Outcast of Narnia

Chapter Three: Prisoner in the Land of Ruh

Lucy had gone to sleep in the dress that Susan brought, which was the same dress that Jill Pole had brought back with her from King Rilian’s court in Narnia. She woke several times, but only long enough to think that she was having a very good sleep, the kind that you have when school is over for the summer, and you have a long holiday ahead of you. Her bed had gotten very comfortable.

She woke to a bluish light that was entirely different from the grey light of a rainy summer’s morning in England. She opened her eyes and found herself looking at a large window framed with purple silk curtains. The dull light was sifting through from somewhere outside. She sat up quickly and looked around. She was in a stone chamber, its walls richly painted with strange scenes.

 “Reep!” she whispered. “Reep, are you here?”

“Your majesty?” she heard a high voice chirp as the fawn-coloured, trembling form of a mouse, walking upright on two legs, approached across the plum-coloured carpet.

“Begging your pardon, your majesty, but I’m not Sir Reepicheep and I don’t think he’d take very kindly to your calling me that name, if he ever comes to hear of it.”

“What shall I call you, then?” said Lucy.

“My name’s Scutterwag,” he mumbled. “Scutterwag of the Patterfoot family. We do have a long lineage stretching back to Reepicheep, so my mother used to say.”

“Well, Scutterwag,” said Lucy. “I’m honoured to make your acquaintance.” She realised that she could no longer pet him and put him in her pocket, so she reached out her hand and allowed him to kiss it—snuffle it, really. “Do you have any idea, loyal subject, what country this is?”

“Well, your majesty. I am as perplexed as you are. We went to sleep in that cold and rather dismal room, and here we are in this royal chamber.”

“Shhh,” said Lucy. Someone’s coming. “Hide yourself!” Scutterwag darted under the bed, and a great set of carved wooden doors began to swing open.

In lumbered a small grey creature with a head like a mushroom, and feet to match, carrying a large tray. It had two little eyes and a large nose that took up most of its face. It set the tray down on a small table and began sniffing towards the direction of the bed.

From the door came a loud voice. “Deliver your burden and leave.” The creature scurried out again.

Lucy whispered to Scutterwag, “That was close. That creature could smell you, I’m certain.”

“I know, your majesty. I could feel its nose, if you know what I mean.”

“We’ll have to find a better place for you to hide.”

“Begging your pardon, your majesty,” said Scutterwag, “but I’ve already done a bit of exploring. We mice are good at that, you know. Hiding underfoot where we’re least expected.”

“Sir Reepicheep was always one who liked to be noticed,” said Lucy. “But escaping notice also has its advantages.”

“Don’t you worry about me,” your majesty, said Scutterwag. “I can make myself scarce when I need to. These old places can’t keep a mouse in.”

Lucy began exploring the room, which included a long table with a mirror, washbasin and jewelled comb, and a writing desk with paper. At the foot of the bed was a carved chest in which was stored several sumptuous tunics and belts. It looked as though someone had prepared the room especially for her. She sat down to eat her breakfast.

When Lucy had eaten what was on the tray, or part of it—the goat’s milk, bread and olives, not the sheep’s eye—she washed her face and tidied her hair. The Narnian garment she had slept in was crumpled, and she smoothed it as best she could. Although it felt warm for the climate, she was not yet ready to put on one of the robes in the chest or the heavy gold necklace and gold circlet laid out on the table. She did select a pair of jewelled slippers, though—she had gone to sleep barefoot, and it did not appear that Aslan, or whoever had brought her here, had thought to bring her shoes.

She had only just finished combing her hair when there was a booming knock and the doors swung open again. Two warriors entered the room and crossed their spears in front of Lucy. They wore gold bracelets and earrings.

“My lady, you are commanded at once to attend my Lord Gennaios, Supreme Ruler of the Land of Ruh.”

“Can anyone tell me where I am and why I am here?” demanded Lucy.

“Lord Gennaios knows all, if he chooses to tell it,” said one of the guards, giving the other a knowing look.

“Then I shall ask him myself,” said Lucy imperiously, and swept out of the door ahead of the guards.