06; One Way Ticket on a Frozen Water Slide

The idea of crossing a large melting river didn't sit well with Emily. Mr. Beaver had already explained that it was the most direct path, but she had her doubts. The last thing she needed was to die trying to ice skate her way to freedom.

It was then that she contemplated the concept of dying. Emily knew that she was not immortal, but she also wasn't on earth either. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen if she did perish in this war. Would she simply cease to exist or would she be transported home?

Emily followed behind the others as they finished their walk over a steep ledge and were going to take a small rest at the top of the small hill. The snow under her feet was soft compared to the snow near the lamp post. They had just been told things were changing, but she had hoped it would help them instead of hinder them.

She felt someone step in line next to her and turned to see Susan walking beside her. At first Emliy didn't not know what to make of her. Susan had proven herself capable of being extremely logical in the most unuseful of times, but she had never been wrong.

"Why are you agreeing to help these people?"

Emily was taken back by the question, "Why are you?"

Susan looked at her, "I want my brother back, then we are going home. However, there is nothing stopping you. You could leave at any time and yet you choose to stay. I'm just curious as to why."

Susan was correct. Emily had nothing tying her to Narnia and yet here she was. She could leave now and return to her life back in Anaheim. She could hang out with her friends and spend quality time with her family, except she would feel guilty.

"I guess I just feel like I owe them something, although I don't know why," Emily began. "Before even stepping foot into Narnia I had a dream. Everything in it was from Narnia. It played on an endless loop that I couldn't control or stop. It happened again when we tried to stop Edmund."

Susan's eyes widened in surprise, "Do you think you can see the future?"

Emily shook her head, "I don't think so. It's more like an old film. It's like I'm relieving her history. Someone is sending them to me at the appropriate time and I have a feeling it's Aslan."

"And that's why you won't leave?"

Emily nodded. "That and I don't want to abandon a friend in need. You and your siblings need my help and although I've been useless so far I hope to get better."

Susan smiled as if Emily's answer had satisfied her in some way. Emily offered a weak smile in return as she hiked her way up the rest of the mountain. She made a silent promise to herself as she looked out at the world that seemed to be covered in endless white. Somehow she would find her purpose and in doing so she would try her best to fulfill it. No matter what it may cost her.

Emily looked over at the melting river a little skeptical on whether it would hold or not. The ice was slowly melting and under different circumstances Emily would find it beautiful. However with the temperature slowly rising she was nervous to cross. She stood next to Susan as the two shared a mutual look of worry, meanwhile Peter's and Lucy continued to walk on with Beavers following them.

"Wait, maybe we should think about this." Susan said, turning to look at Emily for back up.

Emily shrugged, "I'm nervous that it might not hold, but I also know that this is the fastest way across. The beavers said so."

"We don't have time." Peter said, looking around.

"I was just trying to be realistic." Susan said with a huff crossing her arms over her chest.

"No, you're trying to be smart. As usual!" Peter said, sounding annoyed.

"Arguing isn't making things much better!" Emily cut in, shaking her head.

The beavers led the way down a steep hill towards the not so frozen river, not bothering to add to the conversation. Peter followed behind them with Lucy holding Emily's hand to keep her from slipping. Susan brought up the rear, every so often looking over her shoulder. Once they reached the river, Peter took a hesitant step forward onto the ice, but the ice seemed to reject him with a loud crack!

"Wait, maybe I should go first." Mr. Beaver offered.

"Maybe you should." Peter said.

Mr. Beaver stepped out onto the ice with care and slowly made his way across. The group followed him slowly waiting for him to distinguish which sections of ice would hold and which would not. After a while a particular section of ice cracked with ease causing fear to course through Emily as her hands flew out to steady her balance.

"You've been sneaking second helpings haven't you?" Mrs. Beaver said, trying to lighten the tension.

"Well you never know what meal is gonna be your last, especially with your cooking." Mr. Beaver said with a chuckle, causing the rest of them to smile. Well all of them except Susan.

"If mum knew what we were doing..." Susan said with a frown. Emily froze for a sec... what would her mom say?

Margo Rose was a rather cautious person with Wesley being the one to crack her careful shell. It was because of her husband that the two took the plunge and opened the antique shop. Emily knew her mother would probably fret over everyone present, but she would mostly watch Emily like a hawk. Emily's heart ached at the thought of her mother.

"Mums not here!" Peter said, becoming irritated at Susan's unhelpful comments.

As the group continued forward in a prolonged silence, Emily could hear the sound of paws above them. She glanced behind and tried not to scream at the sight behind them. Her eyes widened in fear to see the very thing they were running from... wolves! The leader of the pack seemed to smirk when she saw the obvious terror in her eyes.

"Peter!" Emily called him and everyone looked to where she was pointing.

"On no!" Lucy yelled at seeing the wolves.

"Run!" Peter and Emily shouted together.

The group of small travelers started to run towards the other side of the river, but were quickly surrounded by members of the queen's wolves. Emily made sure she was at the rear so she could protect them from behind. It was her job after all. She pulled her sword out and pointed it at the wolf that had come dangerously close to Susan.

One of the wolves lunged and grabbed Mr. Beaver, pinning him down onto the ice. Emily surged forward in an attempt to free him, but Susan grabbed her hand to stop her. Peter took his sword out and pointed it at a wolf and pulled Lucy behind him. Emily pushed Susan by Lucy's side and placed her back to Peter's, forming a protective circle around the girls.

"Put that down boy, someone might get hurt." The wolf said.

"Don't worry about me!" Beaver shouted. "Slit his throat!"

"Leave now while you can, and your brother leaves with you." The wolf said. Emily felt Peter stiffen against her and she craned her neck to look at him. She found him wide-eyed in fear, but he didn't lower his sword.

"Stop Peter, maybe we should listen to him!" Susan yelled.

"Susan!" Emily cried looking at her in disbelief. She only gave her a glare in return.

"Smart girl." the wolf said, taking a step closer to the group.

"Don't listen to him. Kill him. Kill him now!" Mr. Beaver cried.

"Look, just because some man in a red suit hands you a sword doesn't make you a hero! So just drop it!" Susan tried to reason.

"No Peter!" Mr. Beaver yelled.

"You're right Susan. Having a sword doesn't make you a hero." Emily causing everyone to look at her. "Doing the right thing does!"

"Emily is right!" Mr. Beaver said. "Narnia needs ya!"

"What's it gonna be, Son of Adam? We're not going to wait forever." The wolf said before looking at the waterfall. "And neither is the river."

"Peter!" Lucy screamed. Peter and Emily looked to see a crack running up the side of the waterfall.

"Hold on to me!" Peter shouted.

Susan and Lucy quickly grabbed onto either side of him, while Emily reached for Mrs. Beaver who had yet to take her eyes off her husband. Peter held up his sword and stabbed it into the ice keeping him and his sister secured. Emily followed his actions just in time as the ice holding back the waterfall broke.

The water was beyond painful as it hit them at full speed right over their heads. The freezing temperature of the water caused the blonde's lungs to burn from the lack of oxygen and her body to become rigid in pain. Emily's mind may not have been surprised by the temperature, but her body was different. It screamed in pain as all her clothes soaked her to the bone.

Once her block of ice had dropped to shore Emily quickly pulled her sword out and looked around. Mrs. Beaver was already reentering the water to help her husband and Emily spotted the Pevensies a little ahead of her along the river bank. The girl slowly made her way over to them, but once she reached them she noticed a missing member of their family.

"Where is Lucy?" Emily asked, her voice full of fear. Peter's eyes softened in relief when he saw Emily was alright, but that relief soon turned into terror. He slowly held up Lucy's empty coat.

"What have you done?!" Susan said, looking at him with anger in her eyes.

"Lucy!"

Emily felt her heart ache with fear for the little one. She was suddenly reminded of what it meant to be human and thrust into a world that is not her own. She was supposed to keep her safe, but once again she had failed. She had already lost Edmund to the enemy, but to lose Lucy to a watery grave. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried her best not to break down, when she heard the most precious sound.

"Has anyone seen my coat?"

She was shaking from the freezing water as Emily was the first to run forward and enveloped her in a warm hug. Her body was shaking from the adrenaline rush and Emily didn't blame her as she placed a chaste kiss to the top of the girl's head. She was overcome with joy to see that Lucy was safe. Emily let go and allowed her family to check on her as she stepped off to the side. After they were satisfied with her state Peter put her coat back on in an attempt to warm her up.

"Your brother has you well looked after." Mr. Beaver said.

"I don't think you'll be needing those coats any more!" Mrs. Beaver added and she was right.

The temperature had increased dramatically since crossing the river. Green grass and thriving fauna surrounded them and Emily found herself shedding her winter gear, leaving her in her pajamas. She walked over toward a little alcove that had good shelter and a low vantage point. It would be easily defendable.

"I think we should camp here for the night."

"You're probably right. We have been traveling all day." Susan agreed, letting out a yawn.

"I'll go grab some wood to build a fire." Emily stated and she stood leading the way into the woods.

"I'll come with you." Peter offered. Susan and Lucy gave Peter a look before giggling.

"Are you sure you don't want some alone time with Emily?" Lucy asked. Peter sent Lucy a look before leading the way into the woods.

Silence fell over Peter and Emily as they began collecting firewood. Emily strayed to the right and found herself humming softly as she picked up the dry twigs. To the left Peter was silent and calculating as he scrutinized each piece. After a while though Emily couldn't take the silence or Peter's not-so-obvious glances in her direction and decided to face the awkwardness.

"Thank you for coming to help." Emily said, looking at the oldest Pevensie.

Peter really was very handsome. His 1940s styled hair upon their meeting had since become unruly and tousled and the way it layed framed his oval face. His deep blue eyes held a sense of maturity that children in her own time would never have, but that's because they had it easy. Peter and his family were surviving a world war, while she was trying to get through high school.

Emily realized she was staring and quickly looked down, faint blush coming to her cheeks. Peter didn't seem to notice as he picked yet another stick, only to study it fiercely. It took everything in Emily not to laugh as his eyes narrowed at the stick.

"Emily, do you believe l could be a good king?" Peter suddenly asked, causing her to stop what she was doing to look at him.

"I believe you could."

"Why?" Peter asked, walking over towards her.

Emily honestly wasn't sure how to answer that. She had only known him a day and a half, but she could already tell he would make a good leader. He cared about his family and if he were to apply that same level of dedication to Narnia he would be amazing. Emily knew this, but wasn't sure how to convey it to a boy who clearly doubted himself and his abilities.

"You are brave and showed great courage against the wolves." She began and he stared at her waiting for her to continue. "You show great love and affection towards your family and if my knowledge of history is correct I would think you are now the head of your family, yes?"

"Yes."

She nodded, "Now imagine if you expand your family to include all of Narnia. Accepting them like your brothers and sisters in a way. They are looking for someone to show them a better future and if I'm right then that's exactly what you'll give them."

"Well I'll have you to help me, right?." Peter replied.

"I don't know how helpful I really am. I already failed at being your guide and protector." Emily said, looking down. "I failed to look after Edmund."

Peter took the pile of sticks from Emily's arms and set them down along with his before taking one of her hands in his. She stiffened at his touch, but slightly relaxed when his other hand came to rest ever so gently against her cheek. He slowly lifted her head so that her brown eyes were looking into his blue ones.

"You are not a failure." Peter squeezed her hand and let a smile appear onto his face. "I was wrong to think there was some way to save Edmund when in truth we should be blaming the white witch. You can't possibly think I would hold you accountable when you had only just met us. We had no idea what would await us when we entered this strange land."

"Peter," Emily whispered. "Thank you for cheering me up.''

Emily decided to show rather than just say her appreciation as she stood on her tiptoes and gave Peter a kiss on the cheek. The small action caused both teens to go a deep crimson color as neither could look the other in the eye. Emily found herself surprised at her boldness, but she didn't regret opening herself to Peter in this manner. If they were to survive then she would need an ally and she was thankful it was him.

"Anytime Em." Peter said. Emily blushed at his nickname for her making his face contort into one of immense confusion. "What?"

"It's just you called me Em instead of Emily."

"Is it okay if I call you that?"

"It's fine Pete."

The two finished their task with relative ease as they laughed and joked around on the way back to the campsite. When they got there Peter started on the fire while Emily hummed to herself as she attempted to brush her hair with one of the twigs. She winced every so often on a rough snarl, but slowly made her way through the tangles.

"What are you humming Emily?" Lucy asked, sitting down on the grass beside her.

"A lullaby I used to sing to my little brother when our parents were away." She answered letting a small tear escape as she thought of my family again.

"Would you sing for us?" Lucy asked with hope shining in her eyes.

"Of course." Emily replied.

Emily waited for Peter to finish with the fire before closing her eyes and clearing her throat. A soft melody came from her lips as she began to sing "Only Hope" by Mandy Moore. Memories flashed through her eyes of her brother curled up beside her on her bed and on her ceiling were the stick-on glow in the dark stars. They glowed warmly as she brushed her hand through his hair when she would sing away his fears.

When she opened her eyes she found Lucy curled up in her lap with her hand gently brushing her hair back. Susan had tears in her eyes as she slept soundly by the fire, while Peter looked to be in a daze. She blushed deeply when Peter clapped softly.

"That was beautiful." Peter whispered.

"Thank you, Pete."

"Goodnight, Em." Peter said, laying down.

"Goodnight Pete." Emily said, laying down in the soft grass.

She allowed Lucy to stay in her embrace as her eyes slowly closed as exhaustion took over. In her dreams she hoped to find peace, but somehow she knew that once again she would be given more visions of the future. She just prayed they were from the right side of this war.