Author's Note: This was written almost entirely on blank register tape from Old Navy during a boring few moments in the fitting room. (Some people take forever to try on clothing. You know who you are.) And while I have heard that several great novels have begun this way, it seems that paper napkins are the thing for truly epic writing.

Disclaimer: C.S. Lewis once told children that they may write stories to fill in the gaps that he left. I am a child at heart, and while I do not claim ownership, at least I have permission.

Smile

Peter had a different smile for all of them.

For Narnia, his smile felt like sunshine and they could feel his heart widening to envelope them all. Dwarves, Fauns, Centaurs, Gryffins, and all the Talking Beasts of Narnia knew that they were defended when their High King smiled that smile.

Those who dared to contest Narnia received a grim smirk. Whether it was across the battlefield behind a sharp sword or in a cool palace courtyard over a glass of wine, anyone that underestimated the strength and passion of the Narnians soon learned the opposite.

He couldn't help but smile when he was in the presence of Aslan. It was at first a great, overflowing smile that communicated a profound pleasure, and slowly it would shift to convey the quiet comfort of a warrior coming home to rest.

With Susan, he smiled as a friend to a friend; an equal and a confidante. It bespoke of long talks and deep trust and shared responsibility. They were each other's helpmeet during the dark interludes and each other's accomplice during the bright ones, and Peter's smile reminded her of all their times – good and bad.

His smile for Edmund was between brothers who have learned to love each other as more than just siblings, but rather as two men who bled and wept and cursed and joked together, men who respected and laughed at the other more than anyone else in the world.

The smiles he gave to Lucy were mainly of delight, with equal parts protective and loving mixed in. He relied on her constant joy, her faith, her friendship with every good thing of Aslan's creation. And whenever Lucy saw his smile for her, she knew that she would always have a big brother, no matter how grown up she got.

The smile that he gave to England was sad. He never forgot the land where once he had been king. Yet there was also patience, and hope. Patience to love where he was now, and hope that someday he could return to his home.

Thoughts?