Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed, especially the following people:

Isobel Kelte: I do agree Almonzo committing a murder was a bit out there. I have been wrestling with an idea, one that this chapter grew from. I realize that if you did not like the ending of the last chapter, you might not like this one. Keep reading I intend to get back to the normal story soon. I have an idea though of how to fix the plot, I am working on writing it. You might see more later.

Dancergirl1152: Thank you very much! Your encouragement is a lot of help. I hope I continue to please you. Sorry for the wait. Hope you like it.

I do not own any of the land of Narnia or the surrounding islands, Aslan, or Prince Gale; they belong to C. S. Lewis. I do not have permission from the author to use these, I am not making money on this story either.

I hope you all enjoy this new chapter!

Dragon of the Lone Island

Chapter Six: Redemption

By: Idaho Shepherd

"I am the most vile fawn alive. I have murdered a human." Almonzo sighed." It's all for the best." Almonzo lifted his tear stained face to the star filled heavens. " Aslan, forgive me, I am so sorry. Gale, forgive and forget me who murdered you closest friend. I could not live knowing he is dead by my hand. I-" The fawn's sobs broke out anew. "No, this is best. I am sorry for everything."

Almonzo jumped into the sea.

"No put me down!" Almonzo kicked and screamed. "It's better this way. Let me die. I want to die. Kill me so I won't have to see the pain I have caused. Ouch, put me down!" Almonzo was suspended over the sea by his short goat's tail.

"Fawn, do you want to kill yourself?"

'Yes." Almonzo wailed.

"Then I will not let you down."

"What are you going to do?'

"Hold you in the air until you change your mind."

"Oh."

There was silence. Almonzo's captor stood motionless while the fawn swayed to and fro on the sea breezes adding to his discomfort.

"Can you put me down, please?"

"Have you changed your mind?"

"No..."

"Then I cannot."

"But I am ready to listen to reason. Why are you so intent on my living? What will happen?'

"Great things."

"No. Great things will not happen. They would have if I hadn't -"

"Fawn, no one knows what would have happened. But if you think of other than what would have happened you will know what will happen."

"What will happen? I have killed the son of an Archanland lord, the Caption of the spies, no less. One of his spies could be aboard this ship waiting to kill me. Or you could be a spy."Almonzo took a breath.

"Is that all?"

"No! If those spies don't kill me the Prince will kill me."

"Why?"

"Because I killed his best friend!" Almonzo screamed.

"Do you think he has more than one friend, that maybe he could not bear to see them both die?"

"When we get back to Narnia King Gilmert will kill me. It is what Aslan decreed."

"I think the Prince and the King would see this as an exception."

"You cannot say what only can be decreed by Aslan."

"You are right to say that a mortal such as yourself cannot claim such authority but I am not like you. I made the law, and as their author I know them best, for what and why they were made"

"Who are you?"Almonzo asked with deep reverence. He did not doubt the claims of the exalted person holding him.

"I have been called many things, had many titles and many names. I have appeared in many shapes, sizes, and forms; though that did not change who I am. I am the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; the same in the beginning and in the end. But I am still who I AM. Aslan, the son of the empire over the sea. I am the one who you were calling out to, I heard your cry for forgiveness and am here because of that. Now listen to what I am going to say to you."

Aslan, the great Lion of Narnia, lowered the humbled Almonzo to the deck. Stooping down his great head which towered over the fawns bent one, Aslan looked into his eyes. "You will not die, you will live. I do not want you to die-yet; you, just like all the overs of creation will one day die, but I do not want it to be today. I want you to live!"

"No! I don't deserve to live." Almonzo yelled. "How can you want that? Do you not remember what I've done?" the fawn said, dispaire

"You do not deserve to live, you deserve to die because of your crimes." The Lion murmured fondly and a great shining tear rolled down.

Almonzo was startled by the tear. Could the Lion really care about him that much, that he would weep at the thought of losing him?

"Why are you crying?" Almonzo asked tentatively.

Aslan drew in a shaky breath. "Because I love you. I have known you since before you knew yourself or anyone else knew you. I have watched you grow, following the plan I had for you, and sometimes stumble along the way trying." Almonzo looked down ashamed. "I made you and know you, inside and out. You are very dear to me." Aslan tenderly nuzzled the fawn.

"I don't understand, how can you..."

"There is no way for you to comprehend my limitless love for you."

"Aslan, I love you... but I don't deserve your love."

"I know." Aslan whispered sadly.

"I want to." Almonzo continued eagerly.

Aslan nodded, but said nothing.

"I wish there was a way I could." said the fawn with sorrow and distress in his eyes. Never can a father stand-by and watch his child's heart broken; nor could Aslan. Standing over the fawn, he enveloped him between his great paws.

"You can," he purred softly. Stepping away from the Lion, Almonzo's face showed great surprise and doubt.

"You did wrong Almonzo, and you will be punished." The Lion spoke with gentle sternness, as a loving parent to a disobedient child. "I still love you, so I will not stop the punishment."

"Why? If you love me, will you kill me?"

"You did wrong Almonzo. I would be doing wrong if I did not punish you."

Tears flowed anew down Almonzo's face reflected in the moonlight's luminous glow. "Aslan," the small fawn sobbed.

"I punish you because I love you. You knew that the wadges of wrongs is death."

Almonzo hung his head with shame and sorrow. "You had a plan for me, didn't you?" he asked hesitantly.

Yes, Aslan nodded, tears shown in his eyes.

"There were great plans for me," Almonzo said," I know they were. They will never be now. An opportunity wasted."

"Great things would have happened, yes. But no one is ever told what would have happened, although, great things will still happen.:

Almonzo was troubled by this. Across his forehead deep furrows appeared.

"Tell me what you are thinking, Almonzo." Aslan asked gently.

"I can't understand how you can have plans for me now. Now that I've...now that I've disobeyed you. Or even how you would want me."

Aslan sighed. "Do you love me, fawn?"

"Yes!"

"Do you trust me?"

Almonzo hesitated, them whispered confidently "yes."

"Do you remain true to you pledge that you swore to me and the King, the day you began your service to the man and his family whom I appointed to rule over me country?"

"Yes."

"Then I expect you to fulfill it."

Closing his eyes Almonzo though back to the day long ago that Aslan spoke of, over twenty years ago.

Ladies wearing the rainbow and gentlemen just as elegant and regal, strolled leisurely around the palace garden. All the Narnia creatures and a small handful humans from Archandland and Calorman, crowded around the Palace steps where the royal family which now numbered three, stood. Almonzo stood separated from the crowd and the royal family gathered on the steps.

Nearing the noon day position the sun beat down on the heads and shoulders of those gathered. And there was no comfort from the sniffling heat for the breeze which had began that morning died. Tents were brought for the royal family standing on the steps and a maid approached to fan the tiny child who all the fuss was for, to keep him cool. Restless, the crowd murmured and fanned themselves, 'what were they waiting for?'

Despite the raging heat, Almonzo shivered. This was an important day for him, a moment that would detrain the remainder of his life. He believed this was his opportunity, the one opportunity that each person gets only once in a lifetime to the unimaginable. Who could have known that Almonzo, the fawn, son of Zomo the village teacher and story teller, would be here today; appointed to serve the royal family teaching the Prince?

His family, his village, himself, had expected nothing more in his future than the village Storyteller and Teacher; until the summons came. The hopes of his village weighed heavily on his shoulders.

"Almonzo, you are summonsed." Sweat beaded on his furrowed forehead. This was his last chance to backout, to escape a life of servitude to the royal family. Almonzo shook his head. This is what he had wanted all his life, since he first discovered the world of knowledge, to teach others his passion for learning.

"Aslan, Your Highness's;" Almonzo said sweeping an elegant bow.

"Fawn, what do you wish?" King Gilmert asked ceremonially.

"To swear my service to you and your decedents." Recited Almonzo.

"Kneel, fawn."

All eyes locked on the Lion.

"Pledge your loyalty to your King."

"I, Almonzo, pledge with all of my heart, to serve the royal family all the days of my life until such a time that my Lord Aslan, or death comes for me. I pledge this before the people of Narnia, my King, and the great Lion, Aslan; that they may hold me accountable to my pledge. All this I swear my the great lion Aslan."

Through many years had passed he still remembered clearly that day. Just as clear he remembered his pledge to serve the Prince.

"'-all the days of your life until such a time that you Lord Aslan or death comes for you.' I have not come for you yet, nor has death. You have a responsibility to the Prince and I am here to hold you accountable."

His face expressionless, Almonzo nodded.

"Do you still wish to die?"

Startled Almonzo looked up. "I wish it with all of my heart, it is what I deserve. Though I do not see how I can."

"You could, if you really tried, you could. But it would be worse for both you and Gale."

Questions rose up inside the fawn. "Do you want to know what I'm talking about? Although I am not telling you anything you do not already know. Gale, who is already bend over with sorrow and worry, will morn the loss of his two friends greatly; one who was killed by his own friend and then killed himself because of it. It will be a deadly blow to his heart that he will never recover from, to lose two friends in one night. If he lives he will return home, never reaching the Lone Islands, and the evil there will gown unchecked. Whether you relies it or not, your choices affect the people around. Especially this one."

"You are right. You are always right. And I have probably known it all along. Thank you." Almonzo whispered.

"For what?"

"For stopping me from killing myself, talking some sense into my head, and forgiving me."

"I did not forgive you, yet." The Lion added.

"Oh. Aslan, will you forgive me for what I did? I know that your forgiveness will not change the consequences of my actions, but please will you forgive me?"

Joy emanated from the Lion, purring he said, "Yes, I forgive you."

Love and care shown in his face. Almonzo stared at it for a long time. His mind could not grasp the idea that forgiveness for such a terrible crime was possible.

There was nothing else to say. "Thank you."

Aslan kissed the fawn's curly, horned head. "Go to the Prince, he needs you."

Almonzo nodded.

The Lion walked behind him to the cabins. Gale paced restlessly outside, worry etched clearly on his face.

"My Prince," Almonzo said meekly.

"You!" Gale yelled drawing his sword.

"Son of Adam!" the Lion roared behind Almonzo. Gale dropped his sword. Gently Aslan nudged the fawn forward, then disappeared into the night.

Gale embraced Almonzo fiercely, tears flowing down his face onto the fawns. Almonzo was also crying.

"It is my duty to kill you Almonzo and it nearly broke my heart. I could not have watched you die. I-" Gale could not finish because his voice was chocked with tears. Almonzo hated to ask but had to know.

"Trochees?"

"He lives."