Blessed
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Chapter 8: Persecuted for the Sake of Righteousness
Tirian leaned his head against the trunk of the tree he was bound to. The firelight had long since gone out, and not a single, tiny noise could be heard, most unusual for Narnia. At least I'm certainly not the first to suffer for following Aslan. Great-grandfather's great-grandfather King Rilian did have a hard time of it, being held prisoner of a witch for ten years, but then, he had help in form of two children to come from that Other Place. "It's not like that with me."
Before that, of course, had been Rilian's father, Caspian the Seafarer. His wicked uncle King Miraz had tried to kill him, but Caspian had escaped, and, with the help of four children from the Other Place, fought a great battle and took his father's throne. "But it was all long ago. That sort of thing doesn't happen now."
Long before even Caspian, the four children who had helped him had defeated the evil White Witch and put an end to a hundred years of winter. Aslan had come into that story a lot. He had come into all the others, too, Tirian recalled. Aslan and children from another world. They have always come in when things were at their worst. Oh, if only they could now.
He began to shout, "Aslan! Aslan! Aslan! Come and help us now! Let me be killed. I ask nothing for myself. But come and save all Narnia!"
There was no immediate answer, though Tirian did feel a little hopeful and a bit stronger. Though he still wondered why he was the one Aslan had chosen to endure this, he continued to beg the Lion for help. Help that he was allowed to reach when he was plunged into a dream of the Other Place. Still, even as he, Eustace, and Jill went to rescue Jewel, he wondered. He did not question the great Lion, but wonder he certainly did. Why should I be the one to be counted worthy to suffer for His name? And where is He? Surely…surely He hasn't abandoned us. Oh, Aslan, show me that You're here with me. But the Lion did not come. And still, Tirian wondered.
But, when at last he stood in the new Narnia, surrounded by things he could never have imagined, he realized that he finally knew.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)
A/N: Again, I had a hectic day yesterday. So, sorry about not updating. The last chapter should be up either tomorrow or Wednesday.