A Narnia Tale: For King, Queen and Country

Arrival

He who adapts, survives

It was late in the morning when Erik woke up. The Sleigh stood still. He climbed outside while he was still half asleep. 'Where- whaoh- are we?' he asked. 'Almost there', came the answer. 'In fact, this is as far as I can bring you. The last couple of kilometres you'll have to do alone', Father Christmas continued. Erik looked confused until he saw the sleigh. Four tiny wheels where attached so that travelling would be easier. They most definitely didn't look like a long term solution. 'Where are you going then?' Erik asked. Father Christmas replied: 'I'm going home, my friend. My duty is finished, and there will be enough to do next year.' Erik laughed out loud: 'So you have a lot of faith in us.' 'Yes, of course I have,' he said. Father Christmas turned back to his sleigh. Just before he got in he paused and turned around again. 'I'm sorry I don't have a present for you, my friend. I'll make it up to you next year', he said. Erik smiled and extended his hand. Father Christmas took it and smiled back: 'Be safe, my friend.' He got in his Sleigh, looked back one more time and said loudly: 'Merry Christmas! And long live Aslan!'

Erik watched him leave until the sleigh went over the hilltop, then he turned around and continued his way towards the direction Father Christmas had told him. Luckily all the snow had melted and was replaced by a lovely spring temperature, all the flowers blossomed and the trees where full of singing birds. Now, Narnia was even more beautiful then ever. He honestly couldn't think of a better place to live. That is, without those damned beasts and so called "witch". It took him a further half hour to reach Aslan's Camp. He looked down upon it from the top a hill. Throughout the valley he saw tents in a vast variety of colours. Even from a distance of more then twohunderd meters he heard the noises that accompanied a military camp. He heard the sergeants yell when they saw that their unit wasn't doing anything productive. He smiled at the thought of an older NCO bursting into the tent screaming insults everywhere while giving out orders. No sergeant liked the thought that their men where lingering, there was always something to clean or an exercise to do and when there wasn't anything planned they always found something to bully their men with. As an officer, Erik luckily didn't have such troubles. He walked off the hill with a smile on his face. When he reached the first tents Erik saw that everyone looked at him. Erik didn't see a single human being amongst them. Their were an enormous amount of Dwarfs, creatures he recognised from mythology like centaurs and satyrs. He heard them talk and saw them pointing in his direction. 'Another Human?' someone said. 'That can't be the fourth sibling, can it?' asked another. 'Of course not, this one is an adult', replied someone. While he walked towards the centre of the camp he saw how everyone he passed started to follow him. And as soon as he reached the biggest tent in the entire camp, he figured there stood a thousand men behind him. The tent before him was bright red and carried a green flag sporting a red lion on it. Before it stood a black centaur. The creature carried a longsword, so big it was almost a greatsword. With his officers voice, one that demanded authority and respect, Erik said: 'I've been summoned here. Where is the camp commander?' The centaur stepped forward, not impressed at all with Erik's tone: 'And who might you be? Son of Adam?' 'I am Major Erik Henderson, 6th batallion, 10th infantry brigade, 4th infantry division in service of His Majesty the King George VI of the British Empire. And who are you?', Erik said with confidence. Before the centaur could answer, the tent opened. Just as majestic as Erik had seen him before, Aslan appeared. The Lion had a serious face while He looked down at Erik. Alongside the rest of the army, Erik bowed before Him. 'So you have found my camp, just as I instructed', He said. Erik nodded slightly. 'The faun Phalrus shall show you your tent, Major. And when you are settled in, you will come to My tent. Agreed?' He said. 'Yes, my Lord', Erik answered. He turned around, only to see a faun, half human and half goat, standing before him. 'I assume you are Phalrus?' he asked. 'Yes, sir. I am Phalrus and Aslan was expecting you, he already told me in which tent you will sleep', he answered.