In this second (or fourth) book in the Chronicles of Narnia, the four kids (Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy) fid themselves tumbling back into Narnia. One second they are sitting on the platform of a train station waiting to go back to school, the next second they find themselves in the woods of Narnia. As they explore, they discover the ruins of Cair Paravel, their castle from the previous visit to Narnia: this visit is unknown years later in Narnia, even though they're only a bit older by Earthly standards. After reclaiming their armor and gifts from Aslan from the buried treasure chamber of the castle, they set out. Soon after leaving, they come across a Dwarf who is being left for dead by some soldiers in the water. So they rescue him and hear his story, the story of Prince Caspian.
Prince Caspian is a Telamarine (the race of humans now inhabiting Narnia), the son of the dead king. His uncle is currently ruling the kingdom. He has been learning about the "old" Narnians from his nurse, and then from his tutor, Doctor Cornelius. Then one day, he needs to flee: his uncle has had a son, and is no longer content to let his nephew reign, even if he is the proper heir. So Caspian flees west from Telmar. And while he was riding, he hit a tree and was knocked unconscious. When he awoke, he found himself in the care of a badger and two dwarfs: he had stumbled onto old Narnia. Word sprea that the rightful king had come, but the celebration is muted when Doctor Cornelius shows up to tell everyone that King Miraz, Caspians wicked uncle, has gotten wind of Caspian's destination and that old Narnia is awakened, and he is setting out with his armies to destroy it. So as the Telamarines approached, he sounded Queen Susan's horn, which promised to bring help. And he dispatched messengers to the old centers of the kingdom to look for whatever help might come. And that is why the dwarf, Trumpkin, was in the neighborhood of Cair Paravel.
After relating these events to the kids/kings and queens, they all set out toward Aslan's How, to see what could be done about the battle. At one point, Lucy thought she had seen Aslan leading down one path, but the group chose another, which proved to be the wrong way. But once back on the right track, Aslan becomes visible to all of them, as they head off toward battle. When they arrive at the battle, they find chaos and dissention among the Narnian camps, in the face of an overwhelming force of Telamarines. Kings Peter and Edmund, along with Trumpkin, go into the camp, and meet up with Prince Caspian, while Aslan and the girls head off in other pursuits. And after careful discussion of the possibilities, it is decided that Peter will challenge Miraz to combat. During the duel, the Telamarines cry foul and charge the Narnian lines, but Aslan shows up, and awakens the Dryads and Nyads (the tree people), and they, along with the rest of the Narnians, overcome the Telamarine foes.
Caspian is crowned King by Aslan, and many other creaures are knighted and restored to their rightful places in Narnia. The Telamarines are told by Aslan that they all may either submit to King Caspian's rule, or they may return from whence they came (an island on Earth from which they had stumbled through a now-closed door between worlds). Many left, led by Peter and the kids, who returned through the door to England. And for Peter and Susan, it was especially difficult because Aslan told them it would be their last visit to Narnia. But for Edmund and Lucy, there is still hope of return.
Prince Caspian is another great chapter in teh Narnia saga. Lewis's Christian imagination weaves stories of redemption, faith, and hope so well with these interesting and likable characters. It's no wonder these are classics.
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