The Water is Wide
Chapter 9
Song of Blessing
I don't usually like to sing in front of people, unless they're family, even though I love to sing. When I sing I lose myself. The emotions the song invokes become my own, and I feel exposed. When Edmund's Mermaid didn't sing though, he looked so dejected. The thought of her song had lit his face; his eyes had gleamed with passion. Now his face seemed to lose all color and his eyes seemed nearly black. He had really been looking forward to hearing the Mermaid sing; I had too for that matter. I had never heard a Mermaid sing before, but I'd often heard they had lovely voices. A sinking feeling in my stomach told me I was Edmund's Mermaid, and that to see that light in his face again, I would have to sing.
And so, I sang.
I sang the same song I'd been singing all week, the song from my dreams. And just as it always did, the song took over my senses and I was no longer aware of my audience. It was like I was standing on the hill of green again with my mother as we sang for the departing sailors. When the last note left my lips though, I was suddenly back on board the Splendor Hyaline with Edmund standing before me. The look on his face was one I had not seen before and I wasn't sure what to make of it. My heart thundered in my chest. My limbs shook with anticipation and I could not breathe.
At last he said, "Not a Mermaid."
I felt my heart drop to my toes.
"I…I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"No! Not disappointed. Not in the least. I am sorry. What an ass I was to make you think I felt so poorly of your song, but I assure you I am far from disappointed. I am completely and…wholly mesmerized."
"What has you wholly mesmerized, Edmund?" Lucy asked as she joined us on the high deck.
Edmund looked to his sister and seemed to hold back a groan as he stood straight; he had been leaning half hazardously on the rail.
"Estelle's voice…" he said. "Did you know she sings? Most beautifully I might add."
"I did know that. I've had the pleasure of waking up to it this past week."
"Apparently, so have I. Only I'm the fool who credited it to a Mermaid. Your voice, Estelle, could put a Mermaid's to shame."
"Oh, I don't know about that," I refuted. "I've heard a Mermaid's voice is the very beauty of the sea."
"So they are, but I stand by what I said."
"My brother loves to sit and listen to the Mermaids sing. He has a great appreciation of their talent of song, though he has none for himself. No one knows the beauty of the Mermaid's voice better than he."
Edmund nodded in agreement and I felt my cheeks grow warm with heat.
"So, my little not-a-Mermaid, what is the song about? What language is it in?" Edmund asked.
"It's a Song of Blessing," I replied. "It asks for a blessing upon those at sea and those who wait at home."
"And the language?" Lucy asked.
"It's ancient Avraian."
"Avraian? That's the old language from the island Avra, correct?" Edmund asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"I didn't know Avra had an ancient language," Lucy said.
"It's from centuries ago, before the islands were united under Narnian rule. Before then each island was its own entity, with their own form of government. Avraian only exists now in old texts, and I suppose in song. No one speaks it anymore."
"You know much of my island's history."
"It's my duty to know the history and laws of all parts of my country. And I find it interesting."
"When did Avra and the islands become a part of Narnia?" Lucy asked.
"After the great dragon attack," I said. "The dragon completely destroyed the ancient port of Avra and many people fled to the island of Doorn. King Gale of Narnia arrived and slew the dragon, but much of what had been Avra was gone; there was hardly even any grass left on it. Those who survived stayed on Doorn and learned their language, which was the language of the Narnian King. King Gale became the first Emperor of the islands. Over the years people slowly migrated back over to Avra, but by then the language was already lost except for what remains in song."
"You know much of the history too," Edmund pointed out.
"There were some families who never left Avra; my mother's family was one of them. The history of the island is the history of my family."
"Is that why you know Avraian? Because your family never left?" Lucy asked.
"I suppose that's the reason, yes."
"The song you sang, does it have an English translation?" Edmund asked.
"There is an English version that some people sing, but it's not as nice as the Avraian."
"Can we hear it? I'm just curious as to what the words mean," Lucy said.
"I suppose I could sing it, if you really wanted me to. But I warn you, it's not as good."
"Oh, please, sing it," Lucy said, nodding her head enthusiastically. Edmund too nodded his encouragement. So, I took a deep breath and sang the song again. The notes and tune were the same, but the words were strange on my tongue.
Lion's blessing upon you
You who roam the sea
May the winds bow to your need
And at your call may they be
Lion's blessing upon thy men
Thy men borne to sea
May the hands hold fast the sail
And hold strong when the tempest brew
Lion's blessing upon thy love
Thy love who waits for thee
May the hands of love keep her
And lend her strength while you are nigh
Lion's blessing upon we
We together one day shall be
May your voyage be swift and clear
And when o'er bring you safe to me
When I finished, I waited once more for their reaction. There was still a light in Edmund's face, but it was not as strong as before.
"Oh how lovely!" Lucy said.
"It was beautiful," Edmund agreed. "But you're right, not quite as beautiful as the original Avraian. Something is lost in the translation."
"Do you know any other songs? Can you sing us something else?"
"I do and I suppose I could, but…I'm beginning to get a bit hungry. I'm surprised you have not asked for breakfast yet, Lucy."
Edmund laughed loudly. "I never thought I'd see the day," he said.
"What's that?" I asked.
"The day when my sister finds something so lovely it distracts her from food."
"Oh stop, Edmund!" Lucy exclaimed as he playfully hit her brother in the arm. "You know just as well as I that you eat just as much, if not more, than I. Though, now that you do mention it…I am hungry. Perhaps after breakfast you will sing something else for us?"
"Perhaps…" I said.
I hadn't promised any more singing, but Lucy seemed happy enough just at the prospect. Then she linked her arm with mine and nearly drug me to the ladder so we could make our way to breakfast. Edmund followed after us and dined with us in the galley; it was the first time he had accepted our invitation, but not the last. After a good meal, I found I had little resistance to Lucy's pleads for another song. My audience this time consisted of more than just Lucy and Edmund, and it extended to the crew who were in the galley. I sang awhile for them, the crowd slowly growing as more came in, until the Captain himself entered the galley. He had been wondering where his crew was. I sang a song or two for him, but then he had to insist that his crew get back to work if the King and Queen still desired to reach Redhaven on time. Edmund apologized as if he were to blame for the hold up, and the crowd dispersed to do their daily duties.
The remaining of our voyage followed in a like manner. I would rise with the sun and sing the Song of Blessing, in Avraian, on the high deck. Then I would dine with Lucy and Edmund—Mr. Tumnus or Salinus would join us occasionally, when they weren't serving the crew breakfast. I would not sing after breakfast though. We would wait until evening began to fall and I would sing a few songs and share the stories behind them when they were significant. Some songs were in Avraian, and some were in English. In this manner, the days passed steadily and our voyage was easy. Then one day, at long last, we reached the Seven Isles and made port at Redhaven.
Sorry it's a bit late. I was distracted by trying to overcome a problem with chapter 16, but I think I have it settled now so I feel comfortable in adding a chapter here.
I played with the history of the Lone Islands a little in this chapter. It is true that King Gale of Narnia, one of King Frank's descendants, rescued the islands from a dragon and in their gratitude they named Gale their Emperor. Anything other than that though...well, as far as I'm concerned is up for us to play with.
I did write the English version of Estelle's song, which would explain what it's not that great. (Writing songs and poetry have never been a forte of mine.) In future chapters there may be a few lyrics from other songs, mine or not, I will be sure I let you know which and give credit where it is due.
Thanks for all the support thus far!