The rise of Jadis
Chapter 1; The Tree of Protection
After Aslan took Digory and Polly back to the world of men, he returned to his newly created land of Narnia.
When Aslan arrived, he called the leopard, raven and elephant to council. "While the tree of protection stands healthy and strong", Aslan said, "the witch will not return to this land." "However, you can be sure that she will find a way to have it destroyed without coming here herself."
"I suggest we have two watches, one at night and one during the day so that the animals best suited for the time can guard", the elephant suggested.
"A wonderful idea", said Aslan. "Any volunteers", he asked the crowd of creatures which had surrounded his council?
The red dwarves were the first to volunteer.
"We'll help during the day," With our bows and arrows, we should be able to deal with anyone who comes along before they even get too close."
"We will do the same at night", said one of the black dwarves.
Then the raven jumped in. "I'll stay around too and fly to warn the army if I see danger a long way off, once we have an army."
"And You owl, can take the ravens job at night," Aslan added. "This sounds good so far, but it is true that we have no army yet. There is time to build one up. The witch will not strike for over two hundred years as she increases her power. The worst is a long way off. An army is needed though.
Aslan went to the tree with those who had been chosen to guard it. The tree had silvery apples peeping out from under each leaf. The smell that came from them was indescribably wonderful. The tree cast a light under its branches, rather than a shadow.
"No dwarves, raven and owl, you must each eat an apple from the tree. The witch has done so and the guardians of the tree must as well in order to live long and never grow old. That way they can continue to do their job effectively. Only remember that if ever you or anyone else eats an apple only for his own benefits, he will live long but grow tired of life. His heart will grow dark and while this tree stands he will leave Narnia."
"I will stay here as well until Narnia has an army which should be soon, Aslan said.