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The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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"Do you th<strong>in</strong>k he wants to?" said Aslan.<br />

"Well, Aslan," said Polly, "he might send someone else. He's so excited about the bar <strong>of</strong>f<br />

the lamp-post grow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to a lamp-post tree and he th<strong>in</strong>ks -"<br />

"He th<strong>in</strong>ks great folly, child," said Aslan. "This world is burst<strong>in</strong>g with life for these few<br />

days because the song with which I called it <strong>in</strong>to life still hangs <strong>in</strong> the air and rumbles <strong>in</strong><br />

the ground. It will not be so for long. But I cannot tell that to this old s<strong>in</strong>ner, and I cannot<br />

comfort him either; he has made himself unable to hear my voice. If I spoke to him, he<br />

would hear only growl<strong>in</strong>gs and roar<strong>in</strong>gs. Oh Adam's sons, how cleverly you defend<br />

yourselves aga<strong>in</strong>st all that might do you good! But I will give him the only gift he is still<br />

able to receive."<br />

He bowed his great head rather sadly, and breathed <strong>in</strong>to the Magician's terrified face.<br />

"Sleep," he said. "Sleep and be separated for some few hours from all the torments you<br />

have devised for yourself." Uncle Andrew immediately rolled over with closed eyes and<br />

began breath<strong>in</strong>g peacefully.<br />

"Carry him aside and lay him down," said Aslan. "Now, dwarfs! Show your smith-craft.<br />

Let me see you make two crowns for your K<strong>in</strong>g and Queen."<br />

More Dwarfs than you could dream <strong>of</strong> rushed forward to the Golden Tree. <strong>The</strong>y had all<br />

its leaves stripped <strong>of</strong>f, and some <strong>of</strong> its branches torn <strong>of</strong>f too, before you could say Jack<br />

Rob<strong>in</strong>son. And now the children could see that it did not merely look golden but was <strong>of</strong><br />

real, s<strong>of</strong>t gold. It had <strong>of</strong> course sprung up from the half-sovereigns which had fallen out<br />

<strong>of</strong> Uncle Andrew's pocket when he was turned upside down; just as the silver had grown<br />

up from the half-crowns. From nowhere, as it seemed, piles <strong>of</strong> dry brushwood for fuel, a<br />

little anvil, hammers, tongs, and bellows were produced. Next moment (how those dwarfs<br />

loved their work!) the fire was blaz<strong>in</strong>g, the bellows were roar<strong>in</strong>g, the gold was melt<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

the hammers were cl<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g. Two Moles, whom Aslan had set to dig (which was what<br />

they liked best) earlier <strong>in</strong> the day, poured out a pile <strong>of</strong> precious stones at the dwarfs' feet.<br />

Under the clever f<strong>in</strong>gers <strong>of</strong> the little smiths two crowns took shape - not ugly, heavy<br />

th<strong>in</strong>gs like modern European crowns, but light, delicate, beautifully shaped circles that<br />

you could really wear and look nicer by wear<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>The</strong> K<strong>in</strong>g's was set with rubies and the<br />

Queen's with emeralds.<br />

When the crowns had been cooled <strong>in</strong> the river Aslan made Frank and Helen kneel before<br />

him and he placed the crowns on their heads. <strong>The</strong>n he said, "Rise up K<strong>in</strong>g and Queen <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Narnia</strong>, father and mother <strong>of</strong> many k<strong>in</strong>gs that shall be <strong>in</strong> <strong>Narnia</strong> and the Isles and<br />

Archenland. Be just and merciful and brave. <strong>The</strong> bless<strong>in</strong>g is upon you."<br />

<strong>The</strong>n everyone cheered or bayed or neighed or trumpeted or clapped its w<strong>in</strong>gs and the<br />

royal pair stood look<strong>in</strong>g solemn and a little shy, but all the nobler for their shyness. And<br />

while Digory was still cheer<strong>in</strong>g he heard the deep voice <strong>of</strong> Aslan beside him, say<strong>in</strong>g:<br />

"Look!"

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