Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 6
Galen slowly walks up to the edge of a ledge overlooking the camp. He had changed out of the clothes he had arrived in so they could be washed. He is now wearing a black tunic and trousers lent to him by individuals in the camp. He is wearing one of the bangles given to him by Father Christmas, with the other in his pocket. His two lightsabers hang from his belt.
Galen looks down at the camp, and the members of Aslan's army milling about in the camp. Since coming to the camp, he had been instructed as to what each of the different species in the army was called.
As Galen looks out over the camp, he feels a strange sensation. A sense of purpose, but also of worry. Since coming to Narnia, it had shaken a lot of what he had known. Not necessarily about what he knew about how the world and universe, or the Force, worked…but rather about what he thought about himself and his life. His time here, and what he had learned about why he was sent here, went against all he had ever thought he would be. He knows that his life is going to be a far cry from what he had experienced and dreamed of before coming to Narnia, including his time he considered himself a rebel after being abandoned by Vader.
"This world is unlike any you have encountered before."
Galen turns his head and sees Aslan walking up behind him. The great lion stops beside Galen, looking out over the hills and plains. He waits for a moment before speaking again, "I sense that you have much conflict in you."
"That's not the first time I've heard that," Galen responds.
"No, it is not," Aslan agrees, his mouth curling upwards in a smile.
The pair are quiet for several moments before Aslan speaks again, "I sense that you are still very restless after coming here, Galen. What is it that bothers you so?"
Galen looks off into the distance before he asks aloud, "Why am I here? I should've died that day on the Death Star. So why was I brought here? What's so special about me that I was brought to Narnia? I may have tried to embrace my heritage, but I'm no Jedi. The being that sent me here…he could've chosen so many people that were much more worthy."
Aslan seems to sigh before he speaks again, "Galen, turning away from the dark side is not something so easily done. You accepted your Jedi heritage despite being conditioned for so long. You showed great strength of spirit. And it is here that you can realize who you were meant to be. With your strength in the Force, you have the potential to bring order to Narnia and ensure its protection from all threats."
Galen looks at Aslan. "And that's another question I have. I can feel the Force here, and I can see the immense power in it that you are, Aslan. But I can't sense that anyone in this world is Force sensitive. Why?"
Aslan smiles a little bit. "When the universe was created, and the Force came into existence, it was your galaxy that was blessed with the gift of Force sensitivity. While others can touch the Force in other galaxies, it was yours that was given the greatest connection to the Force. But here, in Narnia, it is magic that permeates every part of this land. Here, it is magic that rules. And at the head of all, there is a Deep Magic that rules over all of Narnia. It defines right from wrong, and governs all our destinies."
"Will I ever regain my old strength, Aslan?" Galen asks.
"In time, Galen," Aslan says.
Galen is quiet for a while before he looks up at Aslan. "Aslan…will I ever return to my home? Or am I meant to remain in Narnia for the rest of my days?" he asks the great lion.
Aslan looks at Galen with a sympathetic look. "There are always ways to return to your home, Galen. The questions are whether you have the will to find them, and if you truly desire to return home. Time changes everything, Galen. But until such a time may come as you discover a way home, you have a purpose here. I will help you to realize it and to find true happiness, but I need you to consider what I ask of you, Galen."
Galen is quiet for a moment before he says, "I am ready to fight under your banner Aslan, and I will do what I can to free Narnia."
Aslan smiles at Galen. "You have a great destiny in Narnia, Galen Marek," he says. He is quiet for a moment, then says, "I must go speak with Peter."
"Of course, Aslan," Galen says, inclining his head in respect. Aslan does the same before turning to walk away.
Galen returns to looking out over the camp, considering what Aslan told him in their brief conversation. He had considered his actions in freeing the rebel leaders as him adopting his Jedi heritage for himself, but he had since begun to wonder if he really was trying to be a Jedi instead of just exacting his revenge on Vader and the Emperor. But perhaps, here is where he can truly embrace his heritage. Maybe it's his duty to become Narnia's very first Jedi. Or maybe, something more than a Jedi.
Galen sits in silence for a long time, just looking out over the camp. After a minute, he closes his eyes and begins to meditate, opening himself up to the Force. He had always taken the Force really as a tool to accomplish his goals. But since casting away Vader and the Sith, he had begun to broaden his mind in regards to his views on the Force, and he had begun to realize that the Force was something that could guide him instead of just using it when he needed to.
Time seems to pass arbitrarily as Galen meditates into the Force while listening to the chirping of birds around him. Then, suddenly, he feels something. A prickling of warning through the Force, and off in the distance, a feeling of…fear.
Galen is already getting to his feet when he hears the horn go off. Three loud blasts that echo through the camp. Galen immediately realizes the source of the sound. Susan's horn.
Galen turns in the direction he heard the horn from and runs in that direction. Something in the call of the horn seemed panicked, and he is worried something is wrong.
Galen runs towards the direction the sound came from. Soon enough, he catches up to Aslan, who is also moving in the direction of the sound, accompanied by Oreius, several fauns, and several leopards. Galen does not focus on the others, only on following Aslan towards the direction of the sound.
Soon enough, they find the source of the commotion. Two of the White Witch's wolves had snuck into the edge of the camp to try and kill Susan and Lucy. The girls are now in a tree to keep themselves away from the wolves, while Peter is standing near the foot of the tree, holding his sword outwards in both hands, the two wolves circling him. Galen makes a mental note that he needs to work with Peter on improving his sword technique, but is more focused on the situation at hand.
Aslan rushes forward, letting out a loud growl as he pins one of the wolves under his paw. Behind him, Oreius draws one of his swords, ready to kill the other wolf. Galen draws his first lightsaber and ignites it, its red blade springing to life as he readies himself to deal with the remaining wolf.
"No!" Aslan commands. Such is the authority of his voice that even Galen stops in his tracks, looking at the lion. He glances towards Oreius and Galen before elaborating, "Stay your weapons. This is Peter's battle."
Galen eases up and deactivates his saber. He worries about Peter, knowing the boy is not yet proficient with his sword, but trusts that Aslan knows what he's doing. Oreius also seems to trust Aslan's command, as he signals the others to stop.
Peter is focused on the wolf still in front of him. Seemingly unfazed by the small squad of warriors just feet from him, the wolf is solely focused on Peter. In his deep, harsh voice, the wolf speaks tauntingly at Peter, "You may think you're a king. But you're going to die…" He pauses, as he stops circling and crouches into a pouncing position, then launches himself towards Peter as he finishes, "Like a dog!"
Peter raises his sword upwards right as the wolf comes down on him. To Galen, it looks like the wolf impales itself on Peter's sword. But, he can't be certain, especially as both Peter and the wolf fall to the ground.
"Peter!" Susan and Lucy cry out for their brother. They quickly jump down from the tree and rush over to their brother. As they push the body of the wolf off of Peter, Galen confirms that the wolf is dead, and had in fact impaled itself on Peter's sword. He shakes his head a bit at the wolf's arrogance.
Aslan now looks to Galen, who looks at him in return. Aslan gives Galen a look, and without a word being exchanged, Galen understands what Aslan wants him to do. Galen looks down at the wolf still pinned under Aslan's paw. Raising his hand, he waves it in front of the wolf and says, "You will lead Oreius to Edmund's location."
The wolf looks a little dazed before repeating, "I will lead Oreius to Edmund's location." Aslan then lifts his paw, and the wolf stands up before turning and beginning to calmly run off back towards the Witch's camp.
"After him! He'll lead you to Edmund," Aslan orders Oreius. Oreius nods before he, the fauns, and the leopards take off after the wolf.
Aslan gives Galen a look of gratitude before turning his attention to Peter. "Peter. Clean your sword."
Peter cleans his sword with a cloth. Then, at Aslan's request, he kneels before Aslan, planting his sword gently into the ground before him. Aslan lifts his paw and places it on Peter's shoulder for a moment before declaring, "Rise, Sir Peter Wolfs-Bane, Knight of Narnia."
Peter looks back at his sisters, who look at him proudly. He then looks at Galen, who nods once in affirmation. As he does, Galen finds himself thinking ahead to the battle to come. He knows that if he can help get the Pevensies ready for it, they may in fact achieve victory…with all four of the siblings still alive.
And, I'll end there. Hope you liked this one.
So, this will not be the first interaction between Galen and Aslan. And Aslan's influence will be important to help Galen truly throw off the bonds of his Sith teachings and become more like a Jedi.
Alright. Next chapter should be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!