When the Youngest Goes to War

by Evia Wingjade

A Golden Age fic. What happens between the Pevensie's when Lucy decides she is old enough to go to the front lines of the Narnian battle-field? She wants to save lives, but will her siblings let her risk her own? Probably complete, though there might be a sequel. Rated K plus, as Peter remembers some war-time unpleasantness.

3. Chapter 3

When the Youngest Goes to War 3

"Lucy?"

"I'm in here," Lucy called from her dressing room. She was trying to figure out women's battle gear. She wished she could have men's gear—she'd helped Edmund enough that she knew how it went. When her older sister entered, Lucy smiled helplessly. She had no idea how to put on the chain-mail skirt.

"Oh Lu," Susan said, amusement tingeing her voice. "Here, let me help," she offered, stepping farther into the room.

"Thanks," Lucy replied, "I can't figure it. Edmund's armor is less confusing."

"But you haven't learned to move in men's armor." Susan replied.

"I know. That's why I'm bothering to try to figure this out. The armory master was distressed enough by handing out armor to his youngest queen," Lucy said, sounding worn. "I couldn't bring myself to argue with him when he said I'd be better off with women's armor, since I've been practicing in dresses."

"I have to say, I must agree with him." Susan said with a smile.

"I know you're right." Lucy responded.

"Ah, here we are." Susan said as she found the mechanism on the chain-mail skirt. "See, there are buckles on the sides of the waist."

"Oh, I see. Thanks, Susan." Lucy looked up the few inches to her sister's face, where she was bent to work the clasp of her younger sister's armor. "Does this mean you're not mad at me?" Lucy asked hesitantly. Susan paused for a moment, before she stepped to Lucy's other side, doing up the clasp there as well.

"I'm not happy about it, but I'm not angry with you, Lucy." When Susan stood up, Lucy threw herself into her older sister's arms. "Oh Lu," Susan said fondly. A few moments later she asked quietly, "Are you very scared?"

After a short pause Lucy answered. "Yes," she said, "but it's too important to let that stop me. I know I can help, if I'm there. I have to help, Susan. You do see that, don't you?" She asked anxiously, gazing imploringly up into her older sister's face.

"Yes Lu, I see." Susan answered her voice cracking. Lucy laid her head on Susan's chest, and Susan put her cheek on top of Lucy's head. The sisters stood there for a long while, contemplating their own thoughts.