Princess Rose
© 2002 Chew Yuin-Y
[ Disclaimer: I don't own any of the following characters/elements except Princess Rose Stephanie Nnylney and Summerland. ]
Part II
“Ignore him. He’s like that,” said Leia. “I’m Princess Leia – from Alderaan. That’s General Han Solo and his friend, Chewbacca.” She indicated the hairy sentient beside the man. “He’s a Wookiee.”
Princess Leia? Did she just say Princess Leia? Rose was not expecting to find a fellow royal anywhere in this forest.
“I – I’m Rose. Princess Rose.”
“Princess Rose,” echoed Leia. She paused a moment. “From…?”
Here we go again, sighed Rose, preparing herself for the inevitable interrogation. The questions asked were just like those the Elves had put to her and her answers were the same. Eventually, Leia stopped questioning her.
“You’re tired. You should get some rest.”
Just what Sam Gamgee had thought. Strangely, she didn’t feel too tired but she just nodded at Leia’s comment. Leia brought her to a room where she could rest.
“Tell me, please,” Rose said. “Where am I?
“You’re in the Ewok tribe. On the moon of Endor.”
“Oh.” Rose sank down onto the bed, feeling dazed. First, a forest of Elves and now the moon of Endor. Where was this Endor anyway? It had a moon, therefore it was a planet. But never had her astronomy tutor said anything about a planet called Endor.
“You’re lucky the Ewok scout found you when he did. Apparently, a stormtrooper was about ready to shoot your head off.”
Rose paled at the thought. Leia saw her mistake and hastily tried to allay her fears. In the middle of a sentence Han called her and she went outside. Rose knew that well-bred princesses did not eavesdrop but she could not help hearing bits of their conversation.
“– I’m worried, Han.”
“Luke will be fine –”
“He’s going to face Vader alone!”
“He’s Luke Skywalker, Leia. He’s a Jedi.”
Rose wondered who this Luke Skywalker was. Who was Vader that he was going to face alone? And what in Summer was a Jedi? Princess Leia was rather pretty in a way, Rose thought, sleepily. Elves, Dwarves, Ewoks, Jedi… The names and images swirled in her mind as she dropped off to sleep.
The morning sun pouring in the window woke Rose. The red curtains flapped a little as a breeze passed nonchalantly through the room. She stretched and sat up. Funny. She could have sworn there weren’t any curtains on the window the night before. She rubbed her eyes. Then it hit her. This wasn’t the same room. She looked around. No longer was she in an Ewok dwelling with wooden floors and simple grass mattress. The floor was of white marble and the bed she was sitting in was most luxurious.
The door opened and a half-man, half-goat creature trotted in, carrying what appeared to be a breakfast tray.
“Ah, you’re awake!” it said, merrily, laying down the tray beside her bed.
She had never seen such a creature before and gaped at it, quite forgetting her royal etiquette training. She asked, “What are you?”
It blinked at her. “I’m a Faun. Tumnus is the name.”
“Oh,” she said, weakly. This was too much. What was happening to her??
“Where – where am I?”
“In Cair Paravel.”
“Huh?”
“The palace. You’re in the palace. In Narnia.” The Faun looked carefully at her. “You don’t look very well. Wait. I’ll fetch Queen Lucy.” Tumnus scurried out, leaving a very bewildered princess sitting up in the bed. Narnia. So now she was in Narnia, wherever that was.
The Faun soon came back accompanied by four people, two men and two women, all dressed in grand robes. The eldest man – she estimated he was about thirty at most – was tall and had the look of a great warrior. He wore a crown on his head, as did the other three. The other man, evidently younger, looked graver and quieter. The older lady was beautiful; tall and gracious with black hair that cascaded down to her ankles. But Rose thought that neither she nor Princess Leia could compare with the golden-haired Lady Galadriel. The other lady was blithe and fair-haired.
“Their Highnesses the High King Peter, High Queen Susan, King Edmund and Queen Lucy to see you,” Tumnus told her.
“Dear child, how do you feel?” asked the younger lady, who was Queen Lucy.
“I’m fine, thank you,” answered Rose. “But I’m just a bit confused…”
“Confused? Why, pray tell?” enquired King Edmund of the serious face.
“Brother,” said Queen Lucy, reprovingly. To Rose she said, “Forgive my royal brother. The King Edmund did not mean any offense.”
“I beg your pardon?” Rose said. “I’m afraid I may have heard you incorrectly, Your Highness. Did you say your ‘royal brother’?”
“Yes,” said the Queen. “Edmund is my brother. Just as the High King and High Queen are my elder siblings.”
“But – you are King and Queen… High King and High Queen…”
“Indeed, many are oft deceived by our royal titles,” said the High King Peter with a smile. “But we are truly brothers and sisters.”
Rose was speechless. This was a whole new concept to her. Never ever had she heard of siblings ruling together as kings and queens.
“What is your name?” said High Queen Susan, speaking for the first time.
“I’m Rose.” She decided to save them the trouble of asking more questions and told them her whole story. When she was finished, King Edmund shook his head in wonder.
“Here is a great marvel indeed!” he said.
“What queer adventures you’ve been through,” said Tumnus.
“How exciting!” said Queen Lucy.
“I do not share the sentiment, fair sister” said the High Queen, brushing a stray black hair away from her face. “The thrill of such perils entices me not.”
“Marry, it is an odd thing that you are going through,” said High King Peter, thoughtfully. “Fair consorts, it runs in my mind that perhaps Aslan…”
“Oh yes!” Queen Lucy clapped her hands in delight. “What an idea, brother! Of course Aslan can help her.”
“But where is Aslan now?” said Tumnus. “Your Highnesses know He comes and goes as he pleases. He could be anywhere now.”
“Tumnus, my good Faun, you have taken the words right out of my own mouth,” King Edmund said. He addressed his brother. “Sir, we know not the time and date of Aslan’s coming and going.”
“Wonder no more, Edmund. I am here.”
All turned towards the door. The kings and queens abandoned all royal demeanour and rushed to the majestic lion in the doorway.
“Aslan!” cried Queen Lucy. “How wonderful to see you again!”
Rose watched with wide-open eyes. Aslan… That huge lion was Aslan? The one they claimed could help her? How would a lion help her? Indeed, it was an exceptionally fine-looking lion but it was still a lion… Then Aslan spoke. His voice was low and gentle. “Do not doubt me, Daughter of Eve.” Aslan came towards her.
“Rose.”
The princess nearly jumped out of her skin. How did Aslan know her name?
“I know many things,” he said, as though he could read her mind. “But I will not answer your questions now, for it is not the time for your questions receive answers.”
Rose was silent, regarding the lordly lion with a mixture of fear and wonder.
“Now it is time for you to return to your own lands, Daughter of Eve. Someday we shall meet again.”
“Someday,” she murmured.
Aslan came close to her. She could feel the lion’s breath on herself, warm and comforting. She closed her eyes… A gentle wind blew about her…
She opened her eyes. A familiar path was before her. An even more familiar castle was in sight. An equally familiar forest was behind her. Rose blinked. Then she sighed with relief. SummerLand. She was home at last.
- THE END -
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