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| When she awoke, Eliza
knew she'd been asleep for hours because the sun was much lower in the
sky then it had been when she had fallen asleep. The sun was in her eyes
and she blinked in its brightness. Eliza could hear the cries of seagulls
for she and Nikki were pretty close to land. She could smell the salty
sea air. Then she saw a thin stripe of green coast in front of her and
after a few moments, (they were going pretty fast), the land cam up and
Eliza saw she was coming to the mouth of a river. She was very low now,
only a few feet above the water. The water was smooth and blue as a sapphire.
Suddenly, they slowed down and then came to a stop on smooth green
lawn, next to a large castle.
Eliza stood up, still holding Nikki, who was only beginning to awaken. Eliza studied the beautiful castle. It had many towers and turrets, many of which had colorful flags atop them, fluttering happily in the breeze. Many weather-vanes sparkled in the setting sun. A large marble quay, or dock, lay on the coast and water next to the castle. How beautiful!, thought Eliza. But what's that? Why is a flag at the highest tower flying at half-staff? Did someone die and who? I wonder where I am. Hmmm...a big castle, a marble dock, all at the mouth of a great river....I must be in Narnia now! And the castle must be Cair Paravel, the place where the Narnian kings live! Suddenly, Eliza saw someone, or several someones, hurrying toward the castle on horseback. Nikki began barking. "Quiet boy," whispered Eliza, but to no avail. the puppy wiggled in her arms. As the someones drew closer, Eliza saw that they were three people, two dark-skinned men and an auburn haired young woman. they took no notice of Nikki or Eliza as they came up from the south, to a small gate and went in. Eliza wondered who they were. "I think I'll go find out," decided Eliza. "Maybe they're royalty or something!" It was then that Nikki jumped out of her arms and ran off. "Not again!," exclaimed Eliza. "Come back Nikki, boy! Come back!" Eliza chased after him, but he disappeared around a corner of the castle. It took her no time to reach the castle. She saw a gate, and thinking Nikki might have gone in that one, she went in. Inside the gate was a large, open-aired courtyard. At the far end was a large double door. It must lead to the inner courts or throne room, thought Eliza. I wonder why there aren't any guards? She was silent as she walked though the courtyard, and completely forgetting Nikki, Eliza looked at a fountain. It had a large stone base and a stone mermaid sitting on a rock. A small crack was visible on the mermaid's tail. Eliza frowned. "I've seen this before, like it's a lost memory from long ago." She shook her head and went on. other statues were scattered about the courtyard. Eliza came to the big door, which was large enough for a giant to go through. One of the doors stood open and she looked in. Before her lay the throne room. Steps led up to a dais on the far wall. Four thrones sat upon it. Eliza gasped. Those are the four legendary thrones of Cair Paravel!, she thought. I can't believe I'm here! The two middle thrones were occupied by a stately couple. The man on the left middle throne had chin length blond hair and purple and scarlet robes. He was apparently the king. The woman beside him, the queen had long crimson hair and matching feminine robes. They were talking to the three people Eliza had seen come in. After a few moments, the king waved his hand and auburn haired girl ran off, crying in loud sobs. The two men followed her and went out another door. What a wimpy girl, thought Eliza, I wonder what that was all about? The king and queen then rose and walked up a doorway to their right. Eliza thought, they look sad. Who was that young woman they were -- Eliza's thoughts were interrupted by something sharp sticking in her back. "Turn around slowly, intruder," said a high squeaky voice behind her. Eliza turned around and gasped. Standing behind her were FOUR GIANT MICE!!
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