15.05.2015 Views

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Roonwit looked very grave, frown<strong>in</strong>g a little.<br />

"Sire," he said. "You know how long I have lived and studied the stars; for we Centaurs<br />

live longer than you Men, and even longer than your k<strong>in</strong>d, Unicorn. Never <strong>in</strong> all my days<br />

have I seen such terrible th<strong>in</strong>gs written <strong>in</strong> the skies as there have been nightly s<strong>in</strong>ce this<br />

year began. <strong>The</strong> stars say noth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the com<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> Aslan, nor <strong>of</strong> peace, nor <strong>of</strong> joy. I<br />

know by my art that there have not been such disastrous conjunctions <strong>of</strong> the planets for<br />

five hundred years. It was already <strong>in</strong> my m<strong>in</strong>d to come and warn your Majesty that some<br />

great evil hangs over <strong>Narnia</strong>. But last night the rumour reached me that Aslan is abroad <strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>Narnia</strong>. Sire, do not believe this tale. It cannot be. <strong>The</strong> stars never lie, but Men and Beasts<br />

do. If Aslan were really com<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>Narnia</strong> the sky would have foretold it. If he were<br />

really come, all the most gracious stars would be assembled <strong>in</strong> his honour. It is all a lie."<br />

"A lie!" said the K<strong>in</strong>g fiercely. "What creature <strong>in</strong> <strong>Narnia</strong> or all the world would dare to lie<br />

on such a matter?" And, without know<strong>in</strong>g it, he laid his hand on his sword hilt.<br />

"That I know not, Lord K<strong>in</strong>g," said the Centaur. "But I know there are liars on earth;<br />

there are none among the stars."<br />

"I wonder," said Jewel, "whether Aslan might not come though all the stars foretold<br />

otherwise. He is not the slave <strong>of</strong> the stars but their Maker. Is it not said <strong>in</strong> all the old<br />

stories that He is not a tame lion."<br />

"Well said, well said, Jewel," cried the K<strong>in</strong>g. "Those are the very words: not a tame lion.<br />

It comes <strong>in</strong> many tales."<br />

Roonwit had just raised his hand and was lean<strong>in</strong>g forward to say someth<strong>in</strong>g very<br />

earnestly to the K<strong>in</strong>g when all three <strong>of</strong> them turned their heads to listen to a wail<strong>in</strong>g<br />

sound that was quickly draw<strong>in</strong>g nearer. <strong>The</strong> wood was so thick to the West <strong>of</strong> them that<br />

they could not see the newcomer yet. But they could soon hear the words.<br />

"Woe, woe, woe!" called the voice. "Woe for my brothers and sisters! Woe for the holy<br />

trees! <strong>The</strong> woods are laid waste. <strong>The</strong> axe is loosed aga<strong>in</strong>st us. We are be<strong>in</strong>g felled. Great<br />

trees are fall<strong>in</strong>g, fall<strong>in</strong>g, fall<strong>in</strong>g."<br />

With the last "fall<strong>in</strong>g" the speaker came <strong>in</strong> sight. She was like a woman but so tall that<br />

her head was on a level with the Centaur's yet she was like a tree too. It is hard to expla<strong>in</strong><br />

if you have never seen a Dryad but quite unmistakable once you have - someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />

different <strong>in</strong> the colour, the voice, and the hair. K<strong>in</strong>g Tirian and the two Beasts knew at<br />

once that she was the nymph <strong>of</strong> a beech tree.<br />

"Justice, Lord K<strong>in</strong>g!" she cried. "Come to our aid. Protect your people. <strong>The</strong>y are fell<strong>in</strong>g<br />

us <strong>in</strong> Lantern Waste.<br />

Forty great trunks <strong>of</strong> my brothers and sisters are already on the ground."

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!