ABOUTthreeweekslaterthelastoftheKingsofNarniasatunderthegreatoakwhichgrewbesidethedoorofhislittlehuntinglodge, , , awayfromthestateandpompofCairParavel, , andhewasbetweentwentyandtwenty-fiveyearsold; hisshoulderswerealreadybroadandstrongandhislimbsfullofhardmuscle, , honestface.
Therewasnoonewithhimthatspringmorningexcepthisdearestfriend, ''schair, withitsneckbentroundpolishingitsbluehornagainstthecreamywhitenessofitsflank.
“Icannotsetmyselftoanyworkorsporttoday, Jewel, ” saidtheKing.“? ”
“Theyarethemostwonderfultidingseverheardinourdaysorourfathers' orourgrandfathers' days, Sire, ” saidJewel, “iftheyaretrue.”
“Howcantheychoosebutbetrue? ” saidtheKing.“Itismorethanaweekagothatthefirstbirdscameflyingoverussaying, Aslanishere, , , agreatwayoff, bymoonlight, , ; ; hetoohadseenAslan.”
“Indeed, Sire, ” answeredJewel, “, .”
“Yes, ” saidtheKingwithagreatsigh, almostashiver, ofdelight.“ItisbeyondallthatIeverhopedforinallmylife.”
“Listen! ” saidJewel, puttinghisheadononesideandcockinghisearsforward.
“Whatisit? ” askedtheKing.
“Hoofs, Sire, ” saidJewel.“, thereheis.”
Agreat, goldenbeardedCentaur, withman'ssweatonhisforeheadandhorse'ssweatonhischestnutflanks, dasheduptotheKing, stopped, andbowedlow.“Hail, King, ” itcriedinavoiceasdeepasabull's.
“Ho, there! ” saidtheKing, lookingoverhisshouldertowardthedoorofthehuntinglodge.“, .”
Apagecameoutofthehousecarryingagreatwoodenbowl, curiouslycarved, , “IdrinkfirsttoAslanandtruth, Sire, andsecondlytoyourMajesty.”
