THE REEPICHEEP CHRONICLES: A Mouse's Tale

Part One

Disclaimer: Reepicheep and his valiant character belong to C.S. Lewis. Some of the adventures, characters and names are my own, however.

She scurried quickly toward the dimly lit room, filled with mice big and small. She crept soundlessly inside and stood up tall, looking around. She knew she was terribly late and hoped she hadn't missed him. After all, it was his going away party and if she arrived and he was already gone… it would be terribly tragic.

Oh, where in Narnia could he be? The little mouse thought, swishing her tail to swing proudly above her head. Wait, there he was! It had to be him, standing so alertly on his hind legs, looking very elegant. He was the handsomest mouse that Chericheep had ever seen. His long whiskers complemented his deep eyes and she smiled. He looked rather dashing. Chericheep had waited all her life to meet him, and this was her last chance. That is, her last chance to meet him before he left.

Reepicheep was going on an adventure and she didn't know when she might see him again! She scurried up closer to get a word with him. He was talking to another mouse and seemed very interested. Chericheep looked at Reepicheep's companion. She was an old mouse, frail and grey, her whiskers drooped and ears flopped and she looked worn through and through. Her little paws were wrinkled and the young mouse suspected that she had worked hard for a very long time. The older mouse looked sorrowful but she turned her fading eyes up to the tall and handsome mouse before her and said "I know what I said, Reepicheep," with her feeble sounding voice, putting a wrinkled paw upon his high-towering shoulder.

"But those were bedtime stories for a little mouseling, I don't really know if there even is an Aslan, or was an Aslan. And the tales about the four children from another world; those were all parts of an old legend that many of us talking creatures believe in, but with Lord Miraz ruling Narnia with his cruelty, he's forbidden anyone to tell the story and no human save himself now remembers it. And besides, dear Reepicheep, even if it was true or really did happen as you are so convinced, it was so long ago that any animal, lion or not, would have been consumed by old age long before now. Are you so certain that going on this journey, or quest, will not be in vain? I fear for you. I love you, my dear Reepicheep."

"Yes, I know that, Nurse," he replied, his deep and young vice booming with energy and courage. "But I must go on this quest to prove myself. As you know, the Council has asked me to become the new leader since the death of my father, but I know that just inheriting a position doesn't make one a good leader! One must earn his place by proving his scared Honor and Valor, whether in battle, or in wits, or in leadership; I must do so."

"My boy," said his nurse.

"Mouse," he corrected. "And I am grown now, Nurse; I no longer need looking after. I'm not a mouseling any more."

"Reepicheep, please. Listen to me," she pleaded, concern in her eyes. "If you are so humble as to feel the need to prove yourself in combat or wits; is that not reason enough, is it not tenfold proven that you are a great leader? Stay and become our leader. There are terrible humans out there, killers and robbers!"

"Not all of them Nurse. And I'm not looking for trouble, besides, if I decided not to go, I would lose my honor by being thought a coward. No, I cannot do it. I will go."

"But you are not a coward, sir! You are the bravest mouse in all of Narnia… and the North!" Chericheep cried out suddenly, and then realizing her mistake, apologized for interrupting and turned to leave.

"Wait, now, come back," the warrior mouse beckoned. "What have I done to earn your admirable recognition, milady? For I cannot recall our introduction… have we met?"

"Oh! No, um," said the timid little mouse girl, deciding it would be best to drop a curtsy. She did, and almost dropped herself. And the considerate Reepicheep helped her stand aright upon her feet once more. "Thank you. No, we haven't met. But every mouse has heard of your bravery and love, for instance when the little cart of barley tipped over and you helped pick up all those big grains, and when Perisickle and Tripletickle were arguing and you helped them settle it. And you taught Berrisweet how to fight like a big warrior mouse…like you! They are all little deeds, sir, but they prove your character and do not go without being seen."

Reepicheep looked quite honored as his little admirer sheepishly looked on. " I had forgotten about that…" he said; half to himself. " I didn't think anyone noticed," he shook off the thought. "But what is your name, little Peacemaker?"

"Chericheep," she quietly answered with a swish of her tail.

"A lovely name, my lady, and you know why I must go on this quest, do you not?" he asked, a smile crossing his handsomely whiskered face.

"To prove your honor to the Council, sir." Was her modest reply.

"Did you know that there is yet another reason?" he inquired, stooping lower to see her sparkling eyes.

"No doubt of it, but I didn't know about it, sir." She said, cocking her head to the side.

"Have you ever heard the tale that Nurse, here, told me about my adventures to come?" he asked.

"Why, no!" Chericheep said, desiring very much to clap her paws together and jump up and down and say "Dearie me! Do tell!" but decided it was better to let him continue uninterrupted.

"Oh, please, Reepicheep," said the nurse, shaking her head "I made all those little poems up."

"Yes," Reepicheep said, turning to her. " But I recall you saying that you felt truly, at the time, that you were really speaking the truth, like some invisible being was pressing you to continue. Like your stories were prophetic. I believed you, and I do now, more than ever. It was Aslan telling you those stories, and its Aslan telling me to follow Him!"

"I already told you," said the nurse, but Reepicheep took her head in his firm but gentle paws and said. "Nurse, nothing you say will change my mind. Aslan lives, I'm sure of it! Anyway," he said, turning back to Chericheep.

"Oh bother, you won't listen to me anyway," said Nurse complaining. "go sit down, honey, this will take awhile., unless you'd rather not."

"Is it exciting?" Chericheep asked.

"Very," Reepicheep encouraged.

"Hardly," Nurse pessimistically sighed.

"Alright," said the little mouse girl. "Tell me."

And so the tall warrior mouse took her tiny paw in his and led her to an over to a purple cushion stuffed with sawdust and began his tale.

And here it is

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Let me know what you guys think! By the way, "Chericheep" is pronounced "Share-eh-cheep" but I liked the spelling with a 'ch'. Please R and R!

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