Journeys through a Wardrobe and Beyond...

Title: The Pirate Queen

Summary: As the Lone Islands return to Narnian rule once more, a mysterious figure emerges from the shadows of history and folklore. Will Caspian be able to discover the identity of the Pirate Queen and why she's back before the Dawn Treader resumes its journey east?

Disclaimer: The Chronicles of Narnia belong to the estate of C.S. Lewis. I own nothing but the plot and the original characters in this story.

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After fifteen years of governing a country, Lucy Pevensie could still remember every instance where she sat in judgement for those accused of treason against the crown of Narnia. Fortunately, the number of such trials she attended were very small and most occurred in the early years of her family's reign, when things were still in flux as everyone adjusted to having four young children running a kingdom. One lesson she and her siblings were forced to learn early on was how to deal with crimes against their subjects, other nations and themselves.

Lucy did not like to judge. She and Susan were more inclined to make friends of strangers, not to accuse nor render verdicts for or against them. During her time on the throne, such disagreeable tasks usually fell to her brothers—sometimes to Peter, when such matters were of the utmost importance and serious enough to warrant the High King's attention but mostly to Edmund, who experienced firsthand how those accused of wrongdoing in Narnia were treated in the last days of the Long Winter.

Unlike the rest of her family, it hadn't been easy for Edmund to openly be accepted as King but he persevered and the lessons he learned or taught shaped him into the man Narnians went to when they needed counsel or arbitration. When Lucy took on the role of the Pirate Queen, she sought her brother's advice on how to treat fairly with the pirates and those who sailed the seas. Rendering decisions within Narnian territories was one thing, dealing with those that traveled or made their fortunes on the vast oceans and seas was another. No other was as qualified to be her Vice Admiral than Edmund and she was grateful he had accepted the position despite his many and far more important duties.

As she prepared to pronounce judgement on the man sitting opposite her, Lucy was glad Edmund was at her side, offering support as a brother, a King and her Vice Admiral.

Across the table, Pug froze at her proclamation but as the words sunk in, he made an attempt to flee. He flung his arms out and jerked his body backwards, forcing his chair away as he tried to rise. On both sides, the Selkies grabbed him by the shoulders and held him down, keeping the pirate in his seat. He twisted his body, trying to throw his guards off but stilled when the tip of a very sharp sword came within inches of his chest.

Edmund held the blade unwavering in his hand, his face implacable. "The Queen has not finished, Pug." His voice was cold and rang with unmistakable authority.

The pirate slumped in his seat. He was pale and shaking all over, panting from exertion.

"D-d'you mean to kill me then?" he asked in a quivering voice. The arrogance was gone, replaced by cowardice and fear.

"Death is the punishment for such treason as you have committed under Narnian law," Lucy said, repeating the words she stated only a few moments before. She spoke calmly, her voice betraying no hint of emotion.

Pug looked at both King and Queen, seeking any sign of reprieve in their impassive faces. When he found none, he then cast his eyes around the room, searching amongst the crowd for anyone that would speak for him. There were no volunteers; the tavern was silent except for the heavy breathing that came from himself.

"Your Ladyship, please," he begged as he returned his gaze to the girl that would determine his fate. "There must be some other—"

Lucy held her hand up, interrupting his plea. "You will not be tried under Narnian law, Pug. King Caspian has already passed judgement in regard to his person and the slave market of Narrowhaven; we shall uphold his decision as it affects these islands within his domain."

The pirate sighed gratefully but his relief was short-lived.

"However, you ply your trade not only here, Pug, but throughout the known lands and," Lucy paused briefly, "on the seas. The waters that lie just beyond the borders of the Lone Islands do not fall under Narnia's jurisdiction but under the Mistress of the Seas."

He gulped forcefully and shrank into the chair.

"I'm not sure what tales of the Pirate Queen are still remembered after a millennium but you should know that I have no tolerance for slave trafficking across the seas or anywhere else."

A voice in the far corner of the room suddenly called out, "The Silver Storm, my Queen."

There were low murmurs as Lucy's audience tried to decipher the meaning of the words. She did not know who it was that spoke but thought the rippling voice belonged to one of the Naiads or Nereids. The daughters and cousins of the seas would likely remember even though centuries had passed and the events of a long ago age would be but a tiny drop of water in the oceans of their memories.

Edmund dipped his head toward her and asked, "Shall I, your Ladyship?" He was deferential, assuming the role of her second-in-command instead of older brother and king.

Lucy motioned for him to continue.

"One summer's day, thirteen hundred years ago," Edmund began, and some of the people around them started as they were forcefully reminded of just how ancient both the story and storyteller were, "a ship was struck by lightning and caught fire in the Bight of Calormen. It was stranded in calm waters and nowhere near land, at least a day's journey from either Narnia, Galma or Terebinthia. All three countries sent ships but it was far too late to do anything by the time aid arrived. There was nothing left of the Silver Storm but charred pieces of the mast and hull scattered across the sea. The crew managed to escape in the ship's boat with a small amount of gold but left everything behind, including their cargo."

He paused and Lucy could feel his free hand firmly gripping the back of her chair. The story of the Silver Storm was not one either of them would ever forget and she knew her brother could picture the scene perfectly in his mind as if it happened yesterday instead of years ago. Edmund had sailed out ahead of her and his ship was one of the first to arrive at the site; she vividly remembered the tightly controlled rage writ on his pale countenance when she joined him not long afterwards, bearing her cordial. She herself had wept privately in her cabin after tending to the wounded as best she could.

She picked up the threads of the story, allowing her brother time to master his emotions and memories. "Can you guess what cargo the Silver Storm bore across the sea, Pug?"

"No, ma'am," the pirate answered though the expression on his face clearly indicated otherwise.

"Slaves," said the Queen, watching as his ruddy complexion paled to the color of driftwood bleached by the sun. "Men, women and children all taken captive to be sold in markets such as the one you brought us to recently. Most of them did not survive or escape the fire, bound and chained as they were below deck. We helped to recover the bodies of those that had not already become food for the hungry creatures of the sea."

Pug shivered and his head drooped toward the table, his greasy, black hair falling forward and partially shielding his face from view.

Lucy had not thought of the Silver Storm in a long time and with its retelling, she could not help but send a silent prayer to Aslan for keeping herself, her family and friends from a similar fate as they sat in the dark, crowded hull of the pirate's ship. "Many countries offered bounties on those responsible for such a tragedy; the dead were from many lands and kingdoms. And if those of my fleet had found the slavers first, they had orders to bring them alive to the nearest port to stand trial."

She paused, noting Kadeesh nodding at someone behind her, most likely Edmund. The tavern owner slipped away and returned minutes later setting down a goblet of wine in front of Lucy. She smiled her thanks and took a sip, savoring the cool sweet taste and feeling more refreshed after sharing the sad tale. With the thoughtful gesture, she knew her brother had also recovered from his memories as well.

As she returned the cup to the table, Veron of Galma decided to breach the silence. "Were the slavers ever found, your Ladyship?"

Lucy nodded. "One week later, the harbormaster of Galma received complaints of strange odors coming from a ship that ran aground just beyond their sea borders. It had been adrift for a few days and there were rumors it was a ghost ship. When the Galmans climbed aboard to investigate, they discovered most of the crew were below deck, all dead. The captain of the ship—who was also the slave master—was found in his cabin. He lay facedown on his bed, dead with livid scars running down his back from heavy flogging."

Some of the people around them shuddered; as mariners, they all knew what types of crimes aboard a ship would merit such a punishment. Pug was amongst that group. He slowly raised his head and looked fearfully at the Pirate Queen.

Edmund saw the unasked question written on the pirate's face. "No one was ever caught for nor admitted to the retribution." His answer neither confirmed nor denied any involvement—official or otherwise—in the punishment of the slavers. At the time, he and Lucy had their suspicions but there had been no proof so they were unable to follow up on the matter. It was possible the spies in his network and likely those in his sister's Fleet knew who the perpetrators were but never revealed that information to Lucy or himself.

Pug's eyes darted quickly between the King and Queen. "Your Ladyship, Vice Admiral... surely you don't mean to—"

"Do you deny the charges that have been laid against you, Pug?"

There was a pause and all who gathered there held their breath in anticipation. Reluctantly, Pug shook his head.

"Speak your answer clearly for these people," Lucy gestured to everyone in the room. "They shall bear witness to all that occurs here today. Now I ask again: do you deny the charges?"

The pirate coughed and replied, "No, your Ladyship." His voice was low but audible in the deadly quiet that filled the room.

She nodded briefly. "Very well. Before I pronounce judgment, is there anything else you wish to say?"

"J-just that I didn't know your Ladyship and your Lordship," Pug bobbed his head at Lucy and then Edmund, "had been with that boy king. Had I known who you were, we wouldn't have—" His voice trailed off.

"Wouldn't have what, Pug?" Edmund asked mildly.

Pug stared at the sword still in the King's hand and shook his head, refusing to incriminate himself even further.

Lucy motioned to her brother and Edmund withdrew his blade. The pirate was tense but she could see his anxiety lessening a little as the King sheathed his weapon.

"Pug," she watched as his eyes returned to her. "Because you've deprived men, women and children of their freedom when you kidnapped and then sold them as objects, I think it is only fair you should be deprived of yours. By the laws of the seas, you are to be marooned as punishment for your actions."

The tavern burst into a flood of conversation. There were both nodding and shaking heads as members of Lucy's fleet discussed her judgment with their neighbors. Every sailor knew that being stranded somewhere with no natural resources or supplies was one of the harshest penalties they could face. And once word of the Pirate Queen's decision spread, no aid would come to Pug and death was certainly imminent.

Lucy did not think Pug could grow any paler than he already was. His face was nearly as white as the Witch's had been when she appeared before them in Aslan's camp at Beruna all those years ago.

"Galene," she called out. The room instantly quieted as the Nereid appeared at Lucy's side, a tall column of water coalescing into the shape of a slender, young woman. Thaleia's sister had volunteered to take part in the day's mission on behalf of her elder sibling. "Know you of any suitable... accommodation that will be suitable for our friend here?"

The Nereid dipped her head gracefully, the ring of coral branches in her hair slipping slightly forward. "Certainly, Majesty." Her voice was soft and melodious but the gaze of her emerald eyes was sharp and piercing as she looked at the pirate. "There are many places known only to the Merfolk and those of the seas that should be sufficient. I need only speak with my Father or Uncle if this is indeed the course you wish to take."

"P-please, your Ladyship. A-anything but that!" Pug cried out. He looked around wildly, searching for anything that would save him from his plight but found nothing. Those standing close to the table had their hands on the hilts of their weapons, ready to take action if needed.

"Would you prefer a flogging instead?" Edmund asked. "Perhaps one lash for every person held captive on your ship whilst we were aboard. Would that be a fair trade for the price of their freedom?"

Lucy kept her eyes on the pirate as he squirmed at her brother's suggestion. "That would take too long, Brother, and I'm sure Caspian wishes to resume his journey soon."

"What about keelhauling, Lady?" came a voice from amongst the crowd. "Tis quicker than the lash and just as painful."

And another offered, "You could sell him, your Ladyship. Give him the same treatment as those he took forcefully."

The Queen shook her head. "Keelhauling is too messy and there is the clean-up afterward," she said after a moment, as if carefully giving the matter some thought. "As for selling, how much do you think you're actually worth, Pug?"

The pirate was a large man and though he was a slave master, he was also a sailor—he was clearly no weakling and the muscles seen along his upper arms proved it. He was clever, cruel but not a brave man and one who would look for the easiest way out when in a bind.

He could not judge from Lucy's impassive face whether she spoke in jest or not. Regardless, he thought being a slave was far more preferable than being marooned in the middle of nowhere. Over the years, he sold men, women and children of various shapes and sizes and could quickly determine a person's value from appearance alone. Unbeknownst to his own men, he had already assessed their value in case there should ever be a time when he needed to get rid of them. There was only one person he was never able to sell in his entire career and that was the sulky boy amongst King Caspian's company.

With his knowledge and experience, Pug could easily perform the same task on his own person. It was not something he ever thought he'd do but given his situation, there were no other options left to him at the moment. Forcing his fear and disgust aside, he made a quick calculation based on his age, size, skills and health.

Under Lucy and Edmund's unflinching stares, he answered, "Fifteen Crescents, perhaps?" It was perhaps a bit higher than what he thought he was actually worth, choosing to increase the price slightly to account for bargaining depending on the prospective buyer.

There were snickers from the crowd and a woman called out, "I wouldn't pay twenty minims for the likes of you, pirate."

Pug ducked his head but Lucy could see a faint blush tinging his already ruddy complexion. Twenty minims. Not much could be bought with half a Calormene crescent in her time and she doubted anything could be bought for that price now.

She sighed. "Whether the price is half a Crescent or fifteen, do you truly value your life for so little, Pug?"

Her words might have been rhetorical but it was answered with a discreet cough from behind. "Edmund?"

Maintaining his subordinate role, her brother said, "If Pug is worth a mere fifteen Crescents as he says, your Ladyship will need compensation before he begins his punishment. As Vice Admiral and purser to your Fleet, it is my duty to inform you that the expenses incurred to carry out the marooning will amount to well more than that. No less than a hundred Crescents, surely."

"Duly noted." Lucy had no reason to doubt her brother. Between him and Susan, they oversaw the finances of Narnia and the Lone Islands, once her family firmly re-established Narnian rule over the colony. Edmund proved adept at reading and interpreting all the numbers that appeared in the ledger columns and Susan was the only one amongst the rest of her siblings who had the patience to sit and learn how to account for everything that went in and out of their kingdom. When the role of Pirate Queen had been established, it was her brother who set up a separate ledger to keep track of all transactions involving Lucy and her fleet. With the help of their friend and courtier, Lord Peridan—formerly a sailor himself—Edmund could quickly estimate the cost of anything the Pirate Queen might choose to do at sea.

Turning to the pirate, she asked, "Have you the remaining eighty-five Crescents then?"

Pug began to move his hands but quickly stopped when he noticed Edmund had put his own hand on the hilt of his sword. To Lucy, he stammered, "M-my purse," and directed his gaze at the leather pouch that hung at his hip.

The Queen remembered seeing him pocket the winnings from the dice game before she approached his table. She made a gesture and one of Pug's guards reached down and removed the purse from the pirate's side and setting it in front of her. She loosened the ties and gently poured its contents onto the table. There were many silver and gold coins in various currencies and she sorted them into neat rows.

Before she could begin to tally the total, Edmund replied. "Your winnings are worth only thirty Crescents, Pug."

Lucy smiled and silently counted, converting the value of Lions, Trees, and other coins into Crescents. Her brother's calculation was correct. "Have you anything else of value on your person?" she asked politely, her gaze traveling over the pirate.

Pug swallowed and looked down. "I have rings, your Ladyship, made of gold and silver," he said hopefully, holding out his hands for her to examine. "And the chain I'm wearing—that's gold too."

She frowned, glancing dubiously at the tarnished jewelry that decorated his thick, dirty fingers. The chain around his neck was a dull, golden color but some of the links appeared to be worn thin and battered.

"It's not enough," she eventually said, leaning back into her chair. "I think we shall have to find some other means to pay your debt, Pug."

"Oh, mercy, your Ladyship!" Pug cried out at seeing the somber expression on her face. "Have mercy, I beg you!"

"Mercy?" she repeated softly. "What would you have me do then?"

All eyes fell on the pirate as everyone waited to hear what he would say. Pug was silent for a few minutes; Lucy could see he was deep in thought, giving careful consideration to his answer. They all knew that it was his final chance to ask for leniency.

When he was ready, he took a deep breath and looking into the face of the girl before him, said, "Your Ladyship, I-I meant no harm to yourself and everyone else aboard m'ship—" A chorus of low grumbling and disapproval greeted this, silenced only when Lucy held her hand up. "All I was tryin' to do was earn a living, just like everyone else. And no matter what I've done, all who came and went from my ship were left alive and unhurt."

"That's because you were going to make a profit off'em," someone muttered nearby.

"Peace, friends." Edmund's voice was calm but no one could mistake the hint of command in his request. "You may continue, Pug."

"If your Ladyship will give me a second chance, I swear by the gods I'll never buy, sell or capture slaves ever again as long I live. I beg your Ladyship for mercy to spare m'life and not to maroon me to die." Pug's voice was nearly at a whisper and full of misery; he seemed very close to weeping. "I'll do anything else you ask of me!"

"You've already sworn to the gods to accept my judgment," Lucy reminded the pirate. "Very well. You have asked for mercy and you shall have it."

Dark, watery eyes gazed pitifully back at her.

"Your ship and all her possessions will be forfeited to me," she began, raising a finger when she saw a protest forming on his lips. "Your crew will be paid their wages and then disbanded. All of this is to be done upon your immediate return to Narrowhaven and in front of witnesses who will report back to me.

"Effective immediately, you will no longer have any involvement at all in the slave trade for the rest of your life. You must find honest and true employment, Pug, even if it means becoming a beggar. I'm sure you have other skills that are valuable though you have not made full use of them.

"We shall keep a close watch over you for a minimum of a year and a day. Should you ever stray down such dishonorouble paths again, mercy shall be revoked and the Fleet will determine a new form of punishment for your actions or reinstate the original one I set forth. That will be in addition to however your gods decide to act for breaking an oath sworn before them. Will you accept this judgment and these conditions?"

Pug nodded at once, eager to accept Lucy's terms before there was time for her to reconsider; it would be harsh and cruel to lose so much of his earthly belongings but the terms were more favorable than a marooning. "Yes, yes," he said hastily, "I accept these conditions, your Ladyship!"

"May the Gods bear witness to this," said the Queen.

The lights in the tavern flickered wildly for a few seconds as wavering flames cast eerie shapes and shadows through the room. Thankfully, none of the candles and lanterns went out as they did earlier. Lucy tried not to shiver as she felt the familiar tingle crawl up her arms and back as the gods acknowledged and accepted the resolution between the pirate and herself.

As the magic faded away, Pug slumped in his chair and he loosened his grip on the edge of the table. Like all sailors, he had called on and prayed to the gods of the seas before but never felt their presence as strongly as he had just now. He made an oath before them and though they were invisible, it was clear the gods bore witness just as the Pirate Queen said.

When the candle flames burned straight and steady once more, he looked across the table and was surprised to see how young the Lady Admiral looked. She appeared far older as she rendered judgement but now, she looked more like the pretty little girl he had chided for crying when she was taken captive by his men. He blinked but the sight before him did not change. After a moment, he hazarded a glance at the man that stood behind her. The Vice Admiral was a King in his own right and more importantly, he was the Queen's older brother. Pug remembered clearly what the young man looked like when he brought Edmund out to be sold but when he looked to the man now, he saw no similarities to that boy except for the fierce protectiveness of his sister.

The Vice Admiral was clearly someone not to be trifled with, no matter what age he appeared to be. Pug gulped and quickly looked away when Edmund caught him staring back at him.

After a moment, a voice said, "You may go, Pug."

The pirate started at the sound of his name. "B-beg pardon, your Ladyship?"

"You are free to leave this place but not the Lone Islands until we have completed the transfer of your ship," Lucy said. "I shall send word about where and when that will happen." She gestured with her hand and the guards that surrounded Pug withdrew their weapons and stepped back.

"This is over?" he asked, refusing to believe that freedom was finally within his grasp.

She nodded. "It's over."

For a few seconds no one moved. And then, slowly, Pug pushed back his chair and made to rise. No one tried to stop him and he soon towered over the table and the girl that remained seated there. It was his sincerest desire to get out of the tavern as quick as possible but there was still a large crowd that blocked his escape. Not wishing to make any wrong moves in such a precarious situation, he took a step back and bowed deeply and deferentially to the King and Queen. Such an action caused a sharp pain to shoot up his spine but he gritted his teeth and ignored it. Using the tone of voice he usually saved for dealing with wealthy merchants and buyers, he asked, "By your leave then, your Ladyship?"

Lucy answered with a single word. "Go."

With that final confirmation, Pug unbent and turned around to find his exit unobstructed; the crowd had parted like a ship slicing through the waves and the door at the far end was opened, filling the frame with bright sunlight and a view of the sandy shore just beyond. He walked very quickly, ignoring the looks that followed his steps while trying to maintain some sense of dignity. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he broke into a run and never looked back.

As a collective sigh of relief filled the tavern, Lucy turned and looked up at her brother. "How did I do?"

Edmund said nothing but the smile on his face was the only answer she needed.

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DW: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13

LJ: 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13