Well, I'm in a good mood today, so why not another early update? Hope you enjoy!

The Water is Wide

Chapter 6

Just and Valiant

I had left her alone, just as Edmund had said to do, but how long was I really supposed to leave her? It had been hours since we told her. Night had long since fallen and she hadn't eaten anything for dinner; she needed to eat. What sort of friend would I be if I didn't do what was best for her? A very poor one, that's the sort.

It was settled. I had left her alone long enough; I had to see how she was doing. I took a tray of food with me just in case she was up for eating.

I stood outside the cabin doors just for a moment to gather my resolve. There was nothing but silence coming from the other side. Maybe she was asleep. I found it more likely though that she had merely run out of tears. She had been crying rather hard and rather persistently a few hours before.

I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. I knocked again, but still no answer. I didn't like the idea of just barging in. Sure I did it before, but that was before she asked me to leave so she could be alone. Nonetheless, I was there for her best interests, and I had food. Only a silly girl would resist food, and this girl didn't seem to be a silly girl to me.

I opened the door and stepped into the cabin. I walked quietly to the small round table where we had dined together before and set the tray down. I was stunned by the intense silence and looked to the bed where I now suspected she was sleeping. The bed was empty. The sheets were still made by my hand from that morning so I knew she hadn't slept in them yet. There was, however, the indention and ripples of where a body had laid on top, curled inward on itself.

Surprised to find the bed empty I began searching the cabin; my eyes must have passed her over when I entered. I didn't see her. A breeze swept in from the open window and tossed my hair. I felt the prick of chills run up my arms at the cool air and I turned my head towards the window.

There she was.

She stood out on the balcony, her hair and dress dancing in the steady wind. Her back was to me of course, so she didn't see me; I don't even think she heard me enter. One hand gripped the side of the ship while the other was folded in across her chest. Her head was bowed, almost like she was praying. I decided to stand there quietly and let her finish her prayer. I was about to begin a prayer of my own when I heard something.

Sniffling.

She was crying in her prayer. My heart ached for her and I couldn't stand it. I decided then to join her in prayer to let her know she wasn't alone. She had a friend, and I would do everything I could to help her through this. I started walking towards her, but as I did she began to move too. The problem was, she didn't move backwards and she had nowhere to go but up and over. She lifted a foot up onto the rail and pulled herself up. I was puzzled before I realized what she was about to do.

"No! Don't do it! Please, stop!" I called out, but she wasn't listening to me. I didn't think I had the strength to pull her in and keep her, so I called out to the one person I could think of.

"Edmund!" I said loudly, but not loud enough. I turned back to the door and yelled louder. "Edmund! Ed!" I began walking towards the door as quickly as I could, but my legs were like a heavy stone. "EDMUND!"

Suddenly the door burst open just as I was about to reach it and Edmund hurried in. He gripped me firmly by the shoulders. "Lu, what is it?"

"Th-th-t…" I couldn't form the words because my lips were trembling with fear.

"Lucy," Edmund shook me lightly.

I pointed towards the open window. "The girl. Stop her!" I said at last.

Edmund's eyes followed the direction of my hand and his eyes grew wider at the sight he saw. He gently pushed me aside and ran for the open window. He caught the girl around the waist just as she teetered forward and he pulled her back inside. She immediately began crying out and fighting against him. She kicked her legs wildly as he carried her well into the cabin and away from the balcony. Her hands clawed at his as she tried to break free of his hold.

"No! Let me go! Let me go to them!" she cried over and over again.

"Lucy! The window!" Edmund yelled.

I was suddenly snapped into action. I knew the girl's cries would alert those on duty and we didn't need this cabin full of Narnians trying to protect their youngest King and Queen. I turned quickly to the cabin door behind me and locked it. Then I rushed to the window and did the same. I hurried back to the cabin door just as there began to be vicious knocks.

"Your Majesties!" Mr. Tumnus called out.

"It's all right. It's ok. We're fine. We have it under control," I said calmly through the door.

"Your Majesty, what's going on?"

"It's nothing. She's upset. We have the situation in hand."

"Queen Lucy…?"

"Please, Mr. Tumnus, trust me. Get the others away from here. It's a human thing."

"Lucy…I… don't know."

"Please, my dear friend."

There was silence, and then, "Very well, my Queen. But at the first sign of trouble just say the word."

I heard the click-clack of his hooves as he retreated from the door, and I turned back to look at Edmund and the girl. He sat on the floor with her near a bookshelf. He held her tightly to his chest. One arm was wrapped around her waist still while the other pinned her arms to her body. She no longer kicked, and though her hands still gripped his arm she didn't appear to be fighting him anymore. She merely held on.

Her head lolled forward as she wept without hindrance. I could see her body visibly relax as she decided to stop fighting all together. Edmund slowly uncurled his arms from around her and gently turned her body so that her head rested against his chest. Then he wrapped his arms around her in a manner of comfort, not control. He slowly brushed his hand through her hair, just as he would with me when I was upset.

I slowly walked forward and joined them on the floor. A part of me wanted to cry too, but the part of me that was a Queen held my tears at bay. I sat silently with them on the floor. There were no words of comfort to offer; there was nothing I could do to ease her pain. I simply offered my presence and my silent prayers.

After awhile her crying ceased and her breaths grew longer, deeper, and steadier. She was asleep. Edmund continued to hold her and rub her hair until we knew for certain she would not wake at the slightest movement. Edmund nodded towards the bed and I understood his meaning. I rose from the floor and pulled the sheets back. Meanwhile, Edmund delicately cradled the sleeping girl in his arms and carried her to the bed. He lay her down softly, and I pulled the sheets up. She did not stir.

"I do not want to leave her alone," Edmund said quietly.

"I'll stay with her," I replied. "Bring me a quilt; I'll stay in the chair."

"If anything should happen, Lu…"

"It's all right. I am well now. I can handle it. I will sleep lightly, just as you taught me. I will alert you if needed."

"Very well, I will be back momentarily."

Edmund left and returned soon after with a quilt. I pulled out two chairs; I sat in one and propped my feet up in the other. Edmund spread the quilt out over me and kissed the top of my head. We quietly bid the other good night, and then he left once more. I did just as I said I would. I slept lightly, always keeping one ear open for a sign of trouble.

I stood on a hill of green. It was high summer by the feel of the air. The sky was clear and the sun bright. The sea birds squawked as they flew by and landed in the bay. Standing on the hill with me was my mother. She was looking out to the Eastern Sea, towards Narnia, and she was singing one of the most beautiful songs of our land.

"What song were you singing, Mama?" I asked when the last verse was complete. I knew the answer already, but I loved to hear Mama explain her songs.

"It's a Song of Blessing, my Daughter," she replied.

"And what are you blessing, Mama?"

"I bless nothing. It is Aslan who blesses us all."

"What blessing does the song ask for?"

"You know the song well, child; why do you ask?" I smiled but said nothing. "It asks Aslan to bless the sailor's voyage and to return him safe to the one who waits for him."

"And why do you sing it now? Has Papa sailed at last?"

"Indeed he has, but I sing it not for him. I sing now for your voyage which lies ahead." At this she turned her body fully towards me.

"I'm scared, Mama," I confessed.

"You need not be."

"Not for me, but for Heulyn and my sisters. They are out there alone somewhere."

"They are not alone. Aslan is watching over them, just as He is watching over you."

"More of your Great Lion, Mama? I do not see His greatness."

"His greatness is all around you, my dear Aaralynn. Do you think it mere chance you were found by His, whom they call the Just and the Valiant? I pray one day you will see just how deeply He cares for you?"

"Just? Valiant? Mama, what do you mean? I am with Lucy, and Edmund."

"My sweet Aaralynn." My mother smiled fondly and touched a hand to my cheek. "My time has gone now; I must return home."

"No, Mama, please don't go yet. Stay just awhile longer, and please, tell me what you mean?"

"I cannot stay child. As for the latter, perhaps that is a question best asked of your new friends. Remember, my strength is with you."

"I love you, Mama."

"And I love you."

With that, my mother was gone and I was lying awake in a bed, in a cabin, on a sailing ship.