Author's Note: I have decided to change the Archenland flag's description to green and gold instead of blue and white. I think I'm rather obsessed with blue and white and started to make everything the same color. Sorry about that.
Updated Author's Note: I'm having heraldry problems. I apologize, I've now changed Archenland's flag symbol again to a gryphon instead of a rose. A rose was too Tudor.
Also, it is important for me to mention that Petraverd's plot bunny (that he generously allowed me to use for this story) compared the Holy Grail and the Stone Knife, so a good deal of the inspiration for the story is coming from Arthurian legends, more specifically the tale of Sir Galahad and the Quest for the Holy Grail. This chapter will begin to exhibit that more than the others.
Disclaimer: Narnia is not mine. The End.
Chapter the Seventh: Warrior's Test
Queen Lyla ascended a grey stairway to the parapet surrounding the castle of Anvard. She had just finished attending to Galen's injury and now joined her husband as he leaned on the wall and stared at the sweeping green forest before him.
"You have attended to our visitor, my lady?"
"Indeed, good sir, I have."
"In truth, Lyla, I know not whether to trust this Sir Galen. Mayhap he is who he claims to be, but he could also be a Telmarine come to infiltrate our land," King Lorn spoke softly. The queen pulled the broken shaft of a bolt from the bag on her belt and laid it on the wall before her husband.
"This is the bolt that wounded him. At least in this he has spoken the truth."
"Aye, it is Telmarine," the king replied, examining the cruel weapon, "and his sword is clearly Narnian, yet I am still unsure. His manner and speech declare him as Narnian and I am inclined to take him at his word, but Archenland's security must come as our first priority. There is always the chance that he is a Telmarine spy despite appearances."
"I concur."
"I will have a guard posted at his door, and we will test him later."
Galen awoke to morning sunlight streaming through the narrow arrow-slit style window. A forest green canopy draped over the bed and a matching down comforter covered the bed. A dark wooden dresser stood next to the bed and a silver basin and pitcher sat on top of it. The room was not a large one, but it was not overly small either. A fireplace was built into the wall to the right of the bed and a small, warm fire crackled inside it. A chair sat near the fireplace and a neatly folded tunic, shirt, and breeches sat on top of it. His boots stood freshly polished beside the chair and he noticed his satchel on the dresser. However, Galen noticed with slight alarm that his sword was absent from the room.
Galen sat up with a wince and noticed that his shoulder was now wrapped in layers of bandages and his left arm rested in a sling. He stood up and dressed (getting rid of the bothersome sling in the process), and he wanted to wear his grandfather's tabard instead of the green tunic, but the blue tabard was no where to be found. He pulled on his boots and buckled on his sword-belt. After checking to make sure the Stone Knife was still in its satchel, he put the strap over his shoulder and opened the door. A guard in a chain maille hauberk and green tabard with the golden Archen gryphon stood next to the door and turned to face Galen as he exited the room.
"Good afternoon, Sir Galen."
"Where is my sword, sir?" Galen asked the guard, but received no answer.
"The King and Queen are expecting you for breakfast. If you will follow me, sir," the guard said brusquely, turning to the left.
Galen followed the guard, unsettled by the guard's shortness.
"What of Aiolos?" Galen asked.
"The king and queen will answer what questions you have," the guard responded without turning around.
Galen followed the guard down the hallway and past a great stairway that led to the throne room. They continued down the hall until they reached the East Wing of the castle and stopped in front of a massive wooden double door. Another similarly clothed guard stood next to the door holding a halberd.
"I bring the visitor, Sir Galen, for a private audience with the king and queen."
"You may enter, sir, they are expecting you," the other guard answered and opened one of the doors. The first guard took up a post on the other side of the double doors and Galen entered.
The doors led to a sitting room painted ivory and furnished with two blue jacquard couches and a coffee table. The east wall contained a large curtained window that showed the castle courtyard, outer wall, and green forest. A door stood in each of the north and south walls. A chamber maid approached Galen and led him through the door in the south wall and into a large room that functioned as a private dining room. The room had a large balcony that ran the length of the room on the east side, and cheerful morning light illuminated the room. Several french doors curtained in white chiffon stood open in front of the balcony and potted flower plants in many vibrant colors stood near rose-covered columns. A cool breeze wafted into the room and rustled the chiffon curtains. A medium sized glass table covered in a purple table cloth and set with fine china dishes stood in the center of the room. King Lorn and Queen Lyla sat at this table and welcomed him.
"Good afternoon, Sir Galen, please join us," Queen Lyla invited.
"My thanks, your majesties," Galen replied, sitting.
Two servants stepped up and served a delicious breakfast of hot biscuits with butter and jam and bacon and sausage.
"I trust you are feeling better," King Lorn began before taking a bite of biscuit.
"Yes, sir, indeed," Galen replied. "I must offer my thanks to the healer who tended my injury."
"I and my daughter took care of you," Queen Lyla answered.
"I am most grateful, Lady. You and your daughter have my sincere thanks," Galen replied, inclining his head.
"You are most welcome, Sir Galen. I would very much like to hear the tale you would not divulge in court."
"Of your majesties' courtesy, I would prefer to wait until I can speak in confidence," Galen replied, glancing at the maids.
"Of course," King Lorn said. "My thanks for your service," he addressed the servants. "You are no longer needed."
The servants complied, shutting the door behind them.
"You may speak without reservation now."
"First, of your courtesy, I must ask where my companion is and why you have taken my sword and tabard."
"Aiolos is in the stables. I assure you he is being well attended," the king replied. "Your sword will be returned shortly. As for your tabard," King Lorn picked up the item in question from a table nearby, "Anvard's historians tell me it is the heraldry of Narnia's Order of the Lion's Redemption."
"Yes."
"Have you the right and privilege to wear it?"
This last question sparked a flash of anger in Galen's already icy eyes and the Narnian stood.
"I wear this tabard as have my father and grandfather before me. My grandfather watched as Telmarine soldiers vanquished Cair Paravel and raised their horrid flag above it's once-shining walls. My father was slain by a Telmarine bolt, and he bequeathed this Order and this Order's duty upon me. Return my sword and I will prove my honor and the veracity of my words upon the person of any Archen knight you choose."
"Pray be seated, Sir Galen," Queen Lyla interjected. "We do not question your honor, but we must be sure that you are who you claim to be."
"I apologize, Sir Galen," King Lorn said after a moment's pause. "Please tell us why you have come to Archenland."
Galen retook his seat and laid the Stone Knife's box on the table and opened the cover.
"You are aware of the function of the Order of the Lion's Redemption?"
"Indeed."
"I am here in fulfillment of that duty. Before my father died I promised him that I would take the Stone Knife to a safe place where the Telmarines could never find it. I come here by the authority of Narnia's Remnant Council and seek your aid in the protection of this sacred relic."
The king and queen looked at each other in slight surprise.
"Your cautious manner was well warranted, Sir Galen. I believe you speak the truth. Archenland welcomes both you and Aiolos and we gladly grant you the sanctuary you have requested."
As King Lorn finished speaking an urgent knock sounded upon the door.
"Enter!" Queen Lyla ordered.
A rather out-of-breath guard entered and bowed.
"My apologies, your majesties, but you must come with me."
"What is of such urgency?"
"A great marvel, my lady. You will all wish to see it."
The king, queen, and Galen followed the guard back through the sitting room and through the double doors into the hallway. They were not the only ones-as the group hurried out of the hallway and descended the great stairway to the throne room they saw many others hurrying through the passageways to converge on the gate of the castle keep. The guard led them into the courtyard, and by now they wondered what could cause such a stir.
A murmuring crowd gathered in the courtyard and the Archen monarchs made their way to the front. The sight that greeted them was unlike any other.
In the center of the courtyard stood a large block of white marble stone and imbedded deep into the rock was a great sword. The sword's pommel was the head of a Lion that shone silver in the morning light. The sun's golden rays set the sapphires inlaid around the hilt aglow with sparkling fire, and upon the marble a verse was engraved.
King Lorn stepped up to the stone and the crowd silenced.
"How did this stone come to Anvard?"
A young lady in a flowing white dress with a silver belt and thin silver circlet stepped forward.
"Father," she addressed King Lorn, "I was here in the courtyard as this marvel appeared. A furious whirlwind lingered over the courtyard for a moment and when the dust settled this stone was revealed."
"My thanks, Lyra," King Lorn replied.
King Lorn paused for a moment, then he raised his voice and read the lines inscribed in front of the sword.
"It simply says, 'Prove ye worthy.'"
Silence filled the courtyard for a moment.
"My king!" A knight stepped forward.
"Yes, Sir Eoghan," King Lorn answered.
"If I may suggest, let all of the knights try their hand at removing the sword."
"Let it be so. Perhaps you would care to try it first?"
"Indeed, sire," Sir Eoghan replied, stepping up to the great sword and grasping the hilt.
Sir Eoghan pulled, first with one hand and then with two, straining to remove the sword from its scabbard of marble, but he could not do it. He walked away fuming.
Another knight stepped up to try, but he could not remove the sword either and left with his head bowed in shame. One by one Archenland's knights tried to pull the sword out, but the sword still stood immovable.
Finally, King Lorn tried his hand at the task, but he too failed.
"What now, Sire?" one knight asked. "None of us can remove the sword."
"Of what consequence is the sword? Can we let it defeat the knights of Archenland simply by standing here? Let the blacksmith bring his hammer-we will see how long the marble will stand against us then," Sir Eoghan declared.
"Not yet, Sir Eoghan," King Lorn interjected. "It is here for some purpose. Let us discover it." Silence filled the courtyard again.
"Sir Galen," King Lorn addressed the Narnian (who now stood next to Aiolos, who had come to see the interesting goings-on). "You have not tried the sword. Perhaps you will be able to remove it."
"We don't even know for sure he is a knight," another Archen knight scoffed.
"Let him try," King Lorn replied quietly.
Galen stepped up to the stone, his heart pounding, and grasped the silver hilt. He pulled with all the strength he had and, to the amazement of himself and everyone in the courtyard, the sword slipped from the marble stone. Galen pulled it free from the marble and held the gleaming blade high.
Galen beheld the sword with awe-it was almost five feet long and of such fine craftsmanship that no mortal smith could claim its making. The Stone Knife was engraved on the flat of the blade along with the motto of the Knights of the Lion's Redemption.
"Courage in Faith, Mercy in Strength. Perseverance in Duty, for Aslan's Glory."
Galen stood in wonder. Suddenly a cry of terror rang out clearly across the courtyard. Galen looked up to see a knight in black armor suddenly appear in front of him.
The knight raised his giant sword in salute, silently challenging the young Narnian to battle. Galen raised the stone-sword in answer.
The black knight wasted no time and swung his blade in attack. Galen blocked the strike and the knight swung his sword around and struck again from the other side. Galen parried the blow by holding his sword vertically and meeting the black knight's sword with the flat of his blade.
Galen swung his sword towards the knight's breastplate, but the knight blocked the blow easily and brought his sword over his head in a slash aimed at Galen's shoulder. Galen parried the strike and the two knights' blades stuck together for a moment. Galen struggled to hold his ground against the massive knight, and his wounded shoulder protested the strain. The black knight struck Galen with the back of his gauntlet and the swords disengaged as Galen tumbled to the ground.
The knight paused long enough for Galen to regain his footing, then attacked again in full force. The clash of steel on steel rang in the clear Archen air as the knights fought. The crowd watched in anxious silence as the black knight swung his sword towards Galen's head. The Narnian ducked the blow and struck upwards. The knight spun out of the way and used the momentum to swing at Galen again. Galen leaned back and the sword passed over his head, missing its mark by a hair's breadth.
The knight slashed and Galen parried, then struck again. The knight blocked the blow and kicked Galen back forcefully. Galen landed in a corner with a moan; his shoulder was throbbing and had started to bleed again. The knight took several large steps and closed on the young Narnian.
Galen stood once more and aimed a powerful backslash. The impact of the blow hardly slowed the knight down. The knight swung for Galen's legs but the young knight jumped over the sword as it passed and brought his sword down on the black knight's shoulder at a joint in the armor. This time the knight staggered back a trifle, allowing Galen the barest moment of rest.
Galen followed up on his successful strike with a slash towards the knight's breastplate, but the knight blocked the blow and used Galen's momentum to his advantage by shoving the Narnian's injured shoulder in the direction of the blow, which caused Galen to inadvertently turn his back to the knight for a second. The knight seized the second to bring his sword slashing across Galen's back. This time the black knight's sword drew Narnian blood, and with a cry Galen fell to the ground.
A few people in the crowd gasped, and King Lorn drew his sword and came to Galen's defense. Lorn struck the black knight, but the sword of Archenland's king passed through the knight as though through air. The black knight did not so much as turn his head, but raised his sword to run the injured knight through as he lay on the courtyard's stones.
Galen rolled out of the way and the black knight's blade struck only granite. Galen struggled to his feet and blocked another vicious blow, but the deadly knight advanced rapidly, unstoppably. He struck a blow to Galen's right arm, and the once cream colored shirt quickly took on a much redder hue. The young Narnian was weakening, and the black knight kicked him down into the corner of the wall again.
The black knight raised his sword to strike Galen a fatal blow. As the wounded knight looked up at the knight who would slay him, the image of his dying father flashed into his mind.
Galen remembered that oath he had sworn to his father and resolved that he would not break that oath at the end of this black knight's foul sword. Galen rallied his last remaining strength and surged to his feet. In the process he struck a blow to the black knight's breastplate that left a dent in the armor, sending the black knight staggering backwards. Galen followed up quickly and struck twice more in quick succession. The black knight fell back to the castle's gate, but managed another strike of his own.
Galen struck at the knight's helm, but was thwarted by a skillful parry. Again Galen attacked, but the knight blocked his attempts. The black knight struck Galen's leg, causing Galen to stumble to the ground. Galen used the position to his advantage surged upward to make one great thrust. The black breastplate yielded before the great stone's sword as a sapling yields before the wind, and the Narnian-wielded blade struck home. The black knight crumpled over the blade and fell to his knees. Galen pulled the sword back and the black knight fell to the ground, never to rise again.
The once-silent crowd erupted in cheers, and a wave of Anvard's inhabitants converged on the almost-fallen knight. Galen fell to one knee, his strength spent, supporting himself on the great sword. Princess Lyra was one of the closest and she helped him to stand up once more. As he stood, he happened to look to the sword, and in surprise he noted that the blade was not stained with blood. A moment later, to the amazement of all who watched, the black knight's body spontaneously caught fire. In several seconds' time the blaze died as suddenly and mysteriously as it began.
Everyone stepped forward again, and on the stones where the black knight had fallen a scabbard lay. The scabbard was cased in dark leather and had a tip and throat of silver. Etched in the leather was the silver image of the Stone Knife and small sapphire gems edged the silver throat.
Galen bent down and picked it up. After a moment of studying it he slipped the sword into the scabbard, which fitted the sword perfectly. As the distinctive snap of the sword fitting into the scabbard sounded, a whisper, like a springtime wind, echoed in the courtyard as the marble stone that once held Galen's new sword disappeared.