Part Two: Narnia
The black horse galloped through the forest, following the faded remains of a once forgotten trail. The stallion tossed his head and let out a whinny. The young man riding him reined the horse in slightly as they rounded a bend. His dark hair was turned auburn in the sunlight as it flew back from his handsome face. He had once ridden through the wilderness in terror, fleeing from a certain death. He now enjoyed the peaceful solace of a freed world.
"Whoa, Destrier," the young man called to his horse. He had caught sight of something that glinted out of the corner of his eye. Turning Destrier, they walked cautiously further from the path. The horse stopped in front of a fallen tree blocking the way, and so the young man jumped down and climbed over the barricade. The growth had become dense and thorny away from the path. The young man slowly drew his sword as he struggled onward. As he came closer, he could make out a vague shape of something lying in the ferns. He nearly dropped his sword in shock upon discovering that the form was of a young woman. He knelt beside her and gently brushed aside the hair that was covering her face. She was as pale as a porcelain doll, but her pink cheeks betrayed a hint of life. Aside from being bruised and cut rather badly, she seemed to be alright. The cuts were deep, however, and she was bleeding in several places. A few shards of glass stuck in her skin. She was obviously no danger, and so the man sheathed his sword and bent down to pull the glass out. Once he had taken every last shard out of her wounds, he gingerly picked up the girl. Walking slowly back to Destrier, he pondered where this mysterious girl had come from and how she had been injured. His thoughts flashed to the north. There had been recent uprisings; perhaps she was an escaped prisoner. He would just have to wait until she regained consciousness to find out.
. . .
When Eve finally awoke, she opened her eyes to find herself lying upon a soft sofa. Her head was throbbing painfully and for a moment, she thought she was dead. Then as her eyes adjusted to the bright light, Eve realized that she was in a small study. Bookshelves lined the walls and a heavy oak desk sat in one corner. A stack of parchments lay next to the desk and-
"You're awake," a tall man with dark features commented. He was sitting a few feet from the sofa on a dark, wooden chair. His expression was concerned. "I had thought- never mind. What is your name?"
"Eve…" Eve was confused. Was she dead after all? Who was this man and where was she? "Am I dead?"
The man blinked. "No," he answered after a hesitation.
"Then where am I?"
"You are in Telmar," he answered simply. There was a noble air about him.
"Telmar?" Eve narrowed her eyes. "Where is that?"
The man looked confused. "In Narnia, of course."
"Narnia?" I think I am dead. "I've never heard of Narnia."
The man pondered this and then suddenly leaned forward in his seat, an excited expression on his face. "You are from another world, aren't you? From High King Peter's world."
"Peter? I don't know who that is. I don't know anything." Eve struggled to remember what had happened to her before she had woken up, but there was a brick wall in front of that memory.
"King Peter comes from another world, a place called England. He and his brother and two sisters reigned over Narnia long before me."
"Who are you?"
"I am King Caspian the tenth," he spoke with a light Spanish accent, Eve now noticed.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know." Eve blushed.
"It's alright." His dark, brown eyes searched hers as if he was trying to draw out information.
"You say I am from another world?" Eve asked, pondering his earlier words.
"Yes. You somehow found a sort of portal into Narnia. It has been known to happen." He hesitated, and then asked, "How did you get all those bruises and cuts, do you remember?"
"I don't know. I just remember bright lights and sudden excruciating pain, and then I lost consciousness. I remember thinking that the pain would kill me. I really can't seem to remember much of anything before I woke up here."
"I found you in the forest near Lantern Waste. You were unconscious. Perhaps I should call a medic, those cuts need to be cleansed and bandaged," Caspian suggested.
Eve nodded, suddenly feeling dizzy. Black dots started to invade her vision and her ears started to ring. She was too overwhelmed by what Caspian had told her. Another world? Narnia? She closed her eyes and felt as if she was going to black out. "Eve?" Caspian asked in a worried tone. Eve could barely hear him, she lay her head back on the couch and let herself slip into unconsciousness. The last thing she remembered was feeling a cold hand on her forehead and then she passed out.
. . .
"Will she be alright?" Caspian asked the medic who came to examine Eve. The man straightened and put his bag aside.
"Yes, she just needs some rest and clean bandages in the morning," the medic confirmed. "You say there were shards of glass in her wounds?"
"Yes, as if she had been thrown from a window; it was awful." Caspian's eyes moved to the unconscious form. She appeared so frail, hardly breathing and pale. Her golden hair was tangled and parts of it were stained with blood.
"She should be moved to a more comfortable arrangement when she awakes," the medic told Caspian. "And make sure she doesn't strain herself." He picked up his bag and turned to leave. Caspian sat down again and watched Eve. His eyes moved down her arms, taking in the bandages, and then to her face where he observed a few bruises. He felt a surge of anger. Who could have hurt an innocent girl like this? What harm could she have done to someone? He wondered whether she had come from the same place as Susan. Certainly the same world, but had they ever met each other? Closing his eyes, Caspian pictured her lovely face, her glowing blue eyes, her full red lips, and her dazzling smile. He wondered if he would ever see her again. Opening his eyes, Caspian fought back the pain and disappointment that threatened to overtake him. It had been unfair how she had left before they even got to know each other. I wish we could have had more time together… Caspian played the words over in his head.
"No… Stop!" Caspian looked up as he heard Eve cry out. Her face was distressed and she tossed in her sleep. "No!" Eve practically screamed out.
Caspian ran to her side and gently touched her shoulder. "Eve?"
Eve opened her icy blue eyes and shuddered. Then she turned her head away from Caspian, but not before he saw a tear run down her cheek. He sat back down and waited as Eve collected herself. "Sorry."
"For what?" Eve just shook her head. "I've had a medic look at you, and you'll be fine."
Eve nodded, looking down at her bandages. "Thanks."
"Do you need anything, you're very pale," Caspian asked in a quiet voice, thick with concern.
Eve shook her head. "You've done enough already."
"At least let me help you to a room with a bed once you feel up to walking," he offered. "I can't imagine it's very comfortable lying there."
"Why am I here?" Eve suddenly asked. "In Narnia, I mean."
Caspian's face was now grave. "I'm not sure," he answered earnestly. "But I know it is because you were meant to be here." Eve smiled slightly.
"Alright, I think I'm okay walking. A bed does sound nice right now." Caspian helped her up and put an arm around her waist to support her. Eve leaned on him, letting the young king guide her to a small bed chamber down the hallway.
"You must be starving by now," Caspian commented as he opened the door for her and helped her lay down again.
"Yes, I suppose I am." Eve noticed now that her stomach was very tight and that she was famished.
"I'll have something sent up to you." Caspian left the room only to return a few minutes later with a tray of food. While Eve ate, he sat down on the end of the bed and stared off into space, deep in thought.
"You don't have to waste your time here with me. I'll be fine. I'm sure you have other duties to attend to," Eve finally said, trying not to sound rude, only concerned.
"For the time being I have no other duties," Caspian answered. "Unless you would like me to leave. You may want to be alone." He started to stand, but Eve motioned for him to stay, embarrassed by her own words.
"No, that's alright. I just didn't want you to feel obligated to stay." She blushed and continued to eat. Caspian sat down again and watched her curiously.
"So you say that you do not know who Peter is. Have you heard of Susan? Susan Pevensie?"
Eve pondered the name. "The last name does sound familiar, now that you mention it. I suppose she could have gone to the same school as me." She wondered at the sad look that flashed through Caspian's dark, brown eyes. "You say she was queen?"
"Yes, all four of them were the rulers of Narnia 1300 years ago."
"1300 years? Then how did you know them?" Eve was astonished.
"Time does not change the same in both worlds. One year in Narnia can equal a thousand in your own world," he answered.
"A thousand? Then will I ever get back? Everyone I know will be dead!" Eve sat up, frantically searching Caspian's eyes.
"I do not believe time passes in your world when you are here," Caspian consoled her.
"Oh." What a strange world.
"You should get some rest. I will check up on you later, but in the mean time, my room is just next door if you need anything." Caspian stood and took the tray from Eve.
"Thank you." Eve laid her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. Narnia…
Eve was running through a forest. She was being followed by something frightening and she needed to escape it. Fear coursed through her as she ran. Suddenly she noticed that she wasn't going anywhere. Her feet just wouldn't move and it was the forest around her that was moving. The trees swayed back and forth, walking, dancing, even singing, so it seemed. Eve stopped trying to run and stood petrified as the fearful object came closer and closer. Suddenly she felt a rush of hot air and it was right behind her. She turned and screamed, falling down to the forest floor. Her fear, however, was instantly replaced when she looked into the glowing golden eyes of what had been following her.
"Welcome, child."