The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, the Queen and the Wardrobe

Chapter 6

Mr Tumnus led Lucy through the cold snow as they continue with their conversation. They finally came to a tiny house in the rocks, it was beautiful inside and very cosy, with a warm fire in the centre.

In the house, Tumnus was so anxious for having Lucy there he even had dropped some things.

-Can I help you with that?- asked Lucy

-Why thank you!- replied the faun quickly

Lucy noticed a picture on the wall and got closer to get a better look.

-Oh... that is my father- explained Tumnus with a tone of sadness in her voice as she approached the girl

Lucy observed the picture carefully -He had a nice face. You look just like him- she told him.

Mr Tumnus looked at her and then at the picture -No, we're not alike at all really- he said

-My father is fighting in the war- Lucy told him as she looked to the floor

-My father went away to war too... but that was a very long time ago... before this dreadful winter- said Mr Tumnus. He had lost his father in the first battle with the White Witch.

-Winter isn't all bad. There's ice skating and snowball fights. Oh! And Christmas!- said Lucy with a smile trying to comfort him.

Mr Tumnus replied with sadness -We haven't had Christmas in a hundred years here-

Lucy turned to the faun shocked with the hand covering her mouth -No presents for a hundred years?-

Then Mr Tumnus excitement came back -But, oh, you would have loved Narnia in spring! The Dryads and the Fauns would dance all night... but we never got tired. And oh, the music! Such music. Would you... like to hear some now?- he said

-Yes please- replied Lucy

Mr Tumnus took two chairs and Lucy sat next to the fire. He searched for the flute and took the seat beside the girl.

-Now, are you familiar with the Narnian lullabies?- asked the faun

-No, i'm afraid i'm not- said Lucy shaking her head as she got comfortable in the chair

-Good, because this probably won't sound anything like one- replied Mr Tumnus with a tone of guilt

The faun played the most delicate song Lucy had heard and as she looked at the fire you could see fauns dancing like Mr Tumnus told her before. As the time was passing, she almost got asleep looking at the hypnotizing fire, but Mr Tumnus continued with the song.

-Oh I must go- said Lucy suddenly

-It's too late for that now, i'm such a bad faun- said Mr Tumnus, guilt growing in him at what he was doing

Lucy was confused, she didn't know what he meant by that -No, you're the nicest faun i've ever met-

-Then i'm afraid you've had a very poor sampling- replied Mr Tumnus

Lucy still couldn't understand what was Mr Tumnus referring to. -I'm sure you're very sorry, and you'll never do it again- she said

Mr Tumnus look sadly at her. She was so innocent. -It's not something i have done, Lucy Pevensie. It's something i'm doing- he said

Lucy got closer cautiously and asked him -What are you doing?-

-I'm kidnapping you. It's the White Witch, the one that makes it always winter, and never Christmas. She told me that if I ever was to come across a son of Adam or a daughter of Eve, I am supposed to turn it over to her!- replied Mr Tumnus starting to cry. Lucy gave him a handkerchief.

He didn't know what to do, he knew only the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve could save them from the White Witch, but he was so afraid. He couldn't hand over her, she was so naive and innocent, and she was above all, his friend.

-But i thought you were my friend- Lucy said, she was starting to get scared

Tumnus realised what he was doing and change his mind. He led Lucy to the outside and walked her to the lamp post.

-We must move quietly, the woods are full of her spies, even some of the trees are on her side- said Tumnus looking at the surroundings.

-I think so- said Lucy.

Mr Tumnus took the handkerchief she gave him before to return it.

-Keep it, you need it more than I do- she said

Tumnus smile at her. She was so adorable and had such a big heart.

-Go... come on, go!- Mr Tumnus told her

Lucy ran to the wardrobe to return to the house as the faun watched her in the distance thinking about his new and special friend.