A/N: Yet another unexpected stroke of inspiration. Psalm 86 is my favorite passage in the Bible, and when I read it for the who-knows-whicheth time tonight, one of my favorite Narnians sprang to mind: Tirian, the last King of Narnia. The two went together so well in my mind that I had to write this. Narnia, Tirian, and Aslan are not mine, and neither is the Psalm this is based on.

Here I stand, Tirian, the King of Narnia, before these Calormenes and this ape who lie through their teeth. Here I am, having to bear these terrible, false things they are spewing about the Lion I have loved all my life. I cannot stand for it. I am not sure how the others can, but I know that I have had enough of it. My mouth acts of its own accord, telling all who will listen that the Ape lies, but it does not seem to be enough.

And now they take me away, tie me to a tree, and I know that if I remain here my life will be short. I am in need of food, of drink, of friends. My life is now in the paws of Aslan, the True Aslan who I have followed all of my days, and I can only pray that he will keep it safe, that he will protect his servant. For now he is the only one I can call on, and hope that he will have mercy on me.

Those dear Mice, and Moles, and the Rabbit have just left, having given me food and drink, and company. The True Aslan does love me after all, as I have received what I have needed. It is to him now that I turn. All the stories of Narnia in peril have Aslan at the back of them. And children from another world as well. Once again I cannot help myself – I call out for Aslan’s help, and only silence is my answer. I call for those children from beyond this world, and this time I am rewarded with a dream, or more likely a vision. And when I awake, as depressing as it is to pull myself from that dream, I know that an answer will come, for answer always comes from the One I call on, when His people are in peril.

Despite the desperate situation that unfolds before us, I cannot help but suppress a small smile. Though the Calormenes call on Tash and call Tash and Aslan the same, I know the truth. It is only Aslan that is the rightful Sovereign of Narnia. In time they will come to know that, and will realize just how wrong they are. For what is Tash compared to Aslan? Aslan who died and was resurrected, Aslan who struck down the White Witch, Aslan who overthrew Miraz and set the Prince Caspian on his rightful throne, Aslan who led these same two who are with me now to find the Prince Rilian. Only one such as Aslan could and would do such things for Narnia’s sake. And it is He I follow now.

These Dwarfs worry me, for they now disbelieve the True Aslan as well as the false. I can only hope that they are not signs of what is to come, that the others will not also turn away from the True Aslan. For now I will have to be strong in my walk in His pawprints. He who sent these two children from another place to rescue me from death at the hands of the Calormenes, He who I know loves me greatly, I will follow him and the truth he stands for. My heart will not be shaken, for I know the truth and will stand with it as long as I live. For it is His name that deserves the glory, not the Ape and his lies, and it is His name that will receive it.

I find myself edging nearer and nearer to the dreaded door as I fight with Rishda. He and his men seek to kill myself, my companions, my friends, and everything we stand for. They do not care for Aslan, and merely want the power. As I fight for my life, all I can do is hope. Hope that Aslan will have mercy on me, that he will give me the strength I need, that he will either deliver Narnia from this evil or deliver me into his own paws. His servant is fighting for him, and He will do what He sees fit. I can only hope it is to save me.

And now I find that I am through the stable door, and it is not the dismal doom that I expected. Instead I find Him, He who I depended on during this entire journey, and him that gave me the help and the strength and the comfort to get through it. I watch in wonder and amazement as both friends and enemies come to the door and look into His face, and as He draws all that is His to Himself.

And I am content and thankful and blessed, for in my time of need, He was there, because His servant called on Him.