"Taken service under the White Witch, That's what I am. I'm in the pay of the white witch … I had orders from the White Witch that if I ever saw a Son of Adam or a Daughter of Eve in the wood, I was to catch them and hand them over to her … I hadn't known what humans were like before I met you. Of course I can't give you up to the White Witch, not now that I've met you …"
Tumnus - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
A/N: I always felt that Tumnus was saying that if Lucy hadn't been so nice, he might have gone ahead and given her to the White Witch. I also think that his treachery in serving the White Witch was never really addressed in the books. I'd like to explore his character a bit more, and what might have happened if he had met someone not so nice that snowy day in the woods … say … Edmund …
Disclaimer: I own nothing
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"What news Tumnus?"
Tumnus shivered, and it was not from the cold. One hundred years of winter and he had never donned any more than a thin scarf. No … it was not the cold that made his skin crawl … it was The White Witch. He hurried to answer, to keep her waiting was to earn her displeasure, a thing he avoided at all costs.
"The Beavers continue to speak against Your Majesty's most exalted reign." He reported, hating himself even as he spoke the words.
"This is old news" complained the Queen her pale blue almost translucent eyes boring into the faun. "Any thing else? Any sign of humans"
"Nothing My Queen" Tumnus shivered again as he answered, her eyes seemed able to discern the truth, even if he, coward and traitor that he was did not report it.
The White Witch glowered at the faun.
"See that you keep a sharp eye out Tumnus" she commanded. "The Centaur that we tortured was most explicit. The Humans will arrive within this lunar cycle. You live close to the lamppost where humans first appeared in Narnia. Be sure to visit it daily to ensure that none slip our nets."
"Yes, My Queen" answered Tumnus bowing low so that the Witch could not see in his eyes how much he hated her.
"Leave me" The White Witch commanded.
"Nickabrick!" she called. The dwarf, who had been lingering outside the door entered quickly.
"Escort Tumus out" she ordered. "And bring him through the courtyard. I believe he could do with a reminder of what will happen to him if he fails me."
"Yes Your Majesty" replied the dwarf, before pushing Tumnus roughly before him.
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Sitting in his comfortable cave in front of a blazing fire, Tumnus looked around him. His cave would not be so comfortable, nor so well supplied with food were he not an informer, a collaborator. He did what he had to survive this long winter. Glancing at the picture of his father on the dresser, Tumnus turned away in shame. His father would never have done a thing like this, in fact he had not, he had fought against the Witch and had been made a statue for his pains.
Tumnus had been left an orphan, fending for himself.
He had tried to survive on his wits and what food and comforts had been available in the woods, but the years had worn him down, broken him.
And so, this was how he survived.
If only he didn't feel so ashamed!
AN: SO what do you think – good idea / bad idea – shall I continue?
