THE SHATTERED HORN
Yet another Narnia piece that I have been inspired to write, and I simply couldn't resist the temptation.
Aside from the movie, this was also inspired by the book version of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". I was especially impressed with this passage here: "And they drove back the fierce giants (quite a different sort from Giant Rumblebuffin) on the north of Narnia when these ventured across the frontier."
When I read that, I figured I ought to write a little something based off one of those particular fights. So, here it is, the first chapter! I'll admit, this is more intense and a bit more gruesome than what I typically write, but I'll do my best to not go overboard. Oh yes, and this is also based loosely on the "Unicorns of Balinor" series by Mary Stanton, as well as "Eye of the Beholder" by Elecktrum.
Terence © unicorn-skydancer08
Other Characters (and Narnia) © C.S. Lewis and Disney/Walden Media
All rights reserved.
Chapter 1
"Oh, dear Aslan," Tumnus said, in a voice so soft and so faint that only the ears of heaven could hear him. "What have I done?"
At the hooves of the bruised, battered faun lay a pitiful white mass, in a pool of deep red. The mass was actually a living creature, a unicorn—or, rather, it had been a unicorn at one time. Terence, Tumnus's dearest and noblest friend in all of the history of the world, lay in deathly silence upon his left side, on the cold, hard ground. His long, slender white legs were crossed and bent at different angles. His rich mane and tail, once as bright and shining as the purest moonlight, spread in all directions over the grass in a tangled, foam-gray pile. His coat, once a dazzling, spotless white that rivaled the virgin snow, was now streaked and stained with red and silver blood.
But the worst sight of all was the cruel scar that marred the beast's handsome face, and a jagged, bloody stub in the center of his forehead, where his glorious sun-gold horn used to be. That stub served as the sole testament of what the magnificent stallion had once been.
Tumnus could hardly believe it. He refused to believe it. This couldn't be happening…it couldn't possibly be true…not him…not his Terence…
By the Great Golden Lion, what had he done? What had he done?
"Oh, Terence," said the faun tremulously, his lips moving almost imperceptibly, his bright blue eyes welling and glistening with tears that threatened to shed forth. "Oh, Terence, Terence…"
Had it not been for him, none of this would have ever happened to begin with.
If Tumnus hadn't gone after that giant, and tried to finish the brute off himself, if he hadn't tried to play the big hero—
A deep chill colder and more brutal than even the Hundred Year Winter Tumnus had once been forced to endure engulfed the faun entirely. It spread from the peak of his horns, which protruded through the narrow openings in his dented helmet, clear down to the base of his cloven hooves. It seemed to crawl over his very skin, like living tendrils.
Had there ever been a time in his life when Tumnus felt fear and dismay and heartbreak such as this, he could not recall it.
And though the faun had always known and said that he loved Terence, he'd never fully realized the actual depth of that love—not until this instant, when Terence was lost to him.
A low, deep groan sounded from the creature sprawled at Tumnus's feet right then, and one of the forelegs shifted ever so slightly.
Tumnus's heart gave a jolt as he realized the unicorn still lived!
With his eyes still closed, Terence let out a feeble whinny, scraping at the earth with his golden hoof; and his lids began to twitch, like a butterfly twitching its wings. Though alive, Tumnus could see that his poor friend was in terrible pain. As the wounded stallion continued to stir, Tumnus swiftly moved up and sank to his knees in the cool grass at his side. Slowly and gently, the faun gathered the stallion's blood-spattered head into his warm, furry lap, and held him as gently and tenderly as he could. While one arm bore the full weight of the head, Tumnus used his free hand to brush through Terence's disheveled mane and soothe the unicorn's mangled brow, in an endeavor to comfort him as well as enliven him.
Terence shuddered, then drew in a deep, rasping breath. Finally, at long last, his eyes drifted open all the way, revealing their intense sapphire color. They darted about every which way, and in a thick, almost inaudible voice, the unicorn spoke: "Tumnus? Tumnus?"
"I'm here, Terence," the faun answered him in a soft voice, as his fingers went on caressing him. "I'm right here."
The unicorn now looked straight up, somewhat astonished to discover Tumnus holding him. Gazing directly into those blue eyes, Tumnus could see indescribable agony and weariness in their profound depths. Above all else, he could see that they were much darker than usual, their once lively radiance dulled by some hazy shadow.
The sight was enough to break Tumnus's heart. The faun hardly recognized the creature he cradled within his arms anymore. It was like the very essence of Terence was gone, along with his shattered horn. The tears that had sprung up within Tumnus's eyes began to spill without restraint, and they spattered Terence's face and neck like the tears of the rain.
"Tumnus." Terence had scarcely the breath to formulate proper words, let alone the strength to move his limbs. "I feel so weak…it feels as if I'm…I'm…"
"Shhhh," Tumnus mildly cut him off. "Be still, Terence. It will be all right. Everything's going to be all right." In his heart, the faun prayed that such words were true, especially at a time like this.
"Stay with me, mate," the unicorn besought him. "Don't leave me."
"Never," Tumnus vowed, his voice emerging strong and sincere, even as the tears continued to flood down his battle-weary, begrimed face. "I'm watching over you, Terence—my sweet friend, my brother."
The faintest indication of a smile brushed Terence's lips at that last part. The unicorn then closed his eyes, sank back into Tumnus's warmth, and thought no more.