The Guardian of Narnia

V

As the group walked past the trees, a child of the blossom waved to Elvira. She smiled and nodded to the little child. She giggled and floated away into the wind. They soon reached the red tents of Aslan's Camp. Elvira was anxious to see her brother again after so long. The residents bowed to her as she passed. She nodded to them. The Narnians stared at the three children.

"Why are they all staring at us?" Susan asked.

"Maybe they think you look funny," Lucy joked. Peter and Elvira laughed and Susan shifted herself a little as she walked. Mrs Beaver was constantly fiddling with her fur and finally, Beaver said,

Oh, stop your fussing. You look lovely." She gave him a smile and they all reached Oreius. Elvira nodded to him. He bowed his head to her. Peter drew his sword and held it up.

"We have come to see Aslan," he said, a little nervously. Oreius turned to the tent by his side. The entrance blew in the breeze and Aslan stepped out. Elvira cracked a smile when what she really wanted to do was barrel into him and say how much she had missed him. She knelt with the others.

"Welcome, Peter, Son of Adam, Welcome, Susan and Lucy, Daughters of Eve. Welcome, Beavers. You have my thanks. Welcome home, Elvira." Elvira smiled and he motioned her up next to him. She did as he said and stood to watch over the three, feeling power surge through her once again.

"But where is the fourth?" Aslan asked the three.

"That's why we are here," Peter said, "We need your help." He replaced his sword.

"We had a little trouble along the way," Susan said, choosing her words. Aslan gave Elvira a quick look.

"Our brother's been captured by the White Witch," Peter said. Murmurs grew in the crowds around the three. Elvira looked at Aslan, who said,

"Captured? How could this happen?" He looked at her.

"He betrayed them, Your Excellence," Beaver quickly said before Elvira could say anything. The murmurs grew again.

"Then he has betrayed us all!" said Oreius angrily.

"Peace Oreius. I am sure there is some sort of explanation," Aslan said and turned to the three children.

"It is my fault really. I was too hard on him," Peter said and looked guiltily at the ground.

"We all were," Susan said, placing a reassuring hand on her brother's shoulder.

"Sir, he's our brother," Lucy said pleadingly.

"I know, dear one, and that makes the betrayal all the worse. This may be harder than you think," he said. Elvira nodded. He nodded in return and the two lions went to his tent. He nuzzled Elvira's side and she drew her face across his mane.

"I missed you, Aslan," she said.

"And I you," he said, "You know how these travels get in the way of everything." Elvira smiled. He then said,

"Go and enjoy the sunlight. I know a certain someone wants to see you." She bowed to him and left. She walked down from the little stage and a spotted something barrelled into her.

"Elvira!" yelled an all-too-familiar voice. She laughed in delight.

"Elodie!" she said to the cheetah. Elodie was Elvira's best friend since they were cubs and she was Elvira's second-in-command.

"I missed you, Di," she said.

"And I you, Vira," Elodie replied, calling each other by their childhood nicknames. She then introduced Elvira to her partner, Dramine.