A Tale of a Lion, a Witch, and a Wardrobe

Disclaimer: I own: Hannah, Faith, and Rose. That's all (for now.)!

Chapter 4: Rescuing a King

We walked and walked until we were at Aslan's camp. "Why are they all staring at us?" Susan asked.

"Maybe they think you look funny." Lucy teased, giggling. Peter looked at her like he agreed. I rolled my eyes. We had by now reached Aslan's tent. Peter drew his sword. "We have come to see Aslan." Everyone bowed in the direction of the tent, including us. Then Aslan came out. He was much more magnificent, powerful, holy, sovereign, loving, and awesome than could ever be portrayed in any movie. I thought, This, this is how C. S. Lewis meant Him to look, surely. But then I thought that no one, with seeing Him, could ever imagine Him correctly. While I was thinking this, He said, "Welcome, Peter, Son of Adam. Welcome, Hannah, Susan, Faith, Rose, and Lucy, Daughters of Eve. Welcome, He-Beaver and She-Beaver. But where is the fourth?"

"That's why we're here, Sir. We need Your help." Peter said.

"We had a little trouble along the way." Susan put in.

"Our brother's been captured by the White Witch." Peter said.

"Captured? How could this happen?" Aslan asked.

None of us answered, so Mr. Beaver said, "He betrayed them, Your Majesty."

"Then he has betrayed us all!" Oreius said vehemently.

"Peace, Oreius. I'm sure there's an explanation." Aslan said.

"It's my fault, really. I was too hard on him." Peter said.

"We all were." Susan said.

"Sir, he's our brother." Lucy said, her devotion to him evident though he had betrayed them.

"I know, dear one. But that only makes the betrayal all the worse." Aslan said. "This may be harder than you think." After that, He motioned for some of the… creatures to come and get us dressed in Narnian clothes. When I slipped my dress over my head, I was surprised at how comfortable it was. Though I had read a million times in The Last Battle that Narnian clothes are always comfortable, I hadn't experienced it. I peeked outside the tent and saw Peter, clad in new Narnian clothing as well, walk up to a cliff. I slid my quiver over my head and buckled my swords around my waist as I followed him. Aslan walked up to him right before I did and said, "That is Cair Paravel, the castle of the seven thrones," Here I jumped. 7? But Aslan continued, "In one of which you will sit, Peter, as High King." Peter looked at the ground. "You doubt the prophecy?"

"No. That's just it. Aslan, I'm not what you all think I am."

"Peter Pevensie, formerly of Finchley. Beaver also mentioned that you planned on turning him into a hat." Aslan, Peter, and I all chuckled at that. "Peter, there is a Deep Magic, more powerful than any of us, that rules over all of Narnia. It defines right from wrong and governs all our destinies. Yours and Mine."

"But I couldn't even protect my own family!"

"You've brought them safely this far."

"Not all of them."

"Peter, I will do what I can to help your brother, but I need you to consider what I ask of you. I, too want my family safe." Suddenly, a horn sounded. "Susan!" Peter shouted. I realized that there was a very high likelihood that the girls were with her and Lu. I ran alongside Peter. Sure enough, they sat in the tree beside Susan and Lucy, screaming as loud as they could. Who could blame them? Then the fight with Maugrim happened. After which, of course, Aslan released the other wolf. "After him! He will lead you to Edmund." I had already made sure that the girls were safe, and so I looked at Aslan, and He nodded His head in the direction the rescue party had just taken. I grinned and took off with them. Oreius looked at me, and I answered the silent question. "Aslan told me to." That seemed to satisfy him, and when he saw me struggling to keep up, he offered me his hand. I took it, not knowing why until he pulled me up onto his back. I was elated! I would be one of the few people who got to ride a centaur! "Thanks." I said when I had breath enough. He nodded but remained silent, for we were nearing the Witch's camp. I readied myself for a fight, which would be scary, because I didn't know how to use my swords yet. I hoped that would change before the battle. We rescued Edmund and hurried back to Aslan's camp. It had been dark when we had reached the Witch's camp, so it was way past midnight when we got back. In fact, I fell asleep before we got there. I awoke in a bed in a tent. I almost panicked before I remembered where I was. I hurried to get up and go outside. There Edmund was, talking to Aslan. Peter came out of his tent and saw them. Soon Susan and Lucy came out. "Edmund!" Lucy cried the moment she saw him. Peter caught her to keep her from going up to him. As he and Aslan walked toward us, the girls appeared out of nowhere and stood beside me. "What's done is done. There is no need to speak to Edmund about what is past." Aslan said before walking away, leaving the 7 of us alone. "Hello." Edmund said tentatively. That was all the encouragement Lucy needed to run and hug him. Susan did the same. "Are you all right?"

"I'm a little tired."

"Get some sleep." Peter said roughly. I'm still not sure if he meant it to sound the way it did, but it doesn't matter. Whether he meant it to or not, the hurt look in Edmund's eyes as he turned away spoke volumes. "And, Edmund… try not to wander off." Peter quickly added. All of us giggled a bit. Edmund just smiled, glad that his brother wasn't mad at him.