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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[illuminescent]

I am glad we agree.

Sleep, sleep and I’ll stay.

[curlytop]

[He laughs softly and settles down into the bed.]

Yes, my queen.

[illuminescent]

[And she does stay. She stays as he gets “better” and brings books and games and keeps him occupied during the whole few days she lets them stay there, before she decides that yes, they do look at her like she is doing something foolish, and she decides she refuses to watch them watch her.

So she makes them leave, early, with her apologies, and she knows the rumors will follow them all the way to Narnia.

They’re leaving when she hears someone level the word slut in her direction - not at her, but about her. It was not meant for her hearing. And a moment later, the words the queen’s whore and we all know why she keeps him around suddenly assaults her, and then it’s clear why Lucy and the prince of Archenland get along so well. She doesn’t normally have such a quick temper, but her fist is in the man’s face, and her knuckles are bloody, and the scuffle is immediate.

She thinks it’s George who is hauling her over his shoulder but she’s seeing red and it’s not until he’s out of sight that she calms down enough.]

Put me down.

[curlytop]

[George is sorry he said anything to her. He can see how the knowledge wears at her, and he wishes he had never brought it to her attention.

He hears the same comments Lucy does, and it's sheer luck her fist finds the man first. Within seconds he's scooped her up over his shoulder. He carries her off into a corridor where she can take a breath.]

Will you stay put?

[illuminescent]

[She is quiet for a moment. She does not want to stay put.

But she knows he will not put her down and she knows she doesn’t seek to lie to him.]

Yes.

I promise.

[She goes a little limp, the fight out of her.]

[curlytop]

[He does set her down then, and he takes her hand to look at her knuckles.]

You should not have done that.

[He's smiling a little, though. It was pretty sexy.]

[illuminescent]

[She looks at him, as he takes her hand. The skin is scraped and bloody.]

Better for him it was me.

[Her bottom lip quivers just a little.]

If it had been you he would have a broken nose right now.

[curlytop]

He would have far worse than a broken nose.

[His voice comes out in a low growl, and his gaze flicks toward the end of the corridor, his face drawn into a scowl.]

We should have this seen to, majesty.

[illuminescent]

[She looks at her hand, and shakes her head.]

I want to go home. We can bandage it on the way.

[She wants him to hold her, right now, but they are relatively in public. There are people around, doing their jobs, living their lives.

She looks towards the end of the corridor.]

I suppose I should go and see to this, should I not. Before it spreads and I come home to find my brothers scowling.

[curlytop]

Do you have a handkerchief at least?

[He hasn't let go of her hand, despite the people around.]

I think they're going to be scowling already, but yes. You should see to it.

[illuminescent]

[She takes a handkerchief from out of her pocket, and wraps it around her fist. She presses her lips together a little, disappointed.]

All right.

I trust you to hold your temper, as well.

[curlytop]

[George's lips are pursed as well, and he narrows his eyes as he looks down the corridor.]

If they hold their tongues, I'll hold my temper.

[illuminescent]

[She doesn’t say a word, but she wants to kiss him, to reassure him. He is truly the love of her life, if she didn’t know it before.

She knows it now.

She steps out and Prince Corin is laughing and going to tug at her. Royal cousin, I did not know your temper was so rich! he says, and gets shy at George as he always does. She tells him if he still wishes to go to Narnia to go and get ready, with a smile and a ruffle of his hair.

And Lucy does not apologize.

Instead she summons every bit of her pride, her chin lifted, and says that while her actions were hasty she will hear nothing against the Narnian throne, and demands an apology.

And she gets one, groveling, and she does not like it, but it suffices. And she turns, to leave. She is not usually so stern, and by the time they are away from the city and the horses are tired, so is she.

She asks for her tent to be put up, and looks at George. For the first time since they left, she smiles.]

Could you come along, please? I have every wish to stretch my legs.

[Its a small band, and outside of the prince they are all Narnians. No one will follow.]

[curlytop]

[For once, George doesn't soften at Corin's appearance. His scowl stays in place until they're well clear of the castle. He knew, of course, that people had been whispering. He'd heard some things himself, but for Lucy to hear it is worse.

By the time they stop, he's exhausted himself, not physically but emotionally.]

As you wish, majesty.

[He doesn't quite smile, but his expression relaxes some.]

[illuminescent]

[They take a walk, and after about ten minutes, Lucy moves to take his hand away from the pommel of his sword, to take his hand and hold it with her uninjured hand. She holds it, and then she presses close to him.]

Hello, my love.

[She feels like she can breathe again.]

[curlytop]

[George's arms curl around her immediately, and he feels tension easing out of his muscles.]

Hello, mo chridhe.

Are you all right?

[illuminescent]

I am so tired.

[She presses against him.]

I am so tired, and I love you so.

And you?

[curlytop]

Aye, that about covers it.

[He holds her firmly, bending to rest his cheek against her hair.]

I'm sorry.

[illuminescent]

Why are you sorry?

[She asks, and her brow furrows a little.]

You did nothing wrong.

[curlytop]

No, but if I had never come here, you wouldn't be hearing such things.

[He looks down at her, his lips twitching upward.]

And selfishly, I'd come anyway.

[illuminescent]

What were you meant to do?

Your queen was going. Of course you should come too.

[She presses her head against his chest, which is, incidentally, where the top of her head lands.]

There was jealousy there, I think. Why should I love this man, they ask.

[curlytop]

I mean to Narnia. If I'd never come to Narnia, you wouldn't have to handle any of this.

[He keeps his arms wrapped around her at her shoulders.]

No, I think the question they ask is, who does he think he is.

[illuminescent]

I would not have a world where you were not in it.

[She reaches up, and she's on her toes, but he's still so tall. She puts her arms over his shoulders and tugs a little.]

Pick me up, dearest.

You are my sweetest and most devoted love.

[curlytop]

[George dips to lift her off her feet.]

Don't worry, my queen. I know who I am.

[He kisses the corner of her mouth sweetly.]

[illuminescent]

They have never taken a sword for me.

And I have never raced for them.

[She holds onto him.]

I never told you. That day, I was so afraid. That I would lose. That he would keep you.