This was the first time doing a hardcover and working with leather, so this was fun! This wasn't for the challenge, but I thought I would post it here because it is VotDT. Enjoy!
Statistics: Posted by renegadeoftheshire — Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:40 am
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Statistics: Posted by renegadeoftheshire — Mon Sep 25, 2023 9:13 pm
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(I know you guys don't really like double posting, but I kinda have to here. My apologies)
Renegade of the Shire
Statistics: Posted by renegadeoftheshire — Mon Sep 25, 2023 9:11 pm
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Chapter 11
The Magician was called Coriakin
To him the Duffers would not hearken
But Lucy was kind
And new sense they did find
When Reep taught them skills to go raftin'.
-------
Chapter 15
Then onto the East they did sail
Drinking liquid light from a pail
A sea kingdom beneath
A secret to keep
So that common sense might prevail
Chapter 16
At last they could sail no more
Journey's end for all travelers but four
A Lamb on the beach
From your world Me you'll reach
Back three went to their home through a door.
Statistics: Posted by Ajnos — Fri Sep 01, 2023 2:41 pm
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"Lands behind the sun". Again, who on earth did these lords find to hear all this information? In this case, it could have been Ramandu, I suppose, but still. Wonder what happened to the crew....
Chapter 14:
I've had a moment like what Edmund says about seeing this sunrise being the most exciting thing of their voyage, even though other events sound more exciting. It can be something seemingly small, but it just hits right.
Hm, Ramandu seems to indicate that Coriakin has been governing the Duffers for rather a long while. They're not so recent then, though I suppose a star sees time differently.
I quite forgot that Rynelf puts forth a rather rousing speech. It's the sort of thing Reep has said a few times.
Ha, and Caspian takes the situation in hand here much as he had in Narrowhaven. He chooses his words and tone carefully to frame things just so.
Chapter 15:
Can you imagine what it must have been like for the Sea People to see Reep? Lucy, at least, looked something like themselves, but unless there's some kind of deep-sea rodent, Reep would have been very strange creature indeed!
The water has a foretaste (heh) of the "further up, further in" concept. The closer they sail to the Utter East, the more light there is -- to the point of the water being light itself, apparently. And when they drink the water, the light only increases, but they find they can bear it. And it's all beautiful and delicious and satisfying.
Interesting that Reep imagines the world as a round table.
Chapter 16:
For all that I've admired Caspian taking charge and speaking shrewdly, we've met with a flaw in his manner. Here, he's overstepped and intended to forsake his duty as king, and is set right by Reepicheep mainly.
Ach, my favourite part of the series: meeting with Aslan here at the edge of the world.
"I will not tell you how long or short the way may be; only that it lies across a river. But do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder." Man, I actually got a little misty-eyed here. I've never had this reaction to that bit before. I just feel so... full. A smidgen of what that light-water would be like.
"We shan't meet you there. And how shall we live, never meeting you?" This has shades of (Apostle) Peter saying to Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." To be with the Lion is life itself.
*insert obligatory gushing over "another name"* Favourite line in all the Chronicles, you know how it is.
Speaking of shades of (Apostle) Peter, the question about Eustace's return sounds something like Peter asking what would become of John. Aslan's response is a little like Jesus' too: "Do you really need to know that?" and "What is that to you?"
Gotta love the coda on Eustace's behaviour. He's a changed boy, no mistake.
@Lily: Heh. I get the impression that Aunt Alberta may be the greater driving force of the Scrubbs, though that may be because of the description of their house -- it's her domain, so of course it abides by her rules.
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:36 am
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Table of Hope
The clock turns backwards gently, at the table.
An ancient silver Star's returning, day by day, to youth.
Sunbirds flock to another meal, wailing their wondrous truth.
All sailors would go on, if they were able –
recalled to the hope and glory of yesteryear,
In spite of dragons and sea-serpents and Dark island's fear;
And the last harrowed victim of dreams
Returns him softly to hope of rest.
The Sun shines brighter on their quest
Than it ever has before, it seems.
---
Chapter 15
Mermaids Underneath
The upside-down kingdom is flowing towards the sky
While the shadow of the ship, like some old monster, passes by.
The knights and lords and ladies in their watery Maying day
Are astounded by our presence and our most peculiar way.
They shake their jeweled fists to see us drawing near,
And when the captain spots them he recalls sirens with fear.
They always breathe a water strange and bright,
Sweet and strong as liquid light.
---
Chapter 16
World's End
They glided, sleepless, through the blazing light,
And drank eachother's health with its rich glow.
No merfolk threatened or pondered their passing now,
As they came to a great shoal of silvered white.
Aslan's own gardens grew upon the seas.
They lengthened days, reflecting back the sun.
All stood in wonder of the blaze of lilies,
Whose adventurous smell makes you wish to leap and run.
The shores of Paradise, it seems, are here!
Hearts are so full men do not need to eat.
There is no room in wonder left for fear,
And only one fine challenge left to meet.
As shallows near, a fey mood takes the King:
He rages like his uncle to fulfill the final quest.
The Lion appears to draw his bitter sting,
And he must say farewell to friend and guest.
This is the end, on the verge of the sunrise.
Our heroes row for home, and a Lamb's soft eyes.
----
One quick note I hadn't noticed before--- only Alberta objected to the changes in Eustace? Harold may have been more accepting??
Statistics: Posted by Lily of Archenland — Thu Aug 31, 2023 6:43 pm
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Chapter 10:
Coriakin is a bit off an oddity, eh? Doors that won't close, a collection of masks hung up on the walls, the bearded glass, a corridor that may or may not go on longer than it appears to (I think it possible Lucy could have been spooked enough to believe it so, but she also has more experience with magic than I). But his library, mm. I'd like his library.
I wonder if Coriakin's book smells like any other book or if it's special. (Yes, I like the smell of books.)
I still remember the time Kristi told a story of a cup and a sword and a tree and a green hill during a Christmas party in the chatroom. 'twas a beautiful story indeed.
Does the page of the visibility spell always revert to blank after one has turned the page? Or do the images go invisible when the book is used to cause invisibility? Or does the page go blank in the presence of something invisible?
Chapter 11:
How long has Coriakin been in charge of the Duffers? The place has such a sense of establishment, it feels it must have been for a very long while (though one never knows, what with magic and such). Then again, he could have been in this place for a long time, and the Duffers only a more recent development. I just wonder, since he "begins" to grow fond of them.
Is magic inherent to the stars, I wonder? Or was it something Coriakin learned over time? He and Ramandu seem so different (though the closest thing to magic we see Ramandu do is put Rhoop to sleep).
"Their normal way of resting". How long did it take the Duffers to adapt to being Monopods? Was it as if they'd always been, or a gradual learning?
Of course, the real question here is... why on earth did Coriakin turn them into Monopods? (I'm full of questions this time through, it appears.)
Bold of Reep to assume Monopods could float on their feet. Also... "intelligent"?
His map would be a sight to behold, even without the living pictures.
Chapter 12:
How desperate Rhoop's cry is! To beg to be let off the land, even if his ticket out is just another horrible nightmare that might slay him. Considering the tortures he must have endured the last seven years, there's nothing to say that a nightmare ship wouldn't be just as bad, but such is his desperation that he'll take anything to get away.
"That is the sort of talk that brought me here." Who did the lords find to talk to about this place?
When they tried to get out of the Darkness on their own, they couldn't find the way. When Lucy put her hope in Aslan, he calmed their fears, guided them out, and destroyed the Dark completely. I think this may be my favourite scene in the book, excepting the three's meeting him at the end of the book.
Linking a Rhoop fic I wrote last year. This takes place after the events of the book, but now is a fitting time to share it: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14131258/1 ... e-Darkness
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Thu Aug 31, 2023 6:15 am
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Challenge mode for me... not sure I *quite* pulled off this sonnet attempt.
Chapter 13
The Vigil at the End of the World
Soft purple as the clouds, the island's smell;
But crimson as the sun was the table.
The feast spread out as rich as tale could tell,
And strangely stars shone from past all fable,
When came they to the long-lost sleepers three
Whose hearts beat slow and hair and beards were grown
Past reason, in that low land by the sea:
So near to where the sunrise' bed is known.
The king and friends sat watch in breathing shade
And, fearful, wanted for some secret truth
To come out of the night, til lady bade
Them join the feast, and Mouse put her to proof.
Then gladly they set in beneath her eye,
As starry sire approached with bright'ning sky.
Statistics: Posted by Lily of Archenland — Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:14 pm
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I get what you mean about the sailors being like Israel, though it's also so typically human (grumble grumble grumble). And I remember from HHB how good Lewis is at representing fickle human attitudes. At least Caspain gives them a wake-up call on Ramandu's Isle when he threatens to leave them behind.
I meant to say some chapters back that the Dufflepud story is the one where CS Lewis gets most like Lewis Carol in his writing. From the Duffers, to their silliness, to the weird stuff in the magician's house (and coridors growing longer).
I have SO MANY questions about Ramandu's Island. Why is the table all set up? Why is RD there? (I kinda get Ramandu's role; it feels like his job is to welcome the sun, and give advice to travellers).Was there a time when sailors frequently arrived seeking the end of the world, and if so, when? The Pevensies didn't know of any who returned from the Utter East in their day. And how is the stone knife "safe" just lying on rhe table like that? Hmm.
I've been working on rhese the last few days (had the first 3 ready yesterday but didn't get to post. Will finish tomorrow or Friday)
Chapter 9
They came to the Island of Voices
The dwellers made rather bad choices
Got themselves "uglified"
Then because of their pride
Turned unseen, now known only by noises.
Chapter 10
Lucy the gentle, the Narnian Queen
Braved a magic house (she tought) unseen
To undo the spell
But was tempted as well
Could she forget a good friend being mean?
Chapter 12
There's an island where dreams can come true
Want to go? I don't think you do
Found Lord Rhoop in the dark
Made them flee once embarked
And the albatross helped them get through.
Chapter 13
They came to the Island of Sleepers
Whose beards had grown out just like creepers
They dared not to eat
Till fair maiden did meet
The brave mouse went first, good old Reepers!!
Chapter 14
They learned on the Isle of Ramandu
How the spell of deep sleep they could undo
World's End they must find
And one stay behind
And all but one sailor would come too.
And I just realised I forgot about Chapter 11, will come back to that too when I can
Statistics: Posted by Ajnos — Wed Aug 30, 2023 8:16 pm
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Chapter 9:
There seems to be a little bit of Israel's wilderness wanderings in this book: whenever they sail for a length of time without finding land, an antsiness and/or despair sets in. Things were certainly bleak after the storm prior to Dragon Island, but it wasn't that long ago when Edmund was wishing he was in America with his parents and Susan rather than sailing in Narnia; now they fear having reached a sea that goes on forever. There is a difference in that Israel was given what food they needed, but they complained about lack of variety and they worried about water too; but there's also a similarity in that, despite Caspian's Aslan-approved vow, Reep's desire for Aslan's country, and so on, there's actually very little mention of him in regards to this voyage.
How the monopods never saw Lucy sitting right there I'll never know....
Curious, isn't it, how Coriakin didn't make his presence known after having been turned invisible? He was to rule them, guide them, but... he hasn't for however long the spell's lasted. Unless invisibility spell was cast not that long ago. The Chief doesn't exactly give a timeline events, and I've no doubt the invisibility would have worn on them rather quickly, to the point of becoming "mortal tired" and waiting "ever so long". (Also... if it wasn't all that long ago, might that explain Aslan's invisibility on this island, even though he was plainly visible on Deathwater? ... I'm suddenly getting a much shorter version of events in my mind now! I took that "ever so long" at face value, but didn't consider that maybe Coriakin's then-prediction of Lucy's coming "presently" might actually be accurate.)
"Merely in the way of business, as you might say, and no offence, I hope." *snerks* Oh, there are several ways to take that, Chief....
Gonna have to stop with just one chapter tonight.
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Wed Aug 30, 2023 6:44 am
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Chapter 12
The Dark Island
They pushed into the Dark with their eyes wide open.
It swallowed their ship like a long black mouth.
Only pale greasy lights gave their hope any token.
In unnatural Night walked all fears unspoken.
When the scream came they couldn't tell North from South.
They pushed into the Dark with their eyes wide open.
The heavy air by no wind was broken
When they learned why to break their terrible trouth:
Only pale greasy lights gave their hope any token.
Panic swarmed in as fears were spoken.
The distant sun had lost all scouth.
Only pale greasy lights gave their hope any token.
"If ever you'd loved"-- the prayer was spoken
And in flew the light, with a song in its mouth.
They pulled out of the Dark with their eyes wide open,
When the Albatross gave to their hope better token.
Statistics: Posted by Lily of Archenland — Tue Aug 29, 2023 8:45 pm
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Great thoughts as usual, Ariel. Esp. your thoughts on Aslan guiding every step. Even though I knew it was coming, Aslan's words to Lucy in Ch 10 "I have been here all the time" hit me differently this time for some reason. I think because he does often appear physically in Narnia, it's easier to think that he comes and goes (like is hinted at at the end of LWW). But in some mysterious way he is also omnipresent, because he's a Christ figure and Christ is omnipresent. If we could make unseen things in our world seen, there would be some scary stuff. But Christ would appear at once too because he's with us. (This is something we've been considering in my Bible Study Group lately and Aslan's appearance just made it feel more real.)
Okay, now onto less deep stuff:
Chapter 7
Octesian was a most noble Lord
Met his end on a great dragon hoard
Was he eaten or cursed?
Not sure which is worst
(And they found not a big glowing sword)
Chapter 8
There once was an isle called Deathwater
Like the tale of that king and his daughter
Seems Lord Restimar
Only travelled thus far
They returned a pair of shoes shorter
Statistics: Posted by Ajnos — Mon Aug 28, 2023 8:45 pm
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Meeting the Magician
He isn't the Tyrant they say he is –
or at least, he isn't now.
What sins a starry exile make
Are only a Star's to know.
He conjures English food for guest,
Cold lamb and peas for tea;
He napped through her little quest,
And governs, it seems, unseriously.
He collects so many wonders
As would widen up your eyes,
And punishes the stubborn blunders
With monopods' surprise.
Still he's a well-intentioned sort,
It doesn't do to whine.
He keeps well with a little sport
His books, his gardens, his red wine.
Statistics: Posted by Lily of Archenland — Mon Aug 28, 2023 3:23 pm
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Chapter 7:
There tends to be a focus (rightfully so) on Reep's kindness to Eustace, but can you imagine how it must have felt for Eustace when "several" said they'd stand by him and "many" said they'd "have him right as rain in a day or two"? It's not even been a full day since he was last making a nuisance of himself, and yet there's at least a level of goodwill displayed toward him now when it would have been so easy to do otherwise.
I think most folks would consider being liked a greater pleasure than liking others (possibly because we have greater control over one than the other) -- presumably Eustace would have thought so as well -- but he's learned that the latter is actually the greater prize. He'd been so poisoned by the way he approached life with others, it soured everything.
"I want to tell you how I stopped being one." The words of a testimony! And though his verb here is active -- that is, he performed the action of stopping --, his testimony really is actually passive -- that is, he was acted upon. Sure, he tried to "undress" himself, but he was still a dragon; he only stopped being one when Aslan ripped that form off him and healed him.
(His comments about his own arms are amusing, not gonna lie.)
"Well -- he knows me." Short and simple, but so very beautiful.
Lewis said he wouldn't focus on Eustace's relapses, but I did briefly... in a story more about someone else. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13809624/1 ... -Should-Go
Chapter 8:
Funny that Eustace has Caspian's second-best sword. I'd have thought Edmund would have had it. Though now that I think of it... I wonder if Caspian might have given his best to Edmund, and then his second-best to Eustace? His behaviour in the first chapter prompts me to think this could be the case.
Narration seems to suggest luck in the choice of stream to water at, but this is another place where I see Aslan at work. He's not visible and present, as he will be by Deathwater Lake, but the coming rain prompted the natural desire of not "getting wetter than we need", which drove the landing party to go to the safe stream instead.
Does anyone by chance have a coloured illustration of Deathwater? I'm curious to know about Eustace's outfit. I'm not sure I've noticed before, but he looks like he might be in something similar to Caspian's outfit. (If so, then I'm rather bummed that that did not carry through to the illustration of the three with the Lamb, where Eustace is clearly back in his English clothes, which should have disappeared.)
The most beautiful statue Lucy had ever seen? Either Narnian sculptors don't have the skill of Michelangelo or else Lord Restimar had a seriously impressive physique.
"It shall be called Goldwater Island. And I bind all of you to secrecy." Caspian. My dude. With a name like that, there's not much of secret to keep now, is there?
Well, for all my intentions of doing more than two chapters to catch up, here I am again, stopping at two. Guess I'll just have to run late this year!
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Mon Aug 28, 2023 5:55 am
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