Narnia: The Royal Advisor (Side Stories)

Archenland (1.8) Part 5

After a week of celebrations, swapping stories about the adventure with Aravis and the Narnian horses who had been captured and enslaved in Calormen; Bree and Hwin; everyone was seated together when King Lune asked, "What do you think should be done with the pompous Prince Rabadash?"

I hardly knew him, so I kept my thoughts to myself, but a sense of foreboding washed over me as if the air itself became heavier, but only to me.

Peridan answered him, "It would be within your right, Your Majesty, to have him beheaded."

Edmund then spoke, "Tis true, but any treacherous man can find a new path. I certainly know of another who did." I noticed the pain of the White Witch's memory flash through his eyes and I subtly squeezed his hand in comfort.

The King's brother, Darrin, spoke up, he had been sick the day of our hunt, but fought bravely when Rabadash had brought his troops to Lune's doorstep, "To kill Rabadash would bring us close to war with his Father."

King Lune huffed, "Emperor Tisroc has the numbers, but he would not cross the desert. But I agree brother, I am not inclined to kill men, even traitors, in cold blood. To have cut his throat in the heat of battle would have been one thing, but having him so soundly defeated and hung up in humiliation for two entire kingdoms to see is an entirely separate matter."

Lucy them offered her counsel, "You could give him another chance, Your Majesty. Let him and his men go free on the promise he shall not raise another army. He may keep his word."

King Lune nodded, "We'll try it. Send for the prisoner!"

Rabadash was brought before everyone in chains. He looked like he had spent his time without food or water in a dark cell, but as a Prince he was treated quite well. "As your Royal Highness already knows, I have every right to remove your head from your shoulders, but we are all merciful here and are inclined to let you and your men go on the condition of-"

"Curse you, Barbarian Dog!" Shouted the Prince, "Do you think I will even listen to your terms? Easy for you to talk all high and mighty to a man in chains. Take off these bonds, hand me a sword, and I shall see you negotiate with me then!"

Everyone jumped to their feet, except for King Lune and I, but I only didn't stand due to the shivers running down my spine. Something was going to happen and soon, the Deep Magic was gathering.

King Lune quickly regained control of the room, "Peace! Your Majesties! My Lords! Let us not be provoked by simple words. I ask you again, Prince Rabadash, please listen to our terms."

"I will hear no conditions from Barbarians, Sorcerors, and Demons! Not one of you would dare touch a hair on my head. Every insult you have heaped on me shall be paid back with oceans of Narnian and Archenlandish blood. Terrible shall the vengeance of the Tisroc be, even now. Kill me, and the burnings and torturings in the northern lands shall become a tale to frighten the world for years to come! Beware! BEWARE! The bolt of Tash falls from above!"

The pressure became too much and I approached the Prince, pleading, "I beg you, Your Highness, heed us now. The Deep Magic is coming for you, even now it gathers."

"Why should I listen to a demon like you?! All you speak is lies!"

Edmund turned me to face him, "Are you alright, Emma?"

I froze, blinking then smiling as the pressure turned to a feeling of warmth, "I am now."

I then turned to bow as the Great Lion Himself entered the room from seemingly nowhere and began to pace between us and Rabadash. Aslan then spoke to the Prince, "Rabadash. Take heed. Your doom is very near, as Lady Emmaline has sensed and warned you of, but you may still avoid it. Forget your pride and your anger and accept the mercy of these good kings."

Rabadash shrieked, "Demon! Demon! DEMON! I know you. You are the foul fiend of Narnia. You are the enemy of the gods. Learn who I am, horrible phantasm. The curse of Tash be upon you! Lighting in the shape of scorpions shall be rained on you! The mountains of Narnia shall be ground into dust! The-"

Aslan interrupted the Prince's long winded speech as the foreboding pressure returned again, but now everyone in the room felt it, not just me, "Have care, Rabadash. The doom is nearer now: it is at the door; it has lifted the latch."

"Let the skies fall! Let the earth gape! Let blood and fire obliterate the world! Be sure I will never desist until I have dragged to my palace by her hair the raven haired barbarian queen!"

I held onto Edmund as Aslan spoke again, "The hour has struck."

Everyone watched as the Prince slowly transformed. His ears elongated and stuck up above his head. His nose and mouth came out from his face to form a snout. His arms grew longer and curled into hooves and his back legs did the same. The last thing to change were his words as they died away to a bray, "Oh! Not a Donkey! If it were even a horse! E'en, eeh-aah." 

The Prince now looked ridiculous, but no one dared to speak until Aslan had finished, "Now hear me, Ranadash. Justice shall be mixed with mercy. You shall not always be an Ass."

Betraying his true emotions, the Donkey's ears twitched in anticipation for the chance to return to his human form.

"You have appealed to your god, Tash, and in the Temple of Tash you shall be healed. You must stand before the altar of Tash in Tashbaan at the Great Autumn Feast this year and in the sight of all those gathered your current shape shall fall from you and all men will know the Donkey was you Prince Rabadash. But, as long as you live, if you ever go more than ten miles away from the Temple of Tash and you shall instantly become again as you are now. And from that second change there shall be no return." Aslan then walked out the door, calling behind him, "Come Emmaline."

I nodded, giving one last look and squeeze of the hand to Edmund before following the Lion outside, however once we had stepped out the door, we were no longer in the palace. Aslan turned to me, "You felt the Deep Magic, didn't you?"

I nodded, "Yes Aslan. I felt it far before they had brought Rabadash into the room. It was the first time I felt it so intensely since the White Witch."

"And it will not be the last, dear one. Your knowledge of the Deep Magic makes you uniquely attune to its movements. I apologize if the pressure is unpleasant to you."

I smiled, "It was scary at first, but then I realized what it was. You have nothing to apologize for Aslan." I then looked around, "Where have you brought me?"

"To see an old friend of mine, come."

Aslan brought me to the edge of a pool, there was a man sitting beside it, who didn't look up right away, "Welcome Old Friend. Welcome Lady Emmaline."

Aslan nodded, "How do you fare, my friend?"

The old man replied, gesturing to the pool, "I use the gift you gave me well."

Aslan then turned to Emmaline, "The Hermit of the Southern March has also studied the Deep Magic. This pool swirls with Deep Magic allowing my friend here to see anywhere in the world and what is happening to them at this very moment."

The Hermit nodded, "I saw King Edmund's proposal to you, my lady. He really should have waited until you lowered your weapon."

I blushed, "Not my best moment." I then asked, "Could you tell me how King Peter is? We have not heard from him since he set off to fight the giants in the north."

The Hermit's eyes drifted to the pool, "He has finished the fighting and on the road back to Cair Paravel."

I let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you. Might I extend an invitation to you for my wedding to King Edmund?"

The Hermit shook his head, "I will not leave the pool unguarded, but know I will be watching."

I smiled, "Of course."

Aslan broke out conversation, "Come Emmaline, I must get you back to Edmund. I shall see you again, my friend."

The Hermit nodded, "Goodbye Aslan. Goodbye Lady Emmaline."

As I walked away by the Great Lion's side, I asked, "Aslan, I was wondering if you might officiate Edmund and I's wedding?"

"I shall be there, Emmaline."

We walked through the gate and I blinked and I was back in the Archenland castle and Aslan was gone. It was good to know He hadn't changed.