Disclaimer: I own only the character Raxie and the plotline that proceeds after Ramandu's island.
Lucy was surprised by Raxie; except for herself, Lucy had never met a female in Narnia who pursued an occupation that was sole dominated by men. Of course there were the female cooks, farmers, hunters and scholars, but there were several women in those fields. She would be the prefect companion to a lady and a confidant to a woman who needed a friend.
"Is there no way I can steal you away from Lord Burn?" Lucy asked jokingly, but hoping there was a way to secure the girls employ without ruffling feathers.
"Not unless I can by Lord Burn's wishes." Raxie smiled. "I would enjoy being your ladies maid."
"Well, I will bring it up to Lord Burn and his wife and see what they have to say." Lucy stood from where Raxie had just finished pulling Lucy's normally shoulder length hair in to a high ponytail and clasping her fire opals around her neck.
"Oh would you, this would be the perfect opportunity for me to see the mainland." Raxie clasped her hands before her, smiling prettily. She then led Lucy to the informal dining room where the family normally took their breakfast. She explained that since Caspian was such a close friend to Lord Burn that he considered the king family and decided he and his betrothed should be treated like family as well. Lucy thought it was amusing that Burn could get away with such familiarity.
Lucy was relieved to find that she wasn't the last one to arrive, that honor going to Lord Burn's wife. She was a woman of aged beauty and grace, but there was a touch of the wild islander in her blood. She was nearly as tall as Lord Burn, who stood nearly six feet tall, and Caspian stood and inch or two taller, being just over six feet tall. Her skin was the color of rich gold that set off the chocolate of her hair and the copper of her eyes.
"Queen Lucy, it is truly an honor to meet you." Lady Kia smiled warmly as the to sat across from each other at the round table, the men beside them, facing each other across the table. "When Burn informed me that was had past and present royalty visiting us I was beside myself with curiosity." The woman appeared genuinely sincere in her curiosity. "Are you truly Queen Lucy the Valiant from the Old Time?"
"Yes." Lucy laughed at the woman's eager question. "Time travels differently on Narnia than it does on my home world of Earth; one year here is roughly one day there."
"The last time I saw Lucy was three years ago." Caspian chimed in, eating heartily as was Lord Burn, who keenly listened in as well.
"To me it was only three days." Lucy added.
"How much time passed in your world after you left the Golden Age?" Burn inquired as Lucy took a hearty bite of her omelet and washed it down with a cool glass of milk.
"A year."
"Nearly four hundred years here in Narnia." Caspian elaborated.
"Four hundred years?" Lucy echoed. She knew that she and her siblings had been gone for many years, but she had failed to realize that it had been so long. Now everything she had once known was truly dead and gone. Even the youngest centaurs from her court would have been dead for at least a century if not more.
"Yes, but you are here now and there will be a Second Golden Age of Narnia." Burn clapped his hands and servants quickly took away the empty plates and bowls, breakfast having been enjoyed and demolished by all parties. Now was the time to bring up Raxie's request.
"Lord Burn, I have a request that is rather odd." Lucy stated simply. "The maid that you and your wife sent to wait on me this morning; I would like to add her to my own personal staff of maids."
"Raxie?" Lady Kia murmured. "Ah, yes. The jade eyed one who is a year or two older than Queen Lucy. I will be sorry to lose her, but she had always wanted to see the mainland."
"Of course, the one who studies your gem books in hopes to become a jewel mistress." Burn smiled. "Yes, she may be yours."
A faint squeal filled the air followed by the sound of running feet made the four people fall into fits of laughter. They stood and moved into the library to catch up and spend time as the crew gathered up last minute supplies and water in preparation for the last month and a half of their journey home. The time was spent sharing life stories and past adventures, but most of the time was spent with Lucy answering questions about her previous visits to Narnia and her siblings. Lucy answered all the questions with grace and dignity, never losing patience with the probing questions. She was glad to confirm or deny any myths and legends that surrounded her and her family.