TERENCE AND TUMNUS 100 CHALLENGE
Presenting story eleven! This is how Tumnus first meets up with Terence as a human being. I originally wrote this with the intention of it being a silly story, but then I got all sentimental on myself; and ultimately I figured, what the hey?
Terence © unicorn-skydancer08
Tumnus and Narnia © C.S. Lewis and Disney/Walden Media
All rights reserved.
Any copying or reproduction of these stories in any way whatsoever without expressed permission is prohibited. Your honesty is sincerely appreciated.
STORY 11:
IN THE LIVING FLESH
Tumnus the faun was sitting alone in his cave, quietly poring over a book, yet for some reason he couldn't concentrate well on it. Though a splendid fire was crackling away inside his fireplace, sending out a wave of pleasant warmth, the faun felt strangely cold and empty inside. He realized he was missing his friend Terence, the unicorn.
It had been quite some time since Tumnus had last seen his old pal, and now the faun yearned deeply for Terence's company. Terence was such a plucky little gelding—annoying at times, yet genuinely friendly, and kind, and courageous, and funny, with a true heart. Though Tumnus had often been irked by the unicorn and his absurd antics, he always did care about him, and he always found Terence's unreserved affection for him touching.
Whatever happened to Terence, Tumnus had never found out. He just hoped and prayed the unicorn was all right, wherever he was right now.
Tumnus silently turned a page, wondering to himself what his best mate was up to these days, and he also wondered if Terence missed him as much as he missed Terence.
A loud knock on the door roused Tumnus from his reverie. Curious as who his visitor could possibly be, and cheered by the thought that someone would come to see him, even if only for a minute, Tumnus set his book aside, rose to his hooves, and made a beeline to the door. When he unlocked the door and dragged it aside, he saw that his visitor was a human man.
Though the human appeared quite young (likely no more than eighteen to twenty years old, in Tumnus's eyes), his hair and the thick goatee that adorned his chin gleamed silver-white, like the moon at night. He wore a deep black traveling cloak over a blue frock trimmed with gold, and black hosiery covered his legs, which were long and well-built, and on his feet, he sported a fine pair of brown ankle boots. He stood very tall and straight, holding himself with elegance and dignity, and for a human, he was astonishingly, uncommonly handsome. His outward comeliness would have very quite easily enthralled the heart of any woman.
The man appeared remarkably pleased to see Tumnus. "Hello, Tumnus," he greeted the faun warmly. "I was hoping I would find you here. Is it all right if I come in?"
Tumnus was surprised that this odd human knew his name, and there was something peculiarly familiar about his tone of voice. The faun did not understand how this stranger knew him, but he allowed him entrance into his cave, granting him shelter from the cold outside.
The man gratefully stepped into the cozy, homely cave, and Tumnus closed the door firmly once he was inside. The man removed his black cloak from his shoulders and hung it discreetly by the door. And then he wandered about the main room for a time, looking all around, his eyes absorbing everything like a sponge absorbing water.
"I don't mean to be rude," said Tumnus, eyeing his guest warily, "but who are you, exactly? What are you doing here? What do you want with me? And how do you know my name? Have we met before?"
The white-haired man stared at the faun, looking bewildered at first, and then a look of gentle concern spread across his attractive, youthful face. "Tumnus, don't you remember me?" he asked mildly. "It's me, your old friend Terence."
Tumnus froze like a statue upon hearing this, his eyes widening to at least twice their normal size. Did his ears deceive him? This man standing before him—it wasn't possible, was it?
Tumnus gazed into the strange man's intensely blue eyes for a time, and suddenly he recognized them. "Terence?" he gasped. His voice was scarcely louder than a whisper, so great was his astonishment. "Is it really you? Really and truly you?"
The young man now smiled at him as he answered benevolently, "In the flesh."
For at least a full minute or so, Tumnus was unable to move or speak. It was as if he had been struck dumb. When at long last he was convinced it was truly his old comrade, his heart melted into a puddle on the floor. Tears welled in his eyes as he rushed forward and threw himself at Terence, engulfing the man in a fierce hug. He buried his face in the young human's neck, weeping shamelessly, his tears wetting Terence's bare skin.
Terence readily returned the faun's impassioned hug, tears blurring his vision as well.
The two friends stood close and clung to one another for what seemed like ages, unable and unwilling to let each other go. Terence patted Tumnus amiably on the bare back with one hand and ran his free hand affectionately through the faun's gold-brown curls. Tumnus merely tightened his grip on Terence and sobbed harder.
When at long last the crying subsided and the two young men drew apart, still resting their hands upon one another, barely able to see through the flood of tears, Terence said thickly, "Oh, Tumnus, my dear Tumnus—it's so good to see you! I have missed you so much."
"I can't believe it, Terence," Tumnus said in a choked voice. He laid a hand against Terence's wet cheek, feeling his old friend's modified features for himself. "Look at how you've changed! You're so completely different, I hardly recognize you. What on earth happened to you?"
"It's a long, long story," said Terence, managing a tearful smile.
Tumnus smiled as well. "Would you mind telling it to me, over a cup of tea? I've brewed a fresh pot just now. And I've also got toast and those special little cakes you have always liked to go with it as well."
"I would love to. In fact, I'd be most honored." Terence added shrewdly, "And there will be sardines as well, I presume?"
"All the sardines you can eat," Tumnus nodded, and they both laughed. They laughed so hard that fresh tears coursed down their faces, mingling with the old ones.
Eventually Tumnus took out his old, cherished handkerchief and held it up for Terence to see, asking with a watery chuckle, "Which one of us needs this the most?"
This made Terence laugh even harder, and Tumnus joined in. Presently Terence took the handkerchief first and dutifully dabbed at his face with one corner, and then he returned the cloth to Tumnus and Tumnus used a fresh corner to dry his own tears.
When they had finally made themselves a little more presentable and had managed to regain at least part of their composures, Tumnus made Terence sit down in the special armchair next to the fireplace that he typically reserved for special guests, and he himself disappeared into the kitchen and returned about five minutes later with a silver tea tray.
He set the tray down carefully on the little round table, and then he took a seat himself by the fire. "I'm so glad you're here," the faun said as he passed a cup in Terence's direction, and graciously added some milk and sugar to his friend's tea. "I have truly missed you."
Terence nodded. "It certainly is wonderful to be back."
"It certainly is wonderful to have you back," Tumnus assured his friend, "even like this."