Peter quickly sidestepped his brother while rudely pointing it at the nape of his nape. They held their positions for a few seconds before Peter smiled and removed his sword. He extended a friendly hand and helped his flustered brother up.
"Nothing better than a match on this splendid afternoon!" Peter called in merry spirits.
Edmund grunted, "Yes, yes, the weather is all fine. I would still like to challenge that lump of lard sometime soon!" He casted a disdainful look up to Caspian's tower.
It was a sunny day which accentuated the wonders of the castles gardens. The bewildering plants almost looked as if it wasn't dangerous but to a true Narnian they are the quite opposite. Each of the plants had expanded their leaves and taken the grand afternoon to sunbathing. It was a humorous sight, perhaps bringing anyone to good cheer if Narnia wasn't upset of the runaway bride.
Upon the news that Lucy was going to marry Caspian, all of Narnia had fallen into a great celebration. No other match was more perfect than Queen Lucy the Valiant and their King Caspian. Butchers, tailors, florists were running around preparing for the eventful day with indisputable cheer. Hundreds of dozens of rare and exotic flowers were put in place while butchers were fattening up their herd not only for the castle's feast but the one held on the grounds of the castle for the common Narnian citizens.
Many of the young females were turning fervent for finding the perfect dress. The rich were able to describe precisely what they had in mind while the less fortunate had to opt for cheaply pre-made dresses. Note, on another occasions, they have found this rather discriminatory but for such a joyous one, the differences were settled for the special day.
When it was revealed that Queen Lucy had runaway with none other (much to the castles adamant efforts to keep quiet,) healer Charles, the King's step-uncle, all chaos ensued. Now Caspian and his castles occupants were looked upon with hatred by the citizens. They believed only something terrible would've happened that their Queen Lucy was forced to flee and the fault lay with Caspian. Rumors had even begun that Queen Susan's arrival was the cause of such turbulence.
Flashback
Lucy clenched her hands then unclenched the, she hastily wiped her sweaty hands as watched over her sibling lightly argue over a card game. Susan was sitting by herself in front of Lucy's mirror, humming a familiar tune while brushing her hair.
"I've got something to tell you all."
Susan settled the hairbrush on the table and turned to look at her with a soft expression. Peter and Edmund looked up briefly then back at their game. It was taking Lucy a while to muster the courage to say it to them but it had to be done!
Lucy sighed.
"Oh get on with it! We don't have all day," piped Edmund.
"Alright," Lucy took another breath before, "Caspian and I are getting married!"
"What!" Edmund dropped the cards and stood up in fury. "When did this happen? Pigs will fly before he thinks he can marry my little sister."
Lucy grinned, "Well glad you got that out of your system. I'm sorry to say that you have no say in this Edmund."
Edmund kicked the cards as forcefully as he could before storming out of the room. He purposefully knocked into Lucy's shoulder before exiting.
"And you Peter? I suppose you think I'm being naïve. Go on…say it!" Lucy crossed her arms over her chest and stared intently at him.
Peter grinned and shrugged his shoulders, "I do think you're a little young. He has a point. Now don't get cross with me, let's me finish! But I will respect you decision."
She stared in shocked, "Well- thank you Peter! That's awfully kind of you."
That was two down, one more to go. Peter excused himself and went to find Edmund before he broke a vase costing more than them combined. Lucy's mind then shifted to one other quiet person in the room. She was almost afraid to look at her.
"How could you?" It was a mere whisper but she heard her.
"Excuse me?" Lucy asked in bewilderment.
"You knew I loved him and he loves me too! What did you do? Show off those perky breasts of yours and slept with him? Are you pregnant? Is that it, have you closed him in with a child?" Susan was blinded with rage. Her normally pretty face was red with anger while her body shook, Lucy was afraid she was going to attack her any moment.
"Damn you Susan. Damn you. I no longer consider you my sister. I want you gone." Lucy turned to leave but a hand was placed on her shoulder preventing her from do so.
"I- I'm sorry."
Lucy studied her face, if she was lying, she was a great actress but she had no choice but to accept her apology as Susan threw her arms around her and sobbed. She claimed it was from happiness for her and Caspian.
End of flashback.
Lucy moaned as she straightened up with one hand placed gingerly on her back. She lifted the basket of fruits up to her right hip and started to head back to her new home. It has been three weeks since she had left Caspian. One could say…things have become calmer.
When they first arrived at port, Charles refused to tell them where exactly they were for security purposes, but with that pushed aside it was gorgeous island inhabited by several hundred Narnian citizens. It was quite different from the mainland where it was almost city like. Lucy and Emily nicknamed had given their new home its' own name, "Emerald Island," on the account of how the water looked as it met the land.
It was a sharp contrast to the pale sand of the beach which felt like flour as they let their bare foots bathe in them. With the sun hitting the ocean, it sparkled like emeralds; Emily had to dip her hands in the water to make sure there really weren't any of them there. They spent a few minutes marveling at the beauty before procuring a name.
The island was very green. There were too many trees that overshadowed them as they carried their luggage across the white sand to the village. Emerald island was mediocre in size, there were a totally of twenty villages, each populated by a hundred or so citizens. They were all in friendly relationships, they even hosted a party once a month to reconcile with old friends.
They did not have to walk far before Charles introduced them to their new home. Lucy was amazed he was able to acquire such a home. It was no castle but it seemed inviting and comfortable. It was a two story home but it wasn't like you would see back home in London. Each end of the house was rounded and tall like miniature towers. The windows were oddly elongated and Charles pointed out they would have plenty of sunlight. This cheered up Emily. It was painted a light salmon pink much to Charles disgust but he knew we would like it and bought it in a second's instance.
Lucy was glad to see it was fully furnished; she was in no mood to shop around. She also found out that the inhabitants of this island take great pride in their produce. It was Lucy and Emily's jobs to head to the community gardens and pick whatever they desired that day. And that's what they were both doing today.
Emily had suggested they back different types of pies (Lucy had grown a sweet tooth over the past week.) They had picked out apples, peaches, grapes, and fruit that looked like a mixture of cherries and cranberries. They made it back home with their baskets filled with delicious looking fruits and their faces bright from sunshine.
For the whole month she's been away from the castle, Lucy felt wonderful – quite relaxed. There was no heartbreak, no crying, no anger, although at times she did miss Caspian's company but she was finally happy.
Emily obtained her own room upstairs, on the left to Lucy's, which was a little larger and more elaborate. Charles had taken the smallest one, giving the girls the much larger ones to accommodate their things. He had also been pestering Lucy to marry him. Lucy would only smile and shake her head. She didn't think she ever wanted to be married. She wanted to be alone and content with the new painting set Emily bought for her. She wasn't sure how she could've afforded it but Emily caught her once trying to draw with a dark grey rock on a white flat boulder.
Lucy and Emily also had taken their times to introduce themselves as, 'Alex,' and 'Rebecca.' And that's what they were officially known as in their village. To Lucy's delight, Emily had gained an admirer. A man with a boyish face, Lucy had to admit, he was one of the nicest person she had across. They had given them free bouquets of flowers (he was a florist) and Emily and received the bigger of the set. She was smiling all the way home while snuffing her face in them every once in awhile.
That night, Charles had come home to a pair of giggling girls. He set down his bag on the table and took a great whiff. "That smells divine."
Emily snorted, "It has better be. We've been making these all afternoon."
They had accomplished baking five pies, one from each fruit they obtained. Lucy had demolished one she made for herself.
Charles smiled and sat down at the kitchen table, resting his head on his arms. The circles around his eyes had darkened and his skin had picked up an ugly tinge of yellow. He was the village's local healer and he was respected by all but Lucy had tried to persuade to take up another profession. It seemed to be killing him.
"Oh my dear, don't look at me like that. I'm perfectly fine." He yawned loudly then stood up, "I'll be off to take a bath. When I'm finished, I wouldn't say no to that purple one."
That night, after they all helped themselves to healthily portions of the baked goods, they each drifted to their rooms with a heavy stomach and eyes. Lucy was just removing her dress when her door opened.
"Emily, could you pass my bracelet. I've accidentally dropped it near the doorway." Lucy settled her dress on her bed before turning around to grab the bracelet from her hand when she realized it wasn't Emily but Charles!
Lucy was relieved that she had taken her time to dress in her night gown. Charles was staring at her quite weirdly.
"You look so beautiful Lucy…"
Lucy sighed, "I can't Charles. I just can't."
"You have left him. You are free. If you do not start living then you make it seem as if you are forever bonded to him." He said.
"In some ways, I am. I don't think I will ever be ready to indulge myself with another man. No – I'm happy Charles. I'm grateful for you bringing me here but I'm afraid I've only used you to escape. There will be nothing between us."
Charles was quiet, deep in thought before closing the door behind him then softly taking her hand and placing it on his chest. "You're the only woman that makes my heart beat like this."
Lucy laughed. "Charles! That was terrible."
He had joined in; Lucy had barely any time to wipe her before he came down on her. The kiss was gentle, just as a gentleman should kiss like but Lucy knew she couldn't feel it. However much her heart was protesting it, she let it continue. In some sick, twisted way, she wanted Charles to remove Caspian's touch.
Their kisses turned hungry, almost savage like. She pulled him closer to her, wanting to attach herself physically to her. She wanted him gone; she wanted all of her memories with him erased. Charles's hard hands pushed back her nightgown and let it drop to the floor.
He moved back and studied her face before looking at her body and gasping. "Better than I imagined." He cupped one of her breasts in his hands but his eyes never left her face. He caught on to her cringing face.
"Lucy? Are you alright?" His voice was dripping with concern.
"Only a little sore. Let's go on." But Charles stood back and looked at her breasts. Something dawned on him because his face fell. He bent down and picked up her gown, holding it out for her.
"Forgive me."
Lucy was taken back, "What's wrong? You don't want me?"
Charles chuckled, "I want you more than anything but I suppose this a certain way telling us we are not meant to be together."
"What is it Charles?" Lucy was a little worried now. She pulled the gown of her head and let it fall over her frame.
He moved closer and pulled her neckline down, exposing her left breast. He brushed his thumb lightly over it.
"Do you see this blue vein?" Lucy nodded her head. "When it becomes engorged it means the breasts are lactating. It's getting ready to produce milk."
Lucy's heart stopped.
"You're with child."