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Prompt: Rilian's mother was a star's daughter. Did that change anything about his abilities, childhood, or personality?
"Come on Rilian." Albarial patted the bed. "Come tuck in."
Her young son ran over to her and climbed into his bed, snuggling under the blankets. Albarial tucked them in more securely, then seated herself on the edge of the bed.
"Tell me about the stars, Mama," Rilian asked.
"It's very late, Rilian," Albarial said.
"Please?" he begged. "I'm not tired."
She laughed. "Of course not! Do you know, stars never tire, and you and I don't tire until late at night because your Grandfather, my father, was a star and the blood of stars is in me, and you. Ever since the stars were sung into existence by Aslan himself, they have stayed up all night long to shine into the darkness and to dance." She paused.
"Continue Mama," he said, his attention fixed solely on her and the story.
"Their dance shows what is to come," Albarial went on. "The centaurs were given the gift to read their dance. Do you know who gave them that gift?"
"Aslan," he answered, "who gives us all good things."
"Very good," she replied, smiling. "Yes, Aslan gave the centaurs the gift of reading the stars. You see, my little star? The stars and the centaurs work together. The stars proclaim the actions of the world and of Aslan, no matter how hidden they are, and the centaurs proclaim their message throughout the earth." She leaned over and kissed Rilian good night. "That's all for tonight, son. Dream well."
"Good night, Mama," he said, turning over so as to see out the window. Albarial closed the door as he gazed at the stars.
Several nights later, as Albarial again put Rilian to bed, he requested the story of when the stars were created.
"Many years ago," Albarial began, "when the world was just beginning, when Aslan began his song, the stars were the first to answer. Their voices joined his in perfect harmony, their silver voices lighting up the night as they sang the praise of Aslan. And what's more, they still sing that song."
"Really?" he sat up and turned to the window. "Can I hear them tonight?"
"No, son," she replied, tucking him in again. "Their voices have grown quieter than they were at the beginning. But they do sing, be assured of that. Every single star knows their part in the tune."
"Do you know the song?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Only a variation my father taught me. None except a star is able to know and sing the real song."
"Will you sing it to me?"
She nodded and began to sing the high-pitched, delicate song. Though there were no lyrics, only notes, it was quite enough and for several minutes as she sang the tune, it seemed to enrapture Rilian and a glow came into his eyes that she had very rarely seen.
When the song was done, he asked, "Could you teach it to me?"
"Tomorrow, little star," she said. She kissed him and left the room, thinking of her father.
She wasn't ready to go to bed herself yet. She went up to the north tower and sang her father's song long into the night.
The next night, as promised, she began to teach Rilian the song. His voice was suited perfectly to singing, as all stars and their descendants were, and Albarial knew that, with time, he would become one of Narnia's finest singers.
Singing the song together reminded Albarial of her father. It was wonderful to sing with someone again, yet heartbreaking too.
After two times through, Albarial smiled at him. "Well done, Rilian. Since you are still dressed, come on, there's something I want to show you." He smiled as she took his hand and led him along the corridor.
"Are we going to the tower?" he asked eagerly.
Albarial nodded and smiled back. "We are."
They went up a flight of stairs and came out on the north tower. "Look," she whispered. Rilian gazed at the sky in delighted awe. No matter how many times he sees the stars, Albarial thought, they always fill him with the same wonder.
She pointed to a cluster of stars. "Do you see that, my son? That is the Leopard. He has watched over Narnia for many years. The legend says that the stars assembled themselves as a leopard in honor of the leopard who warned the king of invading armies and saved Narnia, even before the Golden Age. That star at the center – his name is Gunjuii,* which means wild. A wild cat."
She motioned to another cluster. "Do you know what that one is?"
He nodded. "The Hammer, right, Mama?"
"Yes. The Hammer represents the dwarfs and their craft. Although they are children of earth, Aslan allowed them to be represented in the sky." She turned in another direction. "Over there is Sagittarius**, the Centaur. The stories say that Sagittarius was King Frank's best friend and advisor. When he died, his likeness was placed in the sky as a permanent remembrance of his loyalty and strength for all Narnians." She glanced down at her son. His attention was fixed on the night sky.
"What's that star?" he asked, pointing to a bright star, so far east it almost touched the horizon.
"That is Ahedin.*** His name means the winds of change. The star right next to him, which isn't so bright, do you see it?" He nodded. "That is Raifik.**** Raifik means Aslan's forgiveness."
"What does your name mean?" he asked.
"Albarial means the dawn of new beginnings." She smiled wistfully. "My father named me that because it was a new beginning for him and me. I was the beginning of new life, and it was a new life for him, coming down to wait until he grew young." She gazed at the sky a moment more before turning to go inside. "Come on, little star. We should go in."
They arrived at Rilian's room and as she tucked him in, he asked, "Do you miss Grandfather?"
Albarial sighed. "Yes, yes I do." Then she smiled down at him. "But if I hadn't come here I wouldn't have Father and I wouldn't have you." She leaned down and kissed him on his forehead. "Do you know what your name means?" she asked, stroking his head. "Your name means river. A river of stars." She kissed him once more. "Good night, my little star," she whispered as she shut the door.
*Gunjuii is based off of the African name Gunju which means wild cat.
** Sagittarius is a real constellation, which I think is of a centaur? Correct me if I'm wrong.
***Ahedin is based off of the Hawaiian name Ahe, which means wind.
****Raifik is based off of the name Raif which means forgiveness.
(Sorry for all the asterisks. Hope they didn't make it confusing.)
A/N: I named Ramandu's daughter Albarial in this story. I was never a huge fan of the movie's name for her, Lilliandil, and I thought Albarial would be a fitting name. The name that inspired Albarial was Alba, which means "dawn", so in my mind, Albarial means "the dawn of new beginnings", which, as explained in the story, would be fitting for Ramandu to name his daughter after coming down to earth for a time. Also, Rilian does mean stream. I just elaborated on that meaning for this story.