Tumnus returned to Susan's flat to find Col on the sofa.
"Where have you been? I thought you left the flat."
"That's a very long story."
"Yes, one I should not think you're very proud of." Susan walked into the room carrying tea and biscuits on a tray. "Leaving a maiden behind to fight off a dinosaur by herself."
"I couldn't very well do much for you, now could I." Col accepted a cup of tea from Susan. "Besides, I don't know why you call it a dinosaur. It was very obviously a dragon, if ever I've seen one."
"You left Susan to fight off a dragon?" Tumnus asked.
Col and Susan ignored him. "You've seen a dinosaur, I mean a dragon? When have you ever seen one of those creatures?"
"Well, he was a bit different than the dragons I've seen. The dragons I've seen have all been flying and fire breathing."
"Yes, of course," said Tumnus. "You left Susan to fight off a dragon? Where did you see the dragon? Don't tell me they have them in the London." He absent mindedly sat down and took his fourth cup of tea of the afternoon.
"We were in the wardrobe."
"No, we were in the Woods Between the Worlds," corrected Susan. "Col chose a pool to go into. I told you not to."
"You didn't tell me not to."
"Okay, but I did warn you. Something about that pool bothered me."
"Are they telling you about the giant lizard we ran into today? Why he was even bigger than Col." Achilles came walking in from the kitchen. "Nearly had us for lunch."
"Can you all start at the beginning?" asked Tumnus.
"Well, I went looking for Susan in the wardrobe. I found what is probably the remains of the pool that led to Charn in the Woods Between the Worlds."
"Interesting," said Tumnus. "Go on."
"Susan and Achilles came out of a pool that led to a world of rabbits."
"Rabbits? Did you say rabbits?" asked Tumnus.
"Yes, they were really quite adorable," said Susan. "Well, most of them were."
"Can I finish the story?" Col asked.
"By all means. Go ahead," said Susan.
"We looked at the next pool. It seemed perfectly harmless." Col looked at Susan. "I don't think you can really know what you're getting into before you enter these worlds. Anyway, we came out of the pool and into a forest. Susan stayed by the pool, so we wouldn't loose track of it. And I went into the forest looking for a path or some sign of civilization when I came upon a meadow. There was this beast of a dragon eating a smaller dragon. He sniffed the air and looked in my direction. Then he dropped the other smaller dragon and started to come towards me. I high tailed it back into the woods."
"I told you not to run. I told you to stand still," said Achilles. "He wouldn't have chased you if you hadn't run."
"That's actually an inaccurate old wives tale," said Tumnus. "Dragons will come after people who are perfectly still, as well as those who run. Do go on, Col."
"Yes, well I wasn't going to just stand there and be eaten. As I ran through the forest, I heard Susan yelling. I ran towards her voice and yelled for her to jump into the pool. Which she did not do."
"I did not want to leave you behind. Which is more than I can say for you."
"Yes, well, I'm sorry. But I'd seen that thing and I wasn't going to stand around discussing the issue. As soon as I saw the pool I jumped in."
"And what about you, Susan? Did you really fight the dragon?"
"No, of course not. It leaned over me and roared. The hot blast of his breath knocked me into the pool."
"That was most fortunate." Tumnus picked up his second biscuit. "And did you visit any other worlds?"
"No, that was enough for all us. I wouldn't want to go back to that place. But I do believe it would be the perfect world to send the witch into. Even she is no match for that dragon."
"She'd at least be out of the way. Sounds like you two have finally come up with the solution." Tumnus patted Col on the back. "Job well done."
"I don't know about that," said Susan.
"What do you mean you don't know about that?" asked Col.
"Yes, what do you mean, Susan?" added Tumnus.
"It's just that I found a bucket by the pool. I think there are people or some kind of intelligent creatures living there." She bit her lip. "I would hate to bring the witch to some unsuspecting innocent people."
Tumnus sat back in his chair and began stroking his chin.
"You found a bucket? You didn't tell me about a bucket," said Col.
"I didn't really have time to tell you as you were diving into the pool."
"Can't you just take the witch there and let that lizard eat her? Seems to me that thing will take care of her before she ever has a chance to get near any people," said Achilles.
"This is a dilemma. We'll have to give it some thought." Tumnus stood up. "I'm afraid that I will require some sleep before I can do any real thinking. I've been up all night and most of the day now. Susan, thank you for the tea and biscuits. I will be leaving now. Col, are you coming with me or staying at Millers? I have some things I learned this afternoon that would interest you."
Col looked at Susan. He didn't see any reason to stay, considering the hot water he was in. "I suppose I'll go with you. If that's alright with you, Susan?"
"Yes, go ahead. I think we all need some rest. And I have Achilles, he ought to be just as good as either one of you at protecting me."
"I really am sorry, Susan, and I'm frightfully glad that you're okay." Col took her hand. "Can you forgive me?"
Susan looked at him. Something about this tall blond reminded her of Peter. Courageous, yet vulnerable and innocent. "Yes, of course, I forgive you. Now be off. I'm taking a hot shower and going to bed."
Col and Tumnus stood at the door. "Lock the doors and don't open for anyone you don't know," said Tumnus. "Remember the peep hole."
"Yes, yes. Now good night to both of you." And with that she shut the door.
"Achilles, it's just you and me." She looked over at the sofa. Achilles was fast asleep on a pillow and snoring loudly.