A/N: There is absolutely no satisfying excuse I can give to explain a lack of updates on this story for the past half year. The best I can do is say I'm sorry, which I really am.

Now, and NOTE THIS, in rereading chapter four, I decided the writing was rubbish. However, I'm too lazy to rewrite that when the story isn't even finished yet, so let's just few it as a means of getting from point A (the end of chapter three) to point C (the beginning of chapter five) by way of point B (chapter four). I will go back and heavily revise when the story is completed. Until then, sorry. I hope this chapter reads much better than the last.

When Carolyn had been a young girl, her father had told her stories of many far-off places and dangerous adventures. Often, these tales would involve mythical creatures and pirates and fairies, and quite often, lions.

"But lions aren't real, are they?" she had asked one night when the tale was over and it was time for bed. It wasn't so much a question as a way to stay up just a few minutes longer, for Carolyn couldn't imagine how anything so ferocious as a giant cat with great teeth and claws could ever be real.

But to her great surprise, her father had shaken his head and leaned in close and whispered the secret that there were real lions, far away from England. "I don't expect you'll ever see one," he'd added thoughtfully, "And I don't believe I'd ever want you to, either. They're dangerous beasts, and wouldn't think twice about eating you all up for tea, with room for more."

She'd shuddered at that, and then giggled when he tickled her chin and told her he'd always be there to protect her if any lion should ever come near. And then she'd gone off to bed without any fear after that, because she knew her father was just outside the room, his deep hum sounding beneath the door.

And now, as Carolyn stood in the little parlour with her brother and a king, facing a real, live lion as terrifying as she had always imagined, the only thing she could think was that her father wasn't here to save her now. Her knees were shaking just a little, as were her hands. She dearly wished someone would say something, anything, because nothing could be worse than this awful waiting.

"Daughter of Eve," said the lion, and while it spoke she saw for the first time its large, white teeth, "Do not fear. Son of Adam, do not be afraid. My king, rise, for I am pleased with all you have done."

"My lord," breathed the king, and Carolyn peaked behind her just in time to see him rise from his knees. She was a little surprised at that, for as far as she knew, kings never had to bow to anyone. But of course she couldn't think long on this because she was too busy watching the lion in case he tried to eat her.

"Don't be afraid," the lion said again, its voice a little more gentle than before. "I have not come to make a meal of you, daughter of Eve." It paused, and then added with a touch of humour, "It is not yet my dinnertime."

Carolyn felt her body relax somewhat at his words, and ventured to ask, "When – when is your dinnertime, then, sir?"

The lion laughed at that, a great, rumbling laugh that shook the very floor. "It is not for a long while, dear one. Do not fear. I shall be long gone from here before I must attend my appetite."

This was quite reassuring, and Carolyn almost managed to smile. At her side, Stephan released a soft breath of relief, and asked, "If you didn't come to eat us, why are you here?"

"Dear children," the lion said, "I am Aslan. I have brought you here for a purpose."

"You are Aslan, sir?" Carolyn exclaimed in disbelief. She was quite surprised, even though before this she could not quite say what else she had expected Aslan to be.

"I am," the lion replied. He padded around the couch then, and Carolyn saw for the first time that his claws were retracted so that they made no noise at all. This was, in a way, just as reassuring as the lion's words that he was not here to make a meal of her.

Aslan came forward until he was quite close to the three humans – so close that Carolyn could have reached out to touch his fur, if she so wished – and began to speak again. "I have brought you here to be as children to this lonely king," he explained, "and you both shall take his place as king and queen of Narnia when the time comes. I have chosen you."

Stephan opened his mouth and closed it several times, and even Carolyn could not think of anything to say. Both the king and Aslan were quiet, waiting, it seemed, for the children.

And then a small, niggling little memory reminded Carolyn of something very important indeed, and she blurted out, "But Aslan, sir – what about Mother?"

At her side, Stephan stiffened as well. "Oh, Aslan!" he cried. Neither of them could say anything more, nor did they need to, for both could see quite clearly that Aslan understood exactly how they felt.

"And what of your father?" he asked gently.

It seemed that Aslan already knew what Carolyn would say, but she answered anyway, "He – he died in the war, sir."

Stephan gave a small, sad nod, and said quietly, "Mother will be awfully lonely without us."

"And worried," Carolyn agreed, "We just disappeared, you see."

"I do see," the lion replied, and raised his shaggy head. "Cover your ears, children."

Both Carolyn and Stephan raised their hands to their heads, and the king did so, too. Barely had they blocked their ears before Aslan gave a mighty roar that rattled their very bones. Carolyn squeezed her eyes tight and held her breath, even though she wasn't at all frightened.

And when there was silence again, she opened her eyes and lowered her hands and then gave a great cry of delight, for standing just to the side, looking quite disoriented and still dressed in black mourning, stood Mother.

-x-

It took a very long time to explain to Mother everything that had happened to the two of them. It took even longer for Aslan to tell them all about this country they were in called Narnia, and the sorts of things that would happen when they reached Cair Paravel, the castle on the Eastern shore.

"Aren't you coming with us?" Stephan asked.

The lion smiled and shook his head. "I have much to do," he explained, "But I will be back."

"I'm glad," Stephan replied, and then reddened a little, but Mother just smiled and squeezed his shoulders and Carolyn gave him a look that said she agreed.

When Aslan had finished describing everything, he and King Aldor left the room to talk alone. The door closed with a loud click and Stephan looked at Carolyn, who looked back at him, and then both looked up at their Mother.

"Well," Mother said faintly, "I had known when the telegram came that we would have to start over, but I didn't quite expect this."

Carolyn hugged Mother tight at that, and Stephan sort of wanted to as well, only he wasn't sure if it was something a King's Air was supposed to do. Then he decided he didn't care much for being proper, and hugged Mother anyway.

"We didn't mean to leave you," Carolyn was saying, "But it all happened rather fast, and then we couldn't remember the way back."

"My dear children," Mother said fondly, and Stephan wondered if she would have been less forgiving about the whole thing if Aslan had not talked to her first. He rather wished Aslan could speak to her about broken dishes and muddy footprints, too.

The door opened then, and all three of them turned to see King Aldor reenter the room alone. "I'm afraid Aslan has left," he informed them. "I suppose he has a number of other things to attend to." With that, he closed the door behind him and strode forward.

Mother stood up as he came close, so Stephan and Carolyn did too, and all four stood for a moment looking at each other. And then King Aldor smiled quite cheerfully and said, "Now, how about we have dinner, so we may learn all about each other? Tomorrow we will set out for Cair Paravel, and there will be a grand celebration. And then," he added with a twinkle in his eye, "We shall see about lessons."

"Lessons!" Stephan exclaimed in horror. "Oh, I say!"

-x-

Here ends Part One.