DISCLAIMER: I do not own Narnia or any of its characters, C.S. Lewis does. I do not own the song 'A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes', the Walt Disney Company does. The only thing in this story that I own is Charlotte and her parents.

Charlotte's POV

I knew exactly what was happening, for I had been secretly watching him out of the corner of my eye. He had read his letter from Grandma Lu and then turned over and embraced me. I kept still for a few seconds and then hugged him back. He seemed so happy; Grandma Lu was right. So when the hug ended, I quickly kissed him on the cheek. The sweet faun's face turned a light shade of red and sat straight up in the bed. Tumnus looked shocked at what I had just done. Then he glanced outside and got up.

"Are you hungry, Charlotte?" he inquired, with that worried tone back in his voice.

"Yeah, I guess I am. Why don't you go and fix dinner while I make up the bed?"

"O-O-Okay. Are you sure that you're up to it?"

"Yes, I need to get up anyway. Besides, it isn't fair for you to do everything."

"All right. If you insist."

"Thank you, Tumnus. I'll join you in a moment." The faun left and I began to feel slightly ashamed for kissing him. I shouldn't have done it, at least not yet. I was sure that Tumnus liked me, even if it was only because I was the granddaughter of his dearest friend in the world. 'Could it be?' I wondered. ' Do I actually have feelings for Tumnus?' By the time I had made this discovery, the bed was made and I was sitting at the end of it. Then Tumnus reappeared, saying that dinner would be ready soon.

"Thank you, Tumnus. Thank you for everything." I replied, while attempting to stand.

"You're welcome. Do you need any help?"

"I don't know. Give me a minute." I told him right before I tripped and nearly fell to the floor. Nearly fell. Tumnus caught me in his big, strong arms right before I hit the floor and lifted my entire body up. I could get used to this.

"You know, Tumnus, I could've managed to get to this chair all by myself." I teased as he gently set me down in a comfortable chair. I watched him as he dragged an ottoman over to set under my feet.

"No, Charlotte, you couldn't." He seemed a little miffed about what I had just said. I didn't push the subject anymore.

"Well, I think that after dinner I should be heading home. I feel like I've overstayed my welcome."

"No, you won't, not with that ankle. Lucy wouldn't allow it, and neither will I."

"All right." I secretly wanted to stay but I couldn't let him know that. "I just love your cave. It's so cozy."

"I think it's a little small, even if it is just me."

"Well, it's a lot better than the big, empty house that Grandma Lu left me. She told me a lot about Narnia when I was growing up, and a lot about you."

"Really, now? Just what did she tell you?"

"Well, my bedtime stories were usually about Narnia. So I basically know about everything she did here."

"Interesting."

"Yeah. I loved those stories. They were there when I needed something to believe in." it was then I first noticed his eyes. He had the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. His eyes were chestnut, a deep chestnut brown, with flecks of yellow from the light of the fire.

"Why do want to leave Narnia, Charlotte?" he asked, while giving me a serious stare.

"Well…ummm…I don't want to go home. I just don't want to be a burden on you."

"You could never be a burden," he quietly uttered as he rose to get the food. "At least never to me."

"Thank you. So, I guess I'm staying. However, I do need to discuss the sleeping arrangements."

"Yes, that issue has been pressing on my mind as well."

"I think that we are two responsible adults who can be trusted, but it's your home. You will have the final say."

"Thank you, but seeing how we seem to be in tight conditions, I will sleep on the floor." I began to pout because I rather enjoyed having Tumnus around me at all times, but his decision was final.

"I wish you'd reconsider"

"Maybe after a few days, when we know each other better." I think he could tell that I wanted him near me, if only for the warmth that he provided.

"Well, okay, but if it gets too cold, you're welcome to come in there. I just want you to know that." By the time we had settled the issue about the sleeping arrangements, dinner was ready. Tumnus didn't eat much, he just watched me eat. I guess that's because he's used to only cooking for one. "Aren't you hungry, Tumnus?"

"No, I guess not."

"Well, how about some music then?" I said, hoping to lighten the mood.

"I don't feel like playing my flute tonight, if you don't mind." I did mind, because Grandma Lu said that he played the most beautiful music. So, in order to cut the tension, I said something I shouldn't have.

"Well, how about if I sing?" I was shocked to hear those words come out of my mouth. I hadn't sung in front of people since Uncle Peter's funeral. However, if it would cheer Tumnus up, I would sing my heart out.

"You'll really sing for me? I've never heard any music from Spare 'Oom. Lucy never brought any with her." The idea of hearing me sing brought some of the sparkle into his beautiful chestnut eyes.

"Of course I will. I would do anything to put the sparkle back into your eyes." I truly meant what I had just said. I had been given a chance to supply Tumnus with some hope, and I wasn't going to pass it up. "I'll sing, but you have to promise not to laugh at me because I haven't sung in front of other people in a very long time."

"I promise with all my heart."

"Ok, here goes nothing. 'A dream is a wish your heart makes/ when you're fast asleep/ In dreams you can lose your heartaches/ Whatever you wish for you keep/ Have faith in your dreams and someday/ Your rainbow will come shining through/ No matter how your heart is grieving/ if you keep on believing/ The dream that you wish will come true.'" After I finished singing, I glanced down at Tumnus because I had been focusing on a spot on the wall above his head. Thankfully, he was smiling. "You really liked it?"

"Liked it? I loved it! It was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard, and I thank you for being brave enough to share it with me." After saying that, Tumnus got up and walked over towards the chair I was sitting in. "I'm going to go turn down the bed and then I'll be back for you."

"All right, Tumnus. Thank you again for all your kindness. I greatly appreciate it."

"You've given me an incredibly wonderful gift today. Just think of it as returning the favor."

"What gift was that?"

"Companionship." He then went to turn down the bed leaving me alone with my thoughts. 'Why am I pushing him to be with me? He's probably feeling uncomfortable right now. I'm not going to mention the sleeping arrangements again. At least not until he does.' I smirked then because I truly wasn't alone anymore. Then Tumnus came to take me to bed.

"I think I can manage. I can do it, really."

"I'm not taking anymore chances with you after what happened last time." I loved it when he took charge of my situation. He really was looking out for my best interests.

"All right, Tumnus, you win." I pouted as he lifted me out of the chair. It was heaven, being in his arms. We reached the bed all too soon. As he gently laid my body down, I asked him a question. "Do you want to know what Lucy told me about you?"

"Why yes, I do. I'm very interested to know just exactly what she knew about me." He seemed intrigued as he sat down next to me.

"Well, she said that you have chestnut-colored eyes, curly brown hair, brown fur, that you wear a red scarf, and that you carry an umbrella."

"That sounds about right," he said while looking himself over.

"But, she didn't tell me how handsome you are."

"Y-Y-You really think I'm h-h-handsome?"

"Yes, I do. Grandma Lu also told me that you're shy and that you get nervous very easily."

"I guess that's true," he sheepishly replied.

"Uncle Edmund also told me about your bravery and loyalty to your friends and country. He told me what happened when the White Witch captured you. That story made me so sad for you. It was like I felt the pain of every blow you received." That's when I noticed the scar on his left side, the side closest to me. "Did she do that to you?" I asked, while fingering the scar.

"Yes, she did. That's not important, though. She's gone now, and she will never return." He said this without looking at me. He just stared straight ahead, as if he was remembering days gone by.

"Grandma also told me that you tried to live up to your father's expectations of you. I know that you look like your father, but that is the only way you are like him." I stopped and watched him for a minute. He was still staring off into space. "At least you had a father," I said bluntly, causing Tumnus to turn and suddenly give me a hug. When I looked up at his face, I saw tears welling up in his eyes. "Oh now, wait a minute," I calmly told him as I reached over to the side table, where I had placed the handkerchief earlier. "You'd better be careful. I'm afraid that if you keep this up, you're going to get sick. Come here." I had put a pillow in my lap and Tumnus laid his head there. "Here, you need this more than I do," I told him as I handed him the handkerchief. I didn't know if he was crying for himself or for me, but I comforted him all the same. I began to scratch his head and that seemed to calm him down. He even started saying things like "that feels good", "a little to the left", and "that's the spot". It must have felt pretty good. 'Poor thing, Grandma Lu also had said that he was very sensitive.' I guess that I remembered my grandmother's words a little too late. Tumnus then sat up and looked me straight in the eye.

"I'm sorry about your father," he said. At least that's what I thought I had heard amongst the sniffles and hiccups.

"Don't be, because I never have met him. I've seen pictures and I know his name, but that's all I do know about him." In saying this, I hoped that it would make Tumnus feel a little better. It had the opposite effect, causing more tears. "Don't feel sorry for me. Uncle Peter and Uncle Edmund were close enough to me that I considered them both fathers to me." That cheered Tumnus up a little bit and he stopped crying. "That's better. I was worried about you there for a minute."

"Why would you worry about me?" Tumnus said, while drying his cheeks. It seemed like he was going to keep staring me down until I gave him an answer.

"Well, I worry because I care about you. Why do you worry about me?"

"The same reason you worry about me." The conversation then turned to tomorrow's activities. "I'm going to introduce you to some of me other friends tomorrow, that is, if you feel up to it."

"Oh, that sounds wonderful, but could we stop by the lamppost tomorrow morning? I want to stop by War Drobe and get something nice to wear."

"Don't worry about that. You'll look beautiful in anything." I really hoped that he had meant that compliment. "For now, dear Charlotte, I bid you good night. There are dishes that need to be done and you need to get some rest." That sparkle was returning to his eyes. He got up to leave.

"I guess that this is goodnight, then. Good night, Tumnus, and remember what I said."

"Good night, sweet Charlotte, and sleep well. Trust me, I won't forget what you said." Then he did something completely unexpected. He bent down and kissed me on my cheek, his beard tickling me the whole time. After it was over, I just blushed and smiled as he left the room.