Chapter 3
I rushed to where the horn lay in a saddlebag on the forest floor. Apparently Susan's horse had spooked and flung the saddle off. As I touched the cool ivory of the horn, I immediately sensed that if the Kings and Queens were ever to come back, a very long time would pass before their return.
I picked up the saddle and lugged it over to my horse, Adelane. How in the world was I going to get this saddle home? Adelane couldn't carry two saddles. I thought on this for a while until I decided that I would leave the saddle behind. I or someone else could come back later and retrieve it. I carefully placed the horn in one of my saddlebags and mounted Adelane. Then I was off, heading towards the walls of Cair Paravel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I strode up to the door of Spindell's study and knocked.
"Come in." He replied.
I stepped into his cozy study and shut the door.
He looked up. "Do you have any news of the Kings and Queens?"
"Yes. I…" I was abruptly cut off.
"What? What news? Tell me. Did you find them? Are they okay? Tell me!!!!" He shouted, jumping up from his chair and rushing towards me.
"I was trying to tell you before you rudely interrupted. I was saying that I went into the woods and found a curious iron pole with a light in it. Then, I found this." I withdrew Queen Susan's horn from within the folds of my cloak.
Spindell gasped and took it from me.
"What do you think this means? Why in the world would Queen Susan leave this behind? Do you think they got kidnapped or hurt?" He asked his face turning purple with excitement. (In case you haven't noticed, Spindell often gets overly excited.)
"No…I don't think so. When I went to pick up the horn, I felt that they wouldn't be coming back for a long time, if ever. I also felt certain that they're fine. I think it might have been Aslan telling me."
"Yes, perhaps you're right. But, do you know what this means?"
"What?"
"You will have to be crowned Queen."
"B-b-but I don't know how to be queen." I sputtered.
"Well, that's why you have me! Let's see… I'll have the coronation planned one week from now. Which means we have a lot of work to do. You'll have to study up on a lot of things. Not to mention plan food and dress and everything else a coronation requires!" He said excitedly.
"Don't you think you're planning a bit early? I mean, no one else knows about the Queens and Kings. Plus, they're not going to just say, 'Oh, they're gone! Who cares? Let's just crown a new Queen!'"
"We will just tell everyone and I'm sure they will agree. After all, someone has to rule Narnia. I'm off! I've so much to do!" With that he was gone.
I sank down into one of Spindell's comfy chairs. My head was spinning. How could all this be happening so fast? I wasn't ready to be queen! I groaned. Why did they have to leave?
I rose from the chair and made my way towards the airy throne room. I would be able to find Brogan there, and talk to him about what I had found. Perhaps I should have told him first before I had told Spindell.
I arrived at the throne room and scanned the grand room for Brogan. I finally located him talking to some guards by a tall window to the left of the thrones. I weaved my way through the crowds of people gathering there and waited by Brogan's side until he was finished talking to the guards.
"Brogan?"
He turned, bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Highness? Do you have news of Their Majesties?"
"Yes. I found this in the woods a bit away from a tall, iron pole with a light in it." I showed the horn to him.
" Very good. Did you see anything else? If not, I'll send some soldiers out to look for them."
"No, but…" I started and then trailed off when he turned away.
"Good. I'll notify the soldiers immediately."
I put my hand on his arm and said,
"I don't think that is necessary. I think the Queens and Kings have gone back the same way they came in to Narnia."
Brogan squinted at me.
"How would you know that?"
"When I picked up the horn, I sensed that they were safe and back in their own world. I think it was Aslan's way of telling me. I don't think that they're coming back. And if they do…well, it will be a very long time." I explained.
"You say you think Aslan had a part in this?"
"Yes."
"Well, if Aslan had a part in this, then who am I to say otherwise? I will inform the guards and call off the search party. Then, we will meet with the council and decide what is to be done about crowning a new ruler, you."
"But what will all the people and creatures of Narnia think? What if they think I did something to them so that I could rule?"
"I don't know…that's part of what we'll discuss with the council. Now, I must leave. Good evening." He said, bowing and then turning away.
"Wait!" I called. "Just to warn you, Spindell has already started planning so if you bump into him, be prepared."
Brogan waved in response and continued walking.
I sighed and retreated to my chambers.
"What will it be like," I wondered, " To be ruler over all of Narnia?"
As I sat there thinking I decided it would be hard for sure. After all, I was only seventeen! Well, if you didn't count the 150 years in the White Witch's enchanted sleep.
A knock aroused me from my musings. I opened the door and a servant stood there.
"A message for Your Highness." She said, curtsying.
I thanked her and took the message.
I opened it and it read as follows:
Princess Iridessa,
A council meeting will be held at seven o' clock this evening in the throne room.
Please be there.
In Aslan's name,
Brogan, Head of the Guard
I folded the note and glanced at the face of my crystal clock. Six o' clock. I'd better get ready.
I went to my wardrobe and picked out a pink dress with a silver overlay on the skirt (I don't wear blue ALL the time you know). I slipped it on along with silver slippers. Then, feeling like a change, I unbraided all of my hair and let it hang loosely down my back with only a simple pink ribbon in it. I looked in the mirror, satisfied the dress was suitable for a council meeting. Then, I left my chambers and made my way to the throne room, bracing myself for a very long meeting.