A/N: Hello! This is my first story under this account, but I had a bit of it posted under "readyslavery" a couple of years ago. I've rewritten & revised quite a lot of it and hopefully I'll be able to finish it this time. I always thought that the gap between The Silver Chair and The Last Battle was rather long compared to the time between the other adventures. I'd been thinking about writing a story to fill the gap a few months before starting, but no inspiration came to me. Then, I had a dream about Jill & Eustace getting into Narnia, and a vague storyline formed in the dream. I took that and have added a lot to I, as well as taking out some of the more odd, dreamlike things.

Dubium, the title, is Latin for 'doubt', which I think fits quite well in reference to Jill & Eustace!

X

Eustace Scrubb was not happy. Not happy at all.

Not only was Pole due at any moment, and not only were his parents were bickering with each other as usual, but he couldn't find it. He'd spent weeks saving up for it, even to the extent of sacrificing his weekly purchase of boiled sweets (oh, the cravings he'd had), and now he'd gone and lost it.

His room was a complete mess because of his mad searching. He'd even gone as far as ripping the sheets off his bed. He saw now, as he stood in the middle of papers and ornaments and all the rest of his belongings, breathing heavily, that it had all been to no avail. He'd have to think of some excuse.

Perfect, he thought angrily to himself. Just go and make a fool of yourself, as usual, Eustace. Just go and -

A knock at the door ended this particularly vicious train of thought. He tensed, trying to calm his breathing and his fury at himself. It was probably his father, asking what all the noise had been. Or his mother, with freshly laundered clothes. He began to panic slightly at what the reaction to the mess would be.

"Scrubb!" called a familiar voice. "It's Jill, your mother just let me in!"

Eustace cursed softly under his breath, eyes moving to the floor. The path to the door was littered with the contents of his bookshelf. Slightly hazardous. Not quite daring to take the trip across them himself, he called, sulkily, "Come in, then."

There was a sigh from the girl, and the door swung open. "I do think the birthday girl would get a better welcome, but - oh! What have you been doing? It looks like your room has been bombed!"

He didn't know how to reply, without confessing that he'd lost a very important something. So he just shuffled awkwardly on his feet, rubbed the back of his neck anxiously, and said, with a forced smile, "Happy birthday!"

Pole's face fell slightly - or so he thought - before her eyes skimmed the room curiously. Eustace examined her, wondering if she'd changed at all, now that she was, by title, a year older than his fourteen-year-old self. He couldn't let her grow up, even if she was growing older. Another cousin Susan just wouldn't do.

She looked the same, by all means. Her blonde hair was still slightly curly and cut to neck-length, as it had been as long as he could remember. Her skin was still clear and slightly rosy, cheeks likely to go a little pink at any time with embarrassment or (mostly) anger. She was the tiniest bit shorter than himself. Her eyes were still a light green.

Eustace was satisfied. She'd not miraculously become a woman overnight. He stood, foolishly studying her, all the time wondering what to say to excuse the hovel they stood in. As he had just plucked up the courage to speak, as he opened his mouth hesitantly, he saw her eyes light up and her face brighten.

"Scrubb! What's that on your windowsill? It seems the only thing not tipped upside down in the entire room."

He turned, curiously, before his face went blank and his mouth fell open. There it was! On the windowsill the whole time! He could have hit himself. There it was in broad daylight, conspicuous - Pole's birthday present, wrapped in the brightest orange paper. It couldn't be any brighter if it tried to be!

"Ah," Eustace began to laugh, quickly masking his surprise. "I'm sure you can guess."

Her gaze flicked uncertainly to his, their eyes meeting. A smile broke out over Pole's face, and she carefully made her way toward the windowsill, somehow avoiding all of the items on the floor before her. She picked up the orange parcel. With a last glance at her friend, she began to unwrap it.

A new wave of worries now hit Eustace. Now the present had been found, he suddenly wished it had been lost again. She's sure to hate it. It's not my fault though. How was I know what to get her? Blasted girls, I've heard how picky they can be.

"Scrubb!" Pole laughed, looking thrilled. She had opened the box that had been wrapped, and now was carefully taking out the present. "Is this really for me?"

"Of course," Scrubb replied, confused at how dry his mouth had gone. He swallowed heavily. "You - you like it?"

"Oh, don't be silly, it's - it's stunning!" she exclaimed, sounding so sincere that Eustace stopped doubting her immediately. She held it up in the light, placing the box back on the windowsill. It was a silver charm bracelet. The three charms he'd bought were on it - one of an intricately designed star, one a simple 'J' shape and the other, well, the other was a lion, in gold. It stood out against the silver like the swirl of the moon against the darkness of the night.

She suddenly appeared shyer than before, as she fastened it around her wrist. Her eyes seemed fixed on the jewellery. Biting her lip, she poorly suppressed a delighted smile. "Thank you, Scrubb. It really is -"

"It's nothing," he said quickly, also biting his lip nervously. He didn't like the strange and uncomfortable air that had entered the room. They both seemed to want to say something, yet feel too silly saying it. Finally, Pole made her way over to him and hugged him tightly.

"It's wonderful, it really is," she laughed, releasing him. "It must have been so expensive. I feel awful accepting it. I had better start saving up for your birthday, if I want to get anything near as good."

"I'm glad you like it," Eustace grinned, breathing easier, and running a hand through his dark hair. "I'd torn the room apart looking for it. I barely believe I managed to look everywhere but where it really was."

Pole laughed, disbelievingly. "So that's why we're standing amongst all this! I suppose that's why you sounded so reluctant to let me in, as well."

"Yes, it was," he admitted, a small thread of relief in his voice.

"Well then," Pole sighed heavily, looking around her and seeming as though she was bracing herself for something terrible. "Let's get on with cleaning then, shall we?"

x

They finished their job within the hour, much to the relief of the both of them. They then made their way downstairs, as dinner was being served by Alberta, Eustace's mother. It was cheese sandwiches with a sponge cake afterward, which Eustace had persuaded his mother to bake in honour of his friend's birthday.

"That was lovely," Pole complimented, once she'd finished her cake. "Thank you ever so much, Mrs Scrubb."

"It's no problem," Alberta smiled, slight stiffly (Eustace noticed). "Once again, Jill. You may call me Alberta."

"Sorry, Alberta, it's just so -" Pole stopped quickly. Eustace could tell she was about to say strange or odd. His cheeks coloured slightly, and he miserably slumped lower in his chair. "I'm just not used to it."

Eustace looked nervously at his mother (his father was at work). Alberta had frowned for a moment, but quickly bustled back into the kitchen. Recently, he had been growing terribly aware of how different and unusual his parents' beliefs were, compared to other people. He wasn't sure he liked the divide.

"Sorry, Scrubb," Pole whispered, looking horrified at herself. "I didn't mean to offend you or your mother. It just still feels a little odd to me, calling someone's parent by their first name."

"Well, don't go on about it, of all things," Eustace snapped back. Pole blinked, before sighing and leaning back on her chair. Eustace felt his stomach squirm guiltily. "Oh, I'm sorry for snapping."

"Aside from the fact you just snapped your apology, I forgive you," Pole smiled, sitting straighter again. "I say, I'd forgotten all about it. We're going tomorrow, aren't we? I can't wait!"

Eustace grinned. He remembered, too. They were off to meet his cousins and stay with them in London. They were to travel by train the next day, together, and would be staying a week. As it was the summer holidays, all of the Pevensie children would be at home to greet them.

"Do tell me about them again, your cousins" Pole asked. Her eyes glittered with excitement, and Eustace, upon staring into them, began to feel a little excited too, despite going to see the same cousins every year.

"What about them?"

"About their reign in Nar-"

"Eustace Clarence," called Alberta from the kitchen. "Help me clean these plates please."

"Bother," Eustace muttered, standing up. "You stay here, Pole. I won't be long."

He entered the kitchen and saw that his mother hadn't even started to clean the dishes. Instead she was leaning against the kitchen counter, arms folded, an anxious expression on her face. Before he could say anything, she spoke out.

"I don't want you to go tomorrow."

Eustace blinked, and could instantly feel anger rising in him. As calmly as possible, he took a couple of deep breaths. "Why not?"

"The Pevensies haven't been a good influence on you," she explained, eyes slightly narrowed. "And your father and I have barely gotten to see you this holiday. It would be nice of you to stay at home with us."

"I can't just call it off," Eustace said, feeling rather sick. He knew that if his mother truly didn't want him to go, he wouldn't be going. "Pole and I have got the tickets, and we're both looking forward to it. Aunt Helen and Uncle Edward have already got rooms sorted for us."

"I know," she replied, sighing heavily and unfolding her arms. "I simply don't want you to be another Pevensie, with all respect to my brother and his wife. You used to be so -"

"Alberta," Eustace sighed. Her eyes widened ever so slightly. He had used a much more mature tone than the both of them were used to. "Please, I haven't changed. Or if I have, surely it's for the better?"

Alberta sighed heavily. A resigned look had formed on her face. "I don't need you to help me clean the pots after all. Feel free to return to Jill."

It was with some guilt that Eustace entered the dining room. But at one look at Pole's excited, smiling face, the guilt seemed to wash away. Still, he couldn't shake off the thought that his relationship with his mother was become more strained by the day. He hoped that she would see, she would realise, that her son was really much better than before.

A/N: I promise chapter 2 is more lengthy & exciting. :) Please do review with your thoughts, & I really do hope you'll stick with this story. Next chapter -- Of Trains and Pevensies -- will be up shortly. x