Chapter 5

Lucy woke up to find herself back in the cave. She turned her head, and she saw Edmund leaning against the wall, fast asleep. She smiled, noticing, not for the first time, how handsome he looked. She coughed, gently, and he sat bolt upright.

"Hello, sleepy head." Lucy said, smiling. Edmund laughed.

"Look, it's not my fault that I fall asleep because I've been watching you half the night! Nor, in fact, is it my fault that I had to stay up half the night!" he said. Lucy blushed.

"I'm sorry for running away. I didn't trust you." she said, and she looked away. She felt his soft fingers on her chin and she turned her head to him.

"I would have run away too." he smiled and dropped his hand. "Good thing you're so bad at running away, or you'd be wolf food by now."Lucy shuddered.

"I don't want to think about that." she looked up at Edmund, and her eyes brightened. "Maybe you could show me how to be un-tracable, like you." she laughed, "for when I next run away." Edmund laughed.

"Well, no one is un-tracable, but I'm sure I could help you be almost as good as me, because no one could possibly match my brilliance." he said, cockily. Lucy giggled, then winced as her moving made pain shoot down her leg. Edmund look worried.

"First, we need to make sure this leg of yours heals."

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Susan strained against her bonds, and glared up at the false King. He curled his lip, then put on a sugary, fake smile and turned to an advisor.

"This is no way to treat an honoured guest! Clean her up, get her nice clothes, feed her, give her nice rooms, give her nice jewellery!" he turned back to Susan and stroked the underside of her chin. "Anything she wants..." he paused and looked as Susan struggled, trying to kick out at Miraz, "she can have." then he turned and his cloak spread out behind him. The advisor stepped down, but was interrupted by Jadis.

"Stop. I wish to talk to our..." she paused and looked at the struggling mass of Susan "guest." she finished, her lips curling like a wolfs. She turned to the attendants, servants and advisers.

"Leave!" she commanded, then knelt down next to Susan. As soon as the door banged close, her gaze softened.

"Oh Susan, my dear. What have you got yourself into?" she said, tilting her head this way and that, as if Susan was a painting and Jadis was trying to get a good view. Jadis' hand reached over and tore the gag from Susan's mouth.

"There. That's better." Jadis said. Susan coughed, noisily.

"What do you want from me?" she gasped, trying to get the taste of the gag out of her mouth.

"Why," Jadis, said, smiling. "We want you to help us." she smiled, then pointed in the direction of Aslan's How. "Out there are imposters who are trying to take the crown from us. They say that I, I" she pressed her hand against her chest and her face looked puzzled and sad "am evil! That I turned poor, defenceless creatures to stone! Why would I do that? They are my subjects!"

"Because you are evil." Susan hissed. The witch looked sad.

"My poor poppet. You have been taken in by their words! Come now. Let me take you to your room." Jadis helped Susan up and led her out of the room "I personally cannot believe my husband would treat such an honoured guest in such a despicable manner. You are to be honoured!" Jadis cried. Susan glared at her, her hands twisted up as hard as she could and one hand slipped up through the rope. Susan stopped her breath from coming out in short gasps and checked her satisfied smile. With her free hand, she fumbled silently around the knots.

"Of course, we have to make sure you don't run away, but keeping you in chains! No." Jadis shook her head and put her hands on Susan's. She smiled, drew her knife and sliced through the rope. Susan narrowed her eyes in hate, then smiled gratefully up at her captor.

"Thank you" she said. Jadis smiled back.

"Oh my dear, I am a mother! Seeing any child in bonds makes my heart bleed!" she cried, then showed Susan a heavy wooden door.

"This is your room, my darling." she said, then pointed to the two along the way. "Those doors belong to my son Edmund and his tutor. You will be in safe hands" then her face turned downcast "when he returns." Jadis sighed heavily "My darling boy! Where is he?"

"I'm sure you will find him" Susan said, her voice heavy with softness. Jadis turned and smiled happily.

"Oh I'm sure we will. I just hope he hasn't done anything silly!" she said, then pulled open the door.

"Thank you" Susan said, and she went in. Jadis gave her one last smile, then closed the door. Susan's fake smile slipped and she glared at her captor.

"Good cop, bad cop, huh?" she hissed, then inspected her room. It was large and elaborately decorated. She opened the wardrobe and smiled at the beautiful dresses inside. She stoked the soft velvet, silk and brocade. She smiled. She would enjoy her captivity.

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Edmund smiled as he saw Lucy change into one of the dresses he had brought her.

"It fits perfectly!" he said, smiling and Lucy giggled. Edmund then picked up the bandage.

"Right. On the bed." he smiled and Lucy did so, pulling her skirt to just above the bandage. Edmund unrolled the old one and smiled

"It's getting better. We'll see if you can walk without crutches soon" he said, causing Lucy to clap her hands with glee. Edmund laughed, then applied the little poultice and wrapped the bandage around it. Edmund tied the knot, then handed her a bow and arrow.

"Right. Let's see if we can get to hit a moving target!"