Reepicheep' s Path of Knighthood by Lstc3ltacorn

Disclaimer Reepicheep, Pattertwig, Aslan and Narnia itself are all the ideas of C.S. Lewis and I dont claim them as my own and I haven't and dont intend to ever make any profit from this fanfiction story. Also there are no religoius messages implied intentionally by any of the tales in this written piece, it is purely written for the adventurous and mythical elements of Narnia that has inspired me to write this...

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The Secret Oath

In Narnia, where two kings and two queens of Adam and Eve's descent once ruled, in the country where no paw prints of the lion has been bestowed upon the earth for centuries, its people are left forsaken and rulerless.

Many years have passed with the coming and going of the seasons, silent of the voice of royalty and stale of the breath of the lion, the land remains home to the talking beasts who have lived there since that day Aslan sang his song of creation.

The Names of the Pevensie family, the last kings and queens, and the name of Aslan, are not forgotten but have been cast to the winds of time and exist only in legends and stories that are told by a handful of creatures about the fireplace to young beasts whose minds are filled with dreams.

As the Narnians prosper, living life as they see fit, they all have present concerns of their own as they go about their daily errands, both humble and extravagant.

This story begins with Reepicheep, a mouse whose tale I'd tell for with this small creature's journey the fate that betides Narnia seemingly takes root and flourishes into the telling of many creatures' stories and that of Narnia itself, each creatures's story like any river of Anvard or Narnia flowing all the same to meet one vastness of the Eastern Sea, where all other rivers flow into one ocean.

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Once upon a summer day, the young mouse stood at the door of his home to breathe the cool air of morning's awakening, it had a tang of salt from the breeze that eased its way idly from the eastern ocean. The tranquil expanse of grass and wildflowers before him was covered in a blanket of morning dew. As he looked to the distant tree line at the edge of the tumbling valley of hillocks and slopes, he murmured words inaudible, but clear as the new day, they were spoken within his mind;

'My sword handpaw shall be justice;

My other handpaw shall be noble and kind

When now the throne is empty;

I, a mouse, shall rise a Knight!

To Aslan creator of Narnia,

I do swear fealty 'til I go beyond the eastern seas,

Where water grows ever so sweet.'

In the midst of his meditation on these words the memory of one winter night unfurled, foremost in his mosaic of thoughts.

The nymphs and dryads slept soundly in the dense wood behind him as he wandered into a grove where the trees where sparse and scattered. There he beheld a lion bathing in the pallid moonlight who rose on four paws at the sight of him. He felt no fear or any sense of danger as the golden-white lion approached him and spoke. There was not doubt in the mouse's mind that Aslan, the great lion of the old legends was now before him with an air about him both imperious and benevolent.

"Hello Reepicheep. Do not be afraid, I'm not here to lurk in the darkness like a hungry beast. You know my name as well as any Narnian, but knowing and believing are as different as night and day." As Aslan finished speaking, Reepicheep struggled from his gaze of astonishment and gave a hasty bow.

"I'd never think that of you great lion! I'm overjoyed that I live to see the day of your return!" Reepicheep said, now bursting with joy. "Oh! How happy everyone will be to see you once more! Are you going to claim the throne in Cair Parivel?" Aslan's face fell sullenly,

"You know well dear mouse that cannot be. Only a Son of Adam or Daughter of Eve can sit in the throne to rule Narnia. Such a time will come again, but not for a while yet. Now listen Reepicheep. You mustn't tell anyone of our meeting, keep your memories of this night among the dearest secrets in your heart." The urgency in Aslan's voice, so apparent to Reepicheep, allowed no leeway for the mouse to express his curiosity and was obliged to acknowledge his demand with another bow.

"I regret to tell you Aslan, many Narnians think that you are the invention of some storyteller to amuse children in tales and in their dreams. I'm saddened to know that will not change unless you stand before them." said Reepicheep despairingly. But Aslan gave an obscure expression before speaking again.

"Once there was a lion who lay upon the Stone Table. His life was drawn from him with a stone dagger at the hands of a white witch, in place of a Son of Adam. She gloated at his death in her sheer ignorance of the Deep Magic. But she bound him with cords of evil enchantment, preventing the lion to escape the frigid waters of death. Then, before the weeping eyes of two Daughters of Eve, a family of scurrying mice, who were never gifted with clever minds of Narnian creatures, came and cut the bonds that bound the lion, thus unleashing his fury upon the evil army of the white witch, and lay her lifeless on the battlefield."

"Yes Aslan I know this story well. And then came the Golden Age of Narnia!" said Reepicheep, recovering from the reverie that Aslan's voice induced while telling the tale.

The slightest hint of a smile appeared on the great lion's face. "Then you know, Reepicheep, that I was that lion. From that day I've thought greatly of the mice of Narnia, and regret not having them in my service at an earlier time. I have learned from that mistake, dear mouse. Now kneel Reepicheep, and repeat these words..."

Without question, Reepicheep knelt before Asaln and was knighted with only the stars as witness. He repeated after Aslan his oath of fealty and received strength and wisdom from the breath of the lion. Aslan then stressed the importance of keeping the meeting a secret, but he should still address himself with his new title of Sir. Reepicheep. They departed from the moonlit grove.

With his fill of the dew-blessed air, Reepicheep went back into his home. He followed the tunnel that dived deep into the soil away from the grasp of cruel weather in the cold seasons. A fertile aroma of earth welcomed Reepicheep to his living quarters. A lonely dining table placed against the wall had his breakfast of waiting for him. Berries, shortbread and fennel tea he had prepared earlier before his appetite concerned him much. A stone fireplace was opposite the table where dying gleeds held life in them from the previous night. A typical home for many mice of his kind, but upon the wall above his downy bed of moss and heather, hung a silver steel shield with the symbol of a red lion bearing its claws. Also his sheathed rapier sword hung by its leather straps.

Reepicheep finished his breakfast with relish, "I will have to thank Pattertwig! He certainly has a knack for berry picking. It was generous of him giving me share." he spoke to himself with delight. "Although these nuts are as bland as bog sods! And somebeast has nibbled the half of them!."

When he finished eating, he slung his shield upon his back and strapped on his sword at his hip, the belt fitted perfectly. Then he stood before a mirror on the wall and fitted a red feather snugly behind his ear. Satisfied with his appearance he swaggered back up the tunnel to greet the world and pursue suitable opportunity to test his worthiness of knighthood.

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