Further disclaimer: Edmund's first line in this act is basically a rewording of a line from Tolkien's Return of the King. It was just so good I had to use it!

And so the tragedy concludes...


Act III

Scene: The room of the High King at Cair Paravel. PETER stands there, his face scarred from where his eyes were removed. His only support is a rough, wooden cane. He leans on the cane, his back bent with a weariness that makes him look much older than his years.

PETER:
Hark, what is this I hear? Ah, it is the bells ringing for the noon hour. The sun is at its zenith; its faint heat I feel through this window barred. I suppose the light is golden. Golden as the Lion's fur, bright as His eyes. No, no, I would not wish to see His eyes upon me as I am: broken body, ruined soul.

PETER paces slowly across the room.

I blame no other but myself, my grave pride. What fool I have been! Lucy, beloved sister, how you would weep to know my sins! In grief I sent away our dear Edmund, brother always-loyal. Why did I discount his warnings, he who is great in discernment? I called him faithless, accused him of your jealous murder, when ever he has guarded his family, even at cost to himself. My pride, through traitor's words, bid me exile my Just shield; right it is, then, that I should fall to traitor's justice.

KEEKIPEEP, a Talking Mouse, enters left, unnoticed by PETER.

But, oh Lucy, not only I suffer for my sins: as when a mother eagle who falls to a predator's claws, leaving her nestlings helpless, so Narnia now lies vulnerable to a vulture's beady eye. For her Valiant Queen lies silent in her tomb. Her High King is shattered; Magnificent no longer. Her Just King…pray Aslan that he lives still, but none know even where he lays his head at night. And, this most grievous fault mine, Narnia's Gentle Queen held captive by the embrace of her own husband. Does she know of Agisto's evil, or do his words take her sight as his hands took mine? Ah, let her not suffer that in my pride I did not protect her!

He stops pacing. KEEKIPEEP moves closer.

What! Who is here? Announce yourself!

KEEKIPEEP:
Your royal majesty, I am Keekipeep, loyal knight and servant of the High King and his siblings. It has taken me many months, but I have been able to infiltrate Cair Paravel in the hope of finding and freeing your majesty and your majesty's sister. Command me, my lord, and it will be so!

PETER:
Faithful Mouse, may you be blessed for your courage and devotion! I bid you now, tell me news of my gentle sister.

KEEKIPEEP:
Queen Susan is well, so we believe, but remains far from the sight and sound of her loyal subjects. It is thought that Agisto, traitorous wolf, keeps her occupied with trivial matters and worry over your majesty's false illness. Her devoted friends have disappeared, replaced by fawning sycophants under the paw of her faithless lord.

PETER:
And has there been news of…of King Edmund, my brother? Ah, cursed be the day I named him exile! If ought has happened to him, my soul would break in my guilt.

KEEKIPEEP:
Oh, but my lord! It is none other than the Just King who graciously allowed me the honor of breaching Agisto's net and seeking news of your majesties, his siblings.

PETER:
Praise Aslan, my brother lives!

KEEKIPEEP:
Lives and awaits your command, sire. Many Narnians have fled to King Edmund's banner: having heard the tale the Usurper uses to hold your majesty captive, he seeks only to know of his siblings' situation, and to hear his king's command, before he will bring the full force of his army against Cair Paravel.

PETER:
Who am I to command a king, I who am not worthy of the crown given me? If the Just King requires it, though, I give him that command: to return and free Narnia from the tyranny that oppresses her. And I give this command to you, Sir Keekipeep: seek out my sister, Susan, and relate to her all you know of Agisto's treacherous works. If she demands proof, give her this; it is a small, wooden ring of no material value, but in the circle is inscribed designs known only to the Four Sovereigns. But do no risk your life to do so, cousin, for word must get to King Edmund.

KEEKIPEEP:
It will be as you say, Your Majesty. I am ever your servant.

KEEKIPEEP exits left

PETER:
Hope blooms now in my heart, once cold with dread fear.
May the Just King come and set Narnia right.
Aslan, I pray to thee.

end scene.

.

Bridging Scene: A balcony overlooking the lands around Cair Paravel. SUSAN enters, looking into the distance.

SUSAN:

Ah, I can just see the battle taking place! It is as Sir Keekipeep said: loyal Narnians under the banner of my brother, Edmund, rallying against those who fight for my black-hearted husband. Curse my blindness, that I did not see through the honeyed words of Agisto before that valiant mouse brought word of my elder brother's own blindness! I should be there alongside Edmund, fighting for our land's freedom. No, I should have protested his exile firstly, instead of finding traitorous comfort in my sister's slayer. Agisto's words poured sweetly in my ears, his eyes burning into mine like embers. As a simpleton I let my heart be swayed, that I did not even care when my own sovereign rule slowly bled to his. I took his word as truth and so I did not even seek to comfort the brother I thought injured in battle, for he convinced me only ill could come of it.
Fool! Now you are trapped in your white-walled jail, forced to endure a hateful embrace for fear that your brother would suffer for every flinch. But now, now King Edmund returns to Cair Paravel! See, his army moves swiftly through the city: even now he draws close to the castle. Let Agisto beware the justice of Edmund…if the vengeance of Susan does not find him first.

SUSAN exits. end scene.

.

Scene: The High King's room in Cair Paravel. PETER sits in a small chair. Outside the sounds of battle reach his ears. AGISTO enters left.

PETER:
How goes the battle, Agisto? I hear the horns of King Edmund outside the castle walls. Your treachery reaches it ultimate end: Justice returns to Narnia!

AGISTO:
Your words are early for even yet my force will conquer. Narnia is mine. And here you sit, naught but a broken, shriveled rat. Where now is the great king riding his gallant steed to slay the dragon?

PETER:
Broken I may be: indeed you well know how my strength and courage have withered. As a whipped slave, I even cowered in your presence. No more! You speak truly, for I am no king. I am the worst of brothers, unworthy of love. But I am still a Narnian, child of Aslan, and no slave! You, though, are nothing more than a pitiful coward.

Enraged, AGISTO moves to slay PETER, but stops when he hears an ominous noise from outside.

Go Coward! A great king is even now at the doors to slay the evil serpent! Or will the snake only hide behind the chair of a blind man?

AGISTO exit left, sword drawn.

SUSAN (offstage):
It is not a king who shall kill the serpent, but a Queen wielding her sister's gifted blade!

AGISTO (offstage):
Ah! Cruel witch, you have slain me, your husband! But see, mine is the last stroke!

SUSAN (offstage):
No true husband are you, queen-slayer! I and my siblings are thus avenged in blood. Aslan, free me now from this mortal cage!

There is silence from without.

PETER:
Susan! Susan, I hear your voice! Alas, I reach out for her, but no gentle hand finds mine! My sin has spread further, taking the life of my last sister. Sweet Susan, you did not deserve such a wretch for a brother, who failed to protect you from harsh evil.

EDMUND enters left. He stands tall and strong, still fresh from fighting. His face is grave as he approaches PETER. The CHORUS and KEEKIPEEP follow silently.

EDMUND:
My king, I have come. What is my lord's command?

PETER:
Do not address me so! I hang my head in shame to be named the sovereign lord of a noble and just king much worthier to bear the title. Rightly should you be High King, for your faith and strength have always remained steadfast.

EDMUND kneels before his seated brother. He places PETER's left on his shoulder, the right on his bowed head.

EDMUND:
Brother, by the gift of Aslan, by election, by prescription, and by conquest, you are High King over all Kings in Narnia, Emperor of the Lone Islands, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Lion. No matter your past actions, my life, my loyalty, my love are always yours.

PETER slips from his chair to kneel facing EDMUND. He places his right hand on his brother's other shoulder.

PETER:
I do not deserve the love you give me, whose arrogance slew our beloved sisters. Had I heeded your words, had I seen the treachery of Agisto, our family would still reign in joy instead of despair and death. I deserve nothing but your anger. I beg you for it!

EDMUND:
I cannot give you what you seek, only my love and forgiveness. When I was traitor to family and land, so Aslan gave me loving mercy. Can I now refuse the same to one whose fault was only pride, not betrayal? Our sisters, dead, are punishment enough. Now it is that we must lean on brothers' love to guide Narnia to light again.

EDMUND helps PETER stand, keeping his hands on PETER's arms.

PETER:
Brother, what little there is left of my heart is yours: but you who have never wavered in love and faith are strong enough to stand without me, broken as I am. I cannot lead Narnia to a light I cannot see. In my blindness I will stumble and I will not drag you to the darkness with me, not again.

EDMUND:
Why do you speak like this? Let me be your eyes, Peter, and you will not stumble.

PETER:
The west was my soul's protector, and so it will be again, but only in the east might I first be healed. Edmund, brother, resume your sovereignty as I lay down my crown: I will not take it up again unless my soul is restored. I ask only for a ship and a crew willing to sail to the utter east, seeking Aslan's country: for only Aslan now can redeem me.

EDMUND:
Ai, you ask so much that I am loath to give! Am I to lose not only sisters, but brother as well? Is one to sit enthroned at Cair Paravel, alone with three empty chairs? But no, it is not for me to deny you seek Aslan. A ship and crew you shall have – the best of the Narnian fleet.

KEEKIPEEP:
Your Majesties, it would be my greatest honor to be first to pledge my sword and skill to this quest.

EDMUND:
Brave knight, so your pledge is accepted. May Aslan bless you for your courage and loyalty.

PETER:
We shall leave as soon as the ship and the rest of the crew may be assembled. Sir Keekipeep, I beg you begin the preparations.

KEEKIPEEP exits left and there is a lengthy pause before PETER speaks again.

My brother, I would ask your blessing on my quest.

EDMUND:
My blessing and my love I give you fully. May you find the redemption you seek, and return to Narnia with a freed soul. Your crown and throne will be kept ready for you. And it will never be said that I seek to rule alone, but ever will I be styled King under Aslan and the High King.
(softly)
Return to me, brother.

PETER:
Should it be Aslan's will, I will return, this I swear if my oath has any worth.

EDMUND:
Then I shall pray that Aslan will not deprive Narnia of her High King nor deprive her King his brother. Come, Peter, we will bury our Susan next to her sister and prepare you for your journey. And may that parting be the last of our sorrows.

EDMUND and PETER exit left.

CHORUS:
Here now our kings are reunited in love,
Fraternal devotion is restored at last
Though still we weep for two sisters and queens lost,
the light returns to a renewed Narnia
Tonight let the stars sing of darkness ended
The moon, shadowed now so the compass may shine
Let none forget the price of shadow's long reign
But Narnia freed still moves forth towards the light
Now begins the reign of the Just King alone
Until one day may return our High King healed
May blessings lie upon our beloved sovereigns!
Aslan, protect our land
Aslan, keep our kings
Aslan, now watch over us
Aslan's will be done

FINIS


I know this was a bit strange. I actually created a background for this where the poets of Archenland several centuries after the Golden Age decided to create tragedies and comedies, and their favorite subject was the Four Sovereigns of Narnia. (Edmund makes out the best since he ended up a favorite of Archenland due to the Defense of Anvard) If I'm inspired I may write an epilogue where the Four witness a performance of this play by the Archenland delegation at Prince Caspian's coronation.