The wolf glared at Aslan. "A year ago I came to ya fer help, and what did I get? A litany of insults and a cold shoulder."

"One thing has certainly changed," said the Lion in a distant tone. "You're even more boring than you were before..."

"Oh, how droll," muttered the wolf. "Is it too much to ask that ya look me in the eye? Would it trouble ya to call me by name?"

"That's another thing that's changed," said the Lion. "You're even more incessant." The great Cat sat on the balcony with a paw on the railing and his gaze to the sea. "Oh, the Kings and Queens, coming home from another adventure. How grand it will be when they land!"

The wolf scoffed at him. "Ya haven't changed a bit. Yer still as cold and callous as ya were before, and yer as keen as ever to be playin' favorites. That's just like the Kings and Queens; they've got their own favorites, too, and they thumb their noses at people like me."

"Some people are closer to my heart than others, and some people are simply more worthy of the Kings and Queens than you are. If that offends you, then so be it. Either man up or cry your eyes out." And under his breath, "Whatever you decide, don't do it in front of me."

"Ya know, that would've bothered me if I hadn't heard it before," said the wolf. "A year ago, the High King gave me words to that effect. Nice to where he got 'em from..."

The Lion let out a hint of a growl. "What does that mean?"

"Oh, I think ya know. Yer precious humans would be a damn sight better if ya weren't whisperin' in their ears. They'd have more than half a heart if it wasn't for you."

"Confound it, wolf, how long will you sing that song? Everyone knows you have a limp; everyone knows you want to be in my army. Boo-hoo, woe is you. But why do you keep on asking what I have no intention of giving you? I have no use for you; I have no want of you."

The wolf fought back tears and a shaky voice. "Even if I brought honor and glory to your name?"

"What would it matter? There's no deed from you, and no beneficence from me, that would bring me anything I don't already have. What you could do for me, my chosen ones can do even more. Why would I bring in a silly creature like you when I already have everyone I want?"

"Because I am done bein' an outcast and a reject. I'm done with this limp. If ya don't help me, I'm gonna go to and fro down the length of Narnia. I'm gonna tell ev'ryone what yer doin' to me, and they're gonna know who ya are."

The Lion's hiccoughing growl was the unmistakable thunder of a chuckle. "You can go to them if you like. We both know they'll be on my side. They always have been, and they always will be. Because when I make a judgment, it is always right. When something is done by me, it is never wrong. Even if I were to kill you and everyone you loved, the only thing they'd say is, 'Praise be to the Lion who does all things well.'"

Tears puddled in the wolf's eyes, and the pain of hopelessness and despair filled his face. "I don't care how ya justify it, Sir. What yer doin' is cruel. And by the mane upon which we swear, I am not leaving here until you help me."

There was a pause. The Lion drew in a breath, stood up on all fours, and broke his gaze away from the sea. With a reluctant sigh, he turned to the wolf, beaming two great golden eyes down upon him. A burst of hope filled the wolf's heart, and his ears began to rise—and the Lion gave the wolf a hint of a smile.

"I hope you brought plenty of food."

And nothing more was said. The Lion turned about and slunk into the castle as the wolf gazed at him, aghast and bewildered.