Let's meet Trumpkin and figure out what's going on!
I don't own Narnia, just Joanna, her parents, Ludwik, Adrina, Alexandria, granddaughter and the grandmother.
Chapter Ten: Trumpkin
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You can't change the Past,
But you can ruin the Present,
By worrying about the Future
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The sun bathed us in its rays as we walked along the sand. It seemed like second nature to keep one hand on the hilt of my sword the other interlocked with Edmund's. I watched Susan nock an arrow as two soldiers picked up a dwarf. Once one hit the boat she already had another arrow ready. The boys and I drew our swords as Susan yelled, "Drop him!" Drop him? Not the best choice of words there. The soldiers followed her directions to the letter, by dropping him into the river. I quickly sheathed my swords to help Edmund get the boat that the soldiers vacated, but not before Susan killed one. We pulled together and soon we had the boat on the bank. Peter was pulling the dwarf out and he dropped him into the sand. I stood silent as Lucy flourished her dagger and cut the dwarf's binds. He rolled over and spit out some water before standing and glaring at Susan.
"'Drop him!' That's the best you can come up with?" I bit down on my lip, trying to keep the smile at bay.
"A simple 'thank you' would suffice."
"They were doing fine drowning me without your help!" Why were they drowning him in the first place?
"Maybe we should have let them."
"That's what I don't understand. Who were they? Why were they trying to drown you?" He looked baffled. I shrugged my shoulders, trying to explain silently that I really didn't know.
"They're Telmarines. That's what they do." Why are Telmarines in Narnia? Why are they trying to kill Narnians? How could this have happened?
"Telmarines? In Narnia?"
"My thought exactly." I muttered in Edmund's ear as I pulled my hair into a high ponytail. Thanks to my little dip in the river the tips were soaked.
"Where have you been the last few hundred years?" Oh wow. How long have we been gone?
"It's a bit of a long story." When Lucy said that Susan handed Peter back Rhindon. The dwarf's eyes were drawn to it and he glanced at us in disbelief.
"Oh, you've got be kidding me. You're it? You're the kings and queens of old?" That was a low blow. So we are a bit young. That doesn't mean we aren't capable of anything.
"High King Peter the Magnificent." I snorted, as he held his hand out and the dwarf looked a tad confused and amused. Ha, that rhymed. More like High King Peter the Arrogant. Oh no not you again. I'm back and more sarcastic than ever. Damn. I thought I got rid of you for good.
"You probably could've left off the last bit."
The dwarf laughed as he said, "Probably."
"You might be surprised." Peter said as he drew his sword. I looked at him in confusion. What was he doing?
"Oh, you don't want to do that, boy." Cocky much? The dwarf looked a little weary at the sword, but Peter just smiled.
"Not me. Him." His head tilted to look at Edmund. This would be a piece of cake for Edmund. He gazed at the dwarf while drawing his sword. Peter gave the dwarf his sword and I stepped back, ready to watch this fight. When the dwarf grabbed Peter's sword it dropped to the ground. The sword was too heavy for him. Edmund had this cocky look on his face, probably thinking how east this opponent is going to be.
Rule Number Fifteen. Never underestimate your opponent. Yes and that's exactly what he's doing. You already know that though. Yep. This should be interesting.
The dwarf picked up the sword with strength no one was prepared for and clashed swords with Edmund who just barely blocked. The dwarf swung Peter's sword at Edmund's head, which in turn made Edmund duck, but then got hit in the face with the hilt of a sword.
"Ouch." I muttered touching the spot on my face where Edmund was hit. Lucy shouted her brother's name as I got the sympathy pain.
"You all right? Oh!" I laughed when Edmund smacked the dwarf in the back. That made the dwarf growl in annoyance and attack harder. Edmund blocked and the dwarf went low to take out his legs, but that failed when Edmund jumped over the blade. Through a number of attacks Edmund finally knocked Peter's sword out of the dwarf's hands. "Beards and bedsteads." He then turned to Susan. "Maybe that horn worked after all."
"What horn?"
"What horn do you think Su?" She shot me a scathing look, but I just waved cheekily.
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We've been gone for thirteen hundred years? That's more than three and a half years a day! We were all tight lipped and angry at ourselves. How could we have let this happen to our Narnia? Those questions ran through my head as held tightly onto Edmund. "I can't believe this. I told you this was my fault." He looked ready to protest, but I put a finger on his lips. Stopping his argument in its track. "We all know it. There's no reason to deny it."
"You didn't know this would happen." I rolled my eyes, couldn't he get a better comeback.
"Of course I did. I just ignored it! If I hadn't left, Narnia would be the way it was when we ruled."
"How do you know? Could it be possible that it would have been worse? Maybe by leaving you did Narnia a favor." I was about to protest when he pressed his finger to my lips. I looked down at the bottom of the boat and really thought about it.
"I guess we'll never know." My voice was soft, regretful. He leaned in closer, our lips inches apart when we were interrupted.
"They're so still." My head fell onto his chest to cover up my sigh. They choose now to talk, why not in three minutes?
"They're trees. What'd you expect?"
"They used to dance." I ran my hand through my ponytail as the dwarf, who introduced himself as Trumpkin, began talking.
"Wasn't long after you left that the Telmarines invaded. Those who survived retreated to the woods. And the trees, they retreated so deep into themselves that they haven't been heard from since." I let out a shaky breath and put my head in my hands. Everything went wrong.
"I don't understand. How could Aslan have let this happen?" How could he have? This is his land as well, not just ours.
"Aslan? Thought he abandoned us when you lot did." Yes because that makes me feel loads better. How many times do we have to hear that it's our fault?
"We didn't mean to leave, you know."
"It was mere curiosity that took us away from Narnia. Whatever happened to 'curiosity killed the cat'?" My voice was bitter, full of sorrow and regret.
"Makes no difference now, does it?"
"Get us to the Narnians… and it will." We stayed silent for the rest of the time. I kept my eyes on the scenery, hoping to see Aslan's golden mane within the trees. The woods seemed too silent, too dead. I smiled at the memory that my mind brought forth.
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It had been two days since we returned from Narnia and we were all getting used to being back in England. Every morning I prayed it was all a bad dream and I would wake up in Edmund's arms, in Narnia. And every morning I was disappointed. I had taken to sitting in the spare room for hours just staring at the wardrobe, willing myself to feel the Narnian air on my cheek. I didn't eat, I barely moved from my spot on the floor. The same spot I sat in when Lucy went into Narnia for the second time. The wardrobe was a daunting figure, freezing me with the fear that we will never return. The door opened and Professor Kirke appeared. No words were spoken as he sat on the window ledge. Seemingly waiting for something. A few minutes later the door opened again. Lucy slowly walked towards the wardrobe and I clasped my hand with hers. I stood behind her as she opened the wardrobe door and we both peered in.
"I don't think you'll get back in that way." The professor moved from his seat and came to stand next to us. "You see… I've already tried."
"Will we ever go back?" My question exactly. The professor smiled and closed the wardrobe door.
"Oh I expect so. But it'll probably happen when you're not looking for it." Professor Kirke grabbed Lucy's other hand as we turned away from the wardrobe. "All the same, best to keep your eyes open." I grinned as we walked out of the spare room. I stopped and gave Lucy a smile as I nodded my head; silently telling her to go on ahead. My hand gripped the door handle and I opened the spare room's door for the last time. I watched as the wardrobe door cracked open and released a bright light. My heart grew lighter as I heard as very familiar roar.
"Thank you Aslan." With that said I shut the door and stepped away from the room, feeling at peace.
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The silence continued until we reached the bank of the river. Lucy walked further in as we pulled the boat onto the shore.
"Hello, there." I turned and saw that she was talking to a bear. A grunting bear. The bear rose onto its hind legs, a defensive position. "It's alright. We're friends." I saw no harm and turned back to the boat; that is until Trumpkin spoke.
"Don't move, Your Majesty." I furrowed my brow as the bear charged towards Lucy. I stared wide eyed as Lucy ran back towards us, the bear trailing close behind.
"Stay away from her!" Susan yelled as she pointed her arrow at the bear, which did not slow down. I dashed towards Lucy who tripped. The bear rose on its hind legs again and I fell on top of Lucy when an arrow lodged itself into the bear. It was dead before it hit the ground. I stood and yanked Lucy to her feet and hugged her like there was no tomorrow.
"I love you Lucy. Please don't scare me like that again." I felt her nod as I turned to thank Susan for saving us. Only Susan still had her arrow. It was Trumpkin that made the kill shot. "Thank you."
"Why wouldn't he stop?"
"I suspect he was hungry." The two boys ran towards us as Susan stood in shock. I latched onto Edmund when Lucy let go of me to hug Peter.
"You are so stupid! Do you know that?" Edmund's hands cupped my cheeks, shaking my head as he spoke. I nodded in reply to his words. Though usually not an emotional person, he kissed me with all he had; trying to convey his feeling without saying them out loud. It may have only lasted for a minute, but I deciphered all that he wanted me to know. "I love you."
"Love you too." We smiled at each other and then turned back to Trumpkin. He was poking the bear, making sure he was dead.
"Thanks." That seemed to faze him, like he wasn't used to being thanked.
"He was wild." That's my darling husband for you. He points out the obvious.
"I don't think he could talk at all." I hung my head, this was the Telmarines fault.
"Get treated like a dumb animal long enough. That's what you become. "He pulled out a dagger and I cringed at what was coming next. "You may find Narnia a more savage place than you remember." With that he plunged the dagger into the bear. I didn't look away, I wanted to, but I couldn't.
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I sighed as I once again tripped over a root. We were on our way to the Shuddering Woods, trying to find this Prince Caspian person. Though a Telmarine, he ran away and is apparently willing to help the Narnians, I think. I bit my lip, trying to remember if this was indeed the correct path, but it all seemed foreign. "Damn it!" I cursed when I once again tripped over the undergrowth. My dear, dear husband was trying not to laugh at me as I picked up what was left of my dignity. "Oh, you find this funny do you? I'm sure I'll find it funny when something very valuable to you goes missing." I raised my brows, trying to silently convey my meaning. My message was accepted when he noticeably flinched. Trumpkin, though trying to keep his face masked was barely concealing a smile.
"I don't remember this way."
"That's the problem with girls. Can't carry a map in your heads." Though Peter's back was turned I stuck my tongue out at him.
"That's because our heads have something in them." I laughed and patted Lucy on the shoulder.
"I think you've been hanging out with me too much. Not that that's a bad thing." Edmund jumped up onto a higher rock as we continued along the path.
"I wish he'd just listen to the D.L.F. in the first place."
"D.L.F.?"
"Dear Little Friend." My hand slapped to my mouth in an attempt to stifle my giggles. Edmund had a smirk plastered on his face as he looked down at the shocked Trumpkin.
"Oh, that's not at all patronizing, is it?" I merely patted his shoulder in mock comfort. I took in my surrounding to see if I could spot even one familiar landmark, but I couldn't. It was like a whole new world and I was trying to take it in. We followed Peter into what looked like a rock passage way. He stopped short and took in the landmarks.
"I'm not lost."
"No. You're just going the wrong way." I was inclined to believe him, but did not voice my opinion. Sometimes it was better to stay silent.
"You last saw Caspian at the Shuddering Woods, and the quickest way there is to cross at the River Rush." I nodded my head in agreement. I remember crossing there many times.
"But unless I'm mistaken," not the right words to use Trumpkin; "there's no crossing in these parts."
"That explains it then, you're mistaken."
"Peter! It's been thirteen hundred years, landmarks change, and paths are disintegrated. That crossing might not even be there anymore. For once, be humble and follow Trumpkin's advice." I was giving him the look. The look all men fear and hate to see. He shook his head and marched onward.
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We did find where the crossing was, except there was no crossing. Over time it had been eroded and there was no way to cross here. Say I told you so. No. I'm not that mean. You were back in England.
I glanced over the edge and saw that it was a pretty large drop to the water below. Defiantly didn't want to fall, that's for sure. "You see, over time, water erodes the Earth's soil, carving deeper…"
"Oh, shut up." Great, now we have an angry Peter on our hands. I pinched the bridge of my nose, wishing only for a second that we were back in England. Only for a second.
"Is there a way down?"
"Yeah, falling."
"I call being first." That got me some strange looks, but I put my hands up in surrender. "Kidding. I was kidding." Peter turned from the edge and looked at Trumpkin.
"Well, we weren't lost." True, but we can't cross here. My eyes drifted to Trumpkin, hoping he had a way to get to the Shuddering Woods.
"There's a ford near Beruna. How do you feel about swimming?" It would feel better than walking through the forest right now.
"I'd rather that than walking." I nodded and stretched my arms over my head. After a year in England it was a bit difficult to walk this much. My foot stepped forward as Lucy's voice stopped me.
"Aslan? It's Aslan! It's Aslan over there!" I whipped around to look where she pointed and saw a flash of gold in the trees. "Don't you see? He's right…there." My hand rested on her upper arm; my pale skin clashing with the burnt orange of her dress.
"Do you see him now?"
"I'm not crazy. He was there. He wanted us to follow him." My other hand reached for the security that Edmund's hand held. I needed to know if he believed Lucy. His head slightly nodded; a good sign.
"I'm sure there are any number of lions in this wood. Just like that bear." Did he really just compare Aslan to the bear?
"I think I know Aslan when I see him."
"I believe her. After all, she doesn't lie." I stared right into Peter's eyes, telling him to trust us.
"Look, I'm not about to jump off a cliff after someone who doesn't exist." How could anyone not believe in Aslan? He's the top King. The one who defeated the White Witch. The one who helped us save Narnia.
"The last time I didn't believe Lucy I ended up looking pretty stupid." Lucy smile at her brother while Peter looked to the ground and then to where Lucy saw Aslan. The look on his face said that he wanted to trust her, but he wouldn't let himself.
"Why wouldn't I have seen him?"
"Maybe you weren't looking." Peter shrugged, as if to say sorry.
"I'm sorry, Lu. " With that the older Pevensie children walked away. Lucy kept her eyes trained on the spot where she saw Aslan with tears in her big blue eyes.
"Come on Lucy. Don't forget what I said about Narnia in the wardrobe. It doesn't matter what others think, as long as you are happy." She smiled and I bent down just enough so she could get on my back. "I don't intend to let you walk all the way to Beruna. Get on." She jumped on and I let out a quiet sound as I adjusted to her weight.
"Do you believe me Jo?" I turned my head so she could see my eyes.
"I believe you. I'm not going to make this another wardrobe. Besides, unless my eyes were failing me I saw a flash of gold in the trees; right where you pointed. What more proof do I need?" I trudged along behind the others, Lucy on my back and Edmund by my side. It's all that I needed right now. I let my eyes drift to Edmund's and I mouthed, 'I love you.' Thankfully he mouthed back.
'I love you too.'
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WOOHOO! First time you got to read them say I love you! If I can fit it in, meaning if I can write the characters that are not mine in character, I'll show you how they got together. I figure there's no need for a wedding scene because not only do I suck at writing them, but I feel that story is a bit unnecessary. If you can tell I prefer the quiet romances where the couple don't go all out in public. It's more private.
Any kind of Reviews accepted. Read and Review!