[CHRONICLES OF NARNIA] The Promise Into the Light- 3/4
Title: The Promise Into the Light
Author: Jourdana Standish/queenmidalah
Artist: hiddencait
Rating: PG
Fandom: The Chronicles of Narnia
Characters/Pairings: Lucy Pevensie/King Caspian
Summary: It's been years since Lucy has been to Narnia after her last adventure on the Dawn Treader with Caspian, Edmund and Eustace. She misses it as much now as she did then, but now she is having dreams that she is back on the Dawn Treader, just days after she last left. Caspian mourns the loss of Lucy, Edmund and Eustace as he and the crew of the Dawn Treader, Lucy most of all because he realized he fell in love with her, but now she's back but incredibly tired and frail. Edmund, Susan and Peter watch as their beloved sister lay in a hospital bed, her life slowly draining away. There is nothing they can do but pray she'll recover, though deep down they know there is no hope. Especially as they hear her whisper about Caspian, Narnia and Aslan while she sleeps.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia. This is all for fun purposes of writing.
Author's Notes: Thank you to hiddencait for the wonderful art work and her cheering me on to actually get this story finished even when I wanted to give up at times.
Link to art master post.
~~~
Caspian had hoped that coming up here would clear his head. So far it hadn’t and he wasn’t sure what to do or where to begin even mulling over the things that were in front of him. The fears that he felt for all that he could have, then suddenly it could be ripped away. He didn’t dare hope for what he most wanted.
“You look troubled, dear King.”
The voice was almost musical, slipping from the mouth of a woman that many of his men had said had uncharted beauty. Yet, to him, it paled in comparison to the woman that currently lay ailing in his own bed aboard the Dawn Treader.
Caspian turned, giving the star a soft smile. “I suppose that I am.”
Liliandil moved over to him, her body awash in the soft blue light of her star form. “What troubles you?” she asked. “You look as if the whole of Narnia weighs on your shoulders ten-fold. I had suspected you would have been well on your way back by now.”
“I did promise we would return before we began the journey back,” Caspian said.
“Yes,” Liliandil said. “You did at that.”
Caspian smiled a bit, looking out over the waters that surrounded Ramandu’s Island again. Liliandil watched him a moment, giving him time to process his thoughts. When he didn’t speak of his own accord, she prodded at him.
“What weighs on you so?” she asked softly. “I do not sense your friends with you, except the dear Lucy.” She was surprised when she felt a wave of sorrow so strong coming off of Caspian that she almost stumbled from it.
“Caspi--.”
“It’s complicated,” Caspian said softly. “Very complicated.”
“You care for her,” Liliandil said. This wasn’t at all a surprise to her, she sensed that when she first met them.
“Very much so,” Caspian admitted.
“Then why does that make things complicated?”
Caspian stared out over the expanse of the sea. Had he not stood here just a day or two prior with Lucy and Edmund at his side as they spoke to Liliandil the first time? Had he not found himself mildly smitten and partially attracted to the lovely star? Now he stood, dread filling his belly as the one he truly loved lay on the Dawn Treader.
“She’s dying,” he said quietly.
Liliandil was shocked to hear those words. A soft frown marred her features as she shook her head, moving closer to Caspian. With the smallest of hesitations, she reached her hand out to rest it on his strong forearm.
“How?”
“What do you know of the kings and queens of old?” Caspian asked, his eyes never leaving the dark horizon ahead.
“I know that they ruled during Narnia’s Golden Age, which was over 1300 years ago,” Liliandil said. “And I know that they were returned to Narnia three years ago when you used Queen Susan’s horn to call for aid. But I don’t think we ever knew or understood why they went missing while hunting the white stag.”
“She comes from a place called England,” Caspian explained. “In fact, after you met her and we defeated the darkness, she left again with Edmund and Eustace. I never thought to see her again as Aslan had decreed it was her last time here.”
“Obviously that has changed,” Liliandil said, sitting on a nearby bench.
Caspian nodded, his eyes distant and unseeing, even as he stared out across the expanse of the ocean around Ramandu’s Island.
“She’s older. Even though I left her not even a day ago, she is older. About my age now instead of a couple years younger. I always felt... wrong for caring for her as more than a sibling would because of the age difference,” Caspian said. “Yet my heart wouldn’t let me think of her as a mere sibling. It called to her. I felt it sing in her presence.”
“Sounds like love to me,” Liliandil said, smiling softly. “And she is here with you.”
“I’m terrified of it,” Caspian admitted.
“You... are? Why?”
“Not of loving her,” Caspian said, straightening. He didn’t turn to look at her still, instead staring out over the water in the hopes the answers lay amongst the watery depths. “I could never be terrified of that.”
“Then what?”
“I’m terrified that Aslan will change his mind and will send Lucy back, away from me,” he said. “I’m terrified that she will regain strength and will heal in her world and she’ll once again be taken away from me.”
“What I know of Aslan, I can not see him being so cruel,” Liliandil said. “If Lucy is truly meant to be here, with you, surely he would not take her away from you.”
“He has twice before,” Caspian pointed out.
“But it sounds as if this time is different,” the star’s daughter said. She gracefully rose and walked over to the young King’s side. “Have faith in him, Caspian. You have before and he has not failed you.”
“Deep in my soul, I know that,” Caspian said quietly. “But I am still terrified of losing her for a third time. Because if I do, I fear it shall be forever.”
~~
Aslan watched Lucy sleep. He stood in the gap between two worlds. In two realities he watched, one where his beloved dear one slept peacefully, cradled in the warmth of a feather bed made for a King. Her king. Aboard the Dawn Treader, she slumbered in peace. Caspian’s name but a whisper upon her lips occasionally as she shifted in blissful unawareness.
In another reality, she lay far too still, drugged to keep the pain at bay. Occasionally a grimaced crossed her face even as her body reminded her of the ravages of the disease within. Even now, his name and Caspian’s were but a murmur away as she tried to distinguish between the two.
He felt Caspian’s uncertainty. He felt Edmund and Peter’s hope for their sister’s peace. He felt Susan’s sorrow and anger over all that was happening to Lucy and the rest of the family. It made him sorrowful, himself, because she did not have enough faith within to embrace Lucy’s destiny, even if it meant letting her go.
The time was coming and he knew that soon he would make the invitation. He suspected he knew what Lucy wanted, but he could not be certain and would not speak for her. He knew of her love for Caspian, that had never diminished despite the knowledge that she was never meant to see him again. A second chance was before her, but it saddened him that the cost was so high for those he held dear to him.
They would be together again. It was inevitable. Perhaps not all, but those who mattered would be welcome to his country and to Narnia again. He only wondered if it would be the Narnia they remembered or the true Narnia where Reepicheep now lived.
~~
“Did she wake at all?” Peter asked quietly as he shed his overcoat. Edmund glanced over at his brother.
“No, not really. Only murmured again,” he said.
Peter eyed Edmund after his brother turned his head back to their sister. His gaze flickered to Eustace and Jill who sat nearby.
“She spoke of Caspian,” Eustace said. “At least that is what Edmund and Susan said. When we got here, they were in the hallway.” Eustace didn’t have to tell Peter just why his siblings were in the hallway. There would only be one reason for that.
“Ed, why--,” Peter started.
“Do not try and defend her, Peter,” Edmund broke in. “I don’t care what Susan thinks regarding Narnia. She has no right to voice her negativity in front of Lucy. If she can hear us, it just makes things worse.”
“I was going to suggest you go get some coffee,” Peter said quietly. “You’ve barely left Lucy’s side. Stretch your legs, get some fresh air. Hell, have a smoke if need be. I’ll sit with her.”
Edmund winced a bit, realizing that he was jumping to conclusions again. He hesitated, his eyes flicking to where his brother stood.
“What is it?” Peter asked.
“I’m afraid to leave her,” Edmund admitted, his cheeks coloring. “What if she takes a turn for the worse while...”
“Edmund, we can’t--,” Peter started.
“But we have to,” Edmund said. “We need to face reality, Peter. Lucy is dying. She’s calling out to Aslan and Caspian again. It must mean something.”
“Memories,” Peter said. “The doctor said--.”
“As she got worse,” Edmund interrupted, his voice cracking. “As she got worse, she would...”
“Stop,” Peter said quietly. “Stop, Ed, I...” He swallowed the lump forming in his throat. Taking a few steadying breaths, he lifted his head to look at his brother.
“I need to stay hopeful. Until there is no hope left. I don’t know how I know, but I will and I just... I can’t... I can’t think of anything but the hope right now. I need to focus on that.”
“For how long?” Edmund asked him, his brow puckering in a frown. “How long do we cling to her and make her suffer?”
“Ed--.”
“Peter, no,” Edmund said. “We love Lucy, but how can we make her stay in this existence any longer simply because of hope.”
“Because what if our choice is the wrong one?” Peter snapped. He took another calming breath. “What if we give up and she comes back to us? How can we live with ourselves, knowing that we gave up on her strength and that is what prevailed? We didn’t believe in her once, hell I didn’t believe in her twice. We were proven wrong.”
“This isn’t about the existence of Narnia or seeing Aslan, Peter,” Edmund pointed out. “This is her health, her life.”
“Edmund, please,” Peter said quietly. “I know you want her to be at peace. Deep down I want that too, but give me this much. Please. I can’t give up, not yet.”
~~
Lucy’s eyes cracked as she slowly became aware of her surroundings. She blinked a few times, frowning as she noticed the unfamiliar surroundings of a room from long ago. She shifted to a seated position, groaning a little at how sore and stiff she felt. Memories started to hit her of her conversation with Caspian earlier. She really was on the Dawn Treader, but it also meant that she was still sick. How long was she to remain here?
“Lucy, you are awake,” Caspian’s voice broke into her thoughts.
“Caspian,” she said softly. “I thought I was...” She broke off as she saw Liliandil step into the room behind Caspian. She felt her heart ache at the sight of the beautiful star. She remembered, all too well, how Caspian and Edmund had both reacted to her appearance. She also remembered how Caspian had said he hoped they met again.
“Queen Lucy,” Liliandil said, smiling. She moved over to the young woman. “His Majesty spoke of your presence. I had to come see for myself when he said you did not seem well.”
“I am feeling better,” Lucy said quietly. “You... you are traveling with Caspian and the crew now?”
“Oh not at all,” Liliandil said, settling on the edge of the bed beside Lucy. “It has been but a couple days since I saw you.”
“We stopped at Ramandu’s Island to stock up on provisions before the journey back to Cair Paraval,” Caspian explained to Lucy from where he stood, leaning against the wardrobe in the room.
“Oh...” Lucy saw the understanding, and mild hurt, on Caspian’s face.
“Caspian explained that you originally left Narnia once more,” Liliandil said. “I am glad that you were returned.”
“I am too,” Lucy admitted. “I just wish I wasn’t so tired while here. It seems my times here are shorter and shorter.”
Liliandil glanced at Caspian in time to see him wince before he let a mask cover his features. Pushing off of where his lean body was leaning, he walked to the bed.
“Dear Lucy, here is hoping that Aslan will allow you to grace us with your presence for a good amount of time,” he said. He wouldn’t, couldn’t, voice his hope that Aslan would allow her to remain here and find health again rather than return to England where she was dying. He couldn’t be so selfish to pull her from those she loved there, despite his own love for her. He was but one man while he knew that at least her siblings would mourn her passing in her world, if not others. Perhaps he was too hopeful in that she was without someone to love as he loved her.
“I am feeling stronger,” Lucy said, interrupting Caspian’s thoughts. “Do you think I could go onto the deck? I have missed being here so.”
“Of course,” Caspian said easily. He walked back to the wardrobe, opening it to pull out his dressing gown. Despite being older than the last time he saw her, the garment would still seem overly big on Lucy’s slender frame. Her face and body had matured, but she was still quite petite and barely came to his shoulder.
“This will help keep you warm,” Caspian said. As he walked back over to them, Liliandil helped Lucy stand. He was grateful for the star’s understanding that he wanted to help her more as she stepped aside so Caspian could wrap the garment around the young queen’s form.
Lucy lifted her head to watch Caspian’s face. She never forgot just how handsome he was, how much she had longed for him to look at her in a way that he had once looked at Susan and had even looked at Liliandil. For him it had just been a few short days since he had been struck by her beauty, while for Lucy it had been years. She wondered what his thoughts were now, but as his dark eyes turned to look into her own, all she saw was warmth within the depths. And something more.
“Ready?” Caspian asked. Without even realizing he was moving, he had pulled Lucy’s long auburn hair from beneath the dressing gown and let it fall down her back once more. He didn’t want to stop touching the silky length, but he knew that he needed to.
Lucy smiled softly, nodding. Her eyes closed softly and her head automatically tilted into Caspian’s touch as his fingers brushed against her temple to push part of her hair behind her ear. Despite how tired and drained she felt, a life filled her at the touch of Caspian’s skin against hers. It was a feeling she had not fully understood when she was but a little girl and met him the first time. She understood a bit more the second time she saw him and she was older, starting to enter that phase of being a teenager that she remembered from her time in Cair Paraval growing up and even from watching Susan go through the same thing. Now the feeling had returned, stronger than before. Perhaps it had never diminished, as Lucy had never forgotten Caspian or stopped thinking of him in those years since she last saw him. She couldn’t dare hope that she was being given a second chance. Too often she had been in Narnia and pulled away. She couldn’t hope for this time to be different under the circumstances. Aslan could, and most likely would, change his mind about her return.
“Ready,” Lucy finally said. She wouldn’t let worries of what was to be cloud the enjoyment she was feeling now, being back in Caspian’s presence. Taking his arm, she walked with him out of the cabin.
The crew paused and turned, seeing their King emerge with the woman they remembered as a young girl, but still loved all the same. Many of the men half-bowed or nodded to Lucy, others smiled widely at seeing the young Queen again. Lucy lifted her head, seeing Drinian a short distance a way. He bowed his head to her, resting a hand over his heart in respect. It made her own ache as she realized that someone very important was missing besides her family. Reepicheep.
Instead of allowing herself to mourn saying good-bye to a dear friend, she looked around the deck of the Dawn Treader. Night was starting to fall around the island and the sea, the sun turning into an array of dancing colors across the ocean as it set. It was a sight Lucy had never thought to see again.
“It’s still so beautiful,” Lucy said, standing on the deck of the Dawn Treader. “I never thought...”
Caspian jerked his head to where Lucy stood beside him. His arms immediately came around her as Lucy collapsed. He moved with her, allowing himself to cushion her as he went to the deck with her.
“Lucy!” Caspian said. Her breathing was so even, so calm, it terrified him. He pulled her to his chest. “Lucy, please, please wake up.”
“My King!” It was someone from the crew, he barely recognized the voice in a daze, but soon Drinian was kneeling beside him as was Liliandil. Both had mirror images of fear and concern showing on their faces, unable to do something for Caspian or Lucy.
“We need... I need...” He was at a loss for words.
“It is time.”
Caspian’s head turned to stare at Aslan as he stood on the deck. The crew moved out of the lion’s way, eyes wide as they watched him walk to the pair. Everyone knew of Aslan, everyone believed in him, but so few had actually seen him in the flesh.
“It is time, Caspian,” Aslan said again, staring into the King’s eyes. To the astonishment of all, Aslan slowly began to fade.
“It is time.” And then he was gone.
Caspian began to shake his head, swallowing. “No,” he said. “No, no, NO! Aslan! NO!”
Sobs were ripped from Caspian’s lips as he gathered Lucy close to his chest and began to rock. The sounds broke his crews’ hearts.
“No,” he sobbed. “No, I can’t lose her. No!” He lifted his head and screamed.
Author: Jourdana Standish/queenmidalah
Artist: hiddencait
Rating: PG
Fandom: The Chronicles of Narnia
Characters/Pairings: Lucy Pevensie/King Caspian
Summary: It's been years since Lucy has been to Narnia after her last adventure on the Dawn Treader with Caspian, Edmund and Eustace. She misses it as much now as she did then, but now she is having dreams that she is back on the Dawn Treader, just days after she last left. Caspian mourns the loss of Lucy, Edmund and Eustace as he and the crew of the Dawn Treader, Lucy most of all because he realized he fell in love with her, but now she's back but incredibly tired and frail. Edmund, Susan and Peter watch as their beloved sister lay in a hospital bed, her life slowly draining away. There is nothing they can do but pray she'll recover, though deep down they know there is no hope. Especially as they hear her whisper about Caspian, Narnia and Aslan while she sleeps.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia. This is all for fun purposes of writing.
Author's Notes: Thank you to hiddencait for the wonderful art work and her cheering me on to actually get this story finished even when I wanted to give up at times.
Link to art master post.
~~~
Caspian had hoped that coming up here would clear his head. So far it hadn’t and he wasn’t sure what to do or where to begin even mulling over the things that were in front of him. The fears that he felt for all that he could have, then suddenly it could be ripped away. He didn’t dare hope for what he most wanted.
“You look troubled, dear King.”
The voice was almost musical, slipping from the mouth of a woman that many of his men had said had uncharted beauty. Yet, to him, it paled in comparison to the woman that currently lay ailing in his own bed aboard the Dawn Treader.
Caspian turned, giving the star a soft smile. “I suppose that I am.”
Liliandil moved over to him, her body awash in the soft blue light of her star form. “What troubles you?” she asked. “You look as if the whole of Narnia weighs on your shoulders ten-fold. I had suspected you would have been well on your way back by now.”
“I did promise we would return before we began the journey back,” Caspian said.
“Yes,” Liliandil said. “You did at that.”
Caspian smiled a bit, looking out over the waters that surrounded Ramandu’s Island again. Liliandil watched him a moment, giving him time to process his thoughts. When he didn’t speak of his own accord, she prodded at him.
“What weighs on you so?” she asked softly. “I do not sense your friends with you, except the dear Lucy.” She was surprised when she felt a wave of sorrow so strong coming off of Caspian that she almost stumbled from it.
“Caspi--.”
“It’s complicated,” Caspian said softly. “Very complicated.”
“You care for her,” Liliandil said. This wasn’t at all a surprise to her, she sensed that when she first met them.
“Very much so,” Caspian admitted.
“Then why does that make things complicated?”
Caspian stared out over the expanse of the sea. Had he not stood here just a day or two prior with Lucy and Edmund at his side as they spoke to Liliandil the first time? Had he not found himself mildly smitten and partially attracted to the lovely star? Now he stood, dread filling his belly as the one he truly loved lay on the Dawn Treader.
“She’s dying,” he said quietly.
Liliandil was shocked to hear those words. A soft frown marred her features as she shook her head, moving closer to Caspian. With the smallest of hesitations, she reached her hand out to rest it on his strong forearm.
“How?”
“What do you know of the kings and queens of old?” Caspian asked, his eyes never leaving the dark horizon ahead.
“I know that they ruled during Narnia’s Golden Age, which was over 1300 years ago,” Liliandil said. “And I know that they were returned to Narnia three years ago when you used Queen Susan’s horn to call for aid. But I don’t think we ever knew or understood why they went missing while hunting the white stag.”
“She comes from a place called England,” Caspian explained. “In fact, after you met her and we defeated the darkness, she left again with Edmund and Eustace. I never thought to see her again as Aslan had decreed it was her last time here.”
“Obviously that has changed,” Liliandil said, sitting on a nearby bench.
Caspian nodded, his eyes distant and unseeing, even as he stared out across the expanse of the ocean around Ramandu’s Island.
“She’s older. Even though I left her not even a day ago, she is older. About my age now instead of a couple years younger. I always felt... wrong for caring for her as more than a sibling would because of the age difference,” Caspian said. “Yet my heart wouldn’t let me think of her as a mere sibling. It called to her. I felt it sing in her presence.”
“Sounds like love to me,” Liliandil said, smiling softly. “And she is here with you.”
“I’m terrified of it,” Caspian admitted.
“You... are? Why?”
“Not of loving her,” Caspian said, straightening. He didn’t turn to look at her still, instead staring out over the water in the hopes the answers lay amongst the watery depths. “I could never be terrified of that.”
“Then what?”
“I’m terrified that Aslan will change his mind and will send Lucy back, away from me,” he said. “I’m terrified that she will regain strength and will heal in her world and she’ll once again be taken away from me.”
“What I know of Aslan, I can not see him being so cruel,” Liliandil said. “If Lucy is truly meant to be here, with you, surely he would not take her away from you.”
“He has twice before,” Caspian pointed out.
“But it sounds as if this time is different,” the star’s daughter said. She gracefully rose and walked over to the young King’s side. “Have faith in him, Caspian. You have before and he has not failed you.”
“Deep in my soul, I know that,” Caspian said quietly. “But I am still terrified of losing her for a third time. Because if I do, I fear it shall be forever.”
~~
Aslan watched Lucy sleep. He stood in the gap between two worlds. In two realities he watched, one where his beloved dear one slept peacefully, cradled in the warmth of a feather bed made for a King. Her king. Aboard the Dawn Treader, she slumbered in peace. Caspian’s name but a whisper upon her lips occasionally as she shifted in blissful unawareness.
In another reality, she lay far too still, drugged to keep the pain at bay. Occasionally a grimaced crossed her face even as her body reminded her of the ravages of the disease within. Even now, his name and Caspian’s were but a murmur away as she tried to distinguish between the two.
He felt Caspian’s uncertainty. He felt Edmund and Peter’s hope for their sister’s peace. He felt Susan’s sorrow and anger over all that was happening to Lucy and the rest of the family. It made him sorrowful, himself, because she did not have enough faith within to embrace Lucy’s destiny, even if it meant letting her go.
The time was coming and he knew that soon he would make the invitation. He suspected he knew what Lucy wanted, but he could not be certain and would not speak for her. He knew of her love for Caspian, that had never diminished despite the knowledge that she was never meant to see him again. A second chance was before her, but it saddened him that the cost was so high for those he held dear to him.
They would be together again. It was inevitable. Perhaps not all, but those who mattered would be welcome to his country and to Narnia again. He only wondered if it would be the Narnia they remembered or the true Narnia where Reepicheep now lived.
~~
“Did she wake at all?” Peter asked quietly as he shed his overcoat. Edmund glanced over at his brother.
“No, not really. Only murmured again,” he said.
Peter eyed Edmund after his brother turned his head back to their sister. His gaze flickered to Eustace and Jill who sat nearby.
“She spoke of Caspian,” Eustace said. “At least that is what Edmund and Susan said. When we got here, they were in the hallway.” Eustace didn’t have to tell Peter just why his siblings were in the hallway. There would only be one reason for that.
“Ed, why--,” Peter started.
“Do not try and defend her, Peter,” Edmund broke in. “I don’t care what Susan thinks regarding Narnia. She has no right to voice her negativity in front of Lucy. If she can hear us, it just makes things worse.”
“I was going to suggest you go get some coffee,” Peter said quietly. “You’ve barely left Lucy’s side. Stretch your legs, get some fresh air. Hell, have a smoke if need be. I’ll sit with her.”
Edmund winced a bit, realizing that he was jumping to conclusions again. He hesitated, his eyes flicking to where his brother stood.
“What is it?” Peter asked.
“I’m afraid to leave her,” Edmund admitted, his cheeks coloring. “What if she takes a turn for the worse while...”
“Edmund, we can’t--,” Peter started.
“But we have to,” Edmund said. “We need to face reality, Peter. Lucy is dying. She’s calling out to Aslan and Caspian again. It must mean something.”
“Memories,” Peter said. “The doctor said--.”
“As she got worse,” Edmund interrupted, his voice cracking. “As she got worse, she would...”
“Stop,” Peter said quietly. “Stop, Ed, I...” He swallowed the lump forming in his throat. Taking a few steadying breaths, he lifted his head to look at his brother.
“I need to stay hopeful. Until there is no hope left. I don’t know how I know, but I will and I just... I can’t... I can’t think of anything but the hope right now. I need to focus on that.”
“For how long?” Edmund asked him, his brow puckering in a frown. “How long do we cling to her and make her suffer?”
“Ed--.”
“Peter, no,” Edmund said. “We love Lucy, but how can we make her stay in this existence any longer simply because of hope.”
“Because what if our choice is the wrong one?” Peter snapped. He took another calming breath. “What if we give up and she comes back to us? How can we live with ourselves, knowing that we gave up on her strength and that is what prevailed? We didn’t believe in her once, hell I didn’t believe in her twice. We were proven wrong.”
“This isn’t about the existence of Narnia or seeing Aslan, Peter,” Edmund pointed out. “This is her health, her life.”
“Edmund, please,” Peter said quietly. “I know you want her to be at peace. Deep down I want that too, but give me this much. Please. I can’t give up, not yet.”
~~
Lucy’s eyes cracked as she slowly became aware of her surroundings. She blinked a few times, frowning as she noticed the unfamiliar surroundings of a room from long ago. She shifted to a seated position, groaning a little at how sore and stiff she felt. Memories started to hit her of her conversation with Caspian earlier. She really was on the Dawn Treader, but it also meant that she was still sick. How long was she to remain here?
“Lucy, you are awake,” Caspian’s voice broke into her thoughts.
“Caspian,” she said softly. “I thought I was...” She broke off as she saw Liliandil step into the room behind Caspian. She felt her heart ache at the sight of the beautiful star. She remembered, all too well, how Caspian and Edmund had both reacted to her appearance. She also remembered how Caspian had said he hoped they met again.
“Queen Lucy,” Liliandil said, smiling. She moved over to the young woman. “His Majesty spoke of your presence. I had to come see for myself when he said you did not seem well.”
“I am feeling better,” Lucy said quietly. “You... you are traveling with Caspian and the crew now?”
“Oh not at all,” Liliandil said, settling on the edge of the bed beside Lucy. “It has been but a couple days since I saw you.”
“We stopped at Ramandu’s Island to stock up on provisions before the journey back to Cair Paraval,” Caspian explained to Lucy from where he stood, leaning against the wardrobe in the room.
“Oh...” Lucy saw the understanding, and mild hurt, on Caspian’s face.
“Caspian explained that you originally left Narnia once more,” Liliandil said. “I am glad that you were returned.”
“I am too,” Lucy admitted. “I just wish I wasn’t so tired while here. It seems my times here are shorter and shorter.”
Liliandil glanced at Caspian in time to see him wince before he let a mask cover his features. Pushing off of where his lean body was leaning, he walked to the bed.
“Dear Lucy, here is hoping that Aslan will allow you to grace us with your presence for a good amount of time,” he said. He wouldn’t, couldn’t, voice his hope that Aslan would allow her to remain here and find health again rather than return to England where she was dying. He couldn’t be so selfish to pull her from those she loved there, despite his own love for her. He was but one man while he knew that at least her siblings would mourn her passing in her world, if not others. Perhaps he was too hopeful in that she was without someone to love as he loved her.
“I am feeling stronger,” Lucy said, interrupting Caspian’s thoughts. “Do you think I could go onto the deck? I have missed being here so.”
“Of course,” Caspian said easily. He walked back to the wardrobe, opening it to pull out his dressing gown. Despite being older than the last time he saw her, the garment would still seem overly big on Lucy’s slender frame. Her face and body had matured, but she was still quite petite and barely came to his shoulder.
“This will help keep you warm,” Caspian said. As he walked back over to them, Liliandil helped Lucy stand. He was grateful for the star’s understanding that he wanted to help her more as she stepped aside so Caspian could wrap the garment around the young queen’s form.
Lucy lifted her head to watch Caspian’s face. She never forgot just how handsome he was, how much she had longed for him to look at her in a way that he had once looked at Susan and had even looked at Liliandil. For him it had just been a few short days since he had been struck by her beauty, while for Lucy it had been years. She wondered what his thoughts were now, but as his dark eyes turned to look into her own, all she saw was warmth within the depths. And something more.
“Ready?” Caspian asked. Without even realizing he was moving, he had pulled Lucy’s long auburn hair from beneath the dressing gown and let it fall down her back once more. He didn’t want to stop touching the silky length, but he knew that he needed to.
Lucy smiled softly, nodding. Her eyes closed softly and her head automatically tilted into Caspian’s touch as his fingers brushed against her temple to push part of her hair behind her ear. Despite how tired and drained she felt, a life filled her at the touch of Caspian’s skin against hers. It was a feeling she had not fully understood when she was but a little girl and met him the first time. She understood a bit more the second time she saw him and she was older, starting to enter that phase of being a teenager that she remembered from her time in Cair Paraval growing up and even from watching Susan go through the same thing. Now the feeling had returned, stronger than before. Perhaps it had never diminished, as Lucy had never forgotten Caspian or stopped thinking of him in those years since she last saw him. She couldn’t dare hope that she was being given a second chance. Too often she had been in Narnia and pulled away. She couldn’t hope for this time to be different under the circumstances. Aslan could, and most likely would, change his mind about her return.
“Ready,” Lucy finally said. She wouldn’t let worries of what was to be cloud the enjoyment she was feeling now, being back in Caspian’s presence. Taking his arm, she walked with him out of the cabin.
The crew paused and turned, seeing their King emerge with the woman they remembered as a young girl, but still loved all the same. Many of the men half-bowed or nodded to Lucy, others smiled widely at seeing the young Queen again. Lucy lifted her head, seeing Drinian a short distance a way. He bowed his head to her, resting a hand over his heart in respect. It made her own ache as she realized that someone very important was missing besides her family. Reepicheep.
Instead of allowing herself to mourn saying good-bye to a dear friend, she looked around the deck of the Dawn Treader. Night was starting to fall around the island and the sea, the sun turning into an array of dancing colors across the ocean as it set. It was a sight Lucy had never thought to see again.
“It’s still so beautiful,” Lucy said, standing on the deck of the Dawn Treader. “I never thought...”
Caspian jerked his head to where Lucy stood beside him. His arms immediately came around her as Lucy collapsed. He moved with her, allowing himself to cushion her as he went to the deck with her.
“Lucy!” Caspian said. Her breathing was so even, so calm, it terrified him. He pulled her to his chest. “Lucy, please, please wake up.”
“My King!” It was someone from the crew, he barely recognized the voice in a daze, but soon Drinian was kneeling beside him as was Liliandil. Both had mirror images of fear and concern showing on their faces, unable to do something for Caspian or Lucy.
“We need... I need...” He was at a loss for words.
“It is time.”
Caspian’s head turned to stare at Aslan as he stood on the deck. The crew moved out of the lion’s way, eyes wide as they watched him walk to the pair. Everyone knew of Aslan, everyone believed in him, but so few had actually seen him in the flesh.
“It is time, Caspian,” Aslan said again, staring into the King’s eyes. To the astonishment of all, Aslan slowly began to fade.
“It is time.” And then he was gone.
Caspian began to shake his head, swallowing. “No,” he said. “No, no, NO! Aslan! NO!”
Sobs were ripped from Caspian’s lips as he gathered Lucy close to his chest and began to rock. The sounds broke his crews’ hearts.
“No,” he sobbed. “No, I can’t lose her. No!” He lifted his head and screamed.