Prompt: Communion


The fellowship had been merry and the feast had been fantastic. Father Christmas had also come and stopped by, giving presents and much joy, especially among the little children. As the night wore on, much of the festivities had come to an end as the most solemn and important portion of the night came closer.

And now, the time had come. As all the members of the feast came in close around the great table, the wise centaur Rian took his place at the head of the table and prepared to give the dedicatory speech that was the hallmark of every Christmas feast. Lights were put out and the table cleared away until nothing remained on the feast table except several candles around the table and a great knife at the head of the table. All the Narnians huddled together as Rian began to speak.

"It has been two score and three years since Narnia was freed from the clutches of the White Witch and her evil reign. We gather tonight not only in peace and harmony, not only for fellowship, but also in remembrance of those times and the price it took to free Narnia. Let us now be glad that our forefathers had the courage and wisdom to stand and fight instead of submit and be slaves. But we must never forget the cost, from the greatest of warriors to the smallest of innocents. We take time to remember them and to honor their memories."

Rian bowed his head and one by one the rest of the table followed his example. Some took this time to pray, others to honor the memories of others. However, one small talking bunny did not bow his head but instead squeaked out, "But whet abet Asran?"

All the table turned to look at this tiny creature but the bunny was undaunted. With the courage that comes sometimes to little children, he continued.

"We is fergeting Asran! Thar is no Chrismus withet Asran!"

Rian smiled at the bunny. Those watching him also began to smile and soon, any tension that might have gathered quickly dissipated. Rian looked carefully into Pippe's (for that was the name of the little bunny) face and answered back carefully.

"Well I was going to get to Aslan Pippe, but your enthusiasm cannot be held back it seems. We always remember Aslan last so that His memory stays with us the longest."

Rian stopped for a second, thinking on his own words. "But perhaps you are right Pippe," continued Rian. "Aslan should never be last but always first, middle, and end."

A general silence had fallen around the table by this point and a great shadow stalked behind Pippe. Pippe opened his mouth to respond but before he had a chance, the shadow spoke with a voice deeper than the oceans of Narnia.

"Faithful one, you have remembered Me from the beginning," spoke Aslan, as he looked upon the tiny bunny.

At the sound of His voice, Pippe had turned around and now gazed upon Aslan speechless, unable to speak in awe of the hero of his dreams. A worshipful love shined in Pippe's eyes and he sat unable to move a muscle. The rest of the table had all bowed in reverence to Aslan, including the centaur Rian, who had actually knelt before the King.

"Speak dearest, speak all on your mind, release the emotions of your heart. Here I am, I have heard your deepest prayers and have come so that you might be filled."

With that, Aslan breathed into the face of Pippe and all who saw would later say that a change came over the complexion of the tiny bunny that day. Pippe, scared and shy, received courage in that breath and spoke while all others were unable to speak.

"Asran, I weesh you could stays weet me forevers. I weesh, I weesh. Dun reave Asran. Stays weet me prease," begged Pippe, his emotions unbound and roaring freely.

Aslan smiled at the innocent child whose deepest desire was to stay with his hero forever. He responded "Child, I am with you always, even to the uttermost parts of the world. Call and I will come, no matter where you may be."

"To tee utermest perts o' the werld."

"Always and forever, dear one."