Note: These first few chapters are going to be centered around Lysandra and Caspian. It's really all about building their friendship at the moment. I do hope you enjoy!

The Lion's Lamb

Book 1 Chapter 2

"Caspian, come hither!" Lysandra called out.

It was a fair summer morning, a little more than a month since her arrival at Beaver's Dam, and Caspian and Lysandra were enjoying a pleasant ride outside the city walls. Cornelius had given them the day to do just that. It had taken a full month, but Caspian and Cornelius had finally convinced Lysandra to use their names and not their titles; though, occasionally she slipped back into habit, especially when it came to the Prince.

"What have you found, Lys?" Caspian asked as he jogged over to join Lysandra by a strange plant. Whereas it took her a month to call him Caspian, it only took him a week to begin calling her Lys, as her mother had.

Lysandra pointed to the plant at her feet. "Trilo-berry."

"What?" Caspian wrinkled his face in confusion.

"Tilo-berry," she said again. "Do you not know trilo-berry?"

"It appears I do not."

"Forsooth! I cannot believe my ears." Lysandra dropped to her knees before the plant. "This is trilo-berry, Caspian. It grows over all of Hyrden; though, I have never seen the berries so radiant this late in year. They have usually lost their luster by mid April."

"Are you certain it is the same plant?" Caspian asked as he knelt beside Lysandra. She tenderly fingered one of the leaves, feeling the rough, vein-like underside and the smooth top-side. She carefully inspected the bright red berries and saw their many tiny hairs.

"Indeed, 'tis the same; of that I doubt not." Lysandra glanced up at Caspian and smiled softly before turning her eyes back to the plant. "It is found anywhere in Hyrden; most had a bush or two in their gardens. 'Tis simple to grow and requires little tending. You find it most often in the fields, though; it surrounds the grazing pastures."

"Why?"

"The herders planted it there."

"Why do they do so?"

"Well because…" Lysandra was about to point out the herders' obvious reason for planting trilo-berry but then she recalled that Caspian didn't know anything about the plant. And that's when a wicked plan came to mind.

"I will show you," she said as she plucked one of the leaves from the plant and crushed it between her finger and thumb. Then she extended her hand towards the Prince. "Here, smell."

Caspian tentatively leaned forward and sniffed. He instantly regretted his actions. His face turned vaguely green and his cheeks went hallow as he jumped up to his feet. He took several steps away from the plant and coughed violently. Lysandra chuckled softly in amusement, but then the stench reached her own nose and she too coughed. Lysandra quickly took the water pouch which hung on a leather strap around her waist and poured a good amount into her hands. She scrubbed furiously, though she knew that would do little against the smell. Eventually she too had to stand and back away from the plant.

"Ugh! What…was…that?" Caspian asked slowly.

"'Tis simply abhorrent, is it not?" Lysandra replied as her eyes began to water.

"Why anyone would allow such an abomination to grow their garden, I cannot imagine the reason?"

"Sheep…" Lysandra coughed. "Sheep have an astounding sense of smell; it is many times stronger than yours and mine. We only smell it when the foliage is crushed, but sheep, and many other creatures, smell it regardless. Sheep shan't go near it. Herders plant this around the grazing pastures to keep the sheep contained and only keep watch over a single entrance."

"How…ingenious of thy people."

Lysandra laughed. "I am sorry, Caspian. It was a horrible thing for me to have done, but I could not fight the temptation. Now, might I see a blade?"

"Why do you want such a weapon?"

"Nay, not a weapon, a blade for I do not have one of mine own. A small knife will do." Caspian looked reluctant to hand her a blade. "Please, Caspian. Do you not trust me?"

"I trusted thee a moment ago."

Lysandra bit her lip to keep from laughing again. "I said I was sorry, and truly, I am. I pray you, Caspian, might I see a blade?" Caspian was still a bit hesitant, but he did hand her a small blade in the end. Lysandra quickly knelt by the plant again.

"What are you doing? Lys, no!" he protested.

"Be calm, Caspian," Lysandra said as she began to carefully cut off some of the berry branches. "As awful as the crushed foliage smells, the berries are rather delicious. You crush them, soak them in water, and drink the juice it makes. It has a delightful tangy-sweetness and is very common in Hyrden. 'Tis why so many grow the bush in their garden. The bark can also be quite useful for various ailments."

Lysandra took her netted sash off and gingerly placed the branches on it, before tying the corners together to make a small basket. When she turned back around to look at Caspian though, she saw that he still appeared to be rather upset. She sighed heavily. Now she felt really bad.

"Caspian, I am earnestly repentant. 'Twas foolish of me to do such a thing and I—I am terribly sorry. I beg your mercy and I pray that you are angry with me no more. You are…You are…" Lysandra hesitated as fear began to fill her heart. Caspian was her friend, the only friend she'd ever had. If she lost his friendship she could not bear to stay in Beaver's Dam, and then she would disappoint the Lion. One foolish mistake could ruin everything. Lysandra's eyes began to cloud with tears again.

"Lys…Lys, I am sorry," Caspian said softly as he quickly closed the distance between them. He took one of her hands in his and Lysandra looked up at him. "I am sorry. You apologized; I should not have stayed upset, because now I have upset you."

Lysandra shook her head and smiled feebly. "I am well."

"But I have upset thee."

"No more than I deserve."

"You do not deserve it at all. I beg thy forgiveness."

"Of course you are forgiven, Your Highness…I mean, of course I forgive you, Caspian. We are good. All is well."

"Wonderful! You are too good a friend to lose over something as foolish as anger."

Lysandra's smile grew wider. "You consider me a friend?"

"Of course! Do you doubt it?"

Lysandra shrugged and shook her head. "I have never had a friend before."

"Never had a friend?"

"Not really, no. 'Twas only mother and I in Hyrden." Lysandra moved over to a spot they had picked out earlier as a place to sit and rest.

"Was thy mother not important in the village though?" Caspian asked as he sat beside her, recalling some of the stories she had already told him concerning her mother.

"She was. She was the village healer, and people came to her when they needed healing, but other than that…they mostly stayed away."

"What reason did they have for doing such a thing?"

Lysandra remained silent. "Should I tell him what the villagers said about my mother? Can I tell him what I suspected to be true? Or would that change his opinion of me?" Lysandra wondered.

"What of thy father?" Caspian asked, changing the subject. "You have not spoken of him. Where was he while you lived in Hyrden?"

"My father? My father died many moons ago, Caspian, before I was born. I never knew him, and Mother never spoke of him. I used to ask about him, but Mother would always pause what she was doing before smiling sadly. Then she would say, 'When you are older, Lysandra—'that was the only time she would call me Lysandra '—I will tell thee all about thy father.' I could see how it pained her to even think of him; so, eventually, I stopped asking, and she never told. To this day I do not know anything of him, not even his name."

"I did not know my father well either. He died of grief not a year after my mother passed. But at least I knew his name, and I knew who he was. He was King."

There was a moment of still silence between the two friends. Neither of them knew how to comfort the other. At last Lysandra said, "I think I would rather not know my father than to know he was King."

"Why? I cannot imagine not knowing who my father was."

"My reasoning is simple. If I knew nothing of my father then I would not be burdened with the knowledge that he was King, and I would not have to worry about being King someday myself."

"You would never be King, Lysandra," Caspian said very seriously and cruelly. Before Lysandra could take offense though he added with a smile, "You would be Queen."

They both laughed softly.

"Is it frightening," Lysandra said after awhile, "knowing that someday all of Narnia will be under your command and that you will be king?"

Caspian paused before answering. "It is a bit daunting, yes, I admit it. And I believe the day will be here before I wish it. I have little to fear though for I will have mine uncle's wisdom to guide me; I plan to keep him on the council."

"What do you mean? I thought your uncle was king now. Dose he not have to die first, for you to be king?"

"Mine uncle is only Acting King; really, he is not king at all, though he makes everyone use kingly titles with his name. Unless the people request otherwise, only a Caspian can be king. Mine years were too few in number when father died to become king then, so Miraz graciously filled in as Acting King. When I have come of age, he will retreat and I will be king. I know little of ruling a country though, so that is why I will keep mine uncle on the council. He knows more about ruling than I, but pray, do not tell him I said as much. I do not want him thinking little of me."

"In faith! I would not dream of revealing such secrets. I give you my word."

Secrets. Because that's what friends did. They shared secrets with one another. Caspian had just told Lysandra one of his secrets. "Perhaps…I should tell him one of mine."

"Caspian, may I…may I confide in you something…a thing I have not told another before?"

"Truly, Lys. Just as I know I can confide in thee."

Lysandra nodded her head and bit her lip nervously.

"Pray tell, Lys, what troubles thee so?"

"Idonotthinktheywerewed," she said in a rush before she lost her courage.

"What?"

It was already out. She had to explain now. "My parents, I…I do not believe they were joined in marriage. I think…I think I was born out of marriage."

It was silent for several seconds, and Lysandra knew she had made another mistake. That is, until Caspian very calmly said, "Why would you say such a thing?"

"You are not… You do not…" He didn't sound or look upset at all, and Lysandra was left speechless.

"Lysandra, whatever thy mother's actions may have been, I could not, will not hold them against thee. Thou cannot take fault for thy mother's actions. But I must ask again, why do you think your parents were not joined in marriage?"

Lysandra shrugged, relieved that Caspian did not change his thoughts of her but unsure of how to tell him why she believed what she did.

"'Tis…Well…Not only did my mother not speak of him, but none spoke of my father. I inquired of some of the herders once, but they only offered me this look of…of pity and disgrace and told me to continue my work. Then there is the fact that none liked my mother's company. She was Hyrden's sole healer so the people came to her when they needed her, but even then the women would not let their husbands or their sons come to her alone; 'twas as though they thought she would influence them in her ways.

"The women spoke poorly of her too, when they thought I could not hear. I was not dropping eaves, I assure you; I only happened to be around when they did not know. They said things of her character, things I ought not repeat. And even when she fell ill they still spoke poorly of her. They said…" Lysandra fought against her tears. "…They said, 'There is thy proof. The Lion's judgment has befallen her and now…'"

"Lion's judgment?" Caspian asked suddenly.

Lysandra froze in horror. She was so caught in her story and emotions she wasn't thinking about what she was actually saying. "How could I have let something like that slip through?"

"I-I-'Tis an Archen phrase. It does not…"

"Dost thou mean the lion Aslan, from the Old Tales?"

Lysandra shook her head, but her wide eyes were betraying her. "I did not say that."

"But it is what thou meant. In the Old Tales, Narnia and Archenland were great allies. Talking beasts would often pass into Archenland, and even the Kings and Queens of Old went there."

Lysandra was still shaking her head. "I-I do not know what you are talking about."

"I can tell you are lying, Lys. You do know."

"No. No I do not."

"Lys, do you…Do you believe in Aslan?"

"I-I-I…" Lysandra stuttered. She could deny anything else he asked of her. She could deny the existence of the Four. She could deny the love of her mother if he asked her to. But she could not deny Him. She would not deny Him. Lysandra stopped her trembling lips and tightly clasped her shaking hands, and she looked the young Telmarine Prince firm in the eye.

"I do," she said. "I do believe in the Lion, and there is nothing you can say to me to make me believe otherwise. I am wholly His."

Caspian's astonished eyes did not leave Lysandra's face, and her fearful eyes did not leave his. On the surface she appeared calm and in control, but inside she felt everything caving in. She'd heard of the Telmarine ways. She'd heard of how they had conquered Narnia and slaughtered its natural inhabitants, the Beasts, the Fauns, the Centaurs, the Dwarves, and the Dryads. She knew of what they did. Lysandra knew she was likely to die now, and she was going to wait for it. She wasn't going to turn in fear. She was the Lion's, and He was with her.

"Lys, I…I can hardly believe it."

"Well, 'tis true and you cannot change it. I am His and He is with me," she said more for herself than anything else.

"Lys, I… Marry! What wondrous revelations!"

And then Caspian laughed. He laughed loud and vibrantly. Lysandra sat gaping at him. She was prepared for death. She wasn't prepared for laughter.

"Lys, I cannot tell thee how filled with joy I am that you believe in the Lion."

"You are not…You are not…I am not…" Lysandra was speechless once more. She had no idea and no preparation for how to respond to his rapturous laughter. She wasn't even sure why he was laughing. Was he laughing at her? Did he think her a fool for believing in the Lion?

"This is splendid!"

"It is?" she asked.

"Yes! Hello! Did you think I would be angry? Or that I would…"

"That you would slay me? Yes. Or send me to someone who would. I have heard of the Telmarine cruelty. I have heard of how your ancestors conquered Narnia, and of the Narnian lives that were lost."

"Lysandra, those were mine ancestors. They are not me. I have always hoped that Narnia would be restored to what it once was, where Talking Beasts roamed freely, and there were Centaurs and Dwarves, and everyone believed openly in Aslan."

"You—you have?"

Caspian nodded vigorously and for yet another time that morning Lysandra found herself incapable of speech. So, instead of trying to speak she focused on her breathing, to get it under control again. As feeling slowly began to return to her extremities, she's not entirely sure when she lost feeling in the first place, she realized that for the second time in less than a year she had come face to face with death and death had passed her over. A laugh of relief escaped her lips before more laughter ensued; before long, Caspian and Lysandra were both laughing loudly.

"Lys, this…this is joyous! I am so glad you believe. Nurse once told me the stories of Old Narnia. I thought we were the only two who believed, but then Dr. Cornelius came to the castle. And now there is you. There are four of us."

"And all of Archenland too," she said. "Well, most of Archenland. I cannot speak for the whole country; there may be one or two doubters."

"A whole country of believers," Caspian said with awe. "Someday this country will believe again. When I am king, I will send out parties to search for any Old Narnian that may yet live, and I will extend to them the hand of fellowship and peace."

Caspian and Lysandra sat out on the Narnian country for an hour or so more. She told him Narnian tales from Archenland and he told her of how he planned to bring peace between Narnians and Telmarines. Neither of them knew for sure if there were even Narnians that still lived, but they both hoped. Their friendship grew immensely that day as they shared their secret desires for Narnians. When it became early afternoon, they called their horses back, they had been grazing freely nearby, and raced back to the castle.

XOXOX

Lysandra walked Béla slowly into the stone courtyard; Caspian and Destrier were already there. The Prince rested languidly on the fountain, made of stone like all things else in the courtyard, with a coy and cheeky grin.

"I am the victor," he said with just as much bravado. When he saw that Lysandra was not smiling though, his expression suddenly changed and he stood up. "What is wrong?"

Lysandra simply shook her head and began leading Béla to the stables, too angry to speak.

"Lys? What have I done?" the Prince asked as he followed after her. When she still did not respond he continued. "I did not take thee for a poor jester."

That got to her, and Lysandra whirled around. "What!"

"That seems to me the only explanation. We were racing and I came out the victor, and now you will not speak with me?"

"You came out the victor because I refuse to trample the citizens with Béla, whereas you have no qualms with galloping through the city without stopping to care for the people in your path."

"No one was harmed. They knew to get out of my way."

"Why? Because you are Prince and they are nothing but lowly commoners?"

"No. Because I was on a galloping horse. The citizens of Beaver's Dam are not fools, Lysandra."

"Why should they be otherwise when their Prince is a royal fool?"

"Why has this angered you so?"

"You have no idea, do you?"

"Pray tell, enlighten me." Caspian tried to hold back his anger, but it was beginning to surface.

"You have no idea what it is like to be on the other side of that bridge, to be one of those commoners. Did you even see the people you nearly trampled? Yes they were wise enough to move, but you hardly gave them a fair chance. I was delayed simply because I chose to be courteous and take my time. King Nain would never run his horse through the city without caring for his people."

"King Nain? Who is this Nain? I have never heard his name in my Narnian History lessons."

"That is because he is not a part of Narnia's history. King Nain is the reigning king of Archenland who resides at the Castle of Anvard. He is a good king and a righteous man. He earnestly cares for his people and would never run his horse through the city. He would stop to help the weak carry their load or offer a loaf of bread to the orphaned child."

Lysandra exhaled heavily.

"I am sorry for being so angered, but I…" Lysandra shook her head. "You will be king one day Caspian, but you must decide the sort of king you will be. Will you be like that of your ancestors who wiped out an entire nation? Or will you be the sort of king like King Nain, who earnestly cares for his people?"

Caspian was still for a moment before he nodded his head thoughtfully. "You are right, Lysandra. I did not give a second thought to the people in the city. It will not be that way again. I do not want to be like mine ancestors; I want to be a good king; an honorable king. Will you assist me?"

"Me?" Lysandra was taken aback. "What can I do?"

"You can instruct me in the ways of King Nain; help me make the decisions he would make. After all, you seem to know him well."

"Nay…" she shook her head slightly as she began to lead Béla to the stables once more. Caspian walked alongside her with Destrier. "I do not know King Nain well."

"But thou spoke so highly of him, as though you were certain of his actions."

"In truth, those thoughts are just that. They are how I believe King Nain would act. I never actually knew him. But Mother did; she always spoke highly of him. And I believe he cares for his people because when Mother fell ill, he was her sole visitor."

"How did thy mother know him?"

"She worked for him once. She was a healer in the castle before I was born. King Nain had a daughter who was very ill, and mother was her healer. Though mother could not prevent the Princess' death, she provided the Princess with great comfort. King Nain was always appreciative of her efforts, and called on her whenever someone in the court of Anvard was ill."

"And he came to thy mother's bedside when she was ill?"

Lysandra nodded her head. "His guards were not pleased about it, and mother tried to send him away; they were all worried the illness might catch. He only stayed for a short time, but when he left I saw a look in his eyes. He knew he would never see her well again, and it saddened him."

"And what did the Queen think of his visit to thy mother?"

"The Queen thought nothing of it, for she could not think. She has been dead many years. She did not survive the child bearing of their son, Prince Leon."

Caspian said nothing more after that for they had reached the stables and went about the process of securing their horses in. The stable boys offered to take over the securing of Destrier, but Caspian refused; the stable boys didn't even glance Lysandra's way. She rubbed Béla's neck down as she thought again of how good a man King Nain was; Béla was truly a noble steed.

"Pray tell, when did the Archenland Queen die?" Caspian asked after they had both finished with their horses and decided to leave.

"'Twas many years ago, before I was born."

"So it was before the Princess died? How long before?"

"I am not certain. A few years, five at most. Why do you ask?" Lysandra inquired of Caspian curiously, but he said nothing. Lysandra studied him closely for a minute or two before she saw his reason.

"No. No you cannot possibly think…No," she said fervently.

"It is possible, Lys. If she died years before you were born and your mother worked in the castle at the time of your conception…"

"No, it is not possible, Caspian. To say that my mother…" Lysandra lowered her voice to a whisper. "To say that my mother had relations with a man out of marriage is one thing, but to imply that my king had so little honor I will not accept that. He is a good man. I will not call to question his prudence."

"Lys…" Caspian began to argue but was interrupted by the boisterous call of his uncle.

"Caspian!"

Lysandra gave a little jump at the loud call but Caspian seemed unfazed by it.

"Good morrow, mine Uncle," he said as both he and Lysandra turned to look at the approaching lord. With him was the general who took Béla to the stables on the first day. Glozelle is what the Prince had called him.

"Morrow, good Prince? The morning hours have long left us; it is nearly nightfall," King Miraz said. Lysandra found this statement to be rather odd and very incorrect. It was hardly past noon. She chose, however, not to bring light to that fact before the acting king.

"Where have you been all day?" Miraz continued.

"I was out riding, Destrier. Professor Cornelius gave me the day to do so," Caspian replied.

"So you were granted a reprieve from thy studies, and thou chose to pass thy time gallivanting in place of attending to more courtly affairs?" Miraz chided lowly. Lysandra could see Caspian's face fall as his fears began to surface. She could not rightly stand to see her friend hurting so; so, she did the only thing she could think of in such a short time.

"The good Prince came out riding with me, your Majesty," she said. When Miraz and the general glanced her way Lysandra gave a low and respectful curtsey before continuing with her lie. "The good Professor sent me to fetch a rare herb, and when the good Prince saw me riding out alone, he thought it best to accompany me for protection's sake. I had no other protection with me, Sire."

King Miraz narrowed his gaze as he stared at Lysandra, but she did her best to give no sign of falsehood.

"A rare herb, say you? What herb?" Miraz asked.

Lysandra held up her netted sash full of berries and stems. "Trilo-berry, Sire. The bark is used for many ailments and the berries can be eaten or stewed."

Miraz carefully and reluctantly looked over her sash. "Trilo-berry? I have not heard of it."

"And you know a great deal of the healing arts?"

Miraz was silent for a moment. "Nay. I cannot say that I do."

Lysandra almost let out an audible exhale, but she withheld it. She glanced up at Caspian to find that he seemed more at ease. She took that to mean that she was helping.

"Who are you?" Miraz asked suddenly. "Are you the Professor's newest…servant?"

Lysandra did not like the way he said "Professor" or "servant;" it was as though he doubted the qualities of the first and thought the latter was more slave than anything. She bit her lip to hold back her offense.

"I am Lysandra, Sire, and I work for the good Professor, yes."

"You are not from these lands, is that also correct?"

"'Tis true, Sire. I am from Archenland."

"What was thou lineage in Archenland?"

"My mother was the healer Lysan, and my father was a herder in Hyrden." Another lie perhaps, but he didn't have to know the truth.

"The healer Lysan of Archenland?" At this the face of both the general and the acting king seemed to turn very strange. Miraz gave a one–sided smile and turned his head to the general, whose face seemed to have paled and elongated.

"Do you know the name?" Miraz asked the general.

The general exchanged a pointed look with Miraz, but curtly replied, "No."

"In truth? Think on it, my friend. Healer Lysan of Archenland. Do you know the name? It is a very curious name that one would not easily forget."

Again the general replied in the negative; his voice was low, firm, and cold, while the one-sided smile of Miraz remained. Lysandra gave a questioning look to Caspian, but he only lifted a shoulder to say that he didn't know what was going on. Lysandra was growing uneasy and did not want to risk the lie making itself known.

"I should be away; the good Professor will be in want of his herb," she said. Miraz turned his head back to her but he still had that smile, and she liked it even less. Lysandra turned to Caspian. "Many thanks, good Prince, for your valiant protection; it will be well remembered. Fare thee well, your Highness." She curtsied to Caspian before turning back to Miraz and giving a curtsey to him and the general. "Your Majesty. Good General."

As Lysandra hurried towards the Professor's suites though, she could not get that haunting smile of Miraz out of her head. Nor could she forget what Caspian implied about her mother and King Nain. It couldn't be. Could it? And yet, what Caspian had said did seem to make a bit of sense. King Nain was, after all, very kind to her.

Author's Note: Trilo-berry is modeled after Rhus trilobata, whose common names include: sourberry and skunkbush. It's leaves have a very strong scent when crushed sometimes scene as medicinal or bitter, yet disagreeable enough by some to be called skunkbush. This plant has historically been used for medicinal purposes. The bark can be chewed or brewed into a tea for cold symptoms, the berries eaten for toothache or gastrointestinal pains, and the leaves and roots boiled and eaten for many complaints as well. The berries are edible and can be baked into bread, added to porridge or soup, or steeped to make a tea or tart beverage similar to lemonade.