Chapter Six: Out of a Story

Before Thompkins could fully grasp what had happened, Jenny had leapt to her feet. In growing excitement and wonder she danced through the garden, kissing each of the statues. "I knew it!" she cried rapturously. "I knew you were real!"

As they each came to life, they moved closer to Thompkins, the eldest of them and their unofficial leader. At last they all stood huddled uncertainly together, with Cuddy crouching behind Hopkins.

"Thank ye," Thompkins said gruffly, half surprised to find his voice still worked.

"Y-you're welcome," Jenny breathed. Much as she had half believed her own fancy that they were real, she had never expected them to truly come to life like this.

"Please, Daughter of Eve, we have to know…is the Witch dead?"

Jenny wrinkled her nose. "Witch? What Witch?"

"The White Witch — the one who made it always Winter in Narnia." It gave Thompkins a curious upside down feeling to have to explain the White Witch to anyone; could it truly have been Spring so long even her memory was forgotten?

Jenny's eyes widened. "Narnia? You mean like in David's book?"

"Book?" Thompkins questioned, feeling more and more confused. "Do you mean we're not in Narnia?"

"No," Jenny told him.

"Then how will we get back?" Hopkins asked bluntly.

"Come talk to David," Jenny suggested. "He knows all about Narnia!" She turned to leave the garden, and the four followed slowly, Thompkins limping badly on his injured knee until Hopkins wordlessly picked up a stout stick and handed it to him to lean on.

"David! David!" Jenny cried, running into the yard. "The statues — they came to life — an' they're from Narnia!"

David turned, ready to scoff, but the words died on his lips at the sight of the figures behind his sister. "Is that — a Talking Rabbit?" he breathed, catching sight of the quivering nose behind Hopkins.

"He was," Hopkins said soberly. "But we think he saw somethin' that scared him so badly he forgot how to Talk."

"Hysteria," David said wisely; he had overheard his father use the term.

"An' Hendrickson chipped Thompkins' knee with the shovel!" Jenny said, clenching her fists angrily.

"If he hadn't, ye'd never have…unstoned us," Thompkins pointed out, but his face was pale and sweaty and he leaned heavily on his staff.

"Why don't you all come to my treehouse; we can talk there?" David suggested.

He led them along the back of the lawn to the treehouse that stood just outside the woods. "I'll carry the rabbit up, and I guess I could carry you up, too, if you need me to," he offered.

Whether it was the doubt in David's voice or his own pride, Thompkins shook his head. "I c'n manage," he said gruffly.

"Be careful!" Jenny cried anxiously as he leaned his walking stick against the tree and started slowly up the ladder, stepping up with his good leg and bringing the bad one to the same level. Jenny held her breath until he reached the top, then quickly scrambled up after him, taking for granted that she was invited as well, though usually David's treehouse was a boys-only sanctum forbidden to small sisters.

It took several minutes of coaxing by Hopkins for Cuddy to reluctantly jump into David's arms as the boy crouched in front of him. Holding the rabbit carefully in one arm, he climbed the ladder with the other hand.

Cuddy jumped out of his arms the instant they cleared the floor of the treehouse, skittering to press trembling against Thompkins' side.

Leaning over, Jenny softly stroked his fur. "It's all right, Cuddy," she crooned. "David wouldn't hurt you."

David climbed the rest of the way into the treehouse, allowing Hopkins and Willikins room to climb up as well. "Have a seat," he invited, gesturing to the old cushions and packing boxes scattered beside the walls. "I'll go get the book, an' some bandages an' iodine for your knee."

"If it's not too much to ask, a bite to eat wouldn't go amiss," Willikins said hesitantly.

"Aye," Hopkins agreed. "Ain't none of us eaten in only Aslan knows how long, an' there wasn't any too much then. But don't go to any trouble for us," he added hastily.

"I'll be right back," David promised. Swinging onto the ladder, he dropped more than climbed down it in the manner his father said was a wonder hadn't already broken both legs and went running across the lawn toward the house.

Next chapter coming next week!

I proofread all my stories at least once before posting, but if you see any mistakes I might have missed, please let me know! (Note that this story is formatted using British spellings.)

Please note that I have internet access only once a week, and may not have time to respond to all reviews/messages. Thanks for your understanding! Barbie