CHAPTER 17
Lucy coughed upon the dirt ground she laid. Her head hurt, as if she had been hit by a carriage. Glancing around she realized she was in a cave, not only that but a cage. Made of the long bones of an animal. A whale perhaps. Although she was not alone.
Several cages rested next to her own with its occupants fast asleep within them. She scooted towards her left. "Eustace?" Silence. "Eustace, it's Lucy, are you here?"
"Lucy?" Came a whisper from her left.
"Eustace?"
"Lucy!" Came the whisper louder. As she crawled over to the left she saw her cousin's elf like face pressed up against his own bars. "My God, Lucy, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, Eustace. Caspian received word you were missing. We came to find you." Lucy informed him.
"Blood good. But, how did you get to be here? Lucy, it's not safe."
"Well, it's a rather long story."
She Awakes.
Lucy and Eustace froze at the sound of the voice. Five figures emerged from the dark. Black wings folded behind black robes. Long fingers as pale as snow with claws peeked out from behind torn fabric.
But what held Lucy's attention over all else were their faces. Elongated chins with small slits for mouths flashing small sharp teeth. Their noses were flat against their cheeks with large oval opening for air. Their forehead spread wide high above their faces in a half circle that resembled a crown. What shocked Lucy the most was their eyes... They were missing. Not even an eye socket of where their eyes would be.
We've been waiting for you to gain consciousness, Princess.
"Queen." Lucy and Eustace corrected at the same time.
"High Queen Lucy of Old." Eustace continued.
You will not correct us. For here, we are Royal and you are nothing!
Lucy watched as they snapped at Eustace. Their lips barely moved and they weren't even speaking English. If Lucy had to guess it was an ancient language, a mixture of Latin, French, and Greek. Yet, she could understand them so clearly.
"What do you want from me?" She asked.
You are full of emotions beyond your maturity. Strong feelings of love. Courage. But even a stronger feeling of heartache.
"Lucy, don't listen to them. They feed off emotions. Rid yourself of them quickly. Do Not Listen." Eustace warned strongly.
Yes, the creatures continued as if they hadn't heard Eustace. You have seen many heartache that would last many lifetimes. Love's greatest enemy is itself. For love can turn into jealousy and resentment.
"Lucy, do listen."
But it was too late. The collective Faes, for she now understood what they were, slid their mouths open. Their bottom jaw falling to their chest. When they inhaled is when Lucy's nightmare began.
Her world shimmered as if it was but a ripple in a vas lake. There were many images shown to her.
The first time she saw Narnia, the lamp post, Mr. Tumnus.
Aslan.
The war against the White Queen.
The first time she saw Caspian.
Her growing affection for the man she loved.
His growing affection for... Susan.
Her first heart break. Watching Caspian and Susan steal secret glanced, touched, and even one hidden kiss.
Her return to her own world. The yearning for Narnia. For Caspian. For Love.
Caspian in his royal chair. Their ride to the Castle that lies in rune. Her first kiss. Their first kiss.
Susan.
Their time training.
Susan.
Their time aboard his ship.
Susan.
Their second passionate kiss.
Susan.
Lucy screamed. She would never be Susan. She will never be good enough for him.
