Six years had passed since that evening.
When the Amazing Hyacinth docked two days later in the harbor and Edmund noticed her healing wounds, she thought she would jump out of her skin and order Ramon to be torn by a lion (which they didn't have, of course, but because of the seriousness of the situation, it fell out of Edmund's mouth). Lucy had to take him aside and tell the him exactly the same lie as to everyone else. Edmund looked like it quite believe it, but he had to calm down. they did not have time to deal with it, because soon the deer came on Cair Paravel with message. Anvard is besieging by Rabadash with two hundreds of soldiers.
That was the first time when Lucy fought. After the battle of Anvard and the whole ceremony with Rabadash and his transformation into a donkey, happened quite a lot. Peter has returned from a successful battle in the north after three months, while Lucy has learned to shoot a bow perfectly and fight with a sword.
But Ramon seemed to avoid her. He spoke to her only when he had to, not looking for her company. And it made her angry.
She was angry because she knew something was burning inside her. She was angry because she knew that from the point of view of her and his position, she should put out the fire very quickly.
Whatever Ramon was up to, it all started to fall apart when Queen Susan transferred him from her bodyguard to Lucy's bodyguard four years later She didn't know why Susan needed to protect her. When he goes into battle, there is usually only one woman. Her sister doesn't know at all about the atrocities behind her, behind the battlefield. She still has a bodyguard. Lucy hasn't had no one for almost four years after she can go with them into the battles. She had to deal with everything on her own. With men, with lust.
" Your Majesty, your siblings are waiting for you at dinner," he told her as he entered her room one spring evening. She stood with her back to the door and watched the sea through the windows. She loved looking at him. She loved boating and loved the people who lived on the islands and in the sea.
She was silent. Corin arrived today. Her old friend, who knew so much about her that everyone thought they would rule together one day. Unfortunately, something happened and their relationship cooled. Nobody understood.
Ramon was standing in her room, and she was standing in front of him in a tight dress, with a neckline on her back, silent as if she hadn't even heard him.
" Your Majesty," he tried again.
" Oh, yes, Ramon, I'm going," she shuddered, as if he were splashing her with cold water. Who knows where she was with her thoughts.
" Remember, Your Highness, your friend, Prince Corin of Archerland, is having dinner with you today," he reminded her as they walked down the corridors.
" I know, Ramon," she replied sternly, silently. Ramon noticed that she had behaved very strangely in recent years. As if she wasn't herself. She was very silent. Few managed to make her laugh. She was unhealthily serious. And she did go very often to fight Edmund and shoot from a bow. She has changed, out of nowhere, and no one was ready for it.
No one knew where their cheerful queen suddenly went.
" Lucy, dear," Corin called as Lucy walked through the door. They hadn't seen each other in a long time and she literally charmed him.
" Corin, welcome friend," she bowed slightly and hugged him lightly. But there was a look of pure disgust on her face.
Ramon stood at the door and stood there quietly. The royal siblings and Prince Corin ate, one could not say in silence. They subtly took over the topics of what was happening in Archerland, Narnia, and solved typical monarchist gossip.
" Dear Lucy, how are you fencing and shooting?" The prince turned to the youngest queen.
" Are you trying to tease me?" She raised an eyebrow.
" A little bit. Throughout all the kingdoms, I hear about how ... clever you are, and how your armor lands to you. Apparently you have built respect among your soldiers as well, "he grinned. Ramon noticed how Lucy tensed.
"I should thank you, but I can feel the irony in your voice, dear Corin," Lucy grinned back.
"Lucy, show to our guest some respect," Peter warned her.
"I don't think he's worthy of my respect, dear brother," she smiled falsely at him.
" Excuse me, please, I'm kind of sick. I'm going to my room, "Lucy stood up and smoothed her skirt.
" I'll accompany you," Corin offered.
" No, thank you."
" Come on, Lucy, what if you feel bad? Corin will help you go to the room. "
Lucy was angry. She knew very well what HE was saying about her, and it was definitely not what he had said a moment ago. She knew very well that he was teasing her for it. She raised her head so they wouldn't see how furious she was.
She wanted to escape, but her siblings didn't help her. They don't know about it. They don't know how he makes fun of her because they only see what they want to see.
" Your Highnesses," Ramon said. He will save her. Will he? "I will lead Her Majesty to the room safely."
" Actually, Ramon, we're going to need you here. Corin will take Lucy to the room, "Peter said." We have to make arrangements for the next few days. "
I hate you for this, she growled, and immediately walked toward the east wing.
" You don't seem to be sick" Corin said.
She ignored him.
" Come on, Lucy, why are you so irritated? It is because of my words? "There was ridicule in his voice. Corin always had everything he wanted. All he had to do was tame the Untamed Lucy. Everyone call her like that. He snorted. Rather trying to-attention-Lucy with that her trying to win every battle.
She continued to ignore him.
" You know, dear Lucy, I don't know what you're trying to do with this whole theater," he said as she stopped in front of the door to her room.
" What do you want from me, Corin ?!" she exclaimed, turning to him. Corin approached her with a sly look.
" They talk about you in many ways. They give you different names, "he ran a finger across her cheek. Lucy shuddered. She wanted to stab him, but she couldn't. She broke away from him and went into her room. Corin followed her.
" Like what, dear Corin?"
" Some of them are nice, some are derogatory," he approached her like prey. Lucy stood erect. "A beautiful warrior. A rose. The Lioness. Indomitable. What if someone tames the Indomitable Lucy ?"
He was too close. He crossed the border. Lucy turned, drew her sword from the stand, and in an instant Corin had a peak of her sword under his chin.
" One more step, and I swear to Aslan, I'll tear up your neck, even if I have to hang at courtyard of Anvard for it," she said calmly.
" Come on, these terms are not appropriate for a lady. Oh, I forgot, you're not a lady at all, "he laughed at her." The only lady in this yard is Susan. Even the most inferior maid is a bigger lady than you. "
" On your knees," she said quietly. Corin paused.
" I don't know who's at the advantage, Lucy, I'm not sure you can set the terms," he grinned, trying to grip his sword. Corin didn't wait and their swords met. But Lucy was already very handy. His brother was the best swordsman in Narnia.
Corin's sword lay at her feet within a moment.
" The one who's telling you to go to your knees right now," she smirked, pressing her sword slightly against Corin's neck. Corin understood the seriousness of the situation and really did what she asked of him. She didn't ask. She gave him an order.
Lucy watched as he knelt. Then she lowered her sword across his chest, across her crotch to the ground.
" Indomitable, Rose, Warrior. Man. Woman in armor. Monkey with a sword. Man in a skirt. I know everything, dear Corin. I know what names you gave me! "She exclaimed, scratching his hair. She turned his head towards her so he could look at her.
" But let me tell you something, dear friend. You are not the one who will set the conditions. I'm the one on the horse. I am the queen. I am the one behind whom the whole army willingly stands, because I fought with them side by side! Am I a man in a skirt? Maybe. But I am a woman, Corin, remember that I am the most dangerous woman in Narnia. More dangerous than my beautiful sister. I can use all my weapons to destroy you. "
She approached his ear.
" I'm the one at the top while YOU kneel in front of me. And it always will be that way, "she whispered in his ear. Then she released him. Corin snorted.
" You will still beg me to lie down with you when no one wants you."
She didn't even know how, she reached out and with the back of her hand slapped him.
" Get out," she hissed.
He stood up with a grin and left. He got her exactly where he wanted her.
Lucy shrugged and the sword fell from her hand. She didn't know if she was angry, sad, desperate. And worst of all, she was alone in all this. No one will help her in this.
She wrapped her arms around her and went out onto the balcony. Suddenly, sadness and fear came over her at the same time. Corin was right. She was the clown, she tries to convince everyone of her strength, but she is nothing. She is not even a lady like her older and much more beautiful sister, nor is she a soldier like her brothers. There is nothing but a monkey with the title queen.
" Lucy."
She flinched. She was dreaming, she knew it. She was at the odd place. There was ash and the smell of fire everywhere. But suddenly it was dark.
" Lucy!" She heard again.
" Aslan?"
His mane rubbed against her hand. Smooth, soft. Fragrant.
" Aslan," she breathed, she wrapped her hands around his neck. "Why is it dark?"
" It's your heart. Burned and dark. "
" Tell me what's bothering you, dear child," a velvet voice said. She decided to step forward, though she didn't know if she was standing or floating. The lion was walking beside her.
" I feel useless. I'm not as beautiful as Susan, I'm not a lady. I'm not acting like that. Well, I'm not even brave like Edmund or Peter. They make fun of me. They make ugly names for me. Sometimes I feel that if it wasn't for me, the whole of Narnia would be happier. "
" And if that's to be true, dear Lucy, why do you think I put you on the throne so many years ago? You underestimate yourself, child. But you will have to do this really alone. You will have to stand up to yourself. Remember, you were the first whose head felt the crown. "
He fell silent. They were silent for a moment, and Lucy became more and more unhappy.
" But I'm not here for that. Felimath is in danger. Take someone, who is faithful to you by the side of the battle, and he who will defend your honor, and then go to sea. The fleet won't help you, you three have to help yourself. Lucy, hurry up. My beloved Felimath ... "