Here is the 10th chapter of Narnia: The Musical
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Chapter 10: The Saddest Word
The four Pevensies felt the odd sensation of deja vu as they walked down the hall toward Nerina's room. In truth it had been almost two months since they had made their first walk to the room, wondering about the condition of the newly rescued princess. They had grown as friends since then and the instant bond most of them formed had only gotten stronger. Now for the big question- would they continue to grow in friendship?
The four stopped in front of the closed door. They stood still, afraid of what they might find when they opened the door.
Peter sighed and looked at his siblings. "Are you ready?"
They all nodded, Susan with tears in her eyes.
Edmund was the one who first got the courage, and so he lifted his hand and knocked. All four held their breath.
The door opened a crack, and, the same maid who showed them in that day almost two months ago, peeked out. When she saw who was at the door, she stepped out into the hall, shut the door, and curtsied.
"Good evening Your Majesties," she greeted them. "I'm afraid you cannot go in right now. The nurse is applying the doctor's medicine onto the Princess."
"Doctor? What doctor?" asked Susan, confused.
"Oh!" the maid exclaimed, "You did not hear! Dr. Gambardi was not able to come here when you first put out the call for all doctors. He specializes in nymphs, and Arcadians are in the family of nymphs. He had to leave for a bit, but he said he would be back later. He gave the nurse a salve for Her Royal Majesty, but you had better see her for yourself."
"So Nerina is doing fine?" Lucy asked.
The maid was just about to answer when screams broke through the air. They were Nerina's screams.
"What is going on in there?" Peter demanded, trying to get around the maid.
"Please don't go in there Your Majesty, she's not decent! The doctor said the salve would sting. You must wait, begging your pardon, sir." The maid curtsied again.
A few minutes later the screaming stopped and the Pevensies were allowed in. What they saw horrified them.
There, on the large bed, lying on her stomach, was the limp form of Nerina. The four then saw why a salve was needed.
Nerina lay in a nightgown with the back open, exposing cuts, bruises, scrapes, and welts. Somehow all the injuries that disappeared her first night at Cair Paravel had reappeared. One of the maids finished buttoning up the back of the nightgown and gently rolled her girl over, and sure enough, her front was covered in wounds as well.
Nerina lay with her eyes shut for a moment. She was pale, and her lungs rattled with each breath. She opened her bloodshot eyes and saw the Pevensies. They rushed to her bedside.
Lucy was the first to speak. "Nerina, we talked to Aslan, and he said that you know the remedy to this illness. Can you think of what it might be? He said you would have to look deep down, but you have known it all along."
For a while all that could be heard was Nerina's labored breathing. Finally she spoke.
"I can't think of what it might be," she whispered. "Besides, it's too late now. I'm dying."
Goodbye's the saddest word I'll ever hear
Goodbye's the last time I will hold you near
Someday you'll say that word and I will cry
It'll break my heart to hear you say goodbye
Susan burst into tears, and so did Lucy as she said, "But you're going to get better Nerina. You're going to get better again."
Nerina slowly shook her head. "Not this time, I'm afraid. I can feel it. So if you don't mind, I'd like to say my good-byes now, because I don't know how much time I have left."
Everyone was silent, so she turned her head to Peter. "Thank you for saving me and bringing me into your home."
Peter didn't know what to say.
She turned to Edmund, sitting on the bottom left side of the bed.
"Be strong Edmund, you're a great young man."
"Thank you," he choked.
"And Lucy," Nerina said to the girl holding her left hand, "you are one remarkable girl."
Finally she looked at Susan, sitting across from Edmund, who reached in front of Peter to hold the girl's other hand. Nerina's skin felt very hot to the girls. "Thank you for being like a sister to me while I was here. Thank you all so much for everything. Please remember when I am gone that I am in a better place, a place with no more suffering." She smiled.
But the love you gave me will always live
You'll always be there every time I fall
You are to me the greatest love of all
You take my weakness and you make me strong
And I will always love you 'til forever comes
Susan was just about to respond when Dr. Gambardi came in and said he had to speak with the monarchs in private.
After assembling in the hall and formal introductions, the doctor spoke. "Princess Nerina is very, very ill. I am sorry to say that it is most likely that in the morning you will find her bed empty."
When asked to explain, he continued. "Nymphs do not leave their body behind when they go to Aslan's country. They take it with them. I have made a potion that will put Nerina into a dreamless sleep so that she may die peacefully. If Your Majesties allow me to, I will administer it to her right now."
"You're sure it will give her a peaceful death?" Peter asked after the Pevensies had discussed it.
"I would not lie to you, High King," the doctor bowed.
"Very well then," Peter said sadly, "Give it to her."
They all went back into the room, and Nerina's worsened condition only proved to the Pevensies that she needed the potion. She was burning hot to the touch, her skin had turned gray, and her eyes were red and puffy. They explained about the potion, and Nerina seemed happy to take it.
I'll be your beacon through the darkest nights
I'll be the wings that guide your broken flight
I'll be your shelter through the raging storm
And I will love you 'till forever comes
She brought it to her lips, drank deeply, and as she sank into her pillows, and as her eyes shut one last time, she whispered, "Good-bye," while a single tear rolled down her face and onto the pillow.
Goodbye's the saddest word I'll ever hear
Goodbye's the last time I will hold you near
Someday you'll say that word and I will cry
It'll break my heart to hear you say goodbye
The Pevensies then decided to stay the night in the sitting area of Nerina's room to be with her in her final moments. Sadly, one by one, they all fell asleep.
NTMNTMNTMNTM
The next morning Peter, Edmund, and Susan woke to the sound of sobbing.
Until we meet again...
They looked to their sister who cried as she pointed to the large, empty bed.
Until then...
Princess Philyra Nerina Anaxandra Basilikos Pagos, the first Arcadian Princess in over 200 years, had gone to a better place.
Goodbye
END OF ACT 1
Song used-Goodbye's (The Saddest Word) by Celine Dion
Please R&R.
Haras