Part Seven: At Beaver's Dam

Eve struggled to breathe, flailing frantically to get above the surface of the water. The waves crashed over her head and pulled her under again and again. Again Eve tried to break surface, but to no avail. She struggled for breath and finding none, slowly lost consciousness.

. . .

As the rapid waves tossed over Caspian's head, he started to take long, strong strokes, keeping his head above the surface of the water. Being both a strong swimmer and in excellent form, he was able to keep himself afloat for most of the journey down the river. He looked around for Eve, but amongst the crashing water and foam he could see nothing. He only hoped that she would be safe until they reached the end of the rapids. He had no idea how far they had traveled, he only knew that they were safe from the wolves – at least for now. After a few moments the waves began to subside and the rapids ended. Now Caspian could feel the rainfall from above. He shivered, chilled to the bone. Now that he could float without much effort, Caspian began to look for Eve. He spotted her horse, shaken, but fine, swimming towards the nearest bank. It finally found footing and heaved itself onto the shore, shaking water droplets from its white coat. Eve was nowhere to be seen. Caspian began to panic. What if she was pulled under? What if she drowned? Desperate to find the girl, Caspian dove underwater, looking for any sign of her. He could hardly see in the hazy water, but something silver glinted in the deeper part of the river. He recognized the silver necklace Eve wore. Caspian swam towards it and was soon heaving Eve out of the water and onto the shore. They had come to rest at a small lake just at the edge of the Western Woods. We are a long way from Telmar Castle now, I fear we will have to spend the night, Caspian thought to himself. We must be near Beaver's Dam…

Eve had started to stir, so Caspian shook the thoughts out of his head and focused on helping her. Spitting out water, Eve began to sit up, but fell back, exhausted. She was soaked and shivering uncontrollably. I must get her warm.Caspian thought. Both of us. He decided to make a fire, whatever the risk of being seen. It won't do having us freeze to death. "Will you be alright while I collect firewood?" he asked Eve. She nodded feebly and Caspian set off at a quick pace into the forest. He collected as many dead branches as he could find and brought them back to the lake. Setting them up a few yards away from the water, he looked around for a rock to use as flint. Eve lay motionless where he had left her, and so he desperately tried to ignite the branches. Finally succeeding, Caspian went back to Eve and easily lifted her in both his arms, carrying her back to the fire and setting her on his semi-dry cloak. After awhile Eve's shivering subsided and she fell into a restless sleep. Caspian lay close to her, hoping to keep her warm. He watched as her sides rose and fell in deep breaths until he was satisfied she was breathing correctly and that all the water was out of her lungs. Feeling drowsy, Caspian tried to keep his eyes open. He knew that he should watch guard incase the wolves came back, but the effort of swimming had taken away all his energy. Finally, he could stay awake no longer. Letting his head rest next to Eve's, he let his eyes close and was asleep instantly.

. . .

The waves were rushing over Eve's head as she struggled for breathe. The light was dying, falling into the water and sizzling out. She dived under, trying to reach the last remains of the light, but they were gone. Eve resurfaced and looked around for another hint of light, but all was gone. Eve felt hopeless and longed to see Him again. She felt sure she should drown if He did not save her. Suddenly her prayers were answered and He appeared. Wreathed in gold, He seemed to be the very source of the light as he stood before her and never before had Eve felt so safe. Never before had she felt so much like she belonged. Bowing low, Eve found that she was no longer in the water, but on dry land. She looked up and met eyes with Him.

"Welcome, my child. The stars shine upon you tonight. You must do as I say and go to the Dancing Lawn. There a prophecy will be told to you. Go, my child. Go."

. . .

When Eve awoke the next morning she felt sore and cold. She sat up and looked around her. The forest was gloomy in the morning mist and the small lake looked haunting. The fire had smoldered out recently and it was bitterly cold out. She had Caspian's cloak wrapped around her, but since she had slept in wet clothes, it had really done no good. Caspian was still asleep, lying a few feet from Eve. The white horse stood nearby, looking a bit bedraggled after their escape in the river. There was no sign of Destrier, but Eve supposed he had gone back home to the castle. Feeling suddenly alone and scared, Eve made to wake up Caspian, gently shaking his shoulder. "Caspian, wake up." The young man stirred, his hand going to the hilt of his sword. "No, it's me, you fool," she said tartly.

Caspian looked taken aback at being addressed in such away. He pulled his hand away from his sword and sat up, looking cautiously at Eve. "Are you well?" he asked hesitantly.

Eve sighed. "Not really. I think I've caught a cold, and I'm terribly hungry." She glared at the smoldering fire in distain.

"Well, don't think you're the only one," Caspian retorted quietly. Eve said nothing, but instead turned to glare at him.

"Why on earth did you want to jump into the river anyway? We could have both died. I could have warned you that I can't swim!"

"Then why didn't you?" Caspian's temper was short after the trying day before. "We could have stayed and been eaten by wolves instead."

"You know that's not what I meant." Eve glowered at him, feeling no restrain on her feelings. "Ever since I came here it's been danger after danger! Why am I even here? I see no reason for it. I don't even see how it's possible! I just want to go home, where I belong!"

"I do not know why you are here either, but I cannot help it that you are!"

"Why did the four kings and queens come here then?" Eve asked.

"Because Narnia needed to be saved," Caspian answered after a pause, his tone less angry.

"And you think I'm the one to save it again?" Eve challenged.

"I never said that. I do not know if it even needs saving." Caspian looked troubled. "Perhaps we will learn something from the scouts when we get back to the castle. They should be back by then."

"Will they be worried about us?"

"Probably."

"Well then we should leave. The wolves are probably still out there." Eve stood, swaying unsteadily on her feet. Caspian jumped to his own feet and reached out to steady her. Eve pushed his hand away. "I'm fine." Looking subdued, Caspian pulled away.

"I can't help that you're here," he repeated, almost pleadingly.

Eve looked at her feet. "I know. I'm sorry."

"You're right; we should leave." Caspian grabbed his cloak and then went over to the horse.

"Wait." He paused and turned back to Eve. Eve stood stone still, suddenly remembering the dream she had just woken up from. "The Dancing Lawn…"

"The Dancing Lawn? How have you heard of that?" Caspian asked, surprised.

"He told me that I needed to go to the Dancing Lawn," Eve repeated, staring towards the east as if she were in some sort of trance. "Where is that?"

"To the east," Caspian answered. "Past the Great River and the Ford of Beruna. It's a two day's ride away. Who is He?"

"The golden one… I don't know." Eve was shaken from her trance. "I can't remember any more of the dream. I just know that I have to go to the Dancing Lawn." She looked imploringly at Caspian.

"We can't just leave without at least telling someone where we're going," Caspian reasoned.

"We don't have time."

Caspian looked back towards the mountains where Telmar Castle lay. "I suppose I could send a message."

"How?"

"The trees," was Caspian's answer. Eve looked at him, confused, but he only told her to watch. Going up to one of the tall pine trees, Caspian whispered to it. Suddenly a wind picked up and the needles of the tree started to swarm all about and then away from them, through the forest. Eve watched in wonderment as the needles blew away, towards Telmar Castle. Caspian turned back to her and smiled. "There is still much you have to learn about Narnia."