A/N; Well I think it's been quite long enough since I've updated this story. So here we go with the next chapter, enjoy.

9.

Talk of Home

"Do you think Peter and Ed are on their way here by now?" Lucy asked her older sister.

"Of course they are Lu," replied the older girl. "I would imagine they've sortied with the whole of the Royal Guard and Army. Just imagine what a sight that must be. All our proud warriors marching as if one. Rank upon rank of shining armor gleaming in the winter air. Centaurs, Fauns, Satyrs, Dwarves, Big Cats, Gryphons flying overhead. And of course the Swordmasters at the head of the column, Sirs Orieus, Celer, Kanell, and Peridan."

"Don't forget the Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, or Owls," added Lucy.

"I could hardly forget such noble Birds," said Susan.

The two Queens were walking through a new series of tunnels. Each day they had been blindfolded and brought out of their cell so they could stretch their legs. This had only been possible because Susan had convinced the guards watching their cell that the ransom for a healthy Queen was substantially more than for a Queen that was weak from sitting in a dark cell day after day. As such the guards had instituted the blindfolding so that Susan and Lucy would not know which part of the caves they were in and thus hoped to prevent them from learning the tunnels. The blindfolds were removed so the Queens wouldn't injure themselves while walking through the tunnels. Likewise they were allowed to talk to each other. Susan and Lucy took what advantage they could and held lengthy discussions about the warriors in the Narnian Army.

"Do you remember the last tournament we held at the Cair?" Susan asked her sister.

"Oh that was a sight to see. Edmund was simply brilliant with Shafelm and Tablesword that day. I know you don't often like to see him duel with twin swords, but you do have to admit he is quite excellent when doing so."

"Yes that's true, but I am more than willing to applaud his ability to fend off four attackers at once and emerge victorious. 'Tis a shame Peter didn't enter the joust."

Lucy shared a smirk with Susan. "He was being most kind to the other knights and warriors. After all there are few who could hope to defeat a knight whose war mount is the swiftest Unicorn in the realm."

Susan retuned the smirk and glanced over Lucy's head at their guards. Today they were guarded by four of the masked men, two on each side of the Queens. Susan saw one near Lucy turn to his companion and thought she could hear the guard whisper something about Unicorns. Thinking she might have another opportunity Susan called out to the guard.

"Do you have something to ask good my man?"

The guard looked in shock at Susan before answering her. "I wouldn't think of asking anything of a prisoner like you," he said in a rough voice.

"Pity, for I sensed you were curious about Narnia and as I am sure you have figured out by now my Royal Sister and I rather enjoy talking about our home. If there is anything you wish to know about it you have simply but to ask."

The guard recoiled in surprise. "There is nothing I or my companions need or want to know about Narnia," he said in clipped tones. "I think you two have had enough exercise for the day. Put their blindfolds back on," he ordered the others. "Get them back to their cell."

Susan and Lucy smiled at each other their plan was working. It was only as the blindfold was being secured over her eyes, and by chance her ears, did Lucy hear the faint sound. Dim though it was she still caught it. Knowing it would be too risky to mention at present she made a mental note to tell her sister as soon as she got the chance.

A short time later the two Queens were locked back in their cell. Though it was windowless to the outside, a fair amount of light still came in through the barred window set in the door of the cell from the torches in the hallway. Two bags full of straw served as beds for the girls with a single piece of burlap to serve them as a blanket.

Lucy was about to tell Susan of what she had heard in the corridor when there was a knock on their door.

"Queen Susan? Queen Lucy?"

The girls looked at each other with puzzlement in their eyes. The voice was that of the guard they had spoken with during their walk.

"We are right where you put us," Susan replied. "Is there anything we can do for you?"

The guards voice was a bit muffled as it was coming from the other side of the door. It was also not as gruff as before. "I just wanted to know if what you said about the Narnian Army was true or not?"

Excited shock was evident in both girls' faces. "Of course it is," Susan replied. "Though you have us at somewhat of a disadvantage. You know our names, but we have yet to learn the pleasure of yours."

The guard was a long time in answering. The girls thought he might have actually slipped away before the faint answer came back. "Elage, my name is Elage."

"Well met Master Elage," said Lucy. "Is there anything else you want to know about Narnia?"

"Well…it's dangerous for me to even be talking to you," said Elage.

Susan quickly put his fears to rest. "Fear not. My sister and I shall not let any harm come to thee on our account for this conversation. Please tell us what you would like to know of our home."

There was the sound of boots shuffling on dirt outside before Elage spoke again. "What manner of land is it that stirs such courage that even though you are prisoners you still are Queens?"

"It is because of revinim." Lucy let the word linger in the air for a moment before she went on. "Revinim is what gives all Free Narnians courage when darkness closes in on them. It gives us joy to dance as the sun rises over the sea and stillness to rest as the stars shine forth at night. Revinim lets us share our love for our home freely with our friends and boldens us to her defense with hearts on fire."

"Each Narnian holds revinim in their own special way," Susan continued. "The Song Birds by singing forth their songs. The Trees by growing and sharing the fruits of their limbs. From the smallest to the greatest we all hold to revinim."

"Words cannot truly express Narnia to be honest with you," said Lucy. "One must live there for oneself. To truly experience the wonder that living there can bring."

"You and your brothers must be truly wise rulers to institute such over your subjects," Elage said.

"You give us too much credit good my man," Lucy told him. "Revinim comes not by our decree, but by a higher authority than my brothers or sister. It comes from Aslan himself."

On the other side of the door Elage felt something stir his spirit. He had been growing intrigued listening to Susan and Lucy describe their home. But now he felt something new within him. A feeling of warmth and comfort he had never known. "I have heard of Aslan, but in name only," he admitted. "Who is he?"

"Aslan is a Lion. The Lion." Warmth and joy shone in Lucy's voice. "Son of the Emperor-Over-the-Sea. Highest King of Narnia and to whom all Narnians bow too. It was Aslan who sung revinim into being when He created Narnia and blessed her as the seat of His grace. It is by Aslan's wish and will that my brothers King Peter and King Edmund and my sister Queen Susan and I rule as monarchs over Narnia."

"What did you do to earn such a gift from one such as He?" Elage asked.

Susan's gentle voice answered him. "It was nothing we earned I assure you. Aslan called us as His own and we accepted freely. We might have had hesitations but now we are glad to rule as Aslan's vassals within Narnia. We have found that returning the love He has shown us to our subjects has prospered Narnia and all who live within her borders."

"Maybe for you," Elage said. "But there are none in Narnia who would welcome one such as me."

"How do you mean good sir?" Susan asked.

"I am one of those who helped to kidnap you from your home. I have helped to raid other homes for only the greed in my heart and out of fear of my leaders. Neither you or Aslan could ever love one like me and welcome me within Narnia." Sorrow and wistfulness was evident in Elage's tone.

The girls both looked at each other with compassion in their eyes. Again it was Susan who spoke to the downtrodden man. "What would you say if I told you that there is a place for you within Narnia? Regardless of what you may have done in the past. One of the joys of revinim is that it allows us to forgive each other. Forgiveness liberates the soul, which is why it can be as powerful a weapon as the sharpest blade. None of us are perfect, myself and my siblings included. But we love and forgive each other just as Aslan has done for us. Narnia is a land full of second chances. We would be glad to extend one to you."

Elage found a hard lump had formed in his throat, but for a reason he was not expecting. The hope for the second chance offered him had sparked within him. Swallowing hard he answered Susan in a tight voice. "I would dearly like that Queen. But I do admit I still have worries."

"I understand," came Susan's voice from the other side of the cell door. "It is natural to have doubts, but rest assured that they can be laid to rest."

Elage was about to answer when he heard footsteps coming down the corridor. Quickly he turned back to the door. "Someone's coming. I have to go, but I'll be back."

"Our offer will remain the same for you and any others who might choose to hear it as well," Lucy told him.

Only the sound of Elage's boots rushing away from the door answered the girls. Without really knowing it they had both moved to sit next to the door while they had been talking to Elage.

"That was a bit of a surprise," said Lucy.

Susan agreed with her sister. "Indeed it was. Though it presents us with a wonderful opportunity that can help us in untold numbers of ways. If there are others like Elage who are seeking what Narnia can offer it is up to us to see that they find it."

The girls moved back to their mattresses and laid down to rest. They weren't all that tired, but something about lying down and being still helped them both to calm their minds and think about home. They both laid in silence, each with her own thoughts, taking comfort from the simple presence of the other. Finally it was Lucy who broke the silence.

"Do you think there are any other men here like Elage who would want to come to Narnia?"

"I hope so," said Susan. "It would be nice to have some more people at the Cair."

"I miss home," Lucy said into the gloom of the cell.

"So do I Lu. So do I." Susan put a comforting arm around her sister before they both dropped off to sleep.

Outside others were watching as the two Queens fell asleep. Unnoticed they had also heard the entirety of the conversation between the Queens and Elage. With silent looks they crept back along the corridor, keeping to the shadows. Their steps were silent as they moved off to send word of what they had seen and heard.