THE RASHNESS OF THE KING About three weeks later the last of the Kings of Narnia sat uhe great oak which grew beside the door of his little hunting lodge, where he often stayed for ten days or so in the pleasant spriher. It was a low, thatched building not far from the Eastern end of Lantern Waste and some way above the meeting of the two rivers. He loved to live there simply and at ease, away from the state and pomp of Cair Paravel, the royal city.
His name was King Tirian, and he was betweey and twenty-five years old; his shoulders were already broad and strong and his limbs full of hard muscle, but his beard was still sty. He had blue eyes and a fearless, ho face.
There was no oh him that spring m except his dearest friend, Jewel the Uni. They loved each other like brothers and each had saved the others life in the wars. The lordly beast stood close beside the Kings chair, with its neck bent round polishing its blue hainst the creamy whiteness of its flank.
"I ot set myself to any work or sport today, Jewel," said the King. "I think of nothing but this wonderful news. Think you we shall hear any more of it today?」
"They are the most wonderful tidings ever heard in our days or our fathers or randfathers days, Sire," said Jewel, "if they are true.」
"How they choose but be true?" said the King. "It is more than a week ago that the first birds came flying over us saying, Aslan is here, Aslan has e to Narnia again.
And after that it was the squirrels. They had not seen him, but they said it was certain he was in the woods. Then came the Stag. He said he had seen him with his own eyes, a great way off, by moonlight, in Lantern Waste. Then came that dark Man with the beard, the mert from en. The enes care nothing for Aslan as we do; but the man spoke of it as a thing beyond doubt. And there was the Badger last night; he too had seen Aslan.」
"Indeed, Sire," answered Jewel, "I believe it all. If I seem not to, it is only that my joy is too great to let my belief settle itself. It is almost too beautiful to believe.」
"Yes," said the King with a great sigh, almost a shiver, of delight. "It is beyond all that I ever hoped for in all my life.」
"Listen!" said Jewel, putting his head on one side and cog his ears forward.
"What is it?" asked the King.
"Hoofs, Sire," said Jewel. "A galloping horse. A very heavy horse. It must be one of the taurs. And look, there he is.」
A great, golden bearded taur, with mans sweat on his forehead and horses sweat on his chestnut flanks, dashed up to the King, stopped, and bowed low. "Hail, King," it cried in a voice as deep as a bulls.
"Ho, there!" said the King, looking over his shoulder towards the door of the hunting lodge. "A bowl of wine for the noble taur. Wele, Roonwit. When you have found your breath you shall tell us your errand.」
A page came out of the house carrying a great wooden bowl, curiously carved, and ha to the taur. The taur raised the bowl and said, "I drink first to Aslan and truth, Sire, and sedly to your Majesty.」
He fihe wine (enough for six strong men) at one draught and hahe empty bowl back to the page.
"Now, Roonwit," said the King. "Do y us more news of Aslan?」
Roonwit looked very grave, frowning a little.
"Sire," he said. "You know how long I have lived and studied the stars; for we taurs live lohan you Men, and even lohan your kind, Uni. Nev