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[called_lioness]

The hike to the castle is easy enough. It would likely have taken less time if Mary hadn’t been curious and wanted to stop and look at some of the older trees.

But that’s what holidays are about, really.

The plan is to ride to Port Caynn tomorrow and swim in the sea before spending the night at an inn of…slightly dubious reputation. (Alanna assures her it’s safe now. Lucy makes a note not to mention any former smugglers to Archibald Craven.)

But tonight is for camping, and as the evening approaching Lucy heads out to stroke her borrowed mare’s neck and make sure the supplies are all ready.

Comments

[called_lioness]

"Because," and her voice is as steady as she can make it, "you give me more than you know."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

For what feels like the fiftieth, the hundredth time already, even in such a short time, Mary reminds her, "You are leaving.

"I do not know what I have given you that you may take with you."

[called_lioness]

"Your love." That's just whispered. "It's all I could want."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"I did not give that - it only sort of happened."

Mary barely shrugs, more a twitch of her shoulder muscles than anything else.

"But it shall go on happening anyways. It will help the tree, at least. Even if it does not help you where you are."

[called_lioness]

"It still matters."

Soft and simple as she keeps Mary closer.

"And it will help the tree. And it helps me wherever I am."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary doesn't say anything to that, but nods, if a little grudgingly.

She's already said she will. It is not as if it is a choice she can make. She doesn't need to repeat it, she thinks.

She still does not know how much she believes about if it will help Lucy, once she's gone to the place where everything (they say) is love, and angels and harps and things. But Lucy thinks it now, and Lucy is stubborn, and Mary is stubborn too but she is also tired.

And Lucy, she feels, will keep saying it regardless.

[called_lioness]

Mary is, perhaps, right.

"Is there aught I could do to make it any better, Mary?"

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary takes the time to think about it, even though she already knows the answer.

She's going, still. That is the only thing, and they both know it.

"No," she says. "I do not think there is."

[called_lioness]

They both know it.

"I'm sorry," she says again, just a whisper, and rests her cheek on Mary's hair, watches how her own hair falls and brushes against Mary's.

"Would you let me give what I may?"

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary will never accept anything blindly.

Not even from Lucy, not even now.

"What would you like to give?"

[called_lioness]

"My love. My promise that if you need me I'll come."

She breathes for a minute.

"The things I own that are dearest to me and you'd take.."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"I already have the first two," Mary says, reasonably enough. "I could not give them back - and I would not."

She frowns. "What is it that you own that you wish me to have?"

They've already been over the tree.

[called_lioness]

"My cordial," she says after a moment. "My knife. A dragon."

It's her will, in a way.

"I don't know beyond that. I'd need to think on it more."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"A dragon -"

Mary shifts around to gape at Lucy, forgetting to act as if she cannot be surprised by anything further.

"You want me to take care of one of the dragons?"

She wonders briefly how Angel will feel about that. But: DRAGON.

[called_lioness]

And that gets a small smile.

"Who better?"

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"I should take very good care of it - the best care," Mary says, wide-eyed.

"But can the dragons not take care of themselves? They seem awfully clever. Of course I should still care for them regardless."

[called_lioness]

"I think they could," she says with a half smile that's a bit sad.

"I think they like having a human, though."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"Then they may have me if they like," Mary says, with great determination.

"They may always have me."

[called_lioness]

"We'll ask them," she whispers and closes her eyes for just a moment.

"I'm sure they will. Anyone who doesn't want you is a fool."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"I do not think that is true. But I am better with creatures than with people - I always have been," Mary says, and it is small and very matter-of-fact, because it is true.

"So I hope they shall all the same."

[called_lioness]

"I think it's true," she says fiercely and pulls Mary a bit closer.

"And I know they shall be."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"Do they know yet?" Mary asks, after a moment.

"That you are going?"

[called_lioness]

"No."
There's a sigh in that.

"Caspian must agree first."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"Agree to what?"

Mary sits up, straight and suddenly edgy; will Lucy not leave if Caspian asks her?

[called_lioness]

"To leave with me."