Disclaimer: I own only the character Raxie and the plotline that proceeds after Ramandu's island.

The matter of Reepicheep's satisfaction forgotten, everyone rushed to the starboard side of the ship to view the approaching land. Gentle green hills rose up out of the water, the occasional cliff holding back the tide. It was one of the Lone Islands that they looked upon, the other islands merely dots on the horizon.

"The first of the Lone Islands!" Caspian exclaimed from where he stood on the railing, gripping the rat lines as he leaned out from the ship to get a better look.

"Oh, it's so long since we saw them last." Lucy sighed. "Just a month or so before we left Narnia the first time."

"Don't let it get you down." Caspian jumped down to stand beside her, slipping an arm around her shoulders and hugging her close to his side. "At least you have the memories and the experiences you have shared with me."

"True." Lucy agreed, cuddling closer to Caspian, savoring his warmth before pulling away. "Let's go explore."

"Where?" Caspian asked drawing his arm back.

"The island." Lucy laughed. "While the men replenish the stores we can go explore."

"It would give Eustace something to do." Edmund agreed.

So it was decided; Edmund, Lucy, Eustace, Caspian and Reepicheep were to explore while the crew gathered fresh food and water. That's when the nightmare began. The air was warm and the sun was bright as the five companions strolled through the tall beach grass. Lucy felt a sense of homecoming wash over her at the sight of a familiar rock formation. So much had changed over the centuries and Lucy was glad that this little thing had stayed the same. Rounding the rock outcropping they spotted a group of several men sitting in the middle of the small dirt path that was traveled by horse and cart, laughing and drinking. Lucy knew this couldn't be good.

"It would be best if it is not known that you are King Caspian." Edmund advised in a muttered tone.

Lucy did not like the look of the men, apprehension thick in her veins. All of them had a scruffy, wild look to them, the largest one had a scraggily beard and wore lots of scarves along with his gypsy attire. Lucy, lost in her thoughts, watched Caspian greet the large man. As the two of them spoke the other men in the group formed a ring around them ominously, making Lucy's skin crawl. She knew something bad was about to happen.

"Give 'em some ale mates." The leader instructed in a voice that sent shivers of repulsion down Lucy's spine. The man was slime, complete filth and she didn't trust his eyes, all beady and black. Slowly she started to ease away from the men surrounding them, wanting to get back to the ship. Before she could take two steps, however, all hell broke loose.

Large, smelly arms wrapped around Lucy's middle and neck, nearly suffocating her with the stench of unwashed skin, clothes and hair. Her stomach roiled in aggravation, utterly offended. She watched in fear as her companions were similarly restrained, although Reepicheep was lifted over one man's shoulder like a sack of flour. Caspian's name almost slipped through her lips, but the realization that his life could very well be forfeit if his true identity were known kept the words back.

They were roughly bound with their hands behind their backs by rope that cut into the flesh and were expected to walk across the rocky terrain of the island. Lucy, being plump and short, had a hard time keeping upright and with the others, second only to Eustace who was still bellowing on about a British Consul.

"Is there a British Consul here?"

"Is there a witch?" the burly leader asked.

"No, a witch is a woman." Eustace replied in a condescending tone. "A British Consul, usually, they say, is always a man; and I want to see him. Immediately!"

At that moment Lucy thought that the leader was going to lose it. Wounding or killing Eustace, no matter how big of a pest he was, was completely out of the question. Luckily Eustace was saved by Reepicheep, who was going on about wanting a duel and gutting people. Normally Lucy would have thought the mouse's words to be entertaining, but right now she was afraid that Reep's temper was going to get them killed or worse, sold off.

Turning red in the face the leader pushed Eustace on, barely keeping his temper. The land became less rock and sandier the further they were forced to walk, making it even more difficult to keep one's balance. Lucy nearly tripped several times, but the thug who had a grip on her lead rope would simply jerk hard and drag her along. Lucy's hopes were fading fast when a voice called out,

"Well Pug, more of your usual wares?"

He certainly looks like a pug, Lucy thought to herself as she saw a well dressed man with sandy hair and cold silver eyes bear down on the leader. Her next thought was that one of them was about to sold off into slavery to the newcomer and never see the others again. A fresh dose of fear poured into Lucy.

"How much do you want for that young man there?" The newcomer, a Lord Burn, gestured to Caspian. No not him, anyone but him, Lucy's mind raced. After some haggling Caspian was to be bought for 150 Crescents, the Narnian currency.

"No, please don't separate us." Lucy begged, panicking. "Please, you don't know who-"

"Lucy!" Caspian snapped. His tone then softened, concern making his eyes dark. "Everything will be fine." Lord Burn took Caspian's arm and began to lead him away, but Caspian called back to Lucy,

"Don't worry, we'll be together soon Lucy, I promise. I promise."