It didn't take long before they were all back on the ship and just moments away from sailing straight into Dark Island. Everyone was on the deck, staring at the island as it loomed before them. Everyone was worried and everyone was afraid they would die somehow. Tavros looked visibly worried.
"What do you think is in there?" he asked.
"Our worst nightmares," Edmund replied.
"Our darkest wishes," Caspian added.
"Pure evil," Captain Drinian suggested.
Karen looked around at them.
"Nice to know that you boys are optimistic about our outlook. I'm going to try and think cheery thoughts, if you all don't mind."
Drinian moved over to the Minotaur, ignoring Karen's comment.
"Tavros, unlock the armory."
Tavros shouted for the archers to get ready. Caspian looked over at the others and nodded at them.
"Let's get ready."
Going down below, Lucy and Karen, followed by Gail, went down below and strapped on their weapons. James, Edmund, and Caspian changed in Caspian's room. Gail watched the girl's get ready. As they were finishing, Gail looked at Lucy.
"When I grow up, I want to be just like you."
Lucy looked at the girl from the mirror she had been checking herself in. She then moved over and sat beside the girl as Karen leaned against the wall, watching with a grin on her face.
"When you grow up," Lucy told her, "you should be just like you."
She hugged the girl. Karen, who had been watching Lucy look up to the older girls, especially Susan, for a couple of years now, was happy to see that Lucy had learned that she just needed to be herself. She was also glad that Gail didn't look up to her. She knew there was way too much of her than most people could handle. She slipped out of the room and was heading up to the deck when she met up with James. He smiled at her.
"Sentimental moments are getting to be too much for me," James told her, jerking his head toward Caspian's room," Caspian just gave Edmund Peter's sword to use. Pretty nice of him."
Karen laughed and the two went up the stairs to the deck.
"James."
He turned and looked at his older sister, who looked very concerned.
"Everything is going to be okay, right?"
It wasn't normal for Karen to worry about things openly, so James knew she was stressing herself out on the inside. He went over and pulled her into a hug.
"We're going to take down anything that gets in or way. The evil will be defeated and the green mist will be gone. I'm sure of it."
Karen sighed with relief. The two let go as the others all made it up to the deck. Caspian stood up in front of the ready crew to make his battle speech.
"No matter what happens here, every soul who stands before me has earned their place on the crew of the Dawn Treader. Together, we have traveled far. Together, we have faced adversity. Together, we can do it again. So now is not the time to fall to fears or temptations. Be strong! Never give in! Our world, our Narnian lives, depend on it. Think of the lost souls we're here to save. Think of Aslan. Think of Narnia."
With that, he made his way down the stairs, but stopped as a cheer came out from the whole crew.
"For Narnia!"
It was a hopeful cheer and boosted everyone's hopes. On that note, they sailed straight into the island. It was almost impossible to see anything. The lights on the ship only penetrated the darkness close to the ship. Dark, jagged rocks pointed upwards from the water threateningly. As they sailed, green mist floated into their mists, going around them. Many of the crew members looked around worried. Some seemed to see things that were not there. The green mist seemed to whisper and see what was in people's hearts. Karen looked over at Edmund who stood near here.
"No. Go away," he said, staring around as something seemed to move around him," NO!"
"Edmund."
Not only Karen, but Lucy and James as well were watching him with concern after his shout.
"Are you alright?" Lucy asked, looking at him strangely.
"Yeah."
He looked utterly spooked as Karen gave his cheek a gentle pat of comfort. Suddenly, there was a shout from not too far away. Everyone moved off to the right side of the ship to try and spot what was making the sound. When they had gotten closer to the source, words became discernable.
"Keep away! Keep away!"
Edmund shouted out toward who or whatever it was.
"Who's there?"
"We do not fear you!" Caspian shouted.
"What are you?" the voice asked.
Edmund went over to his bag and pulled out his flashlight. He shined the light out toward where the voice came from. It eventually found a huge rock with a man standing on it. His clothes were naught but dark rags and his grayed hair and beard were exceptionally long. He had a slight slouch and shook as he spoke and moved. He was holding a sword aloft in his hands.
"Keep away!" he continued shouting.
"We will not leave," Caspian said, as they were close enough not to yell.
"You will not defeat me!"
"Caspian," Edmund said, continuing to shower the man in light," Caspian, his sword!"
Lucy and Karen exchanged a glance. It was the last sword they needed. The man had to be the last Lord.
"Lord Rhoop!" Caspian stated in surprise, dashing down to the deck.
"You do not own me!" Lord Rhoop shouted, still fearful.
"Stand down, let's get him on board," Caspian commanded," Quickly."
As the crew got ready to throw a net, Eustace flew in from nowhere and grabbed Lord Rhoop in his claws. He flew the man over and dumped him on the ship's deck. He instantly jumped up, ready to use his sword.
"Be calm, my Lord," Caspian said, as the crew backed away from the man.
"Get off me, demons!"
"No, my Lord, we are not here to hurt you. I am your King, Caspian."
Lord Rhoop froze and turned his head to look at Caspian.
"Caspian?" he muttered to himself.
He put a hand on the King's shoulder.
"My Lord! You should not have come," he informed them, standing up straighter," There's no way out of here. Quickly, turn this ship about before it's too late."
"We have the sword. Let's go," James told Caspian.
"Let's turn her about, Drinian," Caspian demanded, turning to the Captain.
"Aye, aye, your Majesty!"
"Do not think!"
Caspian turned around as Lord Rhoop gave that warning.
"Do not let it know your fears or it will become them!"
Edmund suddenly close his eyes with a gasp. Karen, Lucy, and James turned to him.
"Oh, no…"
"Edmund," Lucy asked, worriedly," What did you just think of?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," he replied, running over to the side of the ship. The ship suddenly rocked heavily, knocking everyone to the floor. Everyone scurried to their feet to man their positions. James pulled Karen up as Edmund did the same for his sister.
Caspian shouted as he looked over the side of the boat.
"Everyone, look! What is that?"
A huge snake-like body part had surfaced above the water before going back down. Karen turned to look at Edmund with wide eyes.
"You didn't…"
He looked at her and the others apologetically.
"We're too late. It's too late!" Lord Rhoop shouted.
Gail moved away from the side of the ship in fear. She had moved to the other side of the ship where she sat cowering against the rail. Lucy turned just as the head of the sea serpent showed itself.
"Gail!" Lucy screamed.
It was stories high and was a dark, ugly green color. It had a circular mouth with a ridiculous amount of teeth. Lucy ran over and grabbed Gail.
"Over here. Come on," she said, dragging the girl toward the rest of the crew.
Everyone was preparing to fight as Eustace swooped out of the darkness and attacked the sea serpent with Reepicheep still riding on his head. With a blast of fire and a scrape of his claws, Eustace knocked the serpent sideways. Grabbing the head, Eustace hung on for dear life as the serpent thrashed around trying to get rid of what was covering its face. The two rammed into the ship, breaking a couple lamps and rocking the boat. Reepicheep took an opportunity and stabbed the monster in the head, but was tossed off onto a rope on the ship. The mouse called out to Eustace who was still being flung around in different directions until with a violent swing, he was sent sailing through the air. Recovering, he flew back around the ship, only to get caught in the serpent's mouth as it bit him and dove into the ocean. Coming back up, it slammed Eustace straight into a rock. At that point, the dragon didn't look too good. He was able to lift his head enough to blast the serpent with fire as it tried to strike him while he was down. The monster screamed in pain, its face on fire. It dove into the ocean to quench the fire. As Eustace tried to get up, Lord Rhoop broke through the group of people watching the fight and threw his sword with a shout.
"No! The sword!" Caspian shouted, as it stabbed Eustace right in the shoulder.
"EUSTACE!" Lucy and Karen shouted as he reeled upwards in pain.
"NO! Come back!" Lucy continued as he flew away and out of Dark Island.
"We're doomed. Doomed!" Lord Rhoop was muttering as he went up to the steering wheel and knocked the man steering out of the way," Turn this ship about!"
"Stop him!" James shouted as he grabbed the wheel and turned it.
Everyone was once again knocked over, but this time it was from the crazy man turning the ship roughly. Calmly, Drinian punched Lord Rhoop and let him drop to the ground before taking the wheel into his own hands.
"All crew, to your rowing positions!" he told them," Oars at double speed."
Lucy looked off the side of the ship with sadness. Things didn't look like they were going well, especially since Eustace might actually be dead. Karen looked over and put a hand on the girl's shoulder. They were all hoping for the same thing. That Aslan would somehow help them get through this. The two girls were shocked as they saw a seagull break through the clouds and then fly off away from them. As they tried to sail out, the serpent chased them relentlessly. It was gaining on them as the ship was much too slow compared to the sea serpent. Eventually it caught up and dove over the ship itself, breaking the railing on both sides. It then tried to wrap itself around the ship in an attempt to crush it. Everyone ran for a place the serpent wasn't crushing. Lucy and Karen ran Gail down to Caspian's room and left her down there. Lucy grabbed Susan's bow and arrows on the way.
"Now stay here until someone comes to get you," Lucy told her before the two females dashed back up to the deck.
Caspian moved to the steering wheel and looked straight ahead. Before them was a moderately large rock. He suddenly had an idea.
"Ed, James! We ram the serpent, smash it on the rocks!" he told them, nodding to the rock.
The two boys looked and agreed.
"Steer at the port," Edmund replied to Caspian," I'll keep it on the prow. James, try and make the serpent let go of the ship at the right moment."
Edmund headed straight for the prow as James tried to find a good place to stab the serpent with his sword to make it let go at the right time. Edmund went up to the prow and sat in the wooden dragon's mouth. He took out his flashlight and began shining the light at the serpent to get its attention. It worked.
"Try and kill me, come on!" Edmund said, trying to distract it so that it stayed at the front of the ship," Come one, I'm here!"
The serpent lunged forward and bit the wooden dragon head. He ripped off the top part of the open mouth. Caspian, Karen, James, and Lucy all shouted Edmund's name, for fear that he had been killed. Luckily, Edmund had scurried back through the mouth in time to dodge. He came back out as the wood in the serpents mouth was tossed away. Edmund got out and jumped over the head to get back down to the deck, while still taunting the monster. Lucy took aim with Susan's bow. Aiming extremely well, Lucy sent an arrow straight into the eye of the serpent. He hissed in pain and anger. Just as the serpent was reeling back, Caspian shouted from the port.
"Brace yourselves."
Everyone grabbed something to hold them up except for James, who stabbed the serpent, making it release the ship, and Edmund, who jumped from the prow as the ship rammed the monster against the rock. The serpent released green mist from its wounds and began to glow orange all over its body. The orange was from lines that looked as if the creature was cracking. The serpent's front suddenly split into two and millions of thin, creepy spines came out of its body. They looked like the legs of a centipede, yet the monster was ten times more repulsive. Edmund had been helped up from where he had fallen to the deck by Caspian. The serpent had eyes only for Edmund, who stood in horror watching the serpent.
"Move!" Karen yelled to him as the serpent made to lunge at him.
Caspian tackled Edmund to the deck as the creature lunged. Karen sighed in relief as the two males scrambled to their feet. Caspian spotted a sword lying against the side of the ship. Grabbing it, he sliced one of the spines the creature had on the deck. It disintegrated into green mist. Those watching just stared at the now empty spot.
"We can beat this," Caspian said.
The angry serpent began pulling and chewing on the mast, hoping to break it. They looked up and Edmund began moving.
"We need to get it closer," Edmund said.
"To kill it with…?"
Edmund put a hand on the hilt of Peter's sword.
"We'll distract it," Karen said, turning to Caspian," Hopefully wound it as well."
He nodded and shouted to the crew as the serpent continued its assault on the mast.
"Man the harpoons!"
Edmund leaped onto a rope and swung himself onto the rope ladder that led up to the mast. While he did that, Caspian, James, and many men of the crew threw harpoons at the serpent, which let go of the mast. They all landed on the target and hooked it to the ship.
"Pull its head down!" Caspian shouted over the churning sea.
They all grabbed the ropes and began pulling its head closer to where Edmund would be able to reach it. Once he was up there, the serpent began thrashing more roughly. It was hard to hold it down. James and Karen helped with the rope Caspian was pulling down. Looking up, it seemed as if Edmund were distracted.
"What is he waiting for?" James shouted.
They all began shouting up at him for him to stab it already. Suddenly, the piece of railing that the ropes were connected to broke from the strain of the ropes and knocked most of them to the ground as it hit them. From her spot on the floor of the deck, Karen looked up in time to see Edmund's sword glowing blue.
"What is going on?" she said to herself, as Caspian and James looked up and noticed as well.
Holding his sword up to the serpent, Edmund waited for it to attack him. It instantly did and he stabbed it through the rough of its mouth. Lightening seemed to appear from where he'd stabbed the serpent and the orange cracks appeared once again, but with lightening striking the creature from the dark clouds above. The creature fell back and sunk into the sea, they could only assume it was now only a corpse. Everyone on the deck got up and looked up at the sky. Light was slowly breaking through the clouds.
"The spell! It's lifting," Lucy announced from the port," Edmund, Karen, Caspian, James!"
James, Caspian, and Karen noticed this as well. Edmund looked out as he climbed down to the deck. A ways out, small little boats of people could be seen sailing toward them. The crew began to shout happily.
"Narnians! Narnians!"
There were applause and cheers being shared by everyone. In Karen and Edmund's case, as well as Lucy and James's, kisses were given as well. Afterwards, Lucy went over to Gail who was watching the boats, intently looking for her mother.
"Mummy!" the girl suddenly shouted.
Her father followed, calling out her name. Gail instantly took the chance to jump into the water below and swim toward the boat. Her father followed her happily. Caspian moved around getting the crews attention.
"Let's get them on board," he announced," Clear the decks."
The group of royalty congregated at the edge of the boat, smiling at each other.
"We did it," Lucy announced, smiling round at everyone," I knew we would."
"Wasn't just us though," Edmund grinned.
The others looked at him funny.
"You mean…?"
Suddenly a voice called up to them from the water.
"Hey! Hey, I'm down here! Lucy! Karen! Over here! Over hear!"
Moving to the other side of the boat, they found Eustace smiling and waving at them from the water.
"Eustace!" the girls exclaimed.
"I'm a boy again!" he announced," I'm a boy!"
Karen laughed at him.
"Well, you're definitely not a girl."
Eustace laughed, surprising her, as Reepicheep popped up.
"Eustace!" he cried happily," I see your wings have been clipped."
He jumped into the water and joined his now human friend. The group on the boat all laughed as Reepicheep began singing his song. He stopped singing abruptly upon tasting the water around him.
"It is sweet…It's sweet! Look! Look!"
He turned Eustace around and the others on the boat looked where they were looking. There was a sea of lilies off in the distance, which was quite a sight to see out in the ocean.
"Aslan's country," Caspian said aloud for them all," We must be close."
"Well…we've come this far," Edmund said to them.
"Ready for one last adventure?" Karen smiled, looking around at them.
They all grinned and nodded.
