AN: I know not all of this is entirely canon compliant but creative liberty is being taken. That is one of the concepts of fanfiction.

Anyway, thanks for the reviews. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Cheers, Drachma

Queen Susan of Narnia was called the gentle. The gentle, known for her kindness and wisdom.

Kind and gentle she was, but not weak. Not weak. Not forgiving. Certainly not stupid.

The Archenland envoys would realise this soon enough.

This knowledge was the only thing keeping her seated and friendly while debating with them in a peaceful manner. The words she exchanged were veiled threats, spiced with hints at defeat. A cloak for the daggers she threw.

They spoke to her as if she were a child. A girl who played with dolls and was merely a pretty puppet. They underestimated her and had seemingly forgotten who she was, looking down on her from an ivory tower that was crumbling beneath their feet.

She had fought in the battle against the witch. She had led her people into a new age alongside her siblings. She had helped rebuild Narnia from the ground up.

Underestimate her, they may, but that didn't make her less than she was. That didn't lessen her power or soften the blows she could deal.

Queen Susan was the gentle. And gentle she may be, but her bow never missed.

Susan left the council room a few hours later. She headed for the archery fields where her bow and arrows would be waiting, courtesy of Diospria.

She picked up her bow, the familiar weight bringing comfort. The first arrow flew at the target.

Now, she could assess the situation.

Archenlands council was plotting against it's prince and, by extension, king. They also hoped to gain power in Narnia, a land they had no right to.

The second arrow landed in the bulls-eye.

By gaining this power they could take Narnias troops and attempt a siege on the Calormen, the desert kingdom, in the south. This would result in a war. A war neither nation could afford at the moment.

Thud. Another arrow hit the target.

Now, what could they do?

The only logical option seemed to be sending that letter. There was a huge chance that could go wrong, though.

She shook herself. There was no more time. They had to take action now. Steeling herself, the high queen went to find a suitable messenger. The entire ridiculousness had gone on far too long.

The golden-white sand was soft under Queen Lucy's feet. It was a comforting feeling. Not wearing shoes was also nice.

Her eyes stared out at the ocean, watching the waves crashing on some rocks. Why was the world so complicated? She dearly hoped peace would soon settle. All the fighting was tiring and cast a shadow over her people, many of whom were already speculating that their brave soldiers wouldn't make it through the winter.

She and Susan had sent the letter she drafted with Tumnus. Whatever happened now was in the hands of the fates. The plan was in place.

'Please, Aslan,' she prayed, 'let this work.'

Lucy looked to the sky. The first stars were beginning to appear. She let out a long sigh.

"Everything alright?" Tumnus voice asked, catching her attention.

"I just thought of how lovely it would be if I could celebrate my fourteenth birthday with my siblings and without a war going on. Current events aren't exactly putting me in the spirit to celebrate." Lucy gave a sad smile. A rare expression on her face. One no-one wanted to see too often.

"I'm sure it will be over soon enough. After all, even the winter didn't last forever." The faun stepped forward to comfort his friend, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"You said that went on for a hundred years!"

"It did!" Tumnus smiled, "but we didn't give up hope then, and we can't give up hope now."

A smile graced the young queen's face. A happier one, this time. Her friend was right.

"No," she agreed, "we can't do that. Edmund and Peter are fighting in the North. They haven't given up yet, despite the odds. Neither should we."

"What happens now that we've sent that letter?" Tumnus asked.

"We fight for the truth and what is right. However we can, with whatever we have." Lucy started to walk back in the direction of Cair Paravel. "The truth always comes out, one way or another. I trust the price of archenland can see our good intentions behind it. Therefore, we can't lose, can we? Aslan be with us, we will see a victory in time to come."

She paused for a moment and turned back to Tumnus.

"Come on, then. We've wasted enough time thinking. It's time to act."