Chapter 13: I Don't Believe This
"Follow me," Mr. Beaver said and started to run. Everyone ran after Mr. Beaver. He quickly veered to the right and jumped. "Jump down everyone." Everyone jumped down.
Peter, who was first to jump, looked behind him to see a small cave. "In here," Mr. Beaver's voice called. Peter quickly went to the back followed by Madison, Lucy, Mrs. Beaver and Susan.
Peter felt Madison's warm body against his. Her eyes seemed scared, like, she was watching a horror movie or something. He subconsciously wrapped an arm around Madison and brought her close. She didn't struggle. The bells stopped.
Madison moved her head and whispered, "I'm going to look."
"No," Peter urgently objected. He then added as he looked into Madison's emerald green orbs. Ones that he wished he could look into for eternity, "I'm the one who has to go to war. I'm the one who is going to look."
"No, I am. Neither of you two are worth anything to Narnia dead," Mr. Beaver broke from the group. Peter and Madison broke the connection and looked at Mr. Beaver startled.
Mrs. Beaver added as he started to leave the cave, "And neither are you Beaver." Mr. Beaver gave a weak smile and disappeared.
They truly want freedom. Just like the Allies, Peter bemused. I'm staying.
Madison bit her bottom lip. Susan and Lucy were holding each other. Mrs. Beaver had a worried look on her face. Peter just tightened his grip on Madison. After a few silent, tense moments.
"It's all right! It isn't her!" Mr. Beaver hanged upside down from the top of the cave. "And I hope all of you have been good 'cause there's someone here to see you." With that, he disappeared again.
"Let's go see," Madison murmured. Peter released his hold in her, reluctantly, and followed her out of the cave.
"Come and see this! This is a nasty knock on the Witch! It looks as if her power is already crumbling." Mr. Beaver said. Peter and Madison shared a puzzled look. But when they got to the top, they stopped.
It was Old Saint Nick.
TP
"I've come at least," Santa said. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at least. Aslan is on the move. The Witch's magic is weakening."
"There really is a Father Christmas," Madison breathed and shook her head. Boy, if Tom could see this.
"Yes, I am real Protector. And, now for all of your presents. There is a new and better sewing machine for you, Mrs. Beaver. I will drop it off at your house as I pass."
"Thank you," Mrs. Beaver said, her face full of gratitude, "Very much."
He chuckled and then looked toward Mr. Beaver, "For you Mr. Beaver, when you get home you will find your dam finished and mended and all the leaks stopped and a new sluice-gate fitted."
"Thank you, sir," Mr. Beaver said and did a little bow. Madison smiled.
"Peter, Adam's son," Santa said as he pulled put a huge red bag and opened it up.
"Yes, sir," said Peter and he stepped forward to Santa.
"These are your presents," he said. He pulled out a sword and a shield. The shield was silver with a red ramped lion on it. The sword's hilt was made of gold and the blade double folded. Santa continued as he passed the presents to Peter, "These are tools not toys. The time to use them is near at hand. Bear them well."
"Thank you," Peter said in a solemn voice. He pulled out the sword and held for a bit before putting it back. "I'll do my best."
Oh boy, boy with a sword, Madison thought amusingly.
"I'm sure you will." Santa turned to Madison. "Madison, Eve's daughter."
"Present," Madison said. She folded her hands around her back as she approached Santa.
"I have a few things for you. This one is first," he pulled out a sword with a silver hilt with flecks of gold and a sheath. The sword belt was deep brown. Madison took the sword into her hands, her breath was shaky and her eyes started to become watery.
"Impossible, they said they couldn't find it among his belongings. Is this Tom's? Is this Lightning?" Madison asked and held the sword close. She could almost feel her brother's arms give her a hug.
"Yes it is. Here is another," he then handed her a bow with ornate vines and flowers with a quiver made of leather and arrows.
"Wind. I couldn't find this at all after Sassy died. I thought she took it with her." Madison said and a few tears fell down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away. Her hands traced the bow. It was small but she knew it was powerful. As her hand passed over the bow, she could almost hear her sister supporting her, cheering her on.
"There is a lot about your family that you didn't know." Santa quietly said. "You come from a long line of Protectors, Young Madison. You'll do well."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, sir. I'll take care of Wind and Lightning as best I can," Madison did a small curtsy to Santa. "Thank you." She turned to go.
"Hold on. You have one more. Every Protector must have three weapons, it's a rule." He took out another sword. This one hilt had an equal measure of gold and silver. The difference between the two was that Lightning was made to use around the waist while the new one was made for across the back in a criss-cross with Wind. Madison put the two sword belts on and clicked them into place, before putting on Wind and the quiver of arrows. Lightning on her left hip and the new sword on her right shoulder blade.
"Take care of your weapons, and, they will take care of you," he said with a twinkle in his eyes. He then whispered so only Madison could hear, "I personally don't approve of women in battle, but you. You're something else. Your family raised you for this role and they have done a good job. You will do well and honor the role of Protector very well." He then went back to the normal volume. "Use your weapons only when you have no other choice. Promise me." Santa said.
"I promise," Madison smiled and quickly hugged the man. "Thank you." She separated from him and stepped next to Susan. Battling the need to cry from happiness of finding her siblings belongings that were so precious to them.
"Susan, Eve's Daughter."
"Here," Susan stepped up, a bit cautiously.
Santa chuckled and reached into the bag and brought out a bow, a quiver of arrows and an ivory horn. "These are for you. You must only use the bow in great need. For I do not mean you to fight in the battle, but if you must. It does not easily miss. And when you put this horn to your lips and blow it, then, wherever you are; help will come to you." Santa said, pronouncing every word carefully.
"Thanks," Susan said with a smile and stepped back.
"Lucy, Eve's Daughter."
"Yes," Lucy said excitedly, a little spring in her step as she came forward with a full-blown smile.
"Here," he handed her a little glass bottle with a red juice in it and a small dagger. "In this bottle there is a cordial made of the juice of one of the fire-flowers that grow in the mountains of the sun. If you or any of your friends are hurt, a few drops of this will restore them even if they are an inch from death. And the dagger is to defend yourself at great need. For you also are not to be in the battle."
"Why, sir?" asked Lucy. "I think I could be brave enough."
"That is not the point," he said. "But battles are ugly when woman fight unless they have to. And now," he reached back into his bag, "here is something for the moment for all of you!" He pulled out a large tray with six cups and saucers, a bowl of sugar, a jug of cream and a big teapot all sizzling and piping hot. He sat it on the ground and went back into the sleigh. "Merry Christmas! Long live the true King!" He yelled and flicked the rains. As he pulled away, Lucy turned to Susan and said.
"Told you he was real." Susan lightly glared at Lucy, while Madison shook her head a smile on her face.
"I guess we should stop here and have some tea," Madison said and started to brush the snow from a log. Peter was showing Mr. Beaver his sword. "What are you going to name it?" Madison asked over her shoulder a few minutes later.
"I have to name the sword?" Peter asked confusion was in his voice.
"No, but most do. Tom, named his Lightning, so it can be as quick as lightning. My new sword will be named… Thunder," Madison smirked. "So it can be loud and spook our enemies back to where they came from. Sassy, named her bow Wind, so it can shoot arrows as fast as the wind. So are you going to name it?"
"I don't know. I'll wait for an inspiration to come," Peter smirked gently.
Peter was about to say more when Mrs. Beaver called out, "Tea time!"
Soon tea was being passed around as well as talk. Once the teakettle was empty, the group continued on.
A/N next chapter we get some excitement! And I just have to say I love my drama class, especially the boys that have to play women parts so they have to have falsettos. It's very hard not fall out of your chair. And there is some foreshadowing, in a way, in this chapter. Love foreshadowing, so much fun. Please review.