“This ship is wonderful!” Lucy bounded barefoot onto the main deck of Caspian’s new flagship in a short turquoise bathing dress as the vessel headed for open water, having changed out of the formal gown she’d worn for the christening ceremony. Her long golden hair flashed like rippling waves of diamonds as she spun crazy circles until she staggered dizzily and collapsed against the railing on her knees.
“The Achenlands haven’t changed a bit!” she sighed, “The sea is glorious! Everything is glorious!”
“Nain reminds me so much of Lune.” Susan appeared more sedately; also barefoot, she wore a cherry red bathing dress and her long ebony hair was loosely bound with dozens of pins; Reepicheep sat on her shoulder.
Giving the barefoot, bare-chested High King a quiet nod as the Mouse hopped down to inspect the decorative carving on the railing, she continued, “That’s what I’m most thankful for. As you and I go home, we know Caspian has a steady friend like we did.”
“Too true…” Peter looked wistful, leaning against the mast to stare into the sky as if trying to memorize every detail. His eyes came to rest on the ship’s brilliant purple sails before turning back to Caspian, “How did you come up with the name, Dawn Treader?”
“Well, I started toying with names right after Nain told me he was sending it.” the new King was still wearing sandals and a tunic with the Lion’s image on the front, “I picked Dawn Treader because a new era is here–the sun or the dawn, if you will, is treading at the door and I plan to open that door and give Narnia back to the Narnians.”
“Excellent!” Edmund, who was barefoot and bare-chested, clapped his hands, “We couldn’t have done any better ourselves.”
“I’ll say,” Lucy beamed, “What a wonderful expression of faith.” Her eyes turned towards the prow, “That’s a beautiful dragon’s head. It reminds me of what beautiful woodwork comes from Archenland.” She sighed, thinking back, “I do think I prefer Splendor Hyaline’s swan’s head though, but that’s just me.”
“I agree.” Susan said, “It’s beautiful, but—”
“Oh, stop it.” Edmund rolled his eyes, “Don’t listen to them, Caspian. Sometimes they just start talking like girls and—”
“Oh, well, excuse us—” Susan snorted.
“Alright, alright,” Peter laughed, “if you three could pipe down, Dr. Cornelius has just come.”
Caspian’s old tutor bowed low. “Forgive the intrusion, your majesties,” he had a twinkle in his eyes, “but the table is ready and we have much to talk about.”
“We certainly do,” Peter led the way, “and I’m hungry as a bear.”
“You always did have a healthy appetite at sea.” Susan caught up to take his elbow and their younger siblings came arm in arm a step behind. Caspian and Cornelius brought up the rear.
“It’s the fresh salty air, I think.” he replied, as they gathered around a quaint table, “And the freedom.” Catching the young Archen waiter after he took their order, the High King added, “Thank you and your king for your continued friendship to Narnia.”
“It’s our pleasure, your majesty.” the young man made a quick bow before scurrying away.
“Now then,” Peter turned towards Cornelius as they waited for their food and everyone leaned forward in anticipation, “I assume Aslan wouldn’t send us on this journey if that heinous story weren’t true, so the question is, do you know it’s location?”
“It is said,” the old tutor began gravely, “that the ship came to rest not far from your old Cair Paravel. When the Telmarines made it unseaworthy, they really did their job.”
“But where?” Edmund’s face was set in stone.
“Cathedral Cove, your maj—.”
“No!” Lucy gasped, the color draining from her face, “Not there!”
Dr. Cornelius nodded mournfully.
“But, that’s the place of celebration!” the younger Queen cried, “It’s where we all came together to dance and sing in celebration as a nation. Why, I used to swim with the merfolk and naiads there too.”
I remember taking Prince Rabadash there once.” Susan remarked, frowning slightly. “It was back when he first came to court me and I was still green in the ways of men.” She snorted, “He didn’t feel the same way about it as we do.”
Lucy giggled, “I remember his face when you guys came back to the Cair. He tried to hide it, but I thought he was going to run clear back across the desert for being spooked.”
“I wish he would have.” Edmund answered sourly, “It would have saved us a lot of trouble.”
“Remember when I got Tumnus into the water for a swim?” Lucy giggled again.
“Only because he was jealous of that young merman you kept on about!” Susan snorted, holding her hand over her mouth.
“Poor Mr. Tumnus…” Lucy sighed, “He hated getting his fur wet, but that day…”
“Guys…” Peter gently interrupted the reminiscing with a nod towards Dr. Cornelius, “The professor wants to speak.”
“I hate to be the bearer on hard news, you majesties,” the old tutor’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, “But the place is no longer so cheerful.” He paused for a moment to control himself, then went on, “I’m afraid that no one has entered its harbor since the day the ship sank. The merfolk stand guard at the entrance to see that it remains undisturbed.”
“Is it appropriate to go there then?” Caspian heartbeat quickened, “I’d hate to spoil their trust. I-I mean, I’ve never even met anyone who lives in the ocean.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Peter shook his head, “Aslan gave His permission. We’re going there on His business.”
“If memory serves me correctly,” Edmund spoke up as the waiters appeared with their breakfast, “We’ll probably come to it well before lunchtime.”
“Are you suggesting that we should dig in, Ed?” Peter smirked as he reached for his sisters’ hands, “If you’ll pardon us, Caspian, Cornelius, but we made it a tradition to hold hands when we blessed a meal during our reign.”
“I’m pleased to know it!” Caspian answered eagerly, reaching out as everyone rose to their feet, “I should like to continue it—particularly once I have a family of my own.”
“Aslan, we come to you with hearts full of gratitude this morning.” the High King began, taking a deep breath to control himself, “Thank you again for delivering Narnia out of her troubles and bless her with prosperity again. Thank you also for sending your spirit to rest on Caspain and guide him always to do what is right in your eyes.”
“Thank you also that Archenland is still a beloved friend to Narnia.” he continued, “Bless King Nain and his house for the kindness that he has shown us and may he and Caspian’s friendship continue to grow for their whole lives.”
“But, most of all,” he sucked in a deep breath, “from my selfish heart, thank you for allowing us to stay in this world a little longer. Particularly, I speak for Susan and I when I say that I don’t really feel like I’m ready to leave this place for good and I ask you to give us strength when the time comes. In the Lion’s name, amen.”
Sobered by his words and their earlier discussion, the little group ate a very quiet meal and it wasn’t long after the dishes were cleared away that Reepicheep reappeared, bowing deeply, “Mermaids spotted ahead, sire.” he stood at high alert, twirling his whiskers impatiently, “They’re armed and swimming in formation. Shall we meet them?”
“Certainly not.” Caspian bit the inside of his mouth to keep from laughing, “They’re only protecting sacred ground, Reep.” He nodded at his companions, “Come on, I guess we’d better get on deck.”
“You’re not nervous, are you, Caspian?” Lucy asked, noticing his pale face as they made their way up the stairs.
“Well, I’ve never met merfolk before…” the new King admitted sheepishly.
“You’ll be fine.” Susan encouraged him.
“They can be rather alarming at first.” Edmund advised.
“Oh, stop it, Ed!” Susan hissed.
“I’m just saying they can be a little alarming when you first meet them,” he put her off as Caspian opened the door and they filed out onto deck, “but once you’ve gained their trust, you can have no firmer friend.”
Hail, um-ah,” the new King’s face reddened as he leaned over the railing, speaking to a menacing-looking merman with long flowing white hair and a sparkling golden trident,“I-I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name…”
“It is King Silverfish you speak too.” a young warrior spoke up, gripping his smaller trident tightly when he noticed Reepicheep sizing him up from the railing, “You’re trespassing in sacred waters!”
“He is your king,” the Mouse bristled, “not a trespasser!”
“Enough, Reep.” Peter hissed, stepping forward with a low bow, “Hail Silverfish, king of the merfolk and defender of the seas.” His siblings gathered around him and a murmur of awe ran through the warriors.
“It’s true then…” Silverfish bowed reverently, “The Kings and Queens of old have returned to lead us once more.”
“No,” Peter shook his head gravely, “not to rule again, but to set a new King on our thrones. Caspian is our heir. He has our blessing and the Lion’s.”
“Forgive us, sire.” Silverfish and his warriors bowed low.
“I-I have much to learn.” Caspian tried to keep his voice from squeaking, “but I thank you for your allegiance. I didn’t mean to offend.”
“Why have you come, your majesties?” Silverfish asked, “Is there some way we can serve you?”
“Well, um, ah,” Caspian reddened again, suddenly at a loss for words.
“We’ve come on the Lion’s business.” Peter provided cover, putting a hand on the new King’s shoulder to steady him, “To finally tend to the dead in Cathedral Cove.”