The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

"Seven years ago," said the girl, "they came here in a ship whose sails were rags and
timbers ready to fall apart. There were a few others with them, sailors, and when they
came to this table one said, `Here is the good place. Let us set sail and reef sail and row
no longer but sit down and end our days in peace!' And the second said, `No, let us reembark
and sail for Narnia and the west; it may be that Miraz is dead.' But the third, who
was a very masterful man, leaped up and said, `No, by heaven. We are men and
Telmarines, not brutes. What should we do but seek adventure after adventure? We have
not long to live in any event. Let us spend what is left in seeking the unpeopled world
behind the sunrise.' And as they quarrelled he caught up the Knife of Stone which lies
there on the table and would have fought with his comrades. But it is a thing not right for
him to touch. And as his fingers closed upon the hilt, deep sleep fell upon all the three.
And till the enchantment is undone they will never wake."
"What is this Knife of Stone?" asked Eustace.
"Do none of you know it?" said the girl.
"I - I think," said Lucy, "I've seen something like it before. It was a knife like it that the
White Witch used when she killed Aslan at the Stone Table long ago."
"It was the same.," said the girl, "and it was brought here to be kept in honour while the
world lasts."
Edmund, who had been looking more and more uncomfortable for the last few minutes,
now spoke.
"Look here," he said, "I hope I'm not a coward - about eating this food, I mean - and I'm
sure I don't mean to be rude. But we have had a lot of queer adventures on this voyage of
ours and things aren't always what they seem. When I look in your face I can't help
believing all you say: but then that's just what might happen with a witch too. How are
we to know you're a friend?"
"You can't know," said the girl. "You can only believe or not."
After a moment's pause Reepicheep's small voice was heard.
"Sire," he said to Caspian, "of your courtesy fill my cup with wine from that flagon: it is
too big for me to lift. I will drink to the lady."
Caspian obeyed and the Mouse, standing on the table, held up a golden cup between its
tiny paws and said, "Lady, I pledge you." Then it fell to on cold peacock, and in a short
while everyone else followed its example. All were very hungry and the meal, if not quite
what you wanted for a very early breakfast, was excellent as a very late supper.
"Why is it called Aslan's table?" asked Lucy presently.