We all gathered in the hallway. "Well, I guess it's game over," Peter remarked. "What's all the yelling about, Lu?"

"Weren't you wondering where I was?"

"That's the point of the game, stupid," Edmund snapped.

"Ed," Susan said impatiently. "Where were you, Lucy?"

"I went into the wardrobe, and I found a land called Narnia!"

"You did?" I asked, smiling. "Was it snowy?"

"Yes! It was wonderful."

"Was there a lamppost by where you came in?"

She nodded. "That's where I met Mr. Tumnus. He's a faun."

I became aware of the bewildered glances from the three older children. Undoubtedly, they were wondering how I knew so much, and if I could be trusted. Surely, in their minds, Narnia could not possibly exist.

"But how is that possible?" Edmund burst out. "In my opinion, Lucy was playing a game and Ruth is just playing along."

"Exactly," Peter said. "I don't know why you asked about the snow and the lamppost," he mumbled, turning to me, "but don't encourage this. It's just hide-and-seek."

I was about to suggest that we find a different game when Mrs. Macready called my name from the base of the stairs.

"Ruth! There's a letter for you! I think it's from your father." I gasped, and ran down the hallways and flew down the stairs two at a time. Surely enough, there was a fat envelope on the kitchen table addressed to RUTH BYRNE in my father's strong handwriting. My hands trembled as I held the letter and opened it. A journal was tucked in there, along with a folded piece of parchment paper. I walked back up the stairs, went into my bedroom, closed the door, and sat cross-legged on my bed. I extracted the parchment first.

Dear Ruthie,
      Word has reached me of the bombing. I have been trying for days to contact the agency that relocated you and your siblings, but I have only found you.
      A bomb was dropped on our camp. We would like to believe it was an accident, but what a horrific accident! I do not mean to scare you, but I am writing this from an infirmary bed. I am not fatally wounded, and doctors are optimistic.
     I cannot tell you where I am, but I will find you, my dearest daughter. You must remain strong, regardless of what is happening around you. We will be reunited one day. Which brings me to the concept of the journal.
     The journal is for you to write down all of the fun memories you have in your temporary home. I have an identical journal. When we see each other again, we can tell each other all about the new things we experienced. Does that sound like fun?
     Anyway, Ruth. I love you. I'm sorry that this happened... I'm sorry that any of this had to happen. God's plan can be hard to understand, but He has one. I also need to tell you more about Jesus when we see each other again. My friend, Martin, taught me a lot about him and his Father before he died. God bless him.
      Love you, Ruthie.
                        Sincerely, Father

I set the letter down and wept softly. Father... my heart ached for him. I longed to feel his strong hugs, hear his merry laughter, see his infectious goofy grin. Now, he lay in a hospital somewhere far away while I was safe in a mansion with new friends and a magical wardrobe that took me to a new land. Oh, if I had died with my siblings and mother! The emotional taxation took its toll and the sound of rain pitterpattering on the window soothed me, and I fell into a dreamless sleep.

A gentle tapping at my door woke me up. "One second," I called, wiping my eyes, crusty and yucky from crying myself to sleep. I adjusted my beanie, and opened the door. Lucy stood there, wringing her hands.

"Hullo, Lucy," I said warmly.

"Hi," she said, smiling shyly. "Um, can we talk about Narnia?"

"Certainly! Come on in."

Closing the door behind her, I sat cross-legged on the ground, resting my head against the wall.

"Do you know Mr. Tumnus?" she asked excitedly.

"No, I do not... where does he live?"

"A short walk from the lamppost, to the left."

"Ah, I've only been to the right. Have you met the Beavers?"

She shook her head. "But I want to go back tonight. Do you think you could go with me?"

"That would be fun!" I exclaimed. "When?"

"Well... you see, no one believes me. I even got them to look in the wardrobe, but they could not find Narnia."

I frowned. Why could they not find it? "Well, how about we go now? Maybe the magic did not work because they did not believe it was there."

She mulled this over, and smiled at me. "Alright!"

We left my room, headed to the other room, and opened the door to the wardrobe. I was delighted by the familiar cold blast of air. Lucy grabbed my hand, and we plunged in.

When my feet first touched the edge of the snowy ground, I was filled with unspeakable joy. I laughed giddily, and released Lucy's hand. I bent down and made a snowball. Her face lighting up in realization, she made one of her own.
​​​​​​
"Stay there," I said, taking ten deliberate steps backward. "Three, two, one, go!"

I missed her face on purpose, aiming slightly to the left, but I learned that she had no such intentions when I received a mouthful of snow. I laughed anyway. We engaged in several rounds of snowball-to-snowball combat, each one getting bigger and looser until we were just flinging snow.

"Why, it is Lucy!" a voice exclaimed, causing me to very nearly jump out of my skin. Turning around, I saw that it was a faun.

"Mr. Tumnus!" she exclaimed, running to his arms. She turned around and gestured toward me, speaking excitedly. "This is my friend, Ruth. She's been to Narnia, too, but she's only met the beavers."

"And some not-very-nice trees," I added with a chuckle, extending my hand to shake his. Lucy smiled.

"Remember how I taught you to shake hands?"

"Oh, yes, the thing Daughters of Eve do in Spare Oom." Tumnus grabbed my hand loosely, swinging it side to side. Lucy and I exchanged a humored glance. "Say, Ruth, did you mention trees?"

I nodded, and pulled my skirt up slightly, revealing the bottom inch of my gash. The redness had faded considerably, but the cut had formed a maroon scar. Their eyes widened. Lucy threw her arms around my waist, looking up at me.

"Oh, Ruth, are you alright?"

​​I laughed gently. "Yes, I am alright. It happened a couple days ago. That was my first visit to Narnia."

"So you are the girl of the prophecy!"

"I was there the day Mr. Beaver first heard it. How is he, by the way?"

"It would be better if I told you in the safety of my home," he whispered. "Do come with me, girls."

I smiled at Lucy. "Do you want to go?"

She returned my grin and nodded.

"Alright! Lead the way, then, Mr. Tumnus!" I declared.