Chapter Sixteen
"Narrowhaven to the port your majesty," Jepson shouted from the helm. It wasn't just Rillian who ran to the port. Victoria, Henry, Pippin and Jax who had recovered sufficiently to allow him to walk around headed there too.
Henry thought that Narrowhaven was lovely the town was built on a large slope from the port at its lowest point to the Duke's residence at the very top of the hill. As Jepson and the rest of the company expertly brought the Queen Elspeth into port Rillian took his crown from the hold of the ship and placed it on his head. It was not a big heavy thing like those of our world, but thin and delicate make of beautiful silver and studded with jewels. Rillian placed it on his own platinum hair and it stood out marking him as the king. He placed his sword at his side in his scabbard and his shield with the great scarlet lion.
"Do you expect trouble?" Henry asked throwing an arrow quiver over his shoulder. During his short time on the Queen Elspeth Henry had already become a skilled bowsman.
"No," Rillian shook his head "but sometimes it does well to appear like a king."
"Well you do look very king like." Victoria smiled. "Shall we all go aboard?" Victoria asked. Looking at the men who had not stopped since they'd left Terebinthia and were itching to go aboard.
"As friendly as the Lone Islands are is correspondence it is not since the time of my father that a King has visited in person so believe it would be wise for some men to stay aboard."
"I will stay sire," said Jepson "as it is the Captain's role."
"Me too," Lant echoed.
"Well that should be enough," Rillian said. The triplets grinned they hadn't been on land together since Galma.
"What about me your majesty?" Pippin asked "may I come please say yes please."
"Of course Pippin it is just that the people of the Lone Islands are not used to talking animals. I would not want them to make a pet of you."
"He could hide in my hood." Victoria suggested taking the blue cloak she had left Narnia with and wrapping it around her shoulders. With Victoria's long brown hair the large hood made a rather good hiding place for Pippin.
The group left the ship by which time a large group had gathered around the port. They had heard of a Narnian ship sailing into Narrowhaven and as Narnian vessels very rarely put in for the town they were curious. These people were mostly school children looking for an afternoon off after their morning lessons and this sounded like a fabulous excuse. They were rather startled when Rillian swept off the ship with men at arms and a grand lady in his court.
The shout of "Narnia, King Rillian of Narnia," went out and soon the people of Narrowhaven were outside their houses and shops or else hanging out of upstairs windows. Soon the town was a riot of colour and noise.
The group reached the top of Narrowhaven and Pollux banged the butt of his sword against the palace door. It swung open at once and a man at arms was stood there.
"Your majesty please I'm sorry for our tardiness in opening the great door."
"No trouble where may I find your master?"
"He is in the-" knight began. "No here he is coming across the courtyard." And sure enough it was Duke Bern of the Lone Islands.
"Your majesty," the Duke knelt kissing Rillian's ring. "I am so pleased to see you how many years is it since we have met?"
"Too many," Rillian smiled gripping his hand.
"Welcome to you and your court we are so glad to see you. Come come," he motioned into the palace. "We must arrange something special for your visit."
The 'something special' the Duke had in mind was a jousting tournament. He himself was too old to joust so his son Sebastian Bern took the colours of the Lone Islands whilst Rillian jousted under the scarlet lion.
Both turned out to be rather good fighters, by the end of the first day winning their way through to the last two. Victoria winced when people were unseated however she could be observed gripping the arms of the chair she was sat upon each time that Rillian fought.
On the second day of the tournament there were many tourneys and fights but everyone was waiting for the last two fighters in the joust. Which were of course King Rillian and Sebastian. Rillian was checking his equipment on his horse before the joust. It was a borrowed horse from the Duke's house but it was rather a kind beast. To make it fair the young Bern had offered to fight on a new stead too but Rillian wouldn't hear of it.
"My Lord?" He heard a female voice say.
"I'm fine Victoria," he replied "I'm ready and promise not to get myself killed."
"Who is Victoria?" The voice asked and Rillian turned around seeing the Duke's daughter Eleanor.
"I'm sorry my Lady," he said "I mistook you for someone else."
"No worry," she giggled. "I wish to ask you for a boon."
"Of course."
"Would you joust with my favour?" She produced a white handkerchief with the initials E.B. in little silver lettering in the corner.
"Against your own brother?" He asked.
"Yes he won't mind."
"Then by all means." He held his hand out for the handkerchief.
"You honour me my Lord," she swept into a low curtsy.
"I thank you I am sure it will be a talisman of good luck." He placed the item in his armour and swung into his horse.
There was a voice booming over the titling yard.
"My ladies, lords and gentlemen I am proud to announce the highlight of our day. The final joust between Lord Sebastian Bern of the Lone Islands and King Rillian II of Narnia." Rillian took a deep breath and urged his horse out into the bright sunshine.