Chapter Text
Lucy Pevensie was not little. At least, that was what she always told herself.
So what if she was the youngest? So what if Edmund had grown very tall suddenly? So what if she was half Peter’s size? She was not useless.
Trying to scrub her face clean of tears, she ran the sleeve of dress across her face.
She was Aslan’s little lioness. She would be brave.
But she knew that she could help!
There was a slight ripple through the wood.
Soon, the whispers reached Lucy’s ears.
“My lady…” came the dryad’s voice.
Dryads had strange, beautiful voices. Like many people, all with identical voices, all speaking perfectly in sync, lilting, and musical.
“Your lord brother is asking after you.”
Lucy sighed. “Peter.” She got up, and brushed off her dress.
“No, my lady. King Edmund is waiting for you.”
Oh. That was either a good thing, or Peter was really mad. She really hoped it was the former.
Edmund met her at the edge of the trees.
“Come on then, we’re having a picnic.” he smiled tentatively.
They trudged along in silence. Finally, Edmund sighed. “Lucy-”
She cut him off. “Don’t be mad at Peter, yes, yes, I know.”
“He just wants to protect you.” Edmund said quietly.
“Well, I don’t need it!” She cried.
At her brother’s sceptical look, she said, “Well, I don’t need the amount of protection he gives me. I feel really useless sometimes.”
Edmund sighed. “I get it. But Peter has his reasons.”
“Reasons I wish he would disclose to me!” She burst out. “If I knew why, maybe I could understand.”
“Yeah.” Is all Edmund said.
Approaching the garden, Lucy could hear Susan’s voice.
The guard saw them, and opened up the gate.
When Peter saw her, he sighed in relief. “Lucy.”
She gave him a hug.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered into her hair.
“Me too.” She said back.
And it was done.
…
Lucy though lt the picnic was going quite well.
After their apologies, things were fine between her and Peter, save for a bit tense.
Susan had convinced the boys to take it easy, which meant no work, at least for this hour or so.
They were alone and laughing and eating delicious food-so yeah, pretty great.
“Your highnesses?” A voice called timidly.
The four of us turned to the source of the voice, a petite girl in a maids uniform.
“Yes?” Peter asked, his slightly surly tone scaring the girl.
“I-erm-Sire, a letter arrived for you. J-just now. I was told to tell you it’s urgent.” She stuttered, holding out a tray bearing the letter.
Picking up the folded parchment, Lucy smiled at the girl. “Thank you. You may be dismissed.”
As soon as the girl left, Susan smacked Peter in the arm. “Peter Pevensie, you can’t just do that!”
“Ow, Su, it’s not like I do it on purpose!” Peter protested.
Lucy giggled.
But looking down at the letter, the words on the front made her smile slip from her face.
Addressed to his majesty High King Peter
From Lt. Rosh, with the Northern Border Guards
“Lu?” Edmund asked, noticing her expression.
“It’s from the Northern Border.” she said.
That made Peter turn. “What?”
She handed him the letter.
Deftly breaking the seal, Peter scanned the letter.
“Giants?” Edmund asked gravely.
Wordlessly, Peter passed him the letter and stood up.
“What about the plan?” Edmund asked, worry shining in his eyes.
“We don’t have time.” Peter had started pacing.
“We can’t get past those Woods, we definitely can’t fight in them.” Edmund said.
“Ed, don’t you get it? We don’t have any bloody choice!” Peter yelled.
Then he sighed, shaking his head. “Sorry. I just-” he paused. “I can’t stand it. They’re dying for Narnia and we’re here, unable to do anything.”
Edmund sighed too. “Yeah. I get it. You’re right.”
Susan stood up. “Neither of you is going anywhere until someone explains to me -in detail!- what is going on!”
“Su-” Peter tried, but Susan cut him off.
“Now. No excuses.”
Peter sighed. “The Giants are getting ambitious. They’re advancing on the Northern Border. With an army.”