Final news

Pole and Scrubb left today for Cair Paravel. I imagine that now the task is done, Aslan will take them home soon. (If he hasn't already; I've had word from the owls that there's been no sign of them for awhile now). I stayed behind because of my foot. The leech is coming to see it; shouldn't wonder if he wants to have it off. It's most likely infected too. I'll probably die soon. All because of that witch and her wretched enchantments.
In an even soberer strain, word has been brought to me that our king, Caspian the Tenth, died today; right after he docked coming back from his trip to the East. Prince (or should I say King) Rilian was just able to greet his father before he passed. It is a great pity. Caspian was a good king. No doubt Rilian will be too; but there will be no telling what he will have to deal with; him being gone for ten years and not knowing the state of things. It should be a rough and trying time for awhile. We'll just have to make the best of it.

Narnia

Awhile after the Earthmen left off tying up the lunatic prince-person to the chair, we went back into the room. He warned us that while he was raving, we were not to untie him, no matter what he said. We swore we wouldn’t. After all, who would want to set a crazed serpent-man loose on themselves? That resolve held firm until he started his moanings and ravings. At first it was as he said it would be: he begged and threatened and cried to be released. He told us this was the only time he was ever sane: the rest of his waking hours was lunacy and enchantments. If he ever did get free and we did not help him, we would be his mortal enemies. Though he was convincing, we stood firm. But then he charged us in Aslan’s name to set him free. That was the fourth sign that Aslan had given us. The prince would be the first person who asked us to do something in Aslan’s name. Though we were afraid of the results and sure of our own deaths, we said goodbye to each other and cut the ropes that bound him to the chair. As soon as he was free, he grabbed his own sword and destroyed the chair. Then he turned around as if seeing us for the first time, recognized me as a Marshwiggle (I had gotten quite tired of being called Froggy and Frog-foot) and introduced himself as Prince Rilian of Narnia. No sooner had we finished telling him who we were, what we were doing there, and about his father than two Earthmen and the green lady entered the room.

She was quite shocked (as well she might be) and possibly angry to see the prince out of his chair. When Rilian accused her of being a witch she threw some sort of powder on the fire and started strumming this lute thing and that, for some reason, threw a fog over our brains. She tried to enchant us all by arguing circles around us and convincing us that the sun and Overworld and Narnia and all other worlds were not real. The sun was not real. Aslan was not real. That is when somehow, someway, I found my foot in the fire. Literally. My foot was burned terribly and it will probably never heal or get infected and the have to be cut off or some other thing like that, but it woke everyone (including me…pain is a great stimulant) up enough to realize what exactly was going on. And then I lost my temper and told the witch that even if our world was imaginary, I would rather live there than underground with her and we’d be leaving to look for our imaginary Narnia or (the most likely option) die trying.

That was when things got even more interesting. The witch turned herself into a very large snake and attacked us but between Rilian, Scrubb and I, we managed to hack its head off. After we had refreshed ourselves with some food and wine, and a bandage for my foot, we started talking about how we were to get out of Underland. Then we noticed a noise coming from outside. There was shouting that seemed to be coming from the previously-silent Earthmen, and a roaring coming from the lake. It was at that point I decided that the world was probably going to collapse on us at any time. There was also a red glow coming from some place; and I felt sure it was a volcano forming. So then it was a debate to whether or not the volcano would erupt and melt us before we were buried alive. To make matters better, the lake was rising. I added drowning to the death-equation. Even though death seemed inevitable, we all decided to try for escaping anyway, and so we left the castle, took the two horses in the stable, and started riding for the diggings that had been underway for the witch’s invasion. While we rode, we kept seeing Earthmen darting about into the shadows. Possible death by ground-creatures appeared on my list. Just to see what they were up to and what their quarrel was with us, I snuck up behind one and caught it so we could interrogate it. It turns out it was all a misunderstanding. They were afraid that we had come out to fight them while they were trying to get back to their home in the even deeper land of Bism (they had been under an enchantment too), and we were afraid that they were come to fight us while we tried to escape. We almost lost the prince and Scrubb there for a moment because that gnome thing I caught invited us down to his land of Bism (that was what the red glow was; a rift down to Bism) and they both wished to go for the adventure, but Pole and I talked them out of it. The Earthmen left, the rift closed, and we were left alone to find our way to the diggings. There were lamps in the road that we followed and by Aslan’s mercy led us to the diggings. We kept riding until we could go no further. A wall of earth stood in our way, with only a small hole of light coming in from the top. I raised Pole onto my shoulders so she could see what it was, and then she fell through we didn’t know what happened to her for some time. We all felt sure I had let her go to her death and could do nothing about it because there was no way we could go after her.

After awhile of sadness and wondering what to do now that we had lost Pole and were stuck underground for all eternity, Scrubb convinced me to let him climb up on his shoulders so he could see through the hole, and then he got pulled through too. Pole stuck her head in the hole and told us everything was all right, but at that point I felt certain that this whole trip had gotten to her and she had cracked under the pressure. Then it was left for me and the prince and the horses to sit an await our fate, whatever that might be (starvation, dehydration, drowning from the rising lake, death from the ruthless barbarians on the other side of the wall). Not long after that, though, a mass of dirt came tumbling down on us and moonlight came through and then dwarves and talking beasts were helping us out of the hole and we found ourselves back in Narnia again. And, surprisingly, there are no disasters we come back to. The king is not dead, there are no invasions, or dragons, or floods, or forest fires. All in Narnia, for now, is well.

Underground

At this point in our journey, the circumstances are so remarkable that I am afraid that I am at a loss for words as to how we got here and what exactly is going on. Once we dove into that hole, we had to keep going because the giants’ hounds were right after us. So we kept moving further into the cave. Then we fell. And fell. And fell some more. With our incredible luck, we managed to find a slope covered in shale and rocks and loose gravel that was so steep we couldn’t help but slide right down it and it just kept going and going so we kept going with it.

Once we reached the bottom, we were so worn out with falling that we just sat there for awhile until we heard a voice out of the blackness ask us who we were and where we came from. That’s where things got interesting. The speaker ended up being a Warden or some such of Underland and he had about a hundred of the most serious chaps I have ever seen with him. I had it in my head that they intended to kill us with those pointy spears of theirs, but instead they took us with them, and so we went. We walked and crawled and walked again some through some of the oddest places that I never would have imagined existed (there were flabby fungus-trees and animals and a sleeping giant, all underground!) and then we they put us on boats in an underground lake, and we were rowed across for what seemed like an eternity. We weren’t able to get much out of our ‘guides’ either. They didn’t talk much except to say “many sink down to the Underworld, but few return to the sunlit lands.” The Warden seemed quite fond of that phrase.

We stayed in that boat for quite a long time, but I cannot say with any certainty exactly how long that time was. After that very long time though, we came to a very quiet city. I have a feeling that these Earth-people things don’t talk unless spoken to. Once we docked, they marched us along again through the city of silent creatures until we came to a castle. Then we were taken into the castle, into a hall where it looked like we were going to be traded off and taken away as prisoners, but then a human voice called out from above and bade the Earthmen to bring us up to him.

That is where we are now. In an underground castle, with some human Underworld prince. He seems to be under the impression that he is enchanted and cannot be unenchanted until he rules over an Overland kingdom. He was also the suit of armor that we saw with the green lady all that time ago. According to him, he and his lady are under here until they can dig and break out into the world above, conquer some land, and then rule it with their army of Earthmen. He’s not remorseful or sad about it at all but seems to think it rather funny.

I don’t trust him. Certainly, he seems nice and harmless enough, but living in a castle underground isn’t natural and is bound to do things to your mind; also, I don’t believe I like this lady of his though I haven’t met her properly yet. There will be no telling what will happen whenever she appears (considering she was the one who sent us to those giants who intended to eat us); likely she’ll have us imprisoned or executed or fed to some terrible underground beast. Whatever happens, I’m fairly certain that we won’t be seeing the sun again.
At the moment, we are in room apart from him. He says that at a certain hour every night, the enchantment comes upon him and he raves like a lunatic and transforms into a serpent and foolishness like that so he has to be bound to a silver chair while he is under the effect of the enchantment. So we are in a different room waiting for the earth people to leave after tying him to the chair. I'm half afraid to go in there in the case that he breaks loose and devours us all. Though I'm not certain whether being eaten by a serpent would be better than lying in a prison underground, just waiting for death and no hope of ever seeing light ever again. Neither way seems pleasant but I'm not seeing any other options here. 

The "Gentle" Giants

We escaped from Harfang not too long ago. Now we are just wandering around underground, likely to die of starvation, get eaten by a giant underground spider or other crawling thing, or trip into a hole and fall down to the center of the world.
Suppose it's better to be here than back with the giants, though. They were intending to eat us. Right before we escaped, we were in the kitchen and saw an open cookbook with recipes for "Man" and "Marshwiggle." After that, we knew we had to get out or be giant-fodder, so we waited for the cook to fall asleep and escaped through the scullery door (which just happened to be open: the one thing on our trip that has gone right). Right after though, the giants came back from their hunting expedition and saw us and so we were forced to run for it. And that is why we are underground and most likely to die at any moment. Because we dodged into a hole to get away from the giants.
And that just adds another reason for me to never trust giants.

Harfang

We made it to Harfang last night after quite a bit of stumbling around in the snow. While we were wandering around, Pole fell down into a trench that led to absolutely nowhere. I wanted to have a good look around, because some of our surroundings seemed like they could possibly be a giant’s ruined city but the Children insisted we keep on to Harfang. Looking back now, I see I should have forced them to stay and look around.

Once we got to Harfang, the giants invited us in and gave us something to drink; it tasted all right, but I don’t remember much after drinking it except that the giants kept calling me Froggy. I feel certain that there was something vile in there; I’m expecting to turn into some sort of unnatural creature at any minute.

After I drank that, the next thin I remember is waking up in an extremely large room with a rather bad headache. I found Scrubb and together we found Pole’s room. We climbed up on the windowsill and saw two of the signs we’ve been looking for right below us. Should have figured we’d muff it if we let ourselves get distracted because that’s exactly what happened. We were right in the ruined city the night before, and in the pavement in the city we could see written “UNDER ME;” that trench Pole fell in was an “E.”

Now we have to try to leave the giants and go back to the city in order to find a way to get under the city. Chances are, though, that they won’t let us leave; they seemed too happy to have us here. We’ll have to contrive a way to escape here.

The North

Ever since we met that lady and her suit of armor, Pole and Scrubb have been unbearable. All they want now is to get to Harfang and nothing else matters. It's not much of a surprise to me that this is the case; it's just what you should expect when you take children on a trip. There's only so much they can handle before they get tired and whiny...especially when a stranger suggests that there is something infinitely better not too far away. It doesn't help that the going has gotten harder; the further North we go, the rockier and hillier it will become.
The Children have convinced me to stop at Harfang, and just to keep them from pestering me about it, I've consented. Wouldn't be surprised if it ends in disaster though. All this talk about warm beds and friendly giants will most likely end up as poppycock.Chances are we'll end up prisoners or dead and then no ruined city or lost prince for us. That'll be the end of it.

The Shribble to the Bridge

We’ve been traveling around ten days now. The first day we passed a bunch of giants in Ettinsmoor playing cockshies; they nearly hit us several times. Thank the Lion they didn’t though. Can’t have any injuries while we’re travelling. Likely it’d fester and then fever would set in then, then it’d get gangrenous and rot off the body. Nothing much has happened since then. Surprisingly, no enemies or disaster yet. Shouldn’t wonder if it’s all waiting to crash onto us all at once.

Today we came across a deep gorge with a river at the bottom. I thought for sure that that would be the end of our trip right there. We’d try climbing down and crossing and then climbing back up, but then the rocks would break off in our hands and we’d go falling down to our deaths. Or if we did make it down to the river, we’d slip and get caught in the current and then get washed away, until we get sucked down and drown.

As it was though, Pole and Scrubb spotted a crumbling giant bridge across the gorge and convinced me (against my better judgment) to take it across. I thought for sure that it’s fall apart as we were crossing, or disappear into thin air, or we’d turn to stone while crossing. Once we got to the other side, we met two “people” coming towards us on horses. I say “people” because one was a lady in a green dress, and the other a silent suit of armor. No telling what was in that suit. A man, a monster, a skeleton, nothing at all. The lady informed us that the road we are on leads to Harfang; home of the gentle giants. Their autumn feast is approaching and apparently they lodge guests…for the entire winter if we wanted. Pole and Scrubb are now all for heading to Harfang. Shouldn’t wonder if it distracts them from the mission. I just can’t see how this could be right…besides the fact that Aslan’s signs say absolutely nothing about “gentle” giants. And another thing: giants aren’t gentle…at least those this far north aren’t. Those in Narnia are alright, but I’ve never met another giant that was. Shouldn’t wonder if this ends in disaster, all because of this Harfang deal. 

Our journey starts

It’s northbound we are. We’re sure to die now; headed straight into the mountains and Giantlands. I never did trust the giants. And we’re to look for a ruined city. No telling what sort of trouble we’ll get into there. There’s most likely all sorts of vicious creatures hiding in the rubble, and who knows when a crumbling wall will fall down on top of you. On top of that, it’s the wrong time of year to be traveling north. We’re definitely certain to get stuck in a snowstorm and freeze to death. If the giants, mountain cliffs, rockslides, and wild animals don’t get us first. And assuming we even make it there. We could die crossing the Shribble. The Children have spirit at least. The Pole-girl has no clue what she’s doing, but at least she’s got pluck. Apparently, she's got a list of signs from Aslan that we're supposed to follow to find the lost prince. 

But anyway, we’re all packed up and headed for Aslan-knows-what tomorrow. If this doesn’t kill us, it will most certainly get rid of all those high spirits of mine. 

The Beginning

Last night, two human children and some owls showed up in my marsh and woke me up. Shouldn’t wonder if being woken in the middle of the night increases your risk for some sort of deathly illness. At first I though they brought bad news concerning the state of Narnia. Isn’t that the general state of things when folk come to your door at midnight? Apparently though, that isn’t the case this time. Not getting my hopes up though. It’s likely just the calm before the storm. But at the moment, I have a Son of Adam and a Daughter of Eve sleeping (that’s a relative term; likely they’re not sleeping at all, the ground’s probably too damp and cold for them) in my wigwam, and I’m supposed to accompany them to look for the lost prince. I would say that it’s most likely a hopeless venture (and it really is) but I’ve been told the Lion sent them, so at least the chances of his being dead are slim. At the least we can give him a decent burial if we find his bones. If we don’t die ourselves first. With the country in the state that it is, what with the king (especially the king being gone on a trip to the East to seek Aslan) and Trumpkin as old as they are and no heir to follow and the dry summer we’ve had, I’d rather die sooner than later. At the least, this trip will likely end badly, so this is just what I need to sober up as all the Marshwiggles are always telling me I need to do.