Put this in here, although it has nothing to do with Susan herself, because it was originally part of the previous chapter, 'Ten Years: Before', before I rewrote that. I rewrote it a little (not changing much - surprisingly, I found I was pretty happy with it) to make it its own story, as well as expanding it a bit. It seemed a nice little story, but was offbeat where it originally was.
I hope you enjoy the new and slightly improved version of the tale! and go back and reread the previous one, which has now been rewritten!
The fire is now gone, royal brother; shall we have a story, then, to speed the cold watches of the night?
And what, you ask me to speak it, royal sister?
Very well, you who know and love that green and pleasant land. I, King Edmund, he who is called Just, of Narnia, and Knight of the Order of the Lion, shall tell you the tale of Alambil, Lady of Peace, and that dark time when she did not ride in the skies.
Alambil, Lady of Peace, had danced in the skies for many years - oh! so many that it could not be counted. And as every Star does, she grew old at last. Then, as Aslan permits, she sank to an island to rest, soon after our own golden reign. The custom, as you all know, is for a young Star to wait on the aged. In her case, it was Oleam, Child of Beauty. I say Child because he had not yet attained his full strength.
While Alambil was resting on that island (and no one save Aslan himself knows where it is, or whether it has sunk under the waves of the sea), Tarva, Lord of Victory, and Iarini, Lord of the Battle, were in conjunction. And during this time, the first Caspian, he who was known in later years as Caspian the Conqueror, took advantage of that conjunction and the absence of the Lady Alambil, and fought and captured Narnia.
It was a grievous injustice, and the Stars would not have it. In their courses they fought against Caspian the Conqueror, and though their magic is foreign to us, we still sense its effects.
And yet all the battle of the Stars was worse than useless, for Caspian was more bitter than before against the beautiful Narnia, and Aslan's land ached under its burden. Cair Paravel was overthrown and ruined, dryads were killed and forced into exile within their trees, the brooks were poisoned. The Beasts hid themselves away, and all Narnia was desolate.
In doing so, Caspian had angered the Stars to the highest point imaginable, so that he presently fell, and not to rise again. But his son was of the same ruthless temperament, and crushed Narnia.
Then Alambil, aged though she still was (for the fireflower berries from the gardens within the sun had not yet reversed her tremendous age), rose to the skies once more. Oleam, Child of Beauty, accompanied her, and with his influence a girl was born and raised and betrothed to Caspian the Third; and she it was who saved some records of the reign that was called Golden, and she who whispered in her nurse's ears tales from of old.
It was during this time, when Alambil rode in the skies, though greatly aged, that Narnia had a tenuous sort of peace. Caspian the Third was kinder to the land, and did not ride out so frequently in search of a Talking Beast to slay, as had been his predecessors' custom. But still he hated and feared Aslan's people and all that reminded him of the Lion: and his men did what he himself was unwilling to do, and wielded cruel swords against the gentle people of Narnia.
Alambil knew that there was very little time for her before she must retire to her island once more. With what little strength she had, she saved remnants. A Telmarine horde which discovered the lair of the Talking Mice was averted; a very few Centaurs hid successfully; the Fauns escaped to the mountains. Then Alambil returned to her place, for her task was done, for the time.
Years passed, so dark and evil that a whisper of them is ever to be heard while our land remains, for the Lady of Peace could not watch over her people in the great dance. But then, with the help of Aslan, Alambil arose again at the birth of Caspian, tenth of that name. Her place was very near Tarva, Lord of Victory, once more, and they met for the first time in two hundred years, one night. Their brief conversation was triumphant, for Caspian had secret leanings towards the Old Narnians, and his nurse remembered what had been whispered to her ancestor.
It was while Alambil still danced far above that she saw a great Lion return to his people, a girl in his wake. Her tribulations - for it was hard for her - had not been in vain. And at last, the Lady of Peace saw all Narnia renewed, and she could rest once more.
My royal sisters, it is indeed very dark without the fire. If I could trouble the Queen Susan to take out my torch from my bag? I thank you.
And now, by the Mane, does anyone else have a tale to speak?
Iarini and Oleam are Star names taken from fantasynamegenerators dot com slash narnia dash star dash names dot php.
I'm not sure my Star stuff necessarily fits with the information given about Ramandu in VODT. I'll have to check it. But, if it clashes, I'll just argue... Aslan would not leave his children, and this was his way of assisting them: and Alambil was needed.
As you may see (if you read this previously) it is only slightly changed and rewritten. Scarcely expanded, because I ended up deciding that it worked better that way. Anyhow, please review and hope you enjoyed!