XXXXXXXXXXX
Chapter 2, Part 5: Put Two and Two Together
XXXXXXXXXXX
"What?" the startled young man croaked. "Meet Aslan? Now?" Caspian was awash with apprehension. What if He didn't like him? What if he didn't make a good impression? What if… What if…
Lucy could feel the cogs turning dizzily in Caspian's head. Softly, she used both hands to stroke his left, attempting to calm him down. Still, the youth nervously ran his fingers (from the other hand) through his hair, tousling the brown locks further.
Lucy couldn't keep from smiling at that action… it was at once both sweet and adorable to her, so she naturally couldn't prevent herself from raising his hand to her lips.
The soft kiss upon his hand shocked the youth into stillness, allowing Lucy to speak. "Caspian," she murmured, "Aslan will approve of you – I am certain of it. But we do need to go; we cannot keep the Lion waiting, after all."
Still dumb from amazement, the prince nodded his head, allowing the girl to pull him to his feet. Then, he watched silently as she placed his cloak over his shoulders and did the clasp. Taking his hand once again, the young queen said, "Come." Thus, the two began to descend the slope of the hill, making their way towards Aslan.
The Lord of the Wood stood at the edge of the forest, waiting for them to approach.
Caspian paused several paces before the Great Lion; he sank to his knees and bowed his head to the golden creature. Lucy had already released his hand, moving forward with gleeful ease to stand at Aslan's right hand. And when the youth finally got courage enough to lift his eyes, he was dazzled by the vision before his eyes.
The moonlight shone at such an angle that the two figures were illuminated to his eyes. The light played across the girl's hair and the Lion's fur, creating identical aureoles of glowing silver around their forms. Lucy's skin was snow-white and her face was elated and serene all at once. Aslan's face, in comparison, was both fierce and kind – loving and commanding and expectant.
"My Lord," Caspian began, perturbed by the Lion's silence thus far, "though uncertain as to whether I would be sufficient as King of Narnia, readily I will do your bidding in whatever matter you ask."
"Well spoken, Prince," the son of the Emperor-over-the-sea rumbled gently, touching his nose to the youth's forehead. The Lion's warm, golden breath poured over him as Aslan commanded, "Rise, then, Caspian the Tenth and follow my instructions." Humbled by the Lion's presence, the young man rose slowly, his eyes never leaving the intense amber of Aslan's.
At last, the great cat turned to speak to the girl at his side. With a trace of a purr, he informed, "Dear one, I will escort you and the prince to your eldest siblings; introduce them to Caspian, then follow me back here." Aslan paused a moment before adding, "They might not be able to see me at first, so you must be firm that they follow you both. Do you understand, Lucy my child?"
"Yes, Aslan," the little queen meekly replied, her eyes still brimming with overflowing joy.
The corners of the Lion's maw lifted, at once releasing a throaty chuckle and revealing his sharp, lengthy teeth. "Then climb aboard, my little queen," he laugh-rumbled, "and help the future-king upon my back as well!"
Lucy clapped her hands in delight, leaning in to press kisses to his cheek and mane before she complied. Stretching out a hand to the prince, where she rested just behind the Lion's tawny shoulders, she smiled. "Come, Caspian," she entreated merrily. "Be the second in over a thousand years to ride upon the highest of all Narnia's kings."
Timidly and full of awe, the boy's hand met hers halfway, allowing her to reel him towards her. Then, after he had settled in behind her, Lucy wrapped his long arms around her waist, softly explaining, "You will need to hold on…"
"Why?" he whispered in her ear, his chin resting upon her shoulder.
However much Lucy tried to avoid being affected by his nearness and his soft, suggestive tone, she failed: his warm, breathy question set her nerves on fire. Heat shot through her, sparked at each point of contact with his body, and settling in the pit of her belly. With an equally soft voice, she replied, "…Because he tends to make haste on matters of business."
Lucy – no stranger to flirting back in the Golden Age – could have groaned at the strangeness of her words. Though impersonal and non-suggestive in nature, the soft huskiness of her voice spoke of invitation and desire. If it would not have made her feel even more foolish, Lucy would have cursed or lightly knocked her forehead or made a face… anything to distract her from the awkward situation she now found herself in.
Luckily, Caspian chose to overlook or ignore the hint of something in the young queen's voice, instead holding her tighter in his arms as she clasped the Lion's mane in her small, dove-white fingers. At long last, Aslan began to move.
He began at a gentle, noiseless stroll, picking up his pace without a hitch in the motion until they were trotting, then loping through the forest in a silver-gold blur. To Caspian, it appeared that the Lion moved in a straight line, yet how could that be? Surely trees would lie in their path? Lucy, however, enlightened the youth, sharing in a hushed tone that the trees were making way for Aslan… Needless to say, Caspian was awed and astonished.
"So the trees did move during your reign?" he asked the girl, at once eager and incredulous.
Lucy's gaze turned hazy as she answered. "Oh yes," she shared. "They use to dance too…"
Caspian did not fail to notice the longing tone with which she spoke… the almost palpable sorrow that flooded the air was clue enough. So, wanting (no, needing) to return the girl's good cheer, he squeezed her to him more tightly, offering comfort and understanding to the maiden. And though he couldn't see it, Caspian could feel the atmosphere around her lighten as Lucy smiled.
After several brilliant minutes of tortuous nearness with the prince, the Lion began to slow back to a calm, steady tread. At long last, Aslan halted, informing, "They are asleep in the clearing up ahead, Lucy." The queen and the prince slipped off his back, at once accepting and reluctant.
Lucy turned to the Lion with a nod, dropping another kiss on his mane before looking to Caspian. With a serene smile, she took his hand in her own and led the way to her eldest siblings.
Caspian couldn't help the irresistible tingle that went up his spine when their hands met. They were both young, and neither were done growing… but their hands fit like two inter-locking puzzle pieces: meaningless when separate, but whole when combined. He felt significant somehow, just by being near her – and it wasn't because she was one of the queens of the Golden Age. Her personality just seemed to warm him down to his toes. She made him feel needed and wanted… but Lucy's presence also seemed incapable of swelling his ego. It was a delicate balance that the queen effortlessly managed, often without even thinking about it.
Lucy's grip on his hand tightened slightly; she was nervous. Caspian squeezed back to comfort her then lightly bumped her shoulder with his upper arm as a show of support. Lucy gave him a grin in return. Then, taking a deep breath, she entered the clearing.
Caspian looked on in admiration as Lucy released her hands from his and resolutely approached the sleeping trio. It was a terrifying thing to wake up three people, all older than yourself and all very tired – especially when you had parted ways with them earlier in the day.
The prince looked on as Lucy approached Peter first. Getting to her knees by his side, she shook the high king, whispering, "Peter, get up. Quick. Aslan is here, and we must follow him at once."
Usually, the young man would have mumbled a few words and rolled over back asleep, but startled, he murmured, "Lu? Is that you?"
The young queen smiled, replying, "Yes, Peter, it's me. Now you need to wake up…"
The High King began to sit up, rubbing at his eyes and pushing his disheveled dark blonde hair out of his face. The sleep now wiped from his eyes, he could now clearly see his sister before him in the moonlight. Immediately, an expression of profound relief washed over his face. Pulling his sister into a tight embrace, Peter exclaimed, "I'm so glad you're alright! I was worried for you and Ed… Susan was too, only she tries to hide it behind annoyance – you know how she is."
"Yes, I know Peter," the Valiant Queen replied, pulling out of the familiar shelter of his arms. Standing, the girl pulled her brother to his feet. "We need to make haste, Peter. Aslan says that there is much to be done this night. We must be ready."
Peter's eyebrows furrowed and his eyes lit up. "Aslan is here?"
Lucy nodded. "And Caspian." The High King's glance then shifted to rest upon the male figure behind his youngest sister. He appeared about sixteen years old – four years older than Lucy. He was a tall youth, about the same height as Peter – even with the one year age difference. The prince's dark eyes rested tenderly on Lucy's form before sliding to meet his own. Vaguely, Peter recalled that in the Golden Age, his fair-haired sister had always been attracted to tall men. This unwelcome recollection convinced the High King to treat the prince with a certain wariness in future.
"Peter," Lucy called, garnering his attention. "Would you please wake Susan?" Peter could only respond with a nod – Lucy had already woken him up, so it was only fair. As he dealt with Susan's complaints and claims that he'd been dreaming, Peter spared a few glances back at his sister and the prince.
Clasping Caspian's hand, Lucy asked, "Could you wake the D.L.F.?"
A puzzled expression crossed the prince's face as he queried, "D.L.F.?"
Lucy giggled softly, still not releasing his hand. "It's a nickname we've given Trumpkin…" Then, gazing up at the youth with her head cocked beguilingly, "So would you mind waking him? I imagine it would be easier on him if it were you waking him than I…"
The prince nodded his assent. His face dipped towards the girl slightly as if to kiss her head; however, he caught himself before he could fulfill the motion. Instead, the prince gave her hand an affectionate squeeze before moving off to fulfill the girl's request.
Later, with Trumpkin, Susan, Peter all awake and assembled before her and Caspian, Lucy stood tall at the prince's side, her monarchal regality wrapped around her like a mantle. "We are working on a schedule this night. Aslan has said that there is much to be done; thus, at the Lion's behest, King Edmund has remained at the How in readiness for I not what. Prince Caspian and myself were brought here by the Great Lion to lead you three back with us."
Despite the factual formality behind Lucy's words, Susan was still quizzical. "But if Aslan is here, then why cannot he lead us to the How himself?"
Lucy stood straighter, her entire being seemingly transformed. She appeared solemn and stalwart as she gazed out upon her audience. The moonlight tangled in her hair, creating an ethereal glow about her face. And her modish Narnian dress leant her an elegance and majesty that her elder siblings seemed to lack at that moment. She was Queen Lucy the Valiant once again before their eyes – the fair-haired Lioness of Narnia. Aslan's most faithful. The Queen of the Silver Crown. The Fourth Throne of Cair Paravel. Though the youngest of the four Kings and Queens of Old, righteousness guided Lucy's path, just as Aslan shepherded her fate now.
Somehow, Lucy had to communicate this to her eldest siblings, or all may be lost before it had even begun. Wordlessly, Caspian interlaced his hand with hers, conveying his encouragement and passing along his strength. At that moment, Lucy wished with all her heart that she could turn away from the stares of Peter, Susan, and Trumpkin – that she could shy away, climb into Caspian's arms, melt into his tall form, and hide away from her duty.
But no, Lucy knew well enough what must be done. Aslan and all of Narnia was depending upon her at this moment. Tightening her grip on the prince's hand until her knuckles were ghost-white, the young queen exhaled her tension, allowing her squeeze to lessen and depart. Caspian understood; using his thumb, he caressed the back of her hand, rubbing soothing circles along the pale flesh.
At last, Lucy felt she could speak. "I led us into Narnia, if you remember," the queen said grandly. Turning more solemn, she continued, "And I led us out of Narnia, too." A deep breath. "It was Aslan's will in both cases, just as it is His will now that I lead you all to Him and the How."
Peter gazed on his youngest sibling with a proud fondness; she had regained her sense of self. Now, it was time for the rest of them to follow suit. Moving to stand before her, the High King felt that a more formal pledge would be in better taste this time around. Thus, he descended to one knee at Lucy's feet.
Though the widening of her eyes expressed her surprise, Lucy otherwise accepted the gesture gracefully. But still, for Caspian and all the others observing this, it was an unheard-of event to see; the High King knelt to no one except the Great Lion himself. Releasing Caspian's hand, Lucy held out both of her hands to her brother where he knelt before her. Rising, Peter kissed the backs of her hands before pulling her into a soft hug. Then, loosening the embrace, the High King smiled down at Lucy, before giving her forehead a soft peck of his lips. Without a word, Peter motioned for Susan and Trumpkin to pack their things to leave the clearing.
"It's so good to have you back with us, Lucy," Peter whispered before moving to assemble his own meager possessions.
Softly, Lucy glowed from the unspoken praise she had received from her eldest brother. Sometimes, she was unsure if Peter ever totally approved of her. In England, Lucy was hardly useful, however much she tried to be, and often, the girl was wistfully daydreaming of Narnia. Meanwhile, as a Queen of Narnia, Lucy had not been a steady, reliable sort of person. How could she be? Like the glittering waves of the Eastern Sea, Lucy could not help being… untamed.
…Cair Paravel was the epitome of paradise and luxury, and Lucy loved her life there. But sometimes… Lucy needed to be free. Wild. Like the Fauns and Dryads she danced with. Like the tides of the Eastern Sea. Like Aslan, himself. That is why the Valiant Queen attended the full-moon dances in the woods.
And until now, Lucy had never been sure that her eldest brother accepted her for what she is.
Caspian's hand on her shoulder pulled her from her thoughts. "Are you ready to go?" he asked her softly. Turning to the youth with a brilliant smile, Lucy nodded, and accepted his proffered arm.
The entire group walked swiftly after the two, who in turn followed the gleaming form of Aslan through the forest. After a little while of chatting and marching, Caspian and Lucy agreed that the prince should have a chance to speak to Peter and Trumpkin about his army's capabilities, Edmund's suggestions, and Miraz's strength's and weaknesses. In turn, Lucy wanted to speak with Susan.
Leaving Caspian's side, Lucy called, "Susan! Do you mind walking with me for a little? The boys need to converse about the war…"
Susan nodded, accepting the change of position, even though she had been grumbling not too long ago. Gracefully trotting to catch up to Lucy, she passed the prince where he waited for Peter and Trumpkin to meet him. Previously unable to give the youth much attention, Susan now took the time to rake her eyes over his form.
He was a good-looking youth, the Gentle Queen determined. And the potential to be an attractive and handsome man was already present. A few more years, Susan thought, and he would be a dashing king to behold.
Caspian, in turn, took that brief moment to examine the fifteen-year-old queen as she moved past him. It still amazed him that the central figures of his bedtime stories were walking about with him and talking to him, and Caspian couldn't help being curious as to the appearance of the infamously beautiful Queen Susan.
What Caspian found took him by surprise, even as it didn't.
Her skin was pale and smooth, appearing as white and polished as a marble statue. But it lacked the lively, rosy glow of Lucy's complexion. Susan's hair was dark and luscious, shining in the moonlight like a black waterfall over her shoulders. But Caspian missed the fiery glow of Lucy's wild waves of blonde – silver in moonlight and golden in sunlight, so very reminiscent of Aslan's tawny mane. The Gentle Queen was a young woman, already well-developed and curvy. Yet her alluring form did not possess the nimble energy of Lucy's lithe figure. The fifteen-year-old's face held fine, dark brows that spoke of composure and poise. A classic nose graced her, lending the young woman an upright and virtuous appeal. The queen's large doe-like eyes sparkled as if they were two dark, limpid pools of water. But, even more enticing were the full, shapely lips that begged to be conquered. Caspian couldn't help comparing Susan's natural reserve to the Valiant Queen's vivacity and openness of expression. The prince pondered over the younger girl's expressive brows, her deep, glowing blue eyes, Puckish nose, stubborn chin, and smiling, mischievous lips… lips that flirted and invited, however much the innocence of her figure belied her captivating countenance.
Undoubtedly, Queen Susan was gorgeous. Her beauty was one of a classic nature, one that all people could recognize and admire. Yet, while her stunning looks were easily worshiped from afar, Caspian felt that her appearance was not the sort of beauty that a man could live with comfortably or love completely. She was a finely crafted statue; her skin would not flush from desire in a man's arms, her eyes would not glow with the brilliant luster of adoration, her lips would not speak the three words any besotted man would wish to hear from the object of his affections. True love required an exchange of trust and affection… two people sharing their feelings unreservedly. Susan was a cool beauty, and Caspian found that he much preferred the warm vibrancy of her younger sister.
It was a dawning moment for the prince, and his expression turned thoughtful and introspective as the second passed.
Peter, of course, watched the interaction with interest. Both he and Edmund had always been more protective of Lucy than Susan. In the Golden Age, the two brothers had formulated their own unspoken tests for Lucy's prospective suitors. The two trials the prince had apparently passed with flying colors. The first of which was to look beyond Lucy's light-hearted and childish exterior – more important now than ever with their younger physical forms. The second trial was obtaining Aslan's good opinion (often one that had to be foregone in the past, since He is not a tame lion) – which the prince has passed. For how could Caspian be detestable if Aslan was trying to put him on Narnia's throne? The third – and often most important test – was underway. Would the prince be swayed by Susan's beauty? Would he forsake Lucy in favor of her older sister?
Peter wasn't sure. It was clear that Caspian had gotten a good, long look at Susan and that a realization had sprouted from that sight. What that sudden comprehension was, time alone would tell.
XXXXXXXXXX