Now We Are Free

21

The taller Black Knight's eyes widened and he jolted forward before saying, "Friends, that now is very near. She and I are ashamed that you should see us, yet we dread to be left alone."

"What is to happen?" Puddleglum asked.

The taller Black Knight looked at Puddleglum and stood. He walked behind the Marsh-wiggle and said, "Come."

The five followed him to the other side of the room. He opened an ornate door to reveal a glowing chair. Marina and Evreux shielded their eyes and squinted at the bright light.

"The Silver Chairs," Eustace whispered. "They're beautiful."

"Beautiful?" the smaller Black Knight repeated. "Under its enchantment he and I become furious in rage. Stay with us. The truth may not be here when the evil enchantment grips us. None except the Queen, but as she's away, you must stay."

"We'd certainly be happy to, but those guards threatened us. And the moment they see us, well-"

"The guards," the taller Black Knight said as he and the smaller Black Knight suddenly rushed to the opposite end of the room and the five companions followed. "Go through yonder door, leave our private apartments, and the await our coming to all our sufferings around."

The five did as instructed. Marina kept staring at the door to the main room where the Black Knights had been, unable to shake the familiar feeling she felt deep within.

Evreux glanced at his friend and said quietly, "I feel the similarity as well."

They listened to them scream and Marina's heart broke with each and every one.

"Should we go back to them?" Eustace asked.

"No," Jill replied. "I'd rather not."

"But wait a minute," Puddleglum said. "I'm sure that Queen's a witch and an enemy. Not as good and kind as Marina. There's a strong smell of danger and magic and lies and treason. We need to know everything that's going on. I vote we go back."

Marina nodded. "I agree. Evreux and I recognise both voices. We need only see their faces to confirm what we know to be true."

Everyone nodded in agreement and the five slowly walked back towards the Black Knights.

Puddleglum opened the door and Jill, Eustace, Evreux and Marina entered the main room.

As they walked towards the room with the Silver Chairs, the Black Knights screamed. Eustace glanced back at the others, Jill looked between Puddleglum, Evreux and Clara, and the Queen clenched her fists, trying to drown the screams out. Evreux placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.

After reaching the ornate door and briefly staring back at the others for a moment, Eustace opened the door to the Silver Chair room. The blinding light shone again, but it was less bright than before.

"Come in friends," the taller Black Knight said from the Silver Chair. "The fit comes and goes, and is not fully upon me or her." There was shuffling from the five. "Make no noise, for I told that prying warden that you were in bed. Listen while I am still master of myself, who's she is still mistress or herself." The five walked closer. "When the fit is upon us, we shall beg and implore you, entreat and threaten you to loosen my bonds. They tell us that is what we do. We shall call upon you by all that is most dear and most dreadful, but do not listen to us. Harden your hearts, stop your ears. For while we are bound, you are safe. If once she and I are up and out of these chairs, we'd be transformed into a serpent and would kill you."

"Never fear," Puddleglum and Evreux told him.

"We have no desire to do battle with serpents," Puddleglum added.

"But be careful," the smaller Black Knight warned as the five slowly moved closer. "There's no knowing what he and I will say to catch off your guard. You promise? You swear that whatever he or I say you do not release us from our bonds?"

Jill audibly breathed in as she said quietly, "I jolly well think not."

"Nevertheless, we must be cautious coming I shouldn't wonder," Puddleglum stated.

The Black Knights began seizing in their chairs and cried out.

The five watched as the Black Knights began begging and cried out for mercy.

Suddenly, all fell silent. The Black Knights' eyes closed and their heads dropped as they stilled.

Puddleglum walked closer and placed a hand to the Black Knights' hearts while Evreux and Marina waited in anticipation.

The Black Knights' eyes shot open as the taller of the two said, "Quick. I-I'm saying now." Jill, Eustace, Evreux and Marina moved closer. "Every night she and I are sane, and it is the only time that we are. If only we could get out of these enchanted chairs! Our sanity would last, I'd be a man again, she'd be a woman again, ourselves again, but every night they bind us, every night our chance is gone. You are not our enemies. Please! Quickly! Cut my bonds. Please! I beseech you. Have they told you that if we are released we shall go berserk and kill you?" He studied their expressions and let out a sigh. "I see by your faces that they have. It is a lie! It is at this hour that she and I are in my right mind. All the rest of the day we are bewitched! You are not witches! You are not underworld men! Of your courtesy, cut our bonds!"

Eustace glanced at the others and said quietly, "I hope they're safe."

Marina, as much as she wanted to help the man and the woman, knew she needed to wait for the sign from Aslan. Or perhaps the sign had already come?

The smaller Black Knight breathed heavily and looked at them sadly. "You have hearts of stone. You look upon two wretcheds who have suffered more than any mortal could bear." Jill and Marina slowly stepped closer. "The hours are slipping by." The girls continued moving closer. "Save us now. For when these hours have passed, he and I should be witless again. A toy of that most devilish sorceress." She focused on Marina with pleading eyes. "I beg of you, Mother. Please. Save me."

The taller Black Knight turned to Evreux. "Father, save me. I beg of you."