narnia au;

[illuminescent]

how did you get here? through a wardrobe, or through death, or maybe a portal gone terribly astray. a ring. the roar of a lion. in the bottom of a cup. because you were looking for something, or missing something. no matter how you got there, this is where you belong.

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[curlytop]

[He looks at her a moment, a smile playing at his lips. He lifts his hand to touch her cheek lightly with the backs of his fingers.]

I believe you.

[He leans in to kiss her again.]

[illuminescent]

[She breathes right after, an intake of breath that feels like a miracle.]

Will you stay in Narnia?

[He is free. She meant it.]

[curlytop]

[He feels that as well, the way that breath changes things. He doesn't pull away, but he settles back more comfortably on the rugs.]

If you'll have me. If anyone's earned my loyalty, it's you, your majesty.

[illuminescent]

I would have you.

I would have you as my guard, if you wish it, as the head of it, if you so desire. I would have you as a knight, if you prefer.

Or you can be a private citizen, but I-

[She sits there with him, and this is the most tender she's been yet.]

-I should like you by my side, always.

[curlytop]

A knight?

[This is said in the tone of a boy who has always wanted to be a knight but who had a very vague notion of what being a knight entails. There's a brightness in his eyes that makes him look as young as he still is.]

I would be whatever you asked. If you need me as the head of your guard, I will do so. If you need a knight, I will happily kneel for you.

[illuminescent]

[Her smile is bright, and happy.]

Oh, I should gladly knight you, and the none can say you do not merit your place at my side.

[curlytop]

[He gives a dry laugh.]

I'm not sure there's anything you could do that would stop folks saying that, majesty.

But I'd like to be by your side, for all that. Your guard is where I'd be most use, likely.

[illuminescent]

Then let us start there.

[She will agree to that.]

Is it foolish to say that I would much relish an affair of that nature?

[A guard who loves her is, after all, the most serious and most potent kind. He would never let anything hurt her for more than one reason, and if he loves her well and keeps her happy, then all the better.]

[curlytop]

[George regards her seriously for a moment.]

It's not foolish. Only...

[He wants to make sure he says this the right way, and that's not always his forte.]

I want to say yes? Only, all I can think right now is how grateful I am, and I don't want to confuse things. I know that I kissed you, and I wanted to. I just...I don't ever want you to wonder if I'm with you because I love you or because you saved me.

[illuminescent]

[She smiles a little.]

Then stay, and be in my guard, and learn of me as you will, and decide your feelings.

And then we will revisit if you love me, or if you are grateful.

I can be patient.

[curlytop]

[George smiles a little as well.]

I wish we'd met differently. I wish I'd come here instead of Calormen.

[illuminescent]

The only way to Narnia is the road you must take.

[She says it carefully, as if anyone would deserve what he endured. They wouldn't. He didn't. But it is not about merit; some things simply are.

But she nods.]

I wish so too. That you had come to me, lost, first.

[curlytop]

[He nods. It sounds a lot like something he might have heard at school.]

Aye. I wouldn't be what I am if I'd come here another way.

And I am glad to be here, now, and glad to pledge my service.

[illuminescent]

Yes?

Good.

[She stands up, and looks him over.]

Would you like Narnian garb? Oh, bother, we should just go back to Cair Paravel, and then you may rest a bit, bathe, and have some time to yourself. Yes?

[curlytop]

[George stays seated, feeling a little overwhelmed by the options. All two of them.]

I...yes. Yes, that might be best.

[At least having time to himself would let him process. Feel without exploding all over Lucy. He pulls himself to his feet with ease.]

[illuminescent]

Can you ride?

[She asks with a nudge, indicating he should open the tent flap.]

I can have a horse arranged for you.

[curlytop]

I'm a Calormene warrior, your majesty. Of course I can ride.

[Not that he learned to ride in Calormen, but he's even better now than he was.

He holds the tent flap open for her.]

But I would appreciate a horse.

[illuminescent]

[She laughs, and gets him a horse, and soon he is on his way. Lucy does not go along - truly she does mean to give him some privacy, a moment to himself to ease into his new life, some time for transition. She send a few of her guards with him, so that when he arrives the chatelain will know how to treat him.

And she sticks to her promise. He is her shadow, then, and not just for the joy of having him about, but also to make sure that Radabash sees, because Lucy is only petty when the people she cares about are involved. Some time passes, but she keeps George nearby all the while.]

[curlytop]

[George slowly gets used to things like baths and beds and food that tastes like something. He gladly stays by Lucy's side, especially if Rabadash is present. He knows that Rabadash won't try anything here, but he still doesn't trust the prince.

While Rabadash is there, George doesn't truly relax, but he does, on occasion, smile.]

[illuminescent]

[The time passes, and finally Radabash goes home, and things settle. He clearly wanted George back, as the day that they left he made covetous eyes, and congratulated the young queen on her new bull stud. He did it when only George was listening, and she did not say anything back.

But Susan loves him, she can tell, Susan has fallen for him, so Lucy keeps quiet for some time.

It is late, later than she should be awake, but she can't sleep, so she opens her door and steps out of her bedroom.]

George?

Are you there?

[He is always there. He has been her shadow, so much so that even Edmund calls him that.]

[curlytop]

[George is there, of course. He much prefers to be Lucy's shadow than Rabadash's lion. At the sound of her voice, he appears.]

My queen?

[illuminescent]

[He's there, and whatever worry she had vanishes. She comes out of her room fully, her robe tied tight.]

I cannot sleep.

[She looks at him.]

Do you ever leave my side?

[But she knows the answer. He sleeps, of course, but nearby, in a side room, whenever he gets tired.]

[curlytop]

[He looks her over quickly, and once he's determined she's okay, he relaxes a little.]

Never when you need me, your majesty.

[illuminescent]

You should not say such things, or I will be greedy and always need you.

[She holds back from reaching for him, even though she wants to, desperately, and instead she goes to sit in one of the chairs in her sitting room, curling up so her legs are tucked up next to her.]

I think wherever you came from, they must miss you greatly.

[curlytop]

[George follows her, dropping to sit on the floor next to her, resting his arms on his knees. He tries not to think about home, like he tried not to think about freedom. It's pointless, and it only makes him miss it more.]

I think they believe I'm dead, majesty.