Chapter 6
Who She Met At The Lamppost
Susan and Paravatia's journey through the forest toward the lamppost was very hard work indeed. Since Susan was last in Narnia, the woods had been cut down near the Great River. But they have soon grown wild again and they found it very hard to get through. But, within fair few minutes and a little bit of crawling, they finally made it to the gleaming lamppost.
"Okay, so who am I suppose to meet here?" said Susan, loudly. She put her hands on her hips (a habit she has developed over the years) and looked around.
"Here, your Majesty!" said a squeaky voice.
"Who said that?" demanded Susan. "Where are you hiding?"
Paravatia tugged on Susan's sleeve and pointed to the ground. Now, a normal girl would had screamed her head off if she had seen a two foot dark mouse. It was the daring and courageous leader of mice, Reepicheep. He is a large talking mouse who carries a rapier and has a large plume stuck behind his ear.
"Reepicheep!" shrieked Susan, scooping him into her arms.
"Why, hello your Majesty," said Reepicheep. "Oh! I never thought I'd see the day Queen Susan returned to Narnia."
"Reepicheep the Mouse?" said Paravatia. "Last I heard, you were left At The World's End, by King Caspian the Tenth, Eustace Scrubb, King Edmund and Queen Lucy."
"I have returned to the Majesty to tell her what has really---" but Reepicheep's words were cut short by a loud grunt from behind the lamppost. At that moment, a Red Dwarf walked out from behind it. It was Trumpkin!
"Oh, Trumpkin!" said Susan, surprised. She ran over to him and kissed him swiftly on his forehead, the only smooth spot on his red hairy face.
"Hello, your Majesty, Queen Susan." said Trumpkin.
"What's that your holding?" asked Susan, staring at the objects in Trumpkin's arms. It was a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a Horn. "My gifts!" Reepicheep leaped out of her arms and onto the ground, as she placed her arrows on her back, horn on her waste and bow in hand. "I never thought I'd see these again."
"Yes," said Trumpkin. "We knew you'd need them."
"But, I'm not understanding why I'd need these to find the others." said Susan.
"Well," said Trumpkin, "we were---"
Reepicheep cut in. "I was just about to tell her, Dwarf, before I was interrupted."
"I shall tell her!" said Trumpkin. "I know it best, Majesty."
"But, but that is truly unjust, Sir!" said the Mouse. "I have never in my entire life been so disrespected as a mere dumb beast who can't remember simple facts."
"Oh, hush up dear Reepicheep." said Trumpkin. "Let me begin my story."
Susan and Paravatia sat on the earthy floor, as Trumpkin began his story.
It all picks up after Paravatia left Narnia to Earth. For it turns out that the Pevensies, Eustace, Digory, Polly, and Jill are being held captive in a land far beyond the border of Narnia and even Claire Dome. In the mythological realm of Devast. Inside of Devast lives a dark and evil Wizard. He broke the barrier into Narnia and used his dark magic to capture everyone. Once a rift opened in the world, Reepicheep returned in a small boat to Cair Paravel, to find Caspian at first. Instead, he found Trumpkin who had been looking for the High King. As they were pondering where they went too a Robin called Terebethena, told them that Aslan is on the move and coming toward the main land. She also told them that one of the Ancient Queens from Narnia's past would be returning. Trumpkin had the strange feeling that it would the Queen who ruled at Cair Paravel and went to fetch her gifts at once. Then they proceeded down to the lamppost to find no other then the Queen herself and her Elf.
"We have to get into Devast!" said Susan, quickly rising.
"Yes, we must!" said Reepicheep, unsheathing his sword.
"No, no, no." said Susan. "That you can't do! I'm so sorry! But you two must return to Cair Paravel. Paravatia and I shall continue on."
"But your Majesty, surely…." began Reepicheep.
"Be quiet, Mouse!" said the Dwarf. "We shall do as her Majesty asks and not question her judgement. We shall return to Cair Paravel as you command." He gave a slight bow. "Come on, Reepicheep."
Reepicheep bowed. "Your beautiful, grace, and wisdom, shall continue to move future Queens even after your departure from Narnia."
Trumpkin and Reepicheep gave one final bow, and said, "Hail Queen Susan! And in the name of Aslan, be safe!" With those final words, they ran quickly off into the distance toward the mouth of the Great River, where they would find Cair Paravel.
"Well, Paravatia, seems we have a minor adventure on our hands. We have to save them, Para. She just have too." said Susan.
"I agree, your Grace. But where shall we begin?" said Paravatia.
"Will head toward the last place they were of course? Don't you remember? Ettinsmore." said Susan. And with that they headed on foot toward the Claire Dome, which turns out to be a three day journey from the lamppost.