A/N: This chapter pretty much just develops the personalities of Reepicheep, Peepiceek, and Geeniveek; but there is more plot at the end.

Chapter 7: Forgotten

Reepicheep remained in a state of shock for a while. He did not sword-fight with Geeniveek, he ignored Peepiceek's lively prattling, and he touched none of his favorite foods prepared by Greenathreep. After a week of this, Reepicheep's father could stand it no more. "My son, you must talk to someone!" he exclaimed.

"I am at your disposal," replied Reepicheep coldly; "tell me what you wish to speak of."

Greenathreep shook his head. "Reepicheep, you know what I want to speak of! Tell me what happened that night. I must know!"

"As you are well aware, I received nothing more than a scratch."

"Physically, that is true," nodded Father; "but I speak of injuries to your heart. Doubtless, you heard things you did not wish to hear; things that would have been better left unheard. That is what I wanted to protect you from."

"Yes," said Reepicheep gravely. "I see everything now."

Weeks passed and Reepicheep was greatly honored as he turned sixteen. He was supposed to be grown-up now, but he felt small and insignificant. His sleep was often haunted by the horrors of cages, cats, and treachery. Reepicheep's first raid was an experience he would never forget.

****************************************************************************

Time rolled by as Reepicheep continued to grow. He was taller and stronger than before, reaching a height of twenty inches. He had also grown in awareness. It seemed that he was learning something new about his friends, himself, or the world everyday. His manners and charm were unsurpassed.

Reepicheep spent a lot of time with his close companions, especially Peepiceek. The two were like brothers, and they did everything together from scout patrol to warrior meetings to strength training. The night before Peepiceek's Mousehood ceremony, he and Reepicheep were walking together in the grassy, level glade.

"I am so pleased to see you graduating into warrior rank," said Reepicheep warmly. "I want to offer you sincere congratulation!"

"I shall finally be able to do exciting things like you," laughed Peepiceek. "I hope you are aware how much your congratulations mean to me. Ever since I met you, I knew I wanted to be as courageous as you are; and one can't forget the service your family has done me." Peepiceek had never forgotten that Reepicheep's mother died trying to protect him.

Reepicheep shook his furry head softly. "My life is not as thrilling as you make it out to be; not yet anyway. I have not been on my second raid yet, remember? I do long for the unknown, though, and for adventure." His eyes sparkled at the thought.

Peepiceek seemed totally awed by his older friend. "Can any Mouse surpass your courage?" he asked in awe. "Tell me Reepicheep, is there nothing you cannot face?"

Hearing this, Reepicheep seemed to become more solemn. He looked up at the stars. "Do you know the Centaur's phrase? Though a star rain down like fire from heaven, yet its companions must continue their celestial dance. The only things I do not wish to face are the doubts associated with my worst memories. The death of my mother, the failed raid—I wish those things forever forgotten."

There was silence as the Mice walked side by side. Peepiceek did not like the silence much at all. He was a socially oriented, talkative Mouse who always liked to have some kind of conversation. He understood that the past was a sensitive subject for Reepicheep, so he steered to another topic.

"What do you make of Geeniveek's unhappiness lately?" asked Peepiceek.

"She is a complex Lady," Reepicheep answered. "She desires the life of a warrior, for whatever reason. Her Mousehood ceremony is tomorrow same as yours, but her father would like her to be a lovely lady rather than a rough combatant."

"Well she's rough enough with us," Peepiceek chuckled. When he noticed that Reepicheep was serious about this, he quieted down. "You certainly have no problem seeing into the hearts of your companions," he observed. "I could never be so foreseeing nor so intelligent."

"You are the more laidback type, and that is nothing to be ashamed of. I like to observe everything I can and make use of it where possible. I wish to root out the bad things and destroy them. There is something about searching and finding that calls out to me—adventure, I suppose." Reepicheep shrugged. "You, on the other hand, prefer to find the good in everything. I suppose it makes you more comfortable to think that everything will turn out alright."

Peepiceek's features exploded into a grin. "You sound as if you know me better I know myself!" he laughed. Peepiceek was the sort of Mouse to whom everything was funny, and who everybody else thought was funny. A mere shake of his comedian whiskers could set all the Mice around him laughing.

Reepicheep laughed just thinking about it. "Come along now," he said, getting serious. "We must prepare for the ceremony tomorrow. Imagine, Peep—soon you shall be going on raids with me."

Peepiceek's eyes twinkled. "So you are going to start attending the raids?"

"Did I not say that what happened before was forgotten? I'll never think of that first raid again." Reepicheep was determined. "There shall be victorious battles yet, my friend!"

The two Mice went joyfully into the Burrow they called home.

******************************************************************************************

"What a wonderful ceremony!" Peepiceek raved the next day. "I suppose it is a given that I did not do as well as you, Reepicheep. But 'tis no matter! To think, it has been four years since your early Mousehood ceremony, Reep!"

Reepicheep, Peepiceek, and Geeniveek were sitting at the same cut-stone table they had four years ago at a similar celebration. This time the graduation of Peepiceek and Geeniveek was being celebrated.

"Geeniveek, you were amazing too," Peepiceek beamed.

The she-Mouse was apathetically twirling her spinach around her fork. "Do not try to flatter me, Peepiceek. The eternal optimist in you ignores the fact that it took me the longest time of anyone to harness that fish. Not to mention that fact that my graduation is utterly meaningless if I am not to become a warrior."

"Of course you are to become one!" Peepiceek laughed. "How can your father say no to such a beautiful maiden as yourself? Reepicheep and I will be at your side as well—how can your father resist a dashing hero and an engaging clown all in one package?"

Reepicheep smiled while his friends talked. What he could he ever do without his small community of Mice? Life would be worthless without true friends and family. I should never take any of this for granted, Reepicheep thought.

****************************************************************************

With Peepiceek an official warrior, he and Reepicheep began to attend warrior meetings. Most of the time, however, they just went on scout missions, delivered messages to the nearest Mouse colony, and gathered food. On these occasions Geeniveek would go with them and be unusually excited. Her father had denied her access to the warrior meetings, but she apparently found a little bit of satisfaction going on missions with real warriors.

"What news from the council?" Geeniveek asked one day when the three Mice were walking in the woods. "Why did you two not go to today's meeting?"

"We grew bored," Reepicheep replied with a hint of unhappiness. "The past few months there has not been any suitable opportunity for a real raid against the Telmarines. Most of our scouts have been killed, and after the failed raid two years ago we are examining new warrior candidates very closely. We must be meticulous if we wish to avoid traitors in our midst, but I do wish they would begin formulating a real strategy."

"I say they may take their time," Peepiceek shrugged. "What is the hurry?"

"The Telmarines have had a civilization here for eight hundred years," said Reepicheep. "It has taken that long for Narnians to silently strengthen their numbers in the hidden forests. Now we have our own people again; thus we ought to battle against our oppressors as soon as possible!"

"How can we fight such an ancient empire?" Geeniveek sighed in discouragement. "Eight centuries is a terribly long time."

Reepicheep said nothing to this because he did not know how to answer. The three Mice headed back toward the Burrow, but when they arrived they wished they had stayed in the forest. Rhevercheek had just called an emergency meeting in the Banqueting Hall. A cold, ominous feeling began to come over the Mice, even the confident Reepicheep and the happy-go-lucky Peepiceek.

Soon all the Mice—about thirty—had gathered. Rhevercheek stood up, paws behind his back, and said, "Well. Here begins the downward spiral."

Geeniveek's stomach knotted and Reepicheep was just as concerned. The older Mouse took the younger lady's paw. "It will be alright," he said consolingly. But he couldn't help feeling that he had spoken a lie.

"I'll make this brief," Rhevercheek went on gravely. "Word has come from the north and east realms of Narnia concerning our brother tribes." The mighty chief's gaze fell. "They have all been destroyed."

An explosion of murmurs, complaints, and wails erupted from the assembled Mice. None of them wanted to believe the horrid truth. Reepicheep felt anger rising in him like never before. He now realized that there was no way for him to ignore the past; every time he turned away from the horrors of his childhood, they reappeared worse than ever. He would have to face them sooner or later—he would have to face the Telmarines.

"From this moment on," said the Mouse chief forebodingly, "we are the last Mice. W are the last ones standing."