[A pause, and then a small laugh. Queens don't usually do it where she's from, either.]
My first guard, when I was very small, I think he wearied himself of being so tied to a child. I would not let him be until he taught me weaponcraft; a bow, first, something that would not have me seeing battle so close, and a sword later.
Narnia is oft at war, and I do not like to feel useless.
[She wants to say yes; she wants so dress and have him close, but she does not think he would be comfortable with the familiarity she would crave; to hold her close and keep off the sharp pain that is missing Narnia and Cair Paravel and her family. Especially Peter.]
Oh, I know you would. You are the best kind of man.
But a voice in the dark, it is a great balm to my heart.
I think-
Do you really mean to guard me, then, as if you were mine and in my employ?
[Said with a possible idea at the end of this sentence.]
[ That’s a difficult question. D’Artagnan is a Musketeer, and will always be a Musketeer. His service is to the King of France, alone.
But he is here, far from home. He must ask himself what might be expected of him were he sent here by design, since with no way to go home, all that is left to him is to serve his King’s ideals as best he can. Were Queen Lucy a visitor to France, he knows he would be expected to keep her safe.
Would Louis approve of him helping her here? He thinks so, hopes so. Certainly, he feels better doing it than standing idle when she is here without her own Guard, and without her family. ]
I cannot be in your employ, Queen Lucy, as I am still a Musketeer. Until I die or am discharged, I will remain one. But I believe my King would want me to do what is right, and honourable, in this city, even if he is not here to command it. I mean to guard you for as long as I’m able.
[ He could give no stronger commitment than that. He hopes it is enough. ]
[She doesn't say anything, at first. She is silent and still, and thinking. The quiet goes another momenr, but before she thinks he can worry for her, she speaks again.]
I am very jealous of your king, to have the loyalty of such a righteous man.
[ He hopes Louis would feel the same way. With as jealous as the King can be, one never knows. But in his heart, d'Artagnan believes that Louis is a good man - even if he does not always show it. He would not be against this, surely. ]
You need not be jealous. I am loyal also to my friends, to my brothers, and I have given you my word. You can rely on me, I swear it.
And I would not see you alone. If it pleases you, will you tell me more of your Narnia? I would like to hear it.
It is very green. There are several rivers, and it spans great wide forests and countryside that has been tamed alike, but we are not known for having a great many cities. There are mostly villages, towns, and small places where people gather. It is a very small kingdom but rich in resources; oh! and there are the Lone Islands, which are out and to the east.
The people are hard working, and kindly, I think - and they speak very plainly when they feel mistreated, and so Edmund is able to keep justice. We all, we all serve in different ways, you see. Peter governs mostly, and is the utmost leader in war and crisis, Susan keeps the castle and the art, and Edmund deals quite firmly with the courts.
[ That's how it sounds, anyway. He sounds thoughtful. ]
France has only one King, my lady, but the Court supports him, and advises in all the matters you mention. And of course, there is the First Minister.
[ For the first time, d'Artagnan finds himself approving of the man in that position. It's a strange thought.</small. ]
But I note you didn't tell me of your own position, Queen Lucy. What is your role among your family?
Well, that makes one of us. I was on my way to try and talk him out of it when I was brought here. Aramis always loved battle. We thought he would’ve come back if he’d known about the war.
I knew you were a fighter. That you wanted to fight.
[ But been to war? That’s something else entirely. D’Artagnan’s world has very defined roles for men and women, and soldiering is absolutely in the realm of men. He has known women who have defied expectations, who have protected themselves and others, who have fought, who have even become assassins. Yet even that is not the same as fighting in war. ]
In France that is for men to do, and for soldiers particularly. Never for a Queen. Why did you have to fight? Was it your choice?
In Narnia, as well. But the High King always goes, and-
[There's a pause.]
When I was ten and five, he went to war. He is only four years older than me, you know, but I...I dressed as a boy, and hid in the garrison, and went, because I did not wish to be left behind again.
I have never seen the High King so angry as when he discovered me.
[ Yes, that sounds about right. She ought to have been protected, and instead she followed her brother. D’Artagnan can both understand the compulsion, and the King’s reaction to finding her. He’d have done the same in either one of their positions, all of which leads him to one conclusion.
Sweet, kind Queen Lucy, is trouble. If there’s trouble happening, she’s likely to find it. He wonders how easy it will be to protect someone like that.
Though they are far from home, he is glad that he and Athos have found her. ]
It’s hard to see the people you love fighting, when you’re not allowed. I’m sure that your brother was only trying to protect you, my Lady. Recently, my wife insisted on coming with us when I wanted her to stay behind. You would like her, I think.
The High King could not send me back so easily, not without losing a small force to escort me, and I would not see him fight alone. He was trying to protect me, and I wished only to protect him. He is my favorite brother, you see, in such as it is unkind to proclaim such a thing. He made me stay back, with the bowmen, but-
[She whispers, then.]
d'Artagnan, no one said to me that you have a wife. You must be so lonely, then, without her! How cruel to make you leave half your heart behind!
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[A pause, and then a small laugh. Queens don't usually do it where she's from, either.]
My first guard, when I was very small, I think he wearied himself of being so tied to a child. I would not let him be until he taught me weaponcraft; a bow, first, something that would not have me seeing battle so close, and a sword later.
Narnia is oft at war, and I do not like to feel useless.
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[ A pause, then. ]
But I still prove myself, every day. I have to.
You, on the other hand, are a Queen, my Lady. What if you were wounded in battle? It would be my duty to keep my King safe from that, in France.
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[She makes a very small noise; it's hard to tell what it is.]
I have my guardsmen; they would not see me injured.
[But she has been, in the past.]
I would not like to see them injured, either. But such things cannot be helped.
Would you honestly take your sword up against me in mock combat? I would like to not lose my skills.
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He feels the same wary indecision as he had when Constance had asked. But I can protect you, he wants to say.
He knows that attitude will fly about as well with Lucy as it would have with Constance. ]
I would, if that is what you'd like. We can help to keep each other sharp. And you are right, your guardsmen would not like to see you injured.
I would not like to see it.
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And loneliness.
And that is a greater care of my royal personage, I think.
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Then I will do my best. I don't want you to be lonely, my lady.
I know the hour is late, but if you wished to see me before you, I would come right away. On my honour.
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Oh, I know you would. You are the best kind of man.
But a voice in the dark, it is a great balm to my heart.
I think-
Do you really mean to guard me, then, as if you were mine and in my employ?
[Said with a possible idea at the end of this sentence.]
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But he is here, far from home. He must ask himself what might be expected of him were he sent here by design, since with no way to go home, all that is left to him is to serve his King’s ideals as best he can. Were Queen Lucy a visitor to France, he knows he would be expected to keep her safe.
Would Louis approve of him helping her here? He thinks so, hopes so. Certainly, he feels better doing it than standing idle when she is here without her own Guard, and without her family. ]
I cannot be in your employ, Queen Lucy, as I am still a Musketeer. Until I die or am discharged, I will remain one. But I believe my King would want me to do what is right, and honourable, in this city, even if he is not here to command it. I mean to guard you for as long as I’m able.
[ He could give no stronger commitment than that. He hopes it is enough. ]
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I am very jealous of your king, to have the loyalty of such a righteous man.
Thank you.
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You need not be jealous. I am loyal also to my friends, to my brothers, and I have given you my word. You can rely on me, I swear it.
And I would not see you alone. If it pleases you, will you tell me more of your Narnia? I would like to hear it.
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[She says it quietly, thinking-]
It is very green. There are several rivers, and it spans great wide forests and countryside that has been tamed alike, but we are not known for having a great many cities. There are mostly villages, towns, and small places where people gather. It is a very small kingdom but rich in resources; oh! and there are the Lone Islands, which are out and to the east.
The people are hard working, and kindly, I think - and they speak very plainly when they feel mistreated, and so Edmund is able to keep justice. We all, we all serve in different ways, you see. Peter governs mostly, and is the utmost leader in war and crisis, Susan keeps the castle and the art, and Edmund deals quite firmly with the courts.
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[ That's how it sounds, anyway. He sounds thoughtful. ]
France has only one King, my lady, but the Court supports him, and advises in all the matters you mention. And of course, there is the First Minister.
[ For the first time, d'Artagnan finds himself approving of the man in that position. It's a strange thought.</small. ] But I note you didn't tell me of your own position, Queen Lucy. What is your role among your family?
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[She makes a very small noise-]
I am the youngest, don't you think that's work enough?
[She laughs a little-]
I am the people's queen, is what is said about me.
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There are worse things to be. Worse than being youngest, too. I am, among the Musketeers.
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[She's teasing a little.]
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I'm not sure Aramis could forgive me for claiming that crown. He'd take offence all the way from Paris.
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[She's still teasing, playing. This is better than loneliness.]
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So you may have missed your chance. [ Which is unfortunately since, being a Queen, she's certainly his type. ] My apologies, my Lady.
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Now there’s nothing to do but wait.
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Did you know I have been to war?
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[ But been to war? That’s something else entirely. D’Artagnan’s world has very defined roles for men and women, and soldiering is absolutely in the realm of men. He has known women who have defied expectations, who have protected themselves and others, who have fought, who have even become assassins. Yet even that is not the same as fighting in war. ]
In France that is for men to do, and for soldiers particularly. Never for a Queen. Why did you have to fight? Was it your choice?
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[There's a pause.]
When I was ten and five, he went to war. He is only four years older than me, you know, but I...I dressed as a boy, and hid in the garrison, and went, because I did not wish to be left behind again.
I have never seen the High King so angry as when he discovered me.
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Sweet, kind Queen Lucy, is trouble. If there’s trouble happening, she’s likely to find it. He wonders how easy it will be to protect someone like that.
Though they are far from home, he is glad that he and Athos have found her. ]
It’s hard to see the people you love fighting, when you’re not allowed. I’m sure that your brother was only trying to protect you, my Lady. Recently, my wife insisted on coming with us when I wanted her to stay behind. You would like her, I think.
Did your brother send you home again?
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The High King could not send me back so easily, not without losing a small force to escort me, and I would not see him fight alone. He was trying to protect me, and I wished only to protect him. He is my favorite brother, you see, in such as it is unkind to proclaim such a thing. He made me stay back, with the bowmen, but-
[She whispers, then.]
d'Artagnan, no one said to me that you have a wife. You must be so lonely, then, without her! How cruel to make you leave half your heart behind!
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