cribellate | narnia au;

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?

[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.]

Can you ride?

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

I can have a horse arranged for you.

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.

[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.]

[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.]

[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.]

[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?

[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.]

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

Never when you need me, your majesty.

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.

[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.

[She feels the tears, hot and sudden, and is suddenly grateful it is dark and he cannot see. She manages to keep her voice steady, at least.]

Perhaps they do.

And they should miss you still.

Aye, but they won't be hoping for me to come back. They'll...move on.

[Despite his best efforts, he has thought of this. Of what his family thinks, and his friends. Of what their lives must be like now.]

Does that mean you forgive me for my desire to keep you?

[Now it's George who's grateful for the darkness as his eyes fill with tears. This is something else he's thought about. Would he go home if it meant leaving Lucy. Another pointless question.]

I think I'd forgive you anything at all, majesty.

Oh, you should not say such things.

[She says it carefully, and reaches for him, but stops. She does not touch him.]

You will spoil me.

[It's not so dark he doesn't see her reach for him, and he shifts, moving onto his knees in front of her.]

Can't I spoil you? When you won me from Rabadash, you said I could do whatever I wanted. What if I want to spoil you, majesty?

[She smiles in the dark.]

Yes.

Just so, you are right.

If you wish to spoil me, I will be grateful. I would be grateful for anything you gave me, George.

[George takes her hand, moving cautiously, still a little wary of the divide between them.]

I'm grateful too. I'll always be grateful to you, your majesty.

[He hesitates a moment, just a breath to get up his courage. How this is harder than going into battle is something George will never understand.]

If you'd let me, I'd also like to love you.

[He takes her hand, and she tightens her grip.]

Yes.

[There is no hesitation.]

Yes, a million times, yes, by the Lion, yes.

[George smiles, then laughs in relief.]

I'm still a little worried what your brother will do if he finds me kissing you.

Oh, they had no right to opinions.

[She says it and sinks out of her chair, and into his arms, into his lap.]

You are a thousand times the man Susan's choice is, and they are amenable to that.

Don't bring him up right now. You'll only spoil the mood.

[He curls his arms around her like she's something precious he might accidentally break, and he kisses her.]

[She clings to him when they kiss, and holds on so tightly, and loves him. Truly loves him. She thinks that the Lion gave him to her, brought him here for her, like a gift.]

Do you wish to keep this for us? We do not have to tell a soul.

Half the kingdom already thinks you are bedding me. Or me you. I am not quite sure.

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