Disclaimer: Beauty and the Beast and its characters are the property of Republic Pictures Corporation, Ron Koslow Films and Witt-Thomas Productions. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis is the property of C.S. Lewis Pte Limited.

This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author.

   

 

 

"My sister Susan," answered Peter shortly and gravely, "is no longer a friend of Narnia."

"Yes," said Eustace, "and whenever you've tried to get her to come and talk about Narnia or do anything about Narnia, she says 'What wonderful memories you have! Fancy your still thinking about all those funny games we used to play when we were children.""

"Oh, Susan!" said Jill. "She's interested in nothing nowadays except nylons and lipstick and invitations. She always was a jolly sight too keen on being grown-up."

"Grown-up, indeed," said the Lady Polly. "I wish she would grow up. She wasted all her school time wanting to be the age she is now, and she'll waste all the rest of her life trying to stay that age. Her whole idea is to race onto the silliest time of one's life as quick as she can and then stop there as long as she can."

From 'THE LAST BATTLE' by C. S. Lewis

 

 

October 31st, 7pm

It was a warm autumn evening and Vincent walked in plain view with Catherine by his side. Many people looked at them with admiring smiles for they were so obviously in love. Catherine was dressed as a fairytale princess and Vincent had dressed to match her. It was the one time of the year when they could be together in public, as most of those in sight were also in costume.

They heard a muffled scream, turned and caught sight of two men dragging an elderly lady down into an alleyway, away from the lights. Vincent leapt forward, with Catherine following close behind. One man held the lady and kept watch while the other rummaged through her bag, trying to find something valuable.

With a roar, Vincent attacked one of the men who went down almost instantly under his rending teeth and claws. The other man took to his heels and fled this savage creature. The lady lay where she had fallen when she had been thrust aside. Catherine ran to her side as Vincent turned to her from the body of the man who had harmed her.

"Do not fear me for I am a friend," he said softly.

She smiled at him and breathed one word before fainting:

"Aslan."

Vincent laid the elderly woman on his bed, while Father limped to her side so see whether he would need his expertise as a doctor. Catherine stood by the doorway, trying to stay out of the way.

"Vincent, you should know by now that you shouldn't bring outsiders down here," Father grumbled.

Vincent glanced up at him, then looked back to the occupant of the bed. "Father, she recognised me but called me by another name - one I didn't know," he explained.

A moan announced the awakening of their unexpected guest. Vincent and Father slowly raised her so that she could see she was among friends. She slowly opened her eyes, looked straight into Vincent's face and smiled.

"My son says you seem to know him," Father queried.

She smiled again. "It's a very long story that would explain much, but if you wish to hear it…?" she said as she struggled to sit on the edge of Vincent's bed. Faintly, in the distance, she could hear children laughing. "There are children here?" she asked Father.

He nodded and looked at his son. "Vincent grew up here, as did many others." He smiled as he said it.

"It would keep my story alive if the children could hear it. Call it a Halloween story as thanks for helping me."

Father looked at Vincent and raised an eyebrow asking his opinion, and Vincent nodded back. They helped her to her feet and guided her into Father's study, which was also the meeting place for all those Below. They found all the children waiting for Father to tell them the traditional Halloween tale. Catherine found a seat at the back, with Mouse and Jamie beside her. Kipper and Ellie sat at their feet, while Eric sat nearer the front with the other children. Vincent helped the Lady to a seat as Father turned to those gathered around.

"Vincent was able to help this lady and in return she has said she will tell her story to us," he explained softly.

Vincent retreated to the back of the study and sat down beside his Catherine as Father sought a chair of his own.

"My name is not important, but the story I'm going to tell you is. This is the story of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin. It all started when two brothers and two sisters were evacuated from London during the War…"

"It was a fascinating story, and not only the children loved it. Thank you for explaining to me who Aslan was."

Vincent nodded his thanks to her as he spoke. Father and Catherine produced a pot of tea and poured out cups for the six adults left, while Kipper, Ellie and Eric sat at their feet as they drank it.

"It is now midnight and time we saw to returning you to your home - and you children to your beds," Father said over his cup. The lady smiled at him and then they heard voices calling out.

"High Queen Susan, it is time you returned to Narnia," they heard a great voice say.

"Yes, Susan, come on. We've missed you," a boy's voice said out of nowhere.

One wall of the study seemed to become transparent and they could see young men and women dressed as Kings and Queens. There was an immense Lion standing in the midst of them, golden light spilling from his great mane. They watched as the old lady rose to her feet and walked over to the wall, glance back in fond farewell and then step through. A young and beautiful Susan Pevensie finally joined her brothers and sister in the land of Narnia.

The vision ended and the wall returned to the way it had been. Kipper finally started to breath again and twisted round to look at the others. "It really did happened as she said, didn't it?"

Father, Vincent and Catherine looked at each other with astonished expressions on their faces. Finally, Vincent nodded.

"It happened. If it were only myself here, I would have said I was going mad, but we all saw it. It happened, no doubt about it. It happened!" Vincent said, with wonder written on his face.

"But how?" Catherine questioned.

Father shrugged, trying to maintain his usual air of calm. "It's Samhaine, the night when the borders between worlds drop, or so it is said."

Mouse looked at Jamie with awe written all over his face and breathed one word:

"Magic."

 

 

 

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