The Conscience of the King II

". . . so I thought that was a bit . . . boorish, I suppose."

"Come again, Ed?"

Before me, on a stone seat next to the training grounds, I heard the sound of metal-on-metal as Edmund smacked his brother's arm.

"Pay attention! Yesterday. After dinner. Tumnus . . ."

Peter's tone was stern and I could tell he knew something of the situation between his brother and the Faun. "If he was rude . . ."

"Not rude. Insulting, actually. You and Susan were helping her ladies sort out that issue of the Ostriches and the Kangaroos racing in the halls. When Lucy left to get her embroidery to show him, Tumnus said to me that as someone that had also been in the White Witch's employ he had no right to harbor a grudge against me."

"What?" Peter's shock was evident and I didn't have to see him to know his exact expression. His voice betrayed all. He was dumbfounded. "Her employ?"

"Shout it out to all of Narnia, why don't you, Peter? Lower your voice. Yes! He said her employ."

"Tumnus worked for Jadis?"

"Worse yet, he thought I did too!"

"Shh!" shushed Peter. He was quiet, trying to assimilate this information. When he spoke again, his voice was much softer. "What did you say?"

The younger king barked a laugh, but I could hear the strain in his voice as he referred to his inauspicious start in Narnia just a few weeks past. "I told him flat-out I'd never worked for her in that sense and I didn't appreciate him assuming anything about me or what I'd done. He's one to talk!"

"What did he do?"

"It was awkward. I think he was praying that Aslan would appear and swallow him whole."

"No doubt. Does Lucy know this?"

"If she does she never mentioned it to me. You know how she is with confidences."

"True."

Celer and several other officers approached the archway leading to the courtyard opposite from where I stood. I gestured for quiet and for them to wait outside, out of earshot. They obeyed instantly. I did not like to eavesdrop, but it was not intentional. Clearly they needed to talk right now and if I moved from the doorway of the armory they would hear me. Moreover, I was the one responsible for the situation and I dare not let it get out of hand.

"Remember . . . the letter Maugrim left in his cave." Peter spoke slowly, wracking his memory. "Arrested for high treason against her majesty. High treason. Against her."

"Not Narnia. I hear you. All traitors belonged to her."

"And she did turn him to stone."

Edmund sighed. "I don't know what he ever said to Lucy, but in the end he did help her escape and he did stand against Jadis. I'll give him that."

"And what did you do so much worse than what he did?" Peter asked hotly. His tone startled me because I had never heard him speak so passionately before. "Yes, you were a traitor, but what does that make him?"

Only Peter could ask such a question of his brother and I was relieved to hear no hint of offense or hurt taken when Edmund answered.

"I suppose it's a question of scale."

"Scale be damned," snapped the elder king and I blinked to hear anything akin to a curse pass his lips. "He repented and so did you, but somehow his conduct is swept away under the carpet while yours is displayed before the whole country. How is that fair?"

"Lucy adores him. I know he thinks the world of her."

With a snort Peter asked, "Don't we all? Lucy gives her love very quickly. Loving is easy. Liking someone as well is the challenge."

"So I've heard," Edmund answered softly. "For Lucy's sake I want to work this out, though I don't think our Mr. Tumnus is very fond of me."

"Too bad for him." Peter made a scoffing noise and I heard someone, most likely Edmund this time, get smacked by an armored glove. "Perhaps it's because you've owed up to it. That takes courage. Maybe more courage than Tumnus has."

"Or since I'm a king, he holds me more accountable."

"You weren't a king yet," Peter replied. "And it's not his place to stand in judgement of Aslan's choices."

"Nor ours. He did crown us after all, so clearly he's in Aslan's good graces. I for one won't question that choice."

There was a shift in attitude, and the steely resolve I had noted in Peter before now became evident. "Agreed. If Aslan's forgiven him we can't do less. I'll admit I'm not in the most forgiving mood right now, given his conduct towards you, though. What do you want to do?"

"I suppose I'll try talking to him. I just don't want Lucy to get wind of any of it. Or Susan."

"I could speak to him."

"No. No, thank you. I wouldn't want it to look as if I tattled."

"We're kings. He's our subject. If he can't respect the person, he should at least respect the title."

"Can I quote you?" teased Edmund.

"Please do." Peter made a noise of disbelief. "Aslan's mane, where would we be now if he had met you before Lucy?"

Edmund likewise gave a disbelieving huff. "Not here, I can assure you."

"I shudder to think of it."

"Amen."

They were silent, thinking on that hideous possibility. Finally Edmund stirred.

"Peter?"

"Hmm?"

"Where on earth is everyone?"

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

I watched the four children carefully over the next several days. My father, whom I had always honored and held to be the wisest of Centaurs, had told me that since I had two ears, two eyes, and only one mouth, I should listen and watch twice as much as I spoke. As I aged, I understood better the sagacity behind his words. I had discovered that there was a great deal people gave away about themselves without ever uttering a word, and so I knew exactly when King Edmund spoke with Tumnus.

Clearly it had not gone as well as Edmund had hoped because he held himself more aloof than I had ever seen, while Tumnus was an absolute study in rue. I was beginning to suspect there was more truth behind Peter's suggestion that Tumnus lacked the moral fiber to face his shortcomings than the High King knew.

I was watching Sharet and her troop of Cats sharpening their claws on some old, dead tree trunks late Fifthday morning. They gained so much satisfaction from the simple exercise that it was a pleasure to watch, though they tended to reduce the trees to mulch in almost no time at all. Most everything the Cats did was a game to them, even the heaviest training, and their morale was unparalleled even in this most enthusiastic of armies. Wood chips flew as two huge Tigers raced to destroy the remains of the tree trunks, roaring out their excitement. A crowd of appreciative soldiers and gardeners gathered round, cheering and urging them on as they dodged flying chunks of wood.

"General?"

Tumnus. I had been expecting him for some time now. I turned to face him. Clearly he was distressed, though the slightest things tended to set off most Fauns.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I tried speaking with King Edmund."

I made no comment, just gazed at him. He squirmed uncomfortably and admitted,

"I fear I made things worse."

"You fear?" I echoed, arching an eyebrow at him expectantly.

Tumnus looked at me in shock. "How did you know?"

"I pay attention to my surroundings. King Edmund has been rather closed of late."

"I insulted him the night I arrived. It wasn't my intention, but that's what it turned into: an insult. I managed to say everything wrong that I possibly could. And just yesterday he tried to broach the subject again and I shut him out. I could not bring myself to face what stands between us and now he must think I am the worst kind of person. King Peter was cold to me. Queen Susan frowned at me." He shuddered, for his was the type of personality that wanted to be universally liked. "Even Queen Lucy noticed and her I would spare above everyone else."

"Why come to me?"

"Because you understand. Not me so much as the situation."

"A fair enough answer. I ask you, what is it about King Edmund that intimidates you so?"

He opened his mouth to protest, then shut it again, miserable. "You wouldn't understand, General Oreius. You're a brave and noble soldier and I . . . I can't even admit the truth. I worked for Narnia's enemy. I almost betrayed the girl that is now my best friend and my queen. I lack the courage of even a ten-year-old child and I hold that against him."

I eyed him askance, amused. Briefly I wondered if the Faun's complaint of cowardice centered around not being brave enough to do the job he was paid for or because Edmund so readily confessed his sins, an example Tumnus could not bring himself to follow. "You just admitted it to me."

"You're not the injured party," he grumbled, realizing he had, indeed, just confessed all.

"Aren't I?" I returned. "Perhaps not directly injured but by insulting my king, you insult me. Moreover, he's distracted now and lack of concentration on the training grounds can result in accidents, in which case I would not only be insulted, but furious."

He stared up at me. Though my tone was light, he knew my words were deadly serious.

"You faced Jadis, Tumnus. Find the courage to face Edmund. He at least won't turn you into a block of stone. It's time you learned why he's called the Just."

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

The next morning, Sixthday, promised to be wet and dreary. Of course that changed nothing in our morning routine and by five hours past midnight my two young kings stepped into the courtyard in full armor. As usual, Peter was the more alert of the two. Edmund would stop yawning as soon as he started moving in earnest. Our Sixthday training was normally less formal and structured than the previous five days. I knew both boys enjoyed this time the most and I always made sure that they had fun with it since this time was theirs.

So as we stepped out of the armory I was rather perturbed to see Faun Tumnus seated in the courtyard on the same bench Peter and Edmund had occupied several days ago, waiting for us. We stopped in our tracks as he stood up and bowed to the kings. Peter's expression was hard and distant. Edmund struck me as more annoyed than anything else.

"We are holding class, Tumnus," I said, letting my tone tell him I did not appreciate the intrusion

"I apologize to Your Majesties and to you, General, for the interruption" Tumnus replied. He was almost stammering in his nervousness. "King Edmund, would you indulge me with a few moments of your time?"

I caught the look the Pevensie brothers exchanged. Neither boy was very pleased by this development and both resented that the Faun kept them from one of the things they looked forward to the most all week. Peter opened his mouth to speak when Edmund silenced him with a small gesture. Not a word was exchanged, but their body language said all as Peter offered to deal with this development and Edmund gratefully refused.

"Excuse me, Peter, General," said Edmund, stepping away to join the Faun.

We withdrew to the other end of the courtyard. I could tell Peter was agitated and I laid my hand on his shoulder. "Be at ease, Sir Peter."

"I would rather Tumnus had chosen another time to soothe his own conscience," snapped Peter. I had never seen him so cross. It was rather impressive.

I watched the two slight figures at the other end of the yard. Tumnus was gesturing, leaning in towards the king, and Edmund stood straight and dignified, his shield in hand. He was more a king each passing day. Their voices were too soft for us to catch any of the exchange, but I knew it was intense. Edmund listened more than he spoke. When he finally did speak, I could see the tension drain out of the Faun. It seemed he had found his courage after all.

And then Edmund turned and walked towards us, his armor ringing. Tumnus stared after him in surprise. Clearly he had expected something more than what he received.

"King Edmund!"

He looked back, waiting. Tumnus was at such a loss that I almost pitied him. Beside me, Peter watched the scene with a cool, keen look in his fair eyes.

"I . . . I hoped we may be friends," Tumnus faltered, very aware of all attention upon him.

"I've accepted your apology and I've forgiven you, as you've forgiven me," Edmund replied sharply. I could tell he was provoked because that was when he was at his most eloquent. "At the moment that's all I'm prepared to do. I'm sure some day you'll get your wish and we'll be on friendly terms, if only for Lucy's sake, but not right now. Now is time for my class. Good day, sir."

His face was set but I could tell he was strained emotionally as he joined us. Neither boy looked at the Faun, giving him the opportunity to slip away and lick his wounds.

"All right, Edmund?" Peter softly inquired.

He took a deep breath. "I wish he'd waited until later," he muttered, clearly upset by the confrontation. I suspected he was in far better shape than Tumnus. He looked up at me. "Oreius, I -"

"Sit," I ordered. "Both of you."

They gladly obeyed. I let them calm down for a few moments, folding my arms across my chest and regarding them carefully.

"Your Majesties, I must apologize. This situation with Tumnus was brought about due to a conversation I had with him the day he arrived."

"It's been coming either way, General," Edmund answered quietly. Beside him, his brother nodded.

"I certainly haven't forgotten his conduct towards Ed at our coronation. And now we find out he was actually working for Jadis! The fact that he was ever angry at anyone that helped overthrow the White Witch strikes me as pretty rich and frankly hypocritical."

"We are not all warriors, my kings," said I. "There is a mighty lesson to be learned here. As my father said, a fool forgives and forgets, a tyrant neither forgives nor forgets, and a wise man forgives, but does not forget. King Edmund, you are familiar with this most of all. You have been forgiven and now you have forgiven."

He nodded his agreement without a hint of reluctance. When he spoke, his voice was firm. "Neither position is comfortable, but I will not apologize to Tumnus again."

"Nor should you, for by doing so you'd be opening yourself up to another affront. Patience is not a bottomless well and you are a King of Narnia. Forgiveness does not require liking. That I can say with authority."

"So now what do we do?" wondered Peter.

I smiled faintly. "You carry on knowing you've done what you can up to this point." I looked up as the clouds, already dark, began to release the first few drops of rain. "Come! We're done here."

"But we haven't had our lesson!" protested Edmund.

"Haven't we, Majesty?"