Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: To be a father was so much more than being the child's sire...

A/N: This is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe and it is part of my Pre-Winter story cycle and ties in with I Remember.

To Be a Father...

Part Two: Cadfael

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I smiled as I watched my little colt kick his legs restlessly from where he was lying next to his mother on our bed. Selene had called me into our bedroom a few minutes ago and now I knew why. The colt was ready to take his first steps. I grinned as I picked up my son and then carefully set him down so he was standing with my help. Only two days old, he seemed so fragile and small as his tiny hands clung to my fingers as I supported him. "Come now, Oreius, let's walk over to your mama."

The colt looked up at me as I spoke, his dark eyes solemn but trusting. And then I took a very small step forward. I would never forgive myself nor would Selene allow me to forget it if I managed to step on our son. Oreius seemed to hesitate and his tiny hands tightened on my fingers for a moment before he took one shaky step, his little hooves barely clicking against the floor as he took another step. Yes!

I was hard-pressed to resist the urge to shout in excitement. But, that would probably startle the colt or even deafen him since I was leaning over him. Instead, I grinned and forced my tone to stay fairly quiet although I couldn't keep the excitement out of my voice, "Well done, Oreius! There's my colt! Selene, do you see this?"

I could hear Selene laughing at me for my foolishness, but I didn't care. Oreius twitched his tail and he looked back up at me. Selene later told me he was just picking up on my excitement, but I still hold that in that moment that colt was just as excited as I was and he knew he was doing something most noteworthy. He took another shaky step and then another and another all the way until we had finally reached Selene.

Selene took Oreius' hands from mine and then shooed me to stand where Oreius and I had started our little trek. If any of my comrades had seen, I probably would have been heckled for months but it would have been worth it. By the Lion, this was more exhilarating than any battle I had been in. Once Selene was satisfied with my position, she leaned down (though not nearly as far as I needed to) in order to look our colt in the eyes. "All right, Oreius, go see Da." He looked right at me when she said "Da."

I expected her to step with him, but when Oreius took a shaky step forward, Selene let his hands slide free of her fingers. I stepped forward, but froze as Selene ordered, "Don't move, Cadfael. Let Oreius come to you."

Oreius looked very shaky as he gazed at me. I leaned down and held my hands out, giving him a goal, "Come, Oreius, come see Da."

He took another shaky step...I noticed Selene was following him closely even though she wasn't holding his hands. Oreius suddenly stumbled and I took a half-step forward before Selene's warning hiss reminded me that I was supposed to stay put. The colt stood all splay-legged for several moments before he looked back at his mother and then he looked at me. With a jerk and scramble, the colt stumbled then walked toward me, not stopping until he could lean against my forelegs. I grinned down at my son, "Well done, Oreius!" Selene laughed again, drawing my attention, and I kissed her, "Just watch, Selene, our colt will be running before you know it."

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Okay, another snippet with Cadfael and Oreius. The next entry will be either Lew or King Frank the First. Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.