Elana continued running for over a minute, going deeper and deeper into the wood. Her brother's cries faded as any icy wind picked up. Elana shivered and tripped over a fallen log. She landed face first in the snow and was instantly soaked to the bone. Pins and needles began prickling down her arm and she stood up quickly, hoping to rid herself of the chill.

If anything, the now gale-like wind only froze her more, causing her teeth to chatter and her fingers and toes to feel none. Why were there no other people in this strange land? Why was there no shelter or warmth? It was supposed to be summer.

Elana soldiered on, but the further she went the colder she became and she began to hallucinate and see her past.

"Elana! Where are you?"

"I'm outside Mother."

"Elana! What are you doing in the dirt! Proper young ladies never play in the dirt, they stay indoors. Now come."

"No Mother."

"What did you say to me?"

"I said no. Why can't I play outside?"

Elana's mother leaned over her daughter and a series of sharp slaps broke the afternoon. The six-year-old girl cried out in pain.

Elana could now see nothing but whiteness. It surrounded her and confused her. She had no sense of direction, no sense of what was even right beside her. She was lost and alone and so terribly, terribly cold.

"Look at me Kato!"

Kato looked up from his book. "Lana! What are you doing in that tree?"

"It's alright, I'm just exploring."

"Elana Hart, get down this instant!"

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"I can and I – Lana! The branch!" Kato ran forward as the branch snapped and he caught his ten-year-old sister just in time. They pair tumbled to the ground, their hearts thudding. Kato leapt to his feet, his face filled with rage.

"Why can't you just do as your told!" He stormed off.

Elana refused to cry.

The white was fading now. At least, it was going blurry on the edges and becoming darker. Elana sank to the ground, too tired to continue. She reasoned her mind was still playing tricks on her, because in the distance she swore she could hear the jingling of bells, the ones you might find on a sleigh. And there was the clatter of hooves as well. It was a nice dream. Darkness was swiftly coming as Elana's vision tunnelled out until there was nothing but a small circle of white. She could now hear voices. The first one was as cold as the snow and ice and the second was gravelly and low. It sounded almost like a bark.

"What is it?"

"I don't know, Your Majesty."

"What do you mean, you don't know? Is it a faun or a centaur?"

"No, Your Majesty. I – I think you should come and have a look, Your Majesty."

The last thing Elana heard before she completely succumbed to the darkness was the cold voice hissing "Human!"

Kato knew he had to make an executive decision. There was no way the younger children could continue to follow Elana now that the wind was picking up. They would have to find shelter or return home. But which way was home?

Kato silently cursed his sister for the hundredth time and chose to at least head in the way that they had came.

"Aren't we following Lana anymore?" Marie asked tiredly.

"No, we're going back."

"She'll be fine, won't she?"

"Of course she will be. Now tell me if either of you see a shelter anywhere."

"I don't see a shelter," said Pierre slowly, "but I do see a badger."

Kato swung around. "Where?"

Pierre pointed to a nearby bush and low and behold there was a badger, half concealed behind it. Suddenly, quick as a wink, it darted out into the open space, lifted its paw and beckoned to the three children before scampering back behind the bush.

Mari started forward. Kato grabbed her shoulder. "What are you doing?"

Marie looked perplexed at her cousin's query. "It wants us to go over to it."

"It's a badger, Marie. It wouldn't know sign language."

"Please hurry!" Came a high, soft voice. The badger had spoken to them.

Pierre stared.

Kato's mouth dropped open.

Marie clapped her hands together in delight. "See? It knows how to speak as well. Come on!"

Reluctantly, the two boys followed the young girl over to the badger, who was once more behind the bush.

"Oh bless my soul," she said as they got nearer. (The voice was high and feminine, so Kato rationalised it was a girl). "Deary me."

"Hello," said Marie, obviously completely comfortable with the idea of a talking badger. "Can we help you."

"Can you help – can you – oh by Aslan, this is truly a miracle. Please, follow me; we simply must get you out of this storm."

It was only then that Kato realised a storm really had picked up. The wind was howling and chilling him to the bone. He sincerely hoped Elana was alright.

The badger turned around and set off, but this time Kato was not as eager to follow her. How could they know she could be trusted? What did she want with them? And for goodness sake, she was a talking badger!

"Pierre, Marie...we'd best be –"

"Please hurry! There is shelter up ahead."

Kato examined his two cousins. Pierre looked frozen to the bone and Marie was shivering violently. What choice did they have but to follow this mysterious animal?

Kato wrapped a hand around Marie to keep her warm. "Come on," he said and the tri headed out into the great unknown.

OK, so I'm kind of writing two stories at the same time, this one and a Bridge to Terabithia one. So if you like this one, please, please review, even if it's only quick so that I know that I know it's worthwhile updating this one regularly. Otherwise I'll put most of my energy into Bridge Throughout Time.

Hope you enjoyed reading!