Author's Note: Mercury is a short little song and so this is a fittingly short little bit of the story. Not that the other two were very long, I suppose.... They'll be getting a bit longer later, I feel. I hope. I feel guilty only writing little tiny fics like this for some reason.
Lucy is such a fun person to write from. She's all sweetness and light. It's hard to write her in anything but really happy stuff, like this. Hopefully I'll get to try my hand at both, though.
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Mercury, The Winged Messenger
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It was noon, the sky was a bright and clear blue, and I watched the horizon for a sign.
And I waited.
I was permitted, when my brothers were away, to spend my days mostly in Cair Paravel's towers. Susan at these times needed something to keep her mind off of their absence and took to taking care of the entire castle singlehandedly.
So great was her need to be doing something that on the more calm days I sent select members of the Cair to create small disturbances and problems for Susan to fix.
Susan needed things to keep her mind occupied. I always found that my mind during these times wouldn't focus on anything for very long, and I tended to find myself in Susan's way when I did try to help. So even with my meddling Susan asked little of me during these days and I was very happy to oblige her.
I spent my time idly awaiting news of their victory.
I used the towers because I knew that when the news came, it would come by air.
It was coming now.
Takreet was one of our best and strongest messengers and as a hawk easy to spot against the blue sky. He did not fly in tiny loops like the smaller birds, or in a razor straight line like the geese, but in a pattern of majestically spiraling upwards and then swooping down. He once told me that he was riding pockets of hot hair.
I think it sounds wonderful.
I knew that with his sharp eyes he would see me waiting in the parapets but I could not help but wave at him. It was a windy day and my dress waved about me like the flags flying above the castle. Only two flags flew atop the highest tower today, but I knew that there would be four soon.
With a cry of greeting he landed on the stone next to me and bobbed his head in a bow.
"Good sir, what news have you of my brothers?" I asked, dispelling with formalities in my impatience.
Takreet couldn't quite smile, having a beak and all, but I could hear his amusement. "Good news, my queen. Your brothers are victorious this night past."
"This night past?" I exclaimed. "Why, you must have flown all night!"
Beaks also make it difficult to look sheepish, but somehow Takreet managed just by ducking his head. "Yes, milady, I felt the news deserved a speedy delivery. The giants have been routed. The kings will be returning in a sennight."
Seven days! It seemed an eternity to think of it now, but I knew that it would pass. What's more, my brothers would be returning home safe. There could be no better news.
"Thank you, Takreet. I'm sure our generals are awaiting your report." He bowed again at the dismissal and I returned the formality, my anxiety about my brothers quelled. "And when you are through with that, please find the nicest roost we have and rest for as long as you'd like. If you need anything, you have only to ask it."
He bowed again and with a great flap of his wings he took to the sky, wheeling about and giving a long, piercing shriek that finally alerted the castle to his return as he left to give his official report.
That cry has often been an ominous sign, but tonight it was as sweet as the softest bell.
My brothers were coming home.