The Magnificent, A Father

Narnia Receives Aid

The sinuously dark halls of Aslan's How knew a joy that had been lacking in all of the months Caspian had held court there. They had felt the blood of the Narnians, felt the loneliness of the united people, and understood that the Narnians knew they were loosing even as they fought with renewed vigor. It would take something more than them themselves to defeat Miraz's armies.

And then something had come. The High King of Narnia and his brother, the King of Narnia. With them had come the sword, Wolfsbane; the knowledge and strategy of the Just King. And they had come just in time to save the Narnians from calling up their worst enemy.

Caspian himself could hardly believe that he was in the presence of legends from over a millennia ago. Yet there they stood, digging vigorously into bear meat and onions, talking about their own food from their own world. Then Peter had thought out the idea of the duel and Edmund had gone to deliver it. During the whole of it, Caspians was wrapt in amazement and the feeling that he was outside of himself watching it all occur.

***

Glenstorm clopped into the room of strategy and bowed from the waist to his kings. " My lords, I am sorry to report but there was no sign of your sisters. They have gone as has the lion." He was careful not to look the King in the eye lest he show that he did not believe that the lion had ever been there at all. True, the skies had spoken of such a thing, but not of Aslan returning. He did not think that it could be done.

Caspian started and then turned to Peter. " I hope that they are not in danger. Miraz, my uncle, would think nothing of taking them prisoner." 

Peter however was not quite so concerned. He turned to Trumpkin who had stiffened at the news. " Do you think that they are in danger, DLF?"

Trumpkin looked at Glenstorm and then at Peter. " No, not with that beast with them. I can guarantee that no one would catch 'im off guard." 

Peter smiled at him and then replied to Glenstorm, " Thank you, Glenstorm, but I assure you that I fear nothing for my sisters. As far as I am concerned, they are safer than we here."

Glenstorm remained bowing, awaiting further opportunity.

" Yes, Glenstorm," Caspian said.

" Your Majesty, we found vines growing out of the ground, the prints of dozens of satyrs, and the remains of a--" he stopped impressively as though he could not believe it himself, " the remains of a donkey."

Caspian exclaimed, " A donkey, surely you jest. Even such creatures as they know better than to get between two armies."

" Yet we found sign, your highness." 

Caspian was about to reply exasperated when Peter stayed him by touching his arm. " Vines upon the ground. I don't suppose that you could see the river?"

" No, but we did see the stream." 

" Was the scent of it like rich summer wine, thick and heady?" Peter asked him.

" Well, I suppose it did, but we were too focused upon the obvious to pay much attention to the water supply." Glenstorm spoke shortly, his mind wondering why the King was asking such unusual questions.

" Your majesty," Caspian inquired, deferring to the High King, " what is it that has you asking such strange queries?" 

" Once before, a very long time ago, during the first year of our reign, Bacchus came to visit our realms. He brought with him his followers, wild nymphs and women who danced. Every place they touched turned to grapes and to wine. It was a romp such as has never been seen. I still feel heady just thinking about it." He retired unto himself, obviously puzzling out the facts.