Please, my dear readers, bear with me. This is the longest chapter of Disenchanted so far and it contains the most POV switches so please bear with it. Thanks :D
POVs:
The Tisroc
Taurinian
Adelaide
Rilian
I don't own it.


I have finished my prayer to the great Tash and am about to retire to my bedchamber when I hear a low, sinister voice.

"Good evening, Your Grace. May you live forever."

I turn but all I see is a small black rat.

"I bring news. A word of knowledge from Tash himself!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH DEMON RAT!" I begin to call for my guards.

"Do not doubt that Tash has sent me. He doesn't take kindly to unbelievers. For this reason your guards are all dead or at least in a deep slumber. You mustn't doubt. You must give ear to me for I am a messenger from the almighty Tash."

"V-very well. You have my undivided attention."

"''Hear my words great Tisroc (may you live forever under my heavens), I have sent you a great blessing! The barbarian Prince of Narnia has been delivered into your own kingdom. He has been made a slave in the home of Arkeen the fisherman. Now is the time to take Narnia as your own. You are the one I have chosen, for only you are wise and brave enough to tame such a savage land. Of all the tisrocs in your lineage I have found only you to be worthy of this great task. I will send you a Narnian minotaur and he will instruct you on how to overcome the beasts of the land. When he has accomplished his purpose you will do away with him,' thus saith Tash"

"A beast? You wish me to be instructed by a beast?"

"Do not question Tash! His word is above all else! The minotaur knows the land and the creatures therein. He will fight on your side. Without his aide you will surely perish!"

"How can I know he won't turn against me?"

"You doubt the word of Tash? He will surely retract every blessing he has given you if you fail to listen to his voice. The minotaur has already received his instructions and will arrive before the night is over. You will receive him or you will suffer the same fate as your guards. I will leave you now to roam your palace and take inventory of the dead."

With that the rat leaves and I heed his words.


The fool is convinced I am some divine creature. I stole a few serums from Garrin and a few weapons from unsuspecting villagers. Those were all the means I needed to defeat the palace guards who haven't any know-how when it comes to battling minotaurs. Poor unsuspecting fools. Once Narnia is in the hands of the Calormenes it will be ever so easy to conquer. As I said, they aren't trained to handle minotaurs. They do not know the land as the Telmarines do. Taking Narnia at that point will be as simple as slaying an infant.


I ride through the night hating myself all the while. Rilian told me to leave for my own safety, however, I now realize I am not concerned for my well-being, but Rilian's. He said he would die. How can I flee to save my life while he loses his own? He would never leave someone behind in this situation. He isn't the sort to look out for his own welfare. He would never leave me behind... He loves me.

My mind goes back to that night on my balcony, when Aslan finally changed my heart where Rilian is concerned.

"You must trust Me even though you cannot see Me. You must trust that all things are filtered through My Love. I will never lay upon you a task too great to bear, for I will bear it with you. I will give you the strength."

"Dear Aslan, I'm so afraid, but I trust You. Please give me the strength to help my brave Rilian or the peace to survive if I'm too late to save him."

Finally, I make the decision to turn the horse around. If Rilian is being murdered I shall rescue him or die with him. Only one thing is certain at the moment: I would rather die with him than live a hundred years without him; for I now realize I love him also. How could I ever forgive myself for leaving such a dear man to die alone?

Why did I not see this sooner? Had I known, I would've told him so. Now it may be too late.

Oh Rilian...

I now understand what Caspian meant in his letter to Rilian when he said every encounter with a loved one could be the last. When Father left in search of Rilian I knew I'd never see him again. There was a false hope in me that said he may return, but too many soldiers had been killed in these searches for me to actually believe he'd come home alive. When Caspian passed on, he was old and ill. All of Narnia knew it wouldn't be long. But Rilian... I hadn't expected to lose him so soon even though we were in slavery. I knew there was a good possiblilty, but it didn't seem like a reality. He had convinced me that it wasn't a grounded fear as long as we were good slaves.

My heart is heavy with regret. I feel ill. I will never forgive myself if Rilian is dead. I may have been able to save him, but I ran. I shouldn't have listened when he told me to go. I should've protested more. I should've told him I loved him. Why couldn't I bring myself to say it? Why did it take me so long to see-

"Adelaide, oh dear child, I found you! Praise be to Aslan!"

"Lord Garrin?" For some reason I feel as though I should avoid him, as if he's done something utterly wrong, but I can't remember what. "Whatever are you doing in Calormen? Get on! We must find Rilian!" He mounts the horse and we are on our way to the master's house."

"Adelaide, I'm so sorry! I should've never gone along with this foolish plan!"

"What plan?"

"We - Lord Tallian thought the Prince was a sorcerer. I wasn't sure what to think. We wanted to test him and find out somehow."

"Well if you thought Rilian was anything less than chivalrous and honorable, I'm afraid you were dead wrong, as was I."

"I - I'm sorry. I'm especially sorry you got caught in the middle of all this."

"Lord Garrin, are you trying to say that it was you and Tallian who sold us?" I inquire as fury grips my soul.

"Well, yes I'm afraid so. Do tell me he's well!"

"He's very likely dead thanks to you!" I resist the urge to either abandon Lord Garrin here or slap him.

"What happened?" He asks in a frantic voice. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know." I admit crossly. In doing nothing to help Rilian, I believe I am just as guilty as the lords who planned this treachery. I can't bear the thought. My anger burns against the two traitors and my own cowardly soul.

Rain begins to fall as we ride through the blackness. The lightning is our only source of light. I believe the heavens are mourning for Rilian as well.

We ride in silence until we are close to the house. I dismount the horse and start to search carefully for any sign of Rilian. Lord Garrin ties the horse to a tree and follows.

I hear voices.

"Just leave him here; he's not going anywhere."

"Unless a wild animal gets to him."

"What if the girl returns and carries him off?"

"What would she want with a dying man?"

"They were obviously lovers. She may want the body for sentimental reasons."

"Lovers? Bah! The girl wasn't capable of love."

"Few people are capable of loving you, Arikaan. Now what about the slave? We can't leave him here."

"Well I won't stay here in the rain! We'll come back when the storm subsides and finish him off. But even if we are prevented from doing so, I think we've done quite enough damage and either way he'll die before morning. It would take a miracle to sustain his life even to the nearest infirmary. Besides, if we're fortunate enough, he may serve as bait for the girl. She'll come to fetch him and if we see her we'll kill her as well...after doing a few other things to her of course." I can hear a sickening laugh in Arikaan's words.

"Very well, but if he goes missing and Father isn't pleased, you shall have all the blame thrust upon you."

"So be it. Inside then!"

I hear footsteps headed for the house. I am faced with a choice; search for Rilian and risk being caught by these monsters, or turn back now and never face them again.

"Adelaide," Lord Garrin whispers, "we ought to turn back. These men could be the death of you. You heard them; the poor prince is near death. We haven't a chance of rescuing him. We need to go before they find us."

My mind is made up now, thanks to Lord Garrin. I will not be a disloyal coward like the man before me.

"Go if you wish, Lord Garrin. But do leave the horse. I will probably need it for Rilian."

"But you heard what they're planning for you!"

"I also heard what they're planning for Rilian. As long as I have breath in me I will be loyal to him. For he is not only my Prince and the rightful King of Narnia, but he is my dearest friend as well. I will go to his aide no matter what the cost and you can join me or you can run away with your tail between your legs like the coward you are, but do not stand in my way." With that, I go to search for Rilian and Garrin stays behind in the shadows.


I lie with my back on the ground accepting the rain that stings as it falls on my open wounds, for there is nothing I can do in my semi-conscious state to shield myself from it. In all honesty I am grateful for the pain, it's keeping me alive. I feel so weak and I long for rest, but I know if I were to let myself sleep I would never wake again. I can feel a darkness trying to overtake me, the blackness of eternal slumber weaving one final enchantment on me.

Being dead isn't a bad thing. I remember it. Then, it was beautiful and glorious. I believe that was because I was supposed to die then. Aslan had planned for me to die and then come back. Granted, I do not recall anything leading up to my death, but I doubt it would've felt so wrong. Something tells me I'm not supposed to die now. I have things I still need to do - things Aslan has planned. And so this blackness that is so intent on having me is an evil trying to stand against the will of Aslan. I mustn't let it overtake me. I must view it as an enemy in battle. I must fight it until I can fight no longer or until the battle is won.

I must...

I...

I...

I am losing this battle. I can't keep myself awake much longer. I can hardly think. The darkness is consuming me.

"Dear Aslan, I don't hold out much hope for myself, but please spare Adelaide. Guide her back to the safety of Narnia. Watch over dear Narnia and keep her safe. Defend her and place a wise, new ruler on her throne if You will not spare me tonight. I do wish to live, but my life is Yours to do with as You please. If my parting from this world brings You pleasure then so be it. If not, then please rescue me from this terrible darkness."

I can feel myself slipping into the darkness. Suddenly I hear a voice like an angel beckoning me out of this dreadful blackness. It's the voice of my dear Adelaide. I am comforted to hear it again, but I am also deeply troubled. She should be far away from this place by now! Not here in the clutches of danger! I will my body to tell her to go. I try with all my strength to speak, but it's no use. My body is almost as good as dead though my mind is still intact.

She cradles my head in her arms and her sweet voice falls on my ears.

"Rilian, can you hear me? Please! Say something."

I try to speak again but still my body won't comply.

"Rilian, I'm so sorry I ever left you here alone," she says through tears. "Please! Please stay with me! Please! I need you! Narnia needs you! Just please don't die!"

I hear another voice. Lord Garrin? What's he doing in Calormen?

"Adelaide, you must calm yourself. We need to go before someone sees us."

"Lord Garrin, I told you: go if you must! But please, before you go, help me get him onto the horse."

"What would we do? Just drape his body over the horse? Seems like that would far less comfortable than lying on the ground. We might as well make him as easeful as possible during his last hours. Let's just go."

"He's not going to die! Aslan will sustain him. Might you know where we can find an infirmary?"

"Yes."

"Good. Of your courtesy, please give me directions when I return."

"Return from where?

"You're correct in saying we ought not drape him across the horse like that. I must go see if I can fetch a cart without being noticed. Might you have enough money to pay for a horse and cart? Since you and Tallian planned all this, I assume you came prepared with such things as money."

"Yes I do. But I won't stay here while you go to your death for the sake of the dying Prince. I believe I will go without you. I tried to convince you to come to safety with me and to abort this foolish mission but you won't hear reason! I wash my hands of your blood and of the Prince's. For I tried to come back with you and see if there was anything I could do to save him, but upon seeing his condition, I (being the reasonable man I am) have determined there is nothing I can do for him. I shall be on my way and you may continue your madness alone."

"Fine then. Be on your way to Narnia where you can go on living your life trying to cover your own traitorous hide and hoping no one ever discovers what you and Tallian have done to the Crown Prince. It will serve you right when - not if - all of Narnia learns of your treachery and you are hanged for the cruelty you've handed us. It is men like you that make me wish for a moment that Narnia was as cruel a place as Calormen. Then you could receive all the beatings and torture you deserve before you were executed!"

Adelaide's strong words give Lord Garrin pause. Finally he speaks.

"Here is the money you need. If I help you, will you promise that no harm will come to me for my actions against the Prince?"

"I cannot make a promise on Rilian's behalf, but I will say this: I believe he has learned much about grace and will therefore be the most merciful king Narnia has known in a long time. I don't believe you'll be punished as you deserve if he lives. However, if he dies, the rest of Narnia may give you what your crimes beg for."

"There's no time to waste! You must go find a cart and we must get him well as quickly as possible!"

I hear Adelaide's footsteps hurrying away and say a prayer for her safety. All is quiet again and I try to fend off the darkness. Much to my relief, she returned with the cart and hooked it to the horse. Presently, she and I lay in the cart while Lord Garrin drives us to the infirmary.

"Rilian, please hold on. You're going to be fine." I can tell she is crying again. I believe the words are more for her comfort and assurance than mine.

"Rilian, I need you to live because I still have so much I need to say to you. I will say it now. I don't know if you can hear me but I do hope you can." I feel her warm breath on my face. She is so close. I wish I could hold her.

"I'm so sorry I ever doubted you, Rilian. I'm sorry for all the unkind words I've spoken. Above all, I'm sorry I never told you I love you. I love you so, so dearly. I didn't realize how much you mean to me until I was fleeing the master's house. I couldn't leave you because I knew that would mean leaving my heart behind. You have proven your great love for me. What else can I do but return it? I need you to survive. I love you, my sweet Rilian. I don't want to live without you."

She leans in close and her lips touch mine in a gentle and sincere kiss. I am too weak to reciprocate it but I wish I could. As she kisses me her tears fall on my face. "Aslan, please," she whispers, "please don't let him die. Give me another chance to show him I love him. Please!" I listen as she weeps and prays and I beg Aslan for His comfort to surround her and fill her with peace.


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