Chapter Four: Meeting Aslan
"Who's out there?" someone yelled through the door.
Peter know the voice immediately. "Susan, it's me, Peter," he yelled back. "I have Lily with me."
The door flew open, and the three younger Pevensie children ran out.
"Wow, she's pretty!" exclaimed Lucy. "Peter, why are we in Narnia?" she added after a moment.
"I was wondering the same thing, Lu," Peter answered while hugging her.
"Kings and queens," came a voice from inside the room. It was not soft or loud, but it was full of power. It was Aslan.
A grin spread across Peter's face as he moved toward the door, Lily staying close behind him. He reached back to touch her arm comfortingly, saying, "Don't worry. He's really quite friendly."
"If you say so," the girl answered nervously.
The five of them entered the room, and Peter saw the Lion standing in one corner. The ultimate King was a glorious sight; he seemed to glow, suffusing the room in his own splendid light.
Peter knelt before him and saw Lily do the same from the corner of his eye.
"Welcome, High King Peter," Aslan said.
Peter raised his head to look at the Lion. "Thank you," he said, "but Aslan, why are we here? You said-"
"All in good time," Aslan answered with a laugh. He turned to Lily. "You are not familiar to me, daughter of Eve."
The girl glanced fearfully at Peter, and he nodded for her to continue.
"M-my name is Li-lily Johnson," she said, a tremor in her voice.
"There is no need for you to fear me, Lily," Aslan told her and laughed again, warmly. "Welcome to the land of Narnia."
"Thank you, sir," she answered, her voice more even now. "Narnia is a beautiful and amazing place."
"Thank you, Lily." Aslan nodded. "I say the six of us take a walk. I am in need of some fresh air."
Peter, Lucy, Lily, Edmund, Susan, and Aslan walked out of the tower and down the stairs to the courtyard. Soon they stood in the middle of it. Aslan turned and faced the five children.
"Now for the reason you are in Narnia," he said to them.
Peter felt a thrill of excitement run through him. It was just like old times. He and his brother and sisters - and now Lily - were here in Narnia, ready to embark on another great adventure. He had thought, after what Aslan had said to he and Susan on their last visit here, that he would never see this place again, but was now overjoyed to find out that he had been wrong.
"Kings and queens, it has been over one hundred years since the last time you set foot in Narnia," Aslan began, "and many things have changed. I must warn you-"
One of the doors of the courtyard suddenly banged open, interrupting him, and the group turned to see the lady faun Peter and Lily had spoken to earlier running toward them.
When she drew close, the Lion called in concern, "What is it, Laerica?"
The faun skidded to a half, shaking all over, and managed to gasp, "Aslan - it's happened again!"