Since I get to go see the final Harry Potter tonight, I thought I'd let you read the next chapter today! :D

The * indicates direct quotes from the movie. Hope you enjoy!

The Naiad Trilogy

Part 2: The Naiad and Her King

Chapter 17

The next morning, they all awoke to a glorious sight: the Blue Star. The long boat was quickly loaded and returned to the Dawn Treader which soon after unfurled its purple sail and caught wind. Eustace flew along beside the ship with Reepicheep riding on his head. The mood on board started out as jubilant but by late afternoon it had turned solemn once more.

The crew all thought that with the sighting of the star they would be within sight of Ramandu's Island within a few hours, but that was not the case. As evening fell the only land they saw was a small stretch of sand on which Eustace could rest; the Dawn Treader set anchor not far from the shore. In the morning Eustace took flight and the Dawn Treader took sail once more. The second day was much like the first.

Early on the third morning, only about an hour after sailing from the second small patch of land, the wind left. The sea was completely still. The crew rowed for several hours, but they were all in bitter moods and without much food. Some of the crew complained loudly and remarked that they would eat the dragon if they didn't find land soon; they hadn't forgotten nor forgiven Eustace for the sour mood he seemed to always be in.

Eustace did not like to hear their complaints and for the first time he knew what it must have been like for others when he complained. He was also a bit fearful that some of the men might really try to eat him, so he wrapped his tail around the prow of the ship and began to pull it forward with all his might. The Dawn Treader now moved as quickly as it would if it had a great western gale behind it.

For the entirety of all the three days that they had been sailing from Dragon Island, Caspian kept his distance from Ava. He did so not out of anger or ill feelings, but because he thought it was best. He thought that perhaps if he could distance himself from Ava he might begin to love her less and she might begin to love him less, or at least she could find a way to retain her magic. He knew this would not be an easy task, it might even be harder than finding the lords and rescuing the lost citizens, but he had to try. What he wanted more than anything was her happiness, even if that happiness came without him.

Ava knew what Caspian was trying to do, and after over hearing his confession to Edmund she knew why. Without him needing to explain a word, she understood. She was appreciative of his thoughtful actions, but that didn't make it hurt any less. Knowing what lengths he would go to for her happiness only served to make her love him even more.

Before the crew, Ava and Caspian would hide their emotions and insist all was well. But for their greatest friends, it was impossible not to notice the change.

XOXOX

"Has something happened between Ava and Caspian?" Lucy asked Edmund quietly. She had finally managed to get him alone long enough to ask him something in which she was immensely curious.

"I thought you figured out what was going on between them weeks ago?" he responded just as quietly.

"Well, I knew she loved him…"

"Wait, she loves him?"

"Yes, of course, Ed. And I knew he liked her."

"He doesn't just like her, he loves her."

"Oh, really? How marvelous."

"Not really. She's chosen to keep her Naiad magic and I don't think Caspian is going to just stand around. I think he believes he can make himself not love her."

"Well, doesn't he know that's a ridiculous notion? You can't make yourself not love someone just as you can't make yourself love them. It's just a natural thing. He's mad! Ava too! Doesn't she know that the Narnians will love her just the same if she was their Queen? I know they want her to be happy."

"I guess not, Lu," Edmund said with a sigh.

"Oh! I just wish they'd put this ridiculousness aside and get together already. Is every relationship this complicated, Ed?"

"Why are you asking me? What do I know of relationships?"

"Well, you have Valerie."

"What? I do not! Valerie and I are just friends."

"Who's Valerie?"

"Caspian!" Lucy jumped as the Narnian King came up behind her.

"Are you alright, Lucy?" Caspian asked with a laugh, amused at her surprise. "I just came to see what you were talking about. It must be interesting if you had to talk about it so closely together."

"What? Us? We weren't talking about anything. Were we, Ed?" Lucy said hurriedly.

Edmund opened his mouth as if he were about to respond, but as Caspian laughed he knew it was pointless. Lucy was a terrible liar; she always has been, and Caspian saw right through her fib. She turned her big eyes to Edmund, silently pleading with him to cover for her. Edmund chuckled and shook his head.

"Give it up, Lu. Caspian knows you're hiding something, but don't worry; I'll keep your secret."

Lucy's cheeks tinted red and she walked off.

"Are you really not going to tell me?" Caspian asked when they were alone.

"Sorry," Edmund replied.

"It's no matter," he sighed contently.

"What's got you in such a good mood?"

"I'm not sure; I just woke up like this. I have a feeling that something spectacular is going to happen today."

"Well, I hope this spectacular thing includes finding Ramandu's Island. I don't know how much longer Eustace can keep pulling the ship."

Meanwhile, Ava and Reepicheep were up on the fighting top. Ava's location on the fighting top served multiple purposes. She was serving as the lookout. She was out of Caspian's way, making it easier for him to avoid her. And she had some time alone to think her feelings through.

She knew why Caspian was keeping his distance; she knew it was only because he was trying to help, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt. She was just confused as to why it hurt so much. Wasn't this what she had chosen? To keep the magic and forsake love? And she couldn't really expect Caspian to just stand by everyday for the rest of his life, stuck on loving someone who refused to love him back. She wanted him to be happy right?

Ava certainly didn't want him to be miserable for the rest of his life. And she knew, at some point, for the safety of Narnia, Caspian would need to produce and heir. To produce and heir he would first need a Queen. Ava had never once thought of being that Queen, but the idea that someone else might become his Queen, bothered her to no end. Surely if he was happy that would be enough, right?

Reepicheep had followed Ava up to the fighting top to keep her company. He had seen the saddened look she bore; he thought perhaps it was caused by the toll of their voyage, and he wanted to lighten her spirits a bit. No nymph should ever be sad. But what he discovered when she unexpectedly confided in him was not something in which he was very familiar with, but he tried to give his best advice nonetheless.

"Thank you, Reepicheep. You have indeed given me something to think about," Ava replied earnestly.

"Oh, well you are quite welcome, Princess. It was my pleasure to assist you. And I do hope you sort things out soon." Reepicheep smiled and bowed before turning to look back out to the east. "What's that there?"

Ava peered through the telescope. "At last," she sighed. "Land ho!"

XOXOX

It took most of the remaining sunlight to reach the island that Reepicheep and Ava had spotted; it would have taken longer if Eustace had not been pulling them. As they approached, the island became more magnificent than anything they had seen yet. It was another mountainous island, but there were trees and rivers aplenty. The waterfalls were almost too numerous to count, and the light from the sinking sun gave the island an ethereal glow. There was no port that could be seen and so the Dawn Treader had to settle for a broad shallow bay. Even though the sun had already begun to set the crewmen were all too anxious to wait to till morning, and since the Blue Star sat directly above, Caspian felt sure that they had reached Ramandu's Island at last.

Only about three crew members stayed back to guard the ship, the rest filed into the long boats and headed to shore. Edmund led the way over the island with his electric torch; Caspian and the girls were close behind with Drinian and Tavros behind them. Eustace remained on the shore. Night quickly came and a strange ominous feeling fell over everyone in the party, everyone except for Caspian who still retained some of his giddiness; though, he hid it well.

They hardly knew where they were going, but Edmund followed the glow of the star. They passed over stone bridges that were lined with trees and stone gargoyles and crossed over waterfalls. At the end of their trek they passed under some arched tree roots that led into an open stone platform. In the center there sat a long banquet table which held a feast unlike any other. There were bowls of every fruit imaginable and tenderly cooked meats. There were glasses full of the finest made wines and lavish cakes. There were candles placed strategically over the table, but none were lit. Many of the crew became excited at the sight of the feast, but the ever logical Drinian halted them from eating anything just yet.

As they looked over the feast on the table, Caspian and Lucy walked down one side while Edmund and Ava took the other side. Suddenly, Ava gasped and jumped back. At the end of the table there were three stationary figures. They looked almost man-like, but a great bramble had grown up around them nearly covering them completely and intermingling with their long grey hair that one could hardly tell where one figure ended and the next began.

"What is that?" Lucy asked. "Are they trees, or men?"

"Look at their faces; they're men," Edmund pointed out as he shined the light of his torch on them.

"It can't be," Ava whispered as she leaned in for a closer inspection. "They're not just men. Caspian, look at their rings; they're Lords."

Caspian too leaned in for a closer inspection and studied the three signet rings. "These are the Lords Revilian, Mavramorn, and Argoz." As he was leaning over the table to inspect the rings, he felt the warm breath of one of the lords on the back of his neck. "They're breathing; they must be only sleeping."

"An enchanted sleep," Edmund clarified.

"No! Don't eat the food!" Ava shouted in warning just as Tavros was about to take a bite of an apple; he dropped it immediately. "No one touch the food until we know for certain that it was not the cause of this enchantment."

"The Princess is right," Caspian declared. "We shouldn't eat of the food. I know you're hungry; we're all hungry, but we mustn't risk it."

Ava cast her eyes to the ground and sighed inwardly. She had noticed Caspian stumble slightly over the formal use of her title as opposed to the casual use of her name he was so use to.

"Look! It's the stone knife." Edmund pointed to the table. *"This is Aslan's table."*

"Quick, the swords, lay them on the table," Caspian said before pulling out the Lord Octesian's sword he carried at his side. Edmund pulled Lord Bern's sword out and laid it on the table while Ava fetched the sword of Lord Argoz.

"We only have six swords; we never found Lord Rhoop," Ava said as she lay down the sixth sword.

It didn't matter that they only had six swords though, for once they were all together they began to glow blue. Or rather, the light of the Blue Star reflected off the blades as the star steadily descended to the island. The star passed right through an opening in the trees and stopped about five feet from the ground at the far end of the table. Everyone stood in awe and wonder as the light of the star danced brightly and molded into the form of a perfect young girl around Ava's age. She wore a simple dress that was clear blue and left her arms bare. Her skin was fair, and her hair was so light it was almost white. All around her swirled the blue light of the star.

"*Travelers of Narnia,* I bid you welcome," said the girl. She spoke warmly, kindly, and her voice seemed to ring as with the sweetest song. At once, the crew dropped to their knees; they knew they were in the presence of a great Lady.

*"Arise,"* she said after a pause. "You who have traveled so far, why have you not eaten? *Are you not hungry?*"

*"Who are you?"* Edmund asked with a tone of wonder, forgetting about her simple question.

*"I'm Liliandil, daughter of Ramandu. I am you guide,"* she answered with a gentle smile. As she slowly walked forward, so too did Caspian, Edmund, Lucy and Ava walk forward.

"You're the Blue Star?" Caspian asked in a worshipful tone. Ava's eyes quickly flashed to him in surprise; she had never heard him speak in such a tone. A strange stirring began to form in her stomach, and for a moment she almost thought the feeling was similar to the one she had on Glama almost two months ago, but then it was gone as she pushed it aside.

Ava did not notice the small nod of Liliandil's head, nor did she notice the smile she gave Caspian. She heard clearly, however, Caspian's next words.

*"You are most beautiful."*