The Guardian of Narnia

I

Elvira walked into the residence of Professor Digory Kirke in her checkered shirt, dungarees and riding gear and Mrs MacReady, the housekeeper, who was horrified at her outfit, swiftly marched her upstairs and changed her into a pale green dress and a female straw hat decorated with a matching green ribbon. She slipped into a pair of light green shoes and went to lunch.

She walked downstairs and went to the dining room and sat in her usual spot on the long table. At the other side, the Professor sat on the other end.

"We have four evacuees coming from London, because of the war, Elvira. Could you pick them up from the train station about five miles away, please?" he asked, tucking into his porridge. Elvira nodded as she finished her piece of toast.

"Yessir," she said and promptly excused herself to prepare her horse, Major, for the five-mile journey to the closest station. Being out in the country in this house is a perfect refuge from the war this world is heating up. Away from the main target, the danger and... family. Elvira ceased her preparations and remembered those she had left back in Narnia. Her brother. Her friends.

Major whinnied quietly and nudged her gently. Elvira smiled and patted the side of his snow white back. She attached the cart to Major and, not even having to shake the reins, as Mrs MacReady did so forcefully whenever she took the cart, Major trotted happily off to the station.

Major was a Narnian horse, belonging to Elvira. Though unable to speak in England, he still obtained his intelligence.

Within five minutes, though the two were a tad late, they reached the station where four very confused children were looking up at Major and then to her. She smiled, but at the back of her mind, she realised that there were two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve! Maybe the prophecy will finally come to light! Her smile faltered. She would have to give her life for her kingdom... She remembered her awaiting passengers.

"Mrs Macready?" asked the older son of Adam. Elivire smiled.

"Be lucky I am not," she said. She leapt down, patting Major. She held her hand out, remembering it was polite to, towards who seemed the eldest, boy, "Elvira. Vira for short. Your ride to your new residence. You have your... luggage?"

"Yes!" said the little girl, holding up her small box, with a toothy grin. Elvira smiled.

"Have you not bought anything else from London?" she asked, placing her unshaken hand down.

"No. It's just us," the older boy said. Elvira gave them a sympathetic look and smile.

"All right. Up onto the cart please," she said, getting back onto the driver's seat. They all started walking towards the end.

"Oh. Only three can fit in the back. Who wants to sit next to me in the passenger's seat?" Elvira asked. She saw the eldest open his mouth, but the littlest girl bounded up.

"I will!" she said. Elvira smiled and lifted her up onto the seat. Major began turning around and going back to the house.

~

Elvira placed down the reins and Major continued walking casually along the path to the house. There was a quiet noise from the wind whistling through the leaves and the birds chattering endlessly.

"What are all of your names?" Elvira asked, turning to the others behind her, hoping to strike some sort of conversation with "small talk".

"I'm Lucy!" said Lucy from next to her.

"I'm Peter," said the eldest, "This is Susan and Edmund." She smiled.

"And if you don't mind my asking..." Susan began, "Who are you in relation to the Professor?"