"I say, Ed."

Edmund turned from the glimmering Silver Sea to face his unusually nervous kinsman. "What's up?"

"Are you a knight?"

Edmund blinked at the unexpected question, but answered promptly. "I am."

Eustace's eyes widened. "Gosh. Really?"

"Yes, really," Edmund laughed. "A knight of the Noble Order of the Table. Aslan himself," in a rather awed tone himself, "knighted me on the fields of Beruna."

"Gosh," Eustace said again. "What did you do? I mean—how did you earn it?"

Edmund looked at him curiously: a short, stocky figure with wide blue eyes and brown hair ruffled by the warm breeze, with an earnest expression on his face. "Why this sudden interest in knights?"

Eustace squirmed. "Reepicheep told me a lot about them when I was—you know—a dragon. And now all the sailors are talking about Caspian making them knights when they get back to Narnia, and I was just wondering," he finished lamely.

Edmund seated himself cross-legged on the deck, gesturing for Eustace to sit next to him. "A knight of Narnia," he began in solemn tones, "must be willing to sacrifice himself for the good of Narnia. He must be valorous and great in courtesy; he must help those in need, even to the point of harm to himself; he must swear to defend the defenceless. He must be loyal and truthful. No task is too humble; no challenge too great. Above all, he must always serve Aslan."

Eustace's face fell. "That's an awful lot."

Edmund shrugged. "That is why it is such a great honour to be a knight."

"So you don't have to be a squire or anything first, like in England?"

Edmund shook his head. "Not in Narnia. You simply must earn the honour."

"And how did you earn it?"

Edmund's face shadowed. "I fought in the battle against the Witch," he answered obliquely. "Eustace—did you want to be a knight?"

"Of course not!" Eustace scoffed. "I'm a Republican, you know."

Edmund hastily covered his smile with one hand and pretended to cough.

"Besides," Eustace continued gloomily, "I've done nothing to earn it. All I've managed to accomplish on this trip is to make a complete nuisance of myself. And destroy Caspian's second-best sword," he added.

Edmund could see that Eustace really would like to be a knight, but was too shy to admit it. "You were the first in battle against the Sea Serpent," he said gravely. ""You bore the dragon curse nobly. You have sailed alongside us and King Caspian through many dangers. And most importantly, you have followed the Lion. Not one man in Narnia could say as much as you, my brave cousin."

Eustace turned rather pink. "Oh—I say"—he stammered. "You make it sound grand—but it wasn't really—I mean, I didn't do"—

"Eustace," Edmund told him, "I am a king, you know. I could knight you."

Eustace's face went from pink to bright red. "Really?" he squeaked. "You could—would you?"

Edmund rose swiftly. "Kneel," he said in his most kingly tone.

Eustace glanced about. They appeared to be alone on the stern. He gulped once or twice, and knelt.

Edmund put his hand to his waist. "Bother," he said. "I've left my sword in the cabin."

"Take mine, Sire," Reepicheep said, coming into sight unexpectedly. He bowed. "It would be an honour to lend it for such a task as this."

"Thanks, Reep," Edmund said, taking the rapier. It was tiny in his hand, no bigger than a dagger, but he used held it as solemnly as if it had been Rhindon itself. "Do you, Eustace Clarence Scrubb, vow to uphold the laws of Narnia, defend her honour, serve her lords, and follow Aslan for as long as he grants you leave?"

Eustace looked very small and uncertain on his knees. "I—well—I'll try," he said.

Edmund's fair hair glittered in the sunlight as he tapped Eustace once on each shoulder with the rapier. "Then I, King Edmund of Narnia, Duke of the Lantern Waste and Count of the Western March, do bestow upon thee the Knighthood of the Noble Order of the Table. Bear it well."

He handed the rapier back to Reepicheep, who bowed low, and offered his hand to his cousin. "Rise, Sir Eustace the Un-Dragoned."

Eustace stumbled to his feet, and Edmund kissed him on both cheeks (which surprised Eustace very much).

"I say—thanks," he said inadequately.

"Welcome to our brotherhood, Sir Eustace," Reepicheep piped.

"Thanks, Reep." Eustace bit his lip. "Ed—Reep—d'you mind—I mean, would you not tell the others about this? I don't want to look silly."

Reepicheep looked offended, but Edmund forestalled him. "It will be our secret," he said with quiet assurance, "until such time as you wish to reveal it. Come, Reepicheep."

The mouse and the king walked away, leaving Narnia's newest knight alone on the deck. He looked out across the Silver Sea.

"A knight," he whispered. "Gosh."

Author's Note: I always felt bad for Eustace, that he never got a title. All the Pevensies were kings and queens, Digory, Polly, and Jill were referred to as "Lord" and "Lady," and he was always just Eustace (or useless, depending on to whom you were speaking. Maybe even used to it). So, this is a three-part look at Eustace as a knight: one for each book in which he appears. At least, it will be a three-part look, once I have time to write the other two chapters. Reviews always welcome! I'm still nervous about Narnia fanfics, so please tell me how I can improve.