I am very excited, because I am really close to catching up. If things had gone as planned, meaning a new chapter every Tuesday, this would have been posted March 27th, so I am getting closer. (When I restarted writing and posting I was 2 months behind)
Anyway, thanks to the sole person who reviewed the previous chapter, floppyearsthebunny. Hopefully for this chapter everyone will feel generous and review to let me know how I am doing.
Chapter 29: Farewell
"That's amazing!" said Susan quietly. "Do you feel it Lucy?"
"Yes," her younger sister smiled.
The two sisters were feeling Nerina's pulse. The friends were spending the Narnians' last day in Arcadia together. While they listened to Queen Charissa play her golden harp, Nerina had told them that Arcadians' hearts beat to whatever song they heard or was in their head. She had her four Narnian friends feel her pulse, and sure enough, the pulse matched the tempo of the harp's solo.
Queen Charissa plucked the last strings, and the song ended. The five spectators clapped. Nodding her head in appreciation, she smiled. "Thank you," she said. To the Narnians she added, "Arcadia will miss you greatly once you leave. How do you plan on spending the rest of you last day here?"
"Well after lunch, we will pack, and then get ready for our farewell party," said Peter.
"Why don't we had down to the sun room for lunch now then?" suggested the Queen.
The Narnians' last lunch in Arcadia was wonderful as always, and afterwards they went to pack while Nerina went somewhere for "a surprise".
The siblings packed everything except what they would need for the ball and departure the following morning.
Now accustomed to Arcadian procedures, they quickly got ready for the banquet and met with the other Narnians in a large room.
One by one, the Narnians who had remained in Arcadia were announced and walked down the grand staircase to their reserved seats. The last Narnians to be called were, of course, Queen Lucy the Valiant, King Edmund the Just, Queen Susan the Gently, and High King Peter the Magnificent. Their seats were at the head table with the Arcadian Royal Family.
The banquet was greatly enjoyed, and when everyone had finished eating, King Arion stood up and the room became silent. He cleared his throat, and spoke.
"Thank you. As you all know, we are gathered here tonight to wish a fond farewell to our Narnian friends. Not only did they bring my daughter back, but they also performed a musical for us, which was done wonderfully. High King Peter has informed me that the group plans on continuing to perform musicals and plays in Narnia. My first through when I heard this, besides being delighted, was to the probability that they did not have any material back home to work with. So, as a gift of appreciation, I have collected a few copies of various scripts and scores to start off the Narnian archives."
Everyone present applauded, and then he continued, "Arcadia will miss you all and we pray that Aslan keeps you safe on your journey back home. We can never thank the Kings and Queens of Narnia and their military enough for saving Philyra. We are eternally grateful, and please always remember that you are all welcome to come back to Arcadia anytime, as long as you do not tell anyone of the cave's location."
At this everyone laughed.
King Arion raised his goblet. "And now, a toast." Everyone rose. "To the Narnians."
"To the Narnians," the room echoed.
"To Aslan."
"To Aslan."
"To music."
"To music."
"And to the return of Princess Philyra."
"To Princess Philyra."
When everyone was seated, Peter rose.
"On behalf of my brother and sisters, the Narnians present, and all those back home, I would like to thank the Arcadian Royal Family for their generous gifts, and all of Arcadia for their wonderful hospitality. We have all had a wonderful time here and will never forget it. I too, would like to offer a toast." Everyone rose. "To Arcadia."
"To Arcadia."
Next Nerina stood up and walked up onto a small stage where instruments were carefully lain.
She looked around and smiled. "It's good to be back home," she said, "but saddening as well, because my friends and rescuers will be leaving. For many, life will return to normal tomorrow when they leave. For me, and others touched by them, it won't. Personally, things can never go back to the way they were. I have changed, and become a stronger person. Thanks to the late King Hunter, I was away from my home for almost two years. Even though I would never go through living with Hunter again, I am glad he kidnapped me. I am not happy about the brainwashing and abuse I went through, but if he had not taken me, I would have never met these four wonderful people. They rescued me and helped me get better, both mentally and physically. I am glad Aslan brought us together. I am also thankful for my friends and family here, for their support in everything that has happened. Now things can't fully return to the way they were two years ago, but that is because I have changed for the better, thanks to you all," she said, smiling at the Narnian monarchs. "Arcadia will never forget you and the joy you brought to us. We are not used to having visitors, but you proved to be the best a host could ask for. And now, if Adelphos and Koros will join me, we will perform the song I have written for your departure, my good friends. Thank you for your comfort, support, and friendship. I will always remember you."
I found you in the most unlikely way
But really it was you who found me
And I found myself in the gifts that you gave
You gave me so much and I
I wish you could stay
But I'll, I'll wait for the day
And I watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering you
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering you; I'll be remembering you
From the first moment when I heard your name
Something in my heart came alive
You showed me love and no words could explain
A love with the power to
Open the door
To a world I was made for
And I watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering you
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering you; I'll be remembering you
I wish you could stay
But I'll wait for the day
And though you've gone away
You come back and
And I watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering you
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering you; I'll be remembering you
And I'll watch as the sun fills a sky that was dark
And I'll be remembering you
And I'll think of the way that You fill up my heart
And I'll be remembering you
The song was beautiful, and very heartfelt. Koros played a special flute while Adelphos strummed an Arcadian stringed instrument. Everyone clapped when it was finished, and the performers bowed. Koros walked offstage, and Nerina was about to follow him when Adelphos said,
"Nerina is forgetting about a song that applies very well to this situation." He sat down at the piano, and started to play. The siblings recognized it as the duet he wanted to sing when Nerina first got her voice back. The Arcadians cheered, for this was the couple's famous and most popular duet.
We were strangers
Starting out on a journey
Never dreaming
What we'd have to go through
Now here we are
And I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you
No one told me
I was going to find you
Unexpected
What you did to my heart
When I lost hope
You were there to remind me
This is the start
And life is a road
And I wanna to keep going
Love is a river
I wanna keep flowing
Life is a road
Now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there
When the world stops turning
I'll be there
When the storm is through
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning with you
We were strangers
On a crazy adventure
Never dreaming
How our dreams would come true
Now here we stand
Unafraid of the future
At the beginning with you
Life is a road
And I want to keep going
Love is a river
I wanna keep flowing
Life is a road
Now and forever
Wonderful journey
I'll be there
When the world stops turning
I'll be there
When the storm is through
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning with you
I knew there was somebody somewhere
Like me alone in the dark
Now I know my dream will live on
I've been waiting so long
Nothing's gonna tear us apart
Life is a road
And I want to keep going
Love is a river
I wanna keep flowing
Life is a road
Now and forever
Wonderful journey
Nerina stopped, closed her eyes, laughed, and sang. As she did with her own song, she sang to the Narnians, smiling and filled with joy. Adelphos sang his part with her, and although Nerina did not notice, one could see the love in his eyes and tell that he was singing only to her.
I'll be there
When the world stops turning
I'll be there
When the storm is through
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning with you
Life is a road and I wanna keep going
Love is a river I wanna keep going on...
Starting out on a journey
Life is a road and I wanna going
Love is river I wanna keep flowing
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning with you.
Songs Used- Remembering You from the Songs Inspired by LWW CD, sung by Stephen Curtis Chapman. This song, as soon as I heard it, I loved it. When I decided to put lyrics in the story, this was the first one on my list. The second song is At the Beginning by Donna Lewis and Richard Marx from the animated movie Anastasia. One of my favorite songs, and perfect for this chapter and story.
Please review!
Haras