Chapter five: Plans & Green Mist
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~ Narnia ~
Forgive me, my family makes very free. Neither my wife nor my children have even seen, or known, anyone of nobility worth knowing. And, well, Roxanne is rather a free spirit." Bern apologized for his family as he closed the double doors to his study. It was two stories high, his study, with three walls covered in books to the ceiling, and shelves built around even the doorframe. The fourth wall was made of six glass double doors, leading to a balcony looking out to the sunset. Heavy maroon curtains framed each double door.
"No, it is nothing, believe me, my wife would be delighted to know there are still old-fashioned Narnians around. As would her siblings." Caspian said quietly, his mind more on what to do, than on a family that would be seen by his people as rude and barbaric.
"Please sit, unless of course you wish to pace, as your father did." Bern said, unable to stop the smile from gracing his face when he noticed Caspian's actions.
"Someday, when we have the time, you must discuss my father with me, as I do not remember much of him." Caspian requested, his gaze landing on a Narnian blade in a glass case.
"Of course my King." Bern nodded in agreement. "Now, the Governor of the Islands, Gumpas is his name,"
"And what is this man, this Gumpas like? Does he still acknowledge the King of Narnia for his Lord?" Caspian interrupted.
"In words yes, all is done in the king's name, even slavery. But he would not be pleased to find a living, breathing King of Narnia coming upon him in the midst of all this treachery and vileness. And if you were to come alone to him to discuss, his actions, shall we say, he would not deny his allegiance, but he would claim that you are a liar." Bern said, sitting in a chair.
"Well, speak of your plan then." Caspian said, waving the Lord to continue while he listened.
"You said your ship would be rounding the point?" Bern asked abruptly.
"Yes." Caspian answered, walking closer to inspect the Narnian sword, he recognized the craftsmanship as old Narnian.
"How many men have you?" the Lord questioned.
"Thirty swords if it came to a battle." He replied, turning from the weapon and resuming his pacing. "And what is the reason I cannot just sail into the port and rescue my wife and friends?" Caspian demanded impatiently.
"Because three or more ships would come to protect the harbor and Pug's trade, it would be foolish in the very least to even attempt it. Your Majesty must work by a show of more power than you really have, and by the terror of the King's name. Plain battle must be avoided at all costs. Luckily, as I had been going to say, Gumpas is a weak-minded man, and can be easily over-awed."
"Very well. I put full trust in you. As there is not more I can do." Caspian sighed and ran his hand through his hair as he spoke.
"I'll send for Wrenn now Sire to go fetch your ship." As Bern spoke he walked out to the balcony. Soon after, a sharp whistle pierced the evening. Caspian followed after Bern, his curiosity piqued. Moments later a shrill cry called back. A beautiful grey falcon landed on the marble railing.
"You called Master?" The raptor asked, his sharp eyes darting to Caspian as he spoke.
"Yes, I'm sure you've by now seen the Narnian vessel rounding the point into Doorn?" The Lord questioned.
"Quite. Is there some message you wish to convey?"
"Naturally. Wrenn, this young man is Caspian, King of Narnia and of these Islands. The vessel is his, and I wish you, on his behalf, to intercept her and turn her this way." Here Bern turned to Caspian. "Is there something you might tell Wrenn so they can be assured of my friend's honesty in the message?"
"Yes," Caspian said, pausing momentarily, "Tell him this, my captain will know and answer the riddle; 'called by the horn'." After saying that Caspian moved off and stared out across the ocean, wondering what the next day would bring. Deliverance or death for many people he cared about and loved?
Bern said a few things more to the falcon before the bird flew to the air. He walked over and stood next to his king for several minutes before he spoke. "Wrong will be right. Come, before my children burst through that door shouting about dinner getting cold."
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The dining hall was a long room, windows on either side, the ones on the left facing the ocean and opened to a long balcony. The ones on the right were closed, but could be opened onto a terrace that led down to the front of Bern's manor, and faced all the Bernstead landholdings. A large fountain with beautiful landscaping unfolding before it burbled outside the windows. Though, as they walked into the dining hall, Bern joked that the true entrance to his home was the terrace where Caspian had met all his family.
Inside there was as much chaos as there had been at Caspian's arrival, Fern had an injured lamb next to her place in a wooden box, Hyacinth had a potted plant on a stand in a corner that she was mumbling over with concern. Eglantine was absent, a servant coming in several minutes later to say that she was with her mare in the stables. Azalea, Dahlia, and Celandine were whirling the younger siblings around to the lively music being played at the far end of the room. Caspian just shook his head in amazement, how one could deal with twelve girls was beyond him. Bern just watched all his children with a benevolent smile upon his face.
"I believe girls that we have a very important guest, and it is time to eat." Roxanne spoke from behind Bern and Caspian, soon walking up next to her husband.
The children quickly took to their seats after their mother entered the room, and it became very obvious as dinner wore on that she was the stability in the family; even after all her oddness when Caspian had first met her. Dinner was a lively affair; with girls jumping up to go help with kitchen things, or fetch something they wanted their father to see.
"Why does the King seem so sad Father?" Lily asked, watching Caspian wander out to the balcony after dinner, while the girls and several servants laughed and danced once again to the music at the far end of the dining hall. They each had their own hobbies and occupations, but they had inherited a love of dancing and fun from their parents.
"Remember how you told me you disliked it when I traveled for business?" Bern asked his youngest child.
"Yes, I don't like you going so far away Father!" Lily exclaimed.
"Well, what if one day you heard that I was lost in some faraway place, and you knew where I was, but we couldn't get to each other, how would you feel?"
"Oh I'd be so very sad, and worried for you!" the child replied earnestly.
"In a way, that is how the King feels. He has lost several people he cares for dearly, and he knows where they are, but he cannot go to them." Bern ruffled his daughter's curls fondly as he spoke.
"Oh, I'm sorry for him. I hope he gets them back." Lily said, watching Caspian lean against the balcony railing and put his head in his hands.
"As do I my dear, as do I." Bern replied, before sending the little girl off to go dance.
Leaving the happy group he walked out through the open doors to stand next to Caspian. "You are every bit like your father, except in one respect." Bern said, staring off at the last rays of light making the sky dark purple and turning the edge of the ocean gold.
"What?" Caspian straightened as he glanced over at Bern's profile.
"Your father never much cared for Narnians. I'm glad to see you do. Something had to change, I'm glad you were that change." Bern answered, smiling at his king.
"You should be glad you weren't there to see this "change" as you put it. It was not easy, and I must admit, I didn't help at times either. Without the Kings and Queens of Old, I don't know what might have happened."
""We are all flawed beings. But it is what we choose to do about these flaws that makes us better, or destroys us. A great man does not become so without first failing many tests." King Edmund the Just. He wrote many excellent books in his life; my girls have read them all." Bern commented.
"I didn't know. There is much I wish I knew about them. You must have several of his books here, if I someday come back, after this, I would very much like to read them." Caspian replied.
"So it shall be." Bern replied softly, looking at the waves crest and their white foam caps dash against the rock foundation of his home.
"I noticed all your children speak in Trader's Talk, why is that?" Caspian asked after both had lapsed into silence.
"Because, there are so many people living here from different nationalities, that it is much simpler to all speak in one tongue." Bern replied.
"An excellent idea." Caspian responded absently, watching clouds suddenly arise in the east. Below them there was a great thrashing of the waves, and several water horses plunged up onto the shore, screaming for their foals and whinnying to each other nervously. They paced, and the stallions blocked the mares off from the water, giving shrill warnings if a foal came to close. A green mist crept over the water, sounds whispering eerily, as if there were beings in the thick of it.
"What is that?" Caspian asked. Turning to Bern, he noticed the man had gripped the railing and his jaw was set firmly as he stared out over the waves.
"I did not think it would come tonight." The Lord muttered, his gaze hard.
"What?" Caspian tried again.
"The mist was first seen in the east, and then came the reports of fishermen and sailors, disappearing out at sea. Where it came from? No one knows. The other Lords, my friends, told me they were going to find the source of the mist, to destroy it. They each set sail, but none came back." Bern said, head bowed as he spoke.
Caspian looked back over the waves, wondering if there was a way to defeat it. Innocent people must not die to feed a mist. As they were standing there, Wrenn flew up and landed next to Bern. "The Dawn Treader will be here shortly Master, your Majesty. In fact, she should just be rounding into view now." The bird looked out at the water, sighting the mist he turned back to his employer.
"You've told him I suppose?" He inquired.
"Yes, but there is not much one can do."
"We don't know that for a fact." Wrenn replied before he flew away.
"Come I believe Wrenn said your ship was coming into port." Bern walked back into the lighted dining hall, laughter drifting out from the merry dancers. Caspian looked back at the mist before walking after him.
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"I knew I shouldn't have come!" Susan whispered. She and Lucy had come away from talking with the wolf. The Narnian animal had told them about her stay in the prison, but about who she was or how she got there she refused to speak. It was almost as if she felt she couldn't trust them or something. But, it was dark, and names were rather useless when you couldn't see faces, if Susan had allowed her to speak of who they were. But her older sister was being cautious, and had refused speaking of their titles.
"Why shouldn't you have come?" Lucy asked, turning to her sister from where she lay on her side trying to rest after the long day.
"Lucy, you're not a mother, so you can't possibly understand. I should not have left my son. He's barely a little boy! I knew better." Susan said, her voice breaking.
"Oh Susan, I'm sorry, I can't believe I forgot, but with everything that's happened, please forgive me. We'll find a way to get back, you'll see." Lucy sat up and came and put her arm around her sister.
"I told you, you're not a mother, mothers never forget. I can imagine now how worried Mum was for us all those years ago." Susan smiled sadly as she thought about that day.
Lucy didn't reply, she just sat next to her sister and gave the only thing she knew how to give at that moment, an unwavering strength that everything would turn out alright.
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Eustace banged against the bars again. "I demand to be released! You can't hold me against my will, this is barbaric! I'll have the British Consul on you!" His words echoed down into the dank corridor, causing Edmund to grimace at the naivety and stupidity of them.
"Oh will you shut up! Don't you understand anything yet? No one is going to save us, no one cares, and no one is coming! The only people who are coming will be the Slavers to take us to the auction!" Edmund stood to his full height as he spoke; he had been quiet until now. He didn't raise his voice above a whisper, but he didn't need to, the venom and hate in it got his words across easily.
Eustace stared up at the older boy, momentarily shocked. "You mean, you mean to say…" The boy blustered.
"Yes, I mean to say we're going to be auctioned off. Sold as slaves to the highest bidder. Unless Caspian is alright, or Aslan intervenes, we are all going to die slaves." Edmund replied pointedly.
"Unless, they choose to feed you to the mist." The old, hoarse voice called out from the darkness. Edmund turned from Eustace and stared into the black recesses of the prison cell.
"Who's there?" He called out sharply.
"No one, just a voice in my head." The old man replied, walking out into the torchlight of the prison cell. Edmund walked up to him while Eustace ran back to the opposite wall, as far away as he could get from the stranger.
"Edmund, Cousin, please, come away, we don't know who he is, let's keep it that way!" He called out, looking nervously into the darkness.
"What do you mean about this mist, old man? Who are you, and know now, whether or not you choose to believe it, that you are addressing Edmund the Just, King of Old Narnia." Edmund said, ignoring Eustace.
"A king? Edmund the Just? I wish I could say I know it, but I don't believe I do anymore, my memory doesn't serve me as well as it used to. I do believe you though, for you acted like a ruler as you stated those dark truths to your servant there." the old man replied, motioning to Eustace.
"Him, oh he's not my servant; he is related to me by blood, though he doesn't act like it." Edmund smiled slightly. The other man roared with laughter.
"A king with a coward for a relation! Forgive me, but I have not found much to amuse me in all these twenty years in this cell, and that is found quite so, to an old man who no longer hears of a good jest. And my name is Adonijah, your Majesty." He bowed amidst his laughs.
"Well, Adonijah, what was that about mist?" Edmund asked.
"A green mist, it is fed a daily sacrifice by the Slavers, to protect the people of Narrowhaven. I know not much of it, for I was put in here not long after it appeared. I do know a wealthy man lost his only son to it all those years ago. It was then that I heard, from the many that have been in here since then, about the sacrifice. I've yet to await my fate, but with each day I believe it will be as sacrificial lamb to the mist."
"At least you and I have come to accept that things such as these will happen, while my 'relation' has yet to do so." Edmund said with a slight grin. Their fate would be grim, but laughter was always better then sorrow.
"Yes, it is not much for nobility, such as you, but as long as you are not a coward, and have lived bravely, I believe any death can be made noble. Some king said that I believe, but I paraphrase and botch the stirring effect of it." Adonijah frowned as he tried to recall where he'd heard the quote. But Edmund remembered faster.
"High King Peter. He was my brother. He said something like that in a speech he was giving on the twelfth year of freedom from the White Witch, he was talking about all those who had died by her hand."
"Very well, I shall take your word for it, as a younger mind is a surer mind." Adonijah admitted.
"Sometimes. I was not a sure mind when I was young. It took some doing to get where I am now." Edmund declared thoughtfully.
"Doesn't it for everyone? I know I wouldn't be here I had been more careful. I was an abolitionist of the slave trade, but I wasn't much liked, and for my sins I was put in here, to be quieted so they could continue their trade in human flesh. If I ever see the sun again, though that time will surely mean my death, I will shout the cause of the slaves so every man can hear and know that it is wrong!" Adonijah spoke with such fervour that Edmund smiled. He had been like that once. A man to be heard. But that was too many years ago to count. A lifetime if one thought about it.
"Well, my new friend, come out of the shadows and join us, for we know not our fate either, but as Narnians, we need not be afraid to pass from this world."
"I believe I will hold you to that Sire." Adonijah laughed as he walked back with Edmund.
So, the three prisoners sat in the dim torchlight, two knowing that death was not the end, no matter how fearsome, and one hoping that he could somehow get away from his annoying cousin and this batty old man, back to his house and all logical things.
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"Caspian! How are you, considering these unfavorable turn of events?" Drinian asked, upon entering the study where Lord Bern and Caspian were once again talking over the plans. He had just arrived with the ship in port and was ushered into the study by an over-eager little girl in lilac purple and white.
"As well as can be considered. Drinian, this is the Lord Bern, Bern; this is my captain and friend, Drinian." Caspian made the introduction and the men shook hands, smiling.
After welcoming the ship, Fern and Celandine had quickly taken charge of caring for the little prince, as they loved babies, and Lily was too grown up to take care of anymore. Drinian had left Rynelf in charge of the ship.
"Before we begin, is this a girl's school or something of that nature, because…?" Drinian let the sentence hang, looking to Bern for the answer.
"No, no those are my daughters! I'm sorry; they can be slightly overwhelming if you don't expect them." Bern laughed, remembering Caspian's expression of mystification when he'd first met his daughters.
"Yes, they can. Now for the plan?" Drinian asked.
"Yes, I'm afraid it means more sailing around the north of Avra for you though. Straight down this channel again, captain, but run up all the King's banners, hang out all the shields and have as many men on deck and armed as you can without it slowing your movement through the channel. And about five lengths hence, when you get the open ocean on your port bow, run up a few signals."
"Signals? To whom there's no one else but us." Drinian said in confusion.
"Why, to all the other ships you haven't got, but which it might be well that Gumpas thinks we have." Bern said with a grin.
Drinian rubbed his hands together, realizing the joke in this. "Oh I see. And they'll read our signals. What shall I say?" Drinian asked, getting into the spirit of things. "Whole fleet round the South of Avra and assemble at? - "
"Bernstead," said Lord Bern. "That'll do excellently. Their whole journey - if there were any such ships - would be out of sight from Narrowhaven."
"I'll sail out now, and be ready in the morning to do this. I heard from one of the servants that Arran has been injured, how is the lad?" Drinian inquired.
"He's going to be fine, just so long as he doesn't get any ideas into his head." Caspian said, smiling. Arran was quite stubborn when it came down to it.
"Very well, I shall be going, is there anything else I must do?" Drinian waited expectantly at the door.
"No, that will be all, the rest of the plans I can attend to myself, Drinian, Sire." Bern walked to his desk and started to write, Caspian left with Drinian, as it was obvious that Bern would be occupied for a while. Bern quickly wrote the messages, and then called Wrenn to deliver them to all his loyal Narnian friends.
"Tomorrow will be a day you won't forget, Governor." Bern muttered, staring out over the dark ocean before returning to his family, it was well past the time for them to be in bed.
A/N:
Bern's study, yes there are private libraries that cover two stories. I think you can picture how that would look. Those "double doors" I described are in reality French doors, I think you all know what those look like, right? I couldn't mention "French doors" in Narnia because that isn't something one writes into a Narnian story.
I realized as I wrote Bern's character, that he would've known Caspian's father, hence Bern sees much of Caspian the IX in our Caspian. Another thing, Caspian's mother is never mentioned, so I assume she died of something not long after he was born, and he never knew his father, so he must have been four or five when the king died.
"Raptor means "bird of prey" hence, I decided to use the word in my writing.
I dislike, with a vengeance, the actor used for Drinian in the movies. Drinian didn't look like that at all! He had thick dark curly hair and it says in the book he was handsome, {So, I assume he was about in his twenties - early thirties}
Where Caspian and Bern are talking, I enjoyed playing with Caspian's emotions. When I first watched the movies and read the books, I realized that he has an anger problem, and he also has difficulty being patient. In the book he doesn't go with the Pevensies to meet Aslan, he is told to sail back to Narnia, because of his anger. {Don't worry, we'll change that, there is the movie, remember.}
I don't know if any of you can tell this, but it's just a vibe I picked up watching and reading. It shows up mostly in Prince Caspian, but in the VOTDT movie, where they're in the prison cell, remember who's sitting down {Edmund} and who's banging against the door {Caspian} letting out some frustration in violence. I always found this curious, so I play around with this as much as possible.
Most of the dialogue in the beginning is from the book, but it takes place on board the DawnTreader, not at Bernstead.
I thought, why can't I still use the prison scene, just because Caspian and the Lord Bern aren't in it, because they've been put in correct context, doesn't mean we still can't have a green mist conversation in the prison cell. So, cue Adonijah! I don't know, I liked the idea of there being an abolitionist in prison. It would be logical, considering how twisted everything has gotten on the Islands.
On to another subject; I think it is very plausible that Edmund would've written books when he was a king, or written something of value. He was supposedly the wisest, most just, equitable king ever to grace a Narnian throne; it would be against all principle if he hadn't written anything. That's another thing I dislike about the movie VOTDT, Edmund isn't portrayed very wise.
They play him down to make Caspian seem more grown up. The scene with the water that turns things to gold, Caspian, {in the books} starts the fight, not Edmund. Edmund is not a subject of Caspian's he's a king too, and if one was to really get into it, Caspian is under him. {That's another thing, technically Caspian is under all the four, and Peter is above his three siblings, and Aslan reigns superior over Peter. But that's for another day….}
How did you like my use of the green mist? I kept most of the script from the film, but didn't add the sacrifice scene {yet}. I thought it wasn't bad. Oh, I'm pretty sure water horses never make an appearance again.
ILoveFanfiction:
I'm glad you liked Bern. I also couldn't wrap my head around that small detail the script writers seemed to have forgotten. I don't like the third film much either. I TOTALLY would've written the script different as well! My siblings and I watch it, and I hate to admit it, but parts where things just don't make sense we mock, or like this one; we create stories for:
From Voyage of the Dawn Treader:
"That's an old Narnian sword." ~ Edmund
"Yes, it's from your Golden Age. There are seven such swords, gifts from Aslan to protect Narnia." ~ Lord Bern
Whoa, whoa! Hold everything! Aslan gave those Telmarines, Telmarines mind you, magical weapons to protect Narnia?! I have grave doubts about such things. Now, here's something else to think about:
From Prince Caspian:
"Why has Aslan let this happen?" ~ {can't remember, I think Lucy says this}
"Aslan? Thought he abandoned us when you lot did." ~ Trumpkin.
Aslan left, {vanished, poof, is goners!} after the Pevensies disappeared. So how, come again, did Bern and his buddies get those seven magic-bearing blades? Now, remember this:
"All this proves is that they've taken yet another thing from us!" ~ Nikabrik, {Prince Caspian, the gathering in the woods}
Now, pretend he's not just talking about how the Telmarines took these said items:
"homes, land, lives, and a magic horn belonging to Queen Susan."
But he's also talking about seven magic-bearing swords belonging to seven protectors of Narnia, as valuable as the Pevensies things. Note, the Black Dwarf says "thing" not "land, lives and homes" Which means that the Telmarines have taken "portable items" and not just the land.
See, can't you imagine the seven Lords breaking into the old Treasure Room at the ruins of Cair Paravel {or perhaps a tomb somewhere?}, after listening to some old Narnian or other they come across in the forest tell tale of seven magical swords that will keep their owners from harm. These seven men have to run away from Miraz who would see them killed happily. It might seem like good sense to have such great weapons by their sides in this hour of need. They think. Sadly, each Lord meets with a mysterious circumstance, ultimately ending in their doom.
For Bern: Lifelong Prison. {By VOTDT book, he never went back to Narnia, Fear ruled him over what might happen to himself if he returned}
Octesian: Turned Into A Dragon
Three of 'em: Eternal Sleep. {They were fighting over who knows what}
Restimar: Tempted by Gold, got made a statue for his troubles.
Rhoop: Stuck on Dark Island and is driven mad by things he's shown. {What was he shown I wonder?}
Yes, those blades were gifts, yes, they were magical, but not to them. Those blades became their curse. Possession is nine-tenths of the law people say. Very well, you can own everything that comes with the responsibility of those blades. Including the magic that has been crafted into it, which can work for you, or against you.
{Remember, Peter's sword, Rhindon, glowed blue, so it also was magic, magic Peter knew how to use. But Peter was a Narnian at heart, those Lords were merely Telmarines, and descendants of pirates to boot.}
There just happened to be seven Narnian swords made to protect. Those seven Telmarine Lords needed protection. Narnians are long dead, they thought, so who will care what we do? Surely no one would refuse men such as us the right to have something for security when nights are dark and we have not a friend in the world?
Ah! But you forgot the tale told you, only the seven protectors may bear those swords, it is their right and duty. They are gone, but Narnia lives on, their duty done, while yours has only just begun. {Couldn't help rhyming that}
If they had been true followers to their dead king, they would've stayed to protect Prince Caspian, instead of running for their lives. For what is noble death if you die protecting something right and true? They were afraid, and so they were punished by Aslan. With the very weapons they hoped would protect them.
Now, ILoveFanfiction, I'm not saying this is true, or that this is what the script writers were thinking about. But I'm just sayin'. The reason for Telmarines having magical Old-Narnian swords is unlikely, unless you think in this way. I'm thinking of posting the story I wrote about it. I probably will. Tell me what you think.
~o0o~
Also, many thanks for pointing out that flaw in chapter 3! I also thought it seemed weak, and there are several parts that I don't like. I will work hard on that in the future. I'm so glad you pointed that out, I'll never get offended, I love things like that, and it does helps me get better!
And yes, that line is in the movie, and I did base the previous story off of it! {I was beginning to wonder if anyone would notice…} I'm still musing over Arran and Azalea. The pirates have a big part to play, but I'm just slightly stumped on how to put it in without changing the book and movie too much. Look forward to Gael and Rhince.
I'm not doing much of Eustace right now at the start because he's going to get several whole chapters {the voyage from his point of view}. In the book, Caspian and everyone else stays on at the Lone Islands for two weeks, or something like that, so yes, Bern's daughters will have many more parts!
{Wow, this is a long personal answer to you, I hope I have answered your questions to your satisfaction!}
Happy reading! ~ W.H.