Vaults, Valor and Villains

Movement around the castle was quick and quiet, following paths and passages that were known mainly to the royals and their closest advisors. Peter worked quickly with his generals and found out as much as he could as word spreads quickly in their kingdom. Edmund and Samuel found everything they would need including brilliantly decorated shields and swords that they brought with them back up to the gathering chamber to wait for Peter and the girls. Faith and Lucy traveled by shadow down into the depths of the castle to where the treasures of Narnia were kept. It wasn't just a place to keep gold but there were books, jewels and all sorts of suits of armor all around the dark vault.

The vault was a space all of stone. High vaulted ceilings rose into the darkness and a chill clung to the place. It was clear that it was underground and the dampness cut to the bone. There were no windows or lights. Lucy lit a torch as they descended down into the darkness of the castle but it didn't light much of their way. It was still dark and the gilded suits or armor and gold gave the room a strange uneasy feeling. Like hundreds of eyes watching from the shadows just waiting to strike.

Lucy led the way into a dark corner where large marble chest sat against a wall. Four of them, one for each of Kings and Queens, that Susan would have remembered in her dreams.

"These haven't existed for a very long time," Lucy said as she walked to the one that would have been Susan's, "we had no need for them. They did not follow us from the world that we knew into this one. Now that Susan is remembering she has given us all that we used and needed to fight the White Witch. These were the things that we had when we first came here. When we first took the thrones and lost ourselves in a life away from the world of reality. These are magical things that now rightfully belong to you and the memory of those times. You'll find her horn and her bow in here," she added as she pushed with all her might and the cover of the chest slid to one side.

"If you believe her to be giving everything to us that we will need do you think she is doing the same for the Witch?" Faith asked softly.

"Yes, I do believe that. I also think she is making her worse then we could have ever imagined as children. Susan has lived in the world and seen many more evils then we ever did." Lucy said sadly.

Faith pushed with all of her might to lift the heavy lid of the chest that Lucy was showing her. There in the middle of the chest lay the brilliant ivory horn that was etched with the form of a lion and was used as a tool to summon help whenever it was needed. Lucy reached in and pulled it out and handed it to Faith, "It is rightfully yours to use. Blow it when you know we are in the greatest danger."

"Don't you think that is now?" Faith asked.

"We have not yet heard the Witch's demand so I can't say for sure," Lucy answered, "Peter has sent off his soldiers, she wouldn't be foolish enough to try and ambush this castle. It is a fortress. And take these as well;" she said as she handed the bow and the arrows to Faith, "they also belonged to your mother. She has placed them here for your protection."

"Thank you," Faith said as she slung the bow over her shoulders, "we should return to the boys."

With that they left the vaults and headed back up into the light of the castle. It was comforting to leave the vault behind them. They found Peter, Edmund and Samuel in the dining hall, dressed like Kings in all their splendor and ready to battle.

"The Witch is waiting in the thrown room for us," Peter said.

"Have you used the horn yet?" Edmund asked.

"No," Faith answered, "we aren't in danger yet."

"It is only to be used in the times of greatest need," Peter said, "the word is spreading quickly that the White Witch had returned and is at Care Paravel and our guards tell me that the Witch came as far as the meadow with her entourage but was not let pass by our guards. She is in the throne room alone."

"But she is a Witch, how do you know that she will not destroy us with her magic?" Samuel asked.

"She is out numbered and even her magic is no match for the deep magic of this castle and this land. We are safe and she knows she cannot act here. What can she do to us?" Peter asked, "The people in real danger are you and Faith. You are still living. We will forever be rulers of Narnia because we belong to Narnia now. We cannot die again. That is why we believe that all our tools have appeared in this world," he said as he handed a sword to Samuel, "this sword and this shield will protect you so long as you believe, and Susan's horn and her bow will be Faith's strength and protection. We are simply here to help you prove to Susan that nothing can happen to hurt us here."

Samuel looked the sword over with awe in his eyes and trust in his heart. He believed that he could and would succeed with his family behind him and Aslan to protect him. He could feel that there was a magic in these tools and a magic in the place that was right and good.

Faith watched him as he came to know the magic and the wonder of belief. It was in her eyes and in everything that she did. She had not believed that there wasn't right and goodness in the world. She was ready and the bravery of her uncles and aunt radiated through the land. The Witch did not scare her, nor did her mother's death. There was a bright, beautiful world waiting for her. She knew that it was what needed to happen and she would do everything she could to make Susan's journey home a peaceful and easy journey, even if that meant going into battle with the White Witch.

They walked quickly through the castle and out a door that led to the throne room and the platform on which the thrones sat. Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Faith took their places before the thrones and Samuel stood at his sister's side.

There in the middle of the room stood a woman who looked larger than life and as cold as ice with a presence about her that cast fear and doubt into any heart. She was beautiful and yet horrendously ugly as the evil that was in her radiated off of her. She had a different look then the one that Peter, Lucy and Edmund remembered. She had a worldly look, like someone who had seen the world change before them. She was the lack of childhood and the fears of a world that changes and becomes darker as the years proceed, and yet she was still Jadice. She was the White Witch through grown up eyes with all the magic of a child's heart and memory.

"Why are you here Witch," Peter asked as he sat.

"You dare to address me in such a way, boy?" she hissed.

"You don't think that you could have any ruling power over this world, do you Witch?" Edmund asked, "This is a holy place and not a place fit for the evil that you have brought to it."

"It is not by my doing that I have come to be, but because someone believed and betrayed, I am here, and you must know I am much different from whom I was once. You have no chance against me, not now," the Witch said as she came closer to the thrones.

"That is close enough, Jadice," A voice boomed through the throne room.

The Witch spun around to behold the great form of Aslan quick on her heals.

"Well, it really is a party now," The Witch laughed, "not as sure of yourselves as you appear, are you Peter Pevensie, not without your pet."

"You have not learned your lesson," Peter said with a sigh, "why have you come here?"

"To take my rightful place, as someone sees fit," Jadice answered, "I have gathered an army and I am ready to fight. I am here merely on a technicality of this place. You are to choose the battle field and I shall wipe you all out once and for all."

"You have no claim over this place," Samuel said as he stared down the Witch, "this is not your place and it is clear by your manner that you do not belong here. King Peter should not give you the time of day."

"Should I have her thrown in the dungeon?" Peter asked as he leaned toward Edmund.

"It won't hold her," Lucy said bravely.

"Send her away with no answer, if she decides that battle is in her best interest then we will be ready. But it is not for us to enter willingly into this violence," Samuel said.

"Who do you think you are boy?" Jadice asked as she eyed the two unknown children but it soon became clear to her, "I know who you are; you belong to Susan the unbeliever."

"She believes deeper in the great magic then you can comprehend!" Faith yelled.

"Be calm young one," Aslan said as he sprang forward onto the platform and placed himself between the children and the Witch, "you will go now," he said.

"I will go when you know the extent of my power, cat," Jadice said with a laugh, "I know that you ended my beautiful winter, but I will have you know that I am stronger than that. Winter is not ended!" she said forcibly as she struck the floor of the thrown room with her staff and a dark grey cloud rose up around her.

The sun disappeared from the sky outside of the throne room. Snow fell violently in a matter of moments and ice formed itself all around the throne room. Aslan roared but the ice did not break, the fires in the lamps went out and a chill came over everything in the room.

"I will freeze your hearts till they will no longer believe," She said as she pointed at Faith and Samuel who shivered uncontrollably, "I know your secret Aslan, those children are not of this world and do not belong here. I hope you know they will die in this place and their souls will be lost to you forever! Are the children worth losing to bring your beloved Queen Susan back to your garden?"

"You will never win," Faith said as her teeth chattered.

"Oh children, I already have," Jadice laughed and turned to leave, "we will battle, but this time it will happen on my battle fields. You are all at a disadvantage to me," she said and left.

"Quick, all of you get out of here," Aslan said as Peter, Edmund and Lucy began to shiver and fear covered their faces.

"Where are we to go?" Peter asked as he pulled Lucy into his arms to try and warm her.

"Will we ever be warm again?" she asked as her lips began to turn blue.

"Yes," Aslan said as panic rose in his voice, "go to the royal suites and wait for me there." he added and ran from the throne room.