Title: First and Last
Disclaimer: I do not own either C.S. Lewis or the wonderful world he created.
Water. Cool, clean water that drips over his fingers and down his sand-dry throat. Tirian is almost ashamed of how his whole thought at this dark moment is fixed on a mere drink, and yet for now, the water is the only thing in his world.
Until Rishda stands in front of the white rock, and the water is forgotten. The challenge is given: death or a slavery far worse. And the answer is returned: proud defiance that knows no word called surrender.
The circle of cold, bristling spears closes slowly in, and Tirian's thoughts beat with the rhythm of his heart. He has never felt more like a failure. What has he done as King to reflect the greatness of those before him?
He has not guarded a newborn world, and the Tree that protects it. He has not delivered an island people from a dragon of fear. He has not rescued the land from winter's icy grasp and led it into a Golden Age. He has not defeated a usurper, restoring the olden days that were thought lost forever.
He cannot save his people from a monkey. He cannot defeat twenty Calormenes. He cannot protect two children from the Stable's unknown threat. He has no crown, no capital, no court. He barely has his courage. Even his life will be stolen from him in a matter of minutes.
All he has is himself and his sword. As Tirian's fingers grip the pommel, the cold grooves of the lion's head digging into his fingers, the thought comes to him that it is enough. He has the burden of a king, and he has the tool to fulfill it. Faithfulness is all that is required of him.
And he will give it.
As Tirian flings himself into his last battle, he feels the surge of adrenaline as all desire for his own life leaves. He will give his all for the land he loves, and the last ruler of Narnia will die fighting for the King he answers to.
And as the final duel in front of a forbidding door begins, Tirian knows.
This is the meaning of kingship.
"To be first in every desperate attack and last in every desperate retreat…"
A/N: I hope you enjoyed! Any comments and especially constructive criticism would be very much appreciated. Thanks for reading!