Chapter Thirteen: Heyden's Run
Within a day my mission had gone from visiting and playing the apprentice to self-appointed lawyer. I knew I had a lot of work to get done in a very short time, and I had to figure the best way to go about it.
That evening in the longhouse there was to be music and merriment to note the birthday of one of the clan's daughters, a pleasant young woman named Byren who was betrothed to wed one of the apprentices from Caldron Pool. In Narnia it's a tradition to give small gifts on such occasions, and after a handful of mishaps at the start of our reign, my royal siblings and I had learned always to pack a few trinkets in with our supplies when we traveled, just so we would not be caught empty-handed. I had consulted with Bly and Baia for something fitting, and from the ten or so items I'd brought, they selected an oval mirror a little bigger than my hand, set in an ebony and mother-of-pearl frame. Anything associated with the ocean was highly prized this far inland (I had already promised to send the children a box of seashells) and so it would suit. Baia liked the gleam of the mother-of-pearl. Bly insinuated that Byren was well aware of her own charms and would enjoy seeing them for herself. I smiled, for a touch of vanity had its own appeal in the right person, and I was sure Byren's beau was smitten. The mirror was a pretty thing, and I knew Lucy had chosen it for me to bring. Before we left the cottage, Baia helped me wrap it in a scrap of cloth and we tied it close with a length of wool her mother had spun.
I added my gift to the little pile before Byren's place setting. Her finance, Bergend, smiled his thanks, clearly pleased. Since I had not had occasion before, I paused to speak a few words with him. Because of my age, Bly had told me I was not expected to give anything, but I had demurred since I was also a king and had the means. Such little things give great pleasure, and are well remembered in years to come. We dined on onion pie flavored with ham and sharp cheese, and roasted root vegetables, with crusty bread and fresh butter. Brickit's mood was improved, I was happy to note, even more so when a hearty plate of steaming hot food was set before him by Belana, and a quick kiss was pressed to his cheek and mine. Smiling, I made a point of looking from his plate to his face and dryly commented,
"Back in your lady's good graces, I see."
"Take a lesson from me, Spawn, and never anger the women in your life."
I snorted, thinking of my sisters and Xati and Minovin and Lady Avalynn and Dame Utha. The women in my life were as formidable as the forces of nature, each in her own way, and only a complete madman would anger them. "You think me a fool, Chief Smith?"
He considered good-naturedly. "You must think me one."
"La, I do," I teased.
"You might be in the right of it," he admitted softly, almost under his breath, and we laughed.
Normally after the evening meal Brack would fetch his atlas and a lesson of sorts would ensue for an hour or so as I answered the children's (and not a few of the adults') questions. We covered a broad range of topics, from geography to science to navigation and beyond. The histories I shared interested them greatly, especially if Dwarfs were involved, and we always wrapped up with one of them telling us a new tale of Babagee the Biter. I was also trying to teach the children how to tell a story, for in Narnia storytelling is an art as precious to us as music and drawing and weaving, and some of them, the girls especially, made great effort to learn.
Tonight, though, was devoted to song and celebration. We lingered after the meal was finished, savoring biscuits and jam and the wine I had brought as Byren exclaimed over her gifts. People moved about, and Belana came and sat with us as Brack stood up on the bench and gave us the first song of the evening. As soon as he was done, another Dwarf sang, then another. Lucy would have enjoyed it immensely as out of almost a dozen singers, I recognized only one song.
Brickit was well pleased, I could tell even though his expression was reserved. I watched him and Belana interact, and they seemed to me a good match. She brought him content, I could tell, and gave him as much surety and security as he gave her. Perhaps after the Winter, after living with Biss' anger and knowing so much want and struggle, she needed to escape to a new place and situation. I understood that well. Here at the smithy she worked hard, but hard work here was a pleasure, and appreciation liberally bestowed. As Brickit's wife, she would enjoy high status and respect, even more so than she enjoyed now.
That thought gave me pause, and for a moment the room and its occupants receded into the background of my focus. Respect. It meant so much to these people, especially Biss since he felt its absence so sharply. Brickit and his clan were so prosperous, so content and well connected, and Biss was jealous. Belana's defection to the Blue River Smithy must have seemed like betrayal. I felt a pang of sympathy for my Moon Mountain cousin, but all the same Biss had laid the groundwork for his -
"Give us a song, Edmund!" called Brickit.
Yanked back to the here-and-now, I looked up from my reverie with a frown. "No."
Taking my flat refusal as a challenge, the Dwarfs hooted and called for me to sing. Seeing as how the last time I had given them a song I had managed to devastate everyone in the room, I was understandably hesitant. Belana, however, gave me a look of longing and softly pleaded,
"It would please me greatly."
Damnit, she had mastered Lucy's doe-eyed begging look. Helpless before that expression, I looked to Brickit. "Do you like equine chanties?"
"No!" he insisted, clearly aware of what was coming. He may as well have issued an invitation, but at least I knew poorly written songs by Horses wouldn't break any hearts.
"Good."
I stood and climbed up on my chair to start the song I had learned from Phillip. Well, not so much learned as had it pounded into my skull. Peter knew this version of the song (there were several, it being a favorite topic amongst Horses) and Phillip decided I needed to know it as well because . . . Phillip. I suppose since Peter knew (and actually liked) the song, I had to as well in the Horse's estimate. Equine chants were fairly mono-tonal since Horses can't sing very well (if at all), and they tended to be long and quite simple (sometimes stretched) of rhyme, but with exciting stories. The chantey rather suited me right now, too, since my traitorous voice had a tendency to crack now and then and the limited range worked to my advantage. I knew the children at least would enjoy it. If I had to sing and suffer, I was determined that my adopted father would suffer along with me. The timing of a chantey depended on the gait of a Horse, and this particular song was good for a march, which is why I stood. In traditional equine chanting, the first line of the song was meant to call the herd together, so without any warmup or preamble, I drew a deep breath and let out a long, melodious call.
"Heeeyyyyyyyyy-dennn!"
I slowly stamped my feet as I hit the next notes.
"Heeeyyyyyyyyy-den ho and!"
"Noooo!" howled Bricket, prompting me to sing louder. Annoying him had become the purpose of my existence for the duration of the song. I gestured dramatically as I plunged into the epic tale of the famous Horse.
"Foal of the mighty stallion Shaze
Race from the river to the ocean's waves
Storm in the valley, wind off to sea
Strike of lightning at the meadow's lea!
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!"
My heavy boots stamped out the rhythm, varying in tempo for emphasis.
"Down from the mountains, tempest borne
A darkened sky in the early morn.
The messenger Hawk flew to warn the Cair
And lashing winds swept him from the air
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!"
Heads were nodding and bobbing all about, and I could hear feet tapping on the floor boards right along with my marching. I didn't know if they had ever heard such singing before, and even if the melody was simple it was clear the Dwarfs were enjoying the story.
"'Mighty Shaze, we must tell the queen!
From the northwest a gale as you've never seen!
From the Gates of Telmar to the Rappishan
Such wind and such rain will destroy the land!'
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!
My geography students let out little exclamations of excitement. The Rappishan, though more a glorified stream than a river, was not so very far from the Blue River Smithy and they recognized the name from our lessons.
Said Shaze to the Hawk, 'We shall send my son.
His daring and speed outpace everyone!
His legs are long and his sight is keen.
He can best any storm and will warn the queen!'
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!"
By now the Dwarfs were singing the brief chorus with me and slapping the table to the beat. My victory was complete.
"So, before the tempest Heyden ran
Up from the banks of the Rappishan
'Cross the Plains of Shan with blinding speed
His pounding hooves bore him o're the leagues!
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!
The storm raged down at Shaze's son
And cast its wind to rein his run.
The wind with its claws and shrieking wail
Caught but one hair of his tail!
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!"
The Dwarfs cheered at Heyden's narrow escape. I could hear Belana laugh over Brickit's groans and clap her hands beside me.
"Through Darrowing Dale, past Farlow's Glen,
The cloudburst fought to stop Heyden!
But he stretched his neck for the eastern shore
Thirty leagues and threescore more!
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!"
It was a simple fact that Horses thought more was better, especially when the currency was words. I carried on, enjoying their enjoyment.
"The raging storm he outpaced soon
And ran by the glow of the waxing moon.
The night was clear and the dawn was still
When he reached the palace on the hill.
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!
'Gracious queen, you must beware!
A tempest bears down on the Cair!
Its strength is that of a thousand storms!
Send word! Send word! We must forewarn!'
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!
Through Bird and Beast and Tree and Man
The queen sent word across the land
To shelter close and not despair
As thunder and lightning rent the air
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!"
Round-eyed children stared at me, entranced. I gestured for emphasis.
"The storm it struck with a forceful roar
And cast great waves upon the shore
It spent its wrath on the salty deep
While Heyden watched from the cliffside steep
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!
'Brave Shaze's foal, you have saved our land
Bird and Beast and Tree and Man
May the people sing in years to come
Of this mighty storm and Heyden's run!'
And Heyden ho!
Heyden ho and!"
I stopped for a beat, almost at the end.
"Are you done yet?" demanded Brickit sharply in that moment of silence.
I looked down at him and snapped, "No," before I finished the song as I had begun with overlong, drawn-out notes. I had to do it properly, after all, in case word ever reached Phillip's ears.
"Heeeyyyyyyyyy-dennn!
Heeeyyyyyyyyy-den ho and!
Foal of the mighty stallion Shaze!"
The Dwarfs hooted and cheered at having been treated not just to a completely new type of song, but a song and singer that completely annoyed their chief. I bowed my head to acknowledge their applause and hopped off the chair. Belana was laughing and clapping along with Gran as I resumed my seat. I looked at her and said,
"And now my lady, it would please me greatly to hear you sing."
Her smile grew broader and she stood without hesitation, claiming the next song. Belana's voice was sweet and the tune she sang was bright and lilting, and one I had never heard before.
"Oh, mist on the meadow
And sun on the stream
Daylight and sunlight
Are calling to me
Come home to the mountain
Come home to the hill
Home to your true love
Awaiting you still!"
She sang for me, but it was clear she sang to Brickit. Behind his bristling beard, I could see him blush.
"Oh, give me your hand
And walk by my side
To the mountain
Up to the reaches
Where small birds do sing."
A few more voices joined Belana's. I was astonished to see Master Boont and Bort sing with her. This must be a song from Moon Mountain, for none of the Blue River Dwarfs seemed to know the words.
"Oh, dew on the heather
And clouds o're the trees
Starlight and moonlight
Are calling to me
Come home to the mountain
Come home to the hill!
Home to your true love
I wait for you still."
Belana turned to me and lifted the hem of her skirt in a curtsy. I bowed my head, pleased with the evening and the company. After such a troubled start and so many emotional revelations, the day was ending on a good note, and I knew I had to do everything I could to make things work out. Just what it was I could do remained to be seen.