Never Say Goodbye

The Telmarine Rider

Never Say Goodbye

Chapter 4: The Telmarine Rider

Aaralyyn

               I was earnest in my desire to want to help the Narnians take back Narnia, and terrified of having to lead them into battle alone. Edmund made sure I knew how to fight in case the need should arise, but that didn't make me a fighter. I greatly disliked the idea of causing harm to another person. The only bit of real fighting I'd ever done was in the Battle of Anvard, and there I stayed with the archers. Not to mention, I knew very little of how to strategize and plan for war; that was always a task left for Edmund and Peter.

Trufflehunter was eager to introduce me to the rest of the Narnians and wanted to begin doing so immediately. It was Trumpkin's suggestion that I first meet with Glenstorm, the leader of the last remaining Centaurs, and see what the stars had to say that gave me some time to prepare. Glenstorm would read the stars again on the next full moon when the Narnians would gather on the Dancing Lawn. That left me two days to think of a plan of attack.

But I was left with nothing. No matter how hard I tried, I could think of nothing to do. I didn't understand why Aslan would send me into Narnia alone. I was a singer not a warrior. I sang and told stories at balls and feasts. I didn't go to war. The only reason I rode to Anvard, was because I was worried of losing Edmund and I wanted to be nearby should anything have happened to him. How could I lead a small group of Narnians into battle against a nation of Telmarines, who, according to Trumpkin and Nikabrik, were ruthless and vile men who feared nothing?

The solution to my dilemma came in a very unexpected manner.

XXX

"Thank you, Clodsley, your gift is most appreciated," I said to the Chief Mole.

Word of my arrival had quickly spread to the Narnians throughout the whole of Shuddering Wood. Pattertwig had been mostly responsible for that. And though many Narnians were waiting to meet me at the Dancing Lawn, a few had come by Trufflehunter's to see me sooner. Clodsley Shovel was among them and he had brought an old stone he had unearthed as a gift.

"You are most welcome, Your Majesty. It has been a great honor to meet you, and I thank you for the generous time afforded to an old Mole such as myself."

"It was my pleasure, truly. Now do be careful out there. It looks as though there's to be a terrible storm tonight."

"You should not fear, my Queen. We Moles are quite secure in our burrows."

Clodsley bid farewell to my hosts and then shuffled out the door. My three Narnian hosts had barely left me alone in the two days I'd been in Narnia, though for different reasons. Nikabrik was still convinced I was a Telmarine spy, and he didn't want to let me out of his sight. Trufflehunter was confident in the fact that I was indeed Queen Aaralynn, and he didn't want to leave me alone with Nikabrik in case he should try something foul against me. Trumpkin was different. I don't think he thought me a Telmarine spy, but I don't think he was entirely convinced that I was a Queen of Old either.

I was right about the storm that was coming. Not long after Clodsley had left the wind began to pick up. The rain soon followed. Before long the storm was raging so terribly it shook the small den. Trees fell nearby, trees so large the ground trembled when they hit, and branches snapped off. It was terrifying and none of us were able to sleep through the noise. We were gathered in the small open area when there was banging at the door. Trumpkin went to see who it was and a moment later a very disheveled Clodsley came in.