Called to Watch and Wait
I stood watching at the pool that day.
I had watched through the morning, the night before. I had watched the water, and had seen the children, the horses, lay down to sleep. I watched the dust of the desert rise in clouds in the water, as the foolish Prince rode his way to war. I had turned the water to see the King, sturdy and large, decided to ride out on a hunt to quell his loneliness. I watched him speak of his son, missing the one family member he had left. I watched him ride unknowing towards his foe.
I watched the children wake.
They, alone, were close enough to warn the king. They—these strange four! For the boy was white, the girl dark, the boy dressed as a slave, the girl as a noble, and when they spoke with the two Horses, the Horses spoke back—Narnian horses, yet bearing the saddles and livery of Calormene!—they rose and rode, not towards the king, but towards me.
Perhaps Aslan sent me a part to play.
I watched. I watched the four the most, though ever I glanced at the King and the Prince, watching where they went.
Closer and closer came the four, but too slowly! They would not be in time; was I only to witness Archenland's fall?
And then—
Then came a Lion.
Then came their speed.
And then came the girl, bleeding and helpless; then came the horses, panting and spent; and then came the boy, the only one who could run. Then came the end of watching, and the time of working.
They passed from the water to my doorstep, and I sent the boy on. I wished him Aslan's speed. Then I went to my other work, and drew the others in.
I would work till it was time to watch again.
They also serve who only stand and wait.
Many thanks, AslansWatchman! Saying important things in a few words is not a strength of mine, so it was lovely to hear that those were coming through!