After the End (Narnia)

Chapter VII - Darkened Corners

The interior of the cave was as cold and dark as it had been in Narnian times. Tumnus had lead the group inside, expecting to see his house restored to its former glory, just like most things in True Narnia. The plethora of broken objects and the scent of dark magic was a rude shock as they entered. The cave remained in its post-White Witch condition, drawers open, crying tears of paper, Tumnus' father's portrait defaced and lying on the ground.

Lucy observed the scene with a sort of horror. She had visited the cave in this condition, when she was younger, but the horrific details seemed to have blurred over time. Here was the disrespect of the White Witch at its pinnacle, the cave serving as a chilling reminder that Narnia had not always been peaceful. To Lucy, the year she had discovered the lamp post seemed so far away, a distant dream of a time. But here she was, standing in the place where she had been lulled to sleep by Tumnus. This was the place their Narnian adventure had began. Lucy smiled in spite of the memories of the White Witch. Her and Tumnus' friendship had certainly lasted the test of time.

Tumnus looked around his former home with a pang of sadness. He could clearly remember the years spent making the place his own, filling the small cave with furnishings and ornaments, with gifts. Everything he had worked for had disappeared in the space of an hour or less. That evil woman had brought no benefit to Narnia since her arrival.

A single glimpse of colour in the wreckage drew Tumnus' eye. He had always been careful to keep a muted colour scheme in the house - brighter colours tended to hurt his eyes - but here was a single piece of colour, a testament to the hope that rose out of the rubble. Examining the object, Tumnus was even more surprised. The piece of fabric was soft and familiar in his hands. Turning the fabric over, the faun laughed as he saw a shakily embroidered 'L.P' in the corner.

"Lucy, look at this!" he called the young girl over to where he was standing. "I think I found your handkerchief!" Lucy looked at Tumnus in disbelief. Who would have known that a simple kind gift would have crossed the boundaries of a war, time and life itself? "See, it's yours," Tumnus insisted, revealing the embroidery in the corner. Lucy inspected her own shoddy sewing with a laugh. "I am glad to have improved my embroidery skills. Younger Lucy was never good at domestic tasks."

"I like it," Tumnus said sweetly, tying the runaway handkerchief around his wrist. "It's a reminder of everything we've been through to make it to now." Lucy smiled at the kind gesture and walked back out into the forest. It was time to leave the scars of the past behind and look to the future. The group followed her outside and mounted their horses once more. "We'll organise a group to clean this place up tomorrow. We'll leave some objects in place to honour those sacrificed to the White Witch, but we want to honour Tumnus' home as well. A museum of sorts. Agreed?" Peter spoke with a booming voice, anxious for his message to be heard over the group of chatting Narnians. Tumnus smiled at the young King. "I am so proud to have seen you grow up to be a wise and just King. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart," he responded in a gentle tone that reminded Lucy of firesides and flute music.

The ride back to the castle was peaceful and not without its fair share of laughter. Reepicheep's pursuit of a timid stag beetle had humoured them all, and left the Narnians muddy and out of breath on their return to Cair Paravel. The sun was setting behind the castle and over the water, creating a beautiful sight. Susan, Lucy, Edmund and Tumnus went to the throne room to view the sunset through the glass.

The water lapped at the shore and at the orange horizon, birds flying off into the swirling colours as the sun sunk below the horizon in a majestic farewell. Lucy looked at the sight with a childish wonder, moving closer to the glass as if by moving forward, she could absorb the clouds and keep them in her heart forever. Tumnus stood beside her, a watchful guardian of the sunset, his wise eyes drinking in the beauty, scanning the horizon as if it was endless. Susan and Edmund stood closely together, Susan experiencing her first Narnian sunset in years. Edmund wanted to touch the clouds, to walk on them to the night. A strange thought, he speculated, but a lovely one.

Aslan padded to the glass window almost silently, his paws moving smoothly over the tiled floor. "True Narnia may still bear the scars of wars past, but at the end of the day there will always be the sunset to look forward to," he philosophised. "Your love for one another and my love for you, will be able to withstand even the most difficult of struggles and mend the deepest of scars." The four Narnians nodded, eyes still fixed on the glowing orb growing fainter in the evening sky. Together, they had made their way through Narnia's troubles, and had grown into a stronger force than when they began. Tumnus looked at Lucy. She had become an amazing woman in the years he had known her. She was strong and courageous, without losing the kindness and gentleness that had drew him to her in the first place. He was proud of what she had become.

Lucy and Edmund looked at Susan with love in their eyes. Today had only been proof of what had been missing in their lives since Susan had left. She seemed to fit in with the sunset, her laughing face reflecting the fading light. She belonged here. Susan was a Narnian Queen, in her heart, in her mind. Susan was a Narnian Queen in the depths of her soul.

The four stood at the window until the stars grew bright in the sky, twinkling their joy at Susan's return. From somewhere deep in the forest, a green mist slithered out of a ransacked cave.

[Author's Notes]

Hey Readers!

I thought I'd give you a double upload as a late Christmas present! The next few weeks will be quite busy (I'm heading off to the beach and then to camp, where I won't have my laptop) so I might miss a few uploads. Forgive me.

What do you guys think about Tumnus and Lucy's friendship? Tell me in the comments.

Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season, and I wish you an early 'Happy New Year'. May 2018 be an awesome year for us all!

Sincerely,

The Author