Seeking and Searching
"If I understand correctly, you're Queen Susan the Gentle from the castle Cair Paravel in the land of Narnia. You're a follower of Aslan the Great Lion and you reign with your brothers and sister…um…King Peter, King Edmund, and…" Gimli shot me a qizzical look.
"Queen Lucy."
"Ah! Queen Lucy. You were riding in the woods when your horse spooked and then after you calmed him down, you heard our battle with the Orcs." He finished.
"That is correct, Master Gimli. Let's see if I can relay your story correctly." I smiled at him. "You traveled to Fangorn Forest because of a promise you and Legolas made some years ago. You promised that if Legolas took you to Fangorn than you would take him to the Glittering Caves. You were riding out of the forest when a band of Orcs attacked you. That's when I heard the battle and came to help."
"Correct my dear lady!" Gimli exclaimed.
We had been riding abreast for several hours. The sun had already hid itself behind the horizon and a cool breeze fluttered through my hair.
"Where are we traveling to Prince Legolas?" I asked glancing in his direction.
"We ride to Minis Tirith to see King Aragorn, m'lady," he murmured.
"How far do we have to ride?" I asked trying to pick up the conversation.
"Two days and a little more; riding at a steady space, we shall make camp in about an hour."
These two are not great traveling companions are they? I am glad I decided to trust them. I wouldn't want to be out here alone. I sighed.
"Please, if you will, tell me more about Middle Earth." I encouraged as we crossed a vast plain stretching for miles.
As we rode they both told me bits and pieces of the history of the world and a bit about each country. They told me about King Aragorn and about other kings as well (only I couldn't remember there names). Legolas explained that he was an Elf, and I realized earlier that I had mistaken him for a human.
After what seemed like forever, Legolas finally announced, "We shall set up camp here."
The place he had chosen was a small flat area with large boulders on the north and east sides. Tall light green grass and loose pebbles covered the soft ground.
I am exhausted! I groaned inwardly as I stumbled off my stallion. I rapidly stripped the tack off his back and grabbed the saddlebags. I slid the bit out of his mouth and let him roam freely. I threw my things down in a pile beside one of the boulders as Legolas and Gimli built a small fire.
"Is there anything I may help with?" I graciously asked. They better let me help with something! I hate doing nothing while other people wait on me.
"Not at the moment, Lady Susan." Legolas answered pulling several things out from their saddlebags, "Do you need provisions?"
"I thank you for the offer, and no I do not need provisions tonight. Are you sure you don't need any help?" I persisted.
"Yes I am. Why don't you rest?" He responded firmly.
I want to help, but I'm just so tired. I'm too tired to eat. Maybe he's right. I gently laid my head down onto my saddle pad. The soft night sounds and the whisperings of my companions made my eyelids heavy. Soon, I was breathing rhythmically and was dreaming of the Prince of Calormen.
--
I flipped over on to my back. My mind was foggy, and my eyes were heavy from sleep. Morning dew had soaked my cloak and the sun beat down upon me.
Where am I? I asked myself. A shadow of a man bent over me. My heart beat wildly and my hand flew to my dagger. I jumped up and pressed my dagger into the man's neck.
"Don't move." I commanded breathing hard.
Oh what a fool I am! It's only Legolas! I stepped back, "Forgive me, Prince Legolas, you startled me."
I removed the dagger from his neck and cleaned the blood off the blade.
He glanced at Gimli who was gathering their things together, "I am at fault. I should have called to awaken you." He replied coolly, wiping the blood off his neck.
"Then all is well." I sighed.
Why did you behave that way Susan? You're a Queen! I thought angrily. It is because I am nervous and don't trust either of them. .
"We shall be leaving shortly." Legolas nodded.
I called to Clisendal, collected my things, and saddled him in no time. Soon we were riding under the immense blue sky. There was an awkward silence as we traveled.
I looked about and made note of some details. Gimli seems uncomfortable upon his mount. He is really kind, tough but kind. Legolas is unlike anyone I have ever met. He is quiet; yet graceful and royal.
At least everything came through with my transition from Narnia… Then I gasped and stopped my horse. I don't have my horn! I had it before I Clisendal bolted. I thought in horror. That might have been helpful here.
"Is something wrong?" Gimli asked as they trotted back towards me.
"I lost a special horn when I came to this world. It must have fallen off my saddle when Clisendal got scared." I spoke of the ivory horn.
"I am sorry of your loss. Why was it special?" Legolas sympathized.
"Father Christmas presented the horn to me in the year we defeated the White Witch. It was said that every time somebody blew the horn it would bring strange help to the person who blew it."
Then I had to explain all about Father Christmas and the White Witch. I told them about Aslan sacrificing himself for Edmund, and that He rose again.
"You follow Eru?" Legolas questioned again.
"Eru," I puzzled.
Then they took turns explaining all about Eru and what He had done for Middle Earth.
The sun was setting once again, lighting the plain afire with a great splash of gold. The wind whistled by us steadily and several birds sang in the distance. As we rode the saddles creaked and groaned peacefully and the horse's hooves crunched the ground softly. We rode silently, enjoying the quiet evening.
Finally, Legolas broke the stillness and asked, "How long have you been an archer?"
"A while," I answered modestly.
"You shoot with great skill. It seems you do not empty your quiver."
"I am grateful for the compliment. Aslan has blessed me abundantly. As for my arrows, I do not empty my quiver. Aslan has also blessed me with a continuous supply of shafts." I revealed to them.
Legolas looked at me with awe, "Would you give me the pleasure of having a shooting match with me?" he challenged.
"The honor would be mine." I accepted.
"How about meeting me at dawn?"
"That would be wonderful!"
--
The next morning I met the Elf for the contest to find out who the better archer was. We had camped overnight in a glade in a small wooded area. The rising sun tried hard to peek through the high branches.
"What is to be the target?" Legolas inquired as we stood near the edge of the clearing.
Gimli positioned himself at safe distance and watched us closely.
"Does that small cherry near the top of the tree suffice?" I suggested trying hard to focus my eyes on the distant tree.
"That will work fine. I would like you to loosen your bow first."
"Are you sure?" I asked unevenly.
He nodded as I pulled an arrow out of my quiver. I quickly strung the arrow and released with a great speed. The arrow struck the cherry, spearing the exact middle.
Gimli cheered for me as Legolas pulled an arrow onto his long bow. He loosened the shaft with more speed than I had ever imagined.
I heard a faint sound and saw that my arrow had been split in half as his arrow pierced the center with a force so great that the cherry fell to the ground.
A grin spread across my face as I turned to him, "Well done. I am impressed by your skill."
"You struck well, m'lady," he said modestly shaking his blond hair off his shoulders.
I rewarded him with a deep curtsy and quickly turned to pack up for the last part of our journey.
--
Peter and Edmund sat upon their majestic steeds and gave commands to their search team. Finally, they all set rode out of the soaring archway of the massive castle gates.
The party broke into four different groups, the first heading north; the second riding south; the third searching the Eastern Sea coastline; the fourth looking west.
The kings led the fourth group together. They also sent a messenger to Beruna to inform Lucy about what had happened and to command her to return immediately to Cair Paravel.
The rainstorm that came in the night before had left the ground soggy. As the kings' team trotted through the open meadow the wet ground flecked their horses with dirt.
"Halt!" King Peter said putting up his hand and circling around to face the company.
Everyone came to a stop and waited patiently for the High King to speak.
"I would like everyone to dismount and lead their horses. I would like the trackers in the front and the Bloodhounds to go before us and try to pick up a scent. Everyone else watch carefully for any signs that my lead us to the Queen." The King instructed.
The talking Bloodhounds leapt forward and scampered into the brush of the forest. The rest of the group waited anxiously for their return.
The moments dragged on for the two brother-kings. Edmund stared up at the pale sky and wondered how Susan was faring. Peter gazed deeply into the wood before them praying that the talking dogs would find something. Everyone was startled when the dogs tore through the thicket.
The leader of the pack ran up to the kings and reported, "The rain last night has made it very difficult to pick up any smell," he paused trying to catch his breath. "We think we might have found the trail of the Queen's horse, but we are uncertain."
"Every well, lead on and show us where you may have found the scent." Edmund said without hesitation.
The dogs darted into the forest with the kings and trackers close at hand. They hunted for any sign of Queen Susan, but none was found by the time they stopped for the midday meal.
The kings sat together on the damp ground under a great oak tree and talked in low voices.
"We are getting near the Western Wild. Do you think she would have gone this far?" Edmund queried, taking a sip of fresh spring water from his flask.
"I am not sure. Should we ask the trees if they know anything about her?" Peter suggested.
"The trees are quiet and keep to themselves in this part of the country."
"I know. I just want to find Susan." Peter sighed, getting up from his finished meal. "We should continue our search."
The team looked and still there was no sign of their beloved queen. The sun had started to set on the horizon as they came upon the stream that Susan had rested at only the day before. Birds sang near the top of the trees and the laughing brook seemed to taunt their expedition.
Once in a while someone would find what they thought was a lead; everyone's hopes would rise. Unfortunately, none of them ever amounted to anything.
Everyone was discouraged and tired as they pitched camp. It was late at night and the moon had already waxed in the navy blue sky. Stars shimmered high above in the heavens, casting a faint glow upon the earth. No one bothered to light a fire or eat anything.
--
"Peter? Peter! Wake up. It is past dawn." Edmund whispered into his ear.
"Hmm?" he groaned slightly opening his eyes.
"Come on Peter!" Edmund poked his brother in the side.
"Oh alright," Peter rolled out of bed and groggily set to work.
Under an hour their group was ready to start. They all felt fresh and hopeful that they would find the queen. They scoured every inch of the wood, but once again found nothing. The men's motivation faded rapidly after a few hours.
"What are we going to do?" Edmund strode up to Peter.
"I truly don't know." He replied dismayed.
After a few moments of pondering together, Edmund spoke up. "Why don't we seek Aslan's advice?"
"I agree." He answered and dropped to his knees.
Edmund knelt beside him and put a hand on his older brother's shoulder, "Aslan, We desperately need your help. We don't know what to do. Please, show us the way. Grant us your guidance. Please protect Susan wherever she is and help us to find her soon. In Your blessed Name, Amen."
"Amen." Peter echoed softly.
They stood together with a new fire kindled in their hearts. A new determination rose within them.
Suddenly, they heard a shout, "I found something!"
The kings rushed towards the young man that had spoke.
"What is it?" Edmund asked fervently.
"Do you recognize this, your majesties?" He questioned holding up an object.
Both of the Kings gasped. This had been the evidence that they had been waiting for to prove that Queen Susan had traveled this way, but it was also proof that Aslan still cared for them.