Starless Sky

Chapter One: Homecoming

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~ Narnia, Cair Paravel ~

Caspian stared at the great gleaming castle and the citadel he knew spread away on the other side of it, as the ship upon which he stood sailed into the sweeping cove. He did not feel ready to return. But at the same time, he was. It had taken them nearly a year to sail to the End of the World but only six months and a single week to return. He knew responsibility was waiting. He loathed it while at the same time longing for anything to ease the pain at the thought of Lucy and Edmund not returning.

What if something should befall Narnia? What if he had need of someone to aid him in a battle against an enemy thought subdued? He did not think a little boy of no more than twelve winters and summers could help him, though Susan tried to convince him otherwise. He told himself that his fears were unfounded, based upon grief and denial, but he also couldn't be sure. Pushing the thoughts from his mind, he stared at Cair Paravel with a small bit of pride.

Not for himself but for the Narnians. The last time he had set eyes upon Cair, it had been near-finished but still in quite a state of chaos. Now, even from this distance, he could tell it was finished, fully restored to its majesty of old. As he marveled over the sight, thoughts drifting to the past and wondering what the Pevensies had thought of this great structure when they returned from ocean voyages, he heard laughter and footsteps behind him.

He turned, pushing his dark hair from his eyes as he moved against the wind, to see what was going on. Susan was smiling, holding Rilian's hands as he walked unsteadily in front of her. The boy giggled, every so often looking up at his mother with blue eyes and a bright smile. She paused, tilting her head to look up at Caspian.

"I thought you would like to watch someone learn to walk." Her voice was breathless with merriment, and she smiled warmly before looking back down at her son and whispering something in his ear which caused him to giggle.

"Indeed I do. Rilian, walk to me; can you walk to me?" he encouraged his son, opening his arms and smiling at the boy.

For a moment, the little boy appeared doubtful of the space between his mother and his father before slipping his hands from Susan's and walking precariously to his father across the slightly rocking deck.

When the boy had tripped into his father's arms, his small hands wrapping around his father's neck, Caspian looked up at Susan. She smiled fondly, watching the two. They were similar, she thought, but quite different. And she knew only time would tell. Susan wondered, as Caspian picked his son up and turned and pointed to Cair Paravel, if any of Rilian's children – perhaps even his descendants – would inherit Caspian's brown eyes.

She watched the two dark-haired men in her life stare at Cair Paravel. Unable to withhold her excitement any longer, she walked up to them. "I can't believe we're finally home. It will be so good to be back!" she murmured, resting her head on Caspian's shoulder. She was saddened, and there was an ache in her heart that she knew would never lessen – she'd only grow accustomed to it with time – because her siblings would nevermore return, but she understood the odd ways of Narnia and knew they might come back someday, when Aslan decided it was time.

"Yes, though I wonder what awaits us in the Courts and Council chambers?" Caspian glanced down at her, a small smile on his face, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Nothing more than all kings and queens have had to deal with over the centuries. But you have something in your favor that we did not."

"And what would that be?" Caspian asked, noticing the sparkle in her eyes at the amusing secret she held.

"Telmar is already on your side. It took us many years to bring up a shaky alliance with that country, even after Edmund was abducted," she answered, looking once more in Cair's direction, watching the pennants that hung from the towers and walls ripple and unfurl in the breeze.

"Edmund was abducted?" Caspian repeated as he shifted his hold on Rilian when the boy moved to look at something other than Cair Paravel which had attracted his childish attention.

"Actually, he left us; he let himself get captured by Isshiah. But it's a long story, and if anyone should tell it, it should be Edmund. But I will tell you one thing more: because of that venture, he hates the lash. He could not bear to see it be used in his presence. Not on man or beast. He understands its pain and the agony it brings." Susan reached for Rilian as he squirmed, knowing that it would not be long before they'd have to change for the gathering of nobles and Narnians that would be awaiting them at the docks.

"Well, for Edmund's sake, I shall not suggest it as punishment again." Caspian turned back to her as she moved to go.

"I do believe he would like that." Susan smiled quickly one last time and hurried back to the cabin before her tears fell. Edmund would have liked it. It would have made him look gratefully at Caspian, perhaps even nod and tell of his temporary residency in Isshiah's dungeons, but now she would never know. As she set Rilian down on the rug for him to play with something entertaining while she changed, she wiped her tears off her cheeks hurriedly. It would not do for the Queen of Narnia – Telmar, too, she reasoned – to have tear-stained cheeks and red-rimmed eyes when she departed the ship.

Walking over to her trunk which she had pulled from under the bed, she lifted the lid to find the gown she would wear when she disembarked. Oh, how she didn't want to do this yet! She felt that it was the day before their departure, and she should be packing this dress and the other garments away deep into the trunk and pushing it far under the bed. Ignoring her tears, realizing she would cry them no matter what, she slipped off her boots and began to remove slippers and the waxed box containing her crown from the trunk.

Caspian, in the chart room, was already dressed; he was only staring at his crown on a table now bare of maps and charts, small gouges in it from the daggers that had once held the maps in place. This adventure was really over, wasn't it? He sighed, turning around and running his fingers through his hair, ruffling it again after he had just brushed it. Suddenly he had an overwhelming feeling to order Drinian to turn the Dawn Treader about and return to the ocean, where he could feel the wind at his back and forget about "proper clothes" and wearing the heavy Telmarine crown on his head.

He didn't want to live as he had once, among rules, etiquette, and the solemnity of Telmar. He wanted to laugh freely, let his wife dance to the Narnian tunes she knew so well and longed to join in; he wanted his son to have a better life than he had. He abruptly stopped pacing – something he hadn't noticed he was doing – and stared blankly at the floor beneath his feet. Suddenly he jerked back to life, turning and practically running out the door, flinging it wide and not bothering to close it.

He opened the cabin door without waiting, just as Susan finished clasping a string of pearls around her neck, a dark Telmarine gown on, its heavy skirts cumbersome and its sleeves uncomfortable. She looked at him in the mirror briefly before standing and turning to get a closer look at his face. "Caspian, what is it?" she asked, coming to him, worried.

"I don't want to see you in that horrid thing; I hate that dress. I hate my own clothes. Find something Narnian and put it on!" he answered readily, his eyes sparkling with energy and excitement.

"W-why, what has happened to you?" Susan's concern showed plainly on her face as she lightly placed her hand on his arm.

"I cannot stand this; I am the king, and you the queen. We should be able to wear what we wish, and no one should tell us otherwise! I do not care for ridiculous fashion, and neither do you. I know you want to wear something Narnian; so do it. Pretend we have not planned for this day, and we are wearing all that we have; throw those things overboard if you must, but wear something Narnian. If I am forced to dress like my people, then I shall, but you will not bend to their whims any longer," he answered, the tone of his voice adamant and serious.

"What has caused this change of mind?" Susan asked as a smile slowly came across her features.

"I have tasted Narnian freedom a bit too long; I'm not quite ready to let it go," he admitted, shrugging slightly. She turned back to the mirror and her trunk, but before she had moved more than a step away from him, he caught her around the waist and drew her close. "Also, I think you look far lovelier in Narnian clothes. Something about seeing you in them reminds me of Old Narnia, that things can be that way again," he whispered.

"Perhaps they can," she replied, looking back at him.

"Of course, if I try to make it so," he answered, releasing her and turning to go.

"If we try, you mean," she said with a smile before he closed the cabin door. He nodded as he left.

Walking back down the stairs to the chart room, Drinian stopped Caspian. "I can't believe we have returned home after all that has happened; it feels like I shouldn't be seeing this place again. It seems wrong that we've lost so many people and yet survive to see Cair Paravel once more." Drinian's brown curls were longer than normal after so many months at sea, and the unruly locks hid his eyes from view as he looked down, not meeting Caspian's gaze.

"I understand. We started with three Stars, found three young adults swimming in the middle of the ocean, and acquired a good man and his daughter in Narrowhaven. Now we return with not a single Star, none of those people we found, and two crew members short. It does feel strangely quiet now. But they are not dead, Drinian, just absent from our view. Somewhere out there are three people, three Stars, and two sailors who will always be in our memory." Caspian rested his hand comfortingly on Drinian's shoulder.

"I know; it still seems strange, though," Drinian whispered, sighing and looking away, back towards the east and Aslan's Country, towards all the adventures they had had and had left behind.

"I believe things will always be strange in Narnia. It is an unusual land, but a good one." Caspian smiled, starting back down the stairs.

"A good one," Drinian repeated Caspian's words under his breath, looking one final time into the east before moving to stand at the helm. He and the crew had changed from their rather worn clothes a while ago. Now they all waited to arrive in port.

~|:Xo0oX:|~

As Susan finished placing her crown on her head, her dark hair now falling over her shoulders and down her back – she was slightly surprised at how much longer it had become – a clear horn sounded, and she remembered all the times she had return to Cair Paravel by sea. She listened to the sounds of sailors going about securing the ship to the docks and of the gangway being lowered. For a moment, it was quiet, and then suddenly two Telmarine women and a single Narnian entered the cabin.

She turned to them, and they bowed, whispering words of respect and titles. Susan barely withheld her sigh; she missed the Narnia of Old. They questioned her attire only once; after she had said it was the King's wish she dress so, they spoke of the matter no more. The Narnian woman, Vivian, picked Rilian up, though Susan said she could carry her son off the ship.

"Please, your Highness, it is custom," Vivian whispered, her dark eyes darting quick glances at the two Telmarine ladies-in-waiting who were closing Susan's trunk and putting away her things.

"Of course then, but I shall see how long this 'custom' remains in its place," Susan answered, reluctantly placing her son in the Narnian's arms. As she turned, the other women urged her out the door, walking behind her. When she arrived on deck, she smiled. Caspian had several Lords and the like surrounding him, talking in worried voices over his style of clothing, though Caspian himself seemed unconcerned about it.

"My Queen," he said formally, leaving the men and coming to her side. After that, all babble ceased or was at least reserved to barely discernable tittering behind them as they walked toward the gangway. When they came in sight of the docks, their smiles went from formally forced to genuine. Several hundred Narnians stood before them, cheering and shouting the ringing battle cry of Narnia.

And something else caused them to smile. There were quite a few Telmarine courtiers who had, it seemed, started to adopt the Narnian dress. Their clothes were of bright, tasteful cloth of a Narnian variety, and they generally seemed far more at ease than when the royal couple had last seen them. It was a refreshing sight. Caspian nodded to several people and Susan lifted her hand from her side and waved; as they left the gangway, she would reach out and momentarily clasped the hand of someone, be it a Narnian or a Telmarine.

Caspian stopped when they came to the seaside entrance of the castle after walking from the docks. There stood Aslan, golden and solemn. Beside the lion stood several Narnians and a few Telmarines; Professor Cornelius looked more like a dwarf than man next to Trumpkin, who was standing alongside Glenstorm the centaur, and Durken seemed slightly more human than Star after the company had sailed with his brothers.

"King and Queen of Narnia, it is well you have returned; though, perhaps you are not so quick to celebrate," Aslan said understandingly as he nodded his regal head to the monarchs.

"We cannot deny our people the right to rejoice at our return. We know what has happened is not for evil; however, it is human nature to mourn just a little," Caspian replied, smiling slightly at the lion as he nodded in return.

"You have spoken wisely, my son. Now, where is Drinian, captain of the Dawn Treader, the only vessel to ever sail to the World's End?" Aslan asked, turning to gaze at the following that had amassed behind Susan and Caspian.

"I am here, Aslan," Drinian answered, coming from somewhere behind Caspian and Susan. He nodded to his king and then walked passed him to kneel before the lion.

Aslan lightly set his paw on the kneeling captain's shoulder. "Lord Drinian, your faith is something to be desired among many. I thank you heartily for not giving in when all seemed lost. To your name and your children's names, even to the last generation, shall be the title 'Lord of the Dawn Treader, Knight of the Noble Order of the Table.' As is King Edmund's, so now will yours be. Bear this name with honor befitting a man of your stature. Do not forget whom you serve, even unto death." Aslan lifted his paw from Drinian's shoulder, giving him leave to rise.

"Thank you, Aslan; I cannot express…" Drinian could not think of words to cover his gratitude.

"I need no words of thanks, only actions befitting what I have given you," Aslan replied, turning to rest his eyes upon the lady-in-waiting holding Rilian. "Bring the young Prince to me," he requested, a note of mirth coming into his voice, his eyes seeming to hold laughter and merriment.

Susan took her son gently from the slightly baffled Lady and walked to Aslan, Caspian by her side.

"I believe a custom long abandoned should now be renewed; do you not agree, Gentle one?" Aslan remarked, looking at Susan.

"Yes, Aslan; oh, yes," Susan answered, smiling first at the lion then at her son in her arms. The little boy was leaning towards Aslan, arms outstretched and a smile on his face.

"Well then, Rilian of Narnia, son of King Caspian and Queen Susan, I bless you; may you be strong throughout your life, and may you face your foes with might and valor, like a true king, little one." Aslan stared down at the boy. So intent on making certain her son did not squirm from her grasp, Susan failed to notice the look that passed through Aslan's eyes.

"Now come; long have you been away from Cair Paravel. It has been restored with both Narnian and Telmarine hands, as well as aid of my own. It has been many years since I have strode these halls; I wish to remember," Aslan declared joyfully, turning and walking toward the doors of Cair that were thrown wide to allow in sunlight as well as welcome the return of the monarchs.

And so, Caspian and Susan returned from the voyage across the ocean. The voyage of the Dawn Treader, as many would come to remember and retell it in years to come.

~|:Xo0oX:|~

After the festivities had lapsed and things returned to a somewhat normal medium, Caspian and Susan began easing back into the life they had left, which was not like the life they had left. Aslan had returned things to a more Narnian state of mind throughout the castle and the land of Narnia. There were still Lords and a Council, but they were not all of Telmarine descent. Durken and Trumpkin had been excellent regents over Narnia and Telmar in the time Caspian and Susan had been away. Durken had handled the Telmarines with equity and sensibility, since he was more familiar with the ways of Men than Trumpkin.

He had ended disputes and settled arguments over land, slowly bringing the Telmarines into Narnian ways and customs. Many of the Telmarines, though the younger generation had taken an avid interest in the Narnians, had returned to Telmar, which Trumpkin, Durken, Glenstorm, and young Lord Roridan – a relative of Rhoop's – had deemed a fine thing if they truly wished it.

Lord Roridan, upon learning that Caspian had discovered the fates of all the lords and that his uncle was yet breathing, asked of his father's brother and why he had not returned to Narnia. Caspian told him that, though there was peace once more between Narnia and Telmar, old minds cannot easily go back; Roridan had accepted this easily enough.

Zephyr, who had promised Liliandil that he would see her again should they vanquish the mist, had indeed returned to Ramandu's Island after his brother had ascended to the heavens and Gavan had been given blessing from Aslan to enter Queen Lucy's world. But, upon arriving at the Lone Islands, he stayed with Arran's crew, who had politely declined the offer to join Narnia's Navy, at least for a time. They had taken Arran's loss quietly, though it was clear the Star had been a dear friend and honored captain.

The only thing Zephyr told Caspian was that he would return to Narnia when the time was right. He had not before condoned or respected his brother for his self-chosen occupation, but now he felt he wished to understand it, and in some degree of understanding it, understand his brother. He also said he had something he must do before setting foot on Narnian soil once again. It would be some years before Caspian was to know what that was. Until then, he bid the Star goodbye, safe journey, and Aslan keep him.

~|:Xo0oX:|~

Because Zephyr had not returned with them and because Durken could not ascend to the heavens to talk with Arran, it was left to Caspian and Susan to explain why two of his brothers would no longer join him and his family at their hearth and table. Durken, upon hearing what had befallen Arran, reacted as any brother might, with anguish. He had asked to be left alone, and Caspian had gladly concurred, leaving the young man and his wife alone to mourn this turn of events that had so acutely transformed their world overnight.

"Thank you, Caspian, for telling me of Arran," Durken whispered, slowly making his way to a chair and falling into it, his expression stunned. Lyra came up to him, sliding her arm around his shoulders consolingly. "I do not know how I will tell Father and Mother," he declared momentarily, an odd, bewildered smile coming to his face as he glanced up at Caspian, still in shock.

"Arran fought for Narnia well; I could not have asked for a better ally," Caspian said kindly, not knowing how to ease his friend's pain.

"At least he is not gone forever, to sleep eternally in the Night," Durken whispered absently, staring off across the room with unseeing eyes.

"That is a good thing, darling," Lyra agreed, lightly brushing back his thick blonde hair, crouching next to his chair and looking up at him.

"I just cannot believe he is gone to permanent ascension in the heavens; I cannot fathom my brother a full Star; how he always hated them," Durken murmured. "Oh, Caspian, forgive me, I did not know you were still here." Durken noticed the King again, though he did not move to rise from his seat. "I do not want to seem ungrateful, but would you leave me and my wife alone? So we might suffer this in quiet for a time," Durken requested simply, his eyes looking away from Caspian's to stare blankly at the floor.

"Of course; please know I am deeply sorry for your loss," Caspian said as he moved to exit Durken and Lyra's apartments.

~|:Xo0oX:|~

When they had returned to the Lone Islands, Zephyr had not known how to tell Azalea that Arran would no longer see her; he asked Susan if she might be the one to tell the young woman, since he did not think he could handle the matter. She had accepted the task, and when she was able to find Azalea alone – in the garden where Lucy had gone with Ivy – one evening, she decided to tell her.

"Azalea, might we sit here and talk for a moment?" Susan asked, coming to a stone bench under an arbor that gave the occupant a breathtaking view of the ocean.

"Of course," Azalea concurred distractedly, arranging her skirts as she sat next to the older woman. "What's wrong?" she asked quizzically, looking at Susan's face and noticing her uncertain expression.

"I have been told to tell you something… But I realize that though I know what I'm going to say, I suddenly feel my words useless and hollow compared to what will follow them," Susan admitted, shrugging slightly and flashing the young woman a quick, empty smile of discomfort.

"Well, nevertheless whatever follows your words after you, speak your piece; tell me, for I must hear them now," Azalea replied, returning the smile, though inside she was starting to feel fear take hold.

"Azalea… Arran, he… Azalea, Arran will not return. He would have perished had Aslan not… made him a full Star," Susan said quietly, unable to soften her words any more than that.

"I know of what you speak; he– he has told me of–" Azalea broke off, unable to speak, tears slowly falling down her face, dripping onto her skirt. She raised her hand to her face, covering it as she wept. Her shoulders shook with her sobs, and Susan did not know what comfort to give the younger woman but to embrace her and hold her close until her tears had lessened.

"Shh, shh, it will all come right someday," Susan whispered, trying to blink away her own tears of sympathy. They stayed in the garden until the sun had set in the west.

~|:Xo0oX:|~

Also while Caspian and Susan had been absent, the regents had deemed it time to find someone to replace the lords that had proved traitors to the Crown in the war with Calormen. So in place of the three Lords Verius, Barnireius, and Ezmanth, Durken and Trumpkin chose – along with Glenstorm and Professor Cornelius – two Narnians and one Telmarine. Roridan, already belonging to a noble family, was a good, upstanding young man – head of his father's house since he had passed not two months before the War of Deliverance – with a quick mind and had been ready to accept the Narnians. It had not been hard to choose him over some of the others.

But choosing from the Narnians posed a problem. Many were of noble lineage; some could trace their heritage to Tumnus the Faun or Oreius, even to Lord Peridan on the human side. But among the Narnians, some also bore a degree of darkness in their hearts because of the cruelty dealt them by the Telmarines. They could not look past it and see Narnia's future with Men, so injured had they been emotionally, physically, and mentally. The selection had, at first, been discarded until further notice and deemed impossible at the time because of the still-healing wounds of the Dark Age.

So Durken and Trumpkin were shocked when two Narnians came forward and asked for the Lordships. A talking Falcon by the name of Windwhistler and a Faun named Drystan had said they'd decided amongst themselves that it was time Narnia became whole again, and that if the only way to do that was to rule over Men as well as Narnians, it must be done. At first it had been difficult for the Telmarine Lords to accept Windwhistler during Council meet, who perched on the back of his predecessor's chair while in session, but after a few days, they soon could be seen smiling or listening intently to the Falcon's ideas and his knowledge from flying over Narnia.

Drystan was also difficult for them to become familiar with, since, being a Narnian, his ideas differed greatly from theirs at times, not to say that Windwhistler's didn't either; it was just that he was a harder thing to swallow because he could truly argue and be heard in an argument, unlike Windwhistler, whose voice became a screech that was undecipherable in a few seconds of angry tirade. But it was plainly seen that once the lords had taken to these mostly friendly and good-natured beings, Narnians were quickly accepted for many tasks.

Lord Donnon hired a Narnian to oversee his lands and several Narnians to manage his estate; once he had set this example, as the now oldest and most austere member of the Council, it was quickly followed. But the Narnians, though some had moved to live in Cair Paravel and the restored citadel at its slopes, Altair, were still wary of leaving the forest. This was not unheard of, however, since even in the Golden Age Narnians had preferred to dwell in the woods.

When the positions of Council had at last been filled, totaling twelve lords in all, restoration of Narnia could finally begin. Trumpkin and Durken knew that Telmarines, unlike Narnians, were farmers and men of the land, but they also knew that Narnia was not a land you just tilled under and seeded for crops. Finally, after much debate and adjournment, long arguments and lapses of tense silence, everyone came to the conclusion that a hundred acres outside of every village would be given over to farming, while the rest would be unmolested fields, forests, valleys, and plains for the Narnians. The idea was met with enthusiasm on all parts, and Narnians offered aid to the Telmarines to complete the task.

As this had been going on, it was a party led by Durken, along with a few of the lords and other nobles – both Narnian and Telmarine – that stumbled upon the barely existing village of Freida. The lords had insisted it be brought to Council meet, a few perhaps feeling guilt for knowing of its existence and doing nothing of it, so that restoration could begin immediately. But when a vessel from Galma arrived with report that the Dawn Treader would be at Cair Paravel within the month, the Council was reluctantly adjourned until further notice to give everyone over to the tedious occupation of preparing for the arrival of the monarchs.

This was why, when Caspian and Susan returned, the lords flocked about Caspian talking in anxious murmurs and motioning with wild gestures. Many of them had nearly run up the gangway to discuss the matter with him, describing the sorry state of the village and the ruins of the castle on the hill, ivy covering a once glorious tribute to a warrior's bravery for her country. Caspian's appearance had momentarily misplaced their well-meant invasion, though they had managed to convey to their King grand concern before the change in topic.

Caspian assured them later during the festivities thrown in his and Susan's honor that they would look into the matter and Council would be reconvened as soon as possible to continue the discussion on the village of Freida.

A/N:

Well, I'm back! And what do ya'll think? I know, I know, not exactly what you had in mind. But I realized that as this is Fanfiction, and my chance to write about Narnia, I shall start at the beginning of Caspian and Susan's rule; well, the beginning of their rule after their return from the East.

Besides, I realized that I left many things unresolved in Shooting Stars that I need to get resolved in this book. I know that I only lightly touched upon Freida in 7S7L, but that was because I intended to go into it in this book. Ok, right now I'm going to warn ya'll that though most of the elements of The Silver Chair will remain the same, some things will change.

First of all, I realized that in the book, Prince Rilian was missing for ten years, and if Caspian was an old man when Eustace and Jill arrived in Narnia, Rilian had to be somewhere around twenty-nine to thirty-odd years old. Which would still only make Caspian about sixty, but I'll overlook that for the sake of the greater story to be told here.

Rilian's age in The Silver Chair is why I'm starting this book at the end of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and working to that time period. I'm planning on starting from the beginning of Rilian's life and telling as much of it as I can without killing everyone with boredom. Mainly the reason I'm doing this is that everyone in the Chronicles of Narnia series is very well-developed: Caspian, the Pevensies, Eustace, Jill, Jadis, Helen, Frank, Tirian, Jewel, and the Green Witch, even Miraz and Ramandu! But Rilian doesn't seem to be that much of a fleshed-out character.

I always felt that he had been gone over so lightly compared to all the rest, and I was a bit sad, because, you know, he's Caspian's son and there could have been something really cool there. Perhaps something along the lines of, I don't know, the Pevensies knew Caspian really well, so Eustace could have known Rilian really well; but that didn't happen, and that was kind of a low point for me, when I realized that we'd only get a small cameo of Rilian and never feel such attachment to him like we do with Caspian and Tirian and all the other Narnians and Telmarines; both the villains and the heroes and heroines; though I still love the book and think it's awesome!

Things I probably won't explain about Shooting Stars:

Gavan Greenwood: He was allowed by Aslan to go to England to be with Lucy. (Between this book and the last I shall do several one-shots about them and their life together.) He retains his powers and his magic, and eventually works with Edmund and Peter after Edmund is finished with school. He works very hard to prove to Mr. and Mrs. Pevensie that he is a good man and in no way indecent (as Harold and Alberta Scrubb write to John that he is).

Arran Greenwood: He cannot return (to live on for any period of time) Lumean soil because of the gift Aslan gave him of Light. (Similar to life, but, slightly different, considering Stars are light and... you guys figure that out.) He does not see Azalea again.

Azalea Bernsdaughter: She never forgot Arran, and does not marry. She lived with her family, and then resides at Bernstead, after the passing of her parents, as lady of Bernstead. Her siblings marry well and have many wonderful children, giving the Duke and his wife seventy-two grandchildren, and Azalea many nieces and nephews. (Remember, Lord and Lady Bern had twelve daughters.)

Lord Rhoop: He returned with Caspian and Susan and the three remaining lords as far as the Lone Islands. He lived the remainder of his life in peace on a small residence owned by Bern, surrounded by friends and Bern's loving family. He never saw Caspian's Narnia.

Lord Revilian: He returned with Caspian and Susan and his comrades to the Lone Islands. For many years he did not sail to Narnia, until one day when a Narnian merchant vessel arrived at Duke Bern's docks. Curious, he asks of news from Narnia. When he hears that Narnians do at last live in peace with Telmarines, he asks Bern for a ship and then sails to Narnia. He travelled between the Lone Islands and Narnia several times and died in his sleep a day before the return journey to the Islands.

Lord Mavramorn: Like his fellow lords, he came back with Caspian and Susan when he awoke. A year later, he sailed to the Seven Isles and lived on a small estate still in his name there. His last remaining relative, a grandson, came and lived with him until he passed, and took up the Mavramorn name but not the lordship; he and his descendants lived as knights until the end of Narnia's days.

Lord Argoz: He asked Ramandu if he might sleep on his island until Aslan called down the Stars because he did not wish to return to a life without his family–who had perished at Miraz' hand. The resting Star acquiesced to his request and he and his daughter made him a place to rest with their magic until such a time.

All the lords I mention in the following chapters are lords of my own creation or the names of the lords from Disney's Prince Caspian. (In the film one lord went with Pruniprismia, but I'm going to discard that since it never mentioned that in the book.)

Yes, this book can be read without the others, though there will be references to the previous books - which I shall explain in my A/Ns if needed.

Small side note: I'm just going to die if they really mess with the Silver Chair plot for the film (if there ever is a film). I just really want them to stick with it; which they really haven't done. I suppose though that they'll think that since Voyage of the Dawn Treader was so messed over, they can do the same with any of the future films. Speaking of which, they really should do The Horse & His Boy now that all the actors are their proper ages.

I have nothing better to do than write and read the |Prince Caspian (film) Wikipedia| page (internet went down but I'd had the page pulled up. I copy/pasted because I needed some stuff on it and have had the great joy of reading it over and over when I was bored) so I feel in the mood to say some really bizarro and random things. I have never really focused much on the details of books turned to film; I mostly enjoy focusing on the actual book and the allegory and author behind it. So, this was a change.

I have had the annoying pleasure of learning that the film was only one tiny detail from being rated PG-13 (can anyone tell me what that detail was?) so Andrew Adamson had to go back almost/about post-production and change a shot. (Which is what continues to make Narnia labeled a "kid's film" instead of an "intense action-fantasy adventure" like LOTR. Gah! Just make the movie intense because the books are awesome and their full awesomeness is not realized by so many people because it's a "kid's film" and a "kid's book series" so they think it can't be as interesting as LOTR!

(A kid's film? Really? If it had been directed by Peter Jackson I can probably bet it would've been PG-13, jus' sayin'.)

Imogen Heap wrote another song for the film like she'd written "Can't Take It In" for LWW, but it was rejected as being "too dark." Frankly I love the song and think it's about as dark as "Dance Round the Memory Tree" by Oren Lavie, with only a bit more power behind it. (Called 2-1, btw)

I'm not gonna go on with all the particulars, only that it was mostly made in Europe because of tax breaks, or something, so it's more a European film than American. As you can see, I am soooooo internet deprived!

Another extremely random moment: Kingdom of Heaven should really be PG-13 and not R. I mean come on, "Rated R for epic battle scenes and bloodshed"? My brother is thirteen and he can't stop laughing because the film is such utter crap. Decapitated heads don't spurt blood like water fountains; the blood doesn't even look real! And the lines are so poor at times (who'm I kidding! All the time!). Only awesomeness about it is Liam Neeson and his Aslan voice. And the horses, beautiful horses. Maybe the costumes, too. When you make over 12,000 costumes you gotta admire 'em, right?

Sorry, I'll stop now. I just hope I get my internet back sooooon!

ILoveFanfiction:

So… I kinda lied. No other stories have been updated yet, *looks sheepish* but I'm working on 7S7L; it's taking me a while because I want to rewrite it a bit. I'm then thinking of writing to the seventh Guardian and calling it "finished" for a while. I'm just not feeling very inspired to write it; I really want to suddenly work on Starless Sky more right now, dunno why, exactly.

I'm glad you like my choice to bring Gavan into England. I had written that epilogue several months in advance and I really wanted to work that into my plot. Btw, Arran's not, like, out of reach forever for Zephyr, Moriah, and Erikk (hey, I bet ya'll have forgotten those two), they can still ascend to the heavens and talk with him, but for Durken it's almost like he's died, because he gave up the sky to stay with Lyra.

Well, I hope you enjoy this story as much as you've enjoyed my last two!

WH