cribellate | narnia au;

[George has only ever been on the other side of that sort of manipulation. He has no idea what he's in for.]

No, of course not! I mean...probably we'll have to have one sometimes, but I'd want to be there for them.

[They're down almost to the sand, and Lucy tugs her skirt up, to tie it up out of the way and slip her shoes off before they get sand in them. She walks out onto the beach, and she waits for George.]

Tutors and teachers and the entire kingdom, and we will still take care of them ourselves.

I do not remember my mother, you know.

[George pulls off his boots, and it feels good to leave them in the sand, knowing no one will find them there and punish him for it. He rolls up the legs of his breeches and follows her out onto the sand.]

School's one thing. I can't imagine letting someone else...

[He frowns slightly, the downward tug his lips take when he's thinking of his other life.]

Did she die when you were young?

I imagine she did.

[She reaches for his hand again, because now that they don't have to hide it, she doesn't want to ever stop touching him.]

I do not remember my father, either. I was so little, when I became queen. I have very little in the way of memories of my childhood.

[He takes her hand easily, strolling toward the water.]

I'm sorry for that.

[Sometimes his memories are hard, but he's glad he has them.

He's quiet a moment, then,]

I never knew my biological parents.

[She looks over at him, her eyes up.]

I am sure they loved you.

[She's absolutely sure.]

Aye, probably.

[George shrugs. He doesn't really let himself think about it.]

That's what my folks said.

[He smiles down at her, bending to kiss her forehead.]

I'm sure your parents loved you as well. I don't know how anyone could not.

[She giggles.]

I know a number of people who do not love me, but it is true that I rarely let them worry me.

[With a grin, he squeezes her hand and tugs her along as he wades into the surf.]

I think that's why people love you so much. You're always...light.

Light?

[She beams at him.]

Perhaps I am.

Aye.

[He pulls her close, arms around her waist.]

And you lighten the people around you.

Well, I am glad to lighten you.

[She beams, and puts her hands on his shoulders.]

I am glad to lighten you most of all.

You do, my love.

[He holds her around her waist and lifts her up to kiss her.]

You make me so much lighter.

[She squeals as he picks her up. There is no place in this world she feels safer than here, right there, her arms around his, his biceps holding her up.]

You make me stronger.

[He kisses her again and spins in a circle, so pleased to have a moment where no one is watching them.]

You're so strong already, my love.

[She laughs, and she lets them have this moment, she lets him spin her around, and then she tugs him back up the castle, up to where the rest of her family is. They have a party. Things are lovely, for a time, perfect.

Things are perfect, and then, one morning, the horn for the white stag blows, and Lucy is curled around George when someone comes to the door. Don't get it, she says, stay here.

So they stay.

So they stay, and the day passes, but the rest of her siblings do not return. Their horses do, but they do not. Someone finds Lucy to tell her.

They search.

They search for days. Lucy barely sleeps. She slips out of their bedroom and curls up in the High King's throne in the dark of night; she hears someone move in the darkness, and she knows.]

Hullo, George.

[It's difficult to watch Lucy as the kingdom searches for her siblings. Not only because it's hard to see her so distressed, also because he thinks of his own family and friends. Did they search for him? Did they think he'd died?

When he wakes to find Lucy gone, he knows where she'll be. He goes straight for the throne room, and crosses to Lucy. He doesn't say anything because he doesn't know what to say, but he sits on the floor in front of Peter's throne and offers his hand.]

[She takes his hand, and she is quiet for a moment, and then she slips down to sit in his lap, on the floor.]

They left me.

[She says it quietly, and then presses her head against his shoulder.]

[George wraps himself around her, his cheek resting on top of her head.]

I am certain they did not wish to.

[He wouldn't believe it of them, and he can't imagine Lucy does either.]

[She stays there, and she clutches at his shirt.]

I know.

But they left me.

I do not know how to do it alone.

[George holds her and rocks her slightly, mostly because he doesn't know what else to do.

His voice is soft, tentative.]

You're not alone.

[He knows it's not the same. He's not a king.]

We will be invaded. Calormen will not see me as formidable. They will try and take us. And then the Frost Giants, and-

[Her voice wobbles.]

I am afraid.

[She tries to never admit it.]

You're allowed to be afraid.

[He strokes her hair and rubs his hand down her back.]

But you needn't worry about Rabadash the Ridiculous? He's not allowed outside Tashbaan. And I reckon the Tisroc's embarrassed enough about their last attempt.

And your brother was not the only thing holding the giants at bay. One man is not an army.

[He holds her closer, kissing her hair.]

You're allowed to be afraid, but you shouldn't be so afraid you stop trusting your friends.

I trust you.

[She says it, whimpers a little.]

I trust you the most. But I miss them already. It has only been a few days. I should have-

I should have been with them.

[Something clenches tight in his chest when she says that. What would he do if Lucy were gone as well?]

You'll miss them a long time. Forever, probably. But...a little less every day.

[He can't say anything to the other.]

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