Frozen Hearts

.::~**~::.

I'll admit the talking fox still freaked me out. He was a fox! He shouldn't have been saying anything! But, against my better judgment, I still followed him. He was awfully quiet most of the journey, I remember. He didn't want to say much, fearing the White Witch and her spies.

"So where exactly are you taking me?"

"To the Beavers, they will help us along the way but then we must be off to Aslan's camp. It is a long journey."

"You have no idea why I am here?"

"I know why you are here, Daughter of Eve. It is best left unspoken until we reach the company of others who support Aslan. Some of the trees are even on the Queen's side."

"But they're trees!"

The fox chuckled and slowed his pace down so he could walk beside me.

"Tree nymphs make the trees alive. Some of them have fallen to darkness and will inform The White Witch if they discover who you are. She will stop at nothing to destroy you from fulfilling your prophecy. You are her greatest fear."

"I'm just a thirteen year old human girl from New York! I am hardly a threat!" I exclaimed.

"You know nothing of the Guardians of Narnia?" the fox whispered.

"What? No,"

"Best left that way until we meet the Beavers. Quiet now."

A few turns and trudging down hills later, we spotted a dam. The lights glowed out the windows and smoke rose from the chimney.

"I cannot stay for long but you can find your way down? Just tell them that a follower of Aslan found you wandering the woods and brought you here."

"But—,"

Before I could finish, the fox was gone. I sighed and descended downhill once more. Half way down, it was icier than most spots and I slid down. I ended up rolling down. I shrieked as I landed near the Beaver's house.

"Are you alright?" a little girl's voice exclaimed as I got up.

Wait what? I thought. A Beaver came waddling towards the door and there were four other actual humans with it! There was a boy who looked at least a year or two older than me, a girl around his age, another boy who looked literally no older than thirteen or fourteen and the youngest girl was staring at me in surprise.

"Beaver, I thought you said there were no other humans in Narnia." The eldest boy said.

"Oh, great…British people," I exclaimed, teasing mischievous look.

"At least it's better than being an American." The other boy retorted, with a scoff.

I glared at him and he glared back.

"Ed," the oldest boy snapped. "Shut up."

"Really, do you two constantly have to fight?" the older girl exclaimed. "I'm Susan Pevensie by the way. This is Peter, Edmund and Lucy."

"I'm Liv Mulligan. Nice to meet you,"

"You're Irish?" Peter asked, rather surprised.

"Well, my surname says it clearly for you. Yes, I'm half Irish. My dad was Irish."

"What do you mean was?" Lucy asked.

"He died…in a war." I answered, blatantly.

"Beaver is that you?" a voice from inside the house was heard. "If I find you've been out with Badger again—,"

The front door opened and the other Beaver stared at us in shock. She gasped loudly and went to her mate.

"Oh, oh those certainly are not badgers. Look at my fur you couldn't have even given me a small notice?"

"I'd given you a week's notice if it woulda helped."

Beaver chuckled and let us inside their little home. The others went in first but as I walked up to the doorway, Edmund — I think his name was, cut me off. He sent me a look and I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Brat," I hissed. "Go then if you're going to cut me off!"

I shoved past him and he continued staring out towards some mountains. I heard Beaver say something to him but I couldn't catch what it was.

Inside the beaver dam, it was quiet cozy and warm. I felt myself defrosting by the fire. Mrs. Beaver already had a spread out for us and gave me a cup of chamomile tea.

"Here you are, dear."

"Thank you," I responded.

"So how did you find Narnia?" Lucy asked as she sat beside me.

"Um, I got into a fight with my little sister. I ran upstairs to my room and landed in this eternal snow. What about you?"

"Well, it's a bit of a long story." Lucy answered.

"I enjoy stories. Go on!" I continued.

Lucy's smile widened and she went to tell her story about how they lived in London and because of the air raids the children had to be sent to the country. She and her siblings were sent to live with a professor who had a large house and many rooms. Lucy was the first to find the spare room with the wardrobe and go through. I pitied her when she said none of her siblings believed her. Then Edmund went through and of course, he lied about it and everyone else followed after an accident at the professor's house one morning.

"So you live in the 1940s?" I inquired.

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Well, this might sound crazy—,"

"Well, apparently anything can happen in Narnia." Susan cut in, with a smile. "I'm sure it's not as mad as you believe it to be."

"I'm from the year 2014."

"2014?" the girls exclaimed, in shock. "So you are — we would be at least seventy years older than you?"

"Yes," I answered.

Later on after the small supper Mrs. Beaver had prepared for us, we still sat around the table just chatting. Mr. Beaver began telling us about the White Witch, mostly that she had made an eternal winter in Narnia and it has been for a hundred years.

"Aslan is on the move." Mr. Beaver continued.

At the mention of his name a breeze went through me, almost like during the first days of summer in the early afternoon on a nice day. Edmund was the one who broke the silence and my little happy moment, much to my distaste.

"Who's Aslan?" he asked.

I sent him a look and he reciprocated. Mr. Beaver started laughing but stopped when he saw our puzzled expressions and was nudged by his mate.

"He's the king! The one true king of Narnia — the top geezer!"

"He's been away for a long while." Mrs. Beaver cut in.

"But he's just got back! Tumnus' arrest, the secret police — it's all happening because of you!" Mr. Beaver exclaimed.

"And you're blaming us?" Susan asked, shocked.

"Not blaming you, thanking you!" Mrs. Beaver said, with a smile.

"Listen, there's a prophecy — when Adam's flesh and Adam's bone sits in Cair Paravel upon the throne, the evil will be over and done."

"That doesn't exactly rhyme." Susan quipped.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her comment. Not all prophecies had to rhyme, my god.

"I know it don't! You're kind of missing the point!"

Mrs. Beaver placed her paw on her mate's hand; she looked over at all of us.

"When two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve defeat the White Witch, the war will be over and there will be peace."

"Only four? Why am I even here then?" I asked, with a frown.

Mrs. Beaver sent me a kind smile and Mr. Beaver looked at me.

"When another Daughter of Eve enters, she will guide the kings and queens to fulfill their prophecy and become the Guardian of the Just."

"That doesn't make any sense."

"It is your duty to protect our Kings and Queens. Your calling is just as important as theirs!" Mrs. Beaver told.

"Aslan's waiting for you all near the Stone Table with your army!"

"Wait what?"

"Our army?" Lucy asked.

Susan looked over at Peter worriedly.

"Mum sent us away so we wouldn't get caught up in a war!"

"I really think you've got the wrong people!" I said.

"We're not heroes!"

"We're from Finchley!"

I glanced at the three Pevensie kids sitting at the table and then over where Edmund should have been. My eyes widened…that little shit! He was gone; of course he was!

"Thank you for your hospitality but we really have to go!" Susan cried.

"No — you can't just leave!"

"Um, guys—,"

"Susan's right! It's time we went home. Ed?"

Peter looked around as they stood up.

"Edmund!" Lucy exclaimed.

"I'm gonna kill him!" Peter growled.

"You may not have to. Has Edmund ever been to Narnia before?" Mr. Beaver asked.

I looked out the door and was about to charge out but Susan stopped me.

"Where would he have gone?" she asked.

"The White Witch," Mr. Beaver answered.

"I'll go after him." I said, looking at the distressed siblings. "You three are more important than me. The White Witch doesn't even know I'm here yet."

"No, he's our brother." Peter retorted.

"I'm going with you whether you like it or not. You need all the help you can."

"Fine," Peter gave in. "You can come."

"Thanks," I muttered.

"Here, dear, put these on. Those slippers won't keep your feet warm in this cold." Mrs. Beaver said, handing me a pair of boots.

I nodded as we prepared our search for Edmund.