The next morning we took off for the stone table. I'd healed the fox with a few episkey's and some essence of dittany. Today was colder than the day before, and Peter and I kept busy casting warm charms on our party. We had been traveling for three or four hours at that point. Mr. Beaver said we were about halfway to the river.
"Aslan's camp is just over there by the stone table just across the frozen river." Mr. Beaver said.
"A river?" Susan asked.
"It's been frozen for 100 years!" Mrs. Beaver exclaimed.
"It seems so far." Peter said. I had to agree with him. Narnia was huge. From the Lampost to Cair Paravel indeed. I had a feeling that when we defeated Jadis, our problems were just beginning. I had plans for Beruna. For after, I had ideas. Half formed thoughts that were lying half forgotten in one of my notebooks. I knew that my performance last night had sent butterflies rippling across the night alongside the wolves. Who knew how Jadis would react to another magic user. I hadn't thought things through. I should have just let the wolves play their part. But even that thought seemed wrong. I hated bullies. Tom had too. It was why he had taken those two to that lake inside the cliff. All of three of them shared a secret. There was a reason why a group of orphans could afford a trip to the sea. Their benefactor had been a sick, twisted fuck who only wanted victims. He had become Tom's first victim in the end. Tom's experiences with bullies, and my own, had shaped my outlook towards them. It was why I was harsh to Black and Malfoy. Bullies needed a taste of their own medicine, and that was something I'd gladly provide.
Before coming here, I had wanted to find a way to compel Jadis. Use the Imperio or something. A bottle of liquid compulsion was going to find a way down her throat, and I'd have turned her own army against her.
Now? After seeing a village of stone creatures who had done nothing wrong? After seeing the home of someone who's only crime was to give comfort to a little girl torn to shreds? When we met on the battlefield, if I could manage it, I'd have but two words to say to her. Those words may be Unforgivable, but it would worth it. Forgiveness be damned.
We walked for hours, and Mr. Beaver was starting to get on our nerves.
"Come on, before we're old!" Mr. Beaver shouted.
"If he tells me to Hurry up one more time I'm going to turn him into a big fluffy hat." Peter muttered.
"Mate, I'm sure I could find a spell or two to help us." I said in agreement.
"Hurry up Son of Adam! We don't have all day!" Mr. Beaver said.
"He is getting kinda bossy." Lucy said, and I wondered if a sticking charm could be applied to his mouth wandlessly.
Suddenly we heard sleigh bells ringing. I knew what was about to happen, but the rest of them were instantly terrified. They ran to a river bank, and I skidded down the hill with them.
There was silence for a few moments.
"Maybe she's gone." Lucy whispered.
"I'll go and have a look." Peter said, moving for the entrance. I put my arm across his chest.
"No, you're no good to Narnia dead." Mr. Beaver said.
"Neither are you Beaver." Mrs. Beaver said.
"Mr. Beaver, I'll go with you." I said, and the rodent nodded. We traveled up the river bank.
Of course it was Father Christmas. Red suit trimmed with white fur and all. A sack of presents on shoulders. He had an aura of jollyness, and I instantly felt a thrill of joy shoot through me. A feeling of pure happiness I hadn't felt since leaving my old life behind.
Mr. Beaver literally leapt with joy and ran down the embankment. I heard him yell for the Pevensies and they joined us.
"Merry Christmas, Sir!" Lucy said, and turned to her sister.
"I told you he was real." She said smugly.
"It certainly is, Lucy. Thanks to you."
"I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia?" Susan asked.
"There hasn't been for a hundred years. But, I've come at last. She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch's magic is weakening." He said, and with that, threw his bag to the ground.
"Mr and Mrs. Beaver, forgive me, but I've already delivered your presents. Mr. Beaver, when you return home it shall be as you left it. I've made a few improvements. You're doing us a great service delivering these children to Aslan. Mrs. Beaver, you shall find I've replaced your sewing machine with a new one of the finest quality. Now. For you children."
He took Lucy's dagger and cordial out of his bag. The red leather shone in the midday sun.
"Lucy, Eve's Daughter. These are for you. The golden elixir of life. If you, or one of your friends are wounded, one drop of this elixir will restore them. And though I do not expect you to use it, this dagger will defend you when all else fails." He said.
'Well, I think I could be brave enough." Lucy said.
"It's not a matter of bravery child, you are all far too young to be in this battle, and battle is an ugly thing." He took Susan's bow out of his bag next, along with a quiver full of arrows and a small ivory horn.
"Eve's Daughter, Susan. Trust in this bow, for it does not easily miss."
"What happened to, 'battles are ugly affairs?"
He chuckled.
"And, though you don't seem to have trouble making yourself heard, this. When you put this horn to your lips and blow it, wherever you are, help will come."
"Thank you." She said. Then he took a gold hilted sword out along with a kite shield embossed with a deep red lion. The sword had a belt with it, and sheathed. The sword seemed forged just for him.
"And, Peter. These are tools, not toys. The time to use them may be soon at hand."
Then he took two final presents out of his bag. The first was a red sheath and sword belt trimmed in silver, the second was a small circular box. I opened the box, it was a compass that was currently pointed north.
"Tom, Son of Adam. You already have a sword that has answered it's call, but every sword must have a sheath for when it's not in battle and times of peace have come at least. Use Godric's blade well. The second, well young wizard, not everyone who wanders is lost. But even the best explorer needs a guide home once in awhile. That compass will point you back to the place you miss or the person you love the most. It shall guide you home, even when home seem worlds away." He said, and there was a knowing twinkle in his eye. I felt tears comes to my face unbidden, and I wiped them away. Then I fastened the belt around my chest. I took Godric's sword out of my pocket, and placed it in the sheath.
"Bare them well! I best be off, winter is almost over and things do pile up when you've been gone a hundred years. Long live Aslan!" He said, and jumped in his sleigh.
We waved him off.
Peter had a solemn look on his face.
"Did you hear what he said? Winter is almost over. You know what that means, no more ice!"
The river was nearly thawed when we got it. We were discussing how best to cross it.
"We should think about this." Susan said.
"We don't have time." Peter said, he was about to start walking across the ice.
"I was just trying to be realistic." She said.
"Peter, she has a point. We're Gryffindors, not suicidal." I said, cutting off his retort.
"Mr. Beaver, would you go first to test the ice?" I asked, and he nodded.
We had reached the center of the ice when we heard the howling. Soon, we were surrounded. One had pinned Mr. Beaver, another was growling at Susan. Peter had drawn his wand instead of that blade.
"Leave now while you can, and you're brother leaves with you." Maugrim snarled. One of the wolves made a leap at Lucy. Something happened then. There was a blur, and a yelp. Then the wolf was dead, an arrow between his eyes. Susan held her bow. There was a look of fear on her face. A look that was tempered by grim determination.
Maugrim leapt forward. A knockback jinx hit him, throwing him unto to the bank, and I used my own against the other wolf, who yelped and ran.
"Peter. Stab your sword into the ice. I've got a plan."
He did. Susan and Lucy grabbed ahold of him. I pointed my wand at the waterfall, and used a reducto to break it open. I had just enough time to twist my wand back into it's holster before we were swept away by the waterfall.
AN: Butterflies begin flapping. Next Chapter, Aslan. Peter earns his spurs. A wayward king is rescued. Reviews Make me Happy.