[Fic] The Pirate Queen (8)
I must begin by thanking rthstewart and metonomia for their mention of my stories on the recent episode of AsCast. Without the delightful discussions of the Dawn Treader film and book, this story would not have been written.
Title: The Pirate Queen
Summary: As the Lone Islands return to Narnian rule once more, a mysterious figure emerges from the shadows of history and folklore. Will Caspian be able to discover the identity of the Pirate Queen and why she's back before the Dawn Treader resumes its journey east?
Disclaimer: The Chronicles of Narnia belong to the estate of C.S. Lewis. I own nothing but the plot and the original characters in this story.
Chapter 8: Thou Shalt Reign Queen
...The brigands and crooks will flee from our path,
and the highwaymen cower below at our wrath,
And our sails shall be gilt in the gold of the day,
And the sea robins sing as we roll on our way.
So hail! Pirate Queen, we call upon thee!
Come right the wrongs that trouble the sea.
So hail! Pirate Queen, we call upon thee!
Bring thy justice and peace to the sea.
Hundreds shall serve, with the oaths that they gave,
The Blood Fleet they form - the best of the brave,
And thou shalt reign queen, and thy empire shall last
Till the black flag by inches, is torn from the mast.
So hail! Pirate Queen, we call upon thee!
Come right the wrongs that trouble the sea.
So hail! Pirate Queen, we call upon thee!
Bring thy justice and peace to the sea.
Lucy stepped clearly through the doorway as the very last note was sung. The voices reverberated in the chamber until they slowly receded, one by one as the assembled crowd noticed her presence among them. The footsteps that followed behind her signaled the entrance of her brother and Lord Culver. And a bit further back, she could hear the sound of dripping water and splashing puddles: Thaleia.
As soon as all of them had stepped inside, the Nereid shut the door with a loud bang, the sound echoing against the dark walls in the chamber. When the noise finally faded away, a complete silence fell upon the room.
The Queen could feel dozens of pairs of eyes on her. She raised her head and glanced around the room. Even with her face shielded by the hood of her cloak, she was able to take a good look at the different people that gathered here. About half of them were human: many of them from the colony, she assumed, but there seemed to be others from the Eastern Islands as well; they wore the different types of clothes she had seen amongst the foreign traders in the harbor and the floating market. Here and there in the dim light, she could see the darker coloring of a few Calormenes in the assembly and to her surprise, she saw several Telmarines as well.
No, she corrected silently, they weren't likely to be pure Telmarines at all. Not if they understood and answered the summons. These must be descendants of Old Narnians then; like Caspian's tutor Cornelius, their ancestors must have mixed in with the Telmarines some time after the invasion.
She then turned her attention to the rest of the crowd and smiled. Though she did not know any of the humans, she was certain she would be able to find a few familiar and well-loved faces amongst the rest. These were true Narnians, bound by birth, by oath or by blood. From among those that had taken human forms, she saw more Nereids-Thaleia's sisters, no doubt-as well as Merfolk, Oceanids, and Selkies. And further back in the cavern, lit by the glow of torches, the bright eyes of Seabirds stared back at her as they watched from their perches. Just seeing these various creatures made her feel as if she were in Narnia again. Not this current Narnia-Caspian's Narnia-but of Old Narnia, her Narnia.
"Who have you brought, Thaleia?" asked a deep voice.
Lucy turned her head away as she searched for its source. A moment later, she realized it came from somewhere beneath her. A stream ran below the ledge where she stood, dividing her small group from the larger assembly of strangers. She watched as the waves foamed and churned, large bubbles forming quickly on the surface.
And then, a face broke through the water and stared up at her. There was a grave expression on the man's face as she returned his gaze, looking into a pair of dark eyes that were fathomless as whirlpools. He had what appeared to be curly hair and beard, though on closer examination she saw they were actually miniature waves that continuously lapped against his head and chin.
The Queen dipped a small curtsey. "My Lord Glaucus, I am honored by your presence," she murmured, surprised by his appearance. Though he had every right to be present, she could easily count on one hand the number of times he actually attended such meetings in the past.
The sea-god tilted his head and looked past her to the Nereid that stood at the back. "Good manners this one has, fair cousin, but are you sure it is she?"
Thaleia nodded. "I challenged her at the entrance, Lord, and she revealed herself to me. In the name of Nereus, my father, I swear on my life it is she."
"Hmm," he said thoughtfully. "And what about the others?"
"My faithful companions, Lord Glaucus," Lucy said. "They are loyal and trustworthy to me. And you know one of them already," she added as she gestured to Edmund.
The King stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "My Lord Glaucus, we are well-met."
As the King spoke, the sea-god sharply raised his head. "Long has it been since I heard that voice but not so long as to forget. Be you the Vice-Admiral of the Lady's fleet then?"
"Aye," answered Edmund over the murmurs that broke out in the cavern. "Though it too has been long since I've answered to that title."
"Silence!" Despite reverting to her younger form, the Queen could still command as if she were her older self again. Her voice carried across the vast chamber and it echoed repeatedly for several seconds before all was quiet once more. "Glaucus," she addressed the sea-god at her feet, "now that you recognize him, will you also acknowledge me?"
"He I know by voice but you… you sound younger than the Queen I knew."
"As I said to Lady Thaleia earlier, I cannot change how I appear now," Lucy said, accepting his response rather magnanimously. Over the course of the summer, Edmund had started down the path of adulthood once again. Though neither of them were thrilled with having to grow up a second time, her brother at least was ever closer to reaching what he once was. In the few months they had spent in Cambridge, he added inches to his height again and his voice had dropped several pitches down to the more familiar, deeper tones she remembered well for more than a decade. "But Queen I was, Queen I am, and Queen I shall always be."
The dark eyes of the sea-god lit up at her last words, as if a spell had been broken. "As it was," he rumbled, "so shall it continue to be." He rose higher from the stream and bowed at his waist. "My Lady, I pledge the waters of the Eastern islands to your cause once more."
Lucy inclined her head. "We thank you, my Lord." She then looked up into the rest of the chamber. "And do you who answered the call and sang that song,"-there was no mistaking the lyrics she and Edmund heard on the other side of the door-"will you also pledge yourselves to me?"
"Lady," one of the Nereids spoke up, "if you are indeed our Queen returned to us, then you know that the daughters of the sea have already sworn themselves to you."
The Queen nodded. "This I know, Lycorias," she said; Thaleia's sister had taken on a more human form and Lucy recognized her by her long, golden hair. "Those who gave their allegiance over thirteen hundred years ago are still bound by their oaths. It is the others I am concerned with."
She looked across the cavern at the various Creatures and humans. "Your ancestors served me and my cause faithfully in the distant past. And I see today that they kept their word long after they have departed from this world. It is clear that their secrets have been passed down through the generations else you would not have gathered here, when the mark of the Pirate Queen has appeared for the first time in centuries.
"So I ask again: will you-descendants of the Fleet-pledge yourselves to me?"
"I will," said a man, rising from his seat and stepping out of the crowd. As he approached from the far side of the stream, Lucy heard the sound of movement behind her. There was the rustling of fabric, followed by the sound of shuffling feet before Lord Culver swore softly under his breath and uttering an unfamiliar name in a low voice. Judging from his reaction, she thought the Lord must have recognized the stranger.
Glaucus moved aside and allowed the man to come forward.
"I will," the man repeated, stopping a few steps before her and standing waist-deep in the stream. There had once been a narrow stone bridge that crossed over the water but it must have washed away over the years. Thaleia and her sisters would not have rebuilt the structure when it was likely they had not allowed anyone to enter this place for centuries.
He looked up at her. "My ancestor sailed the seas with you once, Lady, and as his successor, it would be an honor to do the same." The man drew his sword and raised it up toward her, offering the weapon to Lucy with both hands. "My sword and my service I give willingly to you, O great Mistress of the Seas."
"You will swear it before others then?"
The man nodded. "And with my blood, Lady," he offered.
Lucy shook her head and held her hand up, stopping the man before he could attempt to cut himself open. She had been expecting such an action ever since the Duke mentioned the old legends about the Fleet. The Queen sighed and then addressed the crowd, pitching her voice so all in attendance could hear. "When one offers fealty to me and mine, I do not ask for it in blood. Contrary to the rumors, I have never asked for your blood and I will do not so today."
She heard a slight snicker beside her. Before they embarked on their voyage, she and Edmund had gleaned from Lord Bern what tales they could about the Pirate Queen and her armada. As with the myth about the blood oaths, the stories were exaggerations based off some long-forgotten fact or other. However, none of the other rumors sounded as ghastly and fearsome as how the Blood Fleet acquired its name. Needless to say, it was Edmund's favorite of all the tales.
Lucy subtly moved her foot and proceeded to softly step on her brother's toes with the tip of her boot; it was all the reproach she could afford to hand out at the moment. She then focused her attention back on the man before her. "Service to the Fleet requires not only allegiance to me and my kin, but to keep secret the identities of who we are and those who serve. Will you now swear to do so before these witnesses and before your gods?"
"I will, and may the gods of land and sea witness my oath. I, Veron of Galma, swear by Aslan, Aegir and Pontus to serve the Lady Admiral faithfully until I am released by her word or with our deaths."
She wasn't surprised to hear him swear before other deities besides the Lion. Narnia and Archenland were the only countries in the known world to swear to one great Being. Calormene had Tash, Zardeenah, and a hundred other gods while the island nations worshipped Aslan as one god among many, the others being chiefly gods of the sea.
"Then I accept your service, Veron of Galma," Lucy said. She paused as she felt a familiar tingle traveling along her skin. There was a subtle change in the air and she could see the waves below swirl forcefully around the Galmian's legs. It was not unlike when Lord Culver swore his fealty to she and Edmund just one day before. "You are bound to this oath with the gods as our witness."
"My Lady," he murmured, inclining his head respectfully toward her.
As the Galmian offered his service to Lucy, Edmund had been observing the faces on the opposite bank of the stream. The crowd had been watching silently, their movements stilled as their eyes were locked on the man and the Queen. The King had noted each member of the assembly displayed mainly one of two expressions. On the faces of the existing Fleet members-as Lucy had, he too had recognized several amongst that small group-there were looks of satisfaction and pride, while the rest bore looks of curiosity and mild apprehension. He was unsurprised; they were newcomers to all of this, fearlessly answering the summons but not knowing what to expect.
A solemn silence filled the cavern once the oath was completed. It lingered for a minute before people began to stir, as if they were now waking up from a trance. Edmund decided to use that moment as an opportunity to address the crowd at large.
"And what of the rest of you?" he asked. He did not pitch his voice as Lucy did; it was still quiet enough for him to be heard without the need to speak loudly. "Be you men and women who will fight for the Mistress of the Seas and her cause?"
The crowd looked around, first at each other and then at the hooded figures on the ledge. And then, somewhere off to the right where most of the nymphs sat or waded along the banks, a voice spoke up.
"You have me, Lady," said a man as rose from his seat among the Merfolk. He was startlingly handsome, with skin that appeared luminescent and eyes that shimmered as they caught the flickering of the torches.
Though her face was invisible to the crowd, Lucy stared sharply at the man. He was a Selkie, but his spell-intentional or not-had no effect on her. With all the admirers that came to seek their hands, she and Susan had trained themselves to be immune to such powers of seduction. It was one method they employed to cut down on the number of suitors that merely sought political gain and not true affection.
"The legend passed down in my family is that Selkies were some of the original members of the Fleet," he said, flashing a wide smile at her. "And I'd like to be the first of my people to enlist again."
Two more Selkies rose. "We too will pledge ourselves," said one of them, a seal-maiden.
"So will we," a Bird cried out from the back as several other Animals cawed and screeched their agreement.
One of the Calormenes stood and brandished his scimitar. "I am with you, most esteemed daughter of the gods. May Apsu look upon his faithful servants with favor as we serve you," he said, naming the Calormene water god in his words.
"Aye," said another man. "It's said that Neptune watches over the Blood Fleet and guides their sails. You have me and my sword, Ma'am."
One by one, every Being not already sworn to the Fleet pledged his or her service to the Queen. Their voices seemed to meld together into one as everyone voiced their affirmation. Beneath her hood, Lucy smiled at their enthusiasm and she felt Edmund reach for her hand, giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze.
She raised a hand for silence. The voices died down at once, as if she were commander and they her soldiers. From their immediate obeisance, she assumed many of these people were accustomed to taking orders; no doubt there were several experienced sailors and officers in their midst and they dutifully complied as if they were aboard their own vessels.
"Those who wish to enlist in the Fleet, step forward."
Lucy watched as they moved to obey her command. A sea of men, women and Beasts surged forward, rising from their seats to form a mostly-human tidal wave that stopped at the opposite bank of the stream. From above, the Seabirds flew out of their niches, descending upon piles of rocks that had once supported the old bridge. And to her right, the Merfolk and Selkies kept their tails and legs in the stream, treading water in front of the ledge.
About two dozen stayed back, remaining where they sat or stood. The Queen slowly passed her eyes over them, taking note of each one carefully. Without having to look, she knew Edmund was doing the same behind her. They needed to be sure that only the old members of the Fleet were in that minority.
After a minute, Edmund leaned forward, lowering his head until it was almost level with hers. "It should be all clear, sister," he whispered in a voice only she could hear.
Lucy nodded, silently agreeing with him. With the exception of the Galmian who had made the first pledge, it appeared only the Oceanids and the Nereids remained where they were. Even so, some parts of the cavern were quite dark and their human eyes could not pierce the blackened spaces. "I think-"
"Aye," said Edmund, following her thoughts. He drew back and raising his head, spoke up. "Lycorias, Aryon," he called out, lifting his hand and making a sweeping gesture into the air.
The Nereid and Oceanid he had named inclined their heads, accepting the task set to them. Both King and Queen watched as they split up and examined the hidden crevices about the cavern. As the two continued to carry out Edmund's order, a loud splash briefly diverted the Pevensies' attention. From their left, a spray of water soared out of the stream and onto the ledge. They watched as the large puddle soon resolved into the form of an older man.
"The water runs clear beneath you, O Queen," said the sea-god, having divined their intent. In this form, the words from his aqueous voice sounded like gurgling noises but it was clear enough to their ears. "I sense no spies lurking beneath the surface."
"I thank you, Lord Glaucus," Lucy said, grateful for the added precaution the sea-god had undertaken. She then turned her attention away as another figure swam up to the ledge.
"Your report," Edmund said, addressing the nymph without fanfare.
"The cavern is clear, Lord," Lycorias answered confidently. "We found nothing hidden in the niches nor in the darkness. All has been accounted for."
"Good." The King then turned to his sister. "Are you ready?"
Lucy nodded to him and then looked out at the faces that awaited her next words. "Descendants of the Armada, in the name of all the gods you hold dear, will you swear your allegiance to me and mine?"
"We will," they cried out as one.
"Will you maintain secrecy and never reveal your allegiance except to those who serve the Fleet?"
"We will," they repeated again.
"Then with the gods as our witness-Aslan, Aegir, Apsu. Pontus, Neptune and Ahti," the names fell easily from her lips as she remembered the various deities the original Fleet had sworn to, "and all other guardians of the sea in this known world-I accept your service and you are bound to serve with your oaths."
Edmund reached for her hand as they felt the magic gathering around them.
Despite being surrounded by thick stone on all sides, a sudden gust of wind erupted in the cavern. The air blew about the room, moving slowly at first before rising and stirring at a rapid rate. From below, the water churned quickly as the wind turned placid currents into stronger waves. It was as if clouds had appeared from within the cave, heralding the coming of a storm.
The edges of Lucy's cloak flapped wildly about; the bottom hem flew up to her waist, revealing the trousers she wore beneath and her free hand resting on the pommel of the sword at her side. She did not turn to see how much of Edmund and Lord Culver could be seen as their cloaks also rustled about behind her.
And then there was the smell. The dank and mustiness of the cavern gave way to the scent of a salty breeze, cool and refreshing as if they stood outside on a beach or aboard a vessel at sea. It was overwhelming, filling every nook with the fresh scent of the ocean.
After a minute, the magic began to dissipate. The forceful gales ceased their swift movements and the air calmed. The sharp, stinging smell of the sea started to disperse and they inhaled the warm dampness of stone and earth once again. But even as one scent grew and the other lessened, Lucy detected a third smell.
Nestled between the scents of water and stone, she caught a whiff of grass and sun and flowers. It was brief and lingered for a few seconds before being absorbed by the scent of overpowering earth. She smiled, happy to catch a hint of the Lion in that brief moment.
When she could no longer feel the presence of magic, she looked out across the cavern.
"I am honored by your pledge and your service. In return, I offer nothing less than what you offer to me. The people serve their Queen and all I do is in service to my people, to ensure peace and justice on the open seas. I bid you all welcome to the Fleet."
They cheered, voices echoing loudly in the cavern.
"My Lady," one of the men called out, "will we at least know who our Queen is?"
"Yes, you shall."
Lucy let go of Edmund's hand. There was a deadly quiet as she brought both hands up, her gloved fingers gripping the edges of her hood. Slowly, she pushed the fabric back until she felt a firm weight resting between her shoulders. She shook her head and loosed the ribbon that held her hair back, allowing the long, golden locks to frame her face.
Smiling widely, she said, "And here I stand before you, the Pirate Queen."
Footnotes:
The song at the start of this chapter is a slight variation of a traditional sea song aptly titled "The Pirate Song"; I changed a few words here and there to fit with the story.
Credit to bedlamsbard for introducing me to the world of Selkies, swan-maids and other fun mythological creatures I never learned about until I read her fics.
DW: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13
LJ: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13
Crosspost: http://autumnia.dreamwidth.org/10937.html
Title: The Pirate Queen
Summary: As the Lone Islands return to Narnian rule once more, a mysterious figure emerges from the shadows of history and folklore. Will Caspian be able to discover the identity of the Pirate Queen and why she's back before the Dawn Treader resumes its journey east?
Disclaimer: The Chronicles of Narnia belong to the estate of C.S. Lewis. I own nothing but the plot and the original characters in this story.
Chapter 8: Thou Shalt Reign Queen
...The brigands and crooks will flee from our path,
and the highwaymen cower below at our wrath,
And our sails shall be gilt in the gold of the day,
And the sea robins sing as we roll on our way.
So hail! Pirate Queen, we call upon thee!
Come right the wrongs that trouble the sea.
So hail! Pirate Queen, we call upon thee!
Bring thy justice and peace to the sea.
Hundreds shall serve, with the oaths that they gave,
The Blood Fleet they form - the best of the brave,
And thou shalt reign queen, and thy empire shall last
Till the black flag by inches, is torn from the mast.
So hail! Pirate Queen, we call upon thee!
Come right the wrongs that trouble the sea.
So hail! Pirate Queen, we call upon thee!
Bring thy justice and peace to the sea.
Lucy stepped clearly through the doorway as the very last note was sung. The voices reverberated in the chamber until they slowly receded, one by one as the assembled crowd noticed her presence among them. The footsteps that followed behind her signaled the entrance of her brother and Lord Culver. And a bit further back, she could hear the sound of dripping water and splashing puddles: Thaleia.
As soon as all of them had stepped inside, the Nereid shut the door with a loud bang, the sound echoing against the dark walls in the chamber. When the noise finally faded away, a complete silence fell upon the room.
The Queen could feel dozens of pairs of eyes on her. She raised her head and glanced around the room. Even with her face shielded by the hood of her cloak, she was able to take a good look at the different people that gathered here. About half of them were human: many of them from the colony, she assumed, but there seemed to be others from the Eastern Islands as well; they wore the different types of clothes she had seen amongst the foreign traders in the harbor and the floating market. Here and there in the dim light, she could see the darker coloring of a few Calormenes in the assembly and to her surprise, she saw several Telmarines as well.
No, she corrected silently, they weren't likely to be pure Telmarines at all. Not if they understood and answered the summons. These must be descendants of Old Narnians then; like Caspian's tutor Cornelius, their ancestors must have mixed in with the Telmarines some time after the invasion.
She then turned her attention to the rest of the crowd and smiled. Though she did not know any of the humans, she was certain she would be able to find a few familiar and well-loved faces amongst the rest. These were true Narnians, bound by birth, by oath or by blood. From among those that had taken human forms, she saw more Nereids-Thaleia's sisters, no doubt-as well as Merfolk, Oceanids, and Selkies. And further back in the cavern, lit by the glow of torches, the bright eyes of Seabirds stared back at her as they watched from their perches. Just seeing these various creatures made her feel as if she were in Narnia again. Not this current Narnia-Caspian's Narnia-but of Old Narnia, her Narnia.
"Who have you brought, Thaleia?" asked a deep voice.
Lucy turned her head away as she searched for its source. A moment later, she realized it came from somewhere beneath her. A stream ran below the ledge where she stood, dividing her small group from the larger assembly of strangers. She watched as the waves foamed and churned, large bubbles forming quickly on the surface.
And then, a face broke through the water and stared up at her. There was a grave expression on the man's face as she returned his gaze, looking into a pair of dark eyes that were fathomless as whirlpools. He had what appeared to be curly hair and beard, though on closer examination she saw they were actually miniature waves that continuously lapped against his head and chin.
The Queen dipped a small curtsey. "My Lord Glaucus, I am honored by your presence," she murmured, surprised by his appearance. Though he had every right to be present, she could easily count on one hand the number of times he actually attended such meetings in the past.
The sea-god tilted his head and looked past her to the Nereid that stood at the back. "Good manners this one has, fair cousin, but are you sure it is she?"
Thaleia nodded. "I challenged her at the entrance, Lord, and she revealed herself to me. In the name of Nereus, my father, I swear on my life it is she."
"Hmm," he said thoughtfully. "And what about the others?"
"My faithful companions, Lord Glaucus," Lucy said. "They are loyal and trustworthy to me. And you know one of them already," she added as she gestured to Edmund.
The King stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "My Lord Glaucus, we are well-met."
As the King spoke, the sea-god sharply raised his head. "Long has it been since I heard that voice but not so long as to forget. Be you the Vice-Admiral of the Lady's fleet then?"
"Aye," answered Edmund over the murmurs that broke out in the cavern. "Though it too has been long since I've answered to that title."
"Silence!" Despite reverting to her younger form, the Queen could still command as if she were her older self again. Her voice carried across the vast chamber and it echoed repeatedly for several seconds before all was quiet once more. "Glaucus," she addressed the sea-god at her feet, "now that you recognize him, will you also acknowledge me?"
"He I know by voice but you… you sound younger than the Queen I knew."
"As I said to Lady Thaleia earlier, I cannot change how I appear now," Lucy said, accepting his response rather magnanimously. Over the course of the summer, Edmund had started down the path of adulthood once again. Though neither of them were thrilled with having to grow up a second time, her brother at least was ever closer to reaching what he once was. In the few months they had spent in Cambridge, he added inches to his height again and his voice had dropped several pitches down to the more familiar, deeper tones she remembered well for more than a decade. "But Queen I was, Queen I am, and Queen I shall always be."
The dark eyes of the sea-god lit up at her last words, as if a spell had been broken. "As it was," he rumbled, "so shall it continue to be." He rose higher from the stream and bowed at his waist. "My Lady, I pledge the waters of the Eastern islands to your cause once more."
Lucy inclined her head. "We thank you, my Lord." She then looked up into the rest of the chamber. "And do you who answered the call and sang that song,"-there was no mistaking the lyrics she and Edmund heard on the other side of the door-"will you also pledge yourselves to me?"
"Lady," one of the Nereids spoke up, "if you are indeed our Queen returned to us, then you know that the daughters of the sea have already sworn themselves to you."
The Queen nodded. "This I know, Lycorias," she said; Thaleia's sister had taken on a more human form and Lucy recognized her by her long, golden hair. "Those who gave their allegiance over thirteen hundred years ago are still bound by their oaths. It is the others I am concerned with."
She looked across the cavern at the various Creatures and humans. "Your ancestors served me and my cause faithfully in the distant past. And I see today that they kept their word long after they have departed from this world. It is clear that their secrets have been passed down through the generations else you would not have gathered here, when the mark of the Pirate Queen has appeared for the first time in centuries.
"So I ask again: will you-descendants of the Fleet-pledge yourselves to me?"
"I will," said a man, rising from his seat and stepping out of the crowd. As he approached from the far side of the stream, Lucy heard the sound of movement behind her. There was the rustling of fabric, followed by the sound of shuffling feet before Lord Culver swore softly under his breath and uttering an unfamiliar name in a low voice. Judging from his reaction, she thought the Lord must have recognized the stranger.
Glaucus moved aside and allowed the man to come forward.
"I will," the man repeated, stopping a few steps before her and standing waist-deep in the stream. There had once been a narrow stone bridge that crossed over the water but it must have washed away over the years. Thaleia and her sisters would not have rebuilt the structure when it was likely they had not allowed anyone to enter this place for centuries.
He looked up at her. "My ancestor sailed the seas with you once, Lady, and as his successor, it would be an honor to do the same." The man drew his sword and raised it up toward her, offering the weapon to Lucy with both hands. "My sword and my service I give willingly to you, O great Mistress of the Seas."
"You will swear it before others then?"
The man nodded. "And with my blood, Lady," he offered.
Lucy shook her head and held her hand up, stopping the man before he could attempt to cut himself open. She had been expecting such an action ever since the Duke mentioned the old legends about the Fleet. The Queen sighed and then addressed the crowd, pitching her voice so all in attendance could hear. "When one offers fealty to me and mine, I do not ask for it in blood. Contrary to the rumors, I have never asked for your blood and I will do not so today."
She heard a slight snicker beside her. Before they embarked on their voyage, she and Edmund had gleaned from Lord Bern what tales they could about the Pirate Queen and her armada. As with the myth about the blood oaths, the stories were exaggerations based off some long-forgotten fact or other. However, none of the other rumors sounded as ghastly and fearsome as how the Blood Fleet acquired its name. Needless to say, it was Edmund's favorite of all the tales.
Lucy subtly moved her foot and proceeded to softly step on her brother's toes with the tip of her boot; it was all the reproach she could afford to hand out at the moment. She then focused her attention back on the man before her. "Service to the Fleet requires not only allegiance to me and my kin, but to keep secret the identities of who we are and those who serve. Will you now swear to do so before these witnesses and before your gods?"
"I will, and may the gods of land and sea witness my oath. I, Veron of Galma, swear by Aslan, Aegir and Pontus to serve the Lady Admiral faithfully until I am released by her word or with our deaths."
She wasn't surprised to hear him swear before other deities besides the Lion. Narnia and Archenland were the only countries in the known world to swear to one great Being. Calormene had Tash, Zardeenah, and a hundred other gods while the island nations worshipped Aslan as one god among many, the others being chiefly gods of the sea.
"Then I accept your service, Veron of Galma," Lucy said. She paused as she felt a familiar tingle traveling along her skin. There was a subtle change in the air and she could see the waves below swirl forcefully around the Galmian's legs. It was not unlike when Lord Culver swore his fealty to she and Edmund just one day before. "You are bound to this oath with the gods as our witness."
"My Lady," he murmured, inclining his head respectfully toward her.
As the Galmian offered his service to Lucy, Edmund had been observing the faces on the opposite bank of the stream. The crowd had been watching silently, their movements stilled as their eyes were locked on the man and the Queen. The King had noted each member of the assembly displayed mainly one of two expressions. On the faces of the existing Fleet members-as Lucy had, he too had recognized several amongst that small group-there were looks of satisfaction and pride, while the rest bore looks of curiosity and mild apprehension. He was unsurprised; they were newcomers to all of this, fearlessly answering the summons but not knowing what to expect.
A solemn silence filled the cavern once the oath was completed. It lingered for a minute before people began to stir, as if they were now waking up from a trance. Edmund decided to use that moment as an opportunity to address the crowd at large.
"And what of the rest of you?" he asked. He did not pitch his voice as Lucy did; it was still quiet enough for him to be heard without the need to speak loudly. "Be you men and women who will fight for the Mistress of the Seas and her cause?"
The crowd looked around, first at each other and then at the hooded figures on the ledge. And then, somewhere off to the right where most of the nymphs sat or waded along the banks, a voice spoke up.
"You have me, Lady," said a man as rose from his seat among the Merfolk. He was startlingly handsome, with skin that appeared luminescent and eyes that shimmered as they caught the flickering of the torches.
Though her face was invisible to the crowd, Lucy stared sharply at the man. He was a Selkie, but his spell-intentional or not-had no effect on her. With all the admirers that came to seek their hands, she and Susan had trained themselves to be immune to such powers of seduction. It was one method they employed to cut down on the number of suitors that merely sought political gain and not true affection.
"The legend passed down in my family is that Selkies were some of the original members of the Fleet," he said, flashing a wide smile at her. "And I'd like to be the first of my people to enlist again."
Two more Selkies rose. "We too will pledge ourselves," said one of them, a seal-maiden.
"So will we," a Bird cried out from the back as several other Animals cawed and screeched their agreement.
One of the Calormenes stood and brandished his scimitar. "I am with you, most esteemed daughter of the gods. May Apsu look upon his faithful servants with favor as we serve you," he said, naming the Calormene water god in his words.
"Aye," said another man. "It's said that Neptune watches over the Blood Fleet and guides their sails. You have me and my sword, Ma'am."
One by one, every Being not already sworn to the Fleet pledged his or her service to the Queen. Their voices seemed to meld together into one as everyone voiced their affirmation. Beneath her hood, Lucy smiled at their enthusiasm and she felt Edmund reach for her hand, giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze.
She raised a hand for silence. The voices died down at once, as if she were commander and they her soldiers. From their immediate obeisance, she assumed many of these people were accustomed to taking orders; no doubt there were several experienced sailors and officers in their midst and they dutifully complied as if they were aboard their own vessels.
"Those who wish to enlist in the Fleet, step forward."
Lucy watched as they moved to obey her command. A sea of men, women and Beasts surged forward, rising from their seats to form a mostly-human tidal wave that stopped at the opposite bank of the stream. From above, the Seabirds flew out of their niches, descending upon piles of rocks that had once supported the old bridge. And to her right, the Merfolk and Selkies kept their tails and legs in the stream, treading water in front of the ledge.
About two dozen stayed back, remaining where they sat or stood. The Queen slowly passed her eyes over them, taking note of each one carefully. Without having to look, she knew Edmund was doing the same behind her. They needed to be sure that only the old members of the Fleet were in that minority.
After a minute, Edmund leaned forward, lowering his head until it was almost level with hers. "It should be all clear, sister," he whispered in a voice only she could hear.
Lucy nodded, silently agreeing with him. With the exception of the Galmian who had made the first pledge, it appeared only the Oceanids and the Nereids remained where they were. Even so, some parts of the cavern were quite dark and their human eyes could not pierce the blackened spaces. "I think-"
"Aye," said Edmund, following her thoughts. He drew back and raising his head, spoke up. "Lycorias, Aryon," he called out, lifting his hand and making a sweeping gesture into the air.
The Nereid and Oceanid he had named inclined their heads, accepting the task set to them. Both King and Queen watched as they split up and examined the hidden crevices about the cavern. As the two continued to carry out Edmund's order, a loud splash briefly diverted the Pevensies' attention. From their left, a spray of water soared out of the stream and onto the ledge. They watched as the large puddle soon resolved into the form of an older man.
"The water runs clear beneath you, O Queen," said the sea-god, having divined their intent. In this form, the words from his aqueous voice sounded like gurgling noises but it was clear enough to their ears. "I sense no spies lurking beneath the surface."
"I thank you, Lord Glaucus," Lucy said, grateful for the added precaution the sea-god had undertaken. She then turned her attention away as another figure swam up to the ledge.
"Your report," Edmund said, addressing the nymph without fanfare.
"The cavern is clear, Lord," Lycorias answered confidently. "We found nothing hidden in the niches nor in the darkness. All has been accounted for."
"Good." The King then turned to his sister. "Are you ready?"
Lucy nodded to him and then looked out at the faces that awaited her next words. "Descendants of the Armada, in the name of all the gods you hold dear, will you swear your allegiance to me and mine?"
"We will," they cried out as one.
"Will you maintain secrecy and never reveal your allegiance except to those who serve the Fleet?"
"We will," they repeated again.
"Then with the gods as our witness-Aslan, Aegir, Apsu. Pontus, Neptune and Ahti," the names fell easily from her lips as she remembered the various deities the original Fleet had sworn to, "and all other guardians of the sea in this known world-I accept your service and you are bound to serve with your oaths."
Edmund reached for her hand as they felt the magic gathering around them.
Despite being surrounded by thick stone on all sides, a sudden gust of wind erupted in the cavern. The air blew about the room, moving slowly at first before rising and stirring at a rapid rate. From below, the water churned quickly as the wind turned placid currents into stronger waves. It was as if clouds had appeared from within the cave, heralding the coming of a storm.
The edges of Lucy's cloak flapped wildly about; the bottom hem flew up to her waist, revealing the trousers she wore beneath and her free hand resting on the pommel of the sword at her side. She did not turn to see how much of Edmund and Lord Culver could be seen as their cloaks also rustled about behind her.
And then there was the smell. The dank and mustiness of the cavern gave way to the scent of a salty breeze, cool and refreshing as if they stood outside on a beach or aboard a vessel at sea. It was overwhelming, filling every nook with the fresh scent of the ocean.
After a minute, the magic began to dissipate. The forceful gales ceased their swift movements and the air calmed. The sharp, stinging smell of the sea started to disperse and they inhaled the warm dampness of stone and earth once again. But even as one scent grew and the other lessened, Lucy detected a third smell.
Nestled between the scents of water and stone, she caught a whiff of grass and sun and flowers. It was brief and lingered for a few seconds before being absorbed by the scent of overpowering earth. She smiled, happy to catch a hint of the Lion in that brief moment.
When she could no longer feel the presence of magic, she looked out across the cavern.
"I am honored by your pledge and your service. In return, I offer nothing less than what you offer to me. The people serve their Queen and all I do is in service to my people, to ensure peace and justice on the open seas. I bid you all welcome to the Fleet."
They cheered, voices echoing loudly in the cavern.
"My Lady," one of the men called out, "will we at least know who our Queen is?"
"Yes, you shall."
Lucy let go of Edmund's hand. There was a deadly quiet as she brought both hands up, her gloved fingers gripping the edges of her hood. Slowly, she pushed the fabric back until she felt a firm weight resting between her shoulders. She shook her head and loosed the ribbon that held her hair back, allowing the long, golden locks to frame her face.
Smiling widely, she said, "And here I stand before you, the Pirate Queen."
Footnotes:
The song at the start of this chapter is a slight variation of a traditional sea song aptly titled "The Pirate Song"; I changed a few words here and there to fit with the story.
Credit to bedlamsbard for introducing me to the world of Selkies, swan-maids and other fun mythological creatures I never learned about until I read her fics.
DW: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13
LJ: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13
Crosspost: http://autumnia.dreamwidth.org/10937.html