A/N: Finally up. I'm terribly sorry I've taken so long, but I've been rather occupied lately with school. I also apologize that the chapters are so short. Perhaps I can remedy that later. Enjoy!
Chapter III
Slowly, expectantly, the imposing woman regarded Tumnus. The faun seemed to tremble, and then stepped heartily aside to reveal the tiny girl.
"Here…here is one of the Humans Your Majesty wished me to watch for."
"Ah!" chortled their host, rising from her seat to her full height. "A Daughter of Eve!" Her voice echoed terribly throughout the large room.
Lucy shuddered under the woman's cold gaze. She felt like an insect under observation.
Presently, the gaze shifted to Lucy's hoofed escort.
"What is the meaning of this?" the queen said in alarm, more to herself (it seemed) than to Tumnus.
"I—I don't know where she came from," the faun answered quickly. "I heard a footstep, looked about, and suddenly she was standing there under the lamppost."
"You are certain there was only one?" the queen demanded, quickly stepping down from the dais.
"Yes…I believe so, Your Highness."
Silence fell, as the queen seemed to weigh her options. Then, in a much different, almost friendly, sort of voice, she spoke.
"Chailoghdan, take the dear child out into the hall for a moment. Tumnus, we must speak." Chailoghdan seized Lucy's arm to lead her out.
"And Chailoghdan," said the queen pleasantly, "pray be gentle with the dear girl." Lucy followed him quietly with some trepidation. They stepped into the outer chill and walked a few paces into the gloom. The Minotaur indicated a large, stone bench against the sidewall, and Lucy sat on it. Her escort sat heavily down on a larger bench, but did not look at her. In the flicker of the overhead torch on the wall, Lucy noted that he slowly nodded his head and closed his eyes. His enormous chest began to rise and fall peacefully, his breath relaxed somewhat. His harsh features were not softened by any amount of relaxation, the flame illuminating them in a startling light, though the respite from seeing his alarming yellow eyes was a relief for Lucy. She pulled her coat around her neck for warmth and watched her huge guardian. Thoughts of possible escape briefly entered her mind, but then the question, "How would I get out?" seemed to have no answer. She blinked nervously, glancing furtively from side to side, but thought of no immediate course of action.
Several minutes later, there was a resounding clang down the hallway. The Minotaur awoke with a snort.
"Chailoghdan!"
The monster grunted as he rose heavily to his feet, quickly looked at Lucy, and pointed a gnarly finger back down the passageway. Lucy quickly came to her feet and began moving back in the direction they had come. Soon, both entered the sparkling light of the throne room.
The queen greeted them.
"The faun, Tumnus, had business to attend to," she said coolly. "He'll be back for you, presently." Lucy shuddered, for there was a faun statue in the far corner that immensely resembled Mr. Tumnus. She saw that the stone face was contorted in a grimace of torment and distress and stiffened warily. Something really was not right here! The queen noticed where Lucy was looking and smiled.
"The statue?" she questioned.
Lucy nodded.
"Ah," said the queen. "What can I say? I have strange taste in décor."
"But—it looks like Mr. Tumnus!" blurted Lucy plaintively.
"Fauns do all look very much alike, dear."
"Oh."
"Come," said the queen, extending a long, slender, well-manicured hand to Lucy. The little girl stared at it long, but then decided it would be fatal to refuse. Hesitantly, she took it. The queen smiled warmly and led Lucy to the intricately designed alabaster throne. She sat on a beautiful fox-fur mantle that covered the seat and gently lifted Lucy onto her lap.
"What is your name, child?" inquired the queen, wrapping a corner of the fur mantle around the shivering girl.
"L—Lucy."
"Lucy, how did you get here to Narnia—to my kingdom?"
"I—I don't know," said Lucy.
This horrid queen wasn't going to get any more out of her. Lucy may have been young, but she wasn't, by any means, stupid or gullible. That statue was Mr. Tumnus. She knew it.
"Perhaps you don't trust me?" said the queen searchingly (and her blue-gray eyes flashed). Lucy didn't answer.
