Chapter 20: Traveling
"Bravo! Bravo!" clapped the audience. Months had gone by and it was not the last week in March. "The Ice Queen" had just finished their last of four performances for the Narnians. Each night the theater was packed, with a standing ovation at the end.
The applause grew louder as the cast took their curtain call. Peter and Adelphos came out together after the chorus and minor characters, followed by Lucy. The audience was on their feet, paws, and hooves when Susan came out, and finally Nerina took her bow. Everyone they held hands and bowed one final time before the curtain closed.
The cast whooped for joy and the Arcadians began dancing. Susan and Lucy ran up to them.
"Oh you two were wonderful!" they exclaimed.
"So were you!" grinned Nerina. "Oh I've missed the stage so much!"
"And to think we shall perform it next week, back home in Arcadia!" sand Adelphos. He dropped Nerina's hands and started dancing with Lucy.
Susan watched as Nerina sadly walked away. She hurried after her and stopped her friend.
Every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears
"Nerina, what's wrong?"
"It's just," Nerina's voice trembled, 'I- I don't know if I can go back home. I mean, I finally believe that He did lie to me, but everything back home is going to remind me of Him."
Every now and then I get a little bit terrified…
Susan put her arm around her friend.
Every now and then I fall apart…
"Don't worry. We will make better memories to replace the old ones, just like I told you. We are going to have so much fun! I can't wait to meet everyone! Now come on! We need to get some sleep to save our energy for packing tomorrow!"
The next day was very busy. Food was being prepared for the journey, and trunks had to be packed. No one knew how long the trip would be, so the four siblings packed enough for three weeks. The girls had fun sitting on each other's trunks, trying to make them close. Almost everyone was thoroughly excited for the next day. Once in a while, Nerina would grow quiet and tears would fill her eyes. Susan was always right there to comfort her best friend, and tell her how much fun they were going to have.
Every now and then I get a little bit helpless and I'm lying like a child in your arms
Finally the next day came, and the whole castle was bustling. Peter was giving last minute instructions to the council that the four monarchs had put together. The council's job was to advise the monarchs and take care of Narnia if anything happened to the rulers. Peter figured this was a perfect time for a trial run, in case an emergency came up and the council had to rule. Susan was in charge of making sure the cast and crew were all present. The Arcadians and Lucy helped load the costumes and small props and scenery onto Adelphos' large carriage. They would rely on Arcadia's supply for the large items. Fortunately the backdrop could be folded neatly. Edmund had the busy task of making sure everyone's things were on a carriage.
At last the five enormous carriages were off. Families and castle staff waved farewell from the steps of Cair Paravel. Nerina turned and sadly watched the castle disappear from view.
Every now and then I get a little bit angry and I know I've got to get out and cry
It was a wonderful ride up north. Everyone sang and had a lot of fun. Around midday they reached the edge of the Northern Marsh, and the sun was just beginning to set by the time they reached the large, but hard to find hole- the entrance to the caves leading to Arcadia. Sure enough, it was filled with ice. Because it was spring, chunks had fallen off, but the ice still looked very solid. Deciding to wait until morning, giving time for everyone to rest, and giving Nerina a chance to figure out how she was going to rid the cave of the ice, they set up camp. Adelphos said that the ice actually filled the entire rock cave, but stopped where the rock cave met the ice caves.
Everyone feasted on the meal prepared for them by the Narnian cooks, and after singing a few songs around the fire, makeshift tents were made and a watch began.
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
In the middle of the night, Peter sat by a tree near the edge of the fire's light. He could not sleep, so he decided to assist the current watchman until he grew tired again.
All was quiet, until a twig snapping was heard. The watchman had fallen asleep, so Peter quickly unsheathed his sword.
"Who goes there?" he called.
All was quiet.
"Come forward," he challenged.
Slowly, a figure moved into the light. Peter was reminded of a small Lucy running to him after having a nightmare, for that is how Nerina looked. Her robe was tied around her waist, she wore white slippers, and her eyes were wide as she clung to her pillow and blanket.
Yeah I know it hurts,
Yeah I know you're scared
Of walking down the road that leads to who knows where.
Don't you hang your head,
Don't you give up yet,
When courage starts to disappear I will be right here.
"What's wrong?" he asked, still on his guard.
Tears flowed and she stared at him with wide eyes.
"Why are you scared? Can I help you?"
No answer.
"Here, come sit with me over here. You'll feel better."
When she hesitated, he added, "Come on Jadis, come sit with Bersaro."
She smiled slightly, and his heart lifted. He sheathed his sword, and sat down. Patting the ground on his left he said, "Come here. I won't let anything hurt you. I promise."
When your world breaks down
And the voices tell you turn around
When your dreams give out I will carry you, carry you.
When the stars go blind
And the darkness starts to flood your eyes
When you're falling behind, I will carry you.
Finally she sat.
"Here," said Peter, "you can put your pillow on my shoulder, and cover yourself with the blanket."
He helped her adjust everything until she was comfortable.
"There. Better?"
She looked up at him, with tears still in her eyes.
"Guess not. Well, I take it you can't sleep either."
She nodded.
Everybody cries,
Everybody bleeds,
No one ever said that life's an easy thing
That's the beauty of it,
When you lose your way,
Close your eyes and go to sleep and wake up to another day.
"Why?"
She looked at the cave.
"Oh, well you're going to do well tomorrow. Is that what you're scared of? I know you're afraid of something. You're safe. No one is going to hurt you."
You should know now that you're not alone
Take my heart and we will find, you will find, your way home.
She continued to stare at the cave, petrified.
"I understand. The last time you were here was when you were kidnapped and with-" he stopped, knowing he hit something when her head snapped back to him.
"Just remember- he's gone. No one is going to hurt you. Everyone here cares about your safety. Do I have your permission to protect you? I will keep one hand on my sword's hilt, and the other around you, so that if anything happens, which it won't, you will be safe. Would that be alright?"
When your dreams give out
I will carry you, carry you
When the stars go blind
And the darkness starts to flood your eyes
When you're falling behind,
I will carry you, carry you
Peter was shocked as she nodded. He carefully put his arm behind her pillow and around her left arm, putting his right hand on the hilt of his sword, noticing a few minutes later that the fearful princess was asleep.
I will carry you
END OF ACT II
Songs Used-Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler and I Will Carry You by Clay Aiken