Warning: Novel-length Author's Note Ahead. You may skip straight back to the story, if you so wish.

Wow, y'all, it's been awhile! Is there a record somewhere for time that has passed since a story was put on a shelf and was resurrected again? Ha! Betcha all thought this one would never be finished…

Actually, I honestly don't know if it will be. I have done no creative writing since chapter 11 was posted in 2010 – unless writing for art classes counts, which I'm thinking is a no… I'm doing my best to try to get back into this one, though, because I miss writing and this story is begging to be continued.

I'm going to be straightforward: in addition to being rusty, I have changed a lot in the past 7 years. (*le gasp* What? A person can change through nearly a decade, college, and preparing to marry?! Well, I never!) Sitting down and actually taking a crack at this chapter was rough, much rougher than I'd even imagined. I'm having to get back into my characters' heads, reacquaint myself with Lewis's, and wrack my brain even for a direction to this story. To be honest, I don't even remember what I'd originally planned on happening to Cor in the last chapter. Part of me was tempted to go back and re-write the ending so that he wasn't knocked out and I could take it in a different direction, but I decided to maintain the integrity of the story and keep from having dropped my readers over a cliff for 7 years for no reason. (Also, I am now writing on my own computer instead of my parents', and the one they have now is different from the one they used to have, so I have zero access to my master documents anymore. Oops.)

I have to admit, it was rather fun going back and reading this story from a fresh perspective; it was almost as if someone else had written it and I could just put myself into the story as an ordinary reader. Of course, being obnoxious me, I found a typo or two and an "oops" in a conversation between Barid and Las (if you've time to kill, see if you can figure it out…it's a poor continuity issue). Also, the little notes from High School Me…oh goodness hahaha! :) But overall, it has been exciting to go back through and start brainstorming where to go with this story.

Anyway, who knows where this is going to lead. For now, I'm just going to write and immerse myself in rereading my preceding content and The Horse and His Boy. Also, I don't know if any of this story's old following is even on this site anymore, but if y'all are, I'm very glad to be sharing with you again! To any new readers I may pick up, welcome! I think we're all in for a fun ride.

And now, without further rambling (I promise this is the longest author's note I will ever write), on to Chapter 12! It's rather short, but I had to wet my whistle again somehow. :)

Cor couldn't bring himself to look Aslan in the face. Those large, ageless, amber eyes that seemed to pierce his very soul; the mouth whose words were life and yet could fiercely strike terror into the hearts of men and beasts at a mere rumble of a growl; the terrible, beautiful, golden-maned head that exuded magnificence, wildness, power, and goodness…it was all too much for Cor to bear as his resentment towards Arsheesh once again rushed over him. It battled against his desire to please the Lion. He knew why Aslan wanted to talk to him, and he shrank into himself as he dreaded the words ahead.

So, he kept his face buried in the soft, sweet-smelling grass and managed to squeak, "Y-y-yes, Aslan?"

"Son of Adam, why do you hide your face from me?" came the rumbling question.

Cor lay silent for a moment before stammering, "B-because I…I…I feel guilty."

"And why do you feel guilty, Cor of Archenland, once of Calormen?"

Feeling very sorry for the predicament he was in, Cor thought to himself, "Lion's Mane, he knows exactly why already; why must he make me say it?"

Aslan patiently waited, watching the young man in front of him fight a battle within. Cor's hands fisted and un-fisted, and the Lion heard his teeth clench. Finally came an impatient sigh from the crown prince.

"Rise, Son of Adam," Aslan said.

Cor reluctantly surfaced from the grass, resting on his knees and still refusing to look at Aslan. Though the prince's reddened face remained downcast, Aslan could see hot tears welling up in his eyes.

"I'm disappointing you, Aslan," Cor finally choked out, "Because I know you don't think I should hold a grudge against Arsheesh. But it's not my fault! It's not my fault he treated me the way he did, and it's not my fault I was hurt by it! Am I not justified in feeling this way? He deserved to die in the ocean today, and I not only saved him, but left him enough silver to live the rest of his life in comfort. Surely that's enough!"

"Son of Adam, justice sets wrongs right. It wars against darkness and heals wounded hearts. Is your heart healed?"

Cor slowly shook his head sadly at the Lion's words. "But, Aslan," Cor finally looked up pleadingly, "He tried to sell me as a slave! He doesn't deserve to be forgiven! He called me his son, treated me horribly, and then tried to sell me to the first Tarkaan who asked! And I don't think he cares if I forgive him; he bears a grudge against me, too."

Aslan looked into Cor's eyes. "Forgiveness is not earned, Cor, it is given. And you must let go of your resentment towards Arsheesh, for while releasing it does not erase his wrongs, clinging to it darkens your own heart and makes it heavy."

"Please, Aslan, I can't. Please. It's too much."

Aslan padded closer to the agonized prince. "I know, child."

And then the Lion breathed on Cor. Warm, sweet, refreshing air that enveloped Cor and seeped into his spirit rushed over and around the prince's body. He felt, as he and others had before, the live-giving power and comfort of Aslan's breath. His tears spilled over and ran down his face as Aslan spoke again.

"If it had not been for Arsheesh driving you away in his betrayal, you would never have left his hovel. I was the lion who guided you to him so long ago, in order to fulfil the budding prophecy of your future to save Archenland. I was the lion who brought you, with Aravis, safely back to Archenland to reach your father ahead of Rabadash's army. And I am the lion who remains to bear your burden when it is too much for you on your own. Release it to me, Son of Adam."

Cor shuddered and launched forward, burying his face into Aslan's mane. He saw clearly now; his resentment toward Arsheesh had not only hardened his heart toward the fisherman, but also inadvertently toward the Lion's great and intricate plan.

"I'm so sorry, Aslan," Cor managed between deep sobs. They were not the pitiful sobs of a child rebuked, but the grown sobs of a man who feels and understands his grievance deeply.

Aslan's deep, rumbling voice replied, "You are forgiven, my son."

The deep love of the Lion radiated over Cor, and he felt the heavy weight in his heart fall away. He felt lighter than if it had never been. Darkness was chased away by Light, and while he knew he would still bear scars from the inner wounds that had been inflicted on him by Arsheesh, the prince realized that they no longer hurt in quite the same way.

Cor finally stepped back and whispered, "Thank you, Aslan." He was no longer afraid to look him in the face, and he basked in the bright, golden glory of the Lion. Then, the High King over all kings cleared his throat.

"We still have more to discuss, Son of Adam. Walk with me." Aslan began to pad forward past Cor, and the prince turned with him, burying his hand in the Lion's mane as they walked. With Aslan by his side, he felt as though he could conquer the most formidable foe, climb the highest peak, and even face down Aravis when she was in one of her most terrifyingly angry moods. And while he could tell whatever it was Aslan wanted to talk about was important, Cor was not concerned about the future.

Unbeknownst to the Crown Prince of Archenland, he soon was to learn how serious a predicament he truly was in.