Bring Back the Music (Return to Narnia)

Chapter 1

One beautiful morning, I lay reading a book on my pretty white sofa in Cair Paravel. Birds chirped merrily, the sky screamed a brilliant blue, and the summer sun drifted in over the sea. My rooms were nearest the east, for I loved to gaze at the sunrise by the seashore. I love the smell of the sea, and I love swimming in the sea. But most of all, I love the sea because beyond it lies Aslan's country. Few have been there, and one day I hope to.

I put down my book and gazed out the window. I was filled with excitement. Today was the day we would celebrate being a year in Narnia! Thousands of Talking Animals, Dryads, Naiads, dwarves, centaurs, fauns, and satyrs would come, and we would have a feast. Then there would be storytelling, dancing, and a concert with every imaginable instrument. I could hardly wait. Soon I would go down to the Great Hall to help with the preparations.

Suddenly, Ivy hurried into my chamber. "Lucy, something is wrong," she said.

"What is it?" I asked, alarmed by the tone of her voice.

"I'm not sure yet. All I know is that the birds on the west side of the castle have stopped singing, the bells don't ring anymore, and the musicians in that part of the castle say their instruments don't work."

"What?"

"I know it's odd, but I've a terrible feeling," she said. "Something is attacking Cair Paravel, and it's taking all the music along with it.""

"All the music?" I said. "Why would anybody want to get rid of music? It's completely harmless."

"I don't know," Ivy said. "What should we do?"

"Well..." I trailed off. I had no idea what we should do.

A scuttling noise came suddenly down the hall, and there came an urgent knock on my door. I ran to open it and looked down, knowing who I would see.

"Your Majesty," the mouse bowed quickly, "my mother!"

"Your mother, Cheepireep? What happened?" I asked, kneeling to talk to the mouse.

"She's gone!" Cheepireep squeaked. "She was humming the song for our concert tonight and trying to figure out what's wrong with the flute. Then I turned around and she was gone!"

"Gone?"

"Yes, and so is the entire orchestra. Someone's taken them. You have to help me, please, Your Majesty!" Cheepireep was nearly in tears.

"I will, Cheep. But it sounds like we all need to leave here. We may all be in danger. It will be much easier to help them if we are not captured ourselves."

Peter!" Ivy called.

"Yes, Ive, what is it?" Peter rushed from the throne room, concerned at Ivy's tone. He is a tall man, lean but strong. Peter has saved many frightened maidens, and fought many horrible beasts, but this situation made his caramel-colored brows furrow in fear.

"Peter, I'm going to get Edmund and Aquena. Get some provisions." Turning in the doorway, I murmured, "I don't think we'll be able to come back for a while."

I rushed down the hall toward the west wing, worried. Edmund and Aquena's rooms were close to the center of the castle, and I wasn't sure how far this evil magic had traveled. As I moved through the castle, I saw no one. Cheepireep must have spoken truth. Everyone who played an instrument or who was here for the concert tonight was gone. Maybe some of them all sensed the evil coming, just like Ivy, and left, I thought. I hope they are safe. I reached the end of the hall.

"Aquena! Edmund! Are you in there?" I called anxiously at the door. I entered, and found the newlyweds by the window, deep in conversation. They had just been married four months ago.

"Lucy! What's wrong?" Aquena asked, jumping up from the window seat. She was a small, slender girl, and her black hair flowed down her pale face. Always in a lovely shade of blue, Aquena's gown set off her sapphire eyes perfectly.

"Someone's spreading magic over the castle. We think it is destroying the ability to create music! The entire orchestra and all the guests are gone. We've got to go!" I was eager to get out of Cair Paravel as soon as possible.

Aquena stood. "What's the plan?"

"We're leaving?" Edmund asked.

"Yes, come quickly!" I cried, exasperated. "If we are captured or taken by the magic ourselves, we will not be able to help anyone. Let's go!"

The three of us flew back down the corridor and found Peter and Ivy ready.

"Let's go!" Peter whispered urgently. "Out the back door!"

Edmund unlocked it and ran through first, pulling Aquena after him. Ivy and Peter followed, and I came last, carrying Cheepireep in my pack. As soon as I crossed through the door, brilliant sunshine flooded my eyes. It seemed wrong, for my mood was anything but cheery now. The waves lapped the beach gently, unaware of the peril Narnia was in.

Peter took the lead and we ran toward the forest. "Where are we going?" I asked as we ran.

"You'll see, come on!" he answered. As soon as the trees hid us from view of the castle, we slowed to a walk. Edmund and Peter walked in front, quietly talking. Aquena, Ivy and I walked together, trying to catch our breaths.

"How can we warn the animals about the festival tonight?" said Ivy worriedly.

"I'll do it." Cheepireep seemed confident.

Aquena started, "No, Cheep-

"I'm going," Cheepireep continued. "I'll make sure no one comes anywhere close to Cair Paravel. I have friends that will help me."

"All right," I told him. "But come back as soon as you can!"

The noble mouse bowed and scampered away through the bushes.

"Aslan be with you," I whispered.

We continued far into the forest. The sun above us, peeking through the green tree tops of summer, climbed high into the sky. The light filtered in gently, and a few trees waved as we passed. I found myself enjoying the walk.

"Let's stop here." Edmund said abruptly.

"Here?" said Aquena skeptically. It did seem a random spot to camp. Nothing but trees was in sight.

"Yes, it's quite convenient, isn't it?" Edmund answered.

"What's convenient?" Aquena asked.

"These." Edmund walked over to a wall of ivy. He took out his knife and began to cut branches away. Peter was already tossing a pile aside. He sliced a thick vine and uncovered-

"A window!?" I gasped.

Ivy gaped. "A cottage."

"This'll be yours, Lu," Edmund said, still cutting away. "That one over there" -he pointed to another wall of ivy about twenty yards away- "is ours, Quen, and that one"- Edmund gestured to still another cottage- "is Peter and Ivy's."

"We found these on one of our hunting trips," Peter informed us. "I thought they'd be useful someday."

Ivy, Aquena and I unpacked the food and supplies while Edmund and Peter scrubbed the little houses until they shone. Then Ivy went and talked to all the trees around the clearing. The leader of the group was a large maple who was a cousin of hers, so all the trees were eager to help us. They promised to protect us from any evil magic that might try to enter our clearing. Confident that we were safe, the five of us moved into the cottages. And waited.