Author's Note: Been shirking my schoolwork today because this chapter's been running through my mind. Luckily, I got my geography done, so I'll reward myself by typing up this chapter. :D
Disclaimer: Aaryn, King Cedrin, Queen Topaz, and Maggie are all mine. The others, including Lucy, Edmund, Jadis, Digory, King Frank, Queen Helen, etc. are not.
Chapter 14- Of Questions and Tales
When the others had gone off to begin the day's training, I determined to find Aslan. Oreius had insisted that Edmund and I rest until lunch was served since the morning had been unusually rough on us.
Maybe the slave-driver isn't as bad as I thought. I mused playfully.
Edmund had retired immediately and even as I passed by his tent, I could hear him snoring contentedly.
I had attempted to do the same, but my mind had repeatedly gone over the morning's events to the point where I couldn't stand it any longer. So after I had gotten the wounds on my back redressed, I set out to find Aslan.
Passing a group of red dwarves busily crafting strong armor for the Narnian warriors, I finally spotted Aslan on the lip of a large hill. From what I could see at this angle, his eyes seemed to hold that same lonely sadness I'd spied in them before.
Making the quick ascent, I sidled up beside him to see what it was he was gazing upon. My breath caught in my throat at the spectacular sight before me.
A long green stretch of land, defined by emerald hills and grassy knolls reached nearly to the horizon on the left. A few rocky faces drew one's eye beside a great river that lead to the glittering ocean view. A snaking strip of sand separated the green from the blue waters on my right. Then a sparkling point in the distance, near the shoreline directly in front of me caught my eye. From my vantage point the sun caused it to shine with a radiance so great that I almost couldn't make out what it was. However, it slowly cleared as my eyes adjusted to it, and I saw that it was a brilliantly white castle, though I could make out no further distinctive marks.
"Oh, Aslan, it's all so beautiful." I whispered, almost reverently.
The Great Lion beside me nodded gently, his stoic face taking on a slight smile as he surveyed the land he'd created.
"I'm glad you like it, dear one. For I have given it to you. The five of you shall rule in the castle Cair Paravel." he told me gently.
Slightly taken aback, I wondered if Aslan had made a slip-up.
"But the Beavers said only the Pevensies would reign, not me. I'm just here to help." I told him.
I had been glad of it. Running a country would be a lot of work, and I would rather help than have the job laid upon my shoulders.
"Aaryn, you already know your place is beside the Kings and Queens, and the Beavers were correct when they said the Pevensies would be the Kings and Queens. But you also have a role in Narnia's rule as her princess. And though that title is of a lesser rank, we both know that the four would never allow you to be held with lower esteem than themselves."
I smiled as I was reminded of the loyalty of my friends, knowing he was right. But princess? How would I ever live up to being the princess of such a magnificent land. I could see the Pevensies living up to it, and surpassing it. But me? What could I do?
"I sense that you have a question for me, Daughter of Eve. Such is the reason for your seeking me." Aslan spoke after a few moments of silence.
My mind went blank for a moment, having been put on the spot, before I remembered what was weighing on my heart.
"Aslan, why is it that you appear to be so sad? What is it that you gave in exchange for Edmund's life?" I asked.
His face grew somber at the mentioning and I almost wished I hadn't asked.
"You will learn of it when the hour for such things to be disclosed has come. As for Edmund, you have shown that your loyalty to him is great, and outweighs your loyalty even to the other three. This is good, for he will need you before this battle is finished." he told me, placing a paw on my shoulder. "Serve your king well, Princess. He will need your heart at his side, just as you will need his."
Realizing that the conversation was done as Aslan turned back to the view, I slowly descended the hill pondering the meaning of all these things in my heart. Suddenly the weariness of the morning overwhelmed me and I let it overtake me as I fell upon my hammock and drifted into a much needed sleep.
I opened my eyes lazily as a beam of light fell upon my face. Lucy stood in the entryway with her ever-present grin upon her face. I'd never noticed that she and Peter had the same smile. I chuckled at the realization.
"How was your morning rest?" Lucy asked as I sat up precariously and set my feet on the ground.
"Quite successful." I answered, smiling back at her. "And your training?"
"The same." she responded sweetly.
Standing, I followed her outside and toward our meal, knowing by the growling of my stomach that mealtime had arrived.
Stretching as I walked, I listened as Lucy explained everything she'd learned from the dryads that morning and how happy she was that Edmund was alright.
"I just don't understand why Aslan looked so sad for saving him. Do you think he is upset with Edmund?" she asked, the idea suddenly occurring to her.
"No, Lu. He wouldn't be upset with Ed. He's already forgiven his faults. I'll wager whatever it is that he gave in exchange for Edmund's life is great indeed." I responded.
"Oh." Lucy said, almost to herself. I could tell she wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried at this bit of news.
"Take heart, Lucy. Aslan knows what He's doing." I consoled, putting a comforting arm around her small shoulders.
"You're right, Aar, but still- I can't help but feel like there's something amiss. I've determined, though, to be happy in spite of it. I don't think Aslan would want me to be upset." Lucy beamed up at me, proud of her own decision.
Just then, Edmund came around the corner with a bit more of a spring in his step after his few hours of sleep.
"What are you two ladies of Narnia up to?" he asked playfully.
"Off to fill our stomachs, which I'll wager is your intent as well." I answered.
That night, after another meal and a long afternoon of practice, most of the Narnians gathered in the center of the camp to hear a tale of Narnia. Room at the very center was reserved for us and we, the five humans, came forward and seated ourselves.
An old she-badger, who introduced herself as Maggie came forward and told a tale of the fall of Narnia:
"It was many a year ago when the trees were green and the rivers ran true. The air was warm as Spring was brought forth and the coldness of winter was only a season, not a lasting curse. It was much like the Narnia you see growing around you. It was the way Aslan had intended his land to be.
"Though he hadn't been seen for years, the land prospered under those who descended from our great King Frank and Queen Helen, the first King and Queen of our dear country.
"Our story takes place a little over a hundred years ago, under the rule of King Cedrin and Queen Topaz. King Cedrin was from the line of our first King and Queen and Queen Topaz, the daughter of a prominent river god. She was a beautiful nymph and the two had fallen in love at first sight.
"At this time, Archenland was ruled by the King's nephew, and both lands were prospering from the time of peace that came after their alliance against the threat of Calormen from across the Great Desert.
"Suddenly, word was sent to the Narnian King and Queen that the royal family of Archenland had been murdered by a new threat, the White Witch- Jadis. Yes, the witch who had been brought to Narnia at it's beginning by the young boy, Digory, had finally emerged. She had finally gathered enough forces to herself to rise up against the Narnian and Archenlandian empires.
"(However, a servant managed to save the Archenlandian prince, his King and Queen's son, and made an escape into the woods. The Prince's grandson is said to be a man named Lune, the man who is gathering his forces to drive out the Witch's followers in his own lands as we speak. But that, my dear Narnians, is another story for another time.)
"When King Cedrin and Queen Topaz received word of this tragedy. They and their empire mourned for three days, donning black and somber expressions as they set about fortifying their own lands and prepared for the coming invasion that darkened the door of their lands.
"After a series of battles, the Narnians were beginning to lose hope. They had been sorely defeated for the three years they had fought against their own encroaching doom. Though it should have been summertime, a chill set in to the heart of the land and all the trees grew bare and the dryads mourned as many were lost in the unexpected frost. They and the fauns no longer danced and the nymphs hid themselves within the icy waters, for they would freeze if they left their home.
"The Queen herself was lost in such a way. Refusing to retreat, she stayed by her husband until the end and died by his side. Lost in a hopeless rage and despairing over the death of Queen Topaz, King Cedrin called the Narnians that remained loyal to him to join him in one last battle.
"It was in the battle of Beruna that the final act was set. Those who were loyal to Aslan gathered, but not as many as King Cedrin had hoped, for Jadis had lured many into her trappings through enchantments and deceitful promises.
"It was a massacre. The Narnians were sorely defeated and scattered throughout the land and King Cedrin was lost at the hand of the White Witch. She stabbed him through the heart, but with his dying breath it is said that he told her,
" 'It's no use, Jadis. My heart has already left me, you have already destroyed her. But now I go to see her, for Aslan will greet me in His country, where we will be together once more." And he died with a smile on his lips.
"And that is the story of the fall of Narnia. For after that, Jadis took Narnia and turned it into a place of death. There was no one left to gather the faithful together until now. But now, Aslan has returned and the Sons and Daughters of Eve have brought hope to our land.
"This is our history, for it is the badger's duty to remember it."
And Maggie ended her tale with a flourish, and the Narnians stood talking excitedly amongst themselves.
As we returned to our tents, I felt my mind rummaging over all that I had learned. What a sad and tragic tale! It had almost made me cry, and if I wasn't mistaken, I had heard a few sniffles from the Queens, as well.
"Can you believe all that actually happened?" Lucy said as we lay down for the night. "I don't think I'll mind learning the history of this land. It doesn't seem like it will be so droll as England's."
"I'm sure it will have it's ups and downs, Lu." Susan remarked, though she seemed to have a sparkle in her eye that suggested that she was just as excited to learn it.
"I feel as if I've learned so much already." I told them. They nodded in response.
Susan took the burning torch she'd brought from the central fire and dipped it in the water bucket near the entrance of our tent as Lucy and I settled into bed. It wasn't long before we'd each drifted off to sleep.