lunam et stellas

chapter two

the faun and the cupboard...

The woods were dark as Alexandra traveled deeper inside, trying to stay warm in the brisk winter. She rubbed her arms, but it was for naught. Her surroundings reminded her of a Christmas special, the way the wind sounded like voices. The way the snow shimmered in the light.

Like magic.

She had begun to give up hope of finding Lucy until she heard a pair of voices. She ran to the sound, praying that she was running toward the little girl and not toward danger. Alex grinned when she saw Lucy, but quickly grew uneasy when she saw a stranger dragging her with them.

She ran forward, grabbing Lucy's other arm. "Hey! Get away from her!"

Lucy looked up quickly, and grinned! "Alex! You found it too!"

The creature looked nervous, and Lucy's face dropped slightly. The creature looked at her quickly, trying to explain as fast as he could. "She is in danger here. We have to get her back to-" He looked at Lucy for help. "Spare Room." He nodded. "Back to Spare Oom Miss-"

"Alexandra."

The creature's eyes widened, and his urgency increased tenfold. "We have to go."

She glared at the stranger in front of them. "And just who are you?"

"Mr.Tumnus." He looked at Lucy. "We need to keep moving."

Lucy nodded and grabbed Alex's hand tighter as the strange half-man-half-goat pulled them back to where they had come from. The light post came into view, and he yelled back at the girls. "Can you find your way back from here?"

They nodded quickly.

"Alright." He stumbled, tripping over his feet. His eyes were red as he crouched down to Lucy's height.

"Will you be alright?"

The faun hiccuped and used Lucy's handkerchief to dab away the tears. "Hey, it's okay."

"I'm sorry." He hiccuped again. "I'm so sorry." He put Lucy's handkerchief back into her hand, smiling grimly. "Here."

"Keep it. You need it more than I do."

Alex had always been amazed at Lucy's optimization in other people. The goat-man smiled. "No matter what happens, Lucy Pevensie, I am glad to have met you." She had to admit, she did feel a little odd standing there listening to their conversation. "You've made me feel warmer than I've felt in a hundred years." He smiled up at Alex. "It is nice to have met you as well, my lady, even if it was for a short time. Keep her safe."

Alex smiled quickly, very confused but not overwhelmingly concerned about the way he had addressed her. "Thank you Mr.Tumnus. I will."

"Tumnus." He stood up straight and cleared his throat. "Now go." They both stood there for a moment, and he ushered them away. "Go!"

Alex pulled Lucy back, pushing her in before her and they entered the wardrobe again. Lucy was the first to leave the drobe, falling out clumsily.

Alex was close behind her, helping her up before following after her. "Lucy, wait!"

She burst through the door, yelling for her siblings. "It's alright, I'm back. I'm all right!"

Edmund peeked his head out of the curtain, scolding his sister. "Shut up he's coming!"

Peter rounded the corner at the same time Alex had and tilted his head curiously. "I don't think you three understand the meaning of this game."

"Weren't you wondering where I was?"