My dear sister sent me a writing prompt a few weeks ago with the suggestion that I write a short piece containing only dialogue. No narrating, no ‘he said’ or ‘she said’ tags. Just dialogue.
I was at a loss on how to do this at first, but then an inspiration hit. More Narnia fanfiction… 🙂 If you’ve never read “The Horse and His Boy”, this short little snippet might be confusing. But if you’ve read the book… then sit back and attempt to enjoy my imaginings.

***

“Sit down, sit down, I’m in a hurry, Lord Bar. You have the money?”

“I have the money, yes, but also something more important.”

“More important? Impossible. You’re already doing the most important work.”

“O Glorious Tisroc, I bring tidings, though it might be called more of a warning.”

“Speak it out, then. This early in the morning I have no patience for drivel, and I do assure you that my breakfast will be cold if you keep me waiting, and cook said something about a salmon omelet.”

“I have a feeling you’ll care little or less than little for salmon after I tell you the news, O Ever-living Tisroc.”

“You’re giving me a stomach ache, Bar. Forget the ‘Ever-living’ and ‘Glorious’ and tell me the news. I’ve already lost all patience.”

“Then I shall tell you plainly.”

“As I should wish.”

“A child was born a few weeks ago in Archenland.”

“It would be impossible for me to care less. Children are born and children die, what is this to me?”

“If you’ll pardon me, O Tisroc, but that is not all. This child is, frankly, the son of King Lune.”

“A prince, then. Excellent. I really have no time to hear of it. My salmon will be…”

“If you DO NOT sit still and listen to me you will have cause to regret it later on!”

“Very well, Bar. No need to raise your voice. I’m listening. But speed it up.”

“This child was taken to the centaurs for blessing, as happens to all royal children in those northern countries. His brother went first…”

“His brother? There are two of them?”

“Yes. Twins, in fact. But the child of our concern is the elder.”

“And the youngest was blessed before the elder?”

“Well, I don’t understand it myself, but it’s how it’s done.”

“Continue.”

“The elder’s turn came and the centaur fixed his terrifying eyes on the child and said in a voice that rolled like thunder, ‘A day will come when that boy will save Archenland from the deadliest danger in which ever she lay.’ The King looked quite proud, and the Queen shed a tear or two, like most all emotional women of those parts. I was standing in the crowd surrounding them and left immediately afterward to come and tell you, O Unfathomable Tisroc.”

“…This boy is to save Archenland?”

“Yes, O Tisroc.”

“But… but…”

“I know what you are thinking. And I quite agree.”

“All our plans! What will we do? How will we proceed?”

“If we strike now we have nothing to fear. The small Prince is too young to pose much of a threat to our might!”

“But the people are not ready for this. We are at peace with Archenland and Narnia both, and to attack now with no rhyme or reason would not only make enemies of those two countries but would also turn our own countrymen against us.”

“But surely your soldiers will fight! Surely they will listen to your orders!”

“They fear those lands more than they fear my wrath. Without a proper reason for war we cannot rise and fight. Previously we were content to wait til we could sow seeds of discord and hatred toward Narnians and Archenlanders alike before declaring battle. But now if we wait for our people to be properly incensed we risk the fulfillment of the prophecy.”

“Truly a Calormen invasion of Archenland would be the deadliest danger such a small territory could face.”

“We must find another way. Another way.”

“I don’t see many options.”

“Aha but you don’t think as I do. And I have the solution.”

“Which is?”

“You already sound skeptical.”

“My apologies, O Magnificent Tisroc.”

“And now you sound sarcastic. But no matter. If you complete your job I’ll be happy to forgive your offense.”

“What job?”

“The solution I mentioned. You are to go to Anvard and abduct the child and
bring him to me.”

“My ears deceive me. I thought you said, abduct?”

“Your ears do not deceive you in the least, and I most assuredly said abduct. Once you bring the child back to me alive we may have some room to negotiate with King Lune. In fact, it is possible that war could be avoided altogether.”

“This is not possible, O Tisroc. Thoroughly impossible.”

“I shall inform you as to what is thoroughly impossible. It is thoroughly impossible for you to keep your head between your shoulders if you refuse to do as I bid you. And now, go. You have already spent many precious minutes of my morning telling me the most disturbing news possible. And now that I’ve thought of a solution I must not keep my salmon omelet waiting. It will be cold, I know. Good morning, Lord Bar.”

“O Gracious and Noble Tisroc, reconsider-“

“I believe I dismissed you, Lord Bar.”

“As you say.”

“Oh, one more thing. This child. What’s the name they’ve given him?”

“Cor. Prince Cor of Archenland.”

“Very well. Well then, goodbye, Lord Bar.”

Love,
Hannah Jo <3