~By the Lion's Mane: The Call~

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

We stationed Narnians along the banks to make sure that the captive Telmarines cooperated. Then I remounted Anduril and swam across the river along with the others. There we climbed up onto the pebbly river bank, and then dismounted before the Lion.

Edmund took his place with his brother and sisters, and Caspian and I walked slightly behind them, as was our place. As one group we knelt, swords in the ground in front of us, heads bowed over clasped hands on the hilt.

"Rise, kings and queens of Narnia," Aslan said in his beautiful voice.

Edmund, Peter, Lucy, and Susan raised their heads and rose to their feet.

"All of you," Aslan said, with the trace of a smile.

Caspian slowly raised his head and looked around. I remained with my head bowed.

When it became apparent that he was being addressed, Caspian took a breath and said, "I do not think I am ready." He didn't meet Aslan's eyes; instead, he stared at the pebbles under his great paws.

But Aslan said, "It's for that very reason I know you are."

Caspian met his amber eyes, and then slowly rose to his feet as well, looking back and forth at us.

We were interrupted by the sound of mournful bagpipe music, and a group of Mice stepped forward, carrying brave little Reepicheep on a makeshift stretcher. They gently laid him on the bank and stepped back, little furry heads bowed solemnly.

Lucy stepped forward with her cordial and knelt beside him. She gave Reep a drop and after a moment, his head rolled around and he sat up.

"Oh, Your Majesty. Thank you," he said breathlessly. He staggered to his feet, and then saw Aslan standing before him.

"Oh!" he exclaimed. "Hail Aslan! It is a great honor to be-" but as he bent over to bow gracefully, he stumbled. "Oh!" he said again when we all realized that there was only a stump where his tail had been before. "I am greatly out of countenance. I must crave your indulgence for appearing in this unseemly fashion," the Mouse apologized.

I struggled not to hide my inappropriate chuckle at Reepicheep's sophisticated diction. This was serious; a tailless Mouse was not something to chuckle over.

He looked beseechingly at Lucy. "Uh, perhaps... a drop more?"

She gave him a pitying look. "I don't think it does that," she said apologetically.

"You could have a go," Reep said halfheartedly.

Aslan chuckled. "It becomes you well, small one," he said with a smile.

"All the same, great King, I regret that I must withdraw, for a tail is the honor and glory of a Mouse," Reepicheep said nobly.

"Perhaps you think too much of your honor, friend," Aslan lectured, a little bit sternly.

Reepicheep, ashamed, went on. "Well, it's not just the honor. It's also great for balance! And-- and climbing, and grabbing things!" he said.

I smiled. All were valid points of course...

Another mouse drew his needle-like sword and said, "May you please, your High Majesty, we will not bear the shame of wearing an honor denied of our chief." He held his tail to the blade, and the others followed suit.

I inhaled a little sharper than normal.

"Not for the sake of your dignity, but for the love of your people," Aslan said.