scrubb was broken off by Eustace himself. Gael's well, and we have a new niece – Alice. Edmund seems to be alright"

I laughed with delight, "Does this really mean what I think it means?"

"Yes" Catherine nodded, still smiling, "You're coming home"

"Wonderful!" I hugged her, which took her a back a little but she hugged back slightly before pushing me away. Suddenly, I remembered Josie, and it dampened my spirits a little. I told her the news and she sucked in a breath, but she nodded still.

"I'm sorry. But we can't change it anymore" Catherine said, patting me gently. "And I've also heard from sources that you have gotten close with two girls – Jill and Aravis? You can bring them back too"

I smiled, "Thank you, Catherine" I then remembered Prince Corin, "And how is your prince?"

Catherine looked momentarily confused and when she realized who I meant, she wrinkled her nose, "Oh, him"

I suspected that something had gone wrong. "What is it?"

"I'm not marrying him, Lucy?"

I stared at her, "But why?"

"Because I don't want to"

"But…you were in love with him!"

Catherine tossed her head back and gave a bitter laugh, "In love – oh Aslan – I was never in love with him!"

Wait, what?

"What?" I gaped at her, my mouth open.

She rolled her eyes, "Close your mouth, Lucy. And you should know a thing or two about playing around" she shrugged, "But of course, you are really deeply in love with Edmund, so I suppose you don't want to do it"

"Catherine, that's cruel of you"

"Who said I wasn't cruel?"

"Nobody" I admitted, "But what about Corin? He likes you so much"

Catherine sighed, "Well, then he has to live with the fact that I don't like him"

I saw a cloak out of the corner of my eye whip around the side of the entrance. I stood still. "Catherine" I said in a hushed voice, "Somebody was listening"

Catherine whipped around, but it was too late. She looked at me somberly, "I have to go, Luce. I'll tell you when we'll leave"

I nodded, "Alright. I have to go back to the servant's quarters anyway"

After supper, Jill, Aravis and I returned to our room. I had told them that I had something to say.

"Okay, Luce, what's the big news?" Jill asked.

I raised my eyebrows, "How'd you know its big news?"

She shrugged, "Just a guess"

"Well…" I started to say, "I'm going back to Narnia – and if you want, you can come with me

Jill stared but Aravis snapped her fingers in triumph.

"Ha!" she said, "I knew there was something off ever since those Narnians arrived…and I saw you walking with Lady Catherine Pevensie this afternoon"

"Was that you wearing the cape?" I asked curiously.

Aravis shook her head, "No, it was Prince Corin. I saw him leaving the stables a few minutes before you did"

Oh no.

He probably heard what Catherine had said. About playing around and all those things.

Catherine's in so much trouble right now.

"Oh no" I murmured. I quickly told Jill and Aravis the whole story, starting with mother's death.

Jill nodded, "Maybe I could come with you…" she blushed slightly pink and then mumbled something.

Aravis giggled, "Jill, have you fallen in love with anyone in the Narnian delegation?"

Jill squeaked something that I didn't hear and violently shook her head.

"Well?" Aravis asked impatiently.

Reluctantly, Jill nodded.

"Who?" I gasped.

"Ambassador Glimfeather's assistant" Jill murmured. "He's the reason why I haven't been able to do a few chores. We've been talking and taking walks together"

Glimfeather's assistant? His only assistant was…

"Eustace Scrubb?!" I gaped at her.

Fate works in such weird ways, doesn't it?

Jill nodded, "Yes. And he asked me if I would like to come back to Narnia with him" she shrugged, "I didn't know if I should, but now that it seems that you're going, I'm going too"

I smiled, "Great!" I turned to Aravis, "What about you Aravis? Will you come? Please say yes!"

Aravis looked at Jill and me and shook her head, "I'm sorry. I'm not going"

Yeah, yeah, yeah. IKR. Boring cliff-hanger. Anyway, please review! I really appreciate them!