Chapter Five: The Threat from Galma

(Corin)

The next day, a dispatch is sent to my father by a large Talking Stag. Lucy and her siblings must attend a council meeting, so I go to the woods to think.

I want to give Lucy something to show her how much I care about her, but I don't know what to give her—she isn't girly like Susan, but she has so many weapons. Then it hits me—she always just uses a simple, unadorned bow, unlike all of her other weapons, which are clearly made for royalty.

Since I'm in the woods, all I have to do is find a piece of yew wood and ask a Dryad for a little help. An aged yew Dryad gives me a piece of her wood, showing me how to bend and strengthen it. When the wood is finished and polished glossily, I string it and thank the grandmother tree heartily. She merely laughs. "Young love…" I hear her sigh. The sound is like a faint rustle of the leaves in a summer breeze.

I smuggle the bow to my rooms and lay them out on the table there. The bow gleams in the afternoon sunlight and the metal tips of the arrows snugly fit inside their quiver—which I stopped to pick out from the armory—twinkle brightly. I smile.

Lucy's going to love it.

(Lucy)

I drum my fingers against the arm of my throne. In the corner of my eye I see Peter stifle a yawn and Susan fiddle with a lock of her heavy black hair. Even Edmund is only halfheartedly paying attention. It's a warm, pleasant day and we're stuck in council with a Badger droning on about something or another.

I force my attention back to the council. As Hawthorne the Badger finishes his speech, Peter nods and says.

"My siblings and I shall consider this carefully before making a decision. Council is dismissed." Hawthorn consents and the throne room slowly empties.

As the doors slam shut, I groan loudly. "Ugh. What exactly are we considering?"

Edmund is the only one who knows. "Uhhh…Lu?" he asks.

"Yes, Ed?" I reply. He looks uneasy.

"The Duke of Galma wishes to court you." My eyes widen at this.

"Oh no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm courting Corin and that's final!" I exclaim. Edmund looks sympathetic and upset. Peter and Susan have bolted upright.

"What?" They shout. Edmund nods.

"And…he is threatening war if he does not get what he wants." His face is dark with anger.

"I won't allow it!" shouts Peter.

"Neither will I!" exclaims Susan.

"Stop it!" I shout. "I love Corin, and I'm not giving that up." I say firmly. Peter opens his mouth, but I hold up a hand, stopping him. "We tell the Duke that I am already courting with Aslan's blessing, and if he does not accept this I shall challenge him to single combat. If he loses, we receive his surrender and loyalty to the Narnian crown. If I lose, then we either go to war or I shall court him." I state calmly.

Peter begins to speak. "It's not a bad idea, Lucy, but what if it comes down to a duel and you lose?" All I can see in his face is worry and love.

"I shall not lose, dear brother, for Aslan is with me." I reply. Edmund sighs.

"It's the best chance we've got." He says. Susan nods. Finally Peter gives in and agrees.

Then my eyes widen.

I have to tell Corin.

(A.N.—Lucy has a bit of a temper, I hope you can tell that here. Thanks for all the reviews. I'm so glad stuff is finally making sense for everyone. Hope you enjoyed this! – Queen Lucy)