Author's Note: Narnian Character Challenge #13- Lucy Pevensie
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, ideas etc of the Chronicles of Narnia. Basic plot line is my own.
I walk through the snowy wood, wondering at the magic of this place. The perfect crystal snow that falls gently to my hand; the tall majestic trees that whisper greetings; all cause a feeling of joy in my heart. Can it be? I think. Can it possibly be?
And then I see it. A marvellous pillar of iron that has grown from the ground. At the top, like a crown, sits a light encased in glass and metal bars. It is a sight I never thought I'd see again. The lamppost.
I walk to it through the knee deep snow. I reach out and touch the cold iron, brushing off the light dusting of snow with my fingertips. I hardly notice the cold on my bare hands.
Then, I hear a sound I never thought I'd hear again. The soft clip-clopping of hoofs muffled by the snow brings back memories of the first time I was here. A figure appears through the trees. He's holding an umbrella over his head, packages tucked under his arm, and a bright red scarf is wrapped around his neck. Instead of normal, human legs, I see two goat-legs, both auburn brown, and there are two little horns upon his head.
"Mr. Tumnus!" I cry out in joy, running to him through the snow. Tears of happiness freeze on my cheeks. The faun looks up and a look of disbelief flashes across his face before it is replaced by one of delight. He drops all his packages – just like the first time, so long ago – and runs lightly across the snow towards me.
We meet beneath the large pine tree, whose dryad dances around us before disappearing once more. For a moment we stand facing each other, mouths stretched in smiles as we laugh together for the first time in ages. Then I reach for him, ready to pull him into an embrace. He laughs again and stretches out his arms.
But then, he begins to fade. Now the entire forest seems to be fading. I look back to Mr. Tumnus, questions about to spill from my mouth, but he's gone. I whirl around, but no sign of him remains. The footprints have disappeared. The packages are nowhere to be seen.
Tears pour from my eyes, frightened tears this time. The air grows colder. The wind shrieks with laughter. Then I feel it. A cold presence, growing larger and more powerful. I turn around and see her, standing there with her cold, joyless smile. The knife is in her hands.
"Aslan isn't here to save you now," the witch says icily, stepping towards me. I try to run but I can't move. Has she turned me to stone? She raises her hand and a flurry of snowflakes attack me, freezing my already cold skin. The witch's laughter rises above the sound of the shrieking wind as she comes closer, reaching for me with her knife. I feel a hand grab my shoulder and I scream!...
"It's okay. Wake up, Lucy. You've been dreaming again," Susan comforted, her hand resting on my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see her sitting on the edge of my bed, face full of worry. I stifled a sob and reached for her, pulling her down into a warm, safe hug.
"I dreamed it again," I whispered, voice still trembling.
"Oh, Lucy," Susan murmured, stroking my hair, "You have to get Narnia out of your head. We're home now. There's nothing we can do about getting back. You need to think about other things."
I knew she was right, but couldn't bear to stop thinking about Narnia. I didn't even know if it was possible.
"It was the same as the other times," I whispered, ignoring Susan's words. "I was back in the forest by the lamppost and I saw Mr. Tumnus, but then he disappeared, and I saw... her."
"Oh, Lucy," Susan repeated, her voice full of sympathy.
"But the worst part was, Aslan wasn't there," I continued, eyes filling with tears. "He wasn't there to save me."
"Lucy," Susan said quietly, though firmly, "Nothing will happen to Aslan. You saw him die. You saw him come back to life. Nothing can harm him."
"I know that," I replied softly, "But he isn't here, with us. He's forgotten us."
"No," Susan shook her head, "Aslan doesn't forget. He remembers. He will be there for you, always."
I smiled shakily, comforted by her words. But soon Susan left, and the worries crept back in…