Never Say Goodbye

A Different Narnia

Never Say Goodbye

Chapter 3: A Different Narnia 

              "Stop, Nikabrik!" Trufflehunter exclaimed as he quickly jumped between the Dwarf's blade and my neck.

"Out of my way Trufflehunter!" The Black Dwarf growled.

"Put down your weapon, Nikabrik. And I will not have that drawn in this house again!"

"Trufflehunter, I hope you have a good reason for this. You should know better than to come between a Dwarf's sword and its prey," the Red Dwarf said.

"She's not prey; she's a girl," Pattertwig defended as he stood on his hind legs beside Trufflehunter. "And she needs our help."

"She's a Telmarine!" the Black Dwarf refuted. "Why should we help her?"

"I'm not a Telmarine," I said calmly though no one seemed to hear me.

"You sent us off to find her," the Red Dwarf said. "It is our duty to protect this forest from invaders like the Telmarines and to protect our kin."

"I did not send you to eradicate without question. As Pattertwig says, she's just a girl and she needs our help. Did you ever stop to consider how she got so deep into the forest without our knowing?"

"Fine. First, we question her, then we kill her," The Black Dwarf growled again.

"You will do no such thing!"

Before I knew it a full-fledged argument had erupted between the four Narnians. Pattertwig and Trufflehunter were set on defending and protecting me, while the Black Dwarf Nikabrik seemed determined to run me through with his sword. The Red Dwarf, I could only assume he was Trumpkin, mostly remained calm as though he were evaluating each side's argument; it reminded me a little of Edmund's ability to remain calm in similar situations. While most of his attention was on his friends as he tried to keep them from killing each other, every so often Trumpkin's gaze would shift to me and I caught a glimpse of anger and hate mixed with uncertainty. As the argument ensued, the voices became louder and they awakened the Queen within and beckoned her to speak once more.

"Stop it! All of you!" Queen Aaralynn demanded as she rose to her feet. In the wake of her sudden command, the room fell silent.

I took a deep breath before continuing. "Now, as I have already stated, I am not a Telmarine. I am a Narnian, the same as you. I was born on Avra and I was married on the beach at Cair Paravel. I am truly sorry, Master Dwarf, for whatever wrong I may have done you or your brethren. But I am certain that if you were to bring your grievances before Us, we could work out our peace. As for you, Masters Badger and Squirrel, I thank you very kindly for your hospitality. You have shown your true nature in aiding your monarch. But, with all due respect, I really must make my way to the Cair, and if you will not aid me any further then I must go it alone. But first, please Master Badger," here I softened my tone a little, "please, tell me what you meant by a different Narnia."

The small den remained quiet for several seconds as three sets of eyes stared wonderstruck at me; the fourth merely remained in a tight glare. Then Trufflehunter smiled and looked to his companions briefly before looking back at me.

"There it is. There can be no question of it now," he said.

"No question of what?" Pattertwig asked what I wondered.