Chapter 4

We had our way back to Jill's room and now sat near the giant fire. We had already tried getting out the door but we found that we couldn't reach the door handle.

''Are only chance is to sneak out when their asleep.'' Eustace said. I nodded in agreement.

'' But we can't rouse their suspicion.'' I said.

'' Then we will just pretend that we are very excited for the autumns feast, asking questions and the like. When is it anyways?''

'' Tomorrow, I heard them talking about it.'' Just then one of the giant handmaidens came bounding through the door leading us to where the giants were starting off on their hunt. Jill did as she said she would do and asked the queen many questions and acted so happy that for a second I even believed she was happy hear. I smirked to myself when Jill even coaxed the queen into giving us all permission to roam the castle.

I saw Jill charming her way through the castle, bust as for myself I asked questions politely and made my way through the castle trying to find an escape route. This is why I had been late for lunch. I had hurried along the halls and was almost to the eating hall when two giants appeared along the doorway. I hid among the pillars and listened to the horrifying truth, '' Lunch will be good today.'' One giant said.

'' I expect so. I heard that, that stag cried out when the hunters killed him pleading that 'he wouldn't taste good.' I say we see what the southern children think of the venison.'' They both laughed and walked away. I walked into the hall fate and almost vomited when I saw the silver platters full of venison. Eustace, Puddleglum, and Jill had already taken their plate full's and were stuffing themselves.

'' Stop!'' I shouted. All of them were startled and dropped their forks. AS I explained what I had heard everyone grew paler and paler.

'' We've brought the anger of Aslan on us.'' Puddleglum said morosely.

'' No matter we have to get out of here soon. If they did that to a talking beast what do you think that they'll do to us tomorrow.'' I replied. I knew giants weren't friendly I remembered that much, but why would I choose to ignore it? Perhaps that lady was more than she seemed. All of us stayed until there was only one giantess left in the room. Soon though she fell asleep. Puddleglum then went into the kitchen doors, and came out a few minutes later.

'' Come on the scullery door is open.'' We all ran out of the scullery and into the cold winter afternoon.

'' Quickly now.'' I said. We scurried toward the giant city of Ruinous. We had almost made when there were shouts and it was then that we began to run. I could hear the hound and was reminded of the wolves and I began to run faster. I was on Puddleglum's heels when he suddenly stopped.

'' What are you doing I shouted!'' HE didn't answer; instead he crept into the hole that seemed just a crack in the earth. I made sure Eustace and Jill could see me before I slid down into the darkness. It was pitch black in there and for a moment I panicked; the darkness engulfing me.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, '' my lady we must close the opening with stones.'' I could see the faint outline of Jill and Eustace and I breathed a sigh of relief. We covered the opening and holding hands, made our way through the earth. There were many twist and turns, so that I didn't even have a sense of direction anymore. I was the last in the line and I was surprised when all of the sudden Jill let out a cry and I was suddenly falling; or more correctly sliding.

Downward we went. It was painful to put it lightly. Debris and a good sized amount of rock hit my body leaving me bruised. At one point I had pulled out my dagger and tried to stab it into the earth but the dagger had only clattered out of my hand to be lost in the darkness.

I could only guess that we had traveled a mile down when I finally stopped sliding. I crashed into Jill, '' Sorry.'' I whispered.

'' its okay.'' I grabbed her hand and we stood up. '' Is everyone alright?''

'' Fine.'' Eustace answered.

'' It could have been worse.'' Puddleglum replied.

A long while later we heard a voice in the darkness, not Aslan, no this voice was a voice of earth, '' Over worlders ay'? Well come on then, you must come with me to meet the queen of the deep realm.''

'' Pray tell who are you?'' I asked to the darkness.

'' I am the warden of the marshes of Underland and with me is a hundred earth men at arms. Now come with me.'' A sound like an explosion happened and a blue light now flooded Underland. Indeed what seemed a hundred of dwarfish men stood behind the warden.

'' What does the queen want with us?'' Eustace asked. His voice was guarded and I could not blame him. We were stuck down here with now way out. These men of earth could kill us right now and be done with it.

'' I do not know, now march.'' The warden replied. We were lead deeper and deeper into the darkness of the Underland until the only light was the light of the torch the warden held.

I gripped Jill's hand as hers shook and so did mine. I was reminded of the darkness that the poison had engulfed me in, and I prayed to Aslan for the strength to face what was ahead of me; to face what was in the darkness.

We were brought into a room filled with a dozen or more green torches. I sighed and let go of Jill's hand, '' Mullugutherum, what have you got there? Overworlders! Well bring them up.'' I stared up at the top of a staircase to see a young man looking down at us. The warden grumbled and we were lead up the stairs. Now light glowed with every step and it became brighter with every step. We were lead into a luxurious room where the knight greeted us warmly and bid us to sit.

'' I am sorry that my lady is not here to bid you welcome as well, but pressing matters in the Overworld has kept her away. I say we have met before, on the road?''

'' We have you were the back knight.'' Jill said.

'' Indeed, I was.'' He was indeed dressed all in black.

'' It was awfully mean for your queen to send to Harfang. We almost got ourselves eaten.'' Eustace complained.

Something sinister flickered across the knight's face, and when he talked his voice was low,'' If we're not a boy I we would have fought to the death; insulting my lady like that.''

I stepped forward, '' Forgive my friend he does not know what he says; the slide down, he hit his head quite hard. I do wonder though if you know a young man named Rillian? We are from the land of Narnia and we come on a quest for the Prince Rillian.'' The knight laughed heartily.

'' Then I am sorry lady; for there is no man by that name. I do not even know of land you call Narnia. Never mind, let us eat. You have told me your tale and now I should tell you mine. '' Silver platter of meat and fruit were brought out, but I declined; Wary of the stranger and his strange ways. Everyone one else ate heartily and after awhile the knight began to speak, '' Now I must tell you that I have no recollection of a life before my queen; only that I was taken here because of my affliction.''

'' Affliction?'' I asked. I was curious, this young man was strange. He had total trust in this woman.

'' As you may of guessed my lady is of a divine sort. She knows no age,'' I froze at this, '' It was she that figured out that at a certain hour of the knight I become mad and transform into a vicious serpent.; where then I might strike out at my friends. So I am strapped to a chair until my affliction passes.''

I was more than way now, '' is there no cure for this affliction?''

'' In my great ladies wisdom she has figured out that if I am king of a land in the Overworld , and her of course queen; then my affliction will be over. The earthmen have been digging for quite some time now to the land that I will rule.''

With dripping sarcasm Puddleglum replied, '' A very great lady indeed.''

'' But what of the people in the land,'' Eustace asked, '' I do not think that they will take it well when their land is being invaded.'' The knight shrugged and took another sip from his cup.

'' You'll be no king only a tyrant.'' Jill seethed.

The knight only laughed, '' A politician now are we.'' The knight stared at the clock, '' the hour is upon me I must go.'' He walked out of the room and we were left alone.

'' The lady is no queen- a witch more like.'' I said.

'' Certainly.'' Puddleglum answered. I made my way out the door and followed the knight to another ornate room. A silver chair stood in the middle and several earthmen were tying the knight to the silver chair. I hid behind a pillar until they walked past and shut the door and locked it.

The knight was shuddering as I walked up to him, '' Lady I bid that you get out of this room Such foul words will I speak under the enchantments- and once I change I will then feel the need to attack you.'' He shuddered again and I watched as his face changed. '' Oh how long have I been here- ten- a thousand years?'' He looked up at me, '' Please lady I beg you release me.'' I did not know what to think, should I trust this young man? It was obvious the knight was enchanted, but how? '' Please cut these bonds so that I might take my revenge on that witch and those earthmen that have kept me prison these many years!'' He cried now, '' In the name of Aslan cut these ties!'' The sing, it was unmistakable. I pulled out my sword and cut the ropes. He fell onto his knees, '' Thank you great lady, pray tell who are you?''

I sat next to where he kneeled and answered, '' I am Anna Lady of knight, and once a princess of Narnia.'' A smile crossed the young man's face.

'' My father spoke of you and the other kings and queens old.'' I sighed in relief.

'' Then you are Rillian.'' He nodded.