CHOICES

Jadis grasped her wand and held it to Tumnus' chest. She was bristling.

"So faun, you fraternised with a detractor, abetted a subject who escaped our borders and returned to tell the tale. You tried to pretend to fulfil your sworn duty to us. If the Ermine had not been in earshot, what would you have done instead?"

Tumnus said nothing.

"I wonder? You only ever bring us tales of minor infractions yet we are aware of far greater crimes against us. We hear you take joy in helping your fellow subjects. How sweet. You are very well known… even loved. By many. How many?" Her voice was heavy with sour sarcasm.

"Indeed I… well… that is… I t-t-t-ry to befriend people so I c-c-c-can be a more effective as y-y-y-your agent" Tumnus stuttered. "I c-c-c-cannot help it if a few people like me a little? I think I do a very g-g-g-good job. It can be v-v-v-ery hard being one thing to everyone else and another to yourself… my Queen"

"We are sure it is VERY hard faun. But how could this be? It is not for the likes of you to receive joy and love. It is we Jadis who require the love of our loyal subjects."

She thought for a moment, tilted her head and changed her tone, then told him something wholly unexpected.

"Know this faun! There comes a time of reckoning. We have read the stars, smelt it in the air and felt it in the fires of the earth. Times are about to change. Yonder hare is only one among a precious few who have managed of late to loosen the bonds of this dismal frost bound valley to walk in another land. If our subjects may find a way out, so may others, your Royal Queen included who has ruled here in this icy prison for a hundred years whether we liked it or not."

She let that morsel sink in.

"And we would then be free to order the wider world. Narnia could be fruitful again. Wouldn't you like that?"

Jadis breathed menacingly, watching closely every anxious and excited twitch of his happy-sad face.

"I thought as much".

"And of course, you know the prophecy. Who does not? If a son of Adam or a daughter of Eve should then find its way IN, well the evil days will be over and done. Won't they?"

Tumnus squirmed. Jadis eyed him chillingly.

"Mark my words faun. Your task is to keep your very eyes peeled and your ears strained for any sign, smell or rumour of a son of Adam or Daughter of Eve. Should you see one you are to overpower it and bring it to me, alive. At once!"

"For with a son or Adam or a daughter of Eve in our power in Narnia, not only will the winter pass but we shall be free to go where we will. Do you understand faun? The evil days will be over and done!"

Tumnus nodded frantically, eyes wide. He was agog with what he had just heard.

"And if you should fail, then mark my words. I have had eyes on you for some time. Many of the trees in the upper reaches of Lantern Waste and Beaversdam give rumour of your furtive activities. Even some of the stones bend to my will."

"Are you ready to do my will or should I bend your form to stone ?" she demanded.

Tumnus nodded frantically, again. "To do your will y-y-y-our Majesty, your will, your Majesty" He stammered.

"Good. Here is your reward". She tipped the bottle.

A large plate of his beloved buttered toast and sardines appeared and then a piping hot pot of tea next to it.

A dwarf with unfathomable eyes carried it out to the seat outside the door for Tumnus who was full of confused guilt, excitement, dread and sadness.

He didn't know what else to do anymore. So he ate.

(Last chapter or two coming up)