My people are once again a strong and proud race, though at one time in Narnian history we were scattered throughout the land in many small herds.
If you were to ask any citizen of Narnia about the history of slavery in our nation, I wager all would say that Narnia never participated in that shameful practice.
But they would have been wrong. For during the time of Jadis our oppressor, my race was bound to serve her, held captive by her magic and her threats against our families if we refused to submit to her will.
And though in time we grew used to our bondage, in secret we feared and resented the false queen for the power she had over our race and nation.
Every seven years she would call all herds together, and select from amongst the youngest and strongest of reindeer six to serve her will.
And at the end of seven years they would return to us, broken in body and spirit, baring little resemblance to the friends and loved ones we had once known.
I was the youngest of six, born to parents who were fortunate to escape Jadis's decree. My parents were proud of their children, declaring that we would one day make excellent leaders for the scattered herds of our kin.
Yet always there remained unspoken, the knowledge that we may be selected when the six Jadis had chosen returned at the end of their period of servitude.
Perhaps it was for this reason; my parents gave each of us names which reflected the fading glories of Narnia. I was given the name of Boris, a name which spoke of strength and endurance in battle.
I did not know it then, but my parents had named me truly, for the hardship and suffering which I was destined to endure would test my strength, faith and capacity to survive.
We heard her approach long before the sleigh came into sight. The clear ringing of silver bells filled the frigid morning air, as we waited in tense silence for the false queen's arrival.
Beside me my father tossed his head in a gesture of anger and disgust.
"She is bold. Choosing those bells which are symbols of hope to all. She knows full well that Father Christmas favors those crafted of silver."
My mother shifted restlessly.
"I know love. It's even worse when you think that she always comes on Christmas Eve to make her choice. Aslan grant that the four may come soon and put an end to this madness."
"Hush, Eleanor. Do not speak of the prophecy with her so near. Aslan knows I would not have you chosen."
"I'm only saying what we are all thinking. And Aslan knows she will never choose me, I'm hardly the strongest of our herd."
"Still, you must be careful, if not for yourself then for our children."
My mother nodded acknowledging the truth of father's words, then stiffened in anger and trepidation as our enemy approached.
Although I was as apprehensive as my parents, I could not help but be amazed at how our enemy could take even a simple phrase and corrupt its true meaning.
Normally to be a chosen one is considered a great honor, but over the century of my people's enslavement we had all come to dread her asking that very question.
She alighted from her sleigh, and approached our herd in utter silence, eyes gazing intently at each of the young with cool assessment.
And as before she asked her question, in the tone one might use when conducting a sacred ritual.
"Who will be my chosen ones?"
No one moved or answered, simply waited tense and defiant as she walked amongst us.
Beside me I saw my parents exchange a troubled glance, knowing that their children were among the best the herd had to offer.
Jadis came to a halt before our family, her cold eyes meeting the defiant gaze of my mother, and the cold rage in the face of my father.
"Eleanor, your children will do admirably."
For a moment my mother stared in astonishment that Jadis knew her name. Her surprise turned to a calm and deadly fury, that Jadis had clearly questioned her previous victims concerning our herd, desiring to know who were the most outspoken and the most suitable for her service.
But as we had learned over a century of bondage, there was nothing we could do to prevent what was about to happen.
My brothers and I were the chosen.
We could do nothing as she ordered us to come forward to be harnessed. I will never forget the look of helpless fury my mother cast Jadis as we drove away, nor the tears which she tried so hard to suppress for our sake. For she wanted our last memory of her to be one of strength and defiance.
And as I was led away, I felt as if all of Narnia's despair, longing and fading hope was voiced in the prayer I uttered in the secret places of my mind.
"Great Aslan, as you love your people, send us help soon. Do not forsake us though many have forgotten your love and mercy. Please, send us the four."
I could not know then that my prayer was about to be answered, that I would soon meet one of the children destined to rule, and the mark he would make upon my life.
That day began like countless others. I awakened at dawn, remembering to savor these few moments of freedom before the days work. Not for long were I and my kin free from the malevolent presence of the false queen, and so we learned to treasure the few peaceful moments before our suffering would commence.
My brothers and I were given our portions of food and water, barely enough to satisfy the constant pangs of hunger. But we were used to such treatment, and took what we were given, thankful that Jadis had never chosen to starve us as a form of punishment.
Soon after we were led out to the sleigh to be harnessed. How I hated it! This was the harness which had kept so many of my ancestors slaves to her will. It resembled other such inventions used to harness the dumb beasts of Calormene, but by now my family was intimately acquainted with its true purpose.
As soon as it touched me, I felt the tendrils of dark magic attempting to crush what remained of my will in an attempt to destroy my spirit. And from the deepest part of my being I somehow found the strength to resist, to use my memories of the tales of Aslan, and the warmth of joyful memories to combat Jadis's evil.
It was a familiar struggle, one I fought each morning when her pet dwarf came to harness me alongside my brothers.
As we were driven out of the courtyard, I could not help but grieve at the dejected movements and flagging strength of my kin.
Once they had been so strong and graceful, the pride of our herd. But thanks to Jadis's magic they were now reduced to pale echoes of their former magnificence.
I was close to joining them. I could feel it in the constant ache of my legs as I was urged on by the cruel bite of the dwarf's whip, in the despair which sought to devour my soul as I looked about me at the desolate forests of my homeland.
Still I continued to cling with stubborn determination to the stories of the great lion, and the promise of freedom which the prophecy of the four offered.
The command to stop was welcome, as we had been racing across the forests for hours without rest. It amused our tormenter, to push us to the limits of our strength, to watch us continue when we were beyond exhaustion.
It was then my brothers and I saw him. A slender dark haired human, looking up at Jadis in astonishment and wonder.
We listened as they spoke together, as she coaxed him to sit beside her and wrapped him in warm furs.
Horror filled me as she offered him food and drink, and I wished I could call out, to prevent him from consuming anything created by her magic.
I could only watch in helpless silence as she skillfully bought his loyalty, knowing that if our true king did not return soon, Edmund would be yet another who realized too late the folly and cost of trusting Jadis.
I was not present when Edmund came to Jadis's fortress bringing news of his family's whereabouts and the return of Aslan. But I heard from the dwarf of his imprisonment and ill treatment, and knew that even if Jadis was defeated and all we hoped for came to pass, many Narnians would see our youngest king as a traitor.
But those who had been in the false queen's power, felt and struggled against the corruptive influence of her magic would understand far better than the Narnians who were all too swift to condemn.
They would know that Edmund was a mere boy, seduced and tempted to follow a darker path by false promises of glory and domination she had spoken to enslave his mind.
As she ordered the son of Adam to climb in, I saw that already his faith in Jadis's promises was beginning to wane.
And I glimpsed the potential that lay beneath that mask of forced bravery and confidence, saw before me a king dedicated to the cause of the broken, the wronged, the rejected of Narnia.
Never would I have thought I could be grateful to the dwarf for anything. But when he spoke a name few dared to utter in Jadis's presence, I knew her reign would soon be ended.
The sound of our true king's name gave me fresh hope. If Aslan had at last come to Narnia, and if he was seeking Edmund, I would do all in my power to thwart Jadis's plans.
Cautiously I turned to my brothers, resigned to the knowledge that I would receive little help from them. But to my joy and astonishment, the name of Aslan had given them fresh strength, and a renewal of purpose I had not seen since the beginning of our captivity.
And between us passed an unspoken decision. No longer would we submit to the false queen's will, allow her magic to sap our strength and rob us of our hope.
Long accustomed to the magic of the harness, we knew that our resistance must be subtle so that she would not suspect our purpose. So we slowed our pace, allowing our hooves to slip in the muddy pools of water and mingled snow, while in secret we joined our wills to combat Jadis's magic.
As we hoped, she was so furious at what she considered our laziness, that she did not notice our resistance. Yet all of our efforts met with only slight success, enough that we were able to move by our own wills instead of remaining obedient to Jadis's commands.
So delighted were we at this small victory, that we barely felt the bite of the dwarf's whip as he mercilessly tried to force us on.
When finally he realized the sleigh could go no further, Jadis ordered Edmund to walk tied behind the dwarf.
And as he passed me, he whispered brokenly.
"Boris, I won't forget you or your kin. When she's defeated I'll come back for you. I- I'm sorry."
Wordlessly I inclined my head in acknowledgement of his promise, rejoicing that he had come to realize the true nature of our enemy.
How many take the simple freedom of movement, of making a choice by their own will for granted?
I know my people will ever appreciate that liberty, since the moment Jadis was defeated by great Aslan and her power over us and all of Narnia was shattered.
Edmund kept his word, and sought my people out asking if there was anything he could do to repay us for all we had suffered.
It was my father who spoke on our behalf, saying that it was enough for us to once again be a free people.
His siblings stood behind The Just, offering their support and friendship.
In time we became a large and strong nation, living under the rule of the four in peace. We continue to survive, living proof of the soul's capacity to endure, trust and hope.
Note from the authoress: The idea for Jadis's enslavement of the reindeer, I took from the Greek myth of Theseus, where Aegeus was forced to sacrifice 7 youths and 7 maidens to the Minotaurr as tribute to King Minos of Crete.
This will be my last update for a while, as university and life in general are starting to get really hectic, and I've no idea when the next chapter will be posted.
I've many ideas for characters to include in this series, so this story is far from over.
My thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this tale, and to those who have added my story to their favorites or alerts.
I appreciate all of your encouraging feedback.
If you end up waiting forever for an update and would like to check out more of my work, I've posted other stories to this site and would welcome any feedback.
Thanks for reading.
