Part Four: A Hidden Secret

The castle's gardens were overflowing with the bright flowers of late summer. Everything seemed to be alive as it swayed in the light breeze. The sun shone unchallenged by any cloud, warming but not uncomfortable. "You said that Caspian I invaded Narnia. Then where was he from?" Eve asked Caspian as they walked through the gardens after breakfast.

"He was from the country of Telmar. I know, we call the castle here Telmar, and it's all very confusing. Telmar lies to the west of Narnia. The Telmarines were originally from your world. They lived at sea and found a special cave on an island that led into Narnia. After living in Telmar, they grew restless and attacked Cair Paravel. This was after the kings and queens had left. A castle was built, and Miraz, my uncle, ruled as king. Then, as I said before, his wife bore a son. Since I was the true heir to the crown, Miraz sent orders for me to be killed. Fortunately, my professor warned me, and I escaped with my life."

"I can't believe your uncle would be cruel enough to try and kill you," Eve said quietly.

"You have too innocent a perspective on life to accept such things," Caspian replied.

"Did you ever find out who the man in my room was?" Eve asked after a long pause.

"I was going to interrogate him this afternoon. Do you want to come? He was after you, so I believe what he has to say is something that you'll want to hear."

"I suppose." Eve was reluctant to come face to face with the man again, but Caspian did have a point.

"It will be alright; he can't possibly hurt you while I'm there." Caspian put a hand on Eve's arm. "You don't have to of you don't feel comfortable with it." His eyes showed that he was genuinely concerned.

"I'll go; it's alright."

"We can go later," Caspian said. "Perhaps you should rest. You are still recovering."

"I'm fine. Let's get this over with." Eve followed Caspian out of the gardens and down to the dark dungeons of the Telmar castle. Eve instantly felt a cold sensation creeping up her spine. There was something sinister and cold about the whole of the castle. It was not Caspian or the Narnians, but rather those who had resided in the castle before them. Caspian had told Eve the whole story of his adventure with the Pevensies and also the stories of old when the four kings and queens had ruled over Cair Paravel. "Now Cair Paravel is in ruins," Caspian had told her. "I wish to have it rebuilt. Telmar is not so much home as Cair Paravel would be to me. I wish to rule where High King Peter once did."

"He's in here, Sire." Eve was startled out of her thoughts as a guard spoke.

"Thank you." Caspian entered a small room where Eve saw the man sitting across from a wooden table. His hands were in shackles, and he wore a grim expression. "Now," said Caspian, "you will tell us where you're from." The man did not speak. "My guess is one of the Seven Islands."

"Far off." The prisoner's voice was rough.

"Well then, perhaps the Lone Isles or the Wildlands of the North?" Caspian guessed again.

"The latter would be an appropriate guess."

"From Ettinsmoor, then." The man didn't deny it though he didn't speak at all.

"What were you doing in this lady's room?" Caspian questioned. Again the man did not answer.

"I don't think you'll get anything out of him that way," said the guard. "Now if you tried my way-"

"No, Dryan, we mustn't torture the truth out of him," Caspian reprimanded. "If he won't tell the truth then we can at least look into Ettinsmoor then. Have scouts sent out to see if anything unusual is going on towards the borders."

"Aye, Sire." The guard walked off towards another chamber. Caspian gave the prisoner a hard stare.

"Perhaps if you told us what you want we could help you," he suggested.

The man gave a snort of laughter. "I doubt it. Unless you're willing to give up the girl."

"What does she have to do with this?" Caspian asked sharply. Eve noticed that he was clenching his fists under the table.

The man laughed again. "Everything. But I won't tell you nothing. Torture you if you like, but it won't do any good."

"Come on, Eve." Caspian seemed to be trying very hard to keep his anger under control now. Eve followed him out of the chamber and towards the stairs. The guard returned to lock up the prisoner.

"What does any of this have to do with me?" Eve wondered aloud.

"I don't know, but I will find out," Caspian vowed. "In the mean time, you should not wander off alone. I'll keep a guard by your door every night and you must lock your window." Eve nodded, feeling scared.

"You don't think another person will try to kill me, do you?" she asked. Caspian turned to her.

"I do not know," he answered honestly. Eve shuddered and stepped closer to the king. Caspian put a hand on her shoulder. "But don't worry. You're safe as long as you're close to me." Eve nodded and allowed Caspian to lead her back to her room. "Now, get some rest. I'll send a guard right away. And remember to lock your window."

Eve wasn't running through the forest this time. Instead she was standing on the brink of a dreary marsh. Darkness oppressed the land and hid the sunlight from her. Eve was desperately frightened. The darkness seemed to grow until Eve could no longer see anything around her. She struggled to escape, but she could not move an inch. She was so still that she believed for a second that she had been turned to stone. Suddenly a dim light started to grow and Eve felt another presence. She at first felt a familiar fear, but soon the fear was replaced with a feeling of contentment and eagerness. It was Him again. She strained her eyes to see Him. The light grew until the darkness started to shrink again. Eve could finally move and as she did, she felt warmth spread through her body and into her heart and mind. And then she saw Him. Golden as the shining sun. He seemed to smile with his eyes. Eve smiled and rushed forward to meet him.

"Ouch!" Eve woke up immediately as a sharp pain penetrated her head. She had rolled over and struck her head on the bedside table. Sitting up, Eve felt the sensation of contentment slipping away. She tried to remember what had made her dream end up so happy, but for some reason she just couldn't remember. Sighing, Eve turned over and fell back asleep.