Later, after we had exited the woods, we saw a large grassy field. A distance away, we saw a clump of what looked like tents.
"That there's Aslan's camp." Mr. Beaver pointed.
"So we're almost there?" Peter sounded excited.
"If you count this as almost." I looked at the distance between us and the camp. Peter gave me a small smile, shaking his head.
"Let's go, then." Susan said, and we continued on across the field.
As we entered the camp a while later, I heard a horn sound from a cliff nearby. We walked into the camp, and I noticed that there were all sorts of creatures around us. I saw fauns, cheetahs, bears, and what I took to be centaurs. They were all staring at us and talking quietly amongst themselves as we walked by.
"Why are they all staring at us?" Susan asked, keeping a smile plastered on her face so that the creatures wouldn't know she was talking about them.
"Maybe they think you look funny." Lucy smiled. Peter chuckled beside me, and I had to smile at Lucy's response. Susan's smile diminished, however.
As we walked, I noticed that all the animals and other creatures followed behind us. When we approached a large tent that stood by itself, the animals stopped walking and lined up behind us. I glanced next to the tent and saw a large centaur standing there. Peter looked at this creature, and slowly pulled his sword from his sheath. He raised it high, clearing his throat and facing the tent.
"We have come to see Aslan." He said loudly, his voice sounding nervous. Behind us, the crowd spoke quietly. The big centaur turned and looked toward the tent.
As the tent flap moved, the crowd behind us all bowed. Peter, Susan, Lucy, the beavers, and I all looked over our shoulder at the crowd. When we faced the tent again, we saw a huge Lion emerge. As He stepped into the open, I was filled with something I can't properly describe. I felt hopeful and energized at the sight of this great animal. I immediately bowed on one knee, and beside me the others did the same.
"Welcome, Peter, Son of Adam. Welcome Sam, Susan, and Lucy, Daughters of Eve." Aslan's voice boomed, majestic and calming. The four of us looked up as He spoke our names.
"And welcome to you, Beavers. You have my thanks." Aslan turned and nodded to the smiling beavers.
"But where is the fifth?" Aslan looked back at us humans.
"That's why we're here, sir." Peter sighed, standing. Susan, Lucy, and I rose to our feet too.
"We need your help." Peter slipped his sword back in its sheath. Behind us, I heard the crowd standing up.
"We had a little trouble along the way." Susan added.
"More like a lot of trouble." I muttered with a small smile. Lucy heard me and gave a small grin, but sobered when Peter spoke again.
"Our brother's been captured by the White Witch." Peter explained.
"Captured? How could this happen?" Aslan asked, looking at all four of us. No one spoke.
"He…betrayed them, Your Majesty." Mr. Beaver replied slowly. I heard the crowd behind us murmuring.
"Then he has betrayed us all!" The large centaur exclaimed.
"Peace, Oreius." Aslan looked toward the centaur, who bowed his head and was silent.
"I'm sure there's an explanation." Aslan looked back at us four humans.
Peter looked down, and then met the Lion's eyes.
"It's my fault, really. I was too hard on him." Peter confessed. Susan put her hand on her brother's shoulder, and gave him a small smile.
"We all were." She added, looking back at Aslan.
"Sir, he's our brother." Lucy said, as if Aslan didn't already realize this.
"I know, dear one. But that only makes the betrayal all the worse. This may be harder than you think." Aslan nodded gravely.
"What will be harder?" I asked as the crowd behind us started to disperse.
"I can't do anything right now for Edmund. When the time is right, I will help you get him back. Until then, you four will have to wait patiently." Aslan explained.
"Wait? You mean just do nothing?" Susan exclaimed.
"Yes, Susan. That is all you can do right now." Aslan's voice had a soothing effect, and Susan calmed down a bit.
"Thank you, sir." Peter bowed his head at the Lion. I knew that waiting would be one of the hardest things to do.