Disclaimer: I own only the character Raxie and the plotline that proceeds after Ramandu's island.
Caspian's words echoed in Lucy's head as she was lead away by the kidnappers and slavers, following Pug's directions like a puppet. Caspian, the King of Narnia, had been sold into slavery on an island two months travel from Cair Paravel. How would Narnia survive? It was only three years ago that Caspian won the throne that was rightfully his, not long enough for peace to fully settle back into the magical land. Would she ever see Caspian again? True, Caspian never broke a promise unless there was no other choice. He wasn't known for lying, quite the opposite, in fact. Would he be able to keep his word this time? Or would they be sold off at market, never to see each other again? Tears fell from her eyes as she cried silently.
Lucy would like to stay in Narnia if at all possible, preferably in Narnia with Caspian instead of in some strangers household as a slave. Women slaves were treated worse than male slaves, being cut down, made to do humiliating jobs, and, worst of all, were either sex slaves or raped often. Slavery was forbidden in Narnia due to the White Witches cruelty and the base demoralization of the act, but still she knew that cold, hard reality that some countries even approved slavery.
Once in Narrowhaven, Pug's destination for them, he led them to the slave market where he forced them into pits in the ground that were covered by a lid of prison bars, preventing them from escaping. Several other people were already in the pit Pug forced them into, all looking lost and frightened. Once the ladders to climb in and out of the pits were removed Eustace continued complaining, this time turning his ire on his two cousins.
"This is all your fault." He said to Edmund. "It's been your fault from the beginning. If you wouldn't have brought me here then I wouldn't be in this mess."
"Shut up!" Edmund exploded. "We didn't bring you here, Aslan and Narnia did. They bring who they will, no matter what you want. There's a reason you're here, so SHUT UP and deal with it."
You tell him Ed. Lucy thought smugly, beginning to come out of her funk. It was apparent there was nothing they could do, so she just had to trust in Aslan and have faith that he wouldn't let any harm come to them. The night passes quickly, too quickly for Lucy. She was still hoping that Aslan would come through with a way to get them out of the slave market when dawn broke over the horizon. A few minutes later Pug appeared above the grate of bars, gloating over the fact that 'today is market day, my pretties'. Lucy had the strongest urge to climb up the wall, get her hands around Pug's throat and rip his heart out with her bare hands. It was no wonder she was called Queen Lucy the Valiant while Susan was Queen Susan the Gentle.
Once midmorning came the market was in full swing, with Pug presenting his wares around the noon hour. Edmund, Lucy, Eustace and Reepicheep were the last ones in Pug's group to be presented, thank the Lion, so not only was it near the middle of the noon hour, but they were dirty to boot. Reepicheep put up a good fight, but in the end was purchased for 750 Crescents, cursing and spitting the whole way. Lucy knew that if anyone loosened their grip on the mouse slightly, all hell would break loose. She was up next, Pug dragging her out by her hair.
"Such fine spirit, what fun will be had in the taming of her." Pug jeered as Lucy, furious enough to kill, elbowed the filth in the gut. Unfortunately the blow didn't seem to affect the skunk. "What am I bid for this little lady?"
In a red rage Lucy heard the she had been bought for 500 Crescents, her blood pounding in her ears with a deafening force. One of Pug's goons drug her into the crowd and toward the man who just wasted his money on a worthless transaction. The man who had bought her was tall and fat with a hideous multi-colored turban wrapped around his head. The man reeked of liquor and filth, making Lucy, who hadn't eaten in over a day, sick to her stomach. She was somewhat amused, though, when Eustace was offered up for free and still nobody wanted him. Just as Edmund was pulled onto the platform a trumpet sounded. Chaos ensued for a brief moment until a familiar voice bellowed,
"Make way for Caspian, King of Narnia."
Lord Burn had come to the rescue with Caspian. Looking to her left Lucy was momentarily blinded by a flash of sunlight on golden armor. Caspian sat astride a very large and very intimidating dark brown stallion, golden armor the source of the blinding reflection of sunlight. Lucy's heart gave a flutter. Caspian was safe; the Crown of Narnia wasn't sold into slavery after all. He was like a knight in shining armor riding in to the rescue; only he was a king instead of a knight. Once again Caspian's promise was unbreakable, the authority of the King absolute under Aslan's guide.
"Pug. Release my friends." Caspian strode through the crowd, who parted before him. "Slavery is now forbidden in our dominions, I declare every slave in this market free."
The man holding Lucy shoved her away with enough force that she stumbled before righting herself. Caspian continued on, ascending the platform where Pug and Edmund stood, Reep coming to stand beside Lucy, tail twitching in agitation.
"Lucy?" Caspian called looking out over the crowd, searching for her.
"I'm here." Lucy replied from where she stood in the middle of the crowd. Caspian looked right at her, relief written across his face, a smile curving his lips.
"And Reepicheep?"
"Reepicheep is here sire." The mouse saluted the Crown Royale of Narnia from where he stood beside Lucy.
And of course, Eustace had to grumble something the minute he was shoved out of the holding pen underneath the platform.
"I see you've been strutting about while we've been prisoners." Eustace's voice annoying enough to peel paint. "And I don't suppose whether or not you've found this place has a British Consul."
Caspian simply rolled his eyes in reply, quickly becoming accustomed to Eustace's grousing. Then again Caspian was trained to be cool and regal no matter what situation he was in. Lucy understood that training, having learned it when she was Queen of Narnia. But since she left Narnia the first time, some of the protocol she had either forgotten or hadn't used back in her native world. If Lucy truly wanted to stay in Narnia, then she must again practice the protocol and etiquette she learned so long ago.
"Ready to head out?" Caspian asked in general, placing his helmet on the rail in front of him and dragging a hand through his curly hair. Lucy shrugged and Edmund nodded, but Eustace wouldn't be kept quiet.
"No, I don't want to get on that ridiculous excuse for a boat. I want to see the British Consul and find a way to get home." He crossed his pudgy arms across his equally pudgy chest and planted his feet firmly like a pudding mound waiting to be toppled over. Caspian and Edmund joined her, Eustace and Reep in the middle of the crowd.
"If you would remember what Edmund and Caspian have told you, you can't go back unless Aslan or Narnia sends you back." Lucy said wearily. Caspian laid a soothing hand on her shoulder.
"Peace, dear Lucy, Eustace will come to understand in time."
Dear Lucy. Lucy was glad for Caspian's wise words and comforting aura, but it was his words that captured her attention. Did he just call me 'dear Lucy'? Lucy decided now was not the time to dwell on such things, wanting to wait until she was alone to muse over her thoughts.
"You're right." Lucy smiled sadly. "I just wish he would enjoy it here the way I do."
"Perhaps if he were on dry land in Narnia." Caspian hugged her lightly, knowing that full armor was not the most comfortable thing in the world. "Do not worry yourself. If Eustace cannot see the beauty of this world then it is his loss."
All Lucy could do was smile, throat clogged with emotion. Not only was Caspian gorgeous to look at, but also had a heart of gold. Here she was, related to the one person who was trying his best to make their voyage unbearable at times, and the King was comforting her instead of blaming her. Lucy's heart gave a tremendous thud, and she knew at that moment she had fallen in love with the King of Narnia.
"Come, it's time we returned to the Dawn Treader." Caspian told the group, diffusing the potential emotional bombshell that was waiting to burst free inside Lucy.