NarniaMUCK

Tumnus' Home
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You find yourself standing in a little, dry, clean cave of reddish stone with
a carpet on the floor and two little chairs and a table and a dresser and a
mantlepiece over the fire and above that a picture of an old Faun with a grey
beard. In one corner there is a door which must lead to a bedroom, and on one
wall there is a shelf full of books.

A small cavern opening leads out to the rocky valley in Lantern Waste.
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You can go: Out <O>

You hear some shuffling outside your house. It's loud enough to be remarkable without being recognizable as any kind of concrete request to enter.

Tumnus does not go to the door just yet.

There is silence for a few moments, and then a knock on the door.

Tumnus opens the door and peers outside.

Jana stands on the doorstep, holding her baby. "...I'm sorry to bother you."

Tumnus looks surprised to see them, but smiles nonetheless. "No bother, no bother! Do come in, Daughter of Eve." He steps back and gestures for her to enter the cave.

Jana looks a little thrown off by the level of hospitality offered her, but the expression fades, and she steps over the threshhold.

Tumnus closes the door against the cold and gestures toward one of the two chairs near the fire. On the other sits a book with a place marked about halfway through. "Sit, do. May I get you some tea?"

Jana remains standing uncertainly, shifting the weight of her not-quite sleeping son. "Uh... reckon you ain't need to bother."

Tumnus nods and moves toward his own chair, clearing the book off of it. "Ah, very well. What may I do for you, then?"

Jana looks uncomfortable. "I, uh--"

Tumnus takes his seat and watches her curiously, though he doesn't urge her any further at present.

Jana readjusts her son again. "It's them wolves."

Tumnus looks rather surprised, sitting back and resting his arms on the sides of the chair. "Indeed? What seems to be the trouble?"

Jana says, "It's just my husband was out hunting wood. Me and him were camping off a ways cause he don't like folk. Still in sight of that circle and the big tree, just not with all the animals. So he was just a little ways north of the cave looking for firewood when them wolves come across him or he them, ain't really know either way."

Tumnus listens thoughtfully, nodding to indicate that she ought to go on.

Jana says, "Anyway, they got all confusing. I came after a little cause I thought I'd take Tristran for him, and I saw it. They said they were warning him that if he went on further north he'd be in dangerous parts, but then they said things like 'he looks like he knows too much' and 'we're only protecting our own'. And anyway I /know/ where them giants live, and its leagues off."

Tumnus frowns a little. "Hmm. Yes, I believe you are right--Cauldron Pool is not a very dangerous place. Tell me, do you know which wolves these were? There were quite a lot of them around for the feasting, you know."

Jana says, "I've never met any of them before far as I recall, but I know who most the Great Woods ones are, and when these ones left they went on north. I asked them how my husband holding his little babe was a threat to a whole pack of wolves and they said it was cause he was walking in the wrong place."

Tumnus nods thoughtfully at first, then looks puzzled. "Do you mean that they wanted him to walk somewhere else instead?"

Jana says, "Reckon so."

Tumnus says, "Hmm. Most peculiar. But they didn't say where he ought to go or why it didn't suit?"

Jana says, "Said he was a threat and they were warning him. They were all confused about it, saying he was dangerous and then turning and saying he was in danger the next. Think they was trying to make it sound's if they were doing a favor."

Tumnus taps his chin thoughtfully. "And your husband hadn't seen them before, either?"

Jana says, "Ain't know. They called him 'your man' when they talked to me, so I guess they ain't knew a name for him."

Tumnus nods once. "And what did you say to them, you and your husband?"

Jana adjusts the dead weight of her sleeping child again. "He ain't very pleased so he ain't been real nice after awhile, but he ain't said anything worse than commenting on the lack of hospitality. I took Tristran and offered if they thought he was such a threat why ain't they fight him and prove they're right."

Tumnus raises his eyebrows, sitting back a little. "Indeed? And did they?"

Jana says, "They said no, folk above them would see that as abuse, which tells me he weren't a real threat then."

Tumnus nods again, considering.

Jana rubs Tristran's back while she waits for any further questions.

Tumnus says, after a moment, "Was that all that everyone said before the wolves left, or was there more?"

Jana frowns. "I think that's all. No-- at the end, they did offer to buy us a place in the inn. Ain't wanted that and ain't liked they thought it was needed either, though."

Tumnus frowns again. "Most peculiar indeed." He shifts. "Well, Daughter of Eve, I am very sorry that you were not shown a better welcome to Lantern Waste. I cannot say yet just what will be done about it, but if you could have your way, what would you like to see done?"

Jana frowns, "Reckon I'd like to see they ain't own what goes on everywhere in walking distance of their den and more."

Tumnus smiles at this. "Ah. Well, that I can tell you now--the wolves of Ulfden do not own Lantern Waste. The woods and hills of Narnia belong to all free Narnians, under Their Majesties, of course."

Jana says, "They ain't act that way."

Tumnus nods. "And I am sure you were not expecting that sort of talk, given Their Majesties' decree for Christmas."

Jana says, "Reckon it confirmed what I already thought of wolves."

Tumnus raises his eyebrows again, though he looks less surprised than before. "Indeed?"

Jana shrugs.

Tumnus nods once more. "Well, I will make it a point to speak with Their Majesties on the subject before they return to Cair Paravel. I think it will be best to deal with this sooner than later. Do you know how much longer you and your husband will be here?"

Jana says, "Reckon we best head back pretty soon before we look like we're overstaying our welcome."

Tumnus says, "Ah, well, I think you and Their Majesties will know more about that than I do. In any case, I will speak with them soon. I am sure they will know where to find you if I need to speak with you again?"

Jana says, "Reckon so."

Tumnus says, "Very good--very good. Well, then, while you are here, are you sure that you would not like any tea?"

Jana gestures to her child. "Ain't figure I can juggle him and a hot cup anyway."

Tumnus says, "Ah, of course. Of course. How silly of me--and I am told they cry if you put them down?"

Jana says, "Hard to predict."

Tumnus nods and repeats, "Of course." He stands again. "Well, if you will not stay, would you like me to walk with you back to where you and your husband are staying?"

Jana says, "Sure I'll be fine. It's a little ways for company."

Tumnus walks with her to the door and opens it to accomodate her full arms. "Ah, very well. A good day to you, Daughter of Eve."

Jana crosses the threshhold once more. "Thank you."

Tumnus nods to her. "Of course."

Jana walks on off in the direction of the Lamp-post.