Thanks to all readers and reviewers.
Prompt: Since everyone knew that the White Stag would give wishes if you caught him, there must have been previous chases. What did at least one Narnian plan on wishing for?
She almost wondered if the White Stag had let himself be found, for surely it ought to have been a simple task for him to melt away into the snowy landscape, even with a fleet-footed Dryad in pursuit. And though the chase led her far from her sleeping tree, she did corner him at last.
"You have caught me, Daughter of the Forest. What will you have in return?"
"I want the Witch dead."
"Are you certain of this choice?"
Seventeen years of fury rushed through her. "We have suffered for so long. Our friends cry for help and our branches cry for warmth. I want Narnia free. I want spring, and flowers in the meadows, and I want the Lion."
"These other desires are well enough, but it is a fearful thing to wish another's death, no matter that other's actions."
"I care not."
The Stag bowed his antlered head. "Then, in the name of the Emperor beyond the Sea, it shall be so."
There was no time to rejoice at this, however, for he immediately went on.
"But it shall not be now. You have allowed the Witch's winter to creep into your heart, Daughter of the Forest; have let it make you cold and bitter. For that coldness and this dreadful boon, Narnia must suffer another fourscore years and more ere she is freed."
She cried out in horror. Grief and shame filled her to overflowing, and she sank weeping to the ground.
A little while later, there came a crunch of snow and a chuff of breath that warmed her tear-stained face. "Do not despair, child," the Stag said gently. "It was ill-chosen and cannot be gainsaid, but it need not be the end of all. I give you this oracle to carry to every Narnian:
Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.
In the castle of Cair Paravel now stand four thrones. There shall come a day when two Sons of Adams and two Daughters of Eve sit upon those thrones, and on that day all of Narnia will gladly witness that the Witch and her rule have both perished. But in the meantime, see to it that you do not let her winter continue to reign in yourself. Turn your heart instead towards hope."
She looked up into the great emerald eyes, at the creature who had known her mind and called her child, had offered both reproof and solace. "Who are you?" she whispered.
"Myself," replied the Stag, and was gone.