Chapter Two

Niara

Niara swam along the reef. She had chased fish, played in the waves, and discovered new grottos all day. As far as she knew, she had nothing to do. But as she lazily plucked a sea flower, something caught her eye.

"A Son of Adam…falling from Cair Paravel?" Niara said.

A pang of fear struck her and she flicked her tail and swam towards the cliff. She saw he was unconscious and pushed herself faster.

"It is the King—Edmund the Just!" Niara gasped and scooped him up in her arms. "Please! Wake up!" It then occurred to her that humans could not breathe underwater and she pulled him to the surface and onto the beach.

When he still did not awaken, Niara went crazy. She had tried everything and began to cry. She knew nothing about saving drowned Sons of Adam or Daughters of Eve.

"The belt and shirt are too tight," a voice said.

Without bothering to question who spoke, Niara removed the garments, struggling with the small shirt, and was flooded with relief when he began coughing. She clutched the belt and shirt worriedly and relaxed more as he began to breathe more steadily. Why did humans wear these…shirts and belts, was it? Under the sea, the males never wore these.

"How strange their life must be!" Niara laughed, sub-consciously running her webbed fingers over his bare chest.

It was her laugh and touch at woke Edmund. He jolted upright and saw he wasn't wearing a shirt.

"Ah!" he cried, but since Niara held the garments, he had nothing, and finally resolved in crossing his arms over his chest.

"Who are you?" he said, embarrassed to the skies. A girl had never seen him like this, much less a…what was she?

Edmund had never seen such a creature before. Unlike a mermaid, which he had heard about, she had blue-green scales running up to her chest. The rest of her was skin, along with flowing black hair. Her tail was split into three sections, one big section resembling a fan, and two smaller pieces on the side. Her lavender eyes were much bigger than human eyes, looking like glass in a perfect almond shape.

"I'm Niara. I'm a water nymph," she introduced herself. "And I know you. There isn't anyone in these waters that doesn't know you."

It struck Niara suddenly that she had just removed the clothing of a King of Narnia.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I really am. I didn't mean to..." Niara hastily handed him the dripping shirt and belt, embarrassed as well.

"Uh…no, it's alright. I would've drowned if you hadn't come along. I thank you," Edmund said awkwardly. "What I have trouble with now is how to get back inside Cair Paravel without being laughed at. I'm definitely not putting this back on."

He gestured to the shirt.

"Then, stay. I'd like to get to know you more," Niara pulled his arm gently, and he lightly plopped on the sand next to her.

"I'm lucky you knew what to do. Being a nymph, how did you figure it out?" Edmund queried.

"I-I didn't. Someone told me!" Niara remembered the voice.

"Who?"

"I'm not sure. It was a voice—all around me!"

"Aslan," Edmund whispered.

"Who?"

"Aslan! The King of Kings! The Lion!" Edmund exclaimed.

"Sorry. I forgot." Niara blushed.

They sat in silence. After a while, Niara touched her scales.

"Though I can breathe air, I can't stay above water for long. My scales begin to dry out. Do you know how to swim?"

"Yes," Edmund said slowly.

Niara giggled and dove into the water. Edmund, without thinking, followed. The cold water felt good that warm evening. They bathed in the moonlight, playing in the waves and splashing each other constantly. Many times Niara forgot Edmund couldn't breathe underwater and would dive into the glassy depths for a long time and quickly come back when she remembered.

"Sorry. I've never played with a human before," Niara blushed.

"You think I've done this before?" Edmund laughed.

"I believe you are my best friend now," Niara smiled. "See, this gesture—I don't know what it's called, but I've seen you do it to your siblings many times."

She slowly wrapped her arms around him.

"That's a hug," Edmund said.

"This one too. I've never seen you do it, but I've heard about it," Niara lightly pressed her lips to his cheek.

"A-a kiss," Edmund said, startled. "I don't mean to sound funny, but don't the males do it to you?"

"Never. We just hold hands…we've never…hugged…nor kissed." Niara said shyly.

"Well, that's just a polite kiss. People who are good friends…make it more meaningful," Edmund bent his head and kissed her on the lips, and they just sat in the water, arms around each other.

"How exciting!" Niara breathed when he finally pulled away. "My first kiss! And hug, of course! Although I did like the kiss better."

"Me too," Edmund said dreamily.

A shrill voice made the two pull away quickly.

"Niara!"

"My mother!" Niara cried. "I have to go. Someday you can meet her. But not today. I think I have to help her with something. Thank you for the kiss and hug. Maybe we can do it again! Until next time!"

Edmund laughed at her ignorance of these "human gestures" as she dove away. He waded ashore just as Peter, Susan, and Lucy came up on horses, each with worried looks on their faces.

"Oh Ed!" Lucy cried. She swung off her horse and ran to her brother. "We searched everywhere and someone said you had fallen off the cliff and we were so scared!" She paused. "Why aren't you wearing your shirt?"

"I-I had to take it off because I couldn't breathe underwater," Edmund said quickly. He decided to tell them about Niara later.

"Thank goodness," Susan sighed as Peter draped his cloak around Edmund.

"Let's get you inside with something hot to drink," Peter placed an arm around his brother.

Edmund turned around to glance at the sparkling sea one final time before he had to go in.