We continue several months later...
ACT II
Setting: Before the door of Cair Paravel. The CHORUS enters from the left, led by STARSTORM.
CHORUS:
What somber mood lies upon these city-walls!
Many months have we dwelt in southern reaches.
The stars remained fixed in portents of dread fear.
Only now do they give us leave to return:
with the fell darkness at its greatest threat.
They speak not of the form this long dark may take.
Nor whether fate is stone or may yet be changed.
CALDUS the faun enters from the right.
STARSTORM:
Hail, faun Caldus! We come from the southern sun, deep in the mountains. No word has reached us from Cair Paravel, nor have the stars given us news. What came upon Narnia since the fall of her valiant queen and the exile of her youngest king?
CALDUS:
Surely you have not been here, or else you would not speak those words so loudly! Lower your voice, friend Starstorm, lest they hear you say that Narnia ever had more than one king.
STARSTORM:
Who is 'they' that you would fear to speak of King Edmund, exiled though he be? Has his guilt for his sister's death been proven? Does he war against his country?
CALDUS:
Nay, no word of the dark king has reached Cair Paravel since the day he left. Some say he is dead, others that he lurks in the Western Wilds for chance to attack and slay his brother.
CALDUS lowers his voice
Most Narnians, the ones who hold faith in Aslan, believe him waiting for the High King's command to return. Those who flee head west in hopes of returning the king to his throne.
STARSTORM:
Who flees the great sea-side castle for the unknown wilds beyond our border, and for what reason? What say the High King and Gentle Queen to this defection?
CALDUS:
We believe, and pray, that they are but in ignorance of the plight of Narnia. King Peter campaigns against the northern giants, winning renown through feats of valor. But no word heads north except through the hands of the King Consort, husband of Queen Susan.
STARSTORM:
What? Has a suitor won over the heart of our queen? We know many admire her beauty and covet her glance, but not that she gave her hand to one or other.
CALDUS:
In the weeks after losing sister and brother, Queen Susan found comfort in Agisto, advisor to the High King. He wooed her gently and she loved him for his words and soothing strength. Quickly they wed, and many times has the moon grown in strength since then. But now it is rare to catch a glimpse of our queen's beauty: the King Consort seeks all her time himself. It is thus we think she too has no knowledge of the plight of her country.
STARSTORM:
How is Narnia fallen?
CALDUS:
The court of Cair Paravel reigns with iron. It has set cruel burdens on the people: tariffs not before known to any now press hard against our stores. Dear friends of the Sovereigns have disappeared – no Beavers dwell at Beaversdam, nor my kinsman Tumnus in his castle rooms. Those who speak too loudly against these things are condemned with no justice, no mercy. Fear such as not felt in Narnia since the Days of the Long Darkness lies upon us as a blanket of snow. Even now I fear I speak too much and too loudly: waiting ears line the halls of the castle, the streets of the city. I warn you, centaurs, known for wisdom and strength, flee to the west before your presence is known.
CALDUS exits right.
CHORUS:
A fell winter has fallen on Narnia!
Surely the High King, if he knew, would end this.
Alas for the loss of the Valiant and Just!
Heart of the High King and his soul's Protector.
Both gone and the darkness overruns the land.
Would that the King call for Aslan's great wisdom!
Let the land be saved from the one who bleeds it.
STARSTORM:
Look, friends, here comes the High King, victorious in battle! Often has he called on us for our wisdom and advice. We must now share with him what we have learned, or else let us be slain. For Narnia!
PETER enters left.
PETER:
Cousins, you have returned after long absence! Many blessings upon you. I also have spent too long a time away from my beloved home, defeating the giants who harried our northern borders. Now, pray excuse me, for I seek out my sister, whom I have missed, and my brother…that is, Queen Susan's husband, loyal Agisto.
STARSTORM:
Your Majesty, we rejoice in your victory, won by the grace of Aslan. We beg you, though, listen and heed our words before you enter your home.
PETER:
Your face betrays trouble, dear centaur. Speak and I will listen, for you are called wise among a wise people and your words have always been true.
STARSTORM:
My lord, mighty as you are, you cannot see the whole of Narnia in one glance. In your magnificent victory over the giants, you have not been privy to the injustice committed in your name.
PETER:
What? Why say you this? My advisor and brother has kept me informed of the doings of Cair Paravel and the rest of Narnia.
STARSTORM:
And what then has your sister said, if I may ask?
PETER:
Susan has written me only good things at the foot of Agisto's missives. The joys of wedded life suit my gentle sister.
STARSTORM:
aside Ah, how likely it is that Agisto keeps her in ignorance. to PETER My lord, it pains me to inform you that the darkness the stars foretold has fallen on Narnia. The moon's pallid light holds preeminence in the sky, forbidding the stately stars their voice. Lakir the Trickster reverses course, travelling through the very heart of the compass, stealing the light of the north-point.
PETER:
Speak no more of stars and moons, but plainly tell me what threatens my beloved people.
STARSTORM:
You know it yourself, but do not see. Who is it who gives you good tidings when Narnians starve? Who is it you order to right wrongs, but who continues left?
PETER:
You accuse with no proof but lights in the sky! Truly, cousin, I will speak with Prince Agisto about your worries. I am sure…yes, of course he will set these misunderstandings to right.
AGISTO enters right. A large group of menacing soldiers guard him.
Brother! I seek your counsel.
AGISTO:
Welcome home, highest of kings. Your country celebrates your victory over the cruel giants. Ah, why now are your brows furrowed, my lord brother?
PETER:
These good centaurs bring worrisome tidings, concerning the ruling of Narnia.
AGISTO:
What words do they speak?
PETER:
That you have kept my eyes from seeing the troubles of my people. That my orders given you concerning the care of the land have gone unheeded. I gave their words little credence, trusting you, my brother, but now my heart accuses me that this was wrong. For the city is silent when once filled with laughter. And you greet me now with a company of soldiers not known to me, commander of the army, whilst I do not see Faun Tumnus nor my sister who always greets me home from battle.
AGISTO:
My soul cries at your accusations, my lord. Surely I have only ever worked with the good of Narnia in mind. These men are newly enlisted, anxious to serve their king. Tumnus, aged with the grief of losing Queen Lucy those months ago, has returned to his home in the west.
PETER:
And my sister, your wife? Where is she that she does not welcome home her only sibling?
AGISTO:
I fear my darling Susan has taken to her bed. She is beside herself with worry over the injuries you have suffered in your battle with the giants.
PETER:
Has madness taken your mind? I suffer no injuries from my campaign in the north.
AGISTO:
Not yet.
The soldiers roughly grab PETER. The CHORUS attempts to help their king but are stopped by the guards.
PETER:
What is this? Remove your hands from my person, immediately! I am High King Peter the Magnificent, and I order you to release me!
AGISTO:
The Proud be a better title for you, who heard honeyed words paint you in golden light…yet it was but fool's gold.
PETER:
Cursed be you, most craven of traitors!
AGISTO:
Ah, how swiftly you bestow that appellate. Did you not first call the Just, craven? And replace the title Brother with Traitor while applying Brother to one whom now will rule all Narnia in your stead?
PETER:
My death will only serve to raise the land against you.
AGISTO:
Ah, but death will not yet grace your presence. Only, you suffer so from your injuries that you must take to your rooms and pass your decrees through your most loyal servant and brother.
PETER:
Not even the strongest of guards will impede my escape, should you hold me captive.
AGISTO:
Then your gaol shall be a blanket of ensnaring darkness; I have already removed your Light that threatened me, and the Shield that protected you. Your Comfort I now hold in a loving noose. Alone you are, and alone you shall ever be. to the soldiers Come, let us put out the fire of the golden king.
AGISTO and soldiers drag PETER offstage, right.
PETER: (offstage)
Why hold you that weapon, made red with flame? Foul creature, do not think to break me with torture, for I have taken many wounds for the good of my Narnia.
AGISTO: (offstage)
I seek not torture for torture's sake. You should be giving me thanks; I only take the way through which your beloved people may see your pride-burned soul! Now, my soldiers, hold still the knighted king.
An inhuman scream echoes from within Cair Paravel. A SOLDIER enters stage right, carrying a bloody sack. He speaks to his comrades.
SOLDIER:
Friends, behold my gift for work well done. I amongst the guard did not flinch at the sight of a great man fallen. For seeing well, I am rewarded with new vision!
There is laughter among the crowd as the SOLDIER shows them his prize: a pair of torn, blue eyes.
And now our lord bids us also take these centaurs, enemies now to Narnia's king, and let them try and see the stars behind iron doors.
CHORUS:
How truly the lights of the sky have spoken!
The future is enshrouded by dark of night.
Our high king is lost to the rays of the sun.
Our gentle queen captive to the moon's smooth voice.
Our just king vanished to the uttermost west.
No eastern star shines with hope to mend our souls.
Alas we now go forth to the starless night.
Aslan, hear our mourning
Aslan, heed our cries
Aslan, come to our aid
Aslan's will be done
CHORUS exits left with SOLDIER. End Act II.
One more Act with a bridge scene near the beginning.