Hello everyone! Great to see...er...great to have you reading. (:
I have gotten through most of my writer's block and written another chapter for you. This one, I believe, is longer than the rest.
Now before I post the next chapter, I'll need at least one more reivew from someone (or two or three, that works just as well)! I don't mean to be an angry author, but I need to know if you really want the next part of the story.
I'm sorry if the conversation in this chapter is bit boring, but it gets better at the end. The real action starts in this chapter!
REIVEW, FOLLOW, and FAVORITE!
Enjoy the next chapter! Merry Christmas!
Sing Out (:
SW
Disclaimer: I do not claim copyrights to any of the Chronicles of Narnia books, including characters and dialogue.
Chapter 7: The Prophecy Told
Edmund's POV
So Peter has let two of the biggest loons in England dictate what we do in this wretched land. Brilliant.
I remember what the Queen told me. I will be Prince of Narnia and my mindless siblings and that idiot Henri will be my personal slaves. Well, maybe I'll make Henri do something more horrid like clean the toilets in every bathroom. I hope there are many toilets in the Queen's palace just for the sole purpose of having her scrub them with her toothbrush.
But for now we're following a red robin through a forest in a magical land where birds can apparently talk.
"Oh! The bird just flew away!" Lucy pouts. I roll my eyes.
"It's just a stupid bird," I say.
Then everyone but me stops walking. Their eyes are all aimed at the same place. There's a figure in the thicket. It's probably some sort of animal. It comes out slowly.
It's a beaver.
Peter (of course being an absolute ninny) clicks his tongue as if calling a dog and says, "Here boy." He holds out his hand to the furry creature. It looks at Peter's hand, then his face.
Jump up and attack you bloody creature! I think. Instead, it does something else that comes as a surprise.
"I ain't gonna smell it if that's what you want," it says. Susan's eyes widen. Peter recoils as Henri laughs, irritating me even further.
"S-sorry," my brother stammers.
"Do you know Mr. Tum-" Lucy begins.
"Hush!" shushes the Beaver quietly. "Not so loud, if you please. We're not safe even here."
"There's no one here but us," Susan says.
"I mean the trees," replies the Beaver. "They're always listening. Most of 'em are on our side, but there are trees that would betray us to her, if you know what I mean."
He motions us deeper into the forest. I don't want to follow, but the rest of my group (the morons) walk on after him.
The furry animal stops in a particularly thick part of the forest.
"If it comes to talking about who is on what side," I continue the conversation from earlier, very accusingly, "then how do we know if you're a friend?"
For once, Peter seems to agree with me.
"But, of course, we don't mean to be rude, Mr. Beaver," says Henri quickly, "we're strangers here in Narnia."
"Quite right, quite right," the Beaver mumbles. Out of sort of pocket in his fur he pulls a hankerchief. "The token."
"That's the one I gave to Mr. Tumnus," Lucy says, taking the snotty rag from the Beaver. Did that Faun even wash it?
"He gave it to me just before they took him. Now, I must inquire, are you the Daughters of Eve and Sons of Adam?" the Beaver says. What the heck does that mean?!
"Yes, sir," Henri confirms. The Beaver nods.
Oh, shut up, I think at Henri.
"Come with me," he says, "you must be hungry."
Peter, Susan, Henri, and Lucy walk on.
I look around for a moment. Far to the North of where I'm standing are the two treachorous-looking, snow-topped hills. The White Witch's house. I promised her I'd bring her my siblings and Henri. If I left right now, they would be very suspicious. Besides, she asked for all of us. This bloody Beaver is spoiling my plans.
I catch up to them. I will mislead them later.
*LINE BREAK*
Henri's POV
I really like this animal. He's requested we call him Mr. Beaver. From the look on Edmund's face, he doesn't seem to keen to be following a beaver. I'm half-tempted to shove him into the snow again, but that seems counter productive to this whole situation.
Mr. Beaver leads us deeper into Narnia. And the more I see of this land, the more I like it. We're lead past small frozen streams and meadows laden with snow.
But soon the daytime light melts into the darkness of evening. I start to hear everyone's stomach grumbling in anticipation of dinner.
"Exactly how much farther is it?" Peter questions as we scale a hill.
"Just over this peak and down the slope," replies Mr. Beaver.
We reach the top of the hill and find we are on the edge of a small valley. Down at the bottom of the soft decline is a frozen dinner with a dam stretched across the width. I am positive it is Mr. Beaver's.
"It's lovely!" Lucy compliments.
"It's merely a trifle. Not fully finished yet, but quite close," says the Beaver modestly.
We start down the valley towards the dam.
"Well here we are," Mr. Beaver says. "It looks as if Mrs. Beaver is expecting us. She's quite perceptive with time, she is."
There is a small rounded archway in which everyone except Lucy and Mr. Beaver have to crouch to fit.
Peter, Susan, and Lucy follow Mr. Beaver inside. Edmund starts to crouch to enter, but stands and looks back at the two hills. I know what lies between them. The Witch's House.
"Don't even think about it, Pevensie," I growl, motioning to the Beaver's house. He frowns at me and goes in.
Once we're all inside, Mr. Beaver speaks up to his wife.
"Here we are Mrs. Beaver!" he announces triumphantly. "I have found the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve!"
An old she-Beaver turns from a small beaver-sized stove.
"I never thought I'd live to see this day! At last you have arrived!" Mrs. Beaver counts us. "And the correct number of you all as well! Good job, Beaver. I hope you're all hungry. I've got the potatoes on and I daresay Mr. Beaver will catch us some fish."
Peter goes out with Mr. Beaver to get the main dish while Susan, Lucy, and I help Mrs. Beaver in the kitchen. Edmund sits moodily in the corner of the cozy abode. I don't expect much more from him, really, but he's thinking of going to see the White Witch. I have to change his mind.
I go over and sit down next to him. He scoots away.
"Look, Ed, I know what you're thinking," I start.
"No, you don't," Edmund says.
"Yes, I do," I insist. "You want to go see the Witch."
"So what if I do?"
"It's just bad. She was lying to you. She won't make you the prince or even king someday."
"Yes, she will. I'm going to her soon and you can't stop me," Ed says.
"Edmund, you don't understand. She-"
"Sod off, you git," he grumps. I huff in his face.
"Now you're just asking for it," I sneer. "Do you want a good sock in the nose?"
"Do YOU?"
He turns away in disgust.
"We've got fish, Mrs. Beaver," Peter declares as he and Mr. Beaver come back in holding huge freshwater trout.
Soon we are all seated around the table. The fish smells heavenly and tastes even better.
Mrs. Beaver surprises us all by pulling a large, sticky marmalade roll out of the oven for pudding. She pours us all more tea.
"What a lovely supper," sighs Susan contently.
"And now," says Mr. Beaver, "if you'll just wait till I've got my pipe lit up and going nicely-why we can finally get down to business." He looks out the small window. "Ah, it's snowing again. All the better. We won't have any visitors tonight; and if anyone was following us, our tracks will be covered."
"Mr. Beaver, do please tell us what has happened to Mr. Tumnus," Lucy pleads. I lean forward, hoping to hear what the Faun has gone through. The old Beaver sighs.
"That's very bad news, indeed," he answers. "There's no doubt he was taken by the police."
"Yes, we found a note they left at his house. It was signed by Maugrim, the captain," Peter says.
"Oh, dear," mutters Mrs. Beaver worridly.
"There's been talk that Tumnus has been taken North, and we all know what that means," explains Mr. Beaver.
The Witch's House, I think.
"Actually, we don't. We haven't exactly been here very long," says Susan sensibly.
"The Witch's House?" asks Lucy timidly. The Beavers nod gravely. "What will they do to him?"
"Hard to say, really. Not many that go in will ever come out again. They say her courtyard-her house-is filled with statues," says Mr. Beaver sadly. "They are enemies she has-has turned to...stone."
"There must be something we can do," I pipe up. "She can't be that hard to overwhelm."
"After all, it is my fault he's in trouble," says Lucy.
No, no it's not, Lu, I think guiltily. It's mine. I should've stopped Edmund from telling the Witch about Mr. Tumnus meeting you. I'm sorry, Lucy.
"If the Witch wasn't so powerful, perhaps, we could try, but it's much too dangerous," says Mrs. Beaver.
"But couldn't we work out some sort of strategy? I mean if-" starts Peter.
"She's much too intelligent and alert," says Mr. Beaver frustratedly.
"But he saved Lucy's life," I say quietly. "We owe him that much."
The becomes quite silent for a moment.
"It is simply no good, Daughter of Eve," Mr. Beaver says, "no good your trying, of all people. You're a child. But now that Aslan is on the move-"
"Who is Aslan?" Edmund speaks for the first time since the beginning of dinner.
"Who's Aslan?" repeats Mr. Beaver, laughing very hard. We stare at him in confusion. "You don't know who he is, do you?" We shake our heads. "Aslan is the King, the real ruler of Narnia. He is Lord of the whole wood, but not often here. The word has reached us that he has come back to Narnia. It is Aslan, not you, who will save Tumnus."
I feel instantly better at the mention of Aslan's return. Like a sort of excitement, the one that comes at Christmastime or when you know spring is creeping up on the icy clutches of winter.
"But won't the Witch turn him to stone?" asks Edmund. Mr. Beaver chortles again.
"Lord love you, Son of Adam! Turn him, the Great Aslan, into stone? Ha! If she can stand on her two feet and look him straight in the face, that's the most I expect her to attempt. No, no, Aslan'll put everything right as it says so in this rhyme:
Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death
And when he shakes his mane, we will have spring again.
You will understand when you meet him."
"When will that be?" I wonder.
"Quite soon. That is why Beaver has brought you here. We're to lead you to where Aslan is. Then you shall meet him," Mrs. Beaver clarifies.
"When the poem says 'shakes his mane,' does that mean he isn't human?" Susan deducts logically.
"You are correct, Daughter of Eve," says Mr. Beaver. "Aslan is the King of Beasts. He is a lion-the Lion, the Great Lion."
"I shall be quite nervous meeting a lion," says Peter.
"And well you should. He is not safe, but he is good," Mrs. Beaver assures us.
"And tomorrow I will lead you to the Stone Table to meet Aslan," says Mr. Beaver.
"What about Mr. Tumnus?" Lucy asks, concerned for her friend. I put a hand on her shoulder protectively.
"It's like the Beavers said, Lu," I tell her, "If we really want to save the Faun, we must meet Aslan. He is the only one who can rescue Mr. Tumnus."
"She's right," Mr. Beaver agrees. "Once we are with the Lion, we can begin restoring peace to Narnia. However, we will need your help. There is a prophecy.
When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone
Sits at Cair Paravel in throne,
The evil time will be over and done.
You are already beginning to fufill this. None of your kind has been in this land for many years."
"The White Witch isn't human?" Peter says.
"Oh, no, there's not a drop of human blood in her veins. She would definitely like us to believe that she is. She is some giant and has some Jinn in her, but not human in any way," says Mrs. Beaver.
"Why is she so wary of humans, then? Because of the prophecy?" Susan guesses.
"Exactly," confirms Mr. Beaver. "When two Sons of Adam and three Daughters of Eve sit on those five thrones, not only will it be the end of the White Witch's reign, but her life as well."
"Why are there three queens and two kings?" I ask.
"For personality and protection balances is my guess, but I'm not really sure. There is, however, a legend about two of the rulers," says Mr. Beaver.
"It is said that before the coronation, one of the kings and one of the queens will be sworn enemies, but through a terrible betrayal and a great battle, will become firm friends," Mrs. Beaver says.
Peter, Susan, and Lucy instantly turn to stare at me.
"Oh, terrific," I mumble. I whirl around in my seat to face my enemy, who retreated to his corner after pudding. "Did you hear that, Edmund?" I see no one. "Ed?" His coat lies on the floor. I turn back around to face my friends. "He's gone."
"The little beast! What do we do?" Peter asks instantly.
"The answer could be quite simple," says Mr. Beaver, eyes squinted in suspicion. "Has Edmund ever been to Narnia before?"
Oh no.
*LINE BREAK*
We stand a fair distance from the White Witch's ice castle, panting from the trip here and thoughts racing in anxiety.
A small figure passes through the doorway into the fortress and we hear the huge blocks of ice boom shut.
"Edmund!" shouts Susan.
"Shush!" whispers Mr. Beaver. "She'll hear you!"
We gaze at the Witch's House for a moment, then Peter starts to run towards it. I grab his coat.
"Stop, Peter!" I hiss.
She'll kill us all to stop the prophecy from coming true! I want to say.
"You're playing into her hands!" Mr. Beaver says.
"We can't just let him go!" Susan objects.
"He's our brother!" Lucy says.
"He's the bait! The Witch wants all five of you!" Mr. Beaver tells us frustratedly.
"Why?" asks Peter.
"To stop the prophecy from coming true! She'll kill you!" the Beaver whisper-shouts.
The other three look back at the White Witch's palace in horror.
"This is all your fault," Susan accuses Peter.
"My fault?!"
"This never would have happened if you had just listened to me in the first place!"
"So you knew this would happen?"
"I didn't know what would happen which is why we should have left why we still could!"
I have had enough. They need to know the truth.
"STOP IT!" I yell at the two bickering. "It's neither of your faults. It's mine."
"How could it be yours?" asks Lucy.
"Let me explain," I say. I take in a deep breath. "When I went into the wardrobe, I ran into Edmund. We met the White Witch while Lucy was at Mr. Tumnus'. He-he told her about Tumnus helping and meeting Lucy. I was sitting right there when he said it. I...I should have stopped him. I'm sorry. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. If anyone is to blame, it's me."
"Henri, why didn't you say anything? Don't you care about Lucy?" Peter whispers heatedly.
"You think I wanted to die?" I comeback.
"She probably would've turned her into stone or done something much worse," says Mr. Beaver.
Peter gives me a disappointed look and brushes past me. Susan just seems sad. They start walking back to the house with Lucy and Mr. Beaver.
I give the Witch's house one last look and go on after the others.
Edmund, if I see you again, you are so dead!
Did you enjoy it? I hope you did! The action should start up next chapter.
I may not be posting for a month or two, just warning you lot.
Have a Happy Christmas! (:
Sing Out
SW
