~By the Lion's Mane: The Call~

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

We rowed up through the inlet in the boat that the soldiers had been in, Anduril swimming steadily alongside. As we rowed slowly through the clear blue water, I looked up at the trees on the tops of the cliffs on either side of us. The only movement among them was the wind ruffling their leaves.

"They're so still," I remarked to myself.

The Dwarf, who'd introduced himself as Trumpkin, snorted in derision. "They're trees, what do you expect?"

Lucy looked at him sadly, almost in pity. "They used to dance."

Trumpkin was quiet a moment. "It wasn't long after you left that the Telmarines invaded. Those who survived retreated to the woods. The trees... retreated into themselves, and they haven't been heard from since."

Lucy shook her head. "I don't understand. How could Aslan have let this happen?"

Trumpkin looked at her strangely. "Aslan? Thought he abandoned us when you lot did." Then he looked away, turning so that all I could see of him was his hairy head.

I sat in silence like the rest, my body numb.

The Narnians had been driven out after I had left. It was my fault. If I had stayed, and made sure everything was taken care of, maybe I could have prevented this from happening... But instead I had selfishly followed them back into England, leaving Tumnus and the Beavers in charge, telling myself that everything would be fine. But really, I had abandoned Narnia. And now barbarians had invaded and driven the true citizens of Narnia into hiding and near extinction. I sat silently, the others not noticing how pale I'd grown.

Peter was the next to speak. "We didn't mean to leave, you know," he said over his shoulder as he rowed.

"It makes no difference now, does it?" said Trumpkin.

"Get us to the Narnians, and it will," Peter answered with finality, his jaw clenched.

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We continued to row all morning and afternoon. At the deepest inland point, we rowed up to the pebbly beach and hopped out. Anduril trotted up onto the beach, shaking himself off like a great big dog. We dragged the boat up, and then Lucy wandered off a little ways.

"Hello there," I heard her call cheerfully.

I frowned and glanced up to see her talking to a black bear that was rummaging around an old log. It spotted her and stood up on its back legs with a grunt. My eyes widened when I saw it wasn't a Talking Bear.

"It's all right, we're friends!" Lucy went on talking to it, walking forward. The bear dropped down onto all fours again, making huffing noises and growling.

Trumpkin looked up from what he was doing and cried, "Don't move, your Majesty!"

Lucy looked over her shoulder with a frown of confusion. While she had her back turned, the bear charged, moving with surprising speed for such a large, lumbering creature.

Lucy glanced at it with fear and turned to run. Trumpkin ran for the boat and his bow, and Susan raised hers.

"Stay away from her!" she cried as she pulled back the string.

I cried out as Lucy tripped on her long skirt, falling to the ground as the bear reared up over her, raising his paw to swipe at her with a roar.

Edmund, Peter, and I ran up from the boat as Edmund shouted, "Shoot, Susan, shoot!"