On Stranger Tides
Chapter ten
Dragon Eustace
"EDMUND!" I exclaimed, running towards the destination where the dragon went off.
I know I should have stayed with the boat. But I couldn't leave my friend behind. So I ran and I ran, in search of the dragon. What a reverse version of damsel in distress? However Dragons mean absolutely trouble, for the fantasy literature always states a dragon kills its captives? Now I wish I had a broom so I can fly on. God, what am I'm going to do.
Soon I tripped again. But misfortune saved my life as my head hangs over a refeen. Standing up, and took a deep breath analyzing the situation. A dragon just took Edmund. There is nobody on the island. I only got ten arrows, a dagger, and a cross bow while knowing little magic. What to do, what to do. Damn it! Soon I started hearing flapping, drawing my crossbow, aimed at the source. The dragon returned, ready to claim its next prey.
"Think again lizard," as I fired though missed.
"Wisteria, stop!" hearing Edmund voice, "don't shoot."
I tilt my head to the side, did I really hear Edmunds voice? The dragon landed down slowly that I saw its rider. Oh god, now Eragon is involved with Narnia. So I aimed at the rider.
"Keep your hands in the air!" I ordered.
"Is that how you speak to a king?" the rider whose voice sounded like Edmund spoke.
"King in your own dreams," I spat.
"Wisteria, it's me Edmund." The rider exclaimed. Soon the Dragon landed setting its wings down to revealed Edmund.
"Edmund, but how, the dragon . . . ." aiming the arrow at the beast. Instantly it stepped back in fear.
Edmund got off the dragon and stood between me and it. "It's alright Wisteria; he's not going to hurt you."
"But it kidnapped you." I growled.
Edmund walked towards me till putting his hand on the crossbow and set it down taking it from my hand. "Actually, it is Eustace."
"What?" staring at Edmund wide eyes and then Eustace/ Dragon and back to Edmund. How could this be so? Is there another wizard or powerful source, to transfigure a human into a dragon? The only magical source I seen so far on this volcanic rock was the pool of gold and . . . "the treasures?"
"Probably so," Edmund said, as he took my hand and leaded me towards Eustace. I examine the dragon eyes and I could see it had the same eye color as Eustace.
"Eustace," I sighed, rubbing his head, it was weird to touch dragon skin. None that I ever felt of a reptilian, "What are we going to do with you?"
Eustace bowed his head kneeling down so Edmund and I could get on. When he roused, instantly by reflexes I wrapped my arms around his waist. Realizing what I was doing I pulled back, "Sorry."
"Uh, no it's all . . . alright. Better hold on." Edmund stuttered.
I did as I was told, wrapping my arms around his waist. Eustace flapped his wing and just seconds flew off. The sudden gush of wind made me screamed not of fear but excitement. I was always a rollercoaster addict, but riding air Dragon makes it ten times more fun. Feeling the wide blowing through my hair, as the force untied them from their braids.
Dragon Eustace started scrapping his arm on the stone lava floor while I and Edmund watch, waiting for our friends to arrive on the beach. I can't believe this actually happen. Eustace Scrubbs, the annoying know it all was at the moment a dragon. Hard to sink this in, sure I can handle talking animals, Minotaur's, fauns, mist and magician. But Dragons . . . brain needs to reboot. Or better yet rewind and freeze. How could this have happen?
Eyeing the golden arm band that had engraving of a dragon on it…The treasure? It got to be the treasure. Earlier when I touched the necklace from the trenched, it burned my hand for a second. Also I announced the treasure held a curse on it. I didn't know how I knew. I just did. And as 'the book of spells' recalls 'all spells and curses have a limit and drawback or in this case consequence. Remembering reading stories as a kid, how Dragons guarded their treasure. When Caspian, Lucy, Drinian, Reepicheep, Rhice, and Tavors joined us on shore, took a while to convince them it was Eustace. Even when your dad stood next to you with a serious face, truly my dad needs to lighten up.
"He must have been tempted by the treasure." Edmund suggested, which Eustace whined.
"Anyone knows a dragon treasure is enchanted." Caspian replied only to get a look from Eustace that possible said 'Well I didn't' with a growl. Caspian soon corrected himself "Well, anyone from here."
Lucy shook her head, walking up towards her dragon cousin. She grabbed the golden bracelet and yanked it off. I winced to see some scales falling off his arm follow by a dent.
"Is there any way to change him back?" Edmund asked a little panic.
"Not that I know of," Caspian said looking at me.
"My book never mentions transfiguration, so I don't know…" I said.
"Aunt Alberta will not be pleased." Edmund scold his cousin as Eustace huffed.
"Sorry about the hand, old boy." Reepicheep apologized, "I can be a little overzealous at times."
'You can say that again.' Eustace expression said.
"The boats are ready, sire." Tavors called.
"We can't leave him alone." Lucy defended.
"We can't bring him on board, your majesty." Drinian said.
"Drinian you and the others take one boat back," Caspian handing Octaneis sword. "The rest of us will stay here till morning . . . and work out what to do."
"But you have no provision, and no means of staying warm your majesty." Rhice said. About to tell them about casting a fire when jump from a surprise burst of dragon fire on a log. Looking at Eustace as he licked his lips, truly a little warning next time.
"You were saying?" Reepicheep replied amused as we chuckled to this.
.o0o.
Third person POV
The others watched from the other side of the beach, watching Wisteria chanting spells of her own ways. Except every enchantment failed misery. It was amusing to see sparks of different colors illuminated the enchantress finger. Although to hear her mouth go at it, on a cursing spree lead Edmund to cover Lucy ears, Lucy groaned shoving her brother hand off.
"I'm almost sixteen Ed, I can handle her vocabulary." Lucy protested. "Though, I feel sorry for Eustace."
"Damn it, son of a….." Wisteria cursed out when a spell backed fired burning her fingers. She jumped about screaming profanity while shaking her hand. Poor Eustace whimpered bowing his head while covering his ear trying to ignore his friend language.
"And yet she's the little baby I remember." Caspian added, bemused of the insults towards dogs and donkeys.
'What does the future of their world do, to speak such foul language? It'll be hard to tame her vocabulary when we return back to Narnia' Caspian thought, and then realize what that meant. How when the voyage is over, his friends would returned to their world. His eyes focused on Lucy, 'And she'll be gone."
Caspian shook his head when he heard waving her arms like she was dancing and started to sing. 'Probably a spell she learned from her other home."
'
Eleka Nahmen Nahmen
Ah tum ah tum Eleka Nahmen
Eleka Nahmen Nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka Nahmen
''
Let his flesh not be torn
Let his blood leave no stain
When they beat him
Let him feel no pain
Let his bone never break
And however they try
To destroy him
Let him never die:
Let him never die:
''
Eleka Nahmen Nahmen
Ah tum ah tum Eleka Nahmen
Eleka Nahmen Nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka Nahmen-"
Wisteria stopped her action standing there like she was struck by lightning, as there was no change to her dragon friend. She groans smacking herself in the forehead. "What am I saying?"
"Wisteria, why not take a break?" Lucy suggested.
"In a minute," the witch muttered, starting to murmur more riddles and rhythm that only Eustace and Reepicheep could hear.
"What is she chanting?" Caspian asked to noble mouse.
"I believe my liege tis best not be repeated." The mouse said.
Caspian and Edmund nodded, it amazes how their friend could make the mouse not repeat words. Must run in the family; if Caspian can tell immature jokes than Wisteria speaks unpleasant words and phrases. Lucy shivered that Caspian unconsciously wrapped his arm around her. Just like he did when she was cold three years ago and earlier when he brought her on board the Dawn Treader, he really cared for the young queen.
BANG!
All eyes on a cloud of sand and dust, as they saw Eustace coughed stepping back. Though Wisteria was no longer seen but they could hear her curse out a storm. Edmund sighed getting up.
"I'll get it." Leaving her sister and Caspian behind.
"You think she's alright?" Lucy asked.
"Knowing Fantine and her . . . don't know?" Caspian replied shrugging his shoulder. "Though, I remember Fantine have a temper when someone barged into her studies when making herbal remedies. My father and Drinian couldn't stop laughing for a week when a potion exploded and she was red, literally red for a week."
Lucy chuckled, snuggling closer to Caspian. To hear him talk about his family made her feel closer to him. Watching her brother say something that got Wisteria angry as she exclaimed some spells at Edmund to take what he said back.
"Incarcerous!" Wisteria exclaimed. As ropes magically appeared from her hand and tied by them onto Edmund, binding him as he tripped.
Lucy chuckled, "Poor Edmund."
"Poor Narnia," Caspian corrected, "To know their Duchess can be a shrew."
Lucy scoffed smacking her friend in the arm, "She's not a shrew, and she's stress. You would behave like that, if I recall when Peter pushed your button."
Caspian groaned in remembering all the time High King Peter got on his nerves. However he did not had magic to make the king shut up. Only snap and say thing he might regret. Which would lead to an argument and the two oldest Pevensies would ignore him while the youngest apologize. They held his back when Narnia was at war with Telmar. To prepare and let the enemy come to them, not strike first. And he would know, he was once Telmaranian; that was how Lucy and Caspian friend ship started.
Flash back:
Caspian stood there shock in what just happen. He felt betrayed a little when the Narnian rebellion who decided to help reclaim his throne. The people, who wanted him as leader turn their backs to him and followed King Peter. Susan stood there for a moment about to say something but left without a word. Edmund took liberty to apologize for his brothers words and excused himself. So he just stood there and watched. How can he lead a rebellion if he doesn't have an army? Or matter of fact, he was no High King Peter the magnificent. Just Prince Caspian!
"I'm nothing but a Telmarien Prince to them." He said, under his breath.
"Don't say that?" said a soprano voice surprising Caspian from behind. He turned around to see young Queen Lucy sitting on the stone table. It amazed him from all the stories his nanny and professor have told him. The girl who stood before him was Queen Lucy the Valiant.
"Forgive me Queen Lucy; I did not recogized your presence." Caspian apologized, thinking she was like her brother.
"Call me Lucy and I shall call you Caspian." Lucy smiled. "It's not like we're in a diplomatic conference."
"You're right." Caspian sighed, scratching his head.
"Come have a seat." Lucy offered patting a spot next to her.
Caspian being raised to be respective towards women obliged to her offer and had a seat next to her. If he was a kid again he would be ecstatic. But now he was tired and stressed, not believing that the kings and queens of old are not or no longer warrior adults he dreamed and read of. But Children like himself.
"Not mind me asking, how old are you?" Lucy asked trying to start a conversation.
"Seventeen," Caspian replied, "And you Lucy?"
"I just turned thirteen." Lucy smiled.
Her smiled made Caspian smiled for some reason, "A young lady, better be careful."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, being a young adult means a lot of suitor. Better choose wisely." He said, staring at Lucy with a serious look. They paused starring at each other till Lucy giggled.
"If Peter doesn't get to them first," She chuckled.
"Not to be rude," Caspian started, "But why are you talking to me? I assume you would listen to your brother."
Lucy shrugged, "I may love my brother, Caspian. But I don't always follow his lead. Its rash what he's planning? I say we wait for Aslan, to give us advice, like he did with the white witch. Many of my friends are gone and I don't want to lose more of my new friend, especially DLF."
"DLF?" Caspian repeated, thinking she was talking about Trumpkin or was it some type of message.
"Dear little friend." Lucy answered.
Caspian then just burst out laughing. Remembering when he first met Trumpkin ready to slit his throat. Only to hear the valiant Queen called the wild sarcastic dwarf a DLF. After their fit of laughs they talked and talked until Edmund called Caspian to discuss blue prints of the castle of Telmar.
End flash back
"Take it back you jerk," Wisteria yelled. Caspian shook his head from thought, looking up to see his magical cousin straddle Edmund and shaking him madly. "I'm not the wicked witch of the west, you jerk."
Lucy chuckled, while Caspian confused by her statement. "The wicked witch was a character from a book called the Wizard of OZ!"
"And how wicked was she?"
"Wicked."
.o0o.
Wisteria POV
I was shaking Edmund angrily after he called me the wicked witch of the west. Sure he was trying to help me calm down and relax. But I can't leave Eustace stuck in that dragon form. No, not yet can I give up on a friend. When I was about to scream and scold again, my body just went limp, so tired so drain. That I collapse on Edmund chest. Edmund grabbed my shoulder giving a light shake.
"Hey, you alright." He asked, "I didn't mean to call you a witch. I was only joking."
"Yeah, just magically exhausted," I mumbled, rolling off of him and on to my back dispelling the rope. And release him from his binds. He got up and offered a hand which I accepted. Looking at Eustace, a bit upset. "I'm sorry Eustace, It seem humanized magic doesn't work on dragon curse."
Eustace nodded though sniff in disappointment. I sighed joining my friends by the fire. Sitting in between Caspian and Edmund gazing at the fire as I hummed to myself.
"What a lovely tune," Lucy spoke, "is it from the future?"
"Yeah, in my time there are different types of genres." I explained, "There's classical, jazz, rock, country, hip-hop, rap, alternative, electric and more. It's like evolution for each decade."
"What was the song you were humming?" Edmund asked.
"Oh, nothing really, just a song my mother played a lot when I was a preteen." I assured.
"Why not sing it," Reepicheep said.
"I don't know. . . "
"Please, we love hearing you sing and been so long since we heard." Caspian said.
I sighed taking a deep breath:
" It started out as a feeling And then that word grew louder and louder I'll come back Just because everything's changing All you can do is try to know Pick a star on the dark horizon You'll come back You'll come back Now we're back to the beginning Let your memories grow stronger and stronger You'll come back You'll come back
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
Til it was a battle cry
When you call me
No need to say goodbye
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war
And follow the light
When it's over
No need to say good bye
When it's over
No need to say good bye
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Til they're before your eyes
When they call you
No need to say good bye
When they call you
No need to say good bye"
After I finished singing, I saw nearly everyone looking down in thought. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to sing this song? Reepicheep was kindly enough to compliment my singing and announced it was time to sleep. Lucy couldn't agree more. Lying down on her mat and went to sleep. But the boys and I were widely awake. So we just stared at the stars.
"I've never seen these constellations before." Edmund said lying down.
"Me neither," Caspian agreed.
"Nor I," I sighed, resting on my arms while leaning back.
"We're a long way from home." Caspian said, "When I was a boy I used to imagine sailing to the end of the world . . . finding my father there."
"Maybe you will," Edmund breathed.
Looking up into the sky, I notice how the Milky Way held a lion face. I chuckled in thought of the lion king.
"What's so funny?"
"I just remember a quote from a movie, when I was little about the stars." They were quiet, insisting I should go on. I sighed and continued lying down on my back on to the mat. "That the great kings from our past; are up there, watching over us."
Staring at the stars till sleep consumed me in dreamless care.
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Hope you liked this chapter.
Songs used,
No good Deed from Wicked
The Call from Regina Spektor
"Incarcerous!" from Harry Potter by J.K Rolling
And quote from lion king.
Thanks for reading and pretty please leave a review.
Silent Wolf Singer