I don't own CoN.

Kostya bounded swift as the wind to Lantern Waste. I gripped her neck tightly, my face buried in her spotted fur. When Kostya ran like this, it was usually for the better that I keep my head down. She was a large creature—as most Talking Beasts are—easily twice the size of the mute members of her species, and could outstrip any horse in a moment. Once we reached our destination, Kostya's pace slowed to something more manageable and I lifted myself up on her back, pulling my hood further down over my brow. It was then that I heard laughter, ricocheting off the surrounding cliffs. The snowy Leopard's ears pricked at the sound, and she leapt sinuously down an outcropping of rock into the clearing where the laughter was loudest, taking care not to jostle me overmuch. There in front of us were four people, children, staring at me, astonished. The littlest one—Lucy—stumbled backwards, clutching the arm of a tall boy with white-blond hair.

I spoke quickly. "Are you the Pevensies?"

A girl about my age with eyes blue as the sky answered. "Yes… If you don't mind me asking, how do you know who we are?"

"Mr. Tumnus, of course. He told me of the lovely Miss Lucy Pevensie and her stories." The correct thing to say, apparently, as the lines around their mouths disappeared and the tension slipped from their shoulders like heavy cloaks. The little girl flashed a sunbeam smile at me.

"Please," I whispered, urgency coloring my tone, "it is of utmost importance that we continue this conversation in a safer place!" I turned and started walking briskly in the opposite direction, casting a glance over my shoulder to ensure that they were following.

I heard Lucy whisper to her siblings. "She means the trees, you know. Some of them work for her."

The corners of my lips twitched. After a few minutes of silence, I turned my head and smiled my most reassuring smile.

"My name is Avonlea, by the way," I said. "I know things seem strange, but it will all be explained in time."

Behind me, I heard a scoff. I understood how confusing it all was, but I didn't see how a person could be so querulous because of a good-natured attempt at lending a hand. Honestly enough, it made me cross. The scoff was answered by a muffled yawn, as though somebody was trying to hide it in their elbow. Sure enough, when I turned around, I was met with Lucy's half-lidded eyes, the same enchanting blue as her sister's. Halting, I stooped down to where my face was level with hers, and spoke softly.

"Miss Lucy, how would you like to rest for a little while on Kostya?"

The little girl flashed me a sleepy smile, which was gone as soon as it appeared. "Are you sure she won't mind?" She said timidly.

"I wouldn't mind at all, little one," Kostya interjected. "It would be my pleasure."

With that said, I scooped the little girl into my arms and deposited her gently onto Kostya's back. "Now hold on tight to her neck, and don't let go."

I turned to the rest of the procession and smiled. The blond one, who seemed to be the eldest, came to my side.

"Is that safe?"

"Oh, most certainly. Kostya loves children. She's been my companion for as long as I can remember, and I haven't been harmed in her presence once," I replied, "Your sister is perfectly safe."

Satisfied, he continued walking, this time matching my stride. "My name is Peter, by the way. You already know Lucy, it seems. Those two-" he gestured at the boy and girl behind us, "-are our brother and sister, Edmund and Susan."

I nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, really. This must be very strange for you. I swear, everything will be explained to the best of my ability in a short time."

The three of us—me, Peter, and Kostya—made small talk along the way. The other three were quiet. Lucy, of course, was asleep. Susan would move her eyes between us all occasionally and purse her lips, looking very much like she was trying to solve a riddle. Edmund would either have a bored look on his face or would occasionally steal glances at something in the distance. I followed his gaze to my mother's palace. My breath hitched.

"Say, Edmund, have you ever been to Narnia before?"

All of their heads whipped up at this, and Edmund looked at me suspiciously.

"Yes, why?"

"Oh, no reason," I said. "It just seems as though you've been here before."

"Oh, alright."

I deliberated for a moment before deciding to throw subtlety to the wind. I began describing in detail the evil things the White Witch had done, how she was an enchantress, how she lured creatures to their demise. I pointed all of these statements at Edmund, fully aware that he was absorbing every word I said. After a while, we arrived at a small dam on the river.

"Wait here," I ordered. Sliding onto the ice, I skidded to a stop outside of the dam and called out in a hushed shout.

"Mama Beaver! I need your help!"

I watched the children's faces when Mama stepped out. They looked surprised, which didn't surprise me at all.

"Avonlea, you better not have hurt yourself again; if you broke those jars I asked you to- oh, those aren't jam jars, are they now?"

Peter and Edmund snickered at my scolding. I whipped my head around to glare at them, and they ceased immediately. Good.

My dearest friends were the Beavers, a good-natured, middle-aged couple and the closest thing I had to a family. I frequently visited them in their snug dam on the river, and it was to them I ran on that fateful day. If there was anyone I trusted, it was them.

Mama Beaver stamped her foot. "Well come inside now, the whole lot of you, before you catch cold!"

I turned back to the group only to realize that Lucy was fully unconscious on Kostya's back, head lolled to the side and breathing softly through her nose. I picked her up as gently as I could and began making my way back to the dam.

Peter stopped me halfway. "I've got her."

I passed her into his arms and watched as he carried her inside. He smiled and ran his finger down her nose.

"If only she were this quiet when she's awake," he said. I laughed.

Mama Beaver noticed the sleeping girl and directed Peter to a small couch. "You can set her there."

I pulled my cloak from my shoulders and hung it from a hook on the wall before shaking out my hair. When I turned around, Peter had already laid Lucy down and tucked a large fur coat around her. He was looking at me strangely.

"You're human," he said, head tilting to the side. "We didn't think there were any humans here in Narnia."

"I'm not a Daughter of Eve." I hummed. "You were right for thinking there are no humans in Narnia. However, there's a nation south of here, Calormen, that's inhabited by your kind, and probably a small population in Archenland, in the north. Jadis banned humans from this kingdom in an attempt to thwart a prophecy that would mean the end of her rule—but that's something best discussed where everyone can hear."

Peter nodded, and I watched as his eyes moved from my own to the coronet around my head. The metal burned my skin.

"Come," I said, walking from the room. "I imagine your family is waiting for you."

I knew without looking that he followed. I kept my gaze on my feet.

Soon we all settled down at the small table and ate a modest dinner of fish stew and bread. A drowsy Lucy walked in a few moments later, and Mama placed a bowl in front of her. Papa Beaver, Aslan bless him, was trying his hardest to explain the prophecies and Aslan to the four children. I smiled into my mug, for Papa was really a very good creature. I interjected.

"Papa, maybe it is best if we let Aslan explain this whole mess."

"Aye, Avonlea, that would probably be best." He said, and I laughed. But something was pulling at my thoughts, demanding my attention. Then I realized what it was.

"Pevensies, where is Edmund?"

Uh oh.