Hand in hand, Tumnus and Lucy made their way to the railway station. It was quiet today, so Lucy could calmly explain the workings of the steam engine. "It's a carriage," she said. "Inside, there are lots of little fires that give it the power to move."

To Tumnus, this claim seemed a little confused, but he tried to look like he believed her. For a while, they strolled along in a happy silence. They came upon a stray dog, nibbling at a sausage someone had dropped. "Good morning," said Tumnus.

To his surprise – and slight hurt – the dog did not reply.

"I said good morning," repeated Tumnus.

"Erm," said Lucy.

"Excuse me?" Tumnus tugged his arm away from Lucy to face the dog (still gulping down the sausage). "It's very rude not to reply." He didn't sound angry, rather like he was hurt, but still trying to help the dog learn to get on in the world.

"Mr. Tumnus!" Lucy interjected, "that dog can't talk."

The faun looked at Lucy worriedly, then back to the dog, with pity dawning in his eyes. He backed away, linking back up with Lucy and said to the dog, "Please forgive me, sir, I didn't realise. I am dreadfully sorry. Poor thing," he added to Lucy as they walked away.

"Yes, quite," she said.

On they walked, up through the fields at the back of the village and eventually, back to the Professor's house. Lucy's intent had been to lay amongst the shadows of the trees for a while, but soon, to her right, she heard a shout. "Hey! Lu!"

She turned, to see her brother Peter running over, holding a cricket ball. Behind him, Edmund and Susan were standing on their home-made pitch.

When Peter saw Tumnus – edging forward with a little bow and a big grin – he stopped and looked inquisitively at Lucy.

"This is..." Lucy's breath caught in her throat as she searched for an explanation. But Tumnus, it seemed, needed none.

"The Faun Tumnus," he said to Peter. "I met Lucy in my home land of Narnia, a few weeks since." And, turning to Lucy, he issued her a glittering smile.

Peter and Lucy's eyes met. Peter's looked very ashamed. "Oh Lu," said Peter. "I'm so sorry."

Taking a moment to almost enjoy the look on Peter's face, Lucy said "It's quite all right, Pete."

Then, Susan and Edmund came over, were let in on the matter, were sorry, and then were keen to know more of Mr. Tumnus.

It appeared he was 276 years old (fairly young), the only child of the fauns Brontum and Lella and liked reading, knitting, star-gazing and the study of mythical creatures (such as seals).

"And yourselves?" he asked finally.

"Well," said Lucy, taking charge, "this is Peter, Susan and Edmund. He's 12, she's 14 and he's 10." An oddly detailed description of their hobbies was then included.

"Lovely to meet you all," said Tumnus.

"We were just playing a game of cricket," said Edmund. "Would you care to join us?"

The faun blinked over to the strange things on the pitch behind them, and the threatening-looking things that the children held. But then he looked into Lucy's bright, hopeful little face. "Yes," he said.

That, however, proved to be easier said than done. Cricket, as you may know, is a complex game, which is very hard to teach fauns. They cannot run too well (being half goat) and are usually flustered by fast-moving balls and bats. Tumnus made a brave attempt, but mainly he ran back and forth with his hands on his head to protect himself.

But, as the Pevensies all knew, it's taking part that counts.

That evening, all the children offered up a part of their supper for the faun, and he ate sitting on the floor beside Lucy, as there were only four chairs at the table, and Tumnus didn't like to put the children out.

But when it came to bedtime, Tumnus was hidden under Lucy's bed while Mrs. Macready surveyed the girls climbing into their beds (and yes, he closed his eyes while they changed). But soon after the lamp was dimmed, he got out and cuddled both girls, saying that he had better get back.

He made them promise to say goodbye to the boys, and to visit him soon, before tip-hoofing his way back to the spare bedroom.

In the darkness, the girls smiled and settled down between their sheets.

A/N: No, this is not the end. One more chapter coming soon, and much thanks to any reviewers.