Prince Caspian

And that brings, Trumpkin (who is the same Dwarf Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy rescued) almost back to his meeting with them. He tells them how he set off and heard the horn a few hours later, between nine and 10 o’clock (exactly when they were at the train station, the children note). The following night, he got caught by the keeper of Miraz’s easternmost stronghold, who ordered his execution. And when Miraz’s soldiers took Trumpkin “to the ghosts,” Susan rescued him.

Peter can hardly believe that they were pulled into Narnia by the horn. Lucy replies that if he believes in magic, it shouldn’t be so hard to accept; there lots of stories describing magical creatures being called from one world into another. That’s true, Peter and Edmund reply, but in the stories it’s usually someone in their world doing the calling. And the stories never take the perspective of the magical creature itself. Trumpkin interrupts their excited debate, saying he must go back to tell Caspian that no help has come. Susan protests that they are the help. Lucy exclaims that if Trumpkin hasn’t figured out that they are the ancient kings and queens of Narnia, he “[is] stupid.” Trumpkin finally admits to his “dear little friends” that he expected great warriors, not children.

Edmund leaps to his feet and begins to list the military accomplishments of their reign. Peter calmly suggests that they give Trumpkin armor from the treasure room. By the light of Edmund’s torch, the children and Trumpkin descend into the treasure room, where he looks with amazement at the stored riches. They give him a beautiful and valuable suit of armor. They put on their own armor as well, and Edmund and Lucy retrieve their weapons. When they reemerge into the daylight, they already look more like Narnians and less like schoolchildren. In the ruined hall, Edmund challenges Trumpkin, the “great warrior,” to a fencing match. And although Trumpkin patronizingly protests that the blades are too sharp for small children, he eventually agrees.

Edmund and Trumpkin fight fiercely. If Edmund had attempted the challenge when he first arrived, he would have likely lost, but after a full 24 hours in the Narnian air, much of his muscle memory has returned. Susan (who never could learn to like fighting) yelps and exclaims “Oh, do be careful” until Edmund disarms Trumpkin. Panting a little as he returns his sword to its sheath, Edmund condescendingly asks his “dear little friend” Trumpkin if he’s hurt. For fairness’s sake, Peter asks Trumpkin would fully like to test their skill in a shooting match with Susan. Reluctantly, Trumpkin agrees. She picks an apple so distant he insists it looks more like a cherry. He misses by mere inches, while she skewers it easily.

Trumpkin replies that he knows when he’s been fairly beaten—except the scar from one of his battle wounds does pull a bit when he draws the bow—and Lucy offers to look at it. Under his chainmail and bandage, she finds a festering wound. With one drop of her cordial, Trumpkin discovers to his great amazement that it’s completely cured. Ashamed of making a fool of himself by doubting the children, he apologizes and thanks their majesties for his “life, [his] cure, [his] breakfast—and [his] lesson.” Now that he’s decided to believe in them, Peter declares, it’s time for him to take them to Caspian.

Unfortunately, they don’t have many options for their route. Trumpkin’s way will take another two days at least, considering the thick forest and roving enemies. Edmund asks if they need go back the way their “Dear Little Friend” (or D.L.F.—now a fond, rather than derisive, nickname) came. They could row around the coast to Glasswater Creek, then strike north to Aslan’s How, reaching it early the next morning. The children use one of their coats as an improvised bag for apples, take a drink from the well, and go down to the boat with Trumpkin. They’re sad to leave Cair Paravel, which still feels like home even though it’s in ruins.

Peter suggests that their D.L.F (Trumpkin) steer while he and Edmund row and Susan and Lucy look out for dangers from the bow. Soon the island fades into the distance behind them as they head out to sea. Susan and Lucy reminisce about the voyages they took in their swan-shaped boat back in the old days. The deserted, overgrown shore makes them sad, though, because they remember it when it was open and full of merry Narnians.