~o*o~

If this is the first time you are reading this, please feel free to review, good or bad. I'd love to have your input.

The Enchanted Isle

"…[H]is eyes are like the rays of dawn...Smoke pours from his nostrils...His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from his mouth...When he rises up, the mighty are terrified...The sword that reaches him has no effect...he laughs at the rattling of the lance...he is king over all that are proud."

~ Job 41:18-34

The Sign of the Green Dragon

Seasickness: at first you are so sick you are afraid you will die, and then you are so sick you are afraid you won't die.

~ Mark Twain

Evan stumbled. The cobbles below his feet seemed to lurch; the buildings, solid brick that they were, were obviously going up and down. He felt sick; sick to his stomach. He reached out to steady himself and the red brick of the customs building leapt to meet him. His head spun.

Too long aboard a ship, he thought grimly, bother everything, and he had only just gotten his sea legs, too. It was disconcerting, this and embarrassing, grabbing out at everything for fear of falling, when in reality everything was perfectly solid and not planning on going anywhere for a good long time. He clutched at the cream painted woodwork of the trim on the customs building, then gathered his courage and set out towards the next nearest building with hopes of reaching it and clutching it for dear life.

Suddenly, a high wave rolled underfoot and Evan nearly lost his balance. A strong hand caught his shoulder and he glanced around to see a tall man grinning down at him. Young, probably not much more than twenty, but somehow noble and imposing.

"Just off a ship, lad?" the man asked.

Evan nodded, "The land – the land is very – unsteady…"

The man threw back his head and laughed and Evan jerked to steady himself. There was a particularly strong swell underfoot.

"What's your name, lad?" the man asked.

"Evan, sir," Evan replied.

"Well, Evan, come to the tavern, I'll buy you a drink," The man tousled Evan's coppery hair.

Evan stared at him, then squared his shoulders, "Thanks," he said as nonchalantly as he could.

"Right," the man said, "The Green Dragon is just a short walk from here," he checked himself and glanced at Evan, his eyes twinkling, "or shall I say, a short sail from here?"

Evan grinned wryly.

"By the way," the man said, as Evan lurched after him, "You can call me Gavin."

Evan nodded and glanced around himself. So this was Paravel. The place of his waking dreams. The streets were wide and cobbled and tall, beautiful brick and stone houses stood above them. There were gardens and people and animals going this way and that. It was a surprisingly large place, considering it had only been here five years.

Behind them a forest of tall spars rose from where the shipyards and docks were and above them, towering into the sky on a great hill, was a castle.

"Is that Cair Paravel?" Evan asked, pointing.

"No," Gavin replied, "That is the butcher's shop."

Evan stopped still and stared at him, "Really?"

Gavin burst out laughing again, "Yes, that is Cair Paravel."

Evan stood staring at him, then his face went red and he stamped his foot. Gavin cocked his head, bemused.

"You are a very strange little boy," Gavin commented.

"I'm not – little!" Evan snapped.

Gavin shrugged, then looked up, "The Green Dragon!"

Evan looked up at a sign swinging overhead. It was black and gold with a stylized green dragon scrolled across it. Flame leapt from the dragon's open mouth and its wings were arched over its back.

"Would you fight a dragon?" Evan asked, trotting after Gavin into the inn.

"Not in my right mind, I wouldn't," Gavin replied.

"That's what I was afraid of," Evan said sadly.

~o*o~

Gavin was a fine host. He ordered Evan a pint of ale, then bought supper too.

"Really couldn't let you go away hungry," Gavin had said, "You're skinny enough as it is."

Evan didn't complain, but tucked into the food with relish. He really hadn't been eating properly the last few days, weevils in the ship's biscuits were rather revolting…and the other glop they called food…well, it didn't bear mentioning. He didn't have any money, anyway.

"Have you any money, lad?"Gavin asked.

Evan shook his head.

"Well then, I'll rent you a room, too," Gavin said.

"You really couldn't," Evan said, "Honestly, you needn't do that!"

"Oh, I don't mind," Gavin said, "You don't appear to belong to anyone, so I might as well."

Evan shook his head.

Gavin shrugged, "It will have to go empty, then."

Evan gave in.

~o*o~

That night, Evan was able to dive into a real bed for a change. He still felt like the ground was going up and down and once he got into the bed, he clutched his pillow as the mattress swayed gently like a hammock at sea. But the sensation was very much less than it had been. Eating had helped.

Evan stared at the crack of light slanting across the floor from under the darkness where the door was. Tomorrow? Get to the castle? It was the only choice…get to see the king? How possible was that?

He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

A/N: Ha ha! Rose and Psyche strike again! (This is in the same Universe as the first three, but it stands alone. It is not necessary to have read the last three).