Tumbling Down

Chapter Two

The Trouble with Neighbors

A hand on her shoulder caused Lucy to fall out of the sweetest dream. She stood upon the white sand of the Eastern Sea and his arm was around her. I love only you, said the faun with brown eyes.

"Love?" asked the intruder, and Lucy opened groggy blue eyes to look upon Susan's worried face.

"Oh," Lucy said, dismayed at reality setting in as her dream slipped away.

"I'm sorry to wake you so early," Susan said, pulling back the long green curtains. "Considering you came in so late." Her smile was poorly hidden. "But I have some grim news that you must take part in."

"News?"

"Trouble with the South," Susan said kindly, pulling a rosy dress out of Lucy's wardrobe. "You must come to the counsel."

"Oh," Lucy groaned, hiding her face in the pillow. "Must I? No one minds if I skip. They all think me young enough."

"This may involve you," Susan said carefully, fetching a hairbrush. She shook out Lucy's tangled golden hair and began unsnarling it. "It is nothing good, Lu. I won't lie."

"What is it, exactly?" Lucy winced as the brush tugged a knot in her hair. "Something dreadful? A murder?"

"Nothing so exciting. Just rumors, as of yet." Susan smiled despite her mood, and set the silver circlet atop her sister's hair.

"Susan," Lucy looked sour.

"You are a queen as much as I am," Susan reminded her gently.

"No," Lucy mused. "I am still only a girl."

"You're nearly twenty-one."

"Still young. You're the Queen. Let me be a child still."

"Not today," Susan said, and Lucy knew it was not a time to joke.

"It must be grave."

"It is not good." Lucy stood and let Susan help her into the dress. "You look lovely. Come."

"I'm coming," Lucy said, taking a long look at the ocean. "It's far too lovely a day to be inside." Outside her window, mermen played in the surf. She longed to join them.

"You must bear it for a while," Susan said. "Then you may go out." The two walked down the long hall. "Aslan will be here," Susan said suddenly.

"Aslan?" Lucy cheered. "I haven't seen him in ages!"

"It will be a treat," Susan smiled, briefly happy to see Lucy thus illuminated. "One good thing, I suppose."

"It is always important to count the good things," Lucy replied.

"Sometimes I feel that you are older than I am," Susan laughed, her blue eyes looking closely at her sister. "You feel all right? Something about you seems different."

"I'm fine," Lucy said serenely, taking Susan's hand. "Cranky you woke me up so early, sister, but fine otherwise."

"Very well," Susan said, placated, and pushed open the door to the throne room. Lucy slipped in beside her and slid the door close.

"Hello, sisters," Peter said warmly from his throne. His blonde hair shone in the sun and Lucy noticed, in relief, that the windows were open. Edmund lounged in his throne, crown askew.

"Lu," he said with a grin, "you were out past curfew."

"I'm a Queen," Lucy said, raising her chin, "I don't have a curfew." Edmund laughed and stood to kiss her.

"Ah, my little sister," he sighed into her blonde hair. "And my cranky big one, I see."

"Shove it," Susan said and slapped his shoulder. "Wanker."

"Language," Peter said severely, and Susan looked at him in surprise.

"You look tired," Lucy murmured to her eldest brother, sitting next to Susan.

"Things kept me up," he smiled briefly, like the sun breaking through clouds.

"Where's Aslan?"

"I am here, Queen Lucy," a deep voice said, and Lucy leapt from her throne to wrap her arms around a strong neck, burying her face in a thick mane.

"I've missed you," she said sincerely, as she let go. Aslan chuckled.

"No need," he reminded her. "I am always here." Lucy settled down again. Aslan looked to Peter. "I hear rumors that disturb my peace."

"So have we all," Peter replied. "There is disorder to the South."

"Archenland?" Edmund asked sharply, and Peter nodded. "Thought so. Bit of rough, really."

"Edmund," Susan said gently, and Edmund subsided.

"Would someone please explain to me what the problem is with Archenland?" Lucy asked, plaintively. "It seems the world passed me by completely yesterday."

"There are whispers of dissent in Archenland," Peter said quietly, his blue eyes on the great lion. "Remnants of the Witch's horde. Rebellion and war are on the wind."

"No," Lucy whispered. "Not after all the peace we've had."

"I'm afraid so," Peter said.

"They are only rumors," Susan said, "do not frighten her unnecessarily."

"She needs to be informed," Peter replied. Aslan nodded.

"The High King is right. Archenland is in unrest. The rulers are new, their father recently died and their mother gone these ten years. We cannot have disruption in this land. I will not allow hate to fester between Narnia and her sisters."

"I don't know what we can do against rebels," Edmund said thoughtfully. "For it is not the government that dissents."

"No," Peter mused. "The Prince and his sister are loyal. They are not the source of turmoil."

"So what is the solution, exactly? Trade embargos? A militia at the ready?" Lucy asked, curious to Aslan's solution.

"No, my dear one," Aslan said. "Force is not the answer."

"What, then?" Edmund sounded impatient.

"Love," Aslan replied.

"Of course, love," Peter muttered. "Always love."

"Love has more clout than violence, Peter," Susan reminded her brother. "You know as well as I."

"Of course," Peter grumbled.

"Your sister is wise, High King," Aslan mediated, and the tension cleared. "I recommend a meeting with Prince Noor and his sister, to negotiate a truce. This is the first rumble of disharmony since the Witch was defeated. It would be a shame to have unrest again. Peace suits Narnia. I suggest a visit to your South, Kings and Queens."

"Well, not all four of us can go," Peter pointed out.

"No," Aslan nodded, "this is true. Susan, you and Peter, as the senior rulers, should go. For though young Lucy is well-loved, she is not as respected, sadly, outside of Narnia. And I fear Edmund is too hot-headed to make a choice. My apologies, Edmund."

"No offense taken, Aslan," Edmund said with a crooked grin. "You're right. I'm no good at making nice."

"That's Susan's job," Lucy said with a smile. Aslan laughed quietly.

"I think you should leave shortly, my dear ones," Aslan addressed Peter and Susan. "The sooner this is resolved, the better. I shall accompany you."

"As you think is best," Peter said. "Do you think it's wise, to leave Ed and Lucy here? Alone?"

"Edmund and Lucy are more than capable of managing this land blindfolded," Aslan replied in a strong voice. "Do not doubt nor insult their competence as rulers. They are no longer children, Peter."

"I apologize," Peter said humbly.

"Do not do so to me," Aslan said shortly. Peter looked meaningfully at his younger siblings.

"It's all right," Lucy said quickly. "I understand. You're just stressed, Peter. You don't mean anything by it."

"I shall pack," Susan declared, leaving the room. Peter followed in silence. Lucy sighed, sitting low in her throne.

"Dear one," Aslan addressed her, softly. "I think the solution may dismay you."

"I value peace more than all else."

"That is not the truth, my dear one," Aslan said, but he didn't seem angry. "You value freedom most."

"This good land is free. I want for nothing."

Aslan looked at her sadly, but did not reply.

"Is there something I should know?"

"Would you give everything up to keep Narnia safe?"

"I am a Queen," Lucy replied. "That is my duty."

"Then everything will be all right," Aslan assured her, though he did not look convinced.

Lucy stood, sighed, looked out to sea.

Lucy and Edmund were quiet, seeing off the ship carrying their older siblings and Aslan. Edmund put his arm about Lucy's shoulder.

"I'd say you ought to get more sleep," Edmund said, as Lucy stifled a yawn.

"Don't worry, dear brother. I always behave myself." Lucy smiled. Edmund looked shocked.

"Where's the fun in that?" Lucy and Edmund laughed together. "This will be sorted soon. Don't worry."

"I'm not worrying," Lucy replied, her golden hair whipping about in the breeze. "I have nothing to fear."

But in the back of her mind, she wondered.