The Fallen Horn
"Is there any sign of their majesties?" The Centaur's voice boomed from deep within the wood.
Lord Peridan hesitated, his hand upon the gilded bridles of the four horses he had last seen cantering away from him through the twisted paths of the Western Woods. Then, biting his lip, he led them into the clearing.
"My noble brethren…" He heard his voice falter in a way he had not expected. The Centaur re-emerged from the thicket and Sallowpad the Raven came to alight on his arm much as a falcon does. The dogs whimpered at the heels of the other courtiers who gradually caught their fellows up.
"So they are gone," the Raven croaked.
Peridan bowed his head.
"It was said," one of the esquires ventured, "that their majesties came from a strange realm. And now we may suppose they have returned to it?"
"So it would seem," Peridan snapped. He had not meant to be so harsh with the young courtier. But he could not quell the rising thought in his mind: what would Tumnus say? The news would break the old faun's heart.
"Should we not pursue them?" said a Leopard. "By the Lion's Mane, I would not lose my sovereigns so easily, though it were to Aslan's Country itself. Why…"
"Hush!" the Raven interrupted. "No one questions your loyalty, but this is clearly not a happening to be interfered with". (The Leopard growled, irritably). "I say that…"
At this point, one of the Hounds returned and dropped something at their feet, shocking them all into silence.
"The Horn of Queen Susan!" Peridan exclaimed.
The courtiers looked from one to the other. There was a kind of unspoken understanding, much as it wrung each of their hearts, much as each longed to put the horn to his lips and blow it in the vain hope that their monarchs would return. Such things were not theirs to command; that was not the way of things. Slowly, Peridan bent and picked up the horn and, if the others saw tears in his eyes, they were polite enough not to mention it, as they turned their backs on the North and began the long, silent journey back to Cair Paravel.
End.