Lemual Whitson

*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *PRINCE LANDER & THE DRAGON WAR* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

## Book information

### Appears

*Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

**L****emual Whitson** was the second son of Whitson Mariner and Lillie.

## Biography

### *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

Prince Lemual defends Prince Grant when Lord Arben insults him. After it is revealed that Lord Arben is a spy for Grimble, Whitson asks that Lemual take Captain Brindle Cove to find out what he knows, and Lemual obeys.

When dragons are spotted on the west ridge, Captain Cove informs Lander that Lemual is leading the south party as he ordered. Lander and Captain Cove, while walking around camp, hears some bucks talking, and finds that they are displeased with Whitson's kingship. The bucks think that Whitson is an old codger, and want Lander to lead them. Lander shouts no, and one of them shouts that if Lander is not their king, it should be Prince Grant or Lemual. As Lander is trying to figure out what to do about this, a messenger rushes up, saying that Prince Grant has been badly injured by the dragons. Lander goes to see Prince Grant, and the rest of his family is there too. Whitson, Lillie, and Lander talk to Doctor Grimes, asking if Grant will live. She tells them that no, she does not think so, but this was not the first time that he had gone against expectations, so it is possible that he would. Lander notices that Lemual is standing close by, hearing the conversation but politely not interrupting. This results in Lemual learning about the memory tonic in addition to Lander. After Doctor Grimes leaves, Lemual hurries to Grant's bedside. Lander answers the question Lemual wants to ask, telling him that Prince Grant is on the edge. Lemual begins to cry, saying that Grant will claw his way back from the edge, because Grant fights. Lander wipes at his eyes too, and they both sit silently for a while, until Lander asks Lemual to take a walk with him.

As they leave the gate, Lander talks to one of the guards, who mentions that it is important to protect the vulnerable, and Lander almost says something about how much Whitson has done for them (as this was one of the agitated bucks), but stops himself. The guard, Dawson, asks after Prince Grant, and Lander says that he fares the same. As they walk on, Lemual comments that he feared for the bucks, saying that he thought for sure there was a stern lecture brewing for them. Lander smiles, saying that they have only barely been spared, to which Lemual asks if 'them' includes himself. Lander tells Lemual that he is wise, which is a good trait for a king. Lemual objects, saying that it will not come to that, but Lander tells him that it probably will. Lemual talks about how he does not want to leave, but Lander tells him that if the worst happens, Lemual must take the Third Scouts and go, to help preserve rabbitkind. Lemual says again that he doesn't want to go, to which Lander quotes Fleck Blackstar, saying that although their duty might be a pleasure, their duty is not to find pleasure. They reminisce about Fleck Blackstar, who Lemual never met, and then Lander gazes at the Green Ember around his neck, saying that Lemual must go with the Third Scouts if the worst comes. Lander also adds that he loves Lemual, and will until the end of the world.

Lander and Lemual continue to walk, until they find Mother Saramack. Mother Saramack introduces Hollie Grimble to Lemual as his sworn enemy's eldest child, but Lemual bows, saying he is very pleased to meet Hollie. Hollie tells him that the honor is hers, and Lemual smiles. Lander, however, frowns, and when the brothers see each other they switch expressions. Hollie looks at her feet, one of which is stepping on the other, and Lander coughs. Lemual smooths his tunic and pulls at a loose thread. Mother Saramack tells them that she loves an awkward moment, and then, after she sends Hollie away, Lander asks her advice about the soldiers that are against Whitson. She suggests getting the Drekkers on their side, and Lemual lists other groups that they could go to too. Mother Saramack says that they are short on time, and so they should focus on the biggest group, the Drekkers. Lander thanks her, and he and Lemual procede to the Drekker camp.

As they walk to the Drekker camp, Lemual asks Lander what he will do when the war's over. Lander clarifies that he means if they win and are somehow both alive, and then says that he hasn't thought about it much. He says that he'll probably make cider, and they'd drink it together and tell stories, and that he hopes to maybe get married and have a family. When they arrive at the Drekker camp, they are informed that it is a festival day. Chief Heckle asks Lander to walk with him, but Lemual glances at him, communicating to Lander that he does not trust the Drekkers and does not want his brother to go alone. Lander smiles and shakes his head, telling Lemual that he'll be all right, and that this is important. Aloud, he tells Lemual to enjoy some sport, and goes off with Chief Heckle.

As they are talking, the crowd roars, and Chief Heckle realizes that something is amiss. They hurry toward the crowd, and see, in the inner ring, Lemual Whitson facing off against a massive buck. Lander runs up to Lemual, asking what he is doing. Lemual replies coolly, telling Lander to stand aside, that this buck challenged him and he is doing this for their father's cause. Lander is appalled, inquiring if it would help Whitson if one of his sons dies, on top of the one that already died (Davis) and the one that is on the edge of death (Grant). Lemual responds that the buck insulted Whitson, saying he would not follow his king if things came to a fight in the camp. Lander cuts him off, saying that he's had enough, and they are leaving. But they are stopped by Nickel Drekker, telling them that it doesn't matter if they're the king's sons, if they leave after a challenge has been thrown out and accepted, they will leave all goodwill and honor behind them, and also any hope of having the Drekkers on their side. Lander continues to resist, but Lemual interrupts, saying that he can do this, pleading Lander to trust him, and also adding that he'll do what Lander says, even about the Third Scouts. Lander shakes his head, saying that he cannot lose another brother. Lemual assures him that he will not, he will gain the Drekkers, and pleads Lander once again to trust him. Lander reluctantly agrees, and Winnie assures him that very few die from fling-a-ding, and that there is very low risk of injury as this contest will probably be played at long range. Lander tells Nickel that Lemual is not experienced with a sling, and Nickel replies that he believes Haldorn missed once before. Winnie puts in that he's right; it was many years ago, but he did miss once. Lander begins to be apprehensive.

Chief Heckle informs the crowd that, because he is a visitor and the one who accepted Haldorn's challenge, Prince Lemual Whitson has the honor of choosing the contest's distance. Lemual says confidently that he chooses the nearest possible distance, and Lander shakes his head violently at Lem. Chief Heckle calls each player to the mark, where they are ten paces apart. Chief Heckle yells that the contest will start on the cry, but Lemual has still not loaded his sling. Haldorn determinately sets his sling spinning. Lemual has still not loaded his sling, and Chief Heckle is forced to cry, 'Fight ye' and begin the contest. Haldorn grins, so sure of his impending win, but Lemual chooses a large stone from his pouch and throws it high in the air above Haldorn. Many in the crowd looked up—including Haldorn. Prince Lemual then grabbed a second rock and hurled it with great speed. Haldorn tried to dodge, but he was too late, and Haldorn's helmet rang. Haldorn stumbled back, and crashed onto the snowy ground. There was a small pause, and then the whole crowd began to cheer. Nickel yells at them to come on, and they all run onto the field and swarm around Lemual. Winnie Drekker stays beside a baffled Lander, telling him that there was no rule about how you fling the rock, so long as it dings. Lander sighed deeply. Some Drekkers were tending to Haldorn, who Lemual had knocked out cold. Through the buzz, Chief Heckle came over to Lander, telling Lander that Lemual's fight was clever, inventive, noble, and brave. Lander asks if it was foolhardy, and he says that it probably was, but it was also worthy of praise, and worthy of *loyal support.*

As Lander and Lemual walk back, Lemual comments that he thought he had a good chance, as soon as he learned he didn't have to use the sling. The two reminisce about the time he knocked pots off Tommie Dunn's head from fifty paces, and how angry their mother was about the danger to Tommie and the breaking of her favorite clay pots. Then they both repeat the saying, 'In a royal household, every offense is treason' and head back toward the house, laughing. As they near the door, Queen Lillie comes out of it, and asks them why they have been away so long. The two brothers exchange a look, and then Lander replies that Lemual was breaking pots over Tommie Dunn's head. The queen frowns, attempts to kiss them both, and then asks if that means that she does not want to know. Lemual says that, she probably doesn't, but she needn't worry, because all is well. Lander takes her hand, telling her that Lemual has helped his father's cause, securing more 'all' for King Whitson's 'Defend all, All defend'. She tells them that is good, and they begin to discuss strategy. Lander asks after Whitson, and Lemual proceeds to ask Queen Lillie how she is doing. She tells him that, while she is doing well, she fears for what may come, and tells Lemual that King Whitson may call on the Third Scouts at any time. Lemual grimaces, but he nods, saying that, while he hates the idea of leaving with everything in him, he will do as he is commanded. Queen Lille tells him that it is because he feels and thinks these things that he is the right person to lead the Third Scouts. She tells him that it is a hard job but vital to Whitson's cause. Lemual does not seem to think so, as he replies that Whitson's plan is for all to defend and to defend all— except for Lemual. Queen Lillie tells him that this is Lemual's way of defending, that it is honorable and loyal. Lander begins to be sad, having lost his brother Davis in the war, seeming certain to lose Grant as well, and now he was facing seeing Lemual go. He also felt that it would weaken the defenders considerably, because Lemual was a good leader and an effective fighter.

King Whitson receives an invitation from Lord Grimble, to what he called a peace summit. Lemual rolls his eyes, saying that he is a little suspicious that Grimble may not be trustworthy, and Lander smirks at this. Lemual suggests that he go with Whitson, that they could take the ship *Steadfast* from its secret harbor and leave Lander to carry out the defense in case something goes wrong. King Whitson tells him that they cannot take *Steadfast* to this, but that Lemual is right that something will go wrong. They then decide to ask Nickel to counter the trick, and he correctly predicts that Grimble will send a strike force, to make them eager to seek peace. When the oathbreakers do attack, Whitson tells Lemual to gather the Third Scouts, and Lander begins to cry, thinking that he might not see Lemual alive again.

During the Battle of Barren Point, to his great joy, Lander sees *Steadfast* arriving, carrying Captain Massie, Lord Blackstar, and Prince Lemual. He correctly guesses that the Third Scouts found Massie's band returning from their errand. Lander watches as Fleck Blackstar leaps into battle, Captain Masise fires his bow at the dragons, and Prince Lemual leads a band of Blackstars into the fight. Lander fights through the lines until he is alongside Lemual. The two fought very well together.

When the battle was over, Lander embraces Lemual and tells him how glad he is to see Lemual. Lemual tells that, when he found Massie's band, he was overjoyed, but he wanted to honor Whitson's wish, so he sent the Third Scouts on with Lieutenant Forsythe, and accompanied Fleck and Massie back. When they have returned to camp, Lander tells Fleck Blackstar that he still has the black star patch Fleck gave him, and that he has never been more honored to wear anything, barring the Green Ember and—with a hand on Lemual's shoulder— the Ruling Stone. Lemual, realizing that this means Whitson is dead, hangs his head, and Lander embraces him.

After the meeting, Lemual bows to King Lander, then begs Lander not to send him away again, as he wants to stay and fight beside Lander. Lander tells him that he wants Lemual to stay, and so long as he does what Lander says, he may. Lemual beams, telling Lander that he will do whatever Lander commands. Lander, hugging him, tells him not to forget that he has said that, and a slight unease creeps into Lemual's intense happiness. After Lander asks Fleck, Massie, and Gavin to join him at Whitson's grave, Lemual walks beside Lander as they go. When they reach Whitson's body, they bow beside their mother. Lander then leads his four companions to the site where the starsword is buried. As they dig, Lander tells them about the starsword. Lemual questions Lander's choices, asking if his plan for attack, a volunteer army, and the ancient deathblade that Whitson was afraid to touch is the right thing to do, and if it is being faithful to Whitson's way, as Lander is doing a lot of things Whitson would never have done. Lander tells him that he is being the buck Whitson raised him to be, being what he ought with his particular gifts, and accomplishing what Whitson wanted to accomplish in the best way that he knows how. This seems to satisfy Lemual, as he does not question this plan any longer.

After the starsword is unburied, Lander does not take the blade out of the blanket it is wrapped in, but first tells Fleck, Massie, and Gavin that he and Lemual are going to make a vow, and that they are there to witness it, and also that if Lemual falls or fails they must follow through on Lemual's task. Lemual tells him that he will understand when Lander has explained it, but that he cannot agree to what he doesn't know. Lander tells him that he already agreed, when he said that he would do whatever Lander commanded.

Lander then takes a bottle from his pocket, and tells Lemual that he must keep this with him, and not give Lander the bottle unless he voluntarily buries the blade in a place that he needs Lemual's help to access. Lemual inquires why he cannot give the bottle to Lander, but Lander tells him that they are short on time, and so Lemual gives his word, and Lander's companions agree to support Lemual, even if it means going against Lander. Lander then pulls another bottle from his pocket and drinks the whole thing. He tells Lemual that what he drank was the memory tonic, and Lemual cries out that it is poison, and Doctor Grimes said that it would kill you if you drank it. Lander acknowledges this, saying that he will die— if he doesn't receive the antidote in the next week or so. Lemual begins to get angry, saying that he did not agree to see his brother die. Lander says that he did, he must, and it is absolutely essential. Lander then takes out the starsword, points it at Lemual, and asks if Lemual will give him the antidote. Lemual tells him no, he will not, and Lander grins, sighs, and points the starsword at Lemual, demanding the antidote at once. Fleck, Massie, and Gavin all step forward and reach for their swords. Lemual repeats that he will not give Lander the antidote. Lander looks into Lemual's eyes, sees that he is telling the truth, and lowers the sword. He tells Lemual that he did well, and that was what it might come to, and Lemual must keep his word.

Before the final battle against the dragons, King Lander gives a speech to the army, and then motions for Prince Lemual to join him on top of the cart. Prince Lemual bows to his brother. Lemual reaches inside his shirt and takes out the Green Ember, taking it off and holding it high for all to see. He announces that Lemual Whitson is now his heir, and Lemual kneels as he receives the emerald.

****Lemual Whitson****: You've had enough of the glory.

—Prince Lander and the Dragon War

During the battle of Dragon Mountain, Lemual seconds Fleck Blackstar's captainship of *Steadfast*, with the crew of the ship sending arrows and lit barrels of blastpowder into the dragon army. Lemual and Fleck eventually leave *Steadfast* to the command of Brindle Cove to fight beside Lander. Lander helps Lemual when he is in a difficult situation with a dragon, causing him to get punched in the jaw. Lemual wakes Lander from his faint (caused by the punch), telling Lander that, while he knows that Lander is weary and wounded, there is something he must see. Lander looks around, and seeing the field clear of dragons, wonders why Lemual is concerned. Lemual, understanding his look, nods north toward the big mountain, where Namoz the Destroyer is marching out, leading a fresh horde of dragons to destroy Lander's band. But Lander, using the starsword, defeats Namoz, and the battle is won.

After the dragons are defeated, Lander calls Lemual, Massie, and Gavin (Fleck is presumed dead) and tells them that he has much to discuss. First, he promotes Massie Burnson to the rank of Lord Captain, and they all congratulate them. Lander then speaks of his plan to build a new warren, dam the river to cut off the mountain, and bury the starsword in the mountain with the dragon eggs. Lemual, fingering the Green Ember around his neck, informs Lander that many of the lords want the mountain collapsed on the dragon seeds, ending the dragons forever. Lander, while acknowledging that they may be right, says that he will proceed with his plan unless he receives clarity on another way. As they mourn the (presumed) deaths of Fleck Blackstar and Galt, and the deaths of many others, Lemual proposes a toast to them, using the cider with a special ingredient. Massie then stands up, telling the brothers that he almost forgot, but that he received word from camp that Prince Grant is awake and talking. Lander and Lemual exclaim disbelief in unison, and Massie tells them that it is true, and begs forgiveness for forgetting about it. Lander and Lemual are filled with joy, and Prince Lemual follows King Lander down the mountain to celebrate the war's conclusion with their kingdom.

## Physical appearance

Lemual is described as short and slight-framed.

## Personality and traits

Lemual is very loyal to his family and loves his brothers.

## Family tree

 - The Royal Family of Natalia -

Note: Broken lines indicate relation through affinity or adoption or distant relation; unbroken lines indicate relation by blood.
## Trivia

* Lemual is a variation of Lemuel, a Hebrew name meaning "devoted to God".

## References

1. ↑ https://nameberry.com/babyname/lemuel