I apologize for not updating last week, but I will hopefully have two chapters this week to make up for it. I really only have time to write on Sat, Sun, or Mon. But usually I dedicate Mondays to editing. Since I got sick, my motivation to write was gone and I spent the past two weeks working on chapters 17 and 18 simultaneously. Ch. 18 will hopefully be posted either late today or Wednesday. I'm still working on some things for it...
Side note: I know there were some people who wanted Lilliandil and Ana to have some kind of conversation. And while I did try to weave it in (which is another thing that delayed this chapter), I couldn't find something that really fit within the context. I didn't know what they'd talk about. So they don't really interact with each other. Their only interaction is very brief and what I had originally. I hope you all still enjoy this chapter regardless.
Chapter 17: The Blue Star
The blue ball of light slowly descended from the sky and as it did so, began to grow in size. It hovered a bit above the ground and strings of light fanned out to form the shape of a person. Most of the light disappeared and a woman took its place. Both her hair and skin were white and she also wore a simple white dress. She was shrouded in a blue hue from the light of the star.
"Travelers of Narnia... welcome," the Star greeted. The royals remained standing but everyone else bowed to her. "Arise..." she said, raising her arms. "Are you not hungry?"
There was a brief pause in which no one moved or spoke. Then Edmund broke the silence. "Who are you?"
"I'm Lilliandil, daughter of Ramandu," she answered. "I am your guide." She walked closer to everyone as she spoke. The royals also stepped away from the far end of the table.
"You're a star?" Caspian questioned.
Lilliandil turned her gaze to him and nodded in response. Ana noted that almost everyone seemed rather entranced by her. They stared at her with a strange look on their faces. Perhaps it was because none of them had seen anything like her. A star who could take on the form of a beautiful woman. Ana had heard of other creatures like her that were dangerous because they led men to their deaths. She didn't see this one as any kind of threat though. At least her magic didn't. But she didn't like the way everyone looked at the Star.
"You are most beautiful," Caspian observed. Ana frowned slightly and cast her eyes to the ground.
"If it is a distraction for you," Lilliandil stuttered, seeming both flattered and confused, "I-I can change form." It seemed she wasn't used to being complimented.
"No!" both Kings answered at the same time.
Ana's frown only deepened. She felt slightly angry hearing him say those words and didn't know why. She looked up just in time to see Lucy roll her eyes at her brother. It seemed the Queen found his interest in Lilliandil rather childish. Caspian and Edmund looked at each other. But at that point, Ana couldn't focus enough to work out what they meant. So she instead turned her attention to the Star that had everyone falling head over heels for her.
"Please... The food is for you." She raised her arms and the candles on the table lit up. "There is enough for all who are welcome at Aslan's Table! Always. H-help yourselves." The others moved closer to the table, many reaching for the food. But neither Ana nor the royals moved to touch it.
"Wait!" Edmund said, halting the crew. "What happened to them?" He shifted his torchlight to the lords at the end of the table.
"These poor men were half-mad by the time they reached our shores," Lilliandil explained. "They were threatening violence upon each other. Violence is forbidden at the Table of Aslan. So they were sent to sleep."
"Will they ever wake?" Lucy asked.
"When all is put right." She looked at the royals. "Come, there is little time."
While the crew began to eat, Lilliandil guided the royals away. Ana followed silently, wondering if she should've remained behind. But no one told her to stay so she assumed no one minded if she tagged along. The Star led them through the trees and towards a stone balcony. However, as they drew closer Ana could sense dark magic. She felt Phoenix try to push its way to the surface but she forced it back.
"The magician, Coriakin, told you of Dark Island?" Lillandil asked, overlooking the water. Ana followed her gaze and saw the Island not far away. It explained where the dark pull came from.
"Yes," Caspian answered, still focused on the Star.
Before long, the evil will be unstoppable," she explained. The rest looked out across the balcony to Dark Island.
"Coriakin said to break its spell, we lay the seven swords at Aslan's Table," Caspian told her.
She looked at him and nodded. "He speaks the truth."
"But we only found six," Edmund interjected. "Do you know where the seventh is?"
"In there," Lilliandil answered, pointing to the dark island across the water. "You will need great courage."
The four were silent, staring at Dark Island. It was foreboding and gave Ana a sense of unease. Even from afar, she could feel the darkness leaching out of it. She knew no one wanted to go in there but also knew they had to. If they wanted to stop its reach, they would have to sail into the heart of evil.
The darkness was strong and the pull of it made Ana feel sick. Lucy noticed something was wrong almost immediately.
"Are you alright?" she asked, placing a hand on Ana's shoulder. The other three turned their attention to her.
"I'm fine," she said but she knew her voice betrayed her.
"She can feel its pull," Lilliandil said as a way of an explanation. "Dark magic lurks there and her magic can sense it."
"There's nothing good in that place," Ana explained. "It's full of evil and darkness, just as Coriakin said."
The others didn't speak. It was obvious they didn't know what to say to her. Ana realized that this might've been the first time they knew about it. That her magic could sense darkness in others or places. It's often what she based her opinions of people on. But she didn't recall if she ever mentioned that fact to any of the royals and she felt a little guilty about it.
Lilliandil broke the silence, turning to face them. "Now, waste no time."
Caspian seemed to shake off his shock and looked at the Star. "I hope we meet again."
She smiled and blushed a little. "Goodbye."
They could only watch as her chest began to glow white light. It grew until it enveloped her entire body before shrinking in size. The strings of light that once formed her body quickly reversed to form a blue ball of light. Her light shone brighter for just a moment before the ball shot into the sky. They all stepped back at the glow and speed of her light. Her light only dimmed a little as she returned to her place in the sky.
It was silent once again. Ana exchanged a look with each of the royals, but no one knew what to say. It seemed as though the Kings already missed the Star's presence. But it was hard to tell which one missed her more. Lucy appeared to have come to the same conclusion as Ana had.
"Come on," the Queen said. "We should get back to Drinian and the crew."
Caspian nodded in agreement. "They won't be happy to hear where we have to go next."
They were quiet as they returned to the table. The crew had sat down around it, eating their fill. Drinian was the only one who noticed their return, standing to greet them. He was about to lecture his men when Caspian held up his hand.
"Let them eat," he ordered and the Captain nodded. He returned to his seat, passing them only a cursory glance.
Ana and the royals found seats near each other. She assumed they wished to discuss their next steps quietly. Drinian would go where he was told with little protest. But the rest of the crew would be leery about it. And she could tell something was nagging on Caspian's mind as well.
The royals began to eat in silence. Ana didn't touch the food at first, still feeling overwhelmed by the darkness she felt. But she knew if she didn't eat something, her friends would grow concerned. So she carefully picked at her food and forced herself to eat. She noticed that there didn't seem to be a short supply of food. No one would go hungry. She made a note to make sure they brought food back for the remaining crew and Eustace.
"We have to go..." Caspian said suddenly. Ana's gaze flicked to him, brows furrowing slightly.
Go where? Back to Narnia or, to Dark Island? Ana wondered.
"Go?" Lucy asked. She obviously needed clarification as well.
"I made a promise. I cannot return home without finding out the fate of Lord Rhoop. And if we don't put an end to this darkness..."
"...There may not be a Narnia to return to," Edmund finished for him.
Caspian nodded. "But the crew won't like it. We've been gone far longer than they expected and we have no idea what dangers lay ahead."
"You'll have to convince them," Lucy told him. "We can't return to Narnia if this threat still remains. They have to know that."
He nodded in agreement and it was silent for a moment. They continued eating while casting their gazes around the table. By then, several of the crew had finished and were sitting back with satisfied smiles. Some were yawning. Stomachs full, the men were beginning to grow tired. This was observed by all four.
"We'll let them rest," Caspian said. "Then we'll head for Dark Island in the morning. I know we were warned against wasting time, but they need proper rest. Only Aslan knows what the place has in store for us."
They all murmured their agreement. But Ana knew there was something else on Caspian's mind. When he made eye contact with her, she dreaded what he would say next.
"I-I think you should stay here, Ana," he said. She froze while Lucy and Edmund snapped their attention to her.
"What?" Ana asked, flabbergasted. She barely restrained from shouting in anger at the mere suggestion of leaving her behind.
"If you can feel the darkness of the island from here, I do not think it wise to continue with us."
"That's not something new... I've always been able to sense things like that." All three looked at her, curious. It confirmed that Ana had not mentioned it to any of them. "It's that 'feeling' I get about people or places. That island is just the source of darkness so its pull is stronger."
They were silent for a moment as if contemplating her words. Caspian exchanged a look with both siblings. Ana knew the moment he looked back that he was not convinced.
"That seems to be all the more reason for you to stay behind," he remarked slowly. He was trying to be careful with his words.
"Why? Because I can sense that it's dangerous and now you want to leave me behind?" She was incredulous. They had no right. "You can't..."
"Ana..." Lucy spoke up, voice pleading. "We're just concerned. This place has to be the source of your nightmares."
"Everyone's had nightmares," Ana countered.
"But you've been affected differently," Caspian pointed out. "It's not safe for you."
"It's not safe for any of us!" She kept her voice down so as not to draw attention, but Ana was angry.
He sighed. "I could order you to stay here..."
"Really? And just how exactly do you plan on keeping me here?" She hadn't really meant for it to come off as a challenge, but it had. Now it was their turn to be shocked.
"Is that a challenge, Ana?" Caspian was the first to speak. His voice sounded tired but determined.
"Maybe it is." She shrugged rather stubbornly. "I'm coming with you. One way or another."
The royals exchanged concerned glances but it was again Caspian who spoke. "Then if that's the case, I'll have no choice but to order some of my men to keep you here. It's dangerous out there. This is not something I'm willing to risk."
"Your men?" Ana practically scoffed. "You and I both know they couldn't keep me here unless I let them. And I have no intention of doing so."
"Ana..." Lucy protested softly, but cut herself off from whatever she wanted to say.
It seemed to Ana that she was on both their sides. Lucy wanted to protect Ana as well but knew it wasn't right to persuade her to stay. Edmund, thus far, was silent so she didn't know what he thought. But Ana was beyond furious with Caspian.
"You can't leave me here," she stated bitterly. It was all she could do to keep herself from shouting at him.
"You have to understand—" Lucy began.
"No," Ana protested, cutting off her explanation. "You can't. If you leave me behind, it'll be nearly impossible for you to convince the crew to follow. If it's not safe for me, then what hope do they have?" They were silent and Ana knew she had them. "So you can not force me to stay behind and expect them to follow. Nor can you convince me that it's in my best interest to stay here."
They were silent for a moment. It was Edmund who broke the silence. "She's right. How can we expect the men to follow us into battle if we leave our best warrior behind?" Ana almost smiled in relief. He was on her side at least.
"I know you just want to keep me safe," Ana said, "but this is not the way to do it. It's not your job to protect me, at least not in that sense. You should be just as concerned for me as you would be for any of your subjects."
Caspian looked away for a moment while Lucy looked ashamed. Both were embarrassed by what they had tried to do. Ana could let it go, knowing they were trying to protect her. But that didn't mean she wasn't still angry that they tried to exclude her. She disliked being on the sidelines or forced to stay behind. They all knew that and the fact that they had just tried to... Well, Ana wasn't happy, to say the least. But she would try not to hold it against them. She knew they were just worried about what the island might do to her.
"Well," she said, clearing her throat to draw their attention, "if that is the end of that, I believe I'll head back to the ship."
"We won't leave you," Edmund stated. They had all frowned a little at her statement.
"I admit the thought had crossed my mind. But, I think the others could do with a nice meal. I can take a group back to rest and watch the ship while they eat. Or perhaps we bring some food back for them."
The royals exchanged glances. It seemed they had momentarily forgotten about the ones they left behind.
"Of course," Caspian agreed. "We should take some food to the others."
Then with a smile, he stood to inform the Captain of the plan. While he spoke, the three began loading up plates of food to take back for the crew of the Dawn Treader. And if everyone followed them back to the shore, no one said a word. No one quite wanted to sleep at Aslan's Table. It felt too sacred. But Ana believed some of them were still too leery of the place to fall asleep.
While the others feasted—including Eustace, who ate more than half of the offered food—the rest settled in for the night. In the morning, they would set sail for Dark Island.