When We Collide // Narnia

Chapter 16 - For Narnia

"Eustace, please could you fly up ahead with Reep and see what we are facing? You can get a closer look then we can from the ship." Caspian called up to the dragon that was floating overhead, the little mouse sitting atop his head.

Eustace was reluctant. Yes he looked menacing and stronger now but inside he was still a little boy, a little human boy that was just as scared as they were.

"There it is my friend. The battle awaits." Reepicheep excitedly shouted when Eustace and he had flown closer to the island, attempting to observe it closely before Caspian sent the ship into its clutches.

Eustace was terrified when he looked at the island more closely. A green hue emitted from it, smoke engulfed the mountains and green flames shot up into the sky. Eustace wasn't going to get into the middle of this; the others could sort this out without his help.

"Eustace, no, stop. Eustace halt." Reep yelled at the top of his lungs when Eustace suddenly turned direction and started flying away from the island as fast as he could. Reepicheep wasn't about to let the boy give up this easily, it was time he took a stand.

"I will not accept surrender. A noble warrior does not run from fear. Look at me? Look at me when I'm talking to you." Reepicheep scolded, resting on the end of the dragon's nose and noticing that the boy was trying to avoid his gaze at all cost.

"I am a mouse. You, you're a dragon. You've got skin like chainmail and you breathe fire. Come on, let's meet our destiny." The little mouse urged successfully, raising his sword aloft when Eustace turned back and headed straight for the island he had been so adamant to avoid only moments before.

The crew of the Dawn Treader had been watching the dragon's actions up above. If he, a huge dragon was terrified of this island then what in hells name was set to meet them.

Lauren, her cousins and Caspian could see how nervous and on edge the crew were becoming with each passing second. If they were going to succeed then everyone had to be completely confident in their own ability and in their ability to win as one whole unit.

"We need to say something. We need to encourage the men forward." Lauren thought aloud, Caspian holding her securely to his side whilst she said this.

"I am their leader. It is my duty to give them the encouragement they need. I will do it." The Narnian king decided letting go of Lauren's hand and then quietly moving to the front of the ship so that all of the men would be able to see and hear him when he made his speech.

Lauren could see how nervous Caspian was. Over the last few months she had learnt his characteristics so well and there was no mistaking the feelings that were going through his body at that moment in time. She knew this would be hard for him to say, to get his crew confident of success when he was so unsure himself. But like he said he was their leader and it was his duty.

"Men, listen to me." Caspian called to the crowd, all then congregating so they could see and hear their king.

"No matter what happens here, every soul that stands before me has earned their place on the crew of the Dawn Treader. Together we have travelled far, together we have faced adversity, together we can do it again." Caspian began, getting more confidence in his voice with each passing word. He was encouraging himself and not just the men.

Lucy, Edmund and Lauren looked at him delivering the words that the crew needed to hear so much. Lauren had never been so proud of anyone more in her life. The man standing in front of her was truly an admirable king, a leader that would always put Narnia first.

"So now is not the time to fall to fierce temptations. Be strong. Never give in. Our world, our Narnian lives depend on it. Think of the lost souls we are here to save. Think of Aslan. Think of Narnia." He finished, a tear catching his eye when every man in turn began chanting.