Author's notes: I'm sorry this is late; I tried to upload it yesterday and the site wouldn't let me. Also, there will probably be a little bit more of a delay before the next update--I decided I needed a chapter from Tumnus' POV, so I'll have to actually write that. Thanks to all the reviewers! I really appreciate it!

Chapter 3

When Susan awoke a few hours later, she was greeted by a most unusual sight. Her little sister lay asleep on her cot, blankets tucked snugly about her—that wasn't particularly odd. What was odd was the sight of Mr. Tumnus curled beside her, so near to the edge of the bed it was a wonder he hadn't toppled off of it yet. His hand was curled protectively around Lucy's on the pillow between them, and his hooves hung off the bed, nearly to the ground.

It was a precarious perch indeed, and looked decidedly uncomfortable; she was sure Tumnus would wake quite sore if he maintained it much longer. Creeping up behind him, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, shaking lightly.

"Mr. Tumnus," she whispered, not wishing to startle him or wake Lucy. "Mr. Tumnus, wake up."

His eyes snapped open and he sat up, drawing a startled breath. She hurried to soothe him: "Shh, it's okay! It's okay. It's just me."

He looked up at her, and upon realizing where he was, reddened slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry, your majesty," he said, standing hastily and bowing awkwardly, surreptitiously using one hand to support himself—from the looks of it, his legs were asleep, but he was doing his best not to show it. "I meant no offense, I…I just, I…sh-she asked me not to leave, and I…"

Susan smiled. "Don't worry," she said. "I'm not upset. You just looked uncomfortable, that was all."

He finally met her eyes, and a hesitant smile played about his lips. "Yes, well," he mumbled, looking down again. His gaze rested on Lucy, and the smile faded; a look of deep concern and confusion replaced it.

Susan followed his gaze, but noted nothing unusual; Lucy was still sleeping as soundly as ever, for which Susan was quite thankful. Her little sister had been through quite a lot in the past few days. They all had.

She looked back up at Tumnus, and tilted her head. "What is it?" she asked gently.

Tumnus frowned, then looked up at her as if considering. "I…your majesty, would--do you…that is, could I speak with you about something?"

Susan nodded. "Of course!" Then she glanced down at her sister, and added in a near-whisper, "But perhaps we should take this outside? I don't want to wake her yet."

Tumnus nodded, and together they stepped out into the morning sunshine.

Susan stretched a little and surveyed the camp, which despite the early hour was already quite busy. She was surprised to see Peter and Edmund were already up and about; they were just visible in the distance directing the packing of the camp and helping the healers with the injured, easily distinguished by the way they moved and their lack of hooves. She smiled a secret smile; their mother would never believe her two sons could be roused before nine o'clock without an immediate threat to their well-being. Susan rather thought she would approve of the change that had come over them.

She turned from them, letting her gaze wander over the rest of the camp. Despite their losses, the general atmosphere was jubilant, and Susan knew the victory would quickly hearten the injured. She smiled as she watched. It was truly wonderful to see so much joy on these people's faces, after such a tense and fearful beginning. If Narnia had been wonderful before the White Witch's defeat, now it was truly magical.

"We should be able to use more of Lucy's cordial today," Susan mused aloud. "Now that we're sure we've helped everyone who was seriously injured, we can start curing the smaller wounds."

Tumnus looked awkward at her words, though she couldn't fathom why. Gathering her wandering thoughts, she smiled at him and took him by the hand. "I'm sorry, where are my manners?" she said apologetically. "Come on, let's get some breakfast and you can tell me what's bothering you."

Tumnus followed as she led them to the small table on the other side of the tent. She settled herself onto the low bench, indicating he should do so as well, and in short order they were being brought platters of toast, eggs, and bacon, bowls of steaming porridge and a pitcher of tea. Tumnus looked positively mortified at being waited upon; he kept his eyes carefully trained on his lap until the faun serving them had bowed and departed.

Susan smiled. "It's okay to look up now, Mr. Tumnus," she teased in a conspiratorial whisper, and he jumped, startled, going even redder.

"Oh, right," he said, reaching so hastily for the tea kettle that he upset his (fortunately still empty) cup. Susan righted it for him, and held it steady while he poured, then took the kettle for herself.

"Now," she said, once she had buttered a piece of toast. "What is it you wanted to ask me? I assume it's about Lucy?" She took a bite of toast and watched him, brow raised.

Tumnus, who thus far had done nothing but stare at his cup of tea, glanced up again, though he seemed to have trouble holding eye contact for long. "Yes," he said. "It's just that she…she was upset, last night, and I—well, this morning, I suppose, if I'm to be completely accurate, right around sunrise; yes, I'm certain that's when it was; I found her with Aslan over by the far ridge, and the sun was just coming up over Cair Paravel…" He was babbling, looking more uncomfortable than ever, and Susan felt a swell of pity for the poor creature.

"Mr. Tumnus," she interrupted gently, "relax. It's just me."

He looked up at her, and she smiled encouragingly; he suddenly released a nervous-sounding chuckle, and his shoulders relaxed a little bit.

"Yes, your majesty," he murmured.

"You don't have to call me that," she chided. "It's not even true yet, and anyway, I'm your friend. I think we can safely dispense with the formalities, at least for now, don't you?"

He made a noncommittal noise, and Susan guessed this was not a battle she would win in one go. Deciding for the moment it wasn't terribly important, she sighed. "I'm sorry," she said, nodding for him to go on. "You were saying? Lucy was with Aslan…?"

"Y-yes," Tumnus said, trying to collect his thoughts once more. "It's just that…well, she was" —he paused, and looked around, as though expecting someone to be listening in, then leaned forward and said quietly, as though sharing a horrible secret— "crying over me."

He waited, seeming to expect some sort of reaction; she merely raised an eyebrow at him and waved him on. "I-I didn't know it at the time," he continued, twisting his napkin between his fingers. "She was with Aslan, you see—I just woke up when I heard her crying, and came to see what was wrong, and she…well, she…" He suddenly coughed and took a sip of tea, going red to the tips of his long ears. "She, um…well, she hugged me, and she wouldn't…let go. I mean, she couldn't stop…" he paused, his eyes going distant, then looked up at Susan. "She couldn't stop crying."

Susan tilted her head, frowning in confusion. "Why was she crying?"

Tumnus shook his head. "I'm not sure exactly what happened," he said slowly. "I told you I found her asleep on the battlefield—well, I found her after I myself woke up."

Susan looked at him, comprehension dawning. "She had to heal you," she said slowly as the pieces fell into place. "She gave you the cordial!"

Tumnus nodded. "I think she must have," he replied. "You see, I rather thought I was dead. I'd been stabbed, I think—but when I woke up, I'd forgotten all of that. Had no idea where I was, or how I'd gotten there, and Lucy was beside me. I brought her back here, and met you, and King Peter and King Edmund."

Susan nodded, remembering the events of the previous evening. They'd all been so concerned about Lucy, they hadn't thought to question Tumnus very extensively. "But if she didn't—I mean, if she fell asleep before you revived—do you think she didn't know you were healed?"

Tumnus nodded again. "When I found her this morning, she told me she'd thought I was dead," he said, softly, his eyes looking distant and troubled.

Susan waited, but Tumnus seemed lost in his own thoughts. After a moment, she reached out and put her hand gently over his. "Mr. Tumnus?"

He jumped, then gave a nervous chuckle. Squeezing his hand, she gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile. "So what was it you wanted to ask about?" she asked, not quite sure she understood the problem. "If you already know what was wrong with her…?"

"But I don't!" he said, and now he finally met her eyes without looking away; she was shocked at the amount of anguish she saw there. "I don't understand it. She was so…upset." He paused, recollecting, then shivered. "I never want to see her that upset again."

Susan gave a brief laugh and shook her head, still at a loss. "Well, of course she was upset, Tumnus," she replied. "She thought you were dead. What did you expect her to be?"

"But you didn't see her, Susan," the faun insisted, running his free hand distractedly through his hair. "You didn't see how she—it was awful. I thought something horrible had happened!"

"So did she," Susan countered, growing slightly frustrated at his inexplicable behavior. "Why is that so hard for you to believe?"

He looked at her, and she was taken aback to see fear in his eyes. "But she shouldn't have—my death, it—why should it have upset her so?" he pressed, his voice on the thin edge of breaking.

She shook her head in disbelief—was that truly what Tumnus didn't understand? "Silly idiot," she chided, releasing his hand and leaning back. "Because you're her friend, and she loves you."

Far from looking comforted by these words, Tumnus shuddered as if struck by a blow. He shook his head slowly, his eyes distant and his face drawn. "I was afraid of that," he whispered. "She shouldn't, Susan. She can't. I don't…I don't deserve that."

Susan frowned, but before she could open her mouth to protest, Tumnus suddenly stood, nearly upsetting the table in the process. "I thank you for your time, your majesty," he said, bowing low. "I hope you will pardon my rudeness, but I really must go and help the others. Good day."

He turned and sprinted from the table faster than she could recover herself. Stunned, she sat back down and watched as he disappeared into the crowd.

Well, she thought. Something will have to be done about this.

TBC