Roonwit was a Centaur who lived during the last years of Narnia. He was a good friend of King Tirian, Jewel and Farsight, and was known for his wisdom and patience. Like other Centaurs, Roonwit could read the stars, and foresaw terrible trouble coming to Narnia.
Biography[]
When the traitorous ape, Shift, tricked the Narnians into believing that Aslan had returned to Narnia, it was Roonwit who revealed otherwise. He came to Tirian and Jewel, drank a bowl full of wine enough for six strong men in a single draught, and said that he had read the stars, and that Aslan had not in fact returned, but that something very sinister was afoot.
- "Never in all my days have I seen such terrible things written in the skies as there have been nightly since this year began. The stars say nothing of the coming of Aslan, nor of peace, nor of joy. I know by my art that there have not been such disastrous conjunctions of the planets for five hundred years. It was already in my mind to come and warn your Majesty that some great evil hangs over Narnia. But last night the rumour reached me that Aslan is abroad in Narnia. Sire, do not believe this tale. It cannot be. The stars never lie, but Men and Beasts do. If Aslan were really coming to Narnia the sky would have foretold it. If he were really come, all the most gracious stars would be assembled in his honour. It is all a lie."
- ―Roonwit (Chapter 2) [src]
After he had told Tirian this, a Dryad suddenly came to them, informing them that Calormenes were destroying their forests, killing her and the rest of her kind, just before she too died.
King Tirian, Jewel and Roonwit.
The king, enraged, announced that he and Jewel would attack the Calormenes head on. Roonwit warned the king not to act so rashly, and suggested waiting for reinforcements, but Tirian would not wait while innocent Narnians died. Tirian did however command Roonwit to go to Cair Paravel, with his ring as his token, to raise an army against the Calormenes.
Roonwit's death.
Unfortunately, Roonwit was slain five leagues from Cair Paravel when he was hit by a Calormene arrow. His last moments were witnessed by Farsight the Eagle.
- "And the other sight, five leagues nearer than Cair Paravel, was Roonwit the Centaur lying dead with a Calormere arrow in his side. I was with him in his last hour and he gave me this message to your Majesty: to remember that all worlds draw to an end and that noble death is a treasure which no one is too poor to buy."
- ―Farsight stating Roonwit's last words (Chapter 8) [src]
Afterwards, he was seen by Tirian in Aslan's Country, as he was among those most loyal to Aslan.