A/N: I had to change canon around to make this story work. First off, each Pevensie is two years older than what they were in the books...for example (at their coronation), Peter - 15, Susan - 14, Edmund - 12, and Lucy - 10. Corin (as mentioned in the prologue) is 4 years old at the time of the coronation.

Secondly, the trouble with Rabadash takes place in Year 9 of the Pevensie Reign, not Year 14.

As far as I know, that's all I had to change. As I stated in the summary, I'm stepping WAY out of my comfort zone and doing something I once swore I would never do - write a romance fic. Aslan forgive me, I have sinned. BUT perhaps I'll be absolved if I get some good reviews.

Scratch good, how about I just get some reviews?

Please?

You'll remember me when the west wind moves,
Upon the fields of barley.
You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky,
As we walk in fields of gold.

Corin's POV

I remember our first kiss.

I was thirteen, quite young to be trading kisses with any lass, let alone a Narnian Queen six years my senior. But the battle of Anvard had just been won, Rabadash, son of the Tisroc (may he die a painful death), had been captured, his cavalry annihilated, his treacherous plans blown to the four winds. I had ridden into battle with the Narnian reinforcements (albeit against the express wishes of King Edmund, but that is another story entirely…) and tasted my first conflict. The blood of my forebears ran hot in my veins that day as I beheld the brazen perfidy of the Calormene Empire against my beloved Anvard. On that day, three Calormene Tarkhaans fell by my sword, and my country was saved. I do believe that was the day I began the transition from boyhood to manhood.

The taste of victory still sweet in my mouth, I sought out Lucy among the archers. I looked a horrid sight, the blood of those I had slain staining my garments, and she gasped when she saw me. "You wicked lad!" she cried. "Have you indeed defied my royal brother's express command?" She tried to frown, but her eyes were dancing with joy for our victory and relief that I had indeed survived. "May I remind you, my dear lady," I gaily replied. "A foreign king's orders have no effect on a Prince of Archenland."

"Corin, you…" Wanting to scold me, but too filled with happiness, she merely laughed aloud with joy. (Oh, how I loved to hear her laugh! It brightened the world of all who heard it!) Throwing her arms around me, she embraced me with a delight that was so becoming of her. "Come!" she cried. "To Anvard, so I can present King Lune with his truant son."

We interrogated Rabadash later, and when he roared out his ridiculous statement ("The bolt of Tash falls from above!"), I could not stop the now-immortal retort that sprang from my lips. "Does it ever get caught on a hook halfway?" It earned me a rebuke from my father and a murderous glare from Rabadash, but I only noticed the shoulders of Lucy shaking with mirth. Regardless of any other reaction, hers was the only one that mattered.

After the cross-examination of the Tisroc's son and the subsequent revelation of his…..animalistic side (courtesy of Aslan's personally-executed justice – though I could have told anyone from the start that the man was a jackass), we exited the keep and into the courtyard, where the soldiers began celebrating their victory. In the ensuing merriment as the minstrels began playing, the nobles and soldiers began dancing with their wives and sweethearts. As I watched the folk dancing, my heart was filled to overflowing with the joy of triumph. I had tasted my first victorious battle, and the peasant Shasta proved to be Cor, my elder twin. The tedious duties of a king were stripped away from me, and I was ecstatic.

I seized Lucy's hands and enthusiastically nodded toward the dancing frolic. Brave woman that she was, she instantly led me to the dancing circle by the great bonfire and gaily danced with me, disregarding my utter lack of ability in the finer aspects of the dance.

As we danced, faces flushed with exertion and happiness, I leaned in toward Lucy, hoping to catch her cheek with my lips. However, I did just as I was spinning her around in a circle, and my lips met hers instead of her cheek. It was quite accidental, and I was mortified. I broke away quickly, but her eyes met mine, betraying her amusement and easing my embarrassment into mirth. It was unintentional and totally inadvertent, nothing more, but to this day I've never forgotten it. It was the first time I'd ever kissed a girl – woman, rather, for at nineteen Lucy was no longer a young lass. It would be another two years before I was brave enough to kiss her again.

As the Narnians began their trek homeward the next day, I saw her off. "Good journey, friend Lucy. Archenland's Prince thanks Narnia's Queen." I bowed low, acting more like a jester than a king's son. She laughed (ah, that wonderful sound!). "Indeed, dear friend Corin, you truly have the mannerisms of a prince." She leaned down from her palfrey, kissing my forehead. "Fare thee well."

"Fare thee well, Lu."

As I watched my best friend leave Anvard, I looked back on how my life had changed in a fortnight. I had been to a hostile nation and back, my country had been saved, my long-lost twin brother was found, I was no longer the Crown Prince of Archenland (for which I was grateful), I had participated in my first battle, had killed my first enemy, and had my first kiss. As I looked back on it, I realized that I would not have wanted to experience any of it with anyone else but Lucy.

I had a strange feeling inside of me at this time that I couldn't explain. It had started right after I had kissed her, surfacing again every time I saw her. For two years, I wondered what the name of this feeling was, wondered what to call it. After two years of contemplating it, I finally discovered what it was and why it remained constant in my heart. Even now after all these years, that emotion remains the same. I still know its name, for I bear still it in my heart.

It was, and still is, love.

Lucy's POV

Two years later...

Relations between Narnia and Archenland, already good, deepened into a close alliance after Rabadash's attack on Anvard. Lune became a confidant, trusted ally, and kingly mentor to Peter and Edmund. Having been monarchs for nine years before this incident, my brothers were already well-versed as kings, but Lune and the alliance he fostered between our nations was nonetheless a gift from the Lion Himself. Trade increased between our two countries, our militaries trained together, and friendships were made between the nobles of both nations.

I saw Corin frequently, as I occasionally visited Anvard and Corin himself took every opportunity and excuse to come to Cair Paravel (or to any other part of Narnia, for that matter). Our royal advisor, Faun Tumnus, had always liked Corin, said he saw a bit of himself in the boy's rambunctious spirit. The two spent a week together at Tumnus's cave – the faun told me later that he had never felt younger. One can imagine my surprise when I came across my dear faun and the young Prince boxing – BOXING – in the training courtyard of Cair Paravel! Thankfully, Peter quickly stepped in and saved Tumnus from a near certain death at the fists of an overzealous youth.

Being a fighter was Corin's passion. Having been conveniently relieved of any duties as future king, he threw his energy into boxing. Corin Thunderfist, that's what men called him in those days. Never have I seen a lad take so much pride in a title before! He had been fighting Cor since he was thirteen (much to his brother's chagrin) and moved into the professional arena two years later. At fifteen, he was the youngest fighter to fight in a ring in the known history of the sport.

He had changed in the two years since the victory at Anvard, growing taller and much, much stronger. Cor was his master at swordplay, but hardly a man in the kingdom could stand against Corin fist to fist. His first official bout was in the presence of a worried brother and a doubting father, but Lune and Cor were stunned to see him emerge victorious against a young Archenlander soldier. Cor's future Calormene bride, Aravis, also in attendance, later related to me the universal shock that reigned at the event as a bruised and bloodied Corin stood over his vanquished opponent, having for the third time in succession knocked him down.

Nothing but victories followed the young Prince after that fight. I was repeatedly regaled with his stories of yet another victory in the sport, of yet another Archenland boxer falling before the professional fury of his Prince.

As his oldest and dearest friend, I was proud of Corin, though the sport of two men beating each other senseless rather revolted me. I told him as much, when I visited him at Anvard soon after his fifteenth fight (and fifteenth victory). We had been picnicking at the Archen River, watching Tumnus attempt (once again) to teach Cor how to skip rocks across the water. For a lad who lived most of his life by a Calormene river, he'd had a dreadfully boring existence.

"Come now, Lu" Corin grinned in response as he stretched out on the grass. "There's nothing so grand like the feeling of winning a bout. I feel like the manliest of men. You should try it; make a man out of yourself!"

My response was to drop to my knees beside him and land a well-aimed slap at the back of his head, causing him roll away, laughing aloud. "Believe me, young sir, it would be most unladylike for me to become a man." I said, regaining my feet, faux prim and proper with a quick curtsy, eliciting more laughter. "Should I ever hope to fight someone, please remember I have two brothers. 'Til then, feminine I shall remain."

"Praise Aslan!" he exclaimed, causing me to giggle. He continued to watch and chuckle at his brother's rather poor attempts at rock-skipping. His eyes soon wandered over to me. "I wouldn't want you any other way."

I smiled as I knelt down, storing the cold meat back into the picnic baskets and folding the blankets. Once I was finished, I joined Corin on the grass riverbank. We lay on the cool grass in silence, my eyes on the rippling water, his on the now-exasperated faun.

"I do it for you."

I had begun to doze off, but Corin's quiet statement jolted me into alertness, and I quickly turned my head to face him. He could sense my obvious question. "I know you wonder why I fight." He tilted his head towards me. "Am I right?"

"Yes."

"I do it for you."

I didn't know what he meant, or how to respond. "Corin?"

"I fight for you." My eyes were fastened on him now. He propped himself up on one elbow, slowly pulling up blades of grass. "Every time I face an opponent in the ring, I ignore the roar of the crowd and the sneers of my foe. The only thing on my mind is to fight in such a way as to make you proud of me. When I win, you're the only thing, the only one, on my mind." He fell silent, allowing me to sort through my surprise. He cocked his head to look me in the eye. "Are you?"

I was momentarily at a loss for words. Proud of him. He was asking me if I was proud of him. "Of course I am, Corin," I replied softly as I reached over to gently massage his broad shoulders. "Even if you lost, if you never won, I would still be proud."

"You would?" he whispered, his voice tinged with doubt.

"Aye," was my whispered reply.

He drew himself up, taking my hands in his. His eyes held my attention; I had never seen such emotion in them before. Several times he attempted to speak, yet failed each time, still holding my hands in his own.

Then, to my utter disbelief, he leaned in and gently pressed his lips to mine.

It was wrong, oh so wrong. At twenty-one years of age, I had no business kissing a fifteen-year-old boy. Yet to my own shock, I found myself responding, deepening the kiss, something within me strangely craving more of him. His hand came up, caressing the side of my face, toying with my hair.

He drew his body closer, and that's when I came to my senses. I pulled away from him with a gasp, breathing heavily. "Oh Aslan…" I whispered when I fully comprehended what had just occurred. Corin slowly leaned back, away from me. "Now you know."

"Know what?" I gasped.

"How I truly feel about you. How I've felt about you for time out of mind, but never understood what it truly was. I love you, Lu – always have." He attempted to go on, but I scrambled to my feet. He kept his eyes on me, his gaze piercing me. I finally faced him (By the Mane, when had he become so handsome?) and tried to speak, but words failed me. My eyes fell to the grassy hummock that he lay upon, my mind in an uproar. His gaze never left my face.

After an awkward silence, I raised my head to look at him. I could see the unspoken message in his eyes. Stay with me, Lu. I beg you, stay here with me. Be mine and I will be yours. Just stay here with me, please. I almost did, almost gave in to his silent plea, but in the end….."No," I whispered, slowly shaking my head. "No." I turned and left him there alone. I heard him rise, but he didn't follow me. I did not look back, because I knew what I would've seen, and it would have broken my heart.

I would have seen Corin Thunderfist, Prince of Archenland, standing by the shores of the Archen River with tears running down his face.

Corin's POV

I had killed Calormene warriors. I had faced grown men in the ring and had emerged victorious every time. But my courage fled from me whenever I had faced the Queen of Narnia, until I finally decided to take heart and tell her of my love. On that afternoon, by the banks of the Archen River, I finally threw caution to the wind…..and lost a friend.

Aslan forgive me, I had not originally intended to be so forward, but I had struggled for two years with my inward affections for Lucy and was not willing to wait any longer. I should have expected her rejection – I was a boy, she was a woman. I gambled, demonstrated my passion, and lost everything.

She left, and I remained by the banks of the river. I couldn't stop the tears from making their way down my face. The last time I had cried was as a toddler, having been told that my mother had gone away to Aslan's Country and wouldn't be coming back. My young heart had broken, and I had shunned all attempts of comfort. Until I met the Narnian monarchs. Until I met Lucy. That's why I had loved her so much. Though Susan had been a second mother to me, Lucy had been a companion, a friend. She'd had pity on a four-year-old Prince of Archenland and had, over the years, healed his heart.

But this time, she left me there standing alone. And as I stood by the water watching her walk away from me, rejecting my love, it felt like whatever part of my heart she had healed was breaking again.

It was only a matter of days before Cor noticed my despondent demeanor. "What lack of cheer, brother?" he asked gaily in our shared quarters one evening.

"It's naught, but a fancy," I said quietly, hoping to end the conversation before it started, but he would have none of that. "I may be ignorant still in the affairs of state, Corin, but I recognize a jilted lover when he makes himself as obvious as you have. Who is this phantom maiden who has so disappointed a Prince of Archenland?"

"Your attempt at humor is not lost on me, brother dearest," I replied in a sarcastic tone, echoing the formal language my twin was oddly so fond of using. "I am indeed a 'jilted lover', as you so eloquently put it, but my affections are my own, and shall not be revealed to any except when I desire it."

Cor – good companion that he was – grew serious, and closed the door to our quarters. "Corin, let us act as the brothers we are and not have divisions between us. What is troubling you?" When I didn't respond immediately, he went on. "If my confidence is in question, be assured that my lips are sealed on this issue for so long as you desire it."

Once again, I felt grateful for my twin. I surrendered my silence and collapsed on my bed. "Cor, I kept my feelings to myself for two years – TWO YEARS, Cor – before I made them known to her, just to have her reject me. I haven't felt so broken since Mother died." My voice was starting to catch, my emotions catching up with me. "I would conquer the world for her and take on the Tisroc's armies singlehandedly if it meant winning her favor, but I'm afraid that I have failed. I can't love another, for she will always be at the forefront of my mind."

"Who is this damsel, brother? I can't think of any for whom you would feel this way – or would reject you, for that matter." A thought came to my brother's mind. "Is it Aravis?" he asked, somewhat worriedly.

"No indeed, my dear twin. I would never think of stealing my brother's heart's desire away from him. Oh, don't think of denying it, Cor," as my twin attempted to protest to the contrary. "I know you desire the young and beautiful Tarkheena for your future Queen, and for that matter you couldn't do much better."

"You think so?" Cor asked hopefully.

"Indeed. Make her yours, and die a happy man."

"I shall if she'll have me. But if she's not the one who haunts your dreams, then…..who?"

"Lucy."

It took my brother a few moments to grasp what I was saying, but when he grasped it, his eyes widened to an expanse that I didn't think physically possible. "Queen Luc…by the Mane, Corin!"

"I know, Cor," I sighed, as I lay back on my bed and closed my eyes, knowing that it would indeed take a miracle of Aslan for the woman of my dreams to love me in return, "I know."

I did not sleep well that night, tossing and turning as the hours waned from night to early morning. I had finally succeeded, succumbing to pure weariness, when I heard, of a sudden, footsteps in my room. A moment later, I felt hot breath upon my neck. Jerking up in surprise, expecting to find an intruder, I was halted by the sight of a Mane.

My breath caught in my throat, my eyes disbelieving what was before them. Lying still on my bed in complete shock, I spoke the words I never thought I would say that night.

"Aslan?"

The Lion chuckled in response. "Gave you a scare, I see."

"I-I-ah-yes, You did." I stammered. "I wasn't expecting You, I must admit."

"Yet you rest on the hope of a miracle." It was a statement, not a question, and it took me by surprise.

"What do You mean?"

"I know your innermost wishes and desires, my dear Corin. I know that you admitted in your mind that it would be only by My working that Lucy would love you in return. That is why I came."

I looked over across the room at Cor, saw my brother fast asleep. "I'm dreaming, aren't I?"

Again the Lion chuckled. "Yes, you are. Do you want to wake up?"

"No!" I hadn't seen Aslan since the battle of Anvard and didn't want to wake up if it meant missing out on His visit. "But tell me, please, of Lucy."

Aslan curled down on the floor next to my bed. "What do you want to know?"

"I-" I then realized that I didn't know what to ask. Every question I thought I wanted to ask just didn't seem right. Will she ever love me? Is there someone else that she fancies? Am I merely wasting my energy? As the minutes ticked by, I finally began to realize the true question that plagued my mind. I got out of bed and dropped down next to the Lion, easing my back up against His side. "Do I love her, Aslan? I mean, really?"

The Almighty One seemed pleased with my question. "Allow Me, if you will, to answer your question with one of My own: If she never loved you in return, would you still want her to be happy, without you at her side?"

Figures, just like Aslan to ask an extremely hard question, I thought wryly as I pondered His query. Indeed, a hard question it was and I wrestled with it, but in the end, I was able to answer truthfully. "Yes, I would, if Your grace allows it," I nodded. "I want her to be happy, above all else."

"Then that is love – true love, and that without selfishness.." Aslan seemed pleased with my answer. "It takes a mature youth to say what you just did. You've grown, dear one."

I chuckled. "I'm glad You noticed."

He grinned. "I notice all, young prince. From your greatest desires to your deepest fears, I know them all. I know you truly love Lucy, though you alienated her with your rash actions by the river."

I winced; I was pretty sure I knew the reason why I would have alienated Lucy. "I…..shouldn't have kissed her." I admitted.

"It wasn't the wisest decision you've ever made," Aslan concurred. "though I understand why you did it. It is hard not demonstrating affection for those you love, even though they reject you."

I looked into the Lion's eyes and then realized He knew. He knew what it was like to love those who spurned Him – those like me who had not even bothered to inquire after Him for two years. The knowledge of this nearly broke my heart with guilt and shame, and tears burned in my eyes as I fell to my knees before the One to whom I owed all praise and honor. "And You still care for me? After I've ignored You and all You've done for my country without thanks, You still care for me? How, dearest Aslan, how?"

I felt the paws of the Almighty Lion circle me, enfolding me in the power of His devotion. "The lowest father still bears some feelings of good will for the children of his loins. I love you, Corin, with same love that My Father loves Me. You, Corin, are the apple of My eye, and My love for you will never change, just as I Myself never change."

That night, I learned the meaning of grace. I don't know long how we remained in that embrace; I didn't count the minutes. I only knew that I never wanted this to end, and that I would NEVER take Aslan for granted again. Surrounded by the warmth and power of His paws, I knew that I would follow Him in whatever path He would lead me on – if it would lead to a life without Lucy, so be it. Indeed, if it would lead to my death, so be it. I was the Lion's man, and I didn't want in any other way.

"I must leave soon, dear son," Aslan finally said. "but before I do, remember this – put your faith in Me, leave your future to Me, and I will give you the true desires of your heart."

"What must I do, Aslan? Is there any action I must take to do this, to follow You, to be Your man?" I asked as I slowly pulled away from Him.

The Lion stood and quietly shook himself before turning to face me again. "When the time comes, know this – true love is not in words. It manifests itself in deeds, in actions. It shows itself to the poor and lowly in the form of the high and powerful. To show true love, one must be courageous and willing to fight for those he loves, even when others question him. Remember this, when the time comes for you to act on it." He then looked on me with fondness before turning away. "Until next time, My dear son, farewell."

"Aslan?" I quickly said. He turned back to me, expectantly. "Forgive me?" I whispered.

His eyes softened as He smiled, slowly nodding His head. "That is what I do," He whispered in return. Before I could say another word, He was gone.

I woke the next morning; and indeed, it had been a dream.

9 months later…

That encounter changed me. I don't mean a passing fancy or an altered opinion, I mean it truly left me a different individual. Aslan's parting words stayed with me and burned their way into my mind for good. The timing of them had me impressed, and for good reason.

We had been forced to endure a hard winter, and famine had hit the lesser-fortunate of my countrymen pretty hard. I could walk from one end of Anvard to the other and see the streets lined with beggars, parents reduced to begging for bread for their children's survival.

What had been worse was the utter disinterest displayed by the majority of Parliament to the plight of these people. The members of that establishment received a pension off of high taxes wrung from the peasantry, which had always been sore spot among the commoners – even more so now, as men were struggling to feed their families while tax collectors took the majority of their income. Things were quickly coming to a head, and certain people were worried about what actions desperate men might take. My father had done everything in his own personal power to aid his people, but he couldn't – Aslan bless my father and his gentle spirit, like as not he wouldn't – force Parliament to act.

"…true love is not in words. It manifests itself in deeds, in actions. It shows itself to the poor and lowly in the form of the high and powerful." Aslan's words rang in my ears as I walked through the poor side of our capital city early one morning, walking among mere huts where families were struggling to survive, tears threatening my eyes at the sight of my people lowered to such a state.

"Prince Corin, Prince Corin!" I heard young children cry out with glee, calling to their parents that their Prince was walking by. One small boy, grinning from ear to ear, stopped in front of me and put his fists up in a boxer's stance. I hadn't realized my boxing exploits had been so noticed by the common people, and I laughed as I sparred with the little tyke for several minutes. I ruffled his hair after we were through, and he laughed with merriment as he ran off. However, my smile faded as I noticed for the first time the rags the boy was wearing, the lack of shoes on his feet. As I looked around, I began to understand the true plight of these people, realizing that this youngling appeared no different than any other child I could see.

As I continued my somber stroll, I was quickly becoming the focal point, the object of everyone's attention. Men halted their labors and women stepped out of their shacks to look me over, and I was stunned at the look of hopelessness in their eyes. One man, braver than the rest, called out to me, "Is there nothing we can do, your Highness? Is-is there nothing – nothing at all - that Parliament can do?"

I had seen enough by this point, and my fury at the inaction of Parliament had reached a breaking point. "I don't know, my good man" was my calm reply, though inside I was raging. "But by the Mane, there IS something I will do." With that, I turned on my heel and strode back toward Anvard Castle.

I met Cor coming out of the gate, and he called out to me. "Ho brother! Where are you off to?"

"To find you, actually. Are you attending Parliament this morning?"

He scowled. "Behold the Crown Prince of Archenland," he said, shaking his head. "I'm afraid I must."

"Good, 'cause I'm going with you."

I continued striding toward Parliament Hall even as Cor came to an abrupt halt, staring at me in sheer astonishment. "You, to Parliament! By the-hey, wait up!" When he caught up to me, he was muttering to himself. "Corin, my twin – sitting through a Parliament session – never thought I'd see the day."

After a short pause where I brooded and he tried to keep up with my long strides, he tried to talk me out of it. "Corin, nothing is happening today. They're only…well, you know Parliament – they're all a crew of old men who hardly get around to matters of state after all the cordialities have been concluded. Especially today. We have literally nothing on the agenda."

"Then what are you going for?"

Cor scowled again. "I guess just to prove that King Lune does indeed have an heir. I'll just sit there as usual, being seen and not heard."

"I don't intend to 'sit' through much of it, my dear brother. And Parliament will hear me today!" Once again, my brother came to halt, and I left him standing there as he gaped. But I soon heard shuffling feet, and he quickly caught up with me again, reaching up to grasp my shoulder and pulling me to a stop.

"Corin, whatever you're planning – don't!" When I ignored him and continued striding toward Parliament Hall, he became somewhat angry. "For the love of Mount Pire, brother, what by all that is holy is so important that you would risk our royal reputation and honor to make a spectacle of yourself in Parliament?!"

At that, I halted. We were directly outside of the great Parliament building anyways. "Them, Cor!" I hissed, jabbing my finger in the general direction of where I'd just come. "Our people – MY people – are starving to death. And what has Parliament done? NOTHING! They've sat by in their fat chairs, nursing their fat pensions – pensions wrung from insanely high taxes on the peasantry, I might add – and care nothing for the common man to whom they owe everything! I have seen this with my own eyes, Cor, and I will NOT stand for it any longer!"

Cor stood silent, a kind of slack-jawed grin on his face, his gaze never leaving mine. After a while, he chuckled and shook his head, still staring at me with a sort of surprise.

"What?"

"You!" Cor chortled. "You actually care!" When he caught sight of my bewildered stare, he hastened to explain. "We've all been worried – me, Aravis, Father – that you've cared only for your boxing and felt no sense of obligation as a prince for your own people, but now…" Cor trailed off, still chuckling.

"'But now' what?" I asked sourly, feeling a bit sore that my own family had thought so low of me.

Cor looked up at me, and I was surprised to see a look of veneration in his gaze. "But now, my dear twin, I realize that you care more for our people than most. I'm not ashamed to say I was wrong about you, Corin – in fact, we all were."

Cor told me years later that he wanted nothing more than to pull me into an embrace at that moment, but denied himself that desire on fear of me knocking him down. He was right – I would have knocked him down. But to this day, I've never forgotten how grand it felt as my brother looked on me with pride and admiration.

"Come," he then said. "The time is at hand, Parliament will begin shortly, and I know I won't want to miss the events of today!"

I had never sat in Parliament before, but had heard enough from Cor and Father to understand the gist of how the formalities transpired. I had been in the Parliament Hall several times before unofficially, but the grandeur of the Hall never ceased to amaze me. Archenland's architects had outdone themselves in the creation of this structure.

Each noble who held a position in Parliament had their own seat in the Hall, and they reclined in circular formation as those who held the floor spoke in the midst of them. The chair of the King and Crown Prince were at the head of the formation, and Cor quickly joined my father. I did not seat myself with either Cor or Father, as I did not want to attract the attention, surprise, and indeed, suspicion of the nobles. I held back, waiting by the entrance for nigh on an hour as formalities were exchanged ad nauseum and welcomes made and given many times over.

Finally, my father stood to formally open the proceedings. "Knights and noblemen of Archenland, I, Lune, King of these lands, proclaim Parliament to be in session."

"Hear, hear," came the round of concurrence from the seated men.

"Who among you will open today's proceedings?"

"That will I." I heard a sharp intake of breath from each man in the Hall as I stepped forward into the expansive circle. "I, Prince Corin of Archenland, son of the King, wishes to speak to Parliament!"

I knew this to be highly irregular – if nothing else, the shocked gaze on each noble's face was enough to inform me of that – but no law in Archenland forbade a Prince from addressing Parliament. I knew this, they knew this, and so my stunned father waved his hand for me to continue. "Parliament recognizes Prince Corin, son of the King."

I inclined my head to the Royal Chair before turning to face the nobles. "It is to you, knights of this realm, that I wish to speak." I calmly said, as I looked from face to face. "For I, Corin, Prince of Archenland, son of the King, accuse you noblemen of base treachery against the people of this land!"

At first, a shocked silence reigned in the Hall. Then came the shouts of anger as incensed men rose from their chairs, demanding that I retract my insults against their character. Despite my youth, the words of a prince second-in-line to the throne were never to be taken lightly. A minority of them stayed seated, those who were extremely loyal to my father and slow to wrath against his son. I heard the Royal gavel pounding from my father's seat, calling for silence. "Quiet, quiet, all of you! The Prince still holds the floor!" As furious men sank back into their seats, one of them stayed on his feet. "Does the Prince yield the floor?" he cried.

"Indeed, I do not, Lord Kollin," was my reply. "For your Prince is not through speaking." As murmurs grew louder, I raised my hands for silence. "My Lords, have you not walked among the streets of our capitol city?" I looked around for responses. Most of the men merely glowered at me, but I saw some of the more honorable knights nodding their heads. "I have, my Lords. I have seen sights that I thought never to see in all of Archenland." The visions of misery that I had seen just that morning rose again before my eyes, and I was briefly overcome, lowering my head at the memory.

Quickly blinking the threatening tears out of my eyes, I raised my head to look on the dozens of landed gentry around me. "The common man, my Lords, feels hunger just as keenly as you privileged men do. His love for his wife and children is just as deep as yours. His blood flows just as red in his veins. AND YET YOU TAX HIM UNTIL HE IS DESTITUTE, PLACE HIM IN PRISON FOR DEBTS THAT HAVE BEEN FORCED UPON HIM, LEAVE HIS FAMILY TO AN UNCERTAIN FATE, AND USE HIS MONEY TO BUY A NEW HUNTING DOG! AND THIS IS WHAT ARCHENLAND'S NOBLES CALL JUSTICE?!"

By this time, I was now practically roaring at the most powerful men in the land, and they were not taking it too kindly. Halfway through my tirade, the majority of the nobles had jumped to their feet again, angrily denouncing me, calling on my father to silence me, and cursing me through their teeth. Others, those who had a tad more character than some of their peers, argued amongst themselves as to the justification of my accusation and the truthfulness of my words.

"Will the Prince yield the floor!" This from Lord Kollin again, as he glared at me with a murderous glint in his eyes. "The nobles of Parliament MUST be allowed to respond to these grossly unjust allegations!"

"Hear, hear!" came the cries of assent all around as the tumult died down

My father turned from Lord Kollin to me, the obvious question in his eyes. I could see Cor behind him, slowly shaking his head, silently warning me not to give in to Kollin. With my temper under control, I smiled, but shook my head. "I, Prince Corin of Archenland, will share the floor with Lord Kollin, but not yield it." It was good enough for Kollin, and he stepped out into the middle of the circle, still glaring at me.

I did not know much about Lord Kollin, except that he had been a dashing soldier in his youth and had made a name for himself in various military campaigns. Yet he had always had the reputation of seeking his own advancement over all else. He had gained that which he had always wanted - a title, lands, and a seat in Parliament. His gallant soldier days were long gone, and in their place had come a fat, dour old man with a fantastic penchant for arguing. I was not at all surprised at his willingness to challenge me.

He inclined his head toward the Royal Chair, then turned back toward his peers. "What we have heard today, my peers, is nothing less than anarchy and sedition on the part of a young boy who knows nothing – NOTHING – of life outside of his royal quarters and sporting events! This, young prince" and he jabbed his finger at me "is Parliament, and we do not take kindly to ignorant youths lecturing noblemen! Remember who we are, Corin of Archenland, before you dare speak to us again!"

I took a few steps toward Kollin, fixing him with the coldest, hardest glare I could muster. He was surprised and I could see his bravado melt under my cool gaze. "I would remember to whom YOU are speaking, Lord Kollin, were I a wiser man," was my calm reply. He didn't respond, silenced by my obvious warning that my princely title DID provide me some rights, privileges, and authority.

With that, I noticed a shift in the atmosphere of the Hall. I began to see looks of respect in the eyes of the Lords of Archenland as they silently absorbed my rebuke of Kollin. For all their faults, they were loyal to the Crown, and my subtle vindication of my royal privileges seemed to awaken their loyalty to me as their Prince. The fat lord sputtered for a bit, realizing that I was not going to be intimidated by his threats. "I-uh-now-fellow knights!" he finally was able to say. "I tell you now that if we attempt to concede in even a small way to the commoners, they will crave more, and we will find a revolt of greedy, money-lusting masses upon us!"

"Such a revolt that you fear, Lord Kollin, will be upon you sooner than you think if you do NOT attempt to ease their suffering!" I retorted. "I am not blind nor indifferent to the desperation that men must be feeling now, especially since more than half of the wages they earn are taken from them to line the pockets of the aristocracy, many of whom are members of this Parliament!" Let them think on that for awhile, I thought. "And if you want to speak of greedy, money-lusting men, Lord Kollin, I believe you can find the greatest example of one staring back at you in a mirror."

"Hear, hear!" came the cry from the twin Lords Dar and Darrin as their fists crashed on the arms of their Parliament chairs. I glanced over to them, a slight grin on my face and a silent thank you in my eyes (As military attachés to Parliament, Dar and Darrin were not of the same breed as many of the men around them). They understood, and slightly tilted their heads in acknowledgment. Around them, the Lords of Parliament were whispering among themselves – but this time, I could see that they were seriously considering my words and the implications of their inaction.

One nobleman, Lord Tallum, rose from his chair. I knew him on a more personal level than I did the others, for he was the benefactor, patron, and sponsor of Archenland sports – boxing in particular – as well as my personal boxing manager and promoter. I grinned and motioned for him to speak.

"A question, Prince Corin. What are you proposing, in particular, that Parliament do to aid the people? What legal steps do you suggest we carry out?"

"Do away with your tax-funded pensions. This will greatly decrease the strain on the families that are struggling to survive in the streets." I turned away from Lord Tallum to face all of the men. "Admit to yourselves, my Lords of Parliament – this pension is not necessary. You already receive an annual annuity from the Crown and combined with the economy and income made off of your estate farms and the like, you have more than enough to provide for your households and dependents."

I half-expected my recommendation to unleash a whole new round of agitation among the knights in the Hall, but instead I observed many of them nodding, silently admitting the truth of my words. A few – the faction of Lord Kollin – were still scowling, whispering amongst themselves. I knew they were plotting to defeat my proposal, and I steeled myself for a potential confrontation. Lord Kollin had joined them in their quiet conversation, but now he arose once more.

"And if we do not, young Prince?"

I was expecting this. "Then you can indeed expect desperate men to take desperate measures – and the blood that will be shed as a result will be on your heads."

Kollin let out a bark of laughter. "Aye, you would probably like to see that, wouldn't you, little prince? You would enjoy the spectacle of Lord Kollin besieged in his own Keep by angry hordes of starving people, would you not?"

I stood resolute, holding Kollin's sneering gaze with my own, neither of us willing to back down. Finally I spoke. "You can ask me again on that day, Lord Kollin, for if Archenland men besiege you in your own Keep for robbing them of their hard-earned wages and keeping them from providing their families with basic sustenance, be assured – I will be at their head, standing with them side-by-side, joining my destiny to theirs. And on that day, you can ask me if I enjoy it."

Any questions of the sincerity of my words prior to this were now answered. Kollin, finally realizing that he was beaten, that popular opinion in Parliament had shifted, returned to his chair, not to rise again for the remainder of the day. In this conflict, I had emerged victorious.

But I still had to convince Parliament to take action, and the decisive moment was at hand. I took a deep breath. May Aslan attend me. "My Lords," I said, my voice somewhat quieter than it had been. "Many of you have served Archenland faithfully. I know of your loyalty to the Crown and to this country. I now call on you to fulfill your knightly oath to Archenland's people. Lighten their burdens, and they will thank you on their knees. In so doing, you will honor Aslan – and the man who honors the Lion will be honored by the Lion in return." I stood straight and tall, confident I had done what I could. "My Lords, I leave the fate of my people to you. Corin, Prince of Archenland, son of the King, yields the floor."

I had made history. No prince of Archenland had ever addressed Parliament, and I had gone in there and turned it on its head. As I inclined my head one last time to the Royal Chair, Cor started clapping. Leave it to my brother to get all emotional over a speech. But he stood and continued his applause. Soon he wasn't the only one – Dar and Darrin had risen and joined him. After them it was Lord Tallum. When it was all said and done, virtually every nobleman in the Hall had risen and were applauding, with the obvious exception of Lord Kollin's faction.

I knew then, it was over. The common man would now have a ray of hope in these bleak times – and with Aslan's grace, it would only get better from here on. I strode out of Parliament Hall that day with applause ringing in my ears and the sound of Lord Tallum crying, "I motion that we adopt Prince Corin's proposal as law. Who will be my second?" I heard multiple men cry out "Second!" and knew that I had won.

As I stepped out into the street and once more breathed in the free air of my country, that familiar thought crept into my mind. I wonder if Lucy would be proud of me… But this time, it didn't matter. Yes, I still loved her, always would, but with the aid of the Lion I was finally able to look beyond that which I didn't have and be grateful for that which I did. I would always want Lucy to be proud of me, but now I wanted the favor of a Lion more than that of a Queen.

On this day, I knew I had gained Aslan's approval. By His aid, I had walked into a hostile environment and had pleaded for the deliverance of my people. By His grace, I had demanded that relief be given to those who needed it most. By His influence, a powerful body of men had responded to a call for justice. And by His mercy, it was justice that had carried the day.