Hi again! Sorry I took a while. Lots of things going on. Teen Camp, new baby brother (I'm squealing for joy!), helping mom, orchestra practice, an upcoming conference, etc. Repost again.
Thanks again for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far.
Lady Jill Pole: Thanks for pointing out the errors for me! :)
PippinBaggins: We'd be best buds if we met!
Shahzadi: I'm glad that pointed the problems to me. I couldn't point out what was wrong with the story. Took your advice and did my best on the next few chapters. Thanks again!
psychpineapplelover: Thanks for giving me tips. Sorry you're not writing anymore.
Author's Note: I skipped two days of my visit 'cause paritally I couldn't think of anything, but mostly it would be boring and pointless.
Disclaimer: I don't anything of Narnia or Narnia itself. They belong to C.S. Lewis. I only own myself (Faith) and Rovin who you'll see in this chapter.
Two days later…After dinner (or supper they call it):
"Bu-but Faith, you can't leave," begged Trufflehunter, "You don't know what's out there and you're still weak."
"The others might hurt you," Trumpkin put in, "and there are the Telmarines if you leave the woods."
"Not to mention the wild animals still wandering," mumbled Nikabrik and then said out loud, "Just let her go, Trufflehunter. She's been no good to us. And look. She wants to leave us."
"That's enough, Nikabrik. She's been a good girl to us," said the badger sternly and turned to me, "What are you going to do out there, Faith?"
"Look. Thanks for taking care of me and all, but I'm not accomplishing anything here," I reasoned. "I'm just eating, sleeping, and…pooping. If I go out of the woods, I'm sure they wouldn't hurt me if I am human."
Nikabrik piped in, "She's right, Trufflehunter. She's done nothing here so far so just let her go."
"Nikabrik, you're not helping," murmured Trumpkin.
I rolled my eyes. "Thank you. Someone finally agrees with me," I drawled sarcastically, "Shut up! Did I ask for your opinion?" I scoffed. "See? This is one of the reasons why I need to leave. I can't get along with here Nickelodeon at all."
Both Nikabrik and Trumpkin gave me puzzled looks. "Nick-what?"
I turned to the badger in frustration. "Trufflehunter, I just can't wait here. I have to look for Robyn myself…if she is here."
"I'm not sure the Telmarines will believe your story," said the Narnian with uncertainty. "They're afraid of anything that comes out of the woods. Just stay here, Faith. Maybe Aslan wants you to wait."
"Please, please. Not now. I'm sorry, but we've had this conversation before. And I don't to go through another emotional breakdown." I mentally glared at the dwarfs. "Where I come from, waiting and doing nothing accomplishes – nothing. Got it?"
Trufflehunter sighed. "Patience, Faith. You need to learn patience." He was starting to sound like Yoda. Ha ha ha! Star Wars.
"Yes, Master Yoda-well what do I need to be patient for?" I argued. "I've waited for the past three days and nothing's happened."
From what I saw, Trufflehunter had a pleading face, Trumpkin was just gazing at me, and Nikabrik looked as if he was eager for me to get out of their lives.
"You guys, especially you, Nicholae, don't want me here."
Nikabrik just about lost it."That's it! I've really had enough of you!" Nikabrik went mad almost every time I didn't say his real name.
But as soon as he stood up, Trumpkin shoved Nikabrik to lay face forward and restrained the going-mad dwarf from getting up. Then Trufflehunter went over and literally sat on Nikabrik's head with the black dwarf's muffled shouting. This didn't surprise me because it was the third time I watched the scenario.
"Huh. This is what…your tenth time and you're still not learning from it," I said, crossing my arms.
The badger gave me a warning look and said, "If you don't pipe down and watch your attitude, you're next."
I plopped down on the floor with a grumpy face, not wanting to experience what Nikabrik was going through. Trufflehunter continued to sit on Nikabrik until the dwarf's shouting died down. When Trufflehunter was done with his little punishment, things settled down a bit. Trufflehunter got off of Nikabrik, and Nikabrik muttered things under his breath.
"You're here for a reason, Faith," stated Trufflehunter as if nothing happened.
"I think we settled that already," I muttered.
"I mean, maybe you're here to help us," said Trufflehunter gesturing to the dwarfs and himself.
"I... Uh oh. Red flag waving. Oh no no no no no! That is a bad -really bad thing (well technically no, but…)! Trust me. You don't want a Mary Sue here. No, you don't want to know what a Mary Sue is to begin with. They're totally opposite of what you want. And they'll make you do things you'll never imagine you'll do or say. They're evil." There was a mysterious silence.
"Well, maybe-"
"I'm not done yet. Second point, I'm no heroine. Look at me. I'm just a teenager-er I mean a young…girl. I don't have any fighting skills, and I'm not that athletic. I can't face a whole army of Telmarines, let alone my phobia of insects. Even if I did have fighting skills, what am I supposed to do to help?" I sighed dolefully.
The Narnian badger tried to say something, but I cut him off again. "Sorry, but I'm leaving tomorrow and that's final. Period."
With that, I "zipped" my lips, got up and started for the bedroom. But as I started for the bedroom, I dashed my forehead against the door frame of the entrance.
"Be careful," advised Trufflehunter with a chuckle. I could tell that Trumpkin was smiling, and Nikabrik was snickering.
"Thank you, I appreciate the tip," I groaned, rubbing my forehead.
"Shh," said Trufflehunter suddenly with his ears perked up. "Do you hear that?" Everyone froze.
I heard nothing. "Hear what?"
"That," responded Trufflehunter.
Gradually, I heard a distant galloping horse outside, and everyone else stiffened.
"I sure do," replied Nikabrik, drawing his sword.
"Yeah. I hear it. Maybe it's just a stray horse or one of your Narnian horses," I guessed with a shrug. "Don't you normally get that?"
"No." Trufflehunter shook his head. "There's a human with him. Can't you tell by the sound? The horse is panting heavily too."
"Well, let us find out," said Trumpkin, getting his sword.
I gawked. "Say what? We're going out there?"
"Come on, Princess."
"Wait. Since when did you start calling me Princess?" I asked.
He didn't answer. Everyone else was starting to the entrance while I lagged behind feeling a little uneasy.
"Stay near me, Faith," called Trufflehunter.
I nodded wordlessly and came up behind the badger with Trumpkin and Nikabrik in front of us. When we were all crowded near the entrance, we all listened quietly as the galloping came nearer and nearer. A second later, I heard a gradual sound of dragging with the horse and someone struggling.
"Does this normally happen?" I whispered.
"Shh," shushed the latter. I kept my mouth shut from then on.
By now, the galloping was really close, and the struggling went on. Soon enough, the sound of struggling abruptly stopped in front of us with a thud and a groan. The galloping died away too with an eerie silence following. We all waited for the next sound, but nothing came except the crackle of the fire in the room which was getting scary.
"I'll go first," Nikabrik said quietly.
All of us nodded as we prepared ourselves for the unknown. My heart was beating fast, and my palms were sweating.
"Well, here it goes," sighed the black dwarf, and then he opened the door with the fresh, night air softly blowing on my face.
After the door had opened, I thought I heard a small gasp and a rustle. Nikabrik and Trumpkin ran out and stood in front of my vision to the outside.
"He's seen us," said Nikabrik intensely, staring at something outside.
Who's seen us? I tried to get a look but Nikabrik was in the way. What's going on?
Trumpkin instantly drew his sword, and ran out to face the problem enabling Trufflehunter and I to see what was outside. But I heard Trumpkin stop with Nikabrik slowly following him. When I finally managed to get full vision of the woods, I saw what it was; Trumpkin was staring at a guy who was sitting on the ground and looked as if he had been dragged a moment ago. So that's what caused the dragging. The guy's legs were sprawled, his sword was a few feet away, and a strangely shaped horn was a foot or two in front of him. He was staring at Trumpkin and Nikabrik who were still a few feet away from him with swords drawn. Even though there was moonlight, I couldn't really see this guy's face, but I could tell he was panicking by the way he shifted on the ground.
Soon, we heard more galloping coming from our left. This time we saw soldiers on horses coming on full speed in the distance. It seemed as if the dwarfs were confused of the situation, for they were not doing anything. But I was wrong.
When Trumpkin saw the soldiers, he glanced back at us and said, "Take care of him." Immediately, he literally ran toward the horses.
I gasped. You idiot! What are you doing? I turned my attention to Nikabrik, not wanting to see what would happen to Trumpkin.
Seeing his chance, Nikabrik started walking to the guy. But the g-(let's just start calling him Timmy now, okay?) Timmy had other plans; he didn't want to find out what Nikabrik was going to do to him. Before Nikabrik was even close to Timmy, Timmy fumbled for the horn.
"No!" exclaimed Nikabrik now running to Timmy.
As soon as Timmy grabbed the horn, he blew a sound that was so loud, so clear, beautiful in a way, and somewhat magical. It sounded as if it were calling someone or something from out of this world and as if the whole world heard it. But it was short lived. Next thing I knew, Nikabrik took the hilt of his sword and made a strike against Timmy's head. With that, Timmy dropped the horn with a grunt and fell limp to his side. Wow.
I glanced back at the soldiers who were a few feet away. I couldn't see their faces but I saw that all of them except one had beards. The leader of the group was still on his horse while the rest of them (seven of them to be exact) were dealing with Trumpkin. The poor dwarf's sword was taken from him, and he was being tied up and gagged. That was quick. How'd they do that? When they had finished tying him, two of the soldiers threw him onto an extra horse they had and covered Trumpkin with a cloak.
The leader of the group was eying the unconscious one lying on the ground and seemed hesitant on what he should do. When they were done with Trumpkin who had stopped struggling on the horse, all of them drew their swords and waited for their leader's command. Even though the soldiers looked fierce and everything, they had fear in their eyes when they looked around the woods.
Nikabrik who was now standing next to Timmy was in fighting stance, glaring at the men and waiting for any move. The men were all staring at the black dwarf.
"What is it? It's like the one we captured," a soldier asked in a thick, Spanish accent though not exactly Spanish when I listened carefully.
"I'm not sure," another soldier answered, "but it looks like one of those animals."
"Well I don't intend to find out now in these woods," said a third soldier. "General, let us please get out of these haunted places."
"You superstitious old women," the General muttered who didn't seem to care for their whining, "Take the other, and finish His Highness."
His Highness? Timmy? He's royalty? Is he a prince? A king? Is this an assassination I'm about to witness? What joy!
Four of the men slowly started to make their way to Timmy and Nikabrik. Not wanting to be seen, Trufflehunter and I backed quietly into the den, but we kept our heads out to see what would happen.
I shook the badger's shoulder to get his attention. "But what about Trumpkin and Nikabrik and that…guy?" I whispered in Trufflehunter's ear, "We can't just let the soldiers get away with it."
Trufflehunter didn't say anything but kept watching. Aren't you going to do anything about this?
I proceeded to watching.
As the Telmarines got closer and closer, Nikabrik just stood his ground. Pretty courageous for a midget like him.
"No. Stop," commanded the leader so suddenly.
They stopped in their tracks.
"Let's just go." The leader steered his horse towards the direction they came from.
Some of the soldiers were somewhat stunned while the beardless guy silently sighed with relief. I was astonished, and I think Nikabrik and Trufflehunter were surprised too.
"What?" some of the soldiers asked.
"We'll just leave him here."
The beardless guy started."But-" (He sounded young too.)
"They'll take care of him. Leave him alone."
"Lord Miraz will not like this," a soldier pointed out, "He wants it to be done."
"I know," replied the General coldly, "But I have no heart to kill him." (meaning Timmy.) "We'll go back and take the other creature. I don't want to stay here all night with beasts. But not a word of this is to get out. Understood?"
All the soldiers nodded, sheathed their swords, and mounted onto their horses…except for the beardless guy who was just looking at Timmy. I didn't know what it was, but there was something about him that l liked. Maybe he seemed different from the others. Apart from the no beard thing.
"Rovin," called the leader. Oh, that's his real name. Rovin...
Rovin didn't move.
"Rovin, let's go."
No answer.
"Rovin!"
"Oh…coming, Father." Father? Rovin slowly walked to his horse and mounted. "What will Lord Miraz say?" he asked, glancing at the bundle beside him.
"I am not sure, Rovin," responded the leader. "But I hope it's nothing against us."
All of them except the two steered their horses to the way they came from. As the others started to gallop away with poor Trumpkin captive, the leader and Rovin stayed for a moment and looked at Timmy. The leader started to show pity for Timmy but shook his head to brush away the emotion. He left leaving Rovin alone with Timmy and Nikabrik.
Rovin sighed. "I hope you make it. I never imagined that something like this would ever happen." Us? Is he showing remorse for this guy?
Soon, Rovin followed the others leaving unconscious Timmy on his own. We waited for a minute to make sure they were out of sight.
"Are they gone?" Trufflehunter wondered.
Nikabrik did a quick check. "Yeah. They're gone."
Trufflehunter and I finally went out to see Timmy.
"Telmarines," muttered the black dwarf as he shook his head. "I should've let them have it."
"Those were Telmarines?" I asked.
"Yep," replied Trufflehunter, examining the unconscious one. He was really interested in Timmy.
When I eyed the weird horn, I picked it up and handed it to the badger. "What it is?" I requested.
"It's a horn, stupid," overstated Nikabrik, "Isn't that clear to you?"
"No no no. I mean, what horn is it? Looks special."
The end of the horn was a lion's head with its mouth open, and the horn appeared to be very ancient.
Trufflehunter looked at me with surprise. "You don't know?"
I shook my head.
"That's Queen Susan's horn. It can call for help. Strange help they say."
"Which he did five minutes ago."
Nikabrik drew his dagger.
"What are you doing?" exclaimed Trufflehunter with a gasp.
"We're gonna kill him while we have the chance," answered Nikabrik, "We can't let this one get away. Faith, draw your dagger."
"But he didn't do anything," I reasoned.
"It doesn't matter. He's a Telmarine!" debated the other.
Nikabrik was about to drive the dagger into Timmy's chest, but Trufflehunter grabbed the dwarf's arm.
"Wait, Nikabrik. Look what he has." Trufflehunter showed the horn to Nikabrik.
"I don't care, Trufflehunter!" shouted Nikabrik, struggling with the badger's grasp. "He's our enemy!"
"Cut it out, Nikabrik!" I yelled, "Would you mind showing some mercy now? Can't you pity him? I mean, it looked like they were chasing him. What if you were in his shoes? Metaphorically speaking."
Nikabrik slowly lowered his dagger and then sheathed it back into place. He glanced back at Timmy and then the horn.
"Do you think that maybe he's the One? "asked Trufflehunter.
"No, I don't," replied Nikabrik icily, "He's just a Telmarine."
I was confused. "The One what?"
"I'll tell you later, Faith," said Trufflehunter.
I still couldn't see Timmy's face clearly in the moonlight even though I kneeled beside him. "You sure knocked him out clear," I remarked after lightly slapping Timmy's face a few times.
"Why, thank you," said Nikabrik.
There was a moment of quiet before Trufflehunter said, "Here. Help me take this one inside and get his things."
"What?" exclaimed Nikabrik and I at the same time.
"Personal jinx," I called.
Both of them stared at me.
"Never mind. It's a game in my world."
Trufflehunter continued. "Nikabrik, get his belongings, and Faith, pull him into the den."
Nikabrik didn't agree with this as neither did I. "No, he is not coming to our den, Trufflehunter," countered Nikabrik.
"But he could get hurt."
"He's fine on his own. Just leave him there. The others can take care of him."
"Nikabrik, the den is mine so I can bring this boy in if I want to."
"He's a Telmarine."
"Maybe he's the One. He has the horn for one thing."
"That doesn't matter. He stole it from us Narnians anyway."
"Trumpkin didn't give himself up for any reason, Nikabrik. He wants us to take care of this Telmarine."
Nikabrik became quiet for a minute. "Okay. I'll only take this boy in…for Trumpkin. That's it." Nikabrik started to gather Timmy's belongings.
Now it was my turn to argue. "Trufflehunter, what about Trumpkin?"
The badger ignored my question. "Faith, can you take him to the den?"
"I guess so, but…he looks heavy."
"Well, then you can drag him."
"Isn't that going to wake him up?"
"I don't think so, Faith. Now, are you going to take him?" asked Trufflehunter sternly.
"But I don't want to touch a guy! He has cooties," I whined. Hopefully no sweaty armpits.
Trufflehunter was getting exasperated. "Faith, just do it."
"But-"
"Just DO it." I heard Nikabrik snicker.
"Fine! I guess I'll feel better with human company," I muttered to myself. I growled as I positioned myself to drag Timmy to Trufflehunter's den. Here it goes. With a huff, I put my hands under his arms and then grabbed his shoulders. When I hoisted him up a little, his head limped down. "Oh my soul, he's heavy," My voice strained as I struggled to hold him. I think Robyn would be laughing at me now if she was here.
Trufflehunter went ahead to get something, and I slowly heaved Timmy to the den.
"This." I pulled Timmy, and then stopped. "Guy." Pulled, then stopped. "Weighs." Pull, stop. "A." Pull, stop. "Ton." Pull, stop.
Nikabrik just followed me with a sneer on his face. Now getting Timmy through the doorway was a difficult task to do since Timmy and I were a little big for the entrance. But with the help of Trufflehunter and Nikabrik, we finally managed to squeeze Timmy into the den. I lugged him all the way to the tiny bedroom (getting him up the three steps wasn't as bad as the doorway), and slowly placed him onto the teeny tiny bed. As soon as I saw his face,-Oh Boy! - I tried really hard not to scream, but near to the point of squealing like a squeaking Mary Sue. Timmy was an unconscious Prince Charming with good looks and long hair to his shoulders. Remembering where I was and determining not to be a scary Mary Sue, I clenched my teeth, shut my eyes tight, and furiously shook my head. Don't start being a Mary Sue, Faith. It's your worst nightmare.
"Faith," called Trufflehunter who was coming with a bandage and a wet cloth, "Take off his cloak and vest, and then support him while I fix that nasty bruise on his temple."
"Do I have to touch him again?"
"Just one more time," he sighed.
I groaned. After carefully taking off the cloak and vest, I supported Timmy's head while Trufflehunter cleaned the mark and then wrapped the bandage around Timmy's head. I think I need to cleanse for a week. After I gently laid Timmy's head down, I yawned broadly.
"Looks like someone needs their sleep," observed Trufflehunter, "Get some rest, Faith."
I started to my mat on the floor but stopped. "Trufflehunter…"
The badger turned to me. I continued, "I'm sorry…about my behavior earlier. It wasn't right…of me."
Trufflehunter just smiled at me. "That's all right, Faith."
"No, no. Seriously. I'll make it up to you. I'll stay here a little longer. I'll help you with…the guy. We don't know what he'll do when wakes up."
"Good idea." He paused. "Do you like him?"
I snapped up wide awake when he said that. "What? No way, Jose! Not in a million years! I don't even know him!"
"Alright, alright," Trufflehunter laughed, "Just get some sleep."
"'Night," I mumbled after I snuggled on the mat I slept.
I thought I wouldn't have trouble sleeping that night, but I was wrong (I know I assume too much). Besides the facts that I was sleeping on the floor and that Nikabrik snored away as he slept, I always turned my attention to Timmy, expecting him to suddenly sit up or mutter something unconsciously. And Trumpkin was constant in my mind. But after hours of fighting sleep, I willingly gave into slumber.
Yeah... guess I still believe in cooties. lol Seriously, Ben Barnes is not my type of guy though he is good looking and everything.
Please review, review, and REVIEW! I'm anxious for them! Thanks! And Rovin says hi.
