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The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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<strong>The</strong> last words were addressed to an immense biscuitcoloured rabbit whose head had just<br />

popped up from somewhere beside the path. <strong>The</strong> Hedgehog immediately told the Rabbit<br />

what it had just learned from Shasta. <strong>The</strong> Rabbit agreed that this was very remarkable<br />

news and that somebody ought to tell someone about it with a view to do<strong>in</strong>g someth<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

And so it went on. Every few m<strong>in</strong>utes they were jo<strong>in</strong>ed by other creatures, some from the<br />

branches overhead and some from little underground houses at their feet, till the party<br />

consisted <strong>of</strong> five rabbits, a squirrel, two magpies, a goat-foot faun, and a mouse, who all<br />

talked at the same time and all agreed with the Hedgehog. For the truth was that <strong>in</strong> that<br />

golden age when the Witch and the W<strong>in</strong>ter had gone and Peter the High K<strong>in</strong>g ruled at<br />

Cair Paravel, the smaller woodland people <strong>of</strong> <strong>Narnia</strong> were so safe and happy that they<br />

were gett<strong>in</strong>g a little careless.<br />

Presently, however, two more practical people arrived <strong>in</strong> the little wood. One was a Red<br />

Dwarf whose name appeared to be Duffle. <strong>The</strong> other was a stag, a beautiful lordly<br />

creature with wide liquid eyes, dappled flanks and legs so th<strong>in</strong> and graceful that they<br />

looked as if you could break them with two f<strong>in</strong>gers.<br />

"Lion alive!" roared the Dwarf as soon as he had heard the news. "And if that's so, why<br />

are we all stand<strong>in</strong>g still, chatter<strong>in</strong>g? Enemies at Anvard! News must be sent to Cair<br />

Paravel at once. <strong>The</strong> army must be called out. <strong>Narnia</strong> must go to the aid <strong>of</strong> K<strong>in</strong>g Lune."<br />

"Ah!" said the Hedgehog. "But you won't f<strong>in</strong>d the High K<strong>in</strong>g at the Cair. He's away to the<br />

North trounc<strong>in</strong>g those giants. And talk<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> giants, neighbours, that puts me <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d -"<br />

"Who'll take our message?" <strong>in</strong>terrupted the Dwarf. "Anyone here got more speed than<br />

me?"<br />

"I've got speed," said the Stag. "What's my message? How many Calormenes?"<br />

"Two hundred: under Pr<strong>in</strong>ce Rabadash. And -" But the Stag was already away - all four<br />

legs <strong>of</strong>f the ground at once, and <strong>in</strong> a moment its white stern had disappeared among the<br />

remoter trees.<br />

"Wonder where he's go<strong>in</strong>g," said a Rabbit. "He won't f<strong>in</strong>d the High K<strong>in</strong>g at Cair Paravel,<br />

you know."<br />

"He'll f<strong>in</strong>d Queen Lucy," said Duffle. "And then hullo! What's wrong with the Human? It<br />

looks pretty green. Why, I do believe it's quite fa<strong>in</strong>t. Perhaps it's mortal hungry. When did<br />

you last have a meal, youngster?"<br />

"Yesterday morn<strong>in</strong>g," said Shasta weakly.<br />

"Come on, then, come on," said the Dwarf, at once throw<strong>in</strong>g his thick little arms round<br />

Shasta's waist to support him. "Why, neighbours, we ought all to be ashamed <strong>of</strong><br />

ourselves! You come with me, lad. Breakfast! Better than talk<strong>in</strong>g."

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