"Your Majesty! You...you cannot be serious!" Fordunus cried, breaking out of his usually calm Centaur-like composure.
"We're serious," Lucy chirped. "If you get us some commoner clothes, we'll pretend we're commoners who just moved from Archenland. We'll "attend" the schoolhouse there. Since we are young, we can find out the whole truth. And see what they have to say."
At this, Mama Squirrel bursted into tears once more. She...she is so brave...So young, so valiant... Her thoughts whizzed through her mind. But, they cannot think they can possibly do this on their own! Sure, they're strong, they're brave, they've faced adult-like situations, but, but they are still children...just like my Nelson, and my Moonstick and my Twittertwig...This must be stopped!
The rest of the companions started to shout their protests. It was impossible to hear one complaint from another, the noise level was almost deafening. Edmund stepped into the center of the ring of protestors. Raising his hands, the crowd immediately fell silent.
"Now, We understand your worries. We too, also have our doubts. But this something my sister and I feel is right to do. She suggested that she would go alone, but I will not allow that."
Nods of agreement made their way around the circle. Lucy pouted.
"But of course, we will not always be alone. My Friendly Hounds, if you will, step forward."
The Hounds trotted up to their king, eyes wide, tales wagging, tongues lolling. Lucy couldn't help but giggle at the picture, as they bobbed their heads in respect.
"Now, I know you well. I know your love for speaking."
The hounds agreed,
"But is there any of you who'd like to er...how shall I say it? Remain silent around the public in that village. And, uh..." He turned to his sister nervously. She knew where he was going with this, it just felt rude for him to ask. After all, asking a Narnian Beast to refrain from something they cherished was scandalous.
Lucy stepped forward, kneeling down to the Hounds' height.
"My brother would like to know, if any of you would take the job of acting as a pet-Dumb Beast for the reassurance of our team and for all our safety."
The pointedly eager ears of the Hounds drooped a bit. To be a Dumb Beast...a mere pet? Not speaking? But then again...it was to protect their Monarchs'. That's all that mattered.
The youngest of the Hounds stepped forward, his black coat shimmering into firelight.
"I shall come, Your Majesties."
"Very well, Daleen," Edmund said, standing straighter. "Now, is their any objections to our plan?"
Many faces went blank then. The two humans could see the pain and worry behind their expressionlessly masked faces. Suddenly, a sob was heard through the silence.
Lucy jumped, wheeling around to find Mama Squirrel who was shaking her head. "Please, don't. Please...It's not safe...I know you can save them, protect them. But who can do that for you when you are doing it for them? You may get injured or die or-or-"
Lucy made her way towards the Mother. Kneeling beside her, she whispered.
"If that's the case, shall be it."
So young...so brave...
Mama Squirrel nodded. Lucy sat beside her, cuddling close.
A sound was heard as someone cleared their throat. Everyone turned to see the Tiger stepping forwards.
"But, Majesties," he started. "What if someone is to recognize you?"
Edmund laughed. "I'm not to worried about that, Darkar. We'll be dressed differently and we won't act as much as we usually do up at the castle."
"Are-are you sure, Sire? You and Queen Lucy will be okay?"
"We'll have you all, of course." He said. "And any other trusting soldier we can find on our way. I want at least two of you watching the outskirts at night."
Heads nodded.
"And the rest of you," he said. "We'll find a house and purchase it. Discreetly though, perhaps when we send someone to go first...Then we all shall be able to stay there, get settled in. Hopefully, our bussiness will be done in a weeks' time, if that's alright with you."
Everyone agreed solemnly. Darkar spoke once more.
"What about King Peter and Queen Susan?"
"We'll send a letter to say we're extending our trip. If we need reinforcements, we shall contact them when needed." The group looked again uneasy. As flawless as the plan sounded so forth, it still didn't make much sense.
But you must promise me something," he continued.
"Anything, my liege," the soldier closest to the pacing king murmured, bowing his head.
"All of you," Edmund barked, much more serious. Nodding to the embarassed soldier, he continued, spinning to face the group. "Must not state where you truly reside, who you truly serve, who we-" he pointed at his sister and himself. "truly are. No one must know we'll be residing in the same residence. It'll raise suspicions. Is that clear?"
Like crystal.
"At dawn, Fordunus, would you be kind enough to be the first to enter Hogwood?" Edmund asked.
"Aye, Sire. 'Tis my pleasure," the Centaur replied. He had slowly composed himself, little by little, finding reassurance in the plan.
"Then get some rest. We all should." Dismissing the troops, he made his way to his sister and the Squirrel.
"Do you want to stay in my tent tonight?" Lucy asked, gently stroking the Squirrel's fur.
"Oh, Queen Lucy...I could not..."
"Oh, yes you could!" She smiled. "In fact, I insist."
"As you wish," the Squirrel whispered, letting the queen lead her away to the tent. Edmund followed behind them.
After the shaking Squirrel was showed to a spot in the tent, Lucy went out to her brother. Sitting down on the grass beside him, she sighed, leaning against his shoulder.
"Are you ready for this?" she whispered. Her eyes trailed across the scene in front of her. Narnians lay, sat, stood guard; sleeping or writing, whispering or keeping watch. Everyone seemed much calmer, but a tense protectiveness still seeped through every pore of their beings'. Lucy felt better about the situation, since her plan wasn't rejected.
"As ready as I'll ever be," he replied, laughing nervously. "You?"
"Yeah," she said. "I know it's our only option at the moment. We can only spare so many lives. It's bad enough they're killing the kids, this is the least we could do."
"For now," he snapped. "If it's worse than we thought, we're getting backup."
"Aye, Captain," she whispered mockingly. Cuddling into his side, she shut her eyes. "Night, Ed."
"Night, Lu." he replied, waiting for her to drift off, before taking her inside the tent.
Nelson moved quietly until he could hear voices. Thinking it was the main camp, his eyes began to droop and he decided to curl up in a ball and take a nap.
Whoo! Two in one night, eh? Didn't seem possible. Sorry if the grammar's bad. I don't have much time to do corrections. And I know it's a bit dramatic, sorry! I'm not used to using other people's characters. I usually have my own plots and characters to stick to. Anywho, review, review! Thank you!