Chapter 10: Explanation
"Hello Trumpkin," Ladrina said with a smile between deep breaths. "You all right?" She stood up to face Trumpkin and Peter. She bent over to grab her helmet.
"Trumpkin, you know her?" asked Susan, the oldest girl. Peter would have but he was out of breath.
"Yes ma'am. This is Caspian's cousin. I'm fine Ladrina, but that was frightening. We thought you were a soldier."
"You're a girl?" asked Edmund, the younger boy who had fought the dwarf, dismayed.
"Of course she's a girl Ed. Only a girl could fight Peter and win," said Lucy, the little girl, teasingly.
Peter still held his sword.
"Put it down Pete. She's done fighting with you," said Susan.
"Your friend is wise."
"What if she tries to take the dwarf?" claimed Peter.
"Why? We're going back to the same place Aslan's Howe," said Trumpkin.
"What are we waiting for?" she asked as she whistled a deep penetrating whistle.
"What was the point of that?" asked Peter, annoyed, as he put his sword away. The sound of horse hoofs was heard on the rocky beach.
The horse walked up behind Ladrina and nudged her.
"Hey boy," she said. "Good job," she whispered in his ear.
Lucy ran over to Ladrina and the horse.
"Lucy!" cried Susan as she tried to stop her.
"It is alright. This is Santhos and he won't hurt her. Right Santhos?" Ladrina said as she took off some of her armor.
"Yes Ma'am. I won't hurt you," he said to Lucy, "unless you bite me or something."
"I promise to be good," Lucy said with a giggle. "Susan, come feel how soft his mane is."
Susan and Edmund walked over to Santhos and Lucy. Peter walked very slowly watching Ladrina the whole time.
"Trumpkin this can't be them, can it?" she asked as she pulled him aside for a brief moment. He nodded.
"What? This is impossible. The stories say that the kings and queens reigned 1300 years ago, and they were all much older than this when they reigned."
"I know the Stories, but they have the same names, they know Cair Paravel as though they lived there for many years. A side from their age's… well you saw how Peter fought. He fought like a king."
"This is impossible," Ladrina said in frustration.
"Is there a problem?" asked Peter.
"No. Well… yes. But…I… I need to change out of this armor. I will explain after I change. I need to sort some things out first. Please excuse me," she said as she grabbed her saddlebag and walked off into the woods. Peter watched her go.
"Do you think we can trust her?" asked Peter of the others when he was sure that Ladrina could not hear him.
"Sire, if I may, she is the most loyal to Caspian of any of the men. She rarely lets him out of her sight," said Trumpkin.
"Sir, if I may add to that," said Santhos as he walked up, "Ladrina may be rash in her actions but her heart is pure and strong. You saw her. She thought the lad was going to kill Trumpkin in the duel you had. When she heard Trumpkin yell out in pain, she acted to save his life."
"Thank you Santhos and Trumpkin. What do you guys say?" asked Peter.
"I like her. I think she was harsh only because Ed accidentally hurt Trumpkin. It's like when she hurt you; we ran to your side," said Lucy.
"Su?" Peter asked.
"I think we should. She knows what she wants and knows her boundaries. How many times did she ask for us to release Trumpkin? I don't think she intended to kill you."
"Ed?"
"I was uneasy with her at first. But now I know why she did what she did. And like Lucy said, we would have done the same thing if any of us had gotten hurt. I wouldn't want to cross swords with her, though."
"So then everyone is agreed?" Peter asked. They all nodded. "Then I am alone."
"You don't?" Susan was surprised.
"If she is on our side why does she wear the armor with the sign of the enemy?"
"I can answer that."
They turned to see Ladrina walking out of the woods. She had changed into a pale blue riding dress. The sleeves had been embroidered with dark brown thread. Her long, brown hair was half up and tied with a pale blue ribbon. She had a sword on her hip, a quiver and bow on her back and the saddlebag over her shoulder.
"Miraz is my uncle and I was staying with him before Caspian had to flee for my life. Therefore the only armor that I had access to had his symbol on it. I did not have time to return home for my armor," she explained as she dropped her saddlebag with a thunk and a little more force than was necessary and took off Santhos' saddle.
"Miraz is your Uncle?" Lucy asked.
"Yes lass. Trumpkin, how much do they know?" asked Santhos.
"Not much I'm afraid. Caspian is in danger and we called them to help us, but there are some details that they may need to know."
"I will have to fill you four in." Ladrina said ready to tell them.
"Later if you please," said Peter, "What was the problem that you and Trumpkin were discussing earlier?"
Ladrina looked to Trumpkin and then Santhos. He nodded.
"Well… the problem would be you. You see, Caspian is in danger as you know, and Caspian, many others, and I were expecting the great kings and queens of ancient Narnia. Not four children, if you will pardon the term for lack of another one. You are not what we were expecting."
"Who were you expecting exactly?" asked Susan.
"The kings and queens from the Stories. Who reigned for years and Narnia was a kingdom of peace. If my history is correct, they reigned for about 26 years in Narnia. Then they mysteriously disappeared. That was 1300 years ago. You can see my confusion, yes?"
"But that is us. If I'm correct then you are referring to the time after the White Witch," Edmund said excitedly.
"Yes, after the epic battle," said Santhos
"That is us. We did that," said Lucy excitedly.
"When we leave your world no time has passed in our world," said Edmund.
"We spent twenty six years here and grew up here," said Susan.
"But when we went back into our world that day we left, we were the same as when we left our world," said Lucy.
"Children was the term you used." said Peter with a hint of coldness.
"But in 1300 years, surly you would have aged some," Ladrina wondered.
"It's only been a year. 1300 for you but only one for us," said Peter
"Incredible."
They stood in silence for a moment.
"Ladrina how was Caspian when you left him?" asked Trumpkin.
"Worried and troubled I fear."
"What happened?" asked Peter.
"Caspian had planned an attack but Miraz was ready for him. What is left of the men is retreating to back to Aslan's Howe. They left soon after I did."
"Did he send you after Trumpkin?" asked Lucy.
"Not exactly," Ladrina said nervously.
"What does that mean?" Susan asked.
"Caspian told me to return to the faun's house to see if you there. I was to go with a squirrel. Nothing wrong with squirrels of course but I didn't think you would return there but here."
"So you disobeyed your king?" Peter asked questioningly
"Yes and no. I was on my way to Sir Tumnus' when I ran into a lion. The lion told me to follow Trumpkin. So I listened."
"You saw Aslan?" asked Lucy. They were suddenly very interested in the story.
"No, I saw a lion that could talk. Aslan was a human and the greatest king Narnia ever had."
"I'm sorry Ladrina but you are wrong," said Susan with a laugh.
"Aslan was a lion," Peter said slightly annoyed.
"Is! Aslan is a lion, Peter," corrected Lucy.
"That explains so much…" Ladrina was lost in her thoughts after that. She found herself looking at the clouds remembering the medallion from the cave.
"I don't believe we are properly introduced," said Susan after a long silence.
"Allow me. I am High King Peter," He said with grandeur, "This is my sister Queen Susan, my brother King Edmund and my other sister Queen Lucy."
"I am Princess Ladrina, my faithful horse Santhos and you already know Trumpkin."
"Now are we going to Caspian by going inland or following the river?"
"Pardon me, but it's too late to travel either way now," said Trumpkin.
"I agree. It will be dark soon. The closest place you would want to stay in the woods is about a half a day away," said Santhos.
"We don't even have two hours," added Ladrina
"We'll leave tomorrow," said Peter.
"If I may make a suggestion," The horse said, "I do not mind being a pack mule. We can probably gain more ground and you will have more energy."
"Brilliant," said Edmund.
"Thank you for volunteering," said Peter grandly.
"Now that we have that figured out, let's get stuff together for some supper, shall we?" said Susan.
"Good idea Su. I'm starved," said Edmund.
"Boys, go find some fire wood and we girls will try to find what we have for food," said Susan.
"Coming Trumpkin?" called Edmund as he raced toward the woods.
"Coming." Trumpkin walked quickly into the woods.
Ladrina walked over to where she had left her saddlebag. Santhos followed her. She rummaged through it to find what food she had brought.
"I know that look," Susan said to Peter. He had been watching Ladrina unpack.
"What look?" he asked suddenly as he broke out of his trance.
"If I told you'd deny it. Just like you did when... Oh never mind," Susan said with a laugh.
"No. Su, stop it. I-"
"Just go get some the firewood Peter. We'll talk later," Susan, said as Ladrina walked up. Peter looked at Susan and then at Ladrina. He turned and followed Edmund and Trumpkin.
"What was that about?" asked Ladrina.
"Old memories can haunt you," she said with a sigh as she watched him go.
"Am I somehow a bad memory?"
"No, you aren't but you remind Peter and me of someone from a lifetime ago." She quickly changed the subject "What do we have for a meal?"
"All I have some bread and water. The food at the How was running low." There was a pause. "You seem sad." Ladrina noted.
"Su's just glad to be back in Narnia. We all are, but there may be some homesickness too," said Lucy.
"We're glad to have you here. We need all the help we can get to defeat Miraz."
The meal hadn't been much but there was talk of planning for the trip and memories that were told, stories of battle and the days when Narnia had been a free land under their rule. Stories were told about the differences between then and now.
"Ladrina, you never told us your story," said Ed while they all sat around the fire.
"Do you want to tell the story or would you like me to tell it?" asked Santhos.
"I think I had better tell it. There are parts that you don't know."
She began to tell her story; about the letters, the Meeting with Aslan when she learned of Santhos' gift, Caspian's flight and the Knight, the lion in the forest. They had many questions and she answered all of them.
"I followed Trumpkin here and you know the rest," Ladrina said.
"How was Miraz able to take the throne so easily?" asked Peter.
"Caspian's father died when he was three, his mother when he was two. Miraz took him in and treated him like a son. Caspian was not of age to take the throne when his father died and therefore Miraz took it. He should step down and give it to Caspian but he is a stubborn man, your Highness," said Ladrina.
"What did the horn you mentioned look like?" asked Susan.
"It was white. The bell was a lion head with his mouth open. Doctor Cornelius said that legend says was yours your Majesty," said Ladrina.
"Then I am glad I lost it," Susan said.
"Ladrina, earlier you couldn't believe that we could be the kings and queens you had been looking for. Yet you are being formal calling us Highness and Majesty. What changed your mind?" asked Peter.
Ladrina looked embarrassed. She thought about her answer before she answered.
"I suppose that all the evidence is in your favor. Even if you're not who you say you are, if all of you can fight like you, High King, then you would still be a great help to Caspian."
"Does this mean you believe us?" Lucy asked excitedly.
"Yes I do, Majesty. After fighting King Peter, I think anything is possible." Ladrina smiled.
"You four are the closest we have ever come to the Legends and Stories," said Santhos lying down on the ground next to Ladrina with his head between Ladrina and Peter. He laid his head gently into Ladrina's lap. She took that as a cue and began to stroke his muzzle. It felt softer than ever. She was so proud of him. He was loyal and a friend.
"Ladrina something has been baffling me. When you were the knight you had a deep voice. I hear your voice now and I can't believe that you could get your voice that low. How did you manage that?" asked Edmund as he laid out a blanket. The others were doing the same thing. Ladrina had not realized how late it was. She and Santhos looked at each other and began to laugh.
"What is so funny?" Susan asked.
"That was not me talking; it was Santhos. He never strayed far from me for that exact reason, your highness. He left when Peter knocked my helmet off."
"Think about what I said. I never said 'give me the dwarf,' I said 'release him'. All you had to do was let him continue on his way to Cair Paravel. To be honest I was afraid when King Peter and Ladrina began to fight. I knew Ladrina could fight and I hoped that King Peter could fight so she wouldn't kill him."
"Speaking of which, you hit really hard," said Peter as he rubbed his shoulder with a half-laugh. The others laughed; it was a sound that Ladrina had not heard in a while. She was glad to be among such cheerful people.
Peter smiled. Ladrina noticed it was the first time that he had ever smiled. He had seemed determined to be unhappy.
"I am very sorry about that, your Majesty. Had I known who you were I never would fought you," Ladrina said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it. I would have done the same thing if you were fighting Susan or Lucy."
"What about me?" asked Edmund in a horrified voice.
"You're a knight Ed. You don't need protecting," said Peter with a hearty laugh that Ladrina never would have guessed came from him
"Good point. But still it would be nice to know that someone had my back," said Edmund.
"Who had your back when the Witch stabbed you?"
"Lucy, she healed me," Edmund said with a laugh. Peter threw a small stone at him.
"Hey!" he called in a laugh.
"Yes but I fought the witch so she wouldn't kill you."
"She almost killed you Pete," said Lucy.
"If Aslan hadn't come, I think you would be dead." Susan said with a laugh. Ladrina noticed certain gravity in her voice.
"I was inexperienced. If I fought her now, she wouldn't survive."
"Well if you ever meet her again, you give her what she deserves. I am glad she is dead. Narnia was safe for many years," said Trumpkin.
"Until my people came in and took everything," Ladrina said with pain and anguish. Peter placed his hand on her shoulder like a brother to a sister.
"It wasn't you who invaded Narnia. People long ago did." Peter looked into her eyes.
"No, not me; my ancestors did. Caspian the Conqueror did. Caspian, my cousin, is the tenth Caspian in the line," Ladrina said with the same pain.
"Why don't we go to sleep? This is a conversation that should happen later," Susan said as she stretched and lay down on the blanket she had laid out. The others had already made their beds during her story. She had not been paying attention to them.
Ladrina got up and walked over to her saddlebag and pulled out an old blanket. It was faded but it was warm. She had this blanket back before she and Santhos had met. It was the only thing that remained of her mother other than a few dresses that were locked away in a trunk in her father's room.
She held it to her face as she walked back to the fire. She smelled the forest and the stable of home. She was comforted. She missed home and Caspian very much. Caspian had not been out of her sight since they had fled the castle together as she had been the knight who had followed him.
She sat down as slowly and quietly as she could in front of Santhos. She leaned against his strong body the blanket over her knees. Santhos moved his head to her lap. She slid down so his head was on her chest, her feet toward the fire. She fell asleep to the sounds of his breathing and the water on the rocks.
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