A FAUN'S LIFE

I got the idea to write a story that illustrates Tumnus's entire life, beginning with his birth, and slowly moving up through his childhood and adulthood—or faunhood, or whatever you want to call it. It seemed like a good idea, and Tumnus is my favorite, so why not? Not much of Tumnus's personal life is shown in the books and movies, so that's where fan fiction comes in. This is why I love C.S. Lewis so much: he allows you to use your imagination. You get to fill in the gaps however you want. Don't know how long this will ultimately turn out; it will depend on how many ideas come to mind.

Story © unicorn-skydancer08

All rights reserved.

PROLOGUE

Alethea had gone into labor much sooner than expected. On a bed of fresh, clean straw, the young, expectant faun had been restless all day and all night, drifting in and out of fever dreams. Even when she was awake, she still seemed a little out of it. Her husband, Anlon, did everything he could to soothe her while a small group of other female fauns tended to her. He sponged her damp forehead, fetched cool water for her to drink, or else he simply sat quietly by her side and held her hand, his rough, blunt fingers stroking her skin with the utmost gentleness.

As time dragged on, Alethea's skin grew increasingly hot to the touch, her breathing was erratic, and every now and then she let out a terrible scream of pain.

Though Anlon tried to be calm and strong for his wife's sake, his heart broke for her, and he prayed to the Great Lion Aslan with every ounce of his might that her life might be spared. Alethea was never one of a strong disposition; her health was always very delicate, she was sensitive to pain, and an intense physical strain like this surely took a serious toll on her.

Please, Lord Aslan, Anlon prayed, without moving his lips, if it is in accordance with your will, let my poor wife live—and also the child within her, if possible.

After what must have been forever, a new faun was at last brought into the world.

He was quite small, his head no bigger than Anlon's palm. But his color was healthy, his cheeks were full, and once he had been washed and rubbed down, everyone could see that he had fine brown hair and fur, with streaks of sun-gold, which curled naturally. When Alethea had recovered somewhat, when her precious bundle had been placed into her arms, she couldn't stop staring at her son, couldn't stop marveling at his beautiful, angelic face, his endearing little ears that stuck out sideways and were shaped like flower petals, and his perfect, tiny hooves.

Anlon was equally amazed, if not more. My son, was his only rational thought. My firstborn son!

A child of his own flesh, something that shared his blood, something that actually lived and breathed—it seemed almost unreal.

It also seemed unlikely that Alethea would be able to produce another child, after this.

With trembling fingers, Alethea traced the details of her treasured child's face, as if to see him through touch as much as sight. The child tensed up at first, but slowly relaxed again under his mother's loving touch. His eyes remained closed, the long, silky lashes barely brushing his cheeks. Tears filled Alethea's crystal-blue eyes to the brim and spilled over, while her heart swelled with love and pride. "Tumnus," she whispered, giving voice to the name she had chosen for him, the most beautiful name she could think of. "My dear, darling little Tumnus."