Author's note: On the last chapter I forgot to mention this: I created a layout for Cair Paravel and the surrounding city. It's available at narniagirl11. deviantart art/Cair-Paravel-Castle-and-City-Layout- 348101173. (Removed the spaces.) I told a couple of you that I was working on it. :)
Other thing, if you go to my youtube account (narniagirl11), I did another "trailerish" video for "Born For This".
One last thing: check out the new story cover! I redid it even more. Can you see the face?
Okay, now enjoy Chapter 10 (Wow!), featuring another good Talking Wolf for Gaia Was Framed!
Chapter 10 – Silver Moonlight
Edmund rubbed at his eyes as he tried to remain attentive. Though the Pass of Telmar was only a day's journey from Beruna, it had taken the large Narnian army nearly two. They had pushed on through the night, in hopes of gaining the Pass before the Telmarines did. Now Edmund waited for the scouts to bring news. He slowly scanned the map of the Pass unfolded before him on the portable table, plans refusing to form in his mind as he stared at the parchment.
"Your majesty!"
Edmund raised his head in surprise as a Sparrow dropped a tiny sheet of paper upon his desk.
"It is from your royal sister," the Sparrow announced.
"Thank you," Edmund responded. The Sparrow nodded and soared towards the budding treetops again. Edmund examined the folded parchment which was only about the length of his index finger. He tore open the seal to read the contents.
Dear Edmund,
What has become of Rhindon? I cannot find it. Did you see it when you found their crowns?
With love, Susan
Edmund frowned, deep in thought. Rhindon. How could he have forgotten? He tried to recall that confusing night. He could not remember seeing his brother's sword in the clearing or in the wardrobe.
"My king."
The voice failed to penetrate into his deep thoughts.
"King Edmund!"
Edmund glanced up from the letter held between his fingers to see a Wolf, his fur coated with dew, and mud stretching up his legs.
"Greetings, cousin," Edmund welcomed. "I'm sorry that I did not hear you sooner."
The Wolf nodded. "I do not doubt that there were more pressing matters on your mind, your majesty."
"Yes." Edmund's kindly smile faltered but he forced himself to focus on the present messenger. "You have journeyed from the Pass of Telmar, I assume."
"Yes, your majesty," answered the Wolf. "I am Silverfang, a scout and messenger of Narnia."
"What news do you bring of the Telmarines?" Edmund questioned.
"Their advance remains halted," Silverfang replied. "A dispatch arrived at the camp this morning, but so far no action has been taken."
"What news have they received of our advance?" asked Edmund.
"Two of their scouts advanced to the pass but never returned." Silverfang smiled grimly. "It is my belief that the Trees, eager for their part, soon destroyed them. Other scouts have returned with the news that Narnia's forces advance quickly from Beruna. By nightfall they shall undoubtedly know of our arrival when they see the smoke and glow of the fires."
Edmund rubbed his chin in thought as he pondered the situation. His mind sped with strategies and a plan of attack began to take shape. Perhaps they would have to forsake comfort for success, but he was certain it would grant them a victory.
"Silverfang," he addressed the Wolf, "please convey this message to General Oreius. There shall be no fires lit tonight. Surprise will lend us great advantage. He will know the best way to deliver it to our soldiers."
"It shall be done at once, my King," Silverfang answered.
"The men will be sorry that they cannot warm their fingers and toes in this cool weather, but they will understand in time," Edmund announced. "Bear the message swiftly, Silverfang. Aslan's blessings upon you, cousin."
"And upon you, King Edmund! May your sword ring true in battles to come." With that, the Wolf bowed and trotted away. Edmund immediately began tracing the map with his fingers as he marked their position in comparison to that of the Telmarine army.
Susan stopped suddenly as she noticed that the door leading to the ballroom was ajar. She peered into the darkness of the vacant ballroom. Movement drew her eyes toward the marble balcony bathed in harsh moonlight. She saw the figure of a girl, clad in a flowing pale nightdress, black hair tumbling over her shoulders.
"Aravis?" Susan called softly. She could see the girl's silhouette against the waning moon as she stood on the balcony overlooking the rushing, changing sea. Susan crossed the marble floor of the dark ballroom and came to stand upon the balcony beside the former Tarkheena. "Aravis, are you alright?" Susan asked.
Aravis gave a soft sigh, but did not answer. In the dim light, her eyes seemed almost black with no noticeable pupil and tears glistened in them as Susan waited for her response.
"I hate quarreling with Cor," she said vehemently. "It's so silly, really."
"What do you mean?" Susan asked.
Aravis gazed up at the moon. "Queen Susan, have you ever said something that you know you can't take back?"
Susan placed a hand gently on the girl's shoulder. "Yes, Aravis, I have. The tongue is a dangerous weapon. It can be sharper than a double edged sword. We have to guard our words carefully."
"It's so hard," Aravis muttered in frustration as her dark eyes shifted to Susan's face. "My temper runs away with me and before I know it, I lash out in anger. I know I said something tonight that really hurt Cor."
"Have you tried simply asking him for forgiveness?" Susan suggested. "That is usually a good place to start."
Aravis sighed deeply and glanced back at the ocean. She inwardly cursed her foolish pride. She hated to admit that she was wrong.
"Cor trusts you, Aravis," Susan reminded. "Are you going to let your friendship fall apart because of a disagreement?"
"But even if I apologize, it's not going to change anything!" Aravis exclaimed. "We have quarreled many times before, but this time I really, deeply hurt him and I don't think it can be fixed!"
Susan didn't answer. Her face remained emotionless as she gazed into the night and heard a lone wolf, deep in the forest, sending up a long, sorrowful cry. At last her gaze returned to Aravis's conflicted face. "You'll make the right choice. I know you will, Aravis. Don't let the sun set on your anger." Then she turned and swept away into the dark ballroom, disappearing as silently as she had entered.
Aravis frowned, her mind engaged in an intense struggle. She knew what the right choice was, but she was scared and proud. Would Cor truly forgive her? She didn't want to admit that he had been right all along. But she knew that her friendship with Cor was more important. Aravis swallowed hard.
Humbleness, Aslan, she prayed silently. Help me learn humbleness.
"All clear!" Galen bellowed for the benefit of the giant standing above the gaping entrance of the Pass. The giant threw his heavy weight again the massive boulders which went crashing down the slope. They quickly began to fill the space between the two steep walls on either side of the Pass. The Narnians stood a safe distance from the rockslide and watched in grim satisfaction. The entrance was buried under the onslaught and to any eye it would appear to be futile to try to break through the blockade.
This was exactly what Edmund had planned. He did not wish to engage the Telmarines in a full battle. The value of life was the most important concern to him at the moment. A blockade and a mountain ambush were perfect for startling their enemies and capturing them without inflicting great loss on either side.
Galen watched as Edmund examined the nearly impenetrable rock wall. He seemed pleased with the work, and Galen was satisfied. He turned around, hand resting on the hilt of his sword, to see General Oreius looking down on him gravely.
"Satisfied with your work, young one?" he questioned.
Galen scowled. "I am no longer a child, Master Centaur."
"I did not call you a child," Oreius reminded, an amused look in his eyes.
"No," Galen agreed. "But you called me 'young one' which is the equivalent."
"And why have you taken offense at that?" Oreius questioned.
"Because I am no longer the silly boy who tried to put a saddle on you!" Galen snapped, quite red in the face.
Edmund obviously overheard this, because the next moment he was standing beside Galen, trying desperately to keep a silly grin from spreading over his face. "A saddle on Oreius, eh, Galen?" Galen moaned, flushing even deeper in front of his king. "I don't believe that you ever told me this story," Edmund remarked.
"It was a long time ago, King Edmund," Oreius replied. "I have long since forgiven young Galen for his mischief. Your majesty." He inclined his head towards Edmund who smiled and nodded in response. Oreius patted Galen, who was still scowling and redder than a tomato, on the shoulder as he passed.
After Edmund thought Oreius was out of earshot, he whispered to Galen, "When I was younger, I always wanted to try to put a saddle on Oreius. I don't blame you."
"Be thankful that your brother isn't here, King Edmund," Oreius called over his shoulder.
I wish he was, Edmund thought solemnly. But out loud he said, "How do you manage to always hear things that aren't meant for you to hear?"
Oreius looked back and smiled. "It is one of the advantages of being a centaur. If you were a Rabbit, you would understand."
"Are all centaurs as gifted as he?" Galen questioned, sharing a glance with Edmund.
"No, I doubt it," Edmund answered.
"Good."
"Why?"
"I'm tired of experiencing the blunt end of their gifts." With that Galen stamped away to oversee the final stages of the plan. Edmund chuckled to himself, shaking his head in amusement, as he made his way towards Lord Peridan.
Cor fingered the crumpled paper in the pocket of his trousers, rubbing his thumb over the familiar creases. In a short time, he had come to know and love every little wrinkle in the parchment. But it wasn't the letter itself that he loved most. It was the wisdom written upon them.
I lift mine eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lion, the maker of heaven and earth. Trust Him, Cor, and do not forsake His ways, whatever the future may bring. – King Edmund.
"Cor?" A voice called softly. His head snapped up and he saw Aravis peeking through the door. "Can I talk to you?"
"Yes," he answered, momentarily forgetting about Edmund's words as he was reminded of his disagreement with Aravis.
"Look, Cor," Aravis began uncomfortably. "This is hard for me to do, so don't speak until I'm done. Alright?"
"Alright," Cor agreed solemnly.
Aravis took a deep breath and twisted a lock of her dark hair around her finger tightly as she tried not to look into his blue eyes. "Earlier, I said some things – a lot of things actually – that I know I shouldn't have. And—" She broke off and glanced up at his honest face. "Why are you grinning so ridiculously?" she exclaimed.
"Grinning ridiculously?" Cor hastily tried to regain his composure.
"Yes," Aravis insisted. "That silly look you assume when you know that you were right and I was wrong."
"I'm not always right," Cor reminded.
Aravis narrowed her eyes. "Shasta."
He bit back a reply and remained silent. He knew that when she called him that, she was serious, through and through. "Aravis."
"Never mind," she muttered, turning on her heel, and darted through the doorway.
"Aravis! Come back!" Cor shouted.
Author's note: So that's the end of the chapter. Aravis did not wish to cooperate at all, so it took a very long time. I hope I was able to keep her in line. :)
The 2013 Lion's Award nominations have begun. If you feel so compelled, visit the long fanfiction section of The Lion's Call (www. thelionscall. com) to nominate "Born For This". I believe that it can be nominated for the "Eustace Award – Best Long Work in Progress" and the "Rilian Award – Best AU story, long or short". Feel free to check out the other great stories listed! There are some really good ones, especially the past winners of Lion Awards. Thank you so much!
Oh, the other thing: I have received several reviews on the last couple chapters asking if we will hear from Peter and Lucy. The answer is no. 1) it draws away from the story and has nothing to do with the conflict in Narnia; 2) Time works differently between the two worlds. Remember, at the end of LWW when the Pevensies tumbled out, only a few seconds had passed. So really, Peter and Lucy aren't even doing anything. They are basically frozen or falling in reallly, really, really slow motion. Hope that answers your questions! :) Until next time, my fair readers! Review!