CHAPTER 3: THE DAWN TREADER
"You can't be serious." Trumpkin the Dwarf harrumphed with his usual skeptical air, "There's no proof there is even is such a place."
"But there is." Insisted Reepicheep, "The Dryad sang of it to me when I was in my cradle."
"And the Dryad sang to me of an island of where stars went to grow old." Pointed out Trumpkin, "That doesn't mean that there is such a place."
"But there could be." Argued Trufflehunter, "Just because no one's ever seen or such a place does not necessarily mean that it's not there."
"Doesn't make it there either." Argued Trumpkin.
"Well, you were wrong about Aslan." Reepicheep said defensively.
"So what?" Trumpkin responded equally defensively, "Talk some sense into these two your majesty."
"While, I do believe that even Aslan had to come from somewhere." Caspian answered, "There is something else I am interested in. Reep, will you sail with us."
"Of course I'll sail with you, Your Majesty." Answered Reepicheep, and he knew he would for Aslan's country.
Reepicheep returned to the Mouse Camp in triumph, regaling the other Mice with his adventure plans with the King. He immediately began to pack for his across the sea and then a large feast was made in his honor. The feast included roast turkey and succulent green melons. All the Mice laughed and drank wine and told tales of the War with King Miraz and then Reepicheep bid them ado. He didn't know that it would be his last night in the village.
When the purple and golden ship that the King had had christened the Dawn Treader left the port at Cair Paravel, Reepicheep had never felt more alive. He was riding the waves for the second time in his life (the first had been when he accompanied his mother and father to take their thrones at Dor), and yet he felt at home aboard the large and lumbering ship. He was flying over the ocean and he knew it. Every part of his body was tingling. It was like flying almost. And to make it all the more complete, he was going to find Aslan's country.
The Dawn Treader as it was called, landed in Dor within the month. Reepicheep's mother and father, the Mouse King and Queen of Dor hosted a large banquet for the weary travelers. There were roast pigs and pheasants scorched in their feathers and chickens dipped in thick wine and of course there was soup. Dor had always been known for its thick soup and tasty soup mixed with chicken and fish and vegetables and fruit and every kind of meat you could imagine. It was always salted to perfection and the formula was secret. After the feast, Reepicheep met with King Despereaux and Queen Pea in private.
"We hear that you think you'll find Aslan's country." Mother had always been forward.
"I don't think, Mother," Reepicheep said matter-of-factly, "I've dreamed of it since I was a child. Don't you remember."
"We remember, son." Despereaux said, "And we're glad, you're chasing your dream, but we need to know that you'll be careful."
Reepicheep was incredulous, "Of course I'll be careful."
Pea put her paw on Reepicheep's shoulder, "This is not a joke, Reep. Even as you chase your dream, you mustn't go rushing into things. We don't wish to lose another son."
Reepicheep's younger brother, Philemon had been killed when Reepicheep had convinced the other young mice to sneak into the Telmarine Castle.
"That was once." Reepicheep assured her, "I've learned my lesson. I'm careful now. I won't rushing into things and I will return here and then I will return to Narnia and be Chief Mouse until the day I return here and become King of Dor. This I swear by Aslan's Mane." Little did he know that Aslan had other plans.