Chapter Four
Patience fell back and tried to get away as quick as her hands would pull her.
"Who dares drink from my waters?" He looked like a god, a mergod. He had a muscular upper body and a white beard on his face. His green eyes held a disturbed and stern look upon them. He had been riding on a silent wave and his spear was positioned to strike.
"I-I'm s-sorry s-sir… I did n-not mean t-to d-d-disturb y-you." She stuttered. She again tried to back away, but he saw her movements.
"No!" Alex yelled, but was too late and the merman struck at Patience. Targus was quick, but not quick enough and Patience screamed as the spear pierced her ankle. Targus grabbed the spear with his teeth and pulled it from the merman's hand.
"How dare you Prince Trilan! These two children were summoned by the Great Lion himself! They do not know your father's rules." Targus glared at the prince. Patience whimpered in the arms of her brother who was glaring at the prince. Suddenly, another splash appeared before them. It was further up then the one the prince road on and it was, by far, more magnificent.
"Young knight Targus, I apologize for my son, but you do know the laws of these waters. That child should not live for what she has done," Alex's glare and grip became more intense and Patience began to shiver, "but they were not taught of these laws. I will let the child go, but know this," He looked straight to Patience, "I shall not forgive again."
Patience stood up with her brother's help. She was still shaking, but she knew she needed to do something to thank the Merking.
"Thank you your majesty." She curtsied to her best ability and her brother was at her side the whole time. Then the merking unexpectedly smiled at her.
"Children of Adam and Eve, I see a great future upon you." He bowed and disappeared into the water with his son.
"Patience, I am sorry for not informing you sooner." Targus looked sincere and Patience could not help but smile at him.
"Oh Targus, forgive my foolishness. And Alex, I am sorry to have worried you." She apologized a million times over before they journeyed through the woods.
That had been a difficult task, for Patience's ankle had begun to swell and Alex did not know much about first aid; not that there was any first aid in Narnia. Targus had shown Alex a few wrapping techniques and Patience pointed out a few herbal plants that would help the pain and swelling, though it would not heal it completely.
They had taken a few hours to accomplish the bandaging and for Alex to find a sturdy branch for Patience to lean on. Even though both Targus and Alex could tell Patience was in pain, she did not complain nor did she show any weakness. Alex was amazed at his sister's strength and learned from her. Targus walked close to Patience for support if needed.
A few times she had stumbled and Targus had caught her, but even when he offered a rest, she was determined to arrive when they were expected. Patience had even surprised herself at the strength she managed. She did not expect to be able to walk for as far and as long as she did that day.
When night fell, Targus and Alex gathered the materials for making camp and Alex had even gathered more materials to change Patience's bandaging. She was quite proud that it was he who had learned from her.
Targus instructed Alex how to cook the stag and he didn't do a bad job. They had their first real meal in Narnia and, even though it had been silly, Patience and Alex felt more at home then they had in a long time. Targus was becoming more attached to the two children. As they sat and ate with content looks on their faces, Targus showed his adoring smile to them. Even though from the time they had met to that night was all they knew of each other, there was a definite connection growing between the three souls.
Targus again took watch, but Alex, who had been too worried fro his sister, could not sleep.
"Alex, child, what troubles do you have?" Targus asked Alex as he approached Targus.
"I need to know," Alex had started but paused for a moment. Targus motioned him to continue and he searched for the words he wished to say, "How does one become stronger?"
"Whatever do you mean? You are very strong." Targus asked confused.
"I don't mean strength wise. I mean how one becomes more…more strong wills. Inner strength." He pointed to his chest.
"I see. Child, there are many ways to train one's self to become strong emotionally, but just because they train does not mean they overcome their inner demons. There is a battle inside everyone's heart. The hardest part is overcoming that battle. When you have overcome that, there is no other battle or fright that may overcome your courage. When you have won the battle within your own heart, your courage will be unstoppable. It is something you must discover and accomplish on your own." Targus explained to him.
"I understand, I think." Was all Alex said in reply. He didn't quite understand Targus for he knew of no battles in his heart, but he had thought of it none-the-less. He rejoined his sister's sleeping form and joined her notion.
When they awoke, a fire was already in place and Targus was trying his best to manage cooking the stag meat without burning it. Patience laughed at his struggles and rushed over to help him, forgetting about her ankle. At her yelp of pain, Alex was at her side.
"Silly girl. Come on, I'll redo the bandaging." He left to gather more herbal leaves and vines and Patience waited patiently as she did her best to help Targus with the stag meat. When he returned, he had full hands of bandaging supplies and a few berries. It was a nice meal though they were all awfully thirsty. Targus explained the waters in the woods belonged to the king of the waters so they were not to be able
"How much longer do you suppose we have to go?" Alex asked Targus.
"Well even with Patience's condition, we are making excellent progress. I would say we have about another day of hiking and one more night of camping till we reach the end at about mid day the second day." Targus informed the two.
"Well that's not so bad Al. Surly we can do without a drink for another three days at the least." She giggled and tried to lighten Alex's mood. He simply smiled, but frowned inside.
'How was Patience so strong?' he asked himself over and over again, but could never find the answer.
--
Targus was just about right when he told them how long it would take, but he had left out the difficulties they might've run into. Patience had not realized the strain she had put on her ankle the previous day and it had made traveling quite harsh. They had traveled slower than that of the previous day. On the second day, they did make it out of the wood but later that evening.
"There. I know it is hard to see, but on that island at the very top sits the castle of Cair Paravel. Where King Caspian and Aslan the Great Lion wait." Targus announced proudly.
It had been hard for the two to see in the dusk light, but they trusted Targus's word and knew they would see it better in the morning.
"How will we get all the way up there?" Patience asked the question in Ale's eyes.
"It's simple really. After Caspian won the Narnian throne with the help of the Kings and Queens of Old, he had wanted to rebuild their wonderful Castle again. With the help of all the Narnians, they managed to clear a small, but smooth path all the way to the ruined castle. After the road was built, they had begun the project of rebuilding the castle. It still is not finished, but in about another year, I expect it to be." Targus replied.
"So, basically, we will be following an uphill path to the castle right?" Patience asked just to make sure.
"Yes. The path is right across the bridge of Paravel, not far from where we stand now." He said.
"Alright, well now that that is settled, who's hungry?" Alex asked.
After a small fire was built and their stomach's full, they had no trouble dozing off after drinking a nice cool drink from a small creek to the left of their camp site.
Alrighty, sorry about this chapter. It didn't turn out as I had hoped, but after not sleeping the night before tends to cause dizzy spells, I thought I'd hurry this chapter along. I really just wanted to rush through to the next part, so I do apologize and after I am done writing everything, I promise to edit a lot of this. Thanks for being patient! And thanks for reading!