Eustace opened his eyes to find himself asleep under a tree with his textbooks spread all over. Must have fallen asleep studying again, he groaned. His books were open, lying next to the river and his heart sank a little as he realized he was still at Cambridge, not in Narnia, and probably late for exams on top of it.

"Oh Aslan, couldn't you have sent me back anyway?" he said to himself as he went to the river to collect his books. He leaned over and noticed there was something different about the river. He went closer and realized the thing he was looking at was a reflection... of... a lion?

In one movement Eustace had spun around and embraced the great lion that had been behind him the whole time. "Aslan! Oh Aslan thank you for bringing me back! Letting me see you again! Thank you for hearing me!"

"Welcome, son of Adam. I have heard your thoughts and wishes of returning to Narnia. But your journey here is not without a purpose."

"Yes, I rather expected that," Eustace admitted. Deep down, he thought he heard something like a chuckle emerge from the lion. "What am I to do?"

"Son of Adam, you should know by now that it is for you to discover. My hope in bringing you here this last time is that you will find answers to your questions for yourself. When the time comes you will know why you are here and what you must do." With that he roared and started to disappear.

"But – am I to be all alone?" his question came too late as the lion was already gone. "Typical," he said to himself. "He always goes just when I want him to explain." He stopped. Jill had once said that to him. Where was she? As far as he knew Aslan had never brought anyone to Narnia all alone. Lucy had said it was so they'd always have someone to talk to about it, as it is very frustrating having to keep something so wonderful a complete secret. It didn't make sense that Aslan would only bring him back and leave Jill behind. It wouldn't be fair.


Lady Adelaide was pleasantly surprised at the warm welcome she'd received from the Narnians. She remembered her grandfather's stories of the country's great beauty, but with current situations she wouldn't have expected such a friendly reception. The king had been very kind, but she suspected his good humor would fade once he read the terms she had brought.

The terms for peace were no more than the islands deserved, she told herself. She knew the list well enough - she had compiled it herself. Truth be told her father disliked her meddling in politics, but she couldn't help it. The Narnians may be well intentioned, but their laws were ancient and hadn't been reviewed in the past seventy-four years, not since Caspian the Tenth had sailed to their islands as a very young man. It was he that had removed the corrupt Governor Gumpas and named her grandfather the first Duke of the Lone Islands.

Her father, Lord Ageous was Duke now, but was very ill. He had governed the islands for over thirty years and wasn't expected to live much longer. Although he is well loved by the people, when he passes the responsibility for the run of the islands would go to her brother, Lord Karl. She did not want to see that happen.


Eustace had gathered his books together and placed them in his shoulder bag. It seemed rather ridiculous to take them around Narnia, but the university student in him knew he'd be dead if he lost them. Besides, he was grateful to have his bag, the water and crisps he had inside would probably be useful.

He had no idea where he was going, but thought it best to start by walking in the direction Aslan had appeared from. Always the East, Eustace smiled. By nightfall he knew he was headed East, as he recognized the road he was on as the road to Cair Paravel. The ancient road was a famous landmark in Narnia, as it was there that the High King Peter and his brother and sisters traveled from their battle with the White Witch to be crowned. Eustace smiled. The High King Peter, or Peter the Magnificent... to think that right now Peter Pevensie was working at a law firm in Oxford... Queen Susan the Gentle was in New York City blowing all her money on clothes... But here his cousins were legendary.

Well, enough reminiscing, he thought. It can't be by accident that I'm headed for Cair Paravel. With any luck I'll be there by tomorrow afternoon.


Rilian laid in bed wide awake. It was well past midnight, but he couldn't sleep at all. It was stressful enough knowing that in two more months he was to become a father (which both delighted and terrified him), but added the whole mess with the Lone Islands was just too much. Sleep wasn't even a possibility.

He finally gave up and got out of bed, careful not to disturb his wife who was sound asleep. He put on his robe and left the room. Although it was well into the hours of the early morning, the hall was well lit by torches and dotted by royal guards. Rilian went downstairs and through several rooms until he reached the throne room. There, in a cabinet, he pulled out the list that the Lady Adelaide had presented him with that afternoon.

Rilian read through half of the list before he became too tired to keep his eyes open. The demands were much more than he anticipated and he wondered at the Duke for having the nerve to present him with this. The idea! Some of these items are not only unheard of, but sound incredibly ungrateful to a nation that has governed it for centuries.

No, he thought, as he put the list away, this is certainly not going to be solved tonight. I suppose it's as well that I can't make the journey to the islands, I'll never agree to these demands. He closed his eyes, no, that's not me. I'll negotiate, I suppose. He returned to his room, knowing that he would have to have a few meetings with his advisors and consult the queen as to the best course of action. He certainly can't decide anything right now. He climbed into bed and watched his wife sleeping. Right now his first priority was to her, and she needed him now more than ever.


Eustace smiled at the banners carrying the scarlet crest of Aslan on them above the bridge of Cair Paravel. After traveling all night, he couldn't stop himself from dozing in the early hours of the morning. When he woke up, it took him a good five minutes to work out where he was, and why he was sleeping in his clothes.

The sight of the castle cheered him up greatly. It was every bit as beautiful as he remembered, and, he was glad to say, it didn't seem as though much had changed. Perhaps not much time had gone by here since his last visit. Judging by the sun, it couldn't be quite noon yet, and with Cair Paravel in sight he started to move a little faster with the thought of a full Narnian lunch awaiting him.

It was as he was descending the final hill between him and the drawbridge, it occurred to him that he had no idea how to get in. True, he'd never had trouble before, but then, there had always been someone he'd known to let him in. Not only did he have no one to introduce him this time, he had no one to ask for either.

He started to worry as he approached the gates, wondering just what in the world he was going to tell the guards. Unfortunately, nothing entered his head except to just go and tell the truth. But then, Narnian guards were not like English guards at all. Approaching one of the King's guards at Windsor Castle and asking to see His Majesty would either get you royally escorted off the premises, or simply laughed at. But here things were very different. Saying that you were sent by the Lion may just be enough. Well, here it goes...