Whisked Away

3. The Creatures and Rulers of Narnia

Anastasie's POV
After Aslan had spoken, tree and water spirits came forth from the woods and all of the animals, spirits, and even myself replied to him, "Hail, Aslan. We hear and obey. We are awake. We love. We think. We speak. We know." I faintly heard the children and Frank's reaction to Strawberry speaking, but turned back to face Aslan.

"Creatures, I give you yourselves. I give you forever this land of Narnia. I give you the woods, the fruits, the rivers. I give you the stars and I give you myself. The Dumb Beasts whom I have not chosen are yours also. Treat them gently and cherish them, but do not go back to their ways lest you cease to be Talking Beasts. For out of them you were taken and into them you can return. Do not so." After everyone had responded and the first joke had been cracked I was smiling wider than I thought possible.

After everyone had finished laughing, Aslan continued, " And now, Narnia is established..." I listened as he spoke and called forth different creatures for his council. I was surprised, but very pleased when he called me to join them. As we walked to his place of meeting, Aslan turned to me and spoke, "Is it was wondrous as you dreamed?"

"Oh yes Aslan. I couldn't have imagined anything more wonderful." He nodded in understanding.

"Do you wish to venture with Digory and Polly when they go to my garden?" Aslan asked, already knowing my answer.

I nodded, "It will be a good chance to acquaint myself with my wings."

"Do you like them?"

Turning to look at the golden lion, I nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, Aslan very much so. Thank you again." He nodded contently in response. I knew he must be thinking of the witch. We soon came to out place of meeting and Aslan began to speak with me standing next to him.

"A boy has brought a witch into our land," Aslan said, but before he could get any further, Digory himself arrived in Strawberry's back with Polly and Frank not far behind. "Move aside for the Son of Adam," Aslan commanded quietly.

Digory made his way forward and came to stand before Aslan. Tears filled Digory's eyes as he asked, "Please...can't...can't you give me something to cure mother?" I felt his pain, it was hard not to. As I looked to the animals behind him I saw that they were looking at him in concern and sympathy as well. "This is the boy, this is the boy who did it." I watched as Aslan got him to tell the entire story.

After the entire story had been gotten out about how he and Polly were tricked into being flung into another world and then explored others through a wood with pools inside and how he and Polly had found Charn. How he had struck the bell that woke Jadis, how she followed them to England and then to here.

"But do not be cast down," Aslan said after he spoke of the evil that had now entered Narnia, "Evil will come of that evil, but it is a long way off, and I will see to it that the worst fall onto myself and my second in command. In the meantime, let us take such..." I could not listen anymore for Digory had begin to look so hopeless and sad that I wanted to go and hug him.

Giving Aslan a glance, I saw that he was already looking at me. Giving me a slight nod, I walked forward as Aslan continued speaking and pulled Digory into my arms. I seemed to have grown so he was like a small child to me, but he held on to me tightly.

I held him like that as Aslan brought Helen, Frank's wife, from London and named them king and queen of Narnia. When Aslan turned to Polly to ask about what happened in Charn (Digory had slightly twisted her wrist during the shuffle of trying to ring the bell), Aslan then turned to Digory himself. I let go of him with my arms but found my wings had wrapped around him as well and I slowly pulled them away to rest by my back.

Aslan told him what he must do: retrieve an apple to grow a tree from to protect Narnia. Then he turned Strawberry into a winged horse and was about to set Digory on the journey when I interrupted, "Aslan," none of the council had heard my voice which had turned sweet as syrup but as strong as a tidal wave, "Might Polly and I go as well?"

"Child," Aslan said, "You are my second in command, do as you please." Turning to Polly he asked, "Would you like to go as well dear?" Polly nodded eagerly. "And Fledge?" (Strawberry's name had been changed).

"Oh, I don't mind two, not when they're little ones. But I hope the Elephant doesn't want to come as well." All of the animals laughed at this, but I stretched my wings as Aslan gave his last instructions and warning to the other three. When my wings were stretched to their full length I flew into the sky, instantly soaring higher than the tallest clouds.

"Wow, I'm going to have to get used to that," I muttered as I flew back down to the ground.

Aslan turned to me with something of a smirk," More powerful than you imagined?" I only nodded, but Aslan could see how happy I was. Soon we all took off. I had to exercise self control to not go ahead of Fledge, for while his wings here indeed strong, mine were stronger.

As we flew, Digory, Polly, and I got acquainted. Fledge was not much of a talker, but he contributed to the conversation every once in a while. Eventually they landed for they had all become rather hungry. Fledge started on the grass and I flew up to try and find some fruit for the rest of us. When I had landed all I had accomplished was wearing myself out. Digory and Polly had been splitting up a bag of toffees into three piles, but I pushed them away.

"You need it more than I do," I assured them.

Digory and Polly shared a look. Finally Polly spoke, "But you have to fly tomorrow."

"I can just eat in the morning," I assured them. "Just each eat four and plant the last one." They did as I suggested and began to slowly eat the toffees until Digory burst out, "Wait, we still don't know your name."

"It's..." I broke off. Did I want to be known as Anastasie? Did I want to drag my old life into all this? A voice in my head whispered You don't have to be. I'll even make it easy on you, Shifra. I smiled at the name. My three companions were looking at me expectantly. "My name is Shifra."

After they had all eaten, Digory and Polly lay by Fledge under his wings since they were bigger than mine and he did not need as much heat. When we had all gotten comfortable, they spoke about everything. As they all began to feel the pull of sleep, Polly suddenly jerked up and spoke about how she thought she heard something.

I knew what was going on, but said nothing and pretended to look around, drawing Polly away from where I knew the witch lay hidden.