Author's note: Thanks again to all my reviewers. I decided to get writing when I was inspired by, of all things, the main title music from Star Trek: First Contact. If you want to, find it and listen to it. It is truly a moving piece (the first half) and the most beautiful of any Star Trek music I have heard. I will include a list of all the name meanings from both this chapter and the previous one at the end. Be sure to pay attention to the date given at the beginning. Without further ado, here is chapter two. Happy reading!
Disclaimer: See prologue
Chapter the second: Sole Survivor
The Four disappeared from Narnia after a prosperous reign, and had brought peace to Narnia that lasted almost a thousand years. The Narnians searched for their Kings and Queens for many years, but in the end they had to move on. The following rulers of Narnia were never crowned as kings or queens, and they never sat in the thrones. They were the line of the Lords Protector, holders of Narnia's crown until such time as Aslan returned their beloved Kings and Queens. The Order of the Lion's Redemption indeed lived on, the knights protecting the Stone Knife before their country, for such was their vow.
A thousand years after the defeat of the White Witch, again the horizon darkened with the black clouds of war. A new threat loomed on Narnia's western border. Once a race of seamen, the Telmarine scourge drove through the Western Wild into Narnia, destroying everything in its path. Finally, after two years of hard fought and costly battles, the Telmarines besieged the golden towers of Cair Paravel itself.
28 Snowbud 2000
"Archers, fire!" The swift hiss of arrows from the Narnian longbows filled the air, air acrid with the smell of the smoke from the fires that heated boiling cauldrons of water to be poured onto attackers climbing the walls. The parapet shook with the impact of trebuchet stones, and the tension hanging in the air was almost palpable. Commanders shouted orders above the din of battle, and all manner of creatures scrambled to obey.
"Fire at will!"
"Water! Bring the cauldrons!"
"Hurry! They're battering the gate!"
"It's too late, they've broken through! Narnians to battle!" General Gintaras, a centaur, bellowed the order to charge. Among the throng of soldiers were the last of the Knights of the Lion's Redemption. One by one they fell, their skill no match for the sheer numbers of the Telmarines, until only two remained: Sir Adrastos, a middle aged centaur and the leader of the Order, and Sir Drystan, a far younger human who was the newest knight of the Order. Sir Adrastos fought his way to Sir Drystan and over the clash of metal, he gave Sir Drystan the last orders he could.
"Drystan, you must take the Knife and flee. The Telmarines must not get their hands on it. It is far too powerful and sacred a relic."
"No! I will not leave you!"
"You must," the centaur's eyes flashed. "Or have you forgotten the vow you took when you became a Knight of the Lion's Redemption?"
"But I cannot abandon you. I cannot abandon Narnia!"
"Go!" ordered Adrastos, shoving Drystan out of the fighting.
Sir Drystan obeyed his mentor's last command, running out of the courtyard. He looked back to his friend and mentor, casting an agonized glance back. Adrastos nodded and held his sword in brief salute before bringing it down on a Telmarine helmet. Drystan could feel his heart tear in two as he heard the battle cry of the only friend he had left over the clash of steel. He somehow knew that his friend had died that moment, while he ran from battle. Reaching the Hall of Ages, Drystan took the box that the Stone Knife was kept in, closed it and threw it in his satchel. He sheathed his sword and ran to the castle's lowest basement where he knew a tunnel ran out into the woods. He pulled the trap door up and entered the dank tunnel, tears clouding his eyes as his heart pulled him two ways at once- the way of duty and the way of honor.
Sir Drystan reached the woods that surrounded the once-free castle, and looked back to take the last look that Narnian eyes would see of Cair Paravel for three hundred years. He lifted his eyes in time to see the cold Telmarine flag hoisted above Cair Paravel's battlements where a gold rampant lion once flew.
That day all of Narnia wept.
Sir Drystan knew that he was now the only surviving Knight of the Order of the Lion's Redemption. He resigned himself to his last duty- to keep the Stone Knife protected in keeping with the legacy of a thousand years. Tears no longer dampened his cheeks, for he knew his old friend was in Aslan's Country and that he now had the honor and duty to keep Narnia's memory alive until she was freed once more.
Sir Drystan indeed upheld the memory of Narnia and kept the mandate of his knightly order for as long as he lived. He joined the hidden ranks of Narnians, mostly old men, children, and women who were not able to fight. Several years later, he found that his sweetheart Mairwen escaped Cair Paravel before it fell and the two were married that same year. Sir Drystan and Lady Mairwen had a son, Arsenios, and a daughter, Gaynor, before they were called to Aslan's country. Arsenios followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a warrior and knight of the Lion's Redemption.
Sir Arsenios married Lady Annora, the daughter of one of the very few families who escaped the Telmarines' juggernaut of carnage. Their son, Galen, became the last knight of the Order of the Lion's Redemption.
Sir Arsenios was hunting of an afternoon as he had all his life to provide food for his family when he ran into a Telmarine patrol. They spotted him, and he let fly all the arrows he had against them, for he would not run. He fought valiantly, but in the end a Telmarine bolt found its mark. He tried to make it back to his little forest home, but as he crawled agonizingly through the thick forest he collapsed beside a tall oak tree. Friends found him and carried him home, where his wife Annora cared for him as best she could. Galen sat by his father's bedside, for he knew that nothing could truly help his father's serious wound.
"Galen, bring me the wooden box that always sits over the mantle, the old satchel under the bed, and my sword," Arsenios told his son. Galen complied, and placed the objects beside his father.
"Galen, you are young, but no longer a boy, I want you to kneel beside my bed."
Galen did not ask why, but honored his father's last requests. Arsenios drew his sword from its scabbard and lightly touched the flat to his son's shoulders.
"Rise, my son, for you are now a Knight of the Lion's Redemption. In the satchel you will find your grandfather's old tabard. Bear it well." Taking the wooden box in his hands, Arsenios continued, "You must promise me that you will protect the Stone Knife inside this box with your life, just as I and your grandfather have, and just as every Knight of the Order of the Lion's Redemption have for a thousand years."
"I promise, father," said Galen solemnly, his blue eyes big and full of salty tears.
"What's more, promise me that you will take the Knife to a place where it will be safe forever, and the Telmarines can never take it. Promise me."
"Yes, father. I promise."
"Good man. Thank you. Fare thee well," spoke Sir Arsenios the last words he would ever speak.
Galen and Annora mourned their loss, but knew that Arsenios now rested between the Lion's paws.
Galen was a knight of his word. In the years to come, he would fulfill his promise.
Authoress's note: Thanks for reading! A review on your way out would be much appreciated!