Narnian fanfic
Caspian's Prophecy
Disclaimer. I do not own Narnia, Aslan, or anything C.S. Lewis created. I can only add. It's his work and I'll try my best to make it worthy of being a fanfic of the Chronicles of Narnia.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Chapter 1
An arrow whizzed by my head as I ran for my horse. It was not a regular arrow, but a crossbow bolt of the kind used by the Telmarines. I dodged again as another bolt flew by only inches from my head. The Telmarine soldiers were getting better, much better. I flung myself behind a tree and took off in the direction of my attacker. No use having someone on my trail who might report who I was trying to get to as well as me. As soon as I was headed in the right direction, I went into silent mode, my wood craft and skills working to their extreme potential, knowing that if I was caught by the ten soldiers that were following me, my chances of survival would be pretty good… it would take them at least a minute to kill me. A minute is a long time.
Taking my long bow from my back, I quietly placed an arrow on the string and took aim through the dark forest. It was midnight but I was used to the dark and the moonlight gave me ample light for shooting. The first arrow took the soldier farthest from me. In a trice, I was moving from my spot to another so the soldiers wouldn't be able to pin point my position. Two more soldiers went down. I could see the fear in their eyes, even in the dark, and I knew they were about to drop tails and run. I couldn't let that happen. If I and my friends were to survive, no report of this must ever get back to Miraz. It was a wonder they had followed me into the forest at all!
Three more soldiers went down, only four more to go. I dodged to behind a large oak and fit two arrows to my string, ripping off the fletching on one side of one arrow so it would fly slightly crooked. My arrows flew through the air silently, and two more soldiers went down without a noise. Only two left. I checked my quiver, plenty of arrows left.
A twig snapped behind me. Without even thinking, I pulled my dagger from its sheath, turned and threw all in one motion. I turned around quickly and plunged my other dagger into the stomach of the other soldier who had been sneaking up on me. He looked at me in astonishment as he slowly stiffened in death.
"You! Are… a…" he fell dead. I finished the sentence for him.
"Girl, I know."
Grimly, I wiped my daggers clean and went to retrieve my arrows. I had to hurry; Dr. Cornelius would be waiting for me. By now I had taken so long that he might have given up and gone back to the accursed castle. But I must at least try to see him. The centaurs had said that the time of the prophecy was coming soon, though they knew not what it was, and that we must be ready. Cornelius must be warned.
I cupped my hands around my mouth and made the owl call. My horse came carefully trotting up. I rubbed her neck affectionately. She was a talking horse, but despite her raised position, she allowed me to ride her. Normally, talking horses would never allow humans, or anyone for that matter, to ride them unless in great need. Alambil was different. She alone with her mate, Tarva, knew who Justin and I really were. She may have allowed me to ride her, but I spared her certain things like the ordinary gear of a horse. I rode her bareback and without bridle. She would not let me fall off unless I wanted to. She muzzled my arm softly as I rubbed her.
"Alambil, my old friend, I could have used you well this night, but I know that more than just those clumsy soldiers know that I'm here. Therefore, I must not be seen. I'll have to go to the castle on foot so not to attract attention. I'll try to be back by sunrise. If I'm not, tell Justin not to worry too much."
"Are you sure, Mariel? Cornelius has already been waiting for a long time, he may have given up. It will take a long time to cross the plain outside the castle on foot. What if you get there and he has already returned?"
I laid my hand on her nose. "Then I will search for him inside the castle. I know and understand your concern, my friend, but tonight could be the last night before the meeting of your name sake in the heaven's with that of your mate's. The Lady of Peace and the Lord of Victory have always denoted a prophecy fulfillment. Perhaps tonight will be the night. I honestly don't know. Tarva and Alambil do meet tonight, then do not expect me to return before dawn. Cornelius will need warning and with him, perhaps this prince he keeps telling me about."
"I will be ready, Mariel. While you are there, I will make my way up to the city and wait outside gates where I will not be seen. Then if you have need of me, I will be ready."
I ran my fingers over Alambil's ear fondly. "Very well, but do not be seen, the people of the city might think you a dumb horse to catch." I looked up at the moon: nearly a half an hour past midnight. "I must be going, my friend. Be careful."
She nickered after me as I ran. "The Lion be with you!"
Working my way across the great field toward the castle was easy since I was wearing my dark greens and browns that I always wore in the woods as well as my long black cloak. No sentries from the castle could have possibly seen me. I ran double just to make sure my presence would go unnoticed. I reached the city gates in good time. I checked the usual meeting spot that Cornelius and I used and it was deserted. He had given up on me. I sighed. Well, he did have good reason to want to be inside; it was nearly one o'clock in the morning! I was supposed to be there at midnight. Oh well. I would just have to go find him.
I looked up into the sky as I made my way toward the gates. What I saw stopped me dead in my tracks. I watched in fascination as the two planets, Tarva, the Lord of Victory and Alambil, the Lady of Peace, drew near to each other, preparing to cross paths with each other, right in front of the moon. The sight startled me slightly, I had seen it several times before, but no one in this age had seen it, other than Justin and myself that is.
I knew then that I and my mission were in danger, but I had to get to the doctor. I had to warn him that the prophecy would take place tonight. I had only another half an hour at most before the planets would cross and the prophecy would be fulfilled.
I took a deep breath and crept to the gate. It was still open, to my relief. I began walking quickly through dark streets of the city, listening for the tramp of metal boots. My own soft leather boots and long mottled brown skirt made no noise on the cobblestone streets. I reached the drawbridge to the castle and watched from the shadows as a guard walked back and forth, patrolling the bridge.
Now the castle and the city were built on a rocky plateau that was almost impossible to climb and even the castle and the city were cut off from each other by a huge gorge that was spanned by a drawbridge, therefore making the only entrances to the castle and city from the gate and the drawbridge. The gorge I was standing next to was incredibly deep so I knew if I fell trying to get across, there was no way I was coming back up alive.
Quickly, I formulated a plan while tying my cloak around my waist so it would not billow out. It was risky, but the guards weren't too brilliant and I knew I would be able to pull it off with ease. I waited until the guard turned and started walking away from me, toward the castle, then I ran silently out and across the bridge. I walked behind him until I reached the pillars of stone that held up the drawbridge. I carefully stepped onto a small ledge that ran around the outside and tried not to look down at the horrendous drop as I waited until I heard the guard coming back toward me. As he walked past, I worked my way around the pillar, always keeping it between him and me until I was well on the other side of the pillar. I quietly jumped onto the bridge and ran for the gate.
Once inside the open gate, I worked my way around the edge of the courtyard, keeping to the shadows, until I was able to reach a door that I knew led me inside the castle. I knew approximately where the doctor's study was and I made my way toward it.
As I passed what I thought might be the great hall or some such thing, I heard a scream. It was long and drawn out and another followed. It was a scream of intense pain. I crept to the door and placed my ear against it. Another scream rang out and then, silence. A door opened behind the one I was listening at and I heard the hard footsteps of a soldier. I shrank back into the shadows beside the door, but the footsteps stopped. I was standing next to a window and I chanced a glance out as I listened. What I saw made my heart stop in my throat. Tarva and Alambil had just crossed paths. The prophecy had been fulfilled, but what was it?
What I heard next made my blood run cold.
"My Lord Miraz, you have a son."
Miraz! The imposter, the pretend ruler of all Narnia was in that room! What was worse was I now knew what the prophecy held in store for us, the Narnians and I. The king had a son, the prince's life was in danger. The prince was our only hope of saving Narnia from Miraz. Caspian, next in line for the throne was about to lose his life to his uncle, Miraz, and I had to stop it.
My thoughts were cut off by a long sigh from behind the door. The slight grating of the voice in my ears told me it could only be one person; Miraz.
"The heavens have blessed us… you know your orders, General Glozelle."
I froze in horror. I was right outside the room in which stood the two most hated men in Narnia; the usurper king, the lord protector of Narnia, and his general. I heard footsteps and knew that the general was coming to the door. I fled down the hall toward Cornelius's study as swiftly and silently as my leather boots would allow.
I did not bother to knock when I got there. bursting through the door, I ran to the large figure lying on his bed in the corner, snoring. I shook the good doctor awake and he sat up with a start. I held my finger to my lips and put my hood down.
"The Lion's kingdom is in danger. The son of the usurper thirsts with his first cries for the blood of the rightful king."
Cornelius looked at me aghast then grabbed his glasses and a cloak and followed me out the door of his study. I put my hood back up as I followed him toward the prince's chambers. I felt a little awkward going into a young man's bedroom at night, but there was nothing for it. My only intention was to save his life. I stood at the foot of the prince's bed as Cornelius pulled back the curtains around it and laid a hand over the prince's mouth.
Caspian woke with a start then seeing that it was only his professor, he calmly removed his hand from his mouth and rolled over.
"Five more minutes." His accent was that of a Mediterranean Spaniard, dusty but smooth and languid. His voice was not as deep as some of his race that I had encountered.
Dr. Cornelius shook him again. "You won't be watching the stars tonight, my prince. Come, we must hurry."
Caspian must have sensed his professor's urgency and got up. He was a tall, tan boy about seventeen with long dark hair and deep brown eyes. He looked a little taken aback when he saw a girl of about sixteen standing at the foot of his bed in the cloths of a woodsman… plus a skirt, her long curly red hair tied back and a bow, arrows and daggers strapped to her slim form. I did not smile at his confused look, I only motioned him to follow his instructor.
"Professor, what is going on?" the prince asked.
"Your aunt has given birth." He said.
"To a son." Answered his still perplexed look. His tan face went white and he quickly followed Cornelius into the wardrobe. I was not far behind him.
Caspian nearly shut the door to the wardrobe but he heard the quiet tramp of heavy shod feet coming toward his door so he left it open a crack and I watched with him as ten soldiers came quietly into the room and aimed their crossbows at Caspian's bed. At the signal from the general, the bolts zipped into the canopied bed until the curtains were ripped away to reveal only a mass of feathers torn from the bed, not the body of a prince. Cornelius had already gone through the secret passage at the back of the wardrobe and I pulled Caspian to follow as well.
I brought up the rear as Cornelius led Caspian and myself to the armory and stables. While Caspian was grabbing his armor, a sword and some supplies, Cornelius saddled the prince's horse, Destier. I fastened a cloak around Caspian's neck and secured his light armor as he pulled his satchel over his head.
He mounted his black stallion and I swung up behind him. Cornelius had prepared two horses, but I knew that Alambil would be waiting for me outside the city walls, so I decided to ride with Caspian until we found her.
Dr. Cornelius looked up at Caspian. "You must make for the woods."
Caspian looked slightly puzzled. "The woods?"
"They won't follow you there." the professor answered.
I chuckled dryly. "They followed me into the woods once already this night."
Cornelius gave me a sharp look. "Mariel knows the woods, Caspian, she will keep you safe." Caspian looked a little offended that a girl would have to defend him, but the doctor shook his head. "Trust me, Caspian, there is only one other that I would more willingly trust my life to, and Mariel is not far behind him!"
He handed Caspian a wrapped object with a shape that I recognized well. It was a horn. "It has taken me many years to find it. do not use it except at your greatest need."
Caspian tucked the object into his satchel and looked down at his beloved professor. Caspian's parents were dead and his uncle treated him with distain… in fact, the evil man was trying to kill him, so Caspian looked up to his teacher almost as his father. "Will I ever see you again?"
"I hope so, my dear prince. There is so much I meant to tell you. Everything you know is about to change."
"Come with us, Cornelius." I urged.
"No, I am to slow." He shook his head. I reached out and clasped his hand warmly.
"The peace and strength of the Lion, old friend."
I jerked my head up as I heard the alarm sounded.
Cornelius slapped Destier on the flanks. "Now go!"
We rode through the courtyard and knocked over a soldier. Two of the guards crossed their pikes to stop us but we bowled them over as well, Caspian grabbing one of the pikes as he did so. I pulled out my bow and arrows and shot the guard patrolling the bridge as Caspian knocked another off his feet with the handle of the pike. We rode across the bridge and into the town without incident.
Halfway through the city, Caspian stopped Destier and the horse reared. As we looked back, the fireworks started to go off behind the castle. A crier at the top of the highest turret began to shout.
"A son! A son! Queen Prunaprismia has blessed Lord Miraz with a son!"
I nudged Caspian and we took off again. Once out of the gate, Alambil trotted up to us and I flung myself off of Destier without waiting for Caspian to stop. The prince was momentarily horrified when he felt me leave the horse, but when he pulled Destier up and saw that I was already leaping up onto Alambil, he sighed with relief. I bent over Alambil's neck and squeezed with my knees to stay on and she took off as I motioned to Caspian to follow.
I could already hear the horses of the soldiers coming down the streets behind us as we left the causeway and dashed across the plains toward the woods. I threw a glance at Caspian and saw that he was watching me, obviously in wonder that I could ride without saddle or bridle. I just smiled as I realized that he did not know that Alambil was a talking horse. He would find out well enough.
I kept low as I looked back to see where the soldiers were. They were a good way behind us, but I didn't want to take any chances. I pulled an arrow out and laid it on the string, waiting for the right moment. I motioned to Caspian to keep low as we entered the forest.
We were some distance into the woods when I glanced back and saw that the soldiers had stopped at the edge of the woods, they stayed for a moment and then cautiously began to follow. I knew they were afraid of the stories they had heard about the woods. I pulled my bow back and let fly. A solder fell, but the threat of a cell and possibly death spurred them on. I held on to my bow and kept low as I rode after Caspian, who had taken the lead.
He obviously didn't know where he was going, but that was okay since the if the soldiers ever caught us, they would be less likely to be able to find their way back or even be able to find my hiding place again. Caspian led us over hills, and across the river and then back into the woods. the soldiers seemed to be getting closer all the time, but when we reentered the woods, they seemed to loose us for a time. I saw Caspian look back to see where the soldiers were. They were out of sight.
I did not have time to tell him to watch out. When he looked back up, he was looking straight at a fallen tree. Destier ran under it, but Caspian struck his head and fell off his horse. I was just barely able to swing down beside Alambil as we ran under the fallen log. When I regained my seat, I saw that Caspian's horse had kept going and the poor prince was being dragged along by his foot which was still stuck in the stirrup! Finally, Caspian was able to get his foot free and he lay were he fell as his horse galloped off into the night.
I jumped off Alambil as she skidded to a halt and ran to Caspian. He was breathing hard and a little blood trickled from his head, but he was fine. He lay still for a while, trying to shake off the impact of his head meeting tree trunk.
I went back to Alambil. "Go on back to Justin. Tell him where we are, we'll be fine since we're close to Trufflehunter's house. Tell Justin to meet us here." Alambil nodded and trotted off.
Caspian sat up as I returned to his side. He looked around, a little frightened. "Where are we?"
"Somewhere near a friend's house, but I'm not exactly sure where it is. Be calm, my prince, but we must get away from here. Those soldiers will have found our trail by now."
We both jumped as a small door in a tree opened and two dwarves ran out. I sighed in relief but Caspian was dumbstruck. Both dwarves had short swords in their hands and it was clear that they did not trust Caspian. They paid no attention to me as they ran forward.
"He's seen us!" the black dwarf said to his friend.
The red dwarf drew his sword and ran toward Caspian. They stopped when they saw the horn lying near the prince. I was about to explain the misunderstanding to them all when I looked over and saw Telmarine soldiers coming over the hill. The red dwarf motioned to Caspian.
"Take care of him!" I nodded, not knowing what he meant and charged with the red dwarf toward the soldiers.
Caspian, out of fear, grabbed the horn and blew to the sky.
That was the last I saw of him as I led the soldiers away from my friend's hideout. But there were too many of them and before I knew it, the red dwarf, who's name was Trumpkin, had been bashed over the head and laid flat. I turned to protect my friend, but just then, a crossbow slammed into the back of my head and I fell unconscious.