If you've reviewed my fic previously, please read my Author's note at the end of the chapter.
Here's the new chapter. Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I solemnly swear that I Lirimaer(underscore)senshi do not own the Chronicles of Narnia of any of it's characters, nor am I affiliated in any way with the Lewis estate. The original characters are mine though I do not have a patent on them.
Chapter 2 – The Stranger
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He was a short, thin boy with thick brown hair that was tied back into a mini ponytail at the back of his head. By the look of his clothes, he was very wealthy even though they were stained and caked with dirt as though he had been travelling for a week without a change of clothes. Yes, there was no denying it they were definitely not of this world.
Edmund couldn't suppress his shock and joy.
"You're… you're Narnian!" Edmund cried
Eustace was taken aback. He let go of his captive and turned him around to look at him.
"Of course I'm Narnian" the kid said with a scowl, "You must be simple, what else could I be. Certainly you do not think that I am one of those filthy Calormen". He pushed Eustace out of the way and approached Edmund looking at him spitefully. He looked as if he was trying to look down at Ed which made him look quite ridiculous being several inches shorter than him.
The boy examined Edmund and then smirked. "Why, you look like a common urchin! I've no business with peasants"
Edmund was fuming "Excuse me, but you barge in here, eves drop on our conversation, not even telling us your name…"
"Not to mention that you just insulted a king of Narnia" Eustace finished, but Edmund gave Eustace a glace saying not to go there. Eustace took the hint and said no more.
The boy looked back at Edmund shocked but then his frown turned into a great wide grin and he laughed. "That's then funniest thing I've ever heard" he said then his face went stern again. "I could have you arrested for treason for trying to impersonate King Caspian."
"So Caspian is still king of Narnia!" Eustace blurted out excitedly. The boy looked at him strangely and shook his head sarcastically. "What's that meant to mean?" Eustace was ready to pounce on him again.
"Okay, okay.." interrupted Edmund, "So we've established that you're a lost Narnian, but I think that you've still got some explaining to do. Why have you come to our world?"
"Your….. world?" the boy said "…. Oh I see. This is some hoax or illusion that my father or the king has planned to try and make me believe their lies. What some people will do to prove their point"
"Wait a minute back up a second. What lies? Surely you don't believe that the king would lie to you!"
"And you're playing along still I see. Fine then I'll play his game. Next thing you know you'll start talking about magical lions"
Edmund and Eustace froze and stared at the boy. "You mean Aslan" Eustace said.
"Here we go" the boy rolled his eyes.
"You mean you don't believe in Aslan," said Eustace, "you're beginning to sound like my parents"
"Well it sounds like they've got a bit of sense. Why should I believe in someone I've never seen before? What has he ever done for me? I'm sick of having it shoved down my throat day after day. That's why I decided to leave"
Edmund looked at the boy and was baffled at all he heard. How could someone who had grown up in all the wonders and magic of Narnia deny Aslan's existence? Something wasn't right. "I think that we all need to calm down" he said and then looked over to where Eustace was. He looked almost as uncomfortable as the boy did. "That includes you too"
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Edmund decided that the best possible action at the moment was to make the boy feel comfortable. He brought him in through the house and up to his own room. Now this might have not been a good idea but for the fact that most of the teachers were out in the city for lunch at this time of the day. The young stranger surveyed his surroundings and looked worried.
"I'm…. really not in Narnia any more am I?" he said
"No, your not" said Eustace. (He was a bit more composed by now)
"Where am I?"
"You're in our world" said Edmund
He looked more confused than ever. "What…your wor…Oh never mind"
"Who are you? I mean we know where you're from but we've yet to even establish you with a name"
"Very well," the boy started, puffing his chest out proudly, "My name is Calam of the house of Duncaan. I live with my father who is a knight of King Caspian the tenth of that name and my stepmother. My mother died giving birth to me. My father is a good man, he always gave my step sister and I the best things that money could buy but always found time in his busy life to spend time with us. One day though, I got some news that would change my life.
And then He began his story..
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Flashback
A man in his late thirties arrived home to his large well-furbished house to find his children sitting buy the warm roaring fire. At once the little girl spotted him and raced up to meet him.
"How's my little sweet pea" he said smiling, "have you been behaving yourself for Calam"
She nodded.
"Ok then why don't you see what mummy is doing in the kitchen? I need to talk to your brother"
"OK" she said and then skipped off towards the kitchen.
Calam stood up to attention wondering if he had done anything wrong.
"I've been hearing some excellent reports from your head mistress about your progress in school Calam. You should be very proud of yourself"
"Thankyou sir"
"But that's not all. It would seem that His Majesty has also heard these rumours. He enquired of me whether the said boy would be able to spend some time at Cair Paravel to train to be a sword thane." The lord's serious face transformed into grin, "I said I'd have to ask him"
Calam was too shocked for words. The King asked for him? Could he be the luckiest boy in the world? Although he was sure that his father and perhaps Lord Rhince had something to do with it.
"Well? Tongue tired are we…. Maybe I should tell him to ask Sacha down the street…"
"No!" Calam yelled, coming back down to earth, "Of course I want to!" There weren't enough words to express how grateful he was. He raced up and hugged his father.
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The next day Calam went with his father to the outer gates of the city where they were to greet the king who was returning from a diplomatic journey to Archenland. Calam looked around. He saw a tall stone wall with equally impressive brass gates engraved with strange symbols. Calam was of the opinion that these walls weren't nearly tall or thick enough. What if the city were attacked? Surely there would not be enough defense in these walls to protect them. He had once not long ago enquired this of his father to which he got this reply:
"Son, Narnia has always been a welcoming country has it not? After all, our own race was not originally from this land. We are Telmarines."
"Yes I know this father" Calam responded, "But didn't King Caspian conquer Narnia"
"Only for a time son" replied his father, "but the land was given back to the original heirs of Narnia and our king was chosen and elected as king and as such us Telmarines now live peacefully with the talking beasts and other creatures of Narnia."
Calam frowned. He did not like the idea of being indebted to another race. Where was the freedom in that?
"But still, if Cair Paravel were to be attacked…"
"Then the Lion will protect us as he as always done" reassured his father. "Do you remember the gate which leads into the city of Cair Paravel? You asked me what the writing on the archway said"
Calam nodded
"It is written in a much older language but it reads 'Aslan is our fortress'." His father smiled. "He has never forsaken his people in time of great need, though at times they have suffered"
"Why?"
"I'm not quite sure. Maybe if you should meet him one day you would ask him"
"Have you ever met him father?"
"Well no, but I have heard many accounts of him, some even from good acquaintances and of course from his majesty King Caspian himself whom it is said spoke to him face to face"
….
That is what Calam was thinking about that morning when he would meet the king for the first time in his life and begin his service to him. Right at that moment he could believe everything that his father taught him about that goodness of Aslan. After all he had always tried to be a good son and brother and never complained about having to work. He treated his little stepsister, Cera like she was his own. And now he was being rewarded for his faithfulness. After all what more could a boy want than to be a sword thane in the Palace?
It was with a pure sound of a Narnian horn that the guards opened the city gates. A group of around half a dozen horses with their masters rode through the gates. On one of these horses sat a middle aged man clothed not in armour but comfortable looking blue and grey riding robes. On his head was a helmet which was decorated only with small gems around its edges. This was the king.
As he passed the group where Calam stood and bowed in the Narnian fashion. As the king dismounted a small boy, who could have been no older than five, ran up to king and embraced him with his small arms. This, Calam thought, had to be the king's son. The king stooped and picked up the child and then began talking to one of his knights. The knight gestured towards where Calam was standing. Calam's heart skipped a beat and he began to doubt himself. What if the king did not like him? What if he didn't live up to expectations? Calam suddenly felt shy. The king was walking towards him. He wanted to hide but as he tried to shrink back his father pushed forward to meet the king.
Calam bowed again.
"So who is this fine looking lad you have brought before us my good friend Lord Duncaan?" Calam looked up and saw the noblest face he'd ever seen. He had a pleasant, slightly wrinkled face and had bright piercing eyes.
"My son, Calam, Your Majesty," replied his father, "He is here to except your request to become a sword thane of Cair Paravel"
"It is well, but does the boy feel equal to the task?" Caspian looked directly at the boy with a twinkle in his eye.
'What' thought Calam, 'why would he ask me if he didn't think me worthy of it', but he knew better than to respond like that to the king. He was determined to convince Caspian of his quality so he summoned up his courage and said, "I believe that I could be a great Thain with some training. My teacher said that I have the sharpest wits he's ever seen in a child my age. I've always been quick to pick up the sword techniques father has taught me."
"Well Duncan, your son certainly has faith in his own abilities" said Caspian with a piercing gaze still locked onto Calab. "I think there is much you could learn here at Cair Paravel". While he was pleased that the king was impressed with his abilities Calab could not stand the way Caspian was staring at him. Like he could see into his very soul. It made him uncomfortable and he fidgeted.
"You are most welcome to stay at the castle for the next few days" said the king still smiling graciously. "I dare say my son would love to get to know you. But for now I'll have my attendants show you to your rooms then you may explore the city at your leisure."
Calab and his father bowed respectfully to their king and then he proceeded to walk to his carriage which awaited him. Calab looked past the king to the great Narnian capital which stood in front of him. 'This is where I belong' he thought. He decided then and there that he would make the most of anything that came his way.
"So son", said Lord Duncan, noticing Calab's thoughtful eyes, "Is he not all you dreamed he would be?" He smiled proudly down at his son.
"Yes father". But in truth he had his reservations about exactly how much he liked the king. The writing above the archway caught his eye again as they walked through it into the city. As he turned back to look back at the king's horses being lead away, he saw that there was another inscription on the city side of the archway, different from the first. He'd have to ask someone about that sometime. But for now he had more important things to think about.
(End flashback)
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Now Calab had told Edmund and Eustace who he was and where he'd come from. Of course he didn't tell them the whole story. He had left out the part about the arch way and his doubts about the king but by the way he was telling the tale, the boys could probably guess that anyway. After all that they still didn't know why he was there.
Edmund wanted to pry more information from him but didn't want to scare the kid off. "So… what happened after that" he said cautiously,
Calab shot him a look. "What business is it of yours, and besides, who are you two really?"
Ed and Eustace looked at each other. They weren't going to fall for that one again, but neither did they want to lie to their guest. After all, the truth was bound to come out eventually.
"Oh we're just normal kids, here," said Eustace with a half smile, "Nothing really special."
"Oh," said Calab with a sigh, "that's what I thought."
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Ok, I'll be honest. I'm quite a perfectionist when it comes to my writing and I'm a little bit out of practice in writing fanfics. So I'd appreciate any comments, questions or criticisms you have. Also if you have any ideas about the plot they are always welcome. I want to get another chapter up in the next few weeks
Plz Review!
AUTHORS NOTE:
Hello all you gorgeous people!
This is a story I started in 2002 and I had full intention to finish it… Then I got a serious case of writer's block. I had so many great reviews and I'm now a bit sad that I abandoned it. A lot has happened in my life since a started, I'm out of high school now and starting my second year of Uni this year (I'm a drama student!). I'd love to discover how this story is going to end, so I've taken up a challenge for myself to write a few more chapters of it these holidays.
I'd like to acknowledge the people who inspired me to take this back up. I hope you'll give this story another look. A special thanks also to those of you kept in contact with me for a time via email.
Fledge – Thanks for being my first and one of my most consistant reveiwers. I don't think Eustace will end up going back to Narnia but you never know. I'll try my best to keep up with the story this time and I hope you'll keep reading. There are a number of mysteries yet to be uncovered but I'll let you discover them for yourself.
Forever Young - I always try to keep within the spirit and storyline of Lewis' work. Thanks for reviewing both chapters
Robert – Thanks for your comments. Characterisation is important to me so always tell me if something doesn't seem right.
Animegirlmika – What more could a writer want then that! (sheds a few tears).
saicho-18 – I'm glad you like it!
Elenea – More will come!
Fire Arrow – Sorry about the inexcusably long wait
arcee1 – Thanks, I try.
The Rain Child – I feel so honoured. (jumps up and down squealing)
intriKate – I wrote this quite a while ago. I didn't realised I apologised for it being religious. That's not something I'd do these days. I am most certainly a Christian and I like it to be reflected in everything I do, including my writing.
Star-Daughter – Punctuation has never been one of my strong points (you should see some of the assignments I get back from Uni). I'm glad you like the story so far.
lizzie2009 – I'll contact you as soon as I put the next chap up
Ferocious Rabbit – Read the next chapter and you'll find out! I'm glad you like my story so much.
silverCross - Edmund has always been my favourite character in the Narnia series as well so It's was natural to right about him. I figured that Eustace wouldn't have remembered about Edmunds semi-confession in 'Dawn Treader' since he kinda dismissed it. He also had a lot of other things on his mind.
Elbereth gilthonial – I love the chronicles because they speak so much about God's grace. I'd love to be able keep that same spirit in this story.
EliBeth – Here's the next Chapter!
Mysterious Jedi – I love Narnia as well
Sira Morgan – Thanks!
Faerfaen – There are quite few good Narnia fics on this site now (thanks a lot to the LWW movie) have a good look around.
ArcticSaber – I hope this chapter is even better
Serpent of Light – I hope I'm still on your favs list. The plot thickens a bit more in this chapter.
xxhannahbananaxx – Thanks for reviewing. I love Cliffy myself
Little Comet – Hmm… maybe not
Pirate Princess – Stop it, your making me cry now! I soooo grateful for your kind words. I can't believe my story actually touched someone (snif).
Vashfandonut – Thanks. I will.
Vashfan – Are you the same person as above? I hope you like the new Chapter.
Katy – Thanks.
Gaia Myles – I've got three words for you. Sorry it's late.
on-fire-for-Christ – Thankyou for your comments and God bless!
Iretha – Here's the new chapter.
Miss Telcontar – Thanks for reviewing!
poison blossom – I never really fully forgot about this story but for some reason I kept on putting off writing more. Thanks for reviewing.
jasonc65 - Thankyou for your encouragement. I'm picking this story back up!
Tempest in Blue – Thanks! I've had to read it again to remind MYSELF of the plot. I can't believe how long it's been since I started this story!
Lola – I'll be writing more in time (I've still got Uni to juggle as well)
Magic Crystal Rose – Yay! Some one thinks I'm original.
Bruce – Thanks for your comments
MissCynical – here you go.
Thanks for being patient.
Lirimaersenshi