TERENCE AND TUMNUS: 100 CHALLENGE

Yes, this challenge is still going on! Would you believe this thing is now three years old? It goes back nearly to the time when I joined this site in the first place. And it's been well over a year since my last story. Ho-o-oly moly!

Anyway, I thought I'd write something short, simple, and sweet, showing Terence and Tumnus having a good time. Nothing bad is going on: no fights, no villains, no heartbreaks, no brushes with death, nothing but good, harmless fun. The idea for this story came to mind while I was listening to "Rain" from the soundtrack to "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron", composed by the brilliant Hans Zimmer. I could very easily picture Terence and Tumnus in place of Rain and Little Creek.

Tumnus and Narnia © C.S. Lewis and Disney/Walden Media

Terence and Story © unicorn-skydancer08

All rights reserved.

Any copying or reproduction of these stories in any way whatsoever, without expressed permission, is prohibited. Your honesty is sincerely appreciated.

STORY 17:
A MOMENT OF PLAY

The afternoon was bright and warm. The unicorn Terence was feeding peacefully in the emerald-green meadows just beyond Castle Cair Paravel.

The young stallion's coat shone a pure, brilliant white in the sun; his long, thick mane and tail gleamed like polished silver. His magnificent golden horn brushed the tops of the grass and clover while he grazed. It was not so different from the way a horse grazed, except Terence stood much straighter and taller than any horse, his legs tucked in neatly, his whole body steady yet supple.

As he leisurely eased his way along the meadow, munching to his heart's content, he heard a high, clear whistle from behind.

Lifting his head, still chewing, he glanced over his shoulder and spotted a faun in the near distance. Terence would know that faun anywhere; it was none other than Tumnus, his best mate. Tumnus smiled at Terence, his eyes warm and cheery. Terence felt his heart lift significantly at the sight of him. Some would have considered it odd for a faun and a unicorn to be good friends, but neither Terence nor Tumnus knew nor cared about the difference.

After taking one second to swallow what he already had in his mouth, Terence trotted directly to the faun, light as a feather on his hooves as he always was, whisking his tail jauntily as he went. Tumnus moved forward at the same time.

When the two fantastic creatures met up with each other, Terence lowered his head, and Tumnus reached up to stroke the unicorn's velvety muzzle.

"Hello, Terence," he greeted the white beast fondly.

"Fancy running into you here, mate," replied the unicorn, in an accent that was slightly thicker and richer than the faun's. "What are you doing here?"

"Do friends need a specific excuse to be in one another's company?" Tumnus lifted an eyebrow meaningfully. "Are they not at perfect liberty to visit whenever they wish?"

Terence laughed—a kind laugh, sweet and pleasant. "Point taken."

He edged in closer, and Tumnus now wound his arms around the stallion's neck, as far as they could reach. Terence nuzzled the faun gently in return, his breath warm and fragrant with the grass. Tumnus closed his eyes and deeply inhaled the fresh woodsy smell of the beast. He twined his fingers in the luxurious mane, which was as fine as clouds and as soft as the very best Calormene silks.

Presently, Terence took a playful nibble at the faun's honey-cinnamon curls. This made Tumnus chuckle and draw back at once. "Hey, now, don't do that! You know how easily I tickle, Terence!"

"Oh, really?" Terence eyed him shrewdly.

He brushed his snout along Tumnus's bare shoulder, all the way up his neck, snuffling him like an enthusiastic puppy. Tumnus laughed outright and tried to push his mate away.

"Hey, hey! Stop that, you imp!"

Terence moved around to the back of the faun and gave him a nudge forward. When Tumnus tried to grab him, the unicorn evaded him effortlessly. Tumnus lunged again, but Terence danced away.

"You'll never catch me!" Terence gloated.

Tumnus knew perfectly well he couldn't, but it was fun to chase his four-footed companion around the field. Terence cantered slowly enough to stay within range, yet just beyond Tumnus's reach. His mane and tail streamed behind him like silver banners in the warm breeze, while his hooves flashed like gold coins. He moved along with perfect ease and grace, never once faltering. Tumnus, being half-goat with a bit of stag mixed in, was quite swift and nimble himself, but Terence beat him by a long shot.

Together, the two friends darted across the meadow in a random, zigzaggy pattern. They moved in one direction for a time, then veered off in another.

Once, Terence performed a sharp U-turn that made Tumnus's hooves skid on the grass when he tried it himself. Tumnus managed to keep from falling completely to the ground, though just barely.

After keeping this up for a long time, when Tumnus felt he couldn't run anymore, he stopped and sank to the soft bed of grass. He spread himself flat on his back and closed his eyes, catching his breath, waiting for his racing heart to calm and for his legs to regain feeling. When Terence saw this, he slowly approached his mate and stood over him. He dropped his head to the faun's level. He never made a sound, but Tumnus knew he was there from the way the sun no longer shone so brightly through his eyelids and from the gentle tickle of the unicorn's breath on his face. Tumnus waited for a bit, and when he felt the time was just right, he abruptly seized hold of Terence's head, exclaiming, "Gotcha!"

Terence gave a slight squeal of surprise, but he did not pull away.

Tumnus opened his eyes and grinned up at the unicorn as he tussled with him some. It was now his turn to gloat. "I got you now, Terence!"

"Who's got who?" Terence's sapphire eyes twinkled mischievously.

Tumnus wrested the white beast all the way to the ground (Terence allowed himself to be dragged down, of course) and pinned him in place with his own body.

Terence pretended to struggle, flailing his hooves, jerking his head about and whipping his tail back and forth. "Mercy! Oh, have mercy!" the unicorn cried in feigned despair.

Bringing his head close to Terence's, Tumnus asked with a cheeky grin, "Do you surrender?"

"Victory is all yours, mate!"

So Tumnus eased off him, and Terence settled down and lay quietly on the grass. Tumnus stretched himself out beside the stallion, nestling his head against the unicorn's silken flank.

At length, Terence commented, "Well, that was fun."

"Sure was," Tumnus agreed, still panting slightly from the exertion of his run. "But I don't think I have the strength to stand anymore."

Terence snorted. "You're such a wimp!"

"Well, can that be helped? You have the unfair advantage of being a unicorn, mate. You're naturally quicker and have a great deal more endurance than most creatures."

"This is true."

"And you're naturally more bigheaded, too."

"This is true—hey!" Terence raised his head somewhat to scowl at the faun, who just chuckled heartily.

But Tumnus was serious when he said, "But I love you, anyway, mate. I wouldn't trade you or the years we've spent together for anything in the world."

This wiped the scowl from Terence's face immediately. "I could say the same for you, my friend," he said in a hushed tone.

Tumnus smiled. He caressed the unicorn's side for a time, while Terence lay as docile as a lamb.

The warmth of the sun and his own exhaustion made it impossible for Tumnus's eyes to remain open. Almost without realizing it, the faun drifted off to sleep, using Terence like a pillow. Staying where he was, Terence closed his eyes as well.

Soon, both friends were sleeping soundly.