Author's Note: Funny how it works out. These chapters take far less time to write than my other fanfic, yet I am three (four?) chapters ahead in my other fanfic and have reached the end of my stockpile with this chapter, chronicling the gang's adventures as Aslan's How. This is not to say that I have hit writer's block (no worries, I have roughly outlined the rest of this story), nor am I discontinuing this story. I simply was on a roll over the holidays and three-day weekends and got plenty of writing done. Now that I'm hitting midterms, things are getting a little tricky and the week is reserved for school and the weekends for sleep and festivities. I normally update this fanfic and my other one at the same time, but you may need to spare me for a week or two as I regain momentum. I wrote a lovely chapter for later on in the story, so I have plenty of inspiration. Coffee, I fear, can only sustain the body for so long. So, kindly have a little patience with me and I will try to do some writing this weekend so I do not make you wait too long! Lots of love from Off Dreaming and enjoy the chapter!
CHAPTER 35: How
They managed to depart from Beruna two days later with wide smiles and bruised shins. After the battle betwixt Jack and Caspian, the town had opened their arms to the King, who presented himself so humbly that all could not help but like him. For so long, they had called him the boy-king who locked himself in the castle, only to venture outside for war. They soon discovered that it was his quiet, conservative nature that kept him isolated (his workaholic attitude did not help), but he was not imposing, yet so much esteemed. There was an apparent charm and wit about him that drew crowds to listen to him speak with a careful, but easy tone, commanding attention without asking for it. Many a girl had fallen in love with him after three days in the town, and many tears were shed at his departure. Astra relentlessly teased him about this, causing him to blush and more teasing to ensue.
A large procession followed them out of the city, sending them off in high spirits. They had only a few hours ride to Aslan's How and but they did not leave until close to dark. However, the soldiers were quite adamant about not staying in the woods, preferring the open meadow that surrounded the hilly How.
"The trees are particularly garrulous," said Raymond, his piercing eyes focusing on the horizon when asked by Astra why he was wary of the woods. "The woods are always talking, whispering. The meadow is quiet, has a better vantage point, and there aren't Animals everywhere."
"If we were avoiding animals, we could have left Gus behind," said Astra in a low, joking voice.
"But the Animals, I am sure, would be so kind to our party," insisted May with a sweet smile. Raymond could not possibly retort to her optimistic rebuttal and did not respond. The day was long and Alyx was particularly catty, which rubbed off on Ros, which rubbed off on Aldin, which rubbed off on Caspian. This caused Douglas to be concerned, which caused May to be concerned, which caused Raymond to be concerned. Astra, Gus, Foragefun, and the sheepdogs seemed to be the only ones not disconcerted by all this, but understood that it would be unwise to push anyone's buttons. They did not stop until they arrived at the How after dark.
Raymond was right: the trees surrounding the How were always whispering and moving. Astra, recalling her Narnian history, knew that the trees had always been loyal to the person in Aslan's favor. The trees had stood behind Peter when he took on Miraz. Caspian drank in all this in the dark and both Astra and the soldiers observed him most carefully. Too tired to do much, the group quietly set up camp and immediately went to bed.
Caspian found himself unable to find restful sleep. Returning to the land stirred up memories within him. He knew why he snapped at Astra in Beruna. He could never erase the memories of the vast bridge so easily torn, the feeling of being so close to victory, and the desire for all the bloodshed to end. And now, at the How, where he wished and waited for the Kings of Old, Aslan, anyone to arrive and help. How they tried to resist Miraz's forces there, when Caspian was but a new leader of the creatures which he had thought for most of his life were only myths! It had been three years, but he still bore the losses of these battles with guilt and despair. He had never been able to let things go. Astra's voice rang out in his head: "Caspian, you silly goose, some things are just beyond our control. You cannot move forward if you are constantly stuck in the past. Actually, you are not a goose, you are an ostrich because you stick your head in the sand when scared. Well, what good is that going to do? How can you face your present fears if you have your head stuck in the sand?" Nonetheless, his mind was plagued with faces: of dwarves, forest animals, and of Susan, who he had not even thought of since when he was deliriously sick. Indeed, he had troubling letting her go, even if she undoubtedly had moved on. She would always be his first love, he could not let go of her so easily. The way she carried herself so gracefully, the way she was always so logical and reasonable, and the way she was always the word of caution made a great impression on Caspian. How well she matched his own character; how he waited patiently for a chance to speak to her without her brothers looming over her. She was Queen Susan the Gentle and she seemed to soothe everyone everywhere she went; Caspian was no exception to this. He was devastated when she left and his private life became rough and cruel, only to be cured by work. But he was better now, he knew that, yet he could not help but wistfully miss her.
When the sun arose, Astra was woken by the smell of bacon, which May had wafted near the slumbering girl's nose. Ros and Douglass were highly amused, while Caspian and May were unsurprised by the Daughter of Eve's antics. Astra got up and ventured into the woods to relieve her bladder.
"I gotta pee," she informed the party, who looked at her as if to say, 'Too much information.' She laughed and shrugged, skipping off. Feeling much better, she began to walk back when a light fluttered into the dark forest. Since when does light flutter? Astra shielded her eyes with a hand and found this glowing object flying toward her. As it turned out, it was a bird, but it looked like it had feathers of fire. A phoenix, she wondered? But did Narnia have phoenixes? It was small, however, only about the size of a dove. It landed on her arm briefly and Astra felt her skin burn. She yelped, causing the odd bird to fly away and she went back to the party to tell them what happened.
"Do you have phoenixes in Narnia?" she asked.
"There is reputed to be one in the apple orchard in the Western Wilds," responded Ros.
"And what do they look like?"
"They are quite large birds, even larger than an eagle. Its chest is yellow, its head is red, and its tail is purple."
"So they are not flaming birds?"
"No…?"
"Because this little fucking burning bird decided to use my arm as a branch and burned me with its little burning feet! See?" They all hovered around to see the perfect imprint and determined it to be quite unusual. No one seemed to be able to identify the bird and they stopped speculating, only after much fussing on May's part.
"What if it scars?"
"Then it will be a brand of birdy honor," Astra responded.
The How was beautiful in the morning and Caspian offered to take them on a tour. Accompanied by Douglass and Raymond, Caspian, May, and Astra were taken to the large hill behind them. Hidden within the ruins of the hill was a door which opened into a dark passageway. Caspian led the way and Astra eagerly followed, while May was a little more reluctant. Once inside, Astra realized what stood in the middle of the dark room: the Stone Table.
It seemed like holy ground, where talking was not sanctioned and could not do much glory to Aslan and the sacrifice He gave. Caspian paced around, stopping at certain parts of the room. And this was where I slid my sword through the werewolf. This was where the hag fell. This was where Nikabrik was killed by dear Trumpkin. This was where I met Peter and Edmund, Kings whose greatness I could only dream to aspire to and who left shoes that were too great to fill.
Astra took notice of Caspian's countenance, but was otherwise occupied with the paintings on the walls, chronicling the story of the Pevensies and the history of Narnia. Looming above and flickering in the firelight was a spectacular portrait of Aslan. Astra felt her heart tug—how she longed to see the great Lion again and hear His reassurances that she was helping Caspian and not dooming him to some unfortunate fate. She had not seen Him since the ball and so much had changed since then. She hoped that Aslan had watched over Caspian while in Beruna, seeing the boy-king become a man and a sensation. Astra claimed the event as a small triumph on her part, knowing that this confidence would help him on his voyage to find the Seven Lords. Although this departure was on Astra's mind, Caspian was still stuck in the past.
They finally made their way out of the room, sticky with the old memories that clung to the air of the chamber. Astra blinked, her eyes becoming accustomed to the light sunlight. She thought her eyes were fooling her when out of the forest, she saw two Animals. Their voices carried over the field.
"I told you His Majesty was journeying to the How! Leaflove said that Pineberry said that Pawpeep said that Mossdew said that Foragefun said that he would be here!"
"Leaflove is a very unreliable source," said the second Animal.
"Well, she was right this time."
"Indeed. It ought to be declared a national holiday or some miracle by Aslan's mane." As the Animals approached, Astra realized it was a Badger and a Hedgehog.
"Trufflehunter? Hogglestock? Is that you?" asked Caspian with hope in his voice.
"Indeed, good Caspian," said Trufflehunter affectionately.
"How did you know I was at the How?" he asked anxiously.
"No, the real question is why did you not come here sooner?" And with that question, Caspian threw himself to the ground and enveloped the Animals. With old friends, it seemed, verbal responses to questions were not needed and Astra stood in amazement, finally starting to realize how her silly offer of an adventure had turned into something entirely different.
Author's Note: What was with the bird? Any guesses? Huh? Huh?