Guardian of Narnia

Chapter 34

"The wind has left us."

"So how do we get to Ramandu's Island now then?"

"My guess is somet doesn't want us to get there," Drinian answered as he walked away from the two king and elf.

Alex followed Caspian and Edmund up to the top deck. She down at the men working on the deck.

"If I get any hungrier," she heard someone mutter, "I'm gonna eat that dragon!"

Drinian climbed up the stairs to rejoin the small group.

"If we don't find land by tonight," he said, looking up at Eustace, "they may well eat that dragon."

The ship suddenly rocked violently, throwing the crew off their feet. Alex grabbed onto a post to try and stay up right.

"What did we hit?" Caspian asked as he helped Drinian up.

Alex smiled when she looked at the front of the ship. Edmund followed her gaze and smiled widely.

"Eustace, that's brilliant!" he cried.

The crew turned to look ahead of them. Eustace was at the front of the Dawn Treader, his tail wrapped around the dragon carving's snout. He was flapping his wings hard, dragging the ship faster through the water.

"Onward, ho!" Reepicheep shouted.

The crew cheered, happy to see that they were moving more quickly now and that Eustace was trying to help. Alex smiled at the dragon-boy, the wind rushing her hair even more now.

~

The Dawn Treader reached Ramandu's Island before the sun lowered into the sea. Caspian quickly ordered for the boats to be made ready. The crew loaded the boats and made for shore, ready to search the island for Aslan's Table. Alex and Edmund led them, as Alex had seen a fortress at the top of the island and they both could provide light for them. Alex did not tell anyone, but her powers were much weaker now than they were at the volcanic island. She was using a large amount of her strength just to light the path before them.

By nightfall, they reached the castle. Lucy, Caspian, and Edmund carried the lords' swords with them for when they found the Table. Alex and Edmund followed the stone path through the old castle, which eventually led to a courtyard. Alex was surprised when she saw a long table standing in the middle of the yard, covered in food. She stared at the food for a moment before continuing towards the end.

"Mmm," she heard Tavros say. "Food."

Alex glanced over her shoulder at them. She caught Drinian's eye and shook her head slightly.

"Wait," he said, watching the royals and the elf proceed down the table.

Alex turned back around and looked ahead of her. There seemed to be a large, twisted figure at the end of the table. She shone her light on it to reveal three figures covered in branches. Edmund gasped slightly. Some of the crew pulled out their swords. Alex glanced at her friends before continuing forward. She could make out three old faces through the branches, though their hair was long and wild.

"Lord Revilian," Caspian said, seeing the lord's ring. "Lord Mavramorn."

"And Lord Argoz," Alex added.

She saw Lucy pull away Lord Mavramorn's hair, only to jump back in shock.

"He's breathing," Caspian whispered in amazement.

He looked at the others as Edmund and Alex illuminated their faces. All three lords were still breathing.

"So are they," Edmund said. "They're under a spell."

"It's the food!" Alex shouted, looking back at the crew.

She spotted Tavros with an apple in his hand. The minotaur froze and dropped the fruit. She couldn't help but smile slightly at him.

"Hey, it's the stone knife," Edmund said, causing Alex to look back at the table. She saw the dagger lying on the table. "This is Aslan's Table."

"Their swords," Caspian said, pulling one out of its sheath. Edmund and Lucy did the same. "On the Table." The three laid down the swords.

"That's six."

"Still missing one."

Alex stared as the swords began to glow blue. Caspian glanced at Alex, but shook her head.

"Look!" Lucy said.

The group looked into the sky. The Blue Star was slowly falling down towards them. When it touched the ground, the star suddenly took the form of a woman in a white dress.

"Travelers of Narnia," she said, "welcome." The crew bowed before her. "Arise. Are you not hungry?"

"Who are you?" Edmund asked.

"I'm Liliandil, daughter of Ramandu. I am your guide."

"You're a star?" Caspian said.

She looked at him and nodded.

"You are most beautiful," Edmund commented.

Lucy and Alex looked at him in surprise.

"If it is a distraction for you, I can change form."

"No!" the young king said quickly.

The two girls chuckled lightly at the boy's behavior.

"Please," Liliandil said. "The food is for you." She waved her hands and the candles on the table lit up. "There is enough for all who are welcome at Aslan's Table. Always. Help yourselves."

The crew started forward, but Edmund spoke up.

"Wait! What happened to them?" He motioned to the lords.

"These poor men were half mad by the time they reached our shores. They were threatening violence upon each other. Violence is forbidden at the table of Aslan. So they were sent to sleep."

"Will they ever wake?" Lucy asked.

"When all is put right. Come, there is little time."

She turned and began to walk away. Alex was the first to follow, her friends close behind her. Alex couldn't help but smile a little. The closer she was to Liliandil, the better she felt. The star-woman looked back at her and gave her a smile. Liliandil led the small group to a balcony not far from the Table.

"The magician, Coriakin, told you of Dark Island?" she asked.

"Yes," Alex answered.

They looked out over the water to see a dark glowing island. Alex shivered a little and felt her energy weaken for a brief moment.

"Before long," Liliandil continued, "the evil will be unstoppable."

"Coriakin said to break its spell, we lay the Seven Swords at Aslan's Table," Caspian said.

"He speaks the truth."

"But we only found six," Edmund pointed out. "Do you know where the seventh is?"

The star-woman pointed at Dark Island and said, "in there. You will need great courage." She paused and turned to face them. "Now, waste no time."

"I hope we meet again," Edmund said with a small smile.

Liliandil looked at him and nodded.

"Goodbye." She looked at Alex. "Stay strong, Daughter of Light."

Alex nodded. Liliandil returned to her star form and flew up into the air. Alex winced slightly when she felt a wave of pain rush through her. Now that Liliandil was gone, the pain Dark Island was giving her had returned.

"We should get going," Caspian suggested. "We must stop the evil before it becomes too strong."