Chapter 26- It Has Arrived

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"Sounds like the cavalry has arrived," muttered Edmund, putting a spur to his horse. He had recognized the distinctive clatter of hooves on cobblestone.

Sure enough, it was Peter with a troop of centaurs and cheetahs drawn up in the town square. But by then the crowd had completely dispersed, and only a few citizens remained to lounge and watch the puzzled troops.

"No need to worry," called Edmund, riding hard into the square with Alicia behind. "Everything's been settled, for now."

"Was there any danger to the Lady Glozelle?" Peter asked worriedly. "That was reckless of you, Alicia. And Edmund! You went to face a mob unarmed and unescorted? And allowed Alicia to go with you? What in the name of Aslan possessed you?"

Alicia interrupted before Edmund could respond. "It really wasn't a mob, just protesting citizens. And Lord Donnon had troops ready in case of trouble. I wanted to come, Peter; and it's hardly fair to blame Edmund when he was responsible for settling the dispute, singlehandedly."

Peter nodded but still looked angry. "Ed, I'll expect a full report later. Sir Greydell, lead the troop back to Cair Paravel. And thank you for your services. A bowl of ale for each one of you, for your trouble."

"Your majesty," said the centaur before giving a great cheer that was echoed by the rest of the soldiers as they turned and galloped or ran back toward the distant walls of Cair Paravel.

"Sorry you had to come here for nothing," said Edmund, lounging on the horn of his saddle and looking wistfully at the troop flying back to the castle.

"Oh, it really wasn't nothing," exclaimed Peter. "As a matter of fact, I was looking for the Lady Glozelle. Um, would you mind leaving us alone, Ed?"

"Certainly," said Edmund, bowing slightly. "I've spent far too much time away from my other duties." He noticed that Peter had not thanked him, but didn't care at the moment. He had enjoyed the afternoon greatly, but feared that he would want another one. Too much time alone with Alicia…it was dangerous. It was far better to not even have to think about her, for his brother's sake and for her sake.

But Alicia was certainly not helping. "Don't dig too deep into your cave of papers," she called as he galloped away. "We'll have to come out here again, soon."

"What was that about?" asked Peter as he leaned in to kiss Alicia. The two had been courting since the fall, though only Edmund and Susan knew. It would not do for the other councilors to have reason to question his or her impartiality; it seemed that the council would never be free of squabbles and factions.

Alicia laughed. "I've been trying to pry him away from his work. It's not healthy for him, to be shut up all day."

"Indeed. But what about you? You've been shut up in that gloomy old castle of yours all winter!"

"A house is only as gloomy as its inhabitants," shot back Alicia, "and I try to ensure that my people have no reason for gloom."

"I just don't see how that's possible in that edifice. Why don't you let me build you a new house? One with running water, electricity, a modern Narnian home…or you could just move to Cair Paravel."

Alicia shook her head. "Do you remember how you once talked of chivalry as serving others? Well, as a feudal overlord I have to think of my people first. They've lived on and farmed the same land for generations, and to move will tear them apart. And I know that, first and foremost, you think of the people." Or at least the Peter she wanted to know and admire did...

"Chivalry…" Peter said half-blankly, as if struggling to recall the meaning of the word. But his mind had already swept back to a bright afternoon five years earlier. So much had changed in those five years…it was a darker, smokier Narnia now, but it was a modern Narnia. And he was satisfied with his work; chivalry had become almost an afterthought. But Alicia was right about one thing. The people were first in his mind; he wanted a people that would live in a modern, industrialized Narnia, one that Aslan would not and could not take them away from.

"Then it's settled; I'll have new houses built on your land; they will look exactly the same as the old ones, but be modern! I'm sure that your people…and you especially…will love them." This was not a suggestion but a statement, and Alicia knew that it would be hopeless to argue. And so the conversation drifted to other subjects, until Alicia noticed Peter staring at the crashing waves. Two brothers, so different and yet so similar, she thought…

"I was just thinking," said Peter, noticing her questioning look, "of how all our electricity is produced by burning coal or wood to produce steam, which turns turbines. But look at how fast those waves are coming in and out! Don't you see? We could use the power of the sea itself to drive the turbines! Just imagine, miles of turbines along this empty shoreline, inexhaustibly powering both Cair Paravel and Glasswater…"

"That's brilliant!" exclaimed Alicia. She was not generally demonstrative, but Peter's ingenuity and drive never ceased to amaze her. But then she remembered a very recent conversation. "Edmund won't be happy, though."

"Edmund? What about him?"

"He loves how peaceful it is here. Apparently he comes here a good deal to think."

Peter brushed this off. "Oh, I'm sure Edmund won't object when I bring it up with him." And they both knew this was true.

A rather uncomfortable silence ensued, Peter trying to think of how to direct the conversation back towards another matter and Alicia pondering Peter's new idea. It was almost to their relief that a mighty shout intervened.

"What news, Sir Greydell?" asked Peter, turning to the arrival. "You look as if you'd run straight back here from the palace."

"Indeed, your majesty," gasped the centaur. "I would not pass by the honor of informing your majesty of this news. The Dawn Treader has been sighted, bearing southwards along the coast from Galma towards Cair Paravel! Their majesties have surely returned!"

Peter smiled. "That is reason enough to be excited. Come, my good and loyal centaur, let us return speedily to the castle and welcome them. Your draught shall be most well deserved."

"The honor is all mine, your majesty."

And so Peter followed the centaur and the Telmarine back towards Cair Paravel. The question he had been planning to ask Alicia would have to wait.

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The homecoming of a Narnia monarch was quite a spectacle. First marshwiggles and Talking Rats secured the ship to the marble quay and laid a gang-plank to the shore, then musicians burst into a triumphal fanfare. A troop of the Royal Guard presented arms, and there was a great deal of waving of handkerchiefs from the crowd. The whole castle, from Queen Susan to visiting lords to the scullery-maids, was waiting and cheering madly. Finally, preceded by a sergeant carrying the Royal Sword of Telmar and followed by the merry Duke, Captain Drinian, four strangers, and the officers and crew, Caspian and Lucy stepped down the gangplank.

All this Peter and Alicia saw and heard in the distance as they galloped around the castle, past the great Northern Gate, and through the orchard and green lawn to the dock. By the time they arrived, the two returning monarchs had been surrounded by the crowd and it was with difficulty that the two made their way to the middle, where the rest of the family was being reunited.

I shall not attempt to describe the scene, for the reunion of a family is beyond any mortal words. Let it simply be said that there was doubtless no happier family in Narnia at the moment, especially as Caspian was reunited with his wife and son. But finally they remembered that there was a crowd, and other greetings to be made.

"And let me introduce our new companions," Caspian exclaimed, turning to the four strangers. "The Lord Argoz, the Lord Revilian, and the Lord Mavramorn, Lords of Telmar."

"We have no intention of taking your seats on the Council," Argoz said to Lord Alba when he reached the very uncomfortable Telmarine. "We are home, and we are content with that."

The fourth was a young man, looking around himself in wonder and looking very awkward amidst the splendor and finery. "Eustace!" Susan finally exclaimed.

And Eustace it was, though it was a different Eustace from the one they had once known. For one, he was older now; Edmund realized with a shudder that they were now almost the same age. Time must have passed more quickly on Earth… Also, he was far fitter and tanner than the old Eustace. Sea-air and hard work had clearly done him good.

"Hullo," he said extending his hand. "I don't know what else I can say, seeing you actually monarchs and all," he added when it was not taken. 'You do know you're supposed to be dead, back home."

"Eustace has changed greatly for the better," interjected Lucy. "I am quite glad now to have him as a kinsman. But come, let us return to the palace before everybody catches cold!"

And indeed, it was beginning to rain. So further conversation was put off until they were all in a sitting room in the palace, with Eustace, Drinian, and Alicia and the lords seated around the royals.

And it was quite a tale that Caspian and Lucy told, with an occasional word from Drinian and the four newcomers. How they picked up Eustace and how he was changed for the better was told. All of their adventures on the way to the world's end were told, and of how Reepicheep and Rhoop had at last gone to Aslan's Country.

"Peepicheek is now Head Mouse and will take his lord's seat on the Council," Caspian explained.

"And what about you, Eustace?" Susan asked. "So Aslan allowed you to remain?"

Eustace nodded. "He gave me a choice. Now I see how beautiful it is, I couldn't pass by seeing more of Narnia. I suppose Aslan has some mission for me since I'm staying, but he didn't say what it was."

"Well, welcome, welcome!" exclaimed Peter. "We're glad to have you here." "Now," he added under his breath.

"Thanks," Eustace said simply. "Well, I hear you're bringing Narnia up-to-date. I'm looking forward to seeing what has been done."

Peter smiled broadly. "As a matter of fact, we finished building two steamships last month!"

"Steamships!" exclaimed Eustace. "You mean to say all that rowing…"

"What did you name them?" Lucy interrupted hurriedly.

"Invincible and Inflexible."

Caspian frowned. "Those names don't sound very Narnian," he said rather meekly. Alicia also frowned, but it was for another reason. Caspian had been very much in command when he first landed, but already he seemed to be retreating back into his old, comfortable shell.

"They aren't," affirmed Peter. "Invincible and Inflexible were two British ships that won a great victory over the Germans." The Pevensies had long before explained to Caspian what a German was, though some of those who remembered the stories from the Golden Age couldn't understand how two peoples could be fighting the same war for thirteen hundred years.

"Well, pray continue with your adventures," Susan exclaimed.

"Well, there isn't much more to be told," admitted Caspian. "We wintered at Ramandu's Island and then caught a fair wind for home and dear family, and were feasted and feted at Galma by our dear Duke. But how does Narnia fare?"

"There's been…" Edmund began.

"The kingdom fares very well," interrupted Peter. "An occasional disturbance, but for the most part as peaceful as when you left."

Edmund nodded, not wanting to contradict his brother. "There is also a vacancy on the council," he added. "Lord Medina passed away."

Caspian nodded. "We regret his loss," he said to the lords, a couple of whom smirked knowingly at the kings' level tone. "But I know the perfect man to take his place. Lord Drinian, your conduct and advice on this voyage have both been excellent and deserving of a reward. From henceforth, you will be a councilor of Narnia."

"Your majesty overwhelms me," Drinian said, kneeling before Caspian and reciting the ancient formula, one which had its origins in the very beginning of Narnia and which all those present would be called upon to remember in the coming months. "May I bear this title with honor, as befitting a lord of Narnia. May I always place Aslan and His people above myself. May I rule my subjects kindly and fairly, remembering that they are Talking Beasts, kinsmen of Telmar, and free subjects. May I be just and merciful and brave. May I, if enemies come against this land, be first in the charge and last in the retreat. So help me Aslan."

"There is another who must be honored especially," added Caspian, after affably helping Drinian to his feet. "While sailing past Terebinthia, we were attacked by two pirate ships. But we were saved by both the courage of the crew and the ingenuity of one man. Eustace, what was that concoction you developed again?"

"Gunpowder."

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I will have changed my pen name to "ResOmnesBeneFacere" by the next update.