This is the first of a planned quartology, These Many Times. One thing to note is that I'm drawing from the Narnian Timeline on the fandom wiki, but I have pushed both Jill and Eustace's birth dates earlier by four years. This is merely the prologue; chapters will be longer than this. I expect chapter one to come fairly quickly, since it's mostly written. (Also for those who read Fractured - its next chapter is also almost ready. I hope to post it tomorrow, but just in case, I decided to post today since I haven't yet in February. If you like my stories I advise you to follow them, since I have discovered I am a rather sporadic poster, which is a bit sad.)

"Trust the Lion, Manrian."

He whirled and began to pace once more, ignoring his Queen's gentle voice. "We need help."

"The Lion will give us help. Remember the Royal Children came when they were most needed."

"I know. But the Golden Age ended in darkness and defeat, and now, look at us!" He flung an arm out widely, showing the dusty room, once a grand ballroom. "The land is in an uproar. Lily, I have failed my nation. Aslan gave my forefathers a duty over this land, and I have failed it!" The anguish was visible in his wide eyes and heaving chest. "I have failed Aslan."

"Not that, Manrian - never that!" his Queen exclaimed sharply. "You have done your best, you have fought off the giants, you have routed the Telmarines."

"And yet Narnia is slipping away." His voice was heavy.

"You have done the best you could."

"This threat is too cruel for us, Lily; nobody can withstand her! Unless Aslan sends us help, or comes himself, we are lost."

She came and embraced him gently. He relaxed slightly. "Aslan will always send help to those who need it. Let us pray and beg him to send us help, for he has never refused any who ask truly."

"Perhaps it is his will that we shall fall. That another king be instated on this throne."

Queen Lily looked searchingly at him. "And what, then, of Prince Cirian?"

Her husband gave a small, despairing shrug. "I know not. But I, I myself, am not fit to rule on this throne."

"The blood of the first King and Queen runs in your veins."

"Blood is not everything." He shook her off and continued to pace. "I cannot deny that I have failed everyone. Aslan, the Beasts, you, Cirian."

"How so?"

"Cirian will have no kingdom to rule over. I feel it, Queen Lily, I know within myself that I am the last King of Narnia of my lineage."

"Let us pray," his Queen urged him.

Manrian sighed. "You must speak for both of us, Lily; I cannot face Aslan, knowing that I have failed him."

She read the utter despair in his features and complied as the sun set in a red-gold blaze. They ate little, their two attendants (a Talking Mouse and a Faun) trying to press them into eating more.

And then, afterwards, King Manrian the Last of Narnia sat in silence as the light faded and every shred of hope in his heart died.

Aslan, help your people in our direst need.

Please read and review! I've somewhat planned these stories out, but have no estimated word count length at present.

If you're curious as to the timeline I'm following in my AU-ness, that will be detailed next chapter, after more has been revealed (a lot more). Please give me feedback on what you like or do not like about this; I'd always rather have feedback than not!

If you'd also prefer me to be working on a different one of my current stories-in-progress, either PM me or include it in your review; I'd like to know.