AT ASLAN'S CAMP
They walked through the grass camp, long since dry, and saw many creatures working with weapons. As the children passed they'd stop what they were doing and stare. Susan spoke through her teeth, "Why are they all staring at us?"
Lucy looked up at them and grinned, "Maybe they think you look funny."
Peter smiled at her.
Mrs. Beaver plucked at her fur. Mr. Beaver shushed her, "Oh stop your fussing mum. You look lovely."
They stopped in front of a large tent and Peter pulled out his sword and addressed the centaur in front, "We have come to see Aslan."
Tents started to blow in the breeze and everyone slowly knelt. A large majestic lion stepped out of the tent and one by one the children knelt too.
The lion, Aslan, spoke in a deep tone, "Welcome Son of Adam and Daughters of Eve. Welcome Beavers. You have my thanks, but where is the other?"
"That's why we are here," Peter answered, solemn.
"We had a little trouble along the way," Susan interrupted.
"He's been captured by the White Witch," Peter explained.
"Captured!" The crowd gasped and murmured.
"He... betrayed them your Excellence..." Mr. Beaver relented.
"Then he had betrayed us all!" Shouted Oreius, the centaur.
"Peace, Oreius." Aslan commanded.
"It is my fault really," Peter frowned, "I was too hard on him."
Susan put her hand on his shoulder, "We all were."
"Sir, he's our brother." Lucy pleaded.
"I know dear," Aslan sighed deeply, "and that makes the betrayal all the worse. It may be harder than you think."
ON THE HILL
Peter stood leaning on his sword slightly, staring at a castle from the top of the hill when he heard Aslan come behind him, "That is Cair Paravel of the four thrones. One of which you must sit as High King."
"And Richelle? And …. Jo?" Peter asked.
"They will take their place as your Guides. Richelle will head the council and Jo will head the military. For that is what they both are destined for. To help you and your siblings rule Narnia."
Peter didn't say anything, just kept staring at the castle.
"You doubt the prophecy." It wasn't a question. Aslan already knew.
Peter sighed, "No, that's just it... I'm not who you think I am."
Aslan stated, "Peter Pevensie formerly of Finnchley. Beaver also said you wanted to turn him into a hat."
Peter laughed as a smile graced his face. Aslan continued, "There is a Deep Magic that rules over Narnia. It defines right from wrong and helps us fulfill destinies, both yours and mine."
"I don't think I will be able," Peter said in a small voice.
"You were able to get your family here," Aslan commented.
"Not all of them," Peter pointed out.
"I will do what I can for Edmund. I too, want my family safe," Aslan said, "Now I believe someone is here to thank you for saving their life."
Peter's head whipped behind to see Jo coming up the hill. Aslan slowly walked away after greeting her. Jo smiled tentatively at him, "I don't quite know what to say. Aslan kind of said it for me."
Peter didn't say anything, just smiled back.
Jo wrapped her arms around herself awkwardly, "So... thank you, I guess, for saving my life."
"You don't have to thank me," Peter said humbly.
Jo shook her head with a sarcastic smile, "Of course I do."
Jo came to stand beside him and look over to the castle. Peter looked at her curiously, "What did you mean before?... About your father?"
"You mean when I implied that I know what it's like to lose a Father?" Jo quipped, not looking at him.
Peter sighed, "Yeah..."
Jo tightened her arms around herself, "Well you were half right. I don't know what it was like to lose my father. I was only a year old. I never knew what it was like to have a real mother. Mine just married my father for his money and once she got it in his will she didn't bother with me and Richelle. She hired Lulu when we were three. She's the closest thing I've got to a mother."
Peter didn't know what to say to that. "How did he...?"
"Die?" Jo finished bitterly, "Cancer. They didn't catch it until after we were born and it was too late to do anything but make him comfortable. He didn't even make it to our first birthday." A tear slid down her cheek. She hastily wiped it away, thinking Peter didn't notice, but he did.
Peter caught her hand before it left her face and held it in his hand. Jo sighed looking at him, "But we know he loved us. He did nothing but care for us and take pictures and buy us toys and make sure we'd be okay after his death. He really loved us," She whispered.
Peter nodded, "I know he did." He slowly cupped her face with his other hand. He let go of her hand and used that one to hold the back of her neck. "You have no idea how much you've helped us... me... while we've been here."
Jo awkwardly laughed the compliment off, "I didn't do anything..."
"Yes, you did," Peter rebutted, "You did everything..." As he said this, Jo looked into his eyes. She'd seen those twinkling blue eyes somewhere else before... but where? Suddenly it dawned on Jo. As she was putting this together she didn't notice that Peter was leaning into her... and she was leaning back! Just as her eyes fluttered closed the heard a deep, low horn blare through the air and startle them both away from each other.
Peter ran, Jo following, trying to get to what could only be Susan and Lucy. They came up to the river to see Lucy and Susan stuck in a tree with wolves snapping at their feet. Peter ran through the water. Jo came up beside him. Aslan pinned the second wolf to the ground and said to the group coming up behind him, "Stay back. This is Peter's battle."
Maugrim snapped at him, "Give up Son of Adam. We both know you don't have it in you."
Peter held out his sword and slowly side stepped, trained on the wolf's move. Maugrim barked, "Just put the sword down... or DIE!" He lunged at Peter while Susan and Lucy cried out, "Peter!"
Jo screamed, "NO!"
Susan and Lucy climbed out of the tree and ran to Peter. The rolled the wolf over, realizing that the wolf was dead. Peter sat up and looked disgusted at himself. Susan and Lucy, though, threw their arms around. Peter wrapped his arms around them tightly. Aslan let go of the other wolf, "Follow him! He'll lead you to Edmund. Peter, clean your sword."
Peter knelt in front of him. Aslan placed his paw on his shoulder and then the other before removing it, "Rise, Sir Peter Wolfsbane—Knight of Narnia." Peter looked at Aslan in awe. Susan and Lucy embraced him again.
Peter looked over them at Jo and saw she was stood frozen in her spot, eye wide and heavily breathing as if she'd just had a heart attack. Her body seemed to be shaking as she locked eyes with him. She raised her hand her her mouth and he could see her lips move but he didn't know what she was saying. She then turned around and started running away...
