Prince Caspian (book)

Published in 1951, Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia tells the story of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy's second trip to Narnia where they discover that the evil usurper Miraz has taken control of Narnia. This evil ruler has tried to kill off the magical creatures of Narnia, but there are still many hiding in the remote corners of the land. The four children help the young Prince Caspian organize his army of Talking Beasts and, with the help of the great lion Aslan, Narnia is once more freed of evil.

Plot Summary
Prince Caspian opens with four children sitting in a railway station. The four are, of course, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. They are awaiting the arrival of trains which will take the boys to their boarding school and the girls to a separate school. One year has elapsed (on this side of the wardrobe door) since the four were Kings and Queens in Narnia. The first to feel the pull of magic was Lucy, who feels a sharp sting. Edmund then feel the sensation, followed by Peter, then Susan. Before they can completely understand what is happening, the four are drawn out of the train station and appear in a thick wood. The fight their way through thick thorns and brambles to an opening at the edge of the woods. Before them lies the sea into which they all run for a quick swim. Having satisfied their childish sides, they set upon the business of finding food and fresh water. Edmund and Peter had sandwiches with them when they were drawn into the wood. After some exploration, they determine that the land they are on is in fact an island, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel.

They soon find a stream running into the sea and drink their fill. They eat the sandwiches and assess their situation. They decide to go inland to find shelter for the night. Following the stream, they proceed into the thick of the woods. After a short bit of walking, they notice that one of the trees bears fruit - large yellow apples that are perfectly ripe. While eating their dinner of apples, they find that an archway extends just beyond the orchard and a large, growth-covered wall extends upward. The tree is part of an apple orchard planted outside the gate of a great castle. After dinner, they enter the castle.

The four spend some moments reflecting on their time at Cair Paravel before gathering firewood and picking more apples. Brief exploration leads them to find the castle well from which they can draw more water. After a late meal, Susan goes to the well for water and returns with a solemn look on her face. In her hand she holds a gold chess piece - a knight - exactly like the ones the four used to play with at Cair Paravel. It is Peter who surmises that they are in fact at Cair Paravel and presents evidence which proves his case. They decide that their old treasure chamber should be behind an old vine-covered door. The break the door down, discover a descending staircase, and proceed into the treasure chamber of Cair Paravel. When they once again take possession of their gifts (see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) they are assured of their location but confused about its condition. Also missing is the Horn of Susan, a magical horn that brings help to the one who sounds it. Nonetheless, it is the following morning that they realize that while only a year has passed in our time, several hundred years could have passed in Narnia.

Shortly after breakfast, the four see the first living souls (other than each other)since their arrival. Two soldiers row to the island to drop a captive dwarf from the boat into the water. While they are trying to decide whether to tie a weight to the bound dwarf, Susan fires an arrow. It hits the soldier in the helmet and bounces off, knocking him into the water. The second soldier jumps from the boat and both swim the narrow distance to the mainland. The four rescue the dwarf, who tells them his story. He begins with Caspian the Tenth, whom the dwarf calls the king of the old Narnians (the talking animals, faund, dwarfs, dryads, etc.). Caspian is a Telmarine by birth to King Caspian the Ninth of Narnia. Caspian's parents are both dead and his uncle, Miraz, assumed the throne at his brother's passing. Caspian's best friend and confidante was his nurse who tutored him and told Caspian storied of the "old" Narnia. When Miraz hears of the nurse's stories he is outraged and discharges the nurse, replacing her with an old half-dwarf named Doctor Cornelius.

Caspian is reluctant but soon finds the courage to ask his new tutor about old Narnia. Cornelius avoids the topic, only alluding to the possibility of creatures other than humans in Narnia. Only after several weeks does Cornelius tell Caspian the truth. Under the guise of giving an astronomy lesson, the doctor takes Caspian to the top of the highest topwer in the castle. It is then that he tells Caspian about talking animals and other creatures. Several times Cornelius takes Caspian to the top of the tower and gives lessons in true Narnia history.

Early one morning, Cornelius wakes Caspian from a deep sleep. Caspian, assuming that he is going for another "lesson" hurries out of bed and follows his teacher. The go to the tower where the doctor urges Caspian to flee. The wife of Miraz has just delivered a son, an heir to the throne, and Caspian was no longer of any use to the king. Cornelius tells Caspian that he is the true heir and Miraz is an evil usurper who killed King Caspian the Ninth and eliminated all who were loyal to that king. Cornelius gives Caspian the Horn of Susan and instructs him on its use. Caspian mounts his horse and flees to the south.

During his ride, a terrible storm rises. Bad visibility makes it impossible to see in the thick woods through which Caspian was riding. As a result, he rides into an unseen branch, is knocked from his horses and falls unconscious to the forest floor. Caspian awakes in a firelit room with a terrible headache. He hears the voices of several creatures trying to decide what to do with him. One voice said to kill it. Another said he should have been killed when they found him or at least left alone. Caspian addresses them and asks that whatever they do to him, they should at least be kind to his horse. Caspian is informed that his horse ran off. Caspian rises from the floor and is shocked to find that those to whom he was talking are in fact a badger and a pair of dwarves. When he is able, Caspian tells them of his flight from Miraz and his relation to the reigning king (a fact which stirs much controversy as Miraz is a staunch enemy of the free Narnians). He assures all that he is no friend of Miraz and is seeking to reclaim his rightful throne. Trufflehunter, the badger, is the first to swear allegiance to the true king of Narnia. Nikabrik, one of the dwarves is less desirous to be friendly with Caspian due to his Telmarine and Calormene upbringing.

Caspian is soon introduced to several other old Narnians - the Three Bulgy Bears, Patterwig the Squirrel, the Seven Brothers of the Shuddering Woods (dwarves who are metalsmiths) who gave them gifts of mail and armor, Centaur Glenstorm, a prophet and stargazer and his sons and Reepicheep the Mouse and his following of talking mice. All agree to attend a feast on Dancing Lawn to discuss action against Miraz. Caspian meets over the next days several creatures that surprise and amaze him.

The Feast is completed and the War Council begins. It has all but begun when one of the animals senses the approach of a creature that is not quite human but almost human. Creatures depart to capture the intruder. He is surrounded and brought before the council. Caspian is pleasantly surprised to see Cornelius standing before him. Cornelius tells the council that Miraz is on the move and that the entire assembly of old Narnians is in danger. Caspian's horse, having lost its rider, returned to the castle and betrayed the secret of Caspian's departure. The assembly decides to depart for Aslan's How, a place of ancient significance. It is a well protected series of caves and passages in which all will be safe. At Aslan's How, Miraz's troops arrive in large numbers and Caspian's army is drawn into battle. The struggle is great and Caspian's army is desperately trying to gain advantage over Miraz with little success. The decision is made to sound the Horn of Susan. Detatchments are sent to two of the ancient spots te receive the help when it arrives. Patterwig the squirrel is sent to Lantern Waste and the old lamppost. Trumpkin volunteers to go to Cair Paravel.

Trumpkin the dwarf finishes his story to the four children and tells of his capture and delivery to the island. Trumpkin is distrubed to find that the four for whom he had been sent were children and not the full grown adults he expected. The four assure him that they are able warriors - susan proves better than Trumpkin with a bow and Edmund disarms him with the sword. Lucy treats his wounds with a drop from her cordial and Trumpkin is convinced of their effectiveness in battle. The four nickname Trumpkin calling him D.L.F. (short for Dear Little Friend). They all agree to leave for Aslan's How. They collect apples and board the boat. They arrive shortly on the mainland and proceed into the forest for the trip to the How. They set up camp and sleep for the night.

The following morning, the party resumes its trek through the woods for Aslan's How. Trumpkin kills a bear which supplies them with meat. They continue on only to be stopped by a deep gorge which seems impassible. It is then that Lucy cries and shouts, declaring that she has seen The Lion. He wanted them to follow Him. The rest of the party is less obliging and decides to go the opposite way Lucy suggests. They proceed away from Aslan and travel all day without finding a point of crossing the gorge. They are stopped short when sentries fire arrows at them causing a rapid retreat into the forest. They run for some time before deciding that all is safe and they are not followed. They encamp for another night in the forest.

Lucy awakes from a deep sleep and is compelled to get up by the sound of a voice calling her name. She follows the sound and shortly encounters the Great Lion Himself. He instructs Luce to wake the others and follow Him. She does this, though meeting much resistence. Aslan is not visible to the others until, one by one, their faith allows them to see Him. They follow Him through the woods. Edmund sees Aslan next, followed by Peter, and finally Susan and Trumpkin. Aslan stops and deals with Susan's doubt and Trumpkin's disbelief before sending the three men to the mound to deal with matters. The girls remain behind with Aslan.

At Aslan's roar, the forest comes to life and the spirits of the trees are revived. they dance about in the moonlight, much to the delight of the girls.

Meanwhile, the boys have reached Aslan's How. They enter the heart of the mound and proceed down a dark passageway where they hear loud, angry voices ahead of them. They stop short of the voices and listen. Caspian is heard talking with Nikabrik about the progress of the battle. Nikabrik is angry because several dwarves have already been killed and wounded and Susan's Horn has had no apparent effect. Caspian assures all that help will come, in the meantime they must plan for the future. Nikabrik puts forth a plan of action that would involve the use of dark magic to call out of the past the White Witch who kept Narnia in winter for hundreds of years. He is supported by a wer-wolf and a hag, both present at the counsel. Caspian, Trufflehunter, and Cornelius are appalled by the idea and express their disapproval just as Peter enters the room. To Peter's amazement, the wer-wolf attacks Caspian, the hag attacks Cornelius, and Trufflehunter attacks Nikabrik. In the melee, the light is knocked over and goes out. The scuffle last for a few moments before the light is relit. On the floor are the dead bodies of the hag, wer-wolf, and Nikabrik. Peter presents himself to Caspian and they prepare for their next move.

Peter decides to send a letter of challenge to Miraz. The letter challenges the king to single combat with Peter. The letter is delivered by Edmund who gives it to Glozelle, the kings courtier. Glozelle, who had just been conspiring against the king with his partner, Sopespian. Glozelle manages to encourage the king to accept the challenge (which under normal circumstances would have been ignored) by telling Miraz that he was far to valuable to risk injury by such a warrior as Peter, never mind that the latter is a boy. Miraz calls Glozelle a coward and balks at his advice. He accepts the challenge as Glozelle declares his vengeance at the kings use of the word coward.

The battle place is set and Miraz arrives with his army. Peter advances toward the ring and enters. The fight is about to begin when a large group of creatures flows over the hill and forms a line behind Peter and his company. The creatures are the tree people which were revived by Aslan the previous night. With the new strength to his army behind him, Peter faces Miraz. The fight begins with both ment striking blow upon blow but yielding little result. Finally, Peter strikes first blood, wounding Miraz's arm. The two soon agree on a period of rest before continuing. During the break, Peter tells Edmund about a sprain to his wrist which needs binding. Having been done, Peter resumes fighting with Miraz. The fighting is fierce and Peter is struck in the helmet then the shoulder. He rises to face Miraz and in the ensuing struggle, Miraz trips and falls face down. To Peter's surprise he does not rise but instead Glozelle and Sopespian cried out that Peter had committed treachery by stabbing Miraz in the back. Miraz's army is called to arms and advances on Peter's forces. In the confusion, Glozelle rushes forward and drives a spear into Miraz's back, his revenge.

Peter's army fights valiantly and drives Miraz's forces back to Beruna from which they came. When they arrive at the river they find that the bridge they first crossed is no longer there and they are trapped between the river and Aslan's forces. The bridge had been removed by the tree people and Aslan had invaded the town driving off the adults and children before him. He stops long enough to heal a sick old woman who, as it turns out, is Caspian's old tutor, the nurse. The girls dismount Aslan and the nurse mounts him and they ride to the Fords of Beruna in time to see Miraz's army laying down their weapons and raising their hands in surrender.

The sight of Aslan causes great fear in the Telmarine army. Aslan bestows kingship on Caspian who feels less than able. He then set upon healing the wounds of his troops, particularly Reepicheep, whose tail has been cut off. As a symbol of loyalty, Reep's men are prepared to cut off their own tails. Aslan is impressed by this show and restores Reepicheep's tail.

At this, the Telmarines are taken across the river and locked up. A dance of celebration is held and Bacchus and the fauns dance into the night. The proclamation is sent out that Caspian is King of Narnia and the country now belongs to the talking animals and other old Narnian beasts. Aslan has agreed to provide the Telmarines with another home and all who wish to go there should come at the appointed time. When the time is nigh, the Telmarines arrive and find Aslan, who has constructed a door from Narnia to our world. All who wish may enter. All who refuse must live under Narnian rule. The Telmarines are reluctant, afraid of what they cannot see on the other side of the door. Only after the four Pevensie children enter do the Telmarines enter. Before the children enter, however, they are informed that Peter and Susan would not be returning to Narnia. They are getting too old. After changing into their school clothes, goodbyes are said and the children enter and find themselves once again on the train platform.