The Wolf and His Boy

Teaser: AU. A wolf defies the Witch and frees Edmund. As the two travel through Narnia, Edmund discovers humans are not the only denizens of Earth to find Narnia. Narnia/Balto crossover

Chapter Eight: Knights of Narnia

A/N: This is the final chapter, however I will be going back and improving on Balto's adventure with the Secret Police. Therefore, any updates will change the beginning of this story, not the end.

The four sled dogs stood near the front of Cair Paravel's throne room. Their eyes, and everyone else's, focused on the Penvensie children and Aslan. The five moved toward the front, an honor guard of centaurs lifting their swords in respect. They ascended the steps and the children each walked to a throne and turned to face the crowd. Aslan's head rose a bit and his voice rang out through the hall.

"To the glistening Eastern Sea, I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant."

The Beavers ascended the steps and held two cushions up. Four crowns, two gold and two silver, rested on them. Tumnus lifted the silver crown fashioned with flowers intertwined with each other and placed it on Lucy's head.

"To the great Western Wood, King Edmund the Just."

Tumnus took the other silver crown, a crown fashioned with a trileaf pattern, and placed it on Edmund's head. Vines curved along its length and the leaves were at the peaks of the crown.

"To the Radiant Southern Sun, Queen Susan the Gentle."

Susan's crown was gold, fashioned with flowers in full bloom. Like Lucy's, they twined together.

"And to the clear Northern Sky, I give you King Peter the Magnificent."

Peter's crown alone had jewels and it had several peaks, like Edmund's. Each peak had three leaves poking skyward, making the most elaborate of the four crowns. That was only right, since Peter was the High King, second only to Aslan.

Aslan turned to the four as they sat in their thrones and added, "Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen. May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens."

The crowd cheered and called, "Long live King Peter! Long live King Edmund! Long live Queen Susan! Long live Queen Lucy!"

Then came the knighting ceremony. Many soldiers and Narnians were knighted among them the fox spy and Orieus, the centaur general. At the very end all four Kings and Queens rose. Balto and his team came forward and bowed their heads.

Peter spoke first. "Balto. You led the effort to keep my brother safe after the White Witch wounded him. I name you Sir Balto Wolfspirit, for you remind us that not all wolves are evil." The Beavers came forward again, this time carrying collars of red leather, fashioned after the collars the sled dogs already wore. Each collar had a small silver emblem, forged to look like Peter's shield complete with Aslan's emblem. Peter took the first collar and reached down. He took off Balto's old collar and fastened the new one on.

Edmund looked down at the brown sled dog. "Nikki. You fought beside Balto and led the sled team to give my siblings time to reach Aslan. I name you Sir Nikki Leal, for your loyalty to your friends and Narnia." He picked up the second collar and replaced the collar around Nikki's neck.

Susan smiled at the third dog. "Kaltag. You also fought for Edmund and you followed my sister and I the night before the battle. You carried the message of Aslan's sacrifice to my brothers. I name you Sir Kaltag Fleetfoot, for your speed in the service of Narnia." A third collar found its place on Kaltag's neck.

Lucy grinned at the nervous grey dog. "Star. You protected Edmund for us too. You carried our message with Kaltag and you overcame your fears to fight. I name you Sir Star Braue, for your bravery in Narnia." The final collar slid around Star's neck and all four Alaskans bowed to the Kings and Queens.

"Aslan." The great Lion turned and Balto bowed.

"Speak, Wolfspirit," Aslan encouraged.

"Aslan, how do we go home? Narnia is beautiful but my team and I, we belong in the North. We were bred and born for cold, for weather far harsher than the Witch's winter."

Aslan smiled down at Balto. "Gather your team, Sir Balto, and say your goodbyes. I will guide you home."

Balto bowed again and hurried off. He found Nikki, Kaltag, and Star talking with the Kings and Queens. "Your Majesties," Balto greeted them.

Edmund eyed him and smiled sadly. "You're going home aren't you?"

The three sled dogs looked eagerly to Balto. "Are we Boss?" Nikki asked.

"Aslan has agreed to show us the way home," Balto confirmed.

"That is the most exciting, the most phenomenal, the most encouraging…"

"That's great!" Kaltag shifted to cuff Star but settled for a glare.

Peter knelt and hugged Balto. In short order his whole family followed and the Alaskans nuzzled their new friends back. Finally Peter sat back on his heels. "Take care of yourselves."

"Don't worry," Balto replied with a grin. "We will."

Aslan lifted a paw and pointed to a cave along the beach. "Go through that cave and you will find yourselves home." He smiled down at them. "The collars will go with you. Bear them well, Knights of Narnia and remember," He leaned forward. "Once a Knight of Narnia, always a Knight of Narnia."

Balto looked out at the pack of dogs from the safety of the forest. He grinned at his team. "Shall we?"

They leapt out from the trees and faced Steele's gang. Steele looked surprised and then he sneered, "Come to get beaten, wolf-dog?"

Balto lifted his head high and answered, "You can fight us or get out of our way, Steele."

The dogs behind Steele jeered. Steele laughed. "What? You and those three cowards? This I have to see. Get 'em!"

The dog pack lunged. Balto hit Steele in the stomach with his head while Nikki, Kaltag, and Star raced forward, ducking under clumsy blows to deliver rock-hard hits. Two dogs tried to jump Star and he whirled, snarling right in their faces. They froze and Kaltag rammed them aside. Nikki eyed two more calmly. They laughed and advanced, only to find Nikki on their backs. He drove them into the snow and sauntered off. Kaltag and Star went back to back, dealing with four at the same time. Nikki knocked one aside and the other three managed to lunge. Star whirled, lashing out at two with his hind legs. They went sailing into the trees. Kaltag growled and swiped at the last, tripping the dog and sending him into a snowbank.

Balto faced off with Steele, snapping at the other dog. Steele tried to ram Balto and Balto hit Steele in the chest with his shoulder. Steele ended up on the ground with Balto's paw digging into his throat. "Do you yield?" Balto asked.

Steele nodded, pale beneath his fur. Balto let up and Steele fled. Balto's team laughed and grinned at their leader. Balto surveyed the sled dogs handiwork and smirked. "Think they'll believe us, boys?"

"Well wes have them collars, Boss."

Kaltag for once cut to the point. "I think we should keep it to ourselves. They'll find out if Aslan wants 'em to." Star nodded in agreement.

Balto grinned. "Alright, we'll just let 'em wonder." His ears pricked. "I'm headed back to the trawler. See you guys later." The wolf-dog turned to go.

"Balto?" Star asked.

Balto looked back. "Yeah Star?"

"Can I come with you? I want to meet Muk, Luk, and Boris."

Nikki's tail wagged. "Count me in."

"Me three," Kaltag added.

Balto looked at them a moment. "Well, then. Come on."

The four bounded away. Behind them, in the forest, a glowing door opened slightly and a roar was heard.

fin

A/N: I do hope you have enjoyed. Please Read and Review.