Grace Tells Another Story

03

As Jill flew through Narnia, she commented how lovely and amazing it was. She passed a field of purple flowers.

While passing the sea, she made note of it and wondered where she was going.

---

Eustace was spying on Caspian near the castle.

Caspian waved and descended a set of steps to board a boat. Clara stood atop a balcony, seeing her husband off.

Jill flew over Caspian's castle and landed behind Eustace who was still crouched in the grass. An owl, Glimfeather, watched the children silently.

She ran up to Eustace and crouched next to him before placing a hand on his shoulder and saying, "Scrubb. Scrubb, quickly. Do you see anyone you know or the Queen of Grace?"

"So you've turned up again, have you?" Eustace retorted. "Keep quiet. I'm trying to listen."

"Oh, but there isn't a moment to lose." Eustace turned to face her. "Don't you see some old friend of yours and the Queen of Grace here because you've got to go and speak to him and to greet the Queen."

"What are you talking about?" He turned away again.

"I've seen the lion." Eustace faced Jill once again. "Aslan. And he says you've got to."

"Aslan? You've seen Aslan?"

"He said the very first person you saw here in Narnia would be an old friend and that you must greet the Queen of Grace and that you've got to go and speak to him and greet her at once to get the help we need."

"There's nobody here I've ever known. I don't know if the Queen is even still alive. I don't even know if this is Narnia."

"But I thought you said you'd been here before."

"I have, but I've never seen this place. Now dry up and let's see what's happening."

Caspian waved and boarded the boat. Clara stood on the balcony still watching, her hands clasped together.

The dwarf who'd stood by Caspian turned and walked away.

The Narnians watched as Caspian went off and cheered. Eustace and Jill watched from their spot.

Glimfeather flew down, landing behind the children and said, "Hello! Hello, who are you two?"

Jill and Eustace stood and walked towards Glimfeather.

Eustace held out his hand. "The name's Scrubb." He crossed his arms, gesturing to Jill with his thumb. "This is Pole."

"Jill Pole," Jill corrected, walking closer to Glimfeather.

Eustace uncrossed his arms. "Would you mind telling us where we are?"

"Oh, in the land of Narnia," Glimfeather replied. "At the king's castle of Cair Paravel." Eustace and Jill glanced back.

"Is that the king who's just taken ship?"

"Too true, too true. But, who are you? There's something... Magic about you. I saw you arrive." He did a short dance. "You flew! You flew!"

Eustace leaned closer. "We were sent by Aslan."

"Aslan!" Eustace shushed him. "T-whoo, t-whoo!"

"We've been sent by Aslan to find the lost prince," Jill explained.

Eustace met her eyes. "First I've heard of it. What prince?" He crossed his arms.

"You'd better speak to the Lord Regent," Glimfeather told them. "At once. T-whoo, t-whoo. What-a to do?" He began walking towards the water. "I can't think clearly yet. I'm never myself until the sun goes down. Oh!"

"There's more," Jill said. "There's a lot more. Aslan gave me four signs to remember and that was the first of them. You had to go straight to your old friend and greet the Queen of Grace."

"But I tell you-" Eustace was cut off.

"Hey!" Glimfeather called. "The Lord Regent Trumpkin the dwarf!" Eustace and Jill joined him.

"And what is the king and the Queen of Grace's name?"

"Caspian the tenth and Clara the Graceful."

Eustace's expression fell and Jill asked, "Whatever is the matter?"

"He was my old friend," Eustace replied. "She's the Queen of Grace."

"Then we've missed the first sign!"

They watched as the boat rowed away.

A soft voice behind them said, "Only half of it. I might've overheard you three."

They turned and Eustace said, "Hello, Clara."

Clara smiled. "Hello, Eustace. You're looking well. I'm pleased to see your return. And I see you've brought a friend. Hello, Glimfeather."

"Hello, Your Majesty!" Glimfeather said.

Eustace pointed to Jill. "This here is Pole."

"Jill," the girl corrected. "You're the Queen of Grace?"

Clara nodded. "Yes, I am. A pleasure to meet you, Jill. Welcome to Narnia."

Jill curtsied. "Oh, thank you Your Highness."

The Graceful Queen laughed softly. "You don't have to bow. What brings you to my home?"

"It's a long story."

"Why don't you tell it to me at the castle. You two must have exhausted and famished. We certainly can't have that."

"All right. We are rather tired and hungry."

"I thought you might be. Come."

They walked towards the castle. Clara led the way and the latter three followed.