Chapter Text
It was a normal day at Cair paravel. High queen Lucy spent her time listening to her subjects and offering aid where she could. When she waited for the next in line her mind kept wondering, she remembered a time when the three chairs beside her were filled with family and laughter echoed in the halls.
“Queen Lucy!” Orieus came to her dressed in his armor, his hooves echoed on the marble floor.
“What is it Orieus?”
He bowed quickly “a patrol found their majesties horses in the woods but there is no sign of the kings and queen” a strange feeling washed over her. Like the feeling before the first snows.
“Send out another patrol, let the ones who found them rest.
She sent out one search party then another, all came back empty-handed. The monarchs simply vanished leaving no clue nor trail to follow. One day became two, two days became a week, a month, a year…
Eventually she took on her siblings’ duties and became the high queen of Narnia and its only ruler. Lucy would sometime forget they were gone, she would turn around expecting to see Susan smiling fondly or hear Peter and Edmund bickering like children.
Her red gown brushed the marble floor as she stood, the gold lion embroidered on her front, reminiscent of the one Peter used to wear, shined in the sun from the glass roof. “I think it is time for lunch” she smiled. “Wouldn’t you agree mr. Tumnus?” The faun smiled back.
“I agree wholeheartedly miss Lucy” he held out his arm for her to take. “Shall we invite the beavers to join us?”
The great doors slammed open as a brown centaur came galloping in, skidding to a halt before her. "My queen." He bowed. "An unknown army is marching on Cair Paravel, They will be at our gates in less then a day".
Lucy tensed, Narnia has enjoyed a long time of peace and many of her soldiers were in their homes with their families at the moment. The ones who stayed in the castle were barely half of the full army, they would surely be enough to defend the castle but not enough to drive back a fully prepared attack. "Send riders to every village, cave and forest, let them know of what is happening. Have them gather in the Owlwood and wait for orders." She walked past the centaur. "Ready the soldiers and man the walls, let's make it difficult for them." Lucy grinned. She has proven herself capable over the years. With Orieus' teaching and her brothers notes she mastered the art of war, though she preferred Susan's path of diplomacy first but if it came to it she knew how to handle both her sword and her army.
In her chambers she quickly put on the belt with the cordial and dagger along with a fine sword the dwarves made for her and light armour that went over her dress. There was one last thing she needed to do, she came back to the thrones room. The castle shook with activity but this hall was silent, she walked up to the four chairs and muttered a soft prayer to Aslan asking for guidance and strength.
"Dear one". A voice call from behind, warm and familiar. The great lion stood in the middle of the empty hall, he was bigger, his mane thicker but his smile was exactly the same as she remembered. Lucy smiled and run to him, she hugged him burying her face in his mane. "You have become a wonderful queen to Narnia little one."
"Are you here to help us against the army? Like you did with the white witch?" She asked. Aslan's smile faded. "I'm afraid not dear one. But I am here to help you, Narnia has yet need of your service."
The doors opened revealing mr. Tumnus and the beavers, ms. beaver kept wiping tears from her eyes as they came closer still keeping a respectful distance from Aslan and herself. "Aslan?" She glanced at her friends. "What do you mean? Narnia needs me now" Aslan averted his gaze.
"It was not meant to happen this way dear one." He sighed. "You were supposed to be with your family, you were meant to be their guide." He looked back at her, she saw a deep sadness in his eyes one she had no hope of understanding. At least not yet. "Fate can not be fought, but the details are left to chance." Aslan beckoned Mr. Tumnus and the beavers closer. "It is time".
Mrs. beaver hugged her. “We’re going to miss you little one”.
“She not so little anymore dear” mr. beaver chuckled. “It about time she leaves the dam” he put his paw on his wife’s shoulder.
Tumnus kept back his tears. “This is the only way.” He sniffled. “Aslan knows what he is doing.” He pulled out a handkerchief, the very one she gave him all those years ago. “I know you said I’d need it, but I think you should keep it. To remember us.”
“Remember you? I don’t understand, could you explain…” Lucy was cut off by a commotion outside. Tumnus took her hand and wrapped it around the fabric.
“I am deeply sorry dear one, but we must go” Aslan looked at the four thrones and sighed as walked away.
Lucy glanced at her friends. The beavers held each other tightly. Mr. Tumnus looked at her fondly as he silently told her to go.
She followed Aslan through the castle down to the beach below. “Climb on my back” Aslan lowered himself for her to get on. They moved over sand and earth, through tall forests and wide meadows. Lucy recognized where they were going but couldn’t understand why. She trusted Aslan, he had never steered her wrong before. But she wanted to be in her castle preparing to fight with her people.
She lost track of time and after what felt like mere minutes Aslan slowed his pace as they came to a familiar rise. The stone table sat in sun soaking the warm rays still cracked but untouched by time.
“Aslan, I think it is time for you to explain” Lucy pressed her palm to the warm stone.
“Everything must come to an end dear one. You and your siblings have brought a long time of peace and prosperity to Narnia and ushered in a golden age.” Aslan moved around the table to stand at the edge overlooking the land. “But the seasons change winter must come before spring.” He beckoned her closer to him. “You will need to guide your family when they return for without you they are sure to fall.”
“My family? But they are gone… they vanished years ago.” Hope fluttered in her chest. Aslan does not lie, her siblings are alive and they will return to her.
“They are not gone dear one, at least not forever.” His smiled faded. “But until the time comes you will dream.” He brought her over to the table. “Do you trust me dear one?”
Lucy looked at the great lion, the true ruler of Narnia as he asked her for her trust and faith. She didn’t hesitate, she knew him and she knew herself. “Yes”.
Aslan took a deep breath as he smiled. He blew gently on her face. She felt her eyelids getting heavier and her body grew tired, the breeze brought her memories of spring and summer as she laid down on the stone. “Sweet dreams dear one”. The world faded away to darkness as queen Lucy fell asleep.