Disclaimer: If my writing is anything good enough to be confused with the Master who is C S Lewis, I am very proud indeed.
AN: I have so many half done Narnia fics on my computer that I am astounded. And I have a full length, multi-chaptered plot bunny attempting to eat my brain too, but given my success regarding frequent updates in my three main unfinished stories… I think I'll stick to short stories for now.
Enjoy.
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Virtues
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Magnificent
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Courage is not one of the virtues. Courage is every one of the virtues at its testing point.
C. S. Lewis
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Peter wondered if this was perhaps some sort of test that Aslan had set him. A test of his resolve; his faith; his strength.
He was trying so hard – so hard – to live up to his title.
Or rather…the title that had once been his in a world far removed from this drab scale of dull grey and rusty brown.
Edmund had once told him, "Magnificence is needed just as much here as in Narnia," but was it? Every time he tried to be magnificent he was painfully shot down.
He would try to offer his seat to a girl and would get told he is old fashioned, asked whether he doesn't think she can manage standing on her own two feet, told to stop being so sexist.
He would try to stand up for someone weaker than himself and would get yelled at from all fronts to mind his own business.
He just felt so helpless – so worthless. He tried to keep up a calm façade; a charade that all was well, and all but those closest to him were convinced. His siblings could see right through all his attempts, but could not see how to help him. They were going through similar feelings of loss and confusion, and could only hope to be there for each other when they were needed.
His mother had noticed too – she had noticed a difference in all four of her children – and though she really had no idea what the problem was, she did come fairly close one night. Peter heard her talking to one of her friends on the telephone; heard her mention that it was as though Peter was a King without his Kingdom.
She truly had no idea just how true that statement was.
It wasn't simply as though he had lost a part of himself… it was as though he had lost his entire self. His whole being.
What was he to do when he woke in the early hours of dawn if not train with Oreius and Edmund? What was he to do when war threatened his land, his safety, his subjects, his siblings if not ride out and meet the villains head on, sword and shield in hand and a mighty battle cry leaving his lips? What was he to do in his spare time if not mingle with and strive for better relations with everyone from his subjects to the Crown Prince of Calormen?
He didn't know.
Everything in England seemed pointless. Why go to school? He had already learnt more than the supposed 'Education Department' even offered, and he had learnt it from the best teachers there were. School could not hope to compete with that.
Every day, he would sit straight backed and to attention in his classes and pretend to pay attention, answering any questions directed his way with a mindless ease.
Why even get up in the mornings? He could achieve just as much by staying in bed all day as he could by getting up each morning and following the brainless patterns of every day life in England: nothing.
Why bother trying to be Magnificent at all?
Because the King over all Kings of your home wants you to be.
The thought came to him one morning as he stood in front of the mirror, looking in vain for the man who's face used to be full and tanned and bearded and smiling, and was now once again scrawny and pale and naked and sullen.
It was then that he realised that it all might be a test. A test of his resolve; his faith; his strength.
And as Peter realised that, he realised that his resolve was rivalled only by Edmund; his faith rivalled only by Lucy; his strength as a full grown man rivalled only by the largest of centaurs and minotaurs.
And with that realisation came a new determination.
This was a test he was being set.
And by Aslan, he would pass it with flying colours.
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AN: There, what'cha think? This is chapter one in what will be a FourShot.
Next up: Queen Susan the Gentle.
Review! Love Bundi