Caspian and I took Lucy and Edmund belowdecks to the weapons store, where we had also stored their belongings, just in case they came back.
Lucy stared at Peter's shield, which displayed the magnificent lion. "Aslan," she whispered.
"Look," Edmund said, "Susan's bow and arrows." He pointed to where the bow and quiver were placed on the wall.
"Lucy," Caspian, said, getting her attention. He held up two objects.
"My healing cordial and dagger." She reached forward, but hesitated. "Oh, may I?"
"Of course, they're yours." Lucy took the items and touched them gently, like she couldn't believe they were there; that she was there.
Edmund was examining a sword, which was also displayed on the wall next to the majestic shield. "Peter's sword."
"Yes," Caspian said, "I looked after it as promised." He took it off the wall and offered it to Edmund, "Here, hold it if you wish."
Edmund took a step back, "No, no. It's yours. Peter gave it to you."
I saw that as an opportunity to offer Edmund something of his own. I opened one of the nearby chests and pulled out the electric torch that he had left behind. "I saved this for you, though." I tossed it to him and he caught it effortlessly. He then proceeded to turn it on, blasting light in his face. I snickered.
"Thanks." He said, both sarcastically in response to my amusement at his troubles and sincerely for returning his torch to him.
I smiled awkwardly, the teasing moment gone. "No problem." I didn't know where we stood at the moment. The tension was very visible.
"So," Caspian said, breaking the silence. "If you'd like to follow me to my cabin, Court and I will fill you in on everything you've missed in the last three years." The three of us followed Caspian to his main planning room, where a large map was laid over a table.
"Since you left, the Giants in the North," He pointed to their lands on the map, "have surrendered unconditionally, mainly due to Courtney's skills as a negotiator."
I dipped my head slightly to acknowledge the compliment. "I try."
"Then we defeated the Calormen armies at the Great Desert." He gestured to the Calormen lands.
"That was considerably more difficult than the business with the Giants. Much more costly as well."
"Now there is peace across all of Narnia." Caspian concluded our brief overview.
"Peace?" Edmund asked. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Why did people feel the need to ask questions about something someone just said? Yes, there was peace, Caspian wasn't lying.
"And have you found yourself a queen in those three years?" Lucy asked, running a hand through her hair. That was a more logical question that hadn't already been answered.
"No, not one to compare with your sister." Caspian said. Over the years, many ladies had tried to gain the attention of my brother, but he turned every single one away. I wondered if he was ever going to move on from Susan. She was wonderful, of course, but without a queen the royal bloodline would end.
"Hang on," Edmund said as if he was finally registering everything Caspian and I had said. "If there's no wars to fight… and no one's in trouble, then why are we here?"
"Not a bad question." I admitted.
"I've been asking myself the same thing," Caspian said. As was I.
"So where are we sailing to?" Edmund asked. I gave up judging his questions. They were actually quite sensible.
"Before I took the throne from my uncle," Caspian answered, "He tried to kill my father's closest friends and most loyal supporters. The seven lords of Telmar." He walked over to a nearby wall and gestured dramatically to the drawings of seven men. "They fled to the Lone Islands." He took a couple steps back to the map to point it out. "No one has heard from them since."
"So you think something has happened to them?" Lucy asked.
"If it has, it's my duty to find out."
"Well, what's east of the Lone Islands?" Edmund pointed to the empty space on the map.
"Unchartered waters." Captain Drinian said, arriving out of nowhere and scaring me quite a bit more than I cared to admit. "Things you can barely imagine," He continued. "Tales of sea serpents and worse."
"Sea serpents?" Edmund asked in disbelief. I had to agree with him. Sea serpents were just myths. Right?
"All right, Captain," Caspian said, preventing any further words that may cause fear from coming out of the captain's mouth. "That's enough of your tall tales."
"Well," I said in the awkward silence that followed. There seemed to be a lot of that lately. "Lucy, Edmund, I can take you somewhere you can rest and relax for a moment. Catch your breath." I exited the cabin with Lucy and Edmund following close behind.
My quarters were closer than the main crew quarters, so we went there first. "Lucy, I'm the only other female on board, so you'll have to share with me. I can rig up something temporary for the time being. Sorry it's a bit of a mess." I made a pointless attempt to get my things in order. There were loose sheets of paper all over the ground.
"It's okay." Lucy said. "I'm not tired right now. Actually, I think I'll go on deck and meet some of the crewmembers." She did just that, leaving me and Edmund alone.
Edmund and I made eye contact for a bit too long. "Right," I said. "I'm afraid you'll have to sleep with the rest of the crew. There's probably a spare hammock somewhere. This way." I started off, but Edmund grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me back and spun me to face him.
"What's happening to us?" He asked. "Where did all this awkwardness come from?"
I had to tilt my head up to look him in the eye. He had gotten taller since the last time I saw him. More handsome too, I noticed unintentionally. I quickly moved away from that train of thought. "It's been three years for me," I said. "Three years since I last saw you, spoke to you, or heard from you. Maybe it's okay for you since it's only been one, but three years is a lot of time. I've changed in that time, even if you haven't."
"Courtney, I-"
"We'll continue this another time," I said, though I had no intention of ever continuing the conversation. "Please let go of me." His hand still gripped my wrist. He let go and I stalked off before he could say another word.
Later on, a large group of people had assembled on the deck. Caspian and Edmund were sparring.
Edmund was good, I noted. He was holding his own against Caspian, who had had three additional years to practice. I doubted Edmund had practiced much in his world.
It was mesmerising watching them fight. They were both very skilled and graceful. Their similar fighting styles made it easier for them to predict the other's moves. The crew cheered on both parties as they slashed, ducked, and blocked. Unsurprisingly, Caspian won, but Edmund lasted longer than I would have expected.
"You've grown stronger, my friend," Caspian said upon ending their dual.
"It seems I have," Edmund replied.
I pulled my sword out of its sheath, which I had replaced in its place on my hip after the rescue. I spun the sword around a couple times. "Anyone fancy a bout?" I asked, locking eyes with Edmund. I wanted to see his skill in person.
"Maybe another time." He replied. "I don't have a death wish." The last part was said in an undertone, but loud enough for all to hear. His comment was met with laughter. Even I laughed as I sheathed my sword.
"All right!" Drinian called, "Back to work!" The crew returned to their positions. The Pevensie siblings stood on the side, not having a job. I didn't have a job at the current time, so I joined them. Despite what I had said to Edmund, we were still friends. Lucy was also a friend.
The two of them were discussing what would happen if they sailed to the end of the world when their lovely cousin came up from belowdecks.
"I see you're still talking nonsense, the two of you." Eustace said to his cousins. "Who are you?" He rudely asked me.
I opened my mouth to answer, but Edmund beat me to it. "This is Courtney. Princess of Narnia and sister of the King." I was pleasantly surprised that he jumped to my defense so quickly, but I also didn't want to read too much into it.
"Are you feeling better?" Lucy asked. This girl is too nice for her own good.
"Yes, no thanks to you lot. It's lucky I have an iron constitution." He had some kind of constitution, but I highly doubted it was iron.
"As effervescent as ever, I see." Reepicheep joined our conversation. "Find your sea legs?"
"Never lost them. Simply dealing with the shock of things." I would have paid a lot if he had fallen immediately after saying that. Unfortunately, he was still standing. "Mother says I have an acute disposition, due to my intelligence." I barely stopped myself from scoffing.
"I don't think he has a cute anything." I heard Edmund whisper to Lucy. I had to agree.
I'll have you all know," Eustance continued, "As soon as we find civilization, I'm contacting the British Consul. Have you all arrested for kidnapping."
"Kidnapping, is it?" Caspian asked in a tone of disbelief, adding another member to our growing group. "That's funny. I thought we saved your life." I'd be okay if we un-saved his life.
"You held me against my will! In what, I must say, are the most unhygienic quarters. It's like a zoo down there!"
"He's quite the complainer, isn't he?" Reepicheep asked Edmund.
"He's just warming up." Edmund responded.
"If he doesn't do something about that attitude," I said, "I'll throw him overboard myself."
"I might join you."
Our conversation was interrupted by a shout from the lookout. "Land ho!" Our little group scattered to get a better view. It still took awhile for all of us to get a clear view of the land.
"The Lone Islands." Caspian said, examining the landmass through a spyglass. "The port of Narrowhaven. Strange, not a Narnian flag in sight." He passed the spyglass to me.
"But the Lone Islands have always been Narnia's." I said, searching for a Narnian flag. Sure enough, there were none in sight.
"Seems suspicious." I handed the viewing instrument to Edmund, who was standing on the deck next to us.
"I say we prepare a landing party." Edmund said. "Drinian?"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Drinian replied, "But the chain of command starts with King Caspian on this ship."
Edmund looked somewhat embarrassed. "Right."
I supposed he was used to being in charge while in Narnia. Sorry, Edmund, I thought, but things run a little differently now. If we were going through the chain of command, I was next in line after Caspian. I think Drinian might have been after me, before Edmund.
"We'll use longboats." Caspian said. Edmund's order had been the logical plan of action. "Drinian, pick some men and come ashore."
Drinian gathered a few men, while his second-in-command, Tavros the Minotaur, ordered the others to make the necessary preparations.
I ended up on the front of a longboat, squished between Caspian and Edmund. Reepicheep stood on the hull. A rowing crew of six worked to move our boat and Lucy and Eustace sat in the back. On the bright side, Eustace was relatively silent for the entire trip.
Another longboat with Drinian, Tavros, and a handful of men followed not far behind us. As we made our way to shore, the daylight faded close to sunset. While the sun began its last hour of light, we landed on the Lone Islands.
What do you guys think so far? I know we haven't traveled far from canon, but we will eventually. The Edmund-Courtney dynamic is very interesting and there's still more drama ahead.
Please drop a review!