Eternal || Edmund Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia) [2]

Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

POSTED 5/9/21

A/N: I'm back HAHA been feeling really burned out lately so I haven't been able to keep up with posting 1-2 times a month. Anyway, I tried to incorporate more dialogue from the book (+ my own ideas ofc) here, so I hope you all enjoy :>

As morning progressed into the afternoon, the skies began to clear up and the sun shone brighter than it ever did in the last two weeks spent in a storm. The main deck of the Dawn Treader was no longer damp, and the overall mood of the crew had lightened up considerably. It truly felt like they had reached the light at the end of the tunnel, though none of them were quite aware of what they were yet to face.

"Thank goodness, they've calmed down," Mary mumbled to herself as the ship drew closer to the island. It was refreshing to simply see one after being stuck in the middle of nowhere for so long.

"The seas or the men, Queen Mary?"

Mary didn't even have time to turn her head before she saw Reepicheep appear by her peripherals. He had crawled down the ledge she was leaning on and plopped down next to her arm. His black eyes looked up at her inquisitively, waiting for an answer.

"Both," she admitted.

"Well, I'd have been more surprised if we went through this entire voyage without any struggle," the mouse said thoughtfully. "Worry not, Your Majesty. Everyone just needed to let off a little steam after that dreadful storm. We'll be fine."

"Perhaps you're right," Mary gave in, smiling softly at him. "You always know what to say, Reep."

"That, I do," he grinned, tipping his little feather. "Now, come on. His Majesties said we'll be using the long boats soon."

With that, Mary followed Reepicheep's lead and left her spot by the corner of the deck to rejoin the others. A couple of minutes later, the Dawn Treader dropped its anchor past the offshore area. The crew settled into the longboats, and then they were off to the island. It was volcanic — rocky, sandy, dry, full of cliffs and formations, and steam shot out from the ground here and there.

Mary, Edmund, Caspian, and one of the crewmen sat at the center of one boat, the four of them rowing together while Lucy and Eustace were seated comfortably on opposite ends. The splashing of the water, gentle rush of the wind, and distant chirping of birds sounded like music to their ears as they made their way to land.

"I doubt the lords stopped here, my liege," Reepicheep commented, standing at the tip of the boat next to them. "There's no sign of anything living."

"Right," Caspian nodded. "Well, once we get ashore, take your men and search for food and water."

"And what will you do, Your Majesties?"

"The four of us will search the island and look for clues," Mary replied.