Narnia:

When Children Cry

Part III

A LucyTumnus, though that doesn't get too exciting until Part III (which you're reading, apparently). I might add a Part IV as an aftermath, and then an Epilogue. In the future of this fic, expect something dreadful. I find this book entirely too fairy-tale-ish.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Narnia, duh.

Sorry this is such a short chapter, but things in my life are so hurried and chaotic right now. How fitting! because the next few chapters will be about a battle, and that's just how battles tend to be. I'd know. Besides, I write too many long chapters, so this should be a nice refresher for you.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sign of the Eagle

A large, glorious bird soared resplendently across the sky and circled the Narnian battlegrounds that were in disarray, then turned and flew in the other direction. 'Hey! Eagle in sight!' yelled out a watchman.

Peter rushed next to him from planning with Brallin, a general for the battle. 'Not one of ours?'

'King Peter, it is one of ours! But... look, sire!'

Peter gaped. 'It's turning the other way! A spy; shoot it down!'

The watchman did nothing.

'Bloody hell, just shoot it!'

'Sire, it's... it's a Talking Beast.' And that, of course, was the terrible truth. A Talking Beast had betrayed Narnia for the title of spy.

'By the Lion,' breathed Peter. 'It's happening. They've just sent the eagle. They'll attack shortly. We aren't ready.'

'King Peter, how shortly?' The watchman trembled.

'Give it a half hour at the most and they'll be on top of us.' It was the occurrence in ages that High King Peter the Magnificent had been frightened. Then he turned quickly to the general. 'We don't have much time,' he said feverishly, the words flinging out of his mouth. 'They'll be here in only a short while; they just sent the eagle. But it will have seen us in chaos – that might be to our advantage. They know we won't be expecting them, so they may take more time to plan their maneuvers. But I wouldn't count on it. Assemble the troops as quickly as possible. Give the horns their signal for recruits. We march for war.'

At once, a deep blowing sound arose from the top of Cair Paravel. The sound carried for miles, reaching the ears of every Narnian soldier that had been forewarned. They'd been told to ready their armour, their weapons, their skill for a war and report to Cair Paravel. Now the hour was too late for a battle plan, only soldiers were needed. And soon.

Tumnus' head jerked up from his place in the Cair Paravel stables. Lucy, too, looked up from smothering her horse in armour.

'What!' she hissed. 'He's mad! We haven't any time ready for this battle!'

'Lucy, I think you should just go,' Tumnus said. She obliged and saddled her horse.

Then, 'What about you?'

A grim veil settled over his face. He was a very slow runner, being a faun, and would never be able to stand by her side (as he'd promised) if he was competing with Lucy's horse. 'I'll catch up.'

Her answer was immediate and with such a voice that he couldn't argue: 'Get on.' Tumnus did, climbing up the armoured horse, so closely behind Lucy that they were touching. 'Hold on tight, Tumnus.'

'I'll never let go,' he whispered. Their eyes met.

She struck the reins.