The Wolf and His Boy

Teaser: AU. A wolf defies the Witch and frees Edmund. As the two travel through Narnia, Edmund discovers humans are not the only denizens of Earth to find Narnia. Narnia/Balto crossover

Chapter Three: A New Mission

Nikki nodded in approval. The sled was beautiful. The brushbow curved up with an artistic flourish, vines carved into the wood. It wasn't as long as the sled the team was used to but that didn't matter. Besides, they didn't have the other dogs needed to pull a longer sled. Mr. Beaver had done well, for only hearing about what a sled should look like. There had been false starts aplenty and all concerned had been grateful that Nikki, Kaltag, and Star still had their harnesses but the sled had come through. The gangline was set up too, with four attachments, though none of them had found Balto.

Nikki turned as Mr. Beaver came up. "Whas up there, Boss?"

"Mr. Tumnus has just been to see me. He believes he is going to be arrested."

Kaltag and Star came bounding up. "Why is that?" Kaltag demanded.

Mr. Beaver showed them a handkerchief. "He has met a human and helped her escape."

The three dogs gasped. Star leaned forward. "Where was she from?"

"I don't know." Mr. Beaver sighed. "But there is something else."

The three waited. Mr. Beaver continued, "Recently the Witch's Secret Police has been slipping up. Things they would have noticed immediately are going undetected. Suspicion of a traitor within their ranks is rampant. Your friend Balto, could he pass for a wolf?"

The three conferred for a moment, then turned to Mr. Beaver and nodded. Mr. Beaver considered. "Then it's quite possible that your friend ended up among the White Witch's Secret Police. Sorry to say it but I doubt you'll ever get your friend back. Once she gets her claws on something, she never lets go."

Star whimpered but Nikki and Kaltag glared at Mr. Beaver. "Balto came after us, even through the whole town hated 'im. We ain't goin' back without 'im," Nikki declared. Mr. Beaver shook his head.

"I must be off. The children may return at any time and I cannot allow the Witch to find them first. Perhaps you and Mrs. Beaver could pack the sled, in case we have to run. No use leavin' it if something bad should happen."

Nikki, Kaltag, and Star agreed and Mr. Beaver departed.

Star hauled another box onto the sled and stood back. Kaltag strapped it down and sighed. "That was the last one."

Nikki nodded and looked at the sled. "One of us has to be lead dog."

Kaltag sighed. "You do it Nikki. I don't want the job." Star offered enthusiastic agreement.

Nikki gazed at the sled again. "Alright, let's do a practice run. Kaltag, you'll be closest to the sled, so make sure the sled is balanced."

Mrs. Beaver came outside long enough to clip their harnesses to the sled and watch as Nikki took his place as lead dog. "Mush!" Nikki called and the three dogs dug in, running out into the forest.

Mr. Beaver surveyed his home proudly. His dam wasn't finished yet but it was a fine piece of work. Lucy Penvensie smiled in delight beside him. "It's lovely!"

The beaver blushed and turned to the rest of the little family. "The missus'll have something on the stove and I'll introduce you to three rather odd creatures."

"What kind of creatures?" Susan asked suspiciously.

Before Mr. Beaver could reply the sound of barking reached their ears. "Ah, here they come."

The four children watched in amazement as a sled came into view. It was being pulled by three dogs. The one in front was brown, with a grey and a palomino behind him. The dogs pulled the sled up to the Beavers's house and each one stepped out of a harness and turned to trot inside.

"Nikki, Kaltag, Star!" Mr. Beaver hailed.

The three dogs loped over and looked up at the children. Mr. Beaver stepped forward. "Nikki, Kaltag, Star these are Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Penvensie."

Nikki grinned. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Kaltag, as usual, bubbled over. "It is the most phenomenal, the most encouraging, the most awe inspiring…"

"That's good!" Star burst out. Kaltag hit him.

Mr. Beaver sighed. "How did the sled go?"

Nikki echoed the sigh as he glared at Kaltag and Star. "It takes a bit of getting used to being the lead dog."

Peter looked down at the brown dog. "Who's usually the lead dog?"

Star's head dropped. "Balto but we got separated from him awhile ago."

Mr. Beaver nodded sympathetically. "Come you four. Just because these mutts like the cold, doesn't mean you four should freeze out here."

Peter eyed the three dogs. They acted more like the dogs he'd seen at home than what he imagined a Talking Dog would. Nikki seemed to be the leader but all three seemed to be missing another dog named Balto. He turned back to the Beavers as Edmund asked them who 'Aslan' was.

Star listened to the explanation of the Narnian prophecy, ears perked even though he already knew about the subject. One ear flicked back and Star registered the door closing. He thought it was Nikki or Kaltag until Nikki made a short remark and Kaltag started babbling again. That was when Star looked around and asked, interrupting Kaltag, "Where's Edumund?"

Kaltag shifted to hit and then he looked around too. "That's funny. The kid's gone."

Peter searched the room and hissed, "I'm gonna kill him."

"You may not have to," Mr. Beaver said quietly. "Has Edmund ever been to Narnia before?"

Nikki, Kaltag, and Star were hooked up to the sled as the children and Mr. Beaver returned. Nikki hailed Mr. Beaver. "We'll try to draw some of 'em off."

Mr. Beaver nodded. "If you aren't captured, head for Beruna. I showed you on the map."

Nikki looked back at his team. Wolves and no Balto. "Ready?"

They both grinned at him.

The wolves howl came from in front of the dam. Nikki looked forward and yelled, "Mush!"

A/N: Cliffhanger! Nothing like it. Will the diversion work? What's happening with Balto? Will the Witch turn Nikki, Kaltag, and Star to stone? Stay tuned for the answers to these questions and more! (Couldn't help myself) Next Chapter: Wolf-Dog Please read and review.