A/N: Thanks to Magis09.

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The sun was shinning brightly in the clear blue sky ahead. The Pevensie's and Aubrey had been walking for most of the day. Lucy was leading the group with Peter next to her. She was telling him a story of her time with the faun. Aubrey was walking behind them, listening to Lucy's tale.

"And we had tea and he played from his flute and he had a lovely fire burning." She said excitedly. Peter smiled at her fun. "It was such a cozy place. I'm sure you would love it." She paused to look at a cluster of trees. Aubrey looked at them as well but couldn't tell them apart from all the other ones surrounding them in the forest. Lucy continued walking.

Behind Aubrey, Susan was walking stiffly with her hands in her pockets, sulking almost as much as Edmund. She hated being wrong and now she was walking through what she thought was Lucy's childish dream. She refused to have any fun with it apart from their earlier snowball fight.

Aubrey approached a small hill and watched as Peter and Lucy slowly climbed down it. She followed them. As she reached the bottom she heard a soft gasp and turned to see Susan slipping down the hill on her back. Aubrey didn't know whether to laugh or help her up. Suddenly Susan cracked a smile and started to make a snow angel, laughing the entire time. Aubrey smiled at her, happy to see that she was beginning to have some fun. She turned around and saw Peter and Lucy leaning on each other so neither would fall from their fit of giggles. Edmund walked slowly down the hill and frowned at his siblings. After Susan got up and admired her snow angel, they continued on their way.

The sun was high in the sky, around noon Aubrey guessed when they first spotted Mr. Tumnus' house. There was no smoke coming from the chimney and looked as if no one was home.

"Maybe he ran out?" Lucy said, trying to reassure herself. She picked up the pace, the others, especially Aubrey, trying to keep up with her. As they rounded the next corner, Mr. Tumnus' house came into full view. One of his windows had been shattered and the front door was hanging off its hinges. All five of them froze and stared at the house in horror. Suddenly Lucy bolted for the inside.

"Lucy!" Peter yelled. Susan ran after her, the others close on her heels. When they got inside, Aubrey gasped. The entire place was ripped apart like someone had been looking for something. Aubrey heard the breaking of glass behind her a jumped. She turned around and saw Edmund holding a broken picture of two fauns, one older the other looked like a young boy.

"Who would have done such a thing?" Lucy asked, tears in her eyes. Aubrey came up to the young girl and put a protective arm around her.

"Peter." Susan said a tad warningly. Aubrey looked over at them. Susan was giving Peter a told-you-we-should-have-turned-around look but he wasn't paying her any attention. His focus was on a piece of old parchment nailed to the door. Slowly Peter walked over to it. He plucked it off the door and took it outside to read in the light. The others followed silently behind him.

He began to read, "'The former occupant of the premises, the Faun Tumnus, is under arrest and awaiting his trial on a charge of High Treason against her imperial Majesty Jadis, Queen of Narnia, Chatelaine of Cair Paravel, Empress of the Lone Islands, also to comforting her said Majesties enemies, harboring spies and fraternizing with Humans. Signed Maugrim, captain of the Secret Police. Long Live the Queen.'" He looked up and met Aubrey's eyes. He was worried.

"We should really go." Susan was the first to break the silence. She looked around the woods like she was expecting someone to jump out and grab them.

"Go?" Lucy asked her incredulously. She looked between Peter and Aubrey. "But we have to help him!"

Peter looked at her, sorrow in his eyes. "It's out of our hands Lu." He told her gently.

Lucy shook her head. "You don't get it. Do you?" Peter looked at her questioningly. "I'm the human. He helped me." She looked down at the ground, tears leaking from her eyes. Aubrey tightened her hold on her in a comforting way.

"There has to be something we can do." Aubrey piped up. "Maybe we should call the police?" She asked.

Susan rolled her eyes at her. "These are the police!" She said, gesturing to the parchment still in Peter's hand.

"What kind of Queen does this?" Aubrey asked sullenly.

"She's no Queen." Lucy yelled. "She's a witch! And I just know she'll do something horrible, like turn him to stone."

"Well he'd deserve it." Edmund called. "He is a criminal." He rolled his eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Lucy stared at him with a murderous look in her eyes. Peter and Susan also glared at him. Aubrey shook her head in disappointment. Peter opened his mouth to argue but was cut off by a noise. Everyone turned around, curious and a little nervous to see what it was. But there was nothing there.

"Psst." I think it's coming from that tree, Aubrey remarked. They walked towards the one she was pointing too.

"Psst." They heard it again. Susan, who was in front, turned around to stare at them all. "Did that bird just 'psst' us?" She asked like she was going crazy. Seeing it had their attention, the bird flew off to the next tree. No one made to follow it so it turned around. "Psst." It said again. Lucy cocked her head to the right. "I think it wants us to follow it." She followed the bird as it flew from tree to tree. Finally the bird flew away and left them alone in a small clearing.

"Now what?" Susan asked.

Suddenly there was some rustling in the bushes ahead of them. Peter pushed the others behind him much to Aubrey's and Edmund's annoyance. The rustling grew louder then suddenly stopped. A large brown beaver emerged. Peter and Aubrey exchanged curious looks. Peter walked forward, crouched low and clicked his tongue to get its attention. He extended his hand for the animal to sniff. It sat up on its hind legs and looked at Peter curiously.

"Well I'm not going to smell it, if that's what you want." Peter landed on his butt in the snow in shock. Aubrey could feel her eyes widening and saw her reaction mirrored in Susan's and Lucy's eyes.

"It's a talking beaver." Edmund stated obviously but surprisingly.

The beaver looked straight at Lucy. "Lucy Pevensie?" He asked. She nodded silently. The beaver walked towards her and handed her a handkerchief.

"This is the handkerchief I gave to Mr.-" she said as she took it out of the beaver's hand.

"Tumnus." He finished for her. "He gave it to me right before they took him."

"Is he alright?" She asked worriedly, hoping to hear some good news. Maybe he got away. She thought in her head.

"Further in." The beaver remarked. Looking around nervously at the trees.

"The trees." Lucy filled the others in. "They're her spies."

Susan rolled her eyes in an oh-of-course kind of way. Peter and Aubrey just nodded mutely. The beaver turned and walked back into the bushes, motioning the others to follow him. Peter started to follow when Susan grabbed his arm and held him back.

"What are you doing?" She whispered.

"Following the beaver." He told her, a small smile forming on his lips. Susan scoffed at him.

"She's right." Edmund said. "How do we know we can trust him?"

"He said he knew the faun." Aubrey told them.

"He's a beaver!" Susan said plainly. "He shouldn't be saying anything!"

The beaver poked his head through the bushes into the clearing they were all standing in. "Is everything alright?" He asked them.

"Yes." Peter said. "We were just talking." He looked pointedly at Susan.

"That's better left for safer places." The beaver told them, once again looking nervously at the trees.

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They arrived at a small wooden house between two rivers at what Aubrey guessed was dinner time. The sun had already begun to make its decent under the tallest trees, casting large shadows across the house.

"Home sweet home. Ah. Looks like Mrs. Beaver's got the pot on." Mr. Beaver remarked, giving a contented sigh.

"It's beautiful." Lucy told him. He smiled, or what could only be a smile coming from a beaver, at her. The front door of the little house opened and warm firelight spilled across the ground at their feet. A plump old beaver was drying her hands on her apron.

"Is that you beaver?" She called, eyes still on her apron. "If I find out you've been out with badger again I'll . . . " She looked up and saw for the first time the five humans in front of her. "Oh. Those aren't badgers." She said, a little shocked. Mr. Beaver led them towards the house and invited them inside. Mrs. Beaver stared at them all. "I never thought I'd see the day." She said quietly. She closed the door behind Edmund who was the last to enter.

She ran into the kitchen and brought out seven cups and handed one to each of them. She took a kettle that had been boiling on the fire and started to pour them water. Susan got up and helped her with the tea, the others situated themselves around the house. Lucy at the table with Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, Peter in a doorway behind them. Susan sat on a stool behind Lucy. Edmund took a seat on the ground near the door. He kept glancing out of it. Aubrey sat next to Peter, looking curiously at Edmund.

"There must be something we can do to help Mr. Tumnus." Lucy said looking at Mr. and Mrs. Beaver.

"Couldn't we just go to the Witch and plead Mr. Tumnus' case?" Aubrey asked them. Mr. Beaver looked at her sadly.

"You could go alright." He told herm his voice glum. Mrs. Beaver patted his arm softly.

"But very few who enter that castle ever come out again." She looked at them all sadly. Lucy's eyes began to tear up.

"Then Mr. Tumnus is . . . " She couldn't finish as a sob broke through. Mrs. Beaver put her hand atop of Lucy's and smiled at the young girl.

"There is hope dear." She said.

"Yes." Mr. Beaver remarked. "The greatest hope there ever was." They all look at him curiously. "Aslan is on the move." He said with awe. Peter, Aubrey and Susan exchanged curious looks.

"Who's Aslan?" Edmund asked from behind them.

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver began to laugh like they were all playing a big joke on them. When the five of them didn't join in the laughter and continued to look curious Mr. Beaver asked, "You don't know?" They all shook their heads. "Well we actually haven't been here very long." Peter told them.

"He's the king of the wood." Mrs. Beaver told them. "The real King of Narnia. He's been gone a long time but now he's back."

"Yes." Mr. Beaver continued. "And he's waiting for you."

"Us?" Aubrey asked.

"You have got to be kidding!" Mr. Beaver exclaimed. "Look, Aslan's return, Tumnus' arrest, the secret police . . . It's all happening because of you!"

"You're blaming us?" Susan asked, offended.

"No no." Mrs. Beaver reassured them. "Not blaming, thanking."

"You see, there's this prophecy." Mr. Beaver said. "When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone sits in Cair Paravel in throne the evil is over and done."

They all sat there silently. "You know, that doesn't really rhyme." Aubrey and Peter rolled their eyes at Susan trying to be smart. Lucy leaned over and pinched her lightly.

"I know." Mr. Beaver said. "But you're missing the point."

"It's long been said that when two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve appear, they will defeat the White Witch and restore peace to Narnia." Mrs. Beaver told them. Aubrey couldn't help but think what her part in this would be.

"And you think we're the ones?" Peter asked incredulously.

"Well you better be." Mr. Beaver exclaimed, laughing slightly. "Aslan's already fitted out your army."

"I think you've made a mistake." Peter said nervously. "We're not heroes."

"I think it's time we were going." Susan told them, standing up.

"But what about Mr. Tumnus?" Lucy asked sadly.

"Sorry Lu." Peter said, he truly looked sorry. "It's out of our hands."

"Peter . . . " Aubrey began, hoping to convince him otherwise. She was cut off by Susan.

"Thank you for your hospitality." Susan said looking first at Mr. Beaver then Mrs. Beaver.

"Time to go." Peter said, gathering them all up. He turned to get Edmund but he was no longer there. "Ed?" He asked. Looking around the small house and not seeing his little brother anywhere, Peter got mad. "I'm going to kill him." He said through clenched teeth. Aubrey could tell he was also worried.

"You may not have to." Mr. Beaver said gravely. "Has Edmund been to Narnia before?" The four of them exchanged worried looks.

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"Hurry up!" Peter yelled to Susan, Lucy and the Beaver's who were struggling to keep up with him while running through the snow. Aubrey had no trouble and was running right alongside of him. She had been sitting right near him. Why didn't she notice it when he disappeared? She could have stopped him. They reached the top of a large hill and could see a large white castle glistening in the distance. Through the lights streaming through the open gates, they could see a small, dark silhouette entering the castle.

"Edmund!" Lucy yelled at the top of her lungs. Mrs. Beaver put a hand to her mouth.

"Shh! They'll hear you."

Peter made a quick dash to follow Edmund but Mr. Beaver jumped and attached himself around Peter's legs, causing the boy to fall. Peter flailed around, trying to get free. "Get off me!" He yelled. Anger, hurt and worry were radiating off of his body. "We can't just let him go!"

"Don't you understand?" Mr. Beaver asked, his voice weary with the struggle against Peter. "He's the bait. She wants all of ya. To kill ya!" That sobered Peter up and he stopped struggling. Peter got up and dusted snow off of his pants.

Susan marched right up to him, red in the face. "This is all your fault!" She yelled. "None of this would have happened if you had just listened to me in the first place!"

Aubrey, sick of her attitude, yelled at her. "So you knew this would happen?!" She was angry at everything. Angry at herself for not stopping Edmund, angry at Susan's attitude and just the situation in general.

Susan turned on her. "I didn't know what would happen . . . "

"Stop it!" Lucy suddenly yelled. All three stopped arguing to look at her. She was teary eyed and red faced from the cold night. "All this arguing is not going to help save Edmund."

"She's right." Mr. Beaver said. "Only Aslan can save your brother now."

Peter looked at the three girls. He stood up straighter and looked at Mr. Beaver. "Take us to him then."

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The moon was full in the sky as they reached the Beavers' house. In the distance, Aubrey could hear the howling of wolves. She looked at Peter, worried. The burst through the front door and rushed into the kitchen to Mrs. Beaver who was just finishing up sandwiches.

"Hurry Mum, they're after us!" Mr. Beaver yelled, throwing things into bundles for the journey.

"Right then . . . " Mrs. Beaver said as she finished the sandwiches.

"What is she doing?" Susan asked as she helped pack.

"You'll thank me later." Mrs. Beaver said as she threw food into a pack. "It's a long journey and Mr. Beaver gets cranky when he's hungry."

"I'm cranky now!" Mr. Beaver yelled from the sitting room.

"Do you think we should bring jam?" Aubrey asked Mrs. Beaver. She was helping her pack some food for the journey. Susan and Peter were helping Mr. Beaver and Lucy was keeping watch from the only small window.

Peter, hearing Aubrey's question, smirked and said, "Only if the Witch has toast." Aubrey stuck her tongue out at him and threw the last bit of food into the bag. Mr. Beaver led them to a secret tunnel under the rug in the kitchen.

"This should lead us to Aslan." He told them. Mrs. Beaver scoffed and put her hands on her hips. "You told me this led to your mum's." Suddenly they heard scratching coming from the top of the dam. Peter pushed the girls in first. Aubrey holding the lantern followed by Susan and Mrs. Beaver then Lucy. Mr. Beaver brought up the rear, locking the door as the entered the tunnel. They rushed as fast as they could down the small tunnel. There were roots, twigs and rocks all over the ground. One of the roots caught Lucy's coat and caused her to fall. Everyone stopped to make sure she was ok. Howling and scratching could be heard from the far end of the tunnel.

"They're in the tunnel." Lucy whispered, scared. They continued walking. The tunnel sloped upward and they all rushed out into a clearing. While walking forward, Aubrey tripped and landed on top of a stone statue, cutting her hand. She brought her lantern up to examine what it was. In the light, they could see half a dozen little statues. Mr. Beaver walked up to the nearest one and wiped tear from his eye. "He was my best mate."

"What happened to them?" Susan asked in disbelief.

"This is what happens to enemies of the White Witch." Said a voice from the left. They all turned abruptly and were met with the cool grey eyes of a fox.

"Watch yourself traitor." Mr. Beaver snarled, shielding Mrs. Beaver.

"Relax," the fox told them. "I'm one of the good guys."

"Well you look a lot like one of them bad guys." He told him, still wary.

"An unfortunate family trait." He said as his eyes darkened. They could hear scuffling noises coming from the tunnel.

"What do we do?" Aubrey asked nervously. They all look around for somewhere to hide but there was no where and no way they could run away fast enough.

"I have an idea." The fox to them all, looking up. They followed his gaze and noticed the low branch. They all began to climb. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver had no trouble climbing to the top. Susan went up first, she had always been the best at the rope climb. She helped Lucy up behind her. Peter went next, but Aubrey was frozen on the ground. She hated heights.

"Aubrey." Peter yelled. "Come on!" Aubrey shook her head, she was frozen with fear. There was no way she could climb that! Peter climbed down to the first branch and held out his hand. "Take my hand and don't look down." She took his hand and he guided her up the tree. Once she was halfway up, she made the mistake of looking down. Big mistake! She felt herself get woozy and swayed. Peter caught her as her foot slipped. She clung tightly to his coat. He situated them on the branch and looked down at the scene below him. Out of the tunnel, three large gray wolves burst through. They surrounded the fox. They were to far up to hear what was being said and Peter prayed that the fox really was a friend. The wolves never looked up and burst at full speed in the opposite direction of where they were supposed to be headed.

When the coast was clear, they slowly made their way down the tree. Peter helped Aubrey and made sure that she kept her eyes closed. When they were all on the ground again, Peter looked around for their fox friend. He saw him laying off to the side near the statues, licking a wound in his paw. Lucy bent down and carefully picked up his paw.

"You're hurt." She said. She tore a piece off of her dress and fastened it around his paw. He winced in pain as she tied it. When it was securely on, he stood up to leave.

"I'm afraid that's all the healing I have time for." He told her graciously.

"You're leaving?" Susan asked him sadly.

"It has been a pleasure my Queens, but Aslan himself has asked me to gather more troops." He told the two girls while bowing graciously to them.

"You've seen Aslan?" Mr. Beaver asked excitedly.

"What is He like?" Mrs. Beaver looked awed.

"Like everything we have ever dreamed." He said wistfully. "He'll be a good help fighting the White Witch."

"Were not planning on fighting any Witch." Susan told him.

The fox looked at Peter. "Surely King Peter . . . " he said. Peter looked torn.

He sighed. "We just want to get our brother back."

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A/N: The next chapter will pick up where this one left off. I hope you liked this one. Tell me what you think in your review. =)