Chapter Eleven: Fire and Song

It was dark and quiet in the Cair as we made our way down the stairs. I was anxious to see Aslan before I had to set out but none of the pages seemed to be around. Strangely, the palace seemed deserted. Even at night there was activity in a place so huge - guards, maids, nocturnal Animals, cooks, and High Kings that hadn't learned not to worry too much roamed the corridors. By the time we reached the main entrance hall, I was genuinely concerned. Where were the guards? The Bats that servd as night couriers? The Owls that always assembled in the library to debate philosophy with the Opossums and Raccoons until dawn?

Oreius waited by the main doors with Celer and several Satyrs. Both were traveling with me today but I was surprised to see them wearing full battle armor. They all bowed when they saw us and I hurried forward.

"Oreius, have you seen Aslan?" I asked. I could only hope I didn't sound as worried as I felt.

He actually smiled, a rare enough event that I noted it, and he plucked the pack and the cape I had slung over my shoulder out of my hands. "He awaits you outside, High King."

"Thank you," I said, thoroughly confused. I glanced back at my siblings to see if they were as confounded as I and I realized only then they were dressed as they had been for our coronation, all the way down to capes and crowns. I stared for a moment, then Oreius gestured and the Satyrs threw open the main doors of the palace. At the sound of a mighty roar I whipped around to see Aslan waiting on the landing outside. Beyond him, thousands of torches were held aloft by Narnians of every description - Dryads, Dwarfs, Naiads, Fauns, Animals, Satyrs, Nymphs, Giants, Magical Creatures - each carrying a speck of light that illuminated the pre-dawn darkness with a golden glow. Narnia's army, in full battle gear and with every banner held aloft, lined the whole long road leading to Cair Paravel, splitting the flickering sea of light. I gasped. It was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen and I was struck absolutely speechless.

I was aware of Susan taking my hand and Lucy and Edmund stood close and admired the view with me. I let out a breathless laugh and finally managed to say, "You knew about this!"

"And you didn't," grinned Lucy. The other two were smiling in satisfaction.

I laughed, fighting tears, suddenly very glad Lucy had given me so many handkerchiefs. They all hugged me at once and I returned the embrace before facing Aslan. I could tell he was very pleased at having surprised me so completely and he stood back to let me have this moment. I stepped past him to the very edge of the landing and let myself be amazed. They had done this for me. All of them, from Aslan all the way down to the troop of Mice lined up in front holding small tapers. I tried to speak, but there were no words for such a display. Nothing I could ever say could match or do justice to the feeling of love I experienced that morning. Since words utterly failed me, I thanked them in the only way I could think to express my gratitude to each and every one of them.

I bowed deeply and humbly to my subjects as I bowed to noone but Aslan himself, dropping down to one knee and and bending my head low.

For a few heartbeats the crowd seemed to hold its breath in surprise, and then a tremendous cheer like a tidal wave erupted from every throat. On and on it went until I felt myself blushing.

I rose, still awestruck, then walked over to Aslan. Drawing Rhindon, I held the sword before me as I knelt again.

"Aslan, I ask your blessing for this quest."

He laid his big, heavy paw on my shoulder, leaning close enough that I could smell the sweet scent of his mane and breath. I bent my head as he said, "My blessings, and the blessings of all of Narnia upon you, Sir Peter, High King over all Kings of Narnia. As I love you, I will be with you every step. May your journey be swift and safe, and may you return triumphant over the evil that lingers like a shadow on our land. Be true and brave and above all, never forget to wipe your sword." Then he kissed me on the cheek.

I smiled then laughed instead of crying, and my family laughed with me. As I hugged Aslan as hard as I could one last time the Narnians broke off cheering and burst into a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. It wasn't quite a song as it really didn't have words, just long, haunting chords of sound. The mermaids had sung something similar when we had been coronated and I later learned that it was a sacred hymn, a faint echo of the song that Aslan had sung a thousand years ago to bring Narnia and its inhabitants to life. The Trees and the Waters had remembered it and passed it on through generations. It was strange and beautiful, the sort of song that echoed in your dreams and on the very edge of your memory.

Phillip was at the bottom of the steps and my brother and sisters walked me to him. I hugged and kissed the girls one last time and then faced Edmund. At first he couldn't speak, then he finally whispered, "Be safe."

I opened my arms and he ducked his head against my chest as he wrapped his arms around me. I held him tightly, my throat constricting as I fought back tears. He was so small. So very thin and small, it seemed, even though he was gaining on me in height. I fancied I could feel his ribs.

"You have to eat more," I rasped.

"Yes, Princess Eo," he droned in exactly the same tone he'd used on Lune's mother-in-law, his voice muffled against my chest. I dropped a final kiss to the top of his head and let him go. He smirked, pleased, as always, by my easy affection.

Mounting up, I leaned over and clasped his hand. "I'll be back soon. I promise." I looked over at the girls, including them as I said, "I love you all very, very much. Stay out of trouble while I'm away."

Edmund snorted, looking up from his final good-bye to Phillip as he asked, "And what are we supposed to do until you get back?"

As if it was the most obvious thing in the world, I smiled and replied, "Plan a navy."

I cast one final look at Aslan, so golden and proud, then wheeled Phillip about. Oreius and Celer came down the steps and joined me. Every fourth or fifth soldier stepped out as we passed and fell in behind us as we set out on a path through a sea of fire and a song of creation and a mighty Lion's deafening roar of farewell.