The High Queen of Narnia
Disclaimer: Lucy Pevensie, along with Narnia and all associated characters are the creation of C. S. Lewis. I own only the plot
Chapter 5: Ambushed
Slipping back into the council chamber Lucy found the High King involved in a furious argument with her sister.
"You knew about this, Susan." He accused her. "You must have done. There is no way Lucy could have left Cair Paravel every time there was a battle without you being aware of it."
"Of course I knew," Susan snapped back at him. "I not only knew about it, I helped her."
"In Aslan's name, why?" Peter demanded furiously. "Do you actually want Lucy to die?"
"No of course I don't," Susan replied irritably. "Anymore than I want you or Edmund to die. But I'd rather Lucy was brought back dead on a bier than live on in safety with a broken spirit. And that's exactly what would happen to her if she was unable to follow her conscience and fight for Narnia and her people!"
Peter did not reply at once. He stared alternatively at both Susan and Lucy, a rather calculating expression on his face.
"I suppose there's no point in arguing about it now," he said at last. He turned to face his younger sister. "Lucy, I wanted to spare you from experiencing the horror of battle, but it's obviously too late for that. I'm even willing to let you continue to ride to the wars, under certain conditions."
"What conditions?" Lucy asked suspiciously.
Peter smiled slyly.
""You will have guards ride with you to battle and you will stay with them among the archers, out of the front line. Also you will agree to let the Constitution to be amended so as to allow Ravanna to become Queen when we marry."
"Oh so that's' what she whispered in your ear a moment ago!" Lucy snorted. "No Peter, I will not agree to that. And even without that I wouldn't accept your other condition. I'm a Queen of Narnia in my own right. I will serve my people in whatever way I see fit and you have no power to stop me!"
"I'm the High King!" Peter declared angrily.
Lucy shrugged dismissively.
"All that means is you have the deciding vote in the event of a tie between the four of us. You have no authority over the rest of us beyond the respect we are prepared to give you as the eldest. And on this matter I have to follow my conscience and defy you."
"Then I'll put it to a Council vote," Peter threatened. "This doesn't affect the Constitution Lucy, so it doesn't need a unanimous decision. Even if Susan votes with you against me my deciding vote as High King will carry the proposal with Ed's support."
Lucy glared balefully at him. She couldn't believe Peter would use the Council of Monarch's to try to restrict her freedom as Queen. But before she could say anything Edmund spoke.
"And what makes you think I will support you, Peter?"
Peter stared at his brother in shock.
"But Ed, you said we should keep Lucy away from any fighting."
"Yes I did," Edmund admitted. "But it's a bit late to worry about that now. Lucy has been in nine battles and knowing her she'll have been in the thick of them. If she's survived this long unscathed she must be a pretty accomplished warrior. I see no point in trying to protect her any longer."
"You're defying me as well?" Peter asked. "I don't believe this!"
"And I can't believe you would blackmail Lucy to try and get your own way over something as important as a change in the Constitution." Edmund said quietly. "I'm starting to wonder if Lucy isn't right after all, if Ravanna isn't a bad influence on you!"
Peter just stared at the younger King. He clearly considered Edmund's words to be a betrayal. Then without a word he tuned and left the room.
Shakily, Lucy walked over to Edmund and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you!"
Edmund smiled mischievously. "Oh don't thank me yet, Lu. I'd like to assess your combat skills myself so I want you out on the training field first thing tomorrow morning. You may not be so happy once I'm through with you!"
Lucy's smile was just as mischievous. "Maybe you won't be so happy once I've finished with you!"
Edmund just chuckled. "We shall see!"
Susan walked over to them, looking rather concerned.
"What are we going to do about Peter?"
"Leave him be for now," Edmund suggested. "He'll see reason eventually."
"Will he?" Susan asked doubtfully. "He's so besotted with Ravanna just now he'll do anything to please her."
"I'm afraid you're right." Edmund said grimly. "Peter is obviously sincerely attached to her, but I'm wondering if Ravanna really cares more about the prestige of being married to the High King than she does about Peter himself."
Lucy considered if she ought to confide in her siblings her suspicions that Ravanna was actually a witch and had enchanted Peter. But she decided it was too soon. There was still so much she didn't know, particularly why Ravanna was so interested in the Scroll of King Frank.
"I need to talk to Drizzlewoe about something," Lucy told her two siblings. "I'll speak to you both later."
Edmund and Susan just nodded. They were still discussing their brother's odd behaviour as Lucy left the council chamber.
As she walked through the corridors of Cair Paravel on the way back to her chambers, Lucy was thinking furiously. Her maid Drizzlewoe sometimes helped in the Library and Lucy hoped she would know more details than she did of what was in the Scroll of King Frank. Perhaps that would help her work out what Ravanna was really after.
Lucy was so preoccupied with these thoughts she did not realise she was being followed until it was too late. A muscular arm snaked round her waist, pinning her arms to her sides and she had time to scream only once before a hand clamped roughly over her mouth and she was dragged away.