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Chapter 3, Part 2: Lucky 3

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"Consider me your Narnian tutor," Lucy grinned, sitting up straight beside Caspian and releasing him from the comfort of her arms. "I can tell you just about anything you need to know: the rights and responsibilities of certain animals (there is always a bear as a marshal of the lists…), the polite way to dismiss foreign ambassadors (even when you feel the urge to box their ears), the niceties one must observe towards one's subjects (one never rides a talking horse unless it is during a war), and all sorts of laws and such… though perhaps Edmund would be better served in that respect – I'm nearly certain he memorized most of them verbatim."

Caspian felt a rush of emotions… gratitude, apprehension, amusement – but most of all, he was overwhelmed. Lucy, noticing the widening of his eyes as he realized just how much he had to learn, took his hand and laced her fingers through his. "Don't worry," the young queen breathed. "You will be a splendid king no matter what. Besides, it is probably foolish of me to try and reinstate so much of my and my siblings' reign in this time… Narnia has been through so much since then, and its inhabitants have adapted accordingly; they need a king that is well versed in the here and now." Pausing, Lucy emphasized, "They need you, Caspian."

Flushing at the praise, the prince bowed his head a little, hoping that it would not be quite so obvious to the girl beside him. Lucy, however, was ever one with a sharp eye and inwardly, she was tickled that her words carried such weight with Caspian. Forgoing a teasing comment on his blush (for a blush it most certainly was), the queen gave his hand a small squeeze that brought the prince out of his embarrassment.

With a start, Caspian recalled her earlier words… the ones just before her saying that Narnia needed him. Clasping her hand tighter, the prince burst, "But Narnia should be returned to its former state – at least as much as is possible and practical." Grappling with his words for a moment in his mind, he explained, "Your reign was called the Golden Age for a good reason – they would not have called it so on a whim. I want to emulate your example and return Narnia to its former glory. Therefore, Lucy, any intelligence you can give me of that era would be most welcome."

This time, it was Lucy who blushed heartily. Giving the youth a half-hearted swat, she glanced up at him through her eyelashes, asking, "What would you like to know first?"

Dumbfounded for a brief moment, the prince concluded, "Chivalry, I suppose – or anything else applicable to the current circumstances." So saying, Caspian rose to his feet, bowing over her hand. Then, the youth's motion concluded, Lucy rose to her feet, slipping her arm through his. Prince Caspian then held the door for her as they exited the room.

Quirking her brow at him askance, the queen wryly remarked, "You seem to be doing well enough so far… Why don't I just correct you if you misstep?"

Caspian grinned at her in reply. "Very well," he answered gaily, leading her through the maze of tunnels until they reached the mouth of the burrow. Stepping into the morning sunshine, the two royals paused, allowing their eyes to adjust to the light and simultaneously search for Lucy's brothers.

Lucy, observing them all to be well occupied, turned to face the prince, suggesting, "Why don't we look through the armory? I'll feel more confident during the duel if I am well-armed myself…"

Caspian chuckled lightly and nodded, then he proceeded to lead her to the stockpile of weapons that was just recently gathered outside for the warriors' convenience. The prince agreed with the girl in this respect; facing an enemy – and their army – even while under temporary truce for a duel was hardly confidence inspiring. Miraz's army was better trained. They also had more soldiers… Yet, at least it could not be said that they were better armed; Dwarf-made weapons were masterpieces – as beautiful to look at as they were convenient and light to carry and deadly to the enemy. In comparison, the Telmarine's weapons looked like children's playthings – all dull and flat and large, requiring hefty, hacking motions for effect, whereas the Narnian weapons were to be wielded with finesse. Like a horse sensitive to the bit, the lightest touch of a swordsman could exercise the blade – either controlling it or brandishing it to achieve victory.

Other weapons were similarly well-made. The bows were crafted to launch arrows accurately over distances and the arrows were constructed with the finest feathers and the highest attention to detail… The throwing-knives were light and thin – built for precise throws at key weak points on the enemy. Axes were sharp enough to cut a single strand of hair… Spear shafts were well balanced for both vaulting and jabbing… Shields were light and mobile but hard and sturdy… All the weapons were crafted with beauty and efficiency in mind.

This armory inventory was heaven to Caspian's Telmarine eyes. He gazed at them in wonder, running his finger along them at times – feeling the design etchings, the soft leather, the sharp edges, the smooth flats of the blades. The prince even chuckled a little as he gazed at the small rapiers forged specifically for Reepicheep and his mice, admiring the skill and the attention to detail present upon the weapons strikingly similar to overlarge needles.

Lucy, having just finished strapping a light sword in its scabbard and belt around her waist, gazed at the young king as she tucked a bow and full quiver over her shoulder. "How long have you loved Old Narnia?" the silver queen softly wondered, moving to stand closer to him.

Raising a tender smile from the weaponry to face the young queen, Caspian replied, "For as long as I can remember…" He paused a moment, recalling his lonely childhood, before continuing on. "My nurse was the only one who seemed to genuinely care for me. And every day, she would tell me stories… Marvelous stories of a long ago age in which four monarchs ruled the land, conquered the sea, and kept the peace. It was a time where strange mythical creatures like fauns and giants and centaurs and dwarves lived… and animals talked.

"I remember sometimes talking to one of the castle's cats in hopes that it would reply," Caspian remarked with a wry smile. "But then my uncle found out about the stories. My nurse was dismissed, and the stories stopped. But then Doctor Cornelius became my tutor…"

Lucy gave the young man a gentle smile of support and understanding, encouraging him to continue.

"One night," the King remarked, "Cornelius woke me up for an astronomy lesson, only, when we arrived atop the tower, he revealed the truth. He was half-dwarf. My nurse's tales were true. And my uncle could never know about any conversations on the topic of the Golden Age of Narnia. That was the night in which my life truly began.

"Before, when you and your siblings were just heroes of myth, I could dismiss the way things were. I had no idea that the idyllic nature of your reign could possibly be achieved. But, knowing that all of you were real… it changed everything. I had purpose, suddenly – a goal. For the first time in my life, I wanted to become king so that I could improve the kingdom and live up to the Golden Age of Narnia. Even if there were no dwarves or fauns or talking animals left… I wanted to change what I could. I wanted to be worthy of this land, Aslan, and… you."

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A/N:

My sincerest apologies for being a lazy updater! It's my own personal FAIL.