A/N: This is more or less a "missing scene" from LWW, taking place immediately after Lucy & Tumnus watch Aslan disappear into the sunset.

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I watched from a distance as my sister and the faun talked about Aslan. It was true, what they had agreed upon: Even though Aslan wasn't "tame," he was good. In fact, he was better than I deserved. Not only had Aslan forgiven and accepted me, he had given his life for me.

That should have been my blood on the Stone Table. I shook my head sadly as I turned toward the buffet table.

Taking my place at the end of the line, I soon felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. There stood Tumnus, and he appeared to have something on his mind.

"Good evening, Tumnus. Are you all right?"

The faun blinked, obviously not expecting my question. "Uh...if I may, Sire, I was about to ask you the same thing."

I thought back to the first time I met Tumnus. The look on his face when the White Witch told him that I had betrayed him was an expression of surprise, hurt, and yes, even disappointment. But it wasn't one of anger. Absentmindedly, I fingered the crown Tumnus had placed on my head just that evening.

It was if he'd read my exact thoughts. "I forgive you, Your Majesty. All that has happened is behind us now."

I sighed. "I know you have, Tumnus, as have Aslan, my family, and all of Narnia. But..."

"What is it?"

"It's hard to forgive yourself when the treachery you've committed is ultimately against the crown you wear upon your brow."

Tumnus was silent for a moment. Then, with remorse, he said, "I understand. I know what exactly how you feel. After all, I was going to turn your sister in to the Witch." My companion cleared his throat and blinked back tears of remembrance. "Has she extended forgiveness? Yes. Has Aslan? Absolutely. But to accept forgiveness from your friends is one thing; it's quite another to forgive yourself."

"There's also a sizable difference between your situation and mine. You're not standing under a crown. You haven't just been named the Just King." I looked down at the ground. "I don't deserve it."

Tentatively placing his hand on my shoulder, Tumnus responded, "If you did deserve it, Aslan wouldn't have given you that title. In Aslan's eyes, you have done no wrong. He took the blame and the punishment for you. That's the beauty of being justified through the blood of the Lion...it's just as if we'd done no wrong."

I thought about that. Just as if I'd done no wrong. I wanted to ask if Tumnus had been able to forgive himself, but he turned and walked away before I could say the words. Once again, I reached up and touched my crown. I still feel unworthy of it, I thought, but maybe that's a good thing. As long as I feel unworthy, Aslan's blood will still mean everything to me.