An Unlikely Pair

Chapter One

     The twigs beneath your feet snap and crack as you follow a beaver (yes, a beaver) through the woods. The animal said something about Aslan, something about you being a queen? It's hard for you to believe, but you are following a talking beaver in a fantastical land that you just happened to stumble upon. A few yards ahead, you can see that the wood is coming to an end and there is a vast field in sight. Maybe that's our destination, you think. As if reading your mind, the beaver ahead of you says, "Alright sweetie, welcome to Cair Paravel."

     As you exit the comfort of the thick woods, you see that the field is dotted with tents of all sizes. You walk a bit further until you reach a gathering of what looks like people, but these aren't people. The beaver steps aside and is absorbed by the massive crowd of a diverse mix of creatures. As you take a cautious step forward, the crowd parts in front of you. You take this as a sign, and you take confident strides through the swarm up to the base of a small hill. There is a man only a bit older than you on the hill. Upon seeing you, he turns and enters an ornately decorated tent behind him. You stand still, not knowing what to do. 

     A few moments later, the man comes back out of the tent. He is followed by a gorgeous, powerful lion. The lion's majestic presence suggests dignified power and strength. The creatures around you immediately bow at the sight of him. With a delayed reaction, you also bow down before him. He nods his head and you rise with the creatures around you. With a tip of the lion's head, he beckons you forward. You climb the gently sloping hill and join him. The man beside him has a stiff figure and a hardened expression as if his frown were permanently fixed to his face. The lion introduces himself. "I am Aslan. Welcome to Narnia, Queen (your name)." You shakily reply, "Thank you. It's nice to meet you." Aslan turns and walks away, but it's clear that you should follow him.

     The two of you walk well out of earshot before Aslan says, "I apologize for the unwelcoming behavior of my assistant. He's had a painful past. His name is Aragorn."

     "That's quite alright," you distractedly answer him. You turn your head over your shoulder to catch Aragorn looking at you. You flash a small smile to him, but he quickly turns his head back to the crowd at the foot of the hill. Unknown to you, he turns to look at you again after you have returned your attention to Aslan. 

     "(Your name), we are about to enter a war with a neighboring people that wish to conquer us. I understand if you do not wish to stay, but know what you will be disappointing your people."

     "My... my people?"

     "Yes, child, the Narnians are now your people and you are their queen."

     "I guess I'll stay and help you, and do whatever I can."

     "You'll begin your training with Aragorn in the morning. He's the best warrior we have, and it's only right that he passes his knowledge to the new queen." When Aslan says this, you steal one more glance at Aragorn, who is still standing on the hill. I wonder what happened to him in the past that saddened him so greatly...