Author's note: Thanks for the lovely reviews! Really lifted my spirits!

Chapter 3: A Task for Mallory

"A – a task?"

"A task," the Lion repeated. He moved closer towards her, his great eyes never leaving hers. Mallory fought not to look away from them.

"What is it, O Aslan?" she found herself saying calmly, whereas her heart was beating ever so furiously. She wondered where she had found such courage, but it felt strangely familiar.

"Look, Mallory, look to the mountains, the mountains of this great land of Archenland," with his great paw he pointed at the forbidding peaks, but before he could continue, she had interrupted with a great feeling of shock: "Not Narnia?"

"Not Narnia," his paw dropped to the ground and he looked at her solemnly, with a hint of sternness in it, "Narnia is covered in snow and sleet and imprisoned in eternal cold, the work of a terrible tyrant. Therefore you must help me break the frost. You must help me recover what was once your home, and mine, and for many creatures that I love and cherish."

"Once my – home?" she asked, suddenly frustrated at her inability to form full sentences.

"Once," he repeated firmly, but patiently. "But the time is not ripe for you to discover the meaning behind it. Not yet. Now your help is needed. But your path does not take you to Narnia, but to Archenland, also it was your home just as much as Narnia was. But listen, hearken to me, and embed this in your mind. Listen, listen." He held her gaze and she fell silent, all thought of speech flew away. All that mattered now was listening to his speech.

"As cruel as Mount Pire is, it has a good heart, like the giant that formed it. At its foot, hidden by thick forests of only pine trees, lay a valley. In the middle of the valley is the House of Father Christmas. He is to prepare some very important presents for some important people, but because he is not as young as he was, he is unable to accomplish this task. However, this task is crucial for him to complete, for if he fails, Narnia cannot be freed.

"You are to help him, Mallory. Help him prepare the gifts. He will reward you most handsomely, and by the time the presents are ready, he will be able to enter Narnia and defy the tyrant's magic. But you must go with him on his sleigh. Do you listen to me? You must ride on his sleigh when he makes journey for Narnia, for it is only with you that the spell can be broken.

"That is not all, O Daughter of Kings. After you have entered Narnia and helped Father Christmas into it, you are to make your way back into Archenland, this time, to the foot of Stormness Head. There live the exiled Talking Animals. Their chiefs are Lord Gaurung and Lord Marvyr the Talking Leopards. Lead them to the Dancing Lawn, where I will wait with the Dryads and Hamadryads and the great Spirit-creatures. From thereon, you shall come with me to the Stone Table, and we will prepare for battle."

When he was finished, Mallory was deathly silent. Her face paled considerably, but her heart felt a good deal braver. She tried to appear calm as she said, "I listen, Aslan."

"Do you?" he asked kindly, and placed his heavy paw on her shoulder. "This is a heavy task. I will not make you do it if you do not wish to. I know that you are in a hurry to return the rope on your shoulder - " at this Mallory jumped a little and thought of Uncle Bertram, "to its owner. Are you willing to undertake this little quest?"

Mallory drew a deep breath and nodded, even though her stomach was churning a little. "Yes, Aslan." Then for good measure she added, against her will, "By all means allow me to perform in your honour, for such grace and glory have never touched my heart."

Aslan withdrew his paw and nodded. "Then go, Daughter of Kings. Go forth and perform your task; for your help is much needed."

"But Aslan, O great Aslan," these words were strange to her tongue yet felt suitable. "Will I do this without help?"

The Lion seemed to be thinking deeply for a few moments, then he shook his golden and smooth mane. "Have courage, Mallory. You will find help along the way . . . only, expect to find it when you least expect it. If there is none at all, the Chest will aid you," he put his paw on the Enchanted Chest and gave it a gentle stroke. "But you must move in haste. Haste! Haste!"

Then he simply vanished.