Chapter 14
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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