Thank you to all you followers, I'm glad you're enjoying this story, and I hope I'll be able to keep up something you'll like. Here's the next chapter! :)

The four children had been following Mister Beaver for a while now, listening to him talking about this tree being the house of such a bird and that stump was where his badger friends hid for the winter, it was fascinating really, Lucy admitted. Despite the cold, which kept biting at her already pink fingers, she quite enjoyed listening to their guide rambling on about his every-day life, and the way he talked was really funny, not that she'd already met a talking beaver, but this one was definitely a great chatterbox. Looking up to her left, she was sure she could even see Peter smiling at Mister Beaver's stories, and seeing her big brother smile made her happy, Peter hadn't been smiling much at all since their Father had left for the war, yet being here, in Narnia, seemed to lift his spirits somewhat. Hopefully, Mister Beaver could continue to make her brother smile, because Lucy really did like it when her big brother grinned at her.

And on they went, through trees and snow, sometimes in narrow passageways the little girl would never have thought would lead to somewhere, and it was truly fascinating, discovering all of these new places. She allowed herself to forget that Narnia wasn't just fun and games for a short while, and enjoy the smiles she could see on her elder sister and Peter. Edmund was still scowling of course, but she decided to ignore it, he'd come out of it when he realized that he ought to enjoy being here. The snow beneath her feet as she allowed herself to kick up and send it in front of her, dragging herself through the white layers with Mister Beaver rambling on about how his wife cooked the best meals was the best feeling she'd experienced in ages. Her heart was fluttering, and the mere idea of sharing supper with two talking beavers was definitely exciting her.

Susan wasn't too sure what to make of it all. While her original thought had been not to follow the beaver at all, she couldn't do much about it now. She was still trying to accept the idea that the little animal actually talked, that it could communicate with them, something which, in her books at least, was highly impossible. But then so was a magical country that you could get to through a wardrobe she admitted, a little reluctant. Lucy had been right all along, and well, maybe she ought to start acting a little less like a mother too, some part of her admitted. She'd sort of taken up the role for Lucy, and probably Edmund too, once they'd been sent on the train to the countryside, and she could start seeing how her good intentions had actually been smothering her two younger siblings. She hadn't wanted to, Susan had only hoped to be able to look out for them, and maybe even be their source of comfort when they needed it, but she'd taken the job a little too far. By being Mother, Susan had thrown away any childhood fantasies she could have had, and the bond she'd had with Lucy had slowly began to crack, because of her unwillingness to even consider anything that wasn't logical. At least, she could see where she'd gone wrong, and hopefully this beaver would be nice to them, because Susan admitted, she might as well enjoy being here while it lasted, and seeing Lucy smile was really heart-lifting too.

Mister Beaver didn't really know why he was taking these four children to his home, especially knowing that they'd only just met and didn't remotely know anything about each other, but something inside him was urging him to take them in, that it was the right thing to do, and Mister Beaver being an honorable little rodent, if this was indeed the right thing to do, he'd do it, it's what the King would want surely, and besides, these four children didn't come off as threatening to him, except maybe for the darker-haired boy, but surely it wasn't anything to worry about.

His ears perked up at a shuffling sound however, and his astute hearing immediately picked up the sound of non—human feet. His little heart thumped wildly in his chest and he looked around fearfully, was it her?

Peter caught the distraught expression on their guide's face, and looked around, trying to spot whatever had their beaver friend aguishly look around, and clutched Lucy a little closer to him, not willing to let anything bad happen to her. She was his baby sister, and he'd do anything to keep her out of harm's way.

"Peter? Wha-" Lucy started, baffled at her brother's change in attitude, but one look into his eyes and she could feel her chest rising and falling much quicker. Something was out there, and by the fearful expression Peter now bore, it wasn't something good.

Susan and even Edmund gathered around the protection that was their elder brother, hoping he might be able to defend them from whatever was around the corner, that they could not see. Peter had always been their shield, even if they wouldn't admit it, and they were now relying on him for both comfort and shelter.

Peter felt uneasy about the whole situation, and knowing he had three younger siblings to look out for, as they clung to him, it really made him doubt his skills as an elder brother. Hopelessly, he looked up to Mister Beaver, desperate to see some sort of reassurance in his eyes.

"Mister Beaver, wha-" Peter started, but their guide put a small paw to his mouth, indicating for the four children to remain silent, not knowing whether what was indeed coming towards them was friend or foe, before silently checking ahead, much to Lucy and her sibling's horror.

The four of them held their breath, and stood still, the cold seeping into their bones and holding them up straight, as whatever was coming for them rounded the corner.


"Haven't we been here already?" Kili wondered out loud. The archer was certain he'd seen this stomp not even ten minutes ago, or at least one very similar to it. They'd been going around in circles for what seemed ages now, and despite looking everywhere, none had a clue as to where they were. If he was honest with himself, Kili was actually starting to get a little hungry, and a good meal was the only thought driving him forward at the moment.

Thorin didn't want to lose his patience, especially not with his nephews, but this was getting ridiculous. They'd been plodding along together after the –hum- little interruption in which the uncle had found himself on his back after being overcome by two evil nephews, and no matter how much he looked, not a soul was to be found here. It was getting increasingly distressing. While Thorin didn't want to plague the two younger dwarves with his own fears, he'd started wondering, anxiously, what they were doing here (wherever "here" was), and he was gradually losing hope that they'd actually find anybody who would be remotely able to inform them as to where they were.

"Please Kili, I'm trying here. I haven't got any more clues than you two do!" he hated the sharpness in his voice, and Thorin wasn't really angry at Kili, it was just the uneasy feeling of not knowing where he was that was increasingly unsettling, and gnawing away at his patience.

Kili reeled back at his Uncle's short temper, slightly hurt by the sharp words. What had he done this time? He'd been about to open his mouth, and shoot something back at Thorin's retreating form when he felt Fili's hand on his shoulder. Looking to his brother, he could read the silent plea to just let it go, that Thorin didn't mean to be like this with them.

Fili had kept silent. While he'd always been the quieter of the two brothers, right now, it felt like the right thing to do, Uncle didn't need them adding pressure on his shoulders. Even though this place didn't seem remotely threatening to him, a much more appreciated feeling than that which he'd experienced at Ravenhill, the elder brother could still feel that something was out there, and the silence around them was not particularly comforting.

Thorin understood the silent message between the brothers and turned back, plodding along again. This was really getting frustrating, and he increased his pace, hoping he might find something if they all went quicker. Besides, their injuries seemed to all have disappeared, so he knew none were really in pain if they sped up a little. Pushing branches out of the way and making his way through the endless white nature around them, Thorin kept putting one foot in front of another, hoping it would somewhat lead him to any clue he could find.

He wasn't afraid, Mahal no, he didn't feel anything remotely threatening about their surroundings, but being just three dwarves, by themselves and in a complete foreign nature, Thorin didn't want them to find themselves devoid of any form of shelter once night fell. Winter nights tended to be cold, and staying outside, even close to a small fire, would do them no good. He'd already lost both of his nephews once, and he wasn't about to let them freeze to death out here.

The eerie silence was most unsettling, and Thorin was sure he could feel knots form in his stomach. It was uncomfortable, even though he wasn't afraid. What could there possibly be to fear out here, save for some wild animal? And a wild wolf was much easier to deal with than a bloodthirsty orc running after his life.

He came to a stop however, when he thought he could hear a crack, just ahead of them, and raised his hand, so as to halt his two nephews. Both boys looked at him anxiously, as Thorin raised a finger to his mouth, urging them to be silent and stay right where they were. He would not risk losing them again, this time, he'd be the first one to face whatever danger lay ahead of them.

Creeping along as quietly as he could, clutching his sword in his hand so as to make sure he was ready, should whatever lay ahead attack him, Thorin took a few steps forward, and tried to control his breathing, make it as silent as possible. He could feel the thumping of his heart, as it beat wildly in his chest, he could hear the slight breeze floating around him, rustling the bare trees, and he could feel the crunching beneath him, as his boots plowed through the snow. After reaching the limit of where he would remain hidden, Thorin took a deep breath, before stepping out.

Mister Beaver wasn't faring much better. He kept looking around anxiously, trying to smell what was ahead or just hear it. Whatever it was, it was heavy, the crunching of the snow was enough to make him sure. His little heart was beating loudly in his ears, and was almost giving him a headache as he crept forward, trying to block out any sound, safe for the shuffling ahead of him. Much too soon to his liking, he got to the edge of his hiding place, and closed his eyes. Please, let this not be the witch he silently begged Aslan.

As both took the final step out of their hiding place, Thorin and Mister Beaver came to a halt, taking in the person in front of them. Needless to say, it wasn't what any of them had expected. Mister Beaver took a step back, after recognizing the being in front of him as a dwarf. Surely the Witch hadn't sent such a creature to come after the children, right? Thorin though, was almost willing to slap himself, all that fuss for a beaver? What was there to be afraid of?

"And… Might we know who you are?" Mister Beaver inquired first, needing to know if this dwarf was trust wordy or not, he couldn't allow himself to endanger the children, not after they finally got here.

Maybe there was a need to be afraid after all, as Thorin gaped, eyes wide, frozen on the spot. Had that beaver just talked?