Chapter Nine: The Duke and the Duel
Lucy sat on her throne, seething inwardly, though her face was impassive—Orieus said she had the best poker face out of all of her siblings, after all.
The Duke was to be announced any moment now, and as much as she'd like to simply throw a dagger and end the whole issue, there were certain…branches of protocol that had to be followed. It had been decided, without Lucy's approval, that Corin would be fighting—the suitors against each other.
Susan, in a rare moment, had threatened to tie Lucy to her throne if she did not comply. Now Lucy was a complete wreck, worried about Corin, angry at the Duke, and frustrated with her siblings.
"Announcing Duke Adney of Galma to their Majesties of Narnia." Mr. Tumnus cried. The great oaken doors swung open and a short, fat little man swaggered in. It was all Lucy could do not to crinkle her nose—this was the man who wanted her at all costs? He looked old enough to be her father!
The fat little man made his way up to the thrones, barely bowing at all, before saying in an unpleasantly wheezy voice,
"Ah, your Majesties, I suppose you won't be giving up little Queen Lucy without a fight, will you, now?" he wheezes. Peter glares.
"I should think not, considering she is already courting with Aslan's blessing." Edmund says stiffly, before anyone else can say anything. The fat man smirked—a horrible sight—and says,
"Still expect me to believe that, then, Your Majesty?" Edmund says coldly.
"You would do well to remember the fact that we are Kings and Queens, Duke." To which the ugly man only sneers, saying,
"Let's get on with it then. I'd like to start our courtship as soon as possible. Who am I fighting?"
Corin quickly steps forward, hand on the hilt of the sword at his hip, and says,
"Prince Corin of Archenland."
The Duke chuckles,
"Ah, the little boy who thinks he has Aslan's blessing to court her. What ever shall I do?" he mocks. Lucy began to tear apart internally—what if Corin got hurt? What would happen? She couldn't lose Corin and go with that monster! A plan began to form quickly in Lucy's mind.
As the dueling area was set up properly, Lucy called Corin over to the side and led him into the training room. She quickly distracted him and while his back was turned, knocked him out. After removing his armor, she tied him to a chair. Slipping out of her dress and into the light, dwarf-made armor, she sheathed her swords—hopefully no one would suspect anything—on her hips and slipped back out. She had told Susan that she would wish Corin good luck and then go back to the castle, unable to bear watching them fight. She had accepted the lie and would not expect her to be in her seat. She merely nodded in response to Peter's words of encouragement; thankfully he took it for nerves. Lucy quickly bowed before striking out with Aurora and blocking with Nyx. The fat little duke was a terrible swordsman and she had him kneeling with her swords at either side of his neck in minutes.
"Do you surrender?" she asked her voice as low and gravelly as possible. He whimpered and nodded frantically.
"Good." Sheathing her blades she nodded her head curtly and walked away. "CORIN!" Susan suddenly shrieked. "Behind you!" Lucy span, grabbing a dagger from where it had been tucked into her belt, ready to throw it. With her other hand she drew Aurora. The duke had his sword in hand and was ready to stab her from behind!
About ten seconds later the pompous little duke lay in the dust, gurgling as blood gushed from his chest. A few feet away, Lucy was casually wiping blood off of the dagger onto the sand. Her siblings rushed to her.
"Corin! What were you thinking?" Susan shrieked. Lucy smirked.
"Well dear sister I wouldn't know, as I am obviously a girl." She said sarcastically as she pulled off the helmet, allowing her long braid to fall free.
Peter looked murderous while Edmund looked impressed.
"Where is Corin?" Peter snarled. Lucy snickered to herself a bit before answering.
"Unconscious in the training room."
Peter said angrily, "I cannot believe you went against my authority like this, Lucy."
"Actually, you left quite the loophole, Peter. You said Queen Lucy couldn't fight. I just posed as Prince Corin. Therefore, I did not go against you. Ergo, you cannot punish me." Lucy said smugly. Peter sighed in defeat.
"She always wins, doesn't she?" he groaned. Edmund chuckled.
"Nice job, sis." He said, throwing an arm around her shoulders.
Lucy smiled. "Thanks Eddie." She teased. His face darkened.
"Don't call me that!" he growled. Lucy giggled.
"Sorry Eddie." She said cheekily, dodging his playful punch.
After waking up and untying a very angry Corin, they sat down to a celebratory feast and ball—the Galmians, now leaderless, had fled within minutes of the duke's death and the Narnian army made sure that they left. Lucy was safe.
While they were dancing, Corin asked quietly, "Why did you do that? Take my place?"
Lucy sighed. "I care too much about you or any of my family to risk seeing you hurt because of me. Especially you, Corin. Knocking you out was just about the hardest thing I've ever done. Are…are you still angry?" she whispered.
"No, Lucy, I couldn't be angry with you. I just had to know why it was worth knocking me out to fight." Corin explained.
"Well, now you know." She giggled as he twirled her before Edmund cut in. Corin went to find refreshments.
'Now I know indeed.' He thought.
'Now I know.'