Chapter 10 Chapter 10 The Return of the Lion King

It was not easy to walk along the canyon on the edge of the cliff. After a short walk, the group was blocked by a dense small cedar bush, so they had to bend down, push aside the leaves, and move forward slowly.They soon realized that walking like this would not cover half a mile in an hour.So they turned back, exited the jungle, and made a new decision - to take a detour.They circled so far to the right that they could not see the cliff nor hear the sound of the water.Everyone began to worry that the whole route was wrong.No one knows the exact time, but the temperature is already the highest of the day.

When they finally circled back to the edge of the canyon (already almost a mile below where they had started), they found that the cliffs below them were much lower and the collapse was more severe.Presently they found a way down into the gorge, and walked on, and no one mentioned breakfast or even dinner with Caspian. It is an old, untrodden forest, and there is not a straight road in it.Large clumps of thorns that can't get in, fallen trees, swamps, and dense undergrowth block their way from time to time.This place is really difficult to travel, and they are people who are in a hurry; if it is a walk and a picnic, it is a good idea to have a picnic when you are tired from walking.The scenery here is full of roaring waterfalls, small silver waterfalls, deep amber pools, moss-covered rocks, and thick mud on the shore. .In addition, various ferns and jewel-like dragonflies can be seen everywhere; a baoshan occasionally flits overhead, and even an occasional eagle can be seen soaring in the sky.Of course, what they want to see as soon as possible at this time is the mouth of the great river ahead, the Belluna, and the road leading to the fortress of Aslan.

The road below became steeper and steeper, and their progress became harder and slower--sometimes even risking climbing over slippery rocks, and the terrible dark abyss below them, and the rushing water of the swift river. In this way, they stared at the cliffs under their feet, while trying to search for any gap, any place that could be climbed.The dangerous road was ruthless and irritating, but everyone gritted their teeth and continued onwards, believing that once they got out of the canyon and crossed a gentle hillside, they would reach Caspian's headquarters. At this time, the boys and the dwarves proposed to find a flat place, set up a bonfire, and roast some bear meat to satisfy their hunger.Susan disagreed, and she insisted on "going on, to the end, out of this abominable place".Lucy was by this time too tired to offer any advice.In fact, along the way, there is no flat ground or dry firewood at all, so no matter how good the idea is, it is useless.The two boys' stomachs growled, and they began to wonder whether the raw meat was really as dirty and unpalatable as they imagined. :

"Wow! Finally came out!" Susan said with relief. "Oh, that's great!" exclaimed Peter too. The canyon came to an end, where the river turned a bend.Looking from the top of the cliff, a whole new world unfolded before them—an open plain stretching forward, as if it were one with the sky.The river between the great plain and them flowed slowly like a broad silver ribbon.There is a river that is very wide and shallow, and the children immediately recognized it as the Beruna Ferry, the only difference is that a long porous bridge is now erected there.Looking forward, the other end of the bridge leads to a small village.

"My God," said Edmund, "that's where we won the Battle of Belluna!" There is nothing more exciting and high-spirited for boys.When you revisit old places, and return to the battlefield where you once won brilliant victories and great glory, you can't help feeling very proud and courageous.Looking back on the past, Peter and Edmund talked happily, forgetting the fatigue and soreness along the way, as well as the heavy armor on their bodies.The dwarf's eyes widened when he heard this, with infinite admiration and fascination on his face. After a short rest, the group continued to walk forward, and everyone quickened their pace.The road is also easier to go - some.Although there were still steep cliffs on the left, the flat land on the right gradually opened up, and before long they entered a dense jungle.

Suddenly, "whoosh—" something flew over their heads and hit the tree trunk. The sound was like a woodpecker pecking on the tree.The children were still wondering where they had heard similar uncomfortable noises before, when Trupkin yelled "Lie down!" and pushed Lucy beside her hard into the bushes.Peter was looking up, to see if there were any squirrels, when he saw a sharp, relentless arrow just passing over his head and digging deep into the trunk beside him.He hastily pulled Susan and made her lie down.Just as he bent down, another arrow shot over, brushed his shoulder, and stuck on the ground beside him.

"Quick! Quick! Get back! Get down on the ground!" gasped Trumpkin. They turned, and under the cover of the bushes, amidst the repulsive buzzing of swarms of flies, they climbed up the hill.An arrow hit Susan's helmet, sparking.They sped up their crawling speed, and all of them were sweating profusely and panting in no time.After a while, they simply stood up and ran with their backs bent.The boys ran behind, holding their swords tightly in case the enemy should overtake them. It was a tiring run—all uphill, along the trail they had just walked.Finally, they felt that they couldn't run anymore, so they collapsed behind a big rock beside the waterfall, wheezing and wheezing.When they gradually calmed down and looked around, they couldn't help being very surprised to find that they had run to such a high place. )

Trumpkin listened intently for a long time, but there was no movement of the stalker. "It doesn't matter now," he breathed a long sigh of relief. "They didn't search the forest. They seem to be sentinels. But at least it shows that Miraz has an outpost there. What a shame!" "Damn me for bringing everyone down this road," Peter said guiltily. "Your Majesty, you are wrong," the dwarf blinked. "It is not you, but your noble brother, King Edmund. He suggested that we go along the Clearwater River." "DLF remembers well," said Edmund; at first he had forgotten that, but now he remembered.

"But then again," continued Trumpkin, "if we had gone the way I came, we'd probably have walked straight into the enemy's new outpost, or had similar trouble trying to get around it. .In fact, I think we still choose the most favorable path." "It seems that what happened just now is not a disaster, but luck." Susan said. "Not on the surface, but in fact," said Edmund. "Maybe we'll have to go up the canyon again," said Lucy. "Lou, you're great!" said Peter. "You could have blamed us for not listening to your advice. Well, let's start at once and go upriver."

"As soon as we're up in the woods," said Trumpkin firmly, "I'm going to light a fire and cook, no matter what you say. Of course we have to get out of here first." Although they had suffered a lot on the way back, it was strange to say that everyone was in high spirits and seemed to be full of vitality again. The idea of ​​"we'll have something to eat in a while" worked wonders. When they came to the cedar forest, it was still early, and they stopped in front of a clearing to prepare to camp here.Picking dead sticks was a monotonous job, but it was a joy when the fire was kindled.They started to clean up the wet and greasy bear meat.For those who stay at home and eat all day long, the appearance of this meat is really unappetizing.The little man was very clever at cooking, he cut the apples into small pieces and wrapped them in meat--like apple stuffed dumplings, only much bigger, and with bear meat instead of flour for the dumpling wrappers-- Then insert it on a sharpened branch and roast it with fire.The apple juice oozed out and covered the bear meat, as if coated with applesauce.There is a kind of carnivorous bear whose meat is thick and not tasty at all, and another kind of bear whose main food is honey and fruit, whose meat is tender and delicious, and it tastes very good.The bear meat in front of him belongs to the latter.It was a very fine dinner, and there was no need to do the dishes after the meal--everyone took a comfortable position, leaned against the tree, stretched out their tired legs, and looked indifferently into the Trumpkin pipe. Wisps of white smoke came out, and they chatted casually.Everyone felt that King Caspian would be found tomorrow and Miraz would be defeated within a few days. No one could tell where this confidence came from, but they all felt that way.

Not long after, they fell asleep one by one. Suddenly Lucy woke up from a sweet sleep, and she seemed to hear a very kind voice calling her name.At first she thought it was her father's voice, but it didn't look like it; then she thought it was Peter, and when she listened carefully, it didn't seem to be it.She didn't bother to guess, not because she was tired--on the contrary, she was very well rested, and all aches and pains disappeared from her body--but because she felt extremely happy and comfortable.Their camp was more open, and she looked up at the sky, where the Narnia moon was bigger than our world's moon, and the stars were so enchanting. "Lucy." The voice called to her again, and it wasn't Dad, and it wasn't Peter.She sat up, trembling a little with excitement, but not in the least frightened.The moonlight was extremely bright, and the surrounding forest was clearly visible, as if it were daytime, although it looked very barren.Behind her was the fir forest, and on the far right stood the steep and dangerous peaks opposite the canyon. About 20 meters away, the open grass stretched out to a clearing in the forest. Lucy's eyes suddenly stopped. "Why, are those trees moving?" she wondered to herself, "They seem to be walking." She stood up, her heart was pounding, and she walked slowly in that direction.There seemed to be some noise in the clearing. Although there was no wind at this time, the trees rustled.Of course, this is definitely not the kind of sound that the woods usually make.Lucy felt that the rustling was accompanied by a faint melody, but she could no more make out what kind of melody it was, any more than she could hear the whispers of the trees the night before.But at least she could hear a certain rhythm, and when she got closer, she felt that her feet wanted to dance involuntarily with the rhythm.At this time, there was no need to doubt that the trees were really moving—back and forth, like a complicated folk dance.Now she was almost between them. " The first tree she encountered looked like a giant, with a rough beard and shaggy hair.She was not afraid at all, but felt the joy of reuniting her old friends.The giant is swinging awkwardly, you can't see its feet, or its roots, because when it moves, it doesn't step on the ground, but kicks its heels in the soil, just like we walk in water Same.She looked at the other trees, and they were all like this.At times they take on the shape of friendly, lovable giants, as if enchanted, and at other times they return to their true colors.When they take the form of trees, they look like very strange human-shaped trees; and when they take human form, they look like strange tree-shaped people with branches and leaves.The strange rhythm and joyful rustling sounded all the time. 2 "They're coming to life soon," murmured Lucy.She knew that she was fully awake at this moment, more sober than anyone else. She walked among them fearlessly, jumping up and down so as not to be knocked down by these tall companions.Lucy didn't want to dance at this moment, she hurried through the colorful trees of her mother-in-law, looking for something else-it was from the other side of the woods that the kind voice came to her, calling her one after another. ' Soon she was walking through the woods (whether she was pushing the branches away with her arms, or holding the hands of the tall dancers who bent over her), and from that lovely play of light and shadow Walked out of the confusion caused by the alternation. In front of her eyes was a flat lawn surrounded by dark trees dancing.ah aslan it's there The majestic giant lion stood still under the moonlight, casting a large black shadow on the ground. Had it not been for a wag of its tail, you would hardly have guessed that it was a living flesh and blood.Lucy ran towards it without hesitation, without pausing to consider whether it was a ferocious, man-eating lion.She was so excited, she just felt that if she slowed down a little, the fiery heart would jump out of her chest.In a daze of excitement, she remembered wrapping her arms tightly around Aslan's neck, calling to it, kissing it, and burying her face in its beautiful, lustrous, satin-like Soft and smooth mane inside. "Aslan, Aslan, dear Aslan," broke Lucy, "at last I see you." The giant beast lay down on its side, and Lucy followed her, leaning halfway between its front legs.Aslan stretched out his head and licked her nose lightly with his tongue, and its warm breath spread all over her body immediately.She raised her head and looked into the huge, wise face. "Welcome, child," it said. "Aslan," said Lucy, "you've grown up again." "That's because you're getting older, little one," it replied. "Aren't you growing?" "I don't, but you grow up every year, and you will find that I am getting bigger and bigger." Lucy was too happy to know what to say.It was Aslan who broke the silence. "Lucy," it said, "we cannot stay here long, there are many things to do. Much time has been wasted today." "Yes, what a rush to waste so much time!" said Lucy, remembering the scene during the day. "I saw you on the top of the hill beckoning us up, but they didn't believe me, they were all so—" Aslan frowned slightly. "I'm sorry," Lucy immediately understood what the lion meant, "I don't mean to speak ill of others, but it's not my fault, is it?" The lion looked straight into her eyes. "Oh, Aslan," said Lucy, "you don't think it's my fault, do you? How could I—I couldn't leave other people and climb up the hill to find you alone, how could I? Don't look like that I... oh well, suppose I could, yes, be with you and I wouldn't feel alone, but what's the use of that?" Aslan said nothing. "You mean," dropped Lucy, "that the situation would be different—how much better? Tell me, Aslan! What would happen then?" "Want to know what could have happened and didn't happen, boy?" said Aslan deeply. "What's the use of telling you or even let us think about what will happen. Go back to your companions at once." Go to your side, wake them up, tell them you saw me again, and immediately get up and follow me—what happens next, I think you can guess." "You mean, you want me to do these things right away?" "Yes, little one." "Shall I bring them to meet you?" "Not yet," said Aslan thoughtfully, "later, the time is not yet ripe." "But they won't believe me!" "no need to worry."" "Oh, dear Aslan! I'm so glad to have found you, I thought you'd let me stay with you; I thought you'd drive the enemies away with a roar—like the last Like the last time. But now, I feel a little scared!" "It is difficult indeed for you, my friend," said Aslan, "but things never happen the same way twice, and we have all suffered in Narnia before that." Lucy buried her head in the lion's mane and did not look into his face.There must be something magical about Aslan, and she felt clearly that the lion's power was gradually spreading to herself.She sat up suddenly. "Forgive my momentary weakness, Aslan," she said bravely, "and now I am all ready." "My child, you have the courage and strength of a Lion," said Aslan. "From now on all Narnia shall be restored to its former dignity. Come, we must waste no more time." It stood up, took a solemn, powerful step, and walked soundlessly towards the dancing woods.Lucy walked steadily beside it.The big tree made a way for them, and for a second, it completely showed their human appearance.Lucy caught glimpses of tall, lovely nymphs and nymphs.They bowed together to Aslan.In an instant, they were tree-like again, but still bowing, branches and trunks swaying gracefully.Their salute is really a dance. "Well, boy," said Aslan, when they had gone through the wood, "I'll wait here, and you go and wake them up, and follow me. If they don't believe it, at least you will follow me yourself." It's not easy to wake up four sleeping people, and they're all older than you, and they're all very tired.It's especially difficult when you're asking them to do something they're definitely not willing to do just to tell them something they probably won't believe. "I can't think so much, I must work hard to do this well." Lucy secretly made up her mind. She walked up to Peter first and shook his shoulders. "Peter," she whispered in his ear, "wake up, quick, Aslan is here. He told us all to get out of here with him at once." "Okay, Lucy, let's go now." Peter answered with such unexpected quickness that Lucy was encouraged.Unexpectedly, Peter turned over and fell asleep again in the blink of an eye.The first effort was fruitless. Then she called Susan again.Susan did wake up, but said in her annoyingly grown-up voice, "You're talking in your sleep again, Lucy, lie down and go back to sleep!" Lucy had to shake Edmund again.It was hard to wake him up.It took a while before Edmund sat up. "Huh?" he asked unhappily. "What did you say?" She repeated it again.That's really the hardest part of her mission.Even she herself couldn't believe what happened just now. "What?" jumped up Edmund. "Aslan! Where is it?" Lucy turned, and she could see Aslan waiting. "There." She pointed. "Where?" Edmund asked again after staring for a long time. "There, isn't that what Dinle hasn't seen yet? It's just this side of the woods." Edmund stared hard for a while longer, and then said, "No, there's nothing there. You must have been blinded and confused by the moonlight. That's the way people are sometimes, you know. There are so -In an instant, I also felt as if I saw something, but in the end, it was just an illusion." "I can see it all the time," said Lucy. "It's been watching us." "Then why can't I see it?" "It says it, and you may not see it." "Why?" "I don't know either, that's what it said." "Well, really," said Edmund, "I hope there's nothing wrong with you. But I think it's best to wake them all up."