Author's note: Thank you all for the amazing reviews. In this chapter, we finally meet the Pevensies! This chapter is book-orientated, but I think the next chapter will be movie-orientated. Anyhow, I hope you guys continue to read and review!

Chapter 12: At Aslan's Camp

They arrived at the Stone Table just a few minutes after they had set off from the Dancing Lawn. Aslan had set them off at such a frantic and excited pace that they barely stopped to take a breather despite the extreme weariness, which was especially felt by the Animals.

At the top of the hill of the Stone Table was a level, grassy area. A slab of stone resting on four shorter stone blocks formed the Stone Table, and these stood in the middle of the wide lawn. Aslan instructed for a pavilion to be set up near the eastern edge of the hill-top. Then he turned to Mallory and said, "Come with me, Mallory."

Mallory was a little surprised, but she asked no questions. She climbed down from Snowmane and patted its nose gently before hurrying of to follow Aslan.

Aslan led her to the edge of the plateau and stood in front of it, silent and solemn. Mallory stood beside him and tried to think of something to say, but there were none that came out of her mouth.

A while later, he turned to her and said, "What do you make of this view?"

So Mallory looked. A little far off from where the slope of the hill met the earth there was a river, a twinkling, twisted cord that made her heart very glad. There was a shallow place, a valley of some sort, where Mallory judged the river could be crossed. But she did not understand what he wanted her to say.

"That is the Fords of Beruna," Aslan pointed at the shallow place. Then he pointed at a sparkling diamond on the very point where the land and the Sea met and said, "That is Cair Paravel. We laid the foundation for it just days after King Frank and Queen Helen had their first child." He smiled while Mallory looked at him, shocked that he knew that she had known about it.

Sensing her shock, Aslan chuckled softly and said, "I know that Algaurs, or Father Christmas, if you will, has told you about it. He is never one to keep a secret for long." He looked full and deep at her. "But he is a man of honour."

"Yes," she said quietly, for she couldn't think of another thing to say. Being in Aslan's presence, she felt small and unimportant, yet she was comfortable with him, when she knew that she shouldn't be, and the clash of these feelings made her feel very awkward indeed.

But she remembered something, and she said, "Aslan, he, he said that I had done something horrible. Something that made you turn me out. What was it?" Suddenly, rage built up in her. She was angry, but it was not her anger. "Why?"

Aslan sighed and he became subdued. "Oh, Alvarya, oh, Alvarya. If only you knew how painful it was for me to banish you from Narnia. If only you knew how difficult it was - "

"But surely! O Brother, I have loved you and respected you for so long. And you, you who know me best, you should know that I had not meant it!"

"Alvarya!" he said fiercely, like a father would snap at his insolent son. Mallory quailed at once, and the anger instantly fled. She felt nothing but shame. She didn't even know why she had become angry.

"I have my reasons," his anger subsided too, and for that Mallory was anything but glad. "But most of all, you should know that I have never stopped loving you." A golden light shone around him. As Mallory stared in wonder, Aslan was no longer a Lion. He had become a teenager, and his hair was as golden as his mane but his eyes bluer than periwinkle and they were kind and loving and happy. He wore simple clothing and was not a bit like the royalty he was. Yet this was the Aslan that Mallory had remembered. The loving brother. Her best friend.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. "Oh, Aslan!"

Aslan knelt and took her in his arms and laughed as he said, "Yes, it's me, your brother. I haven't changed into my real self for so long." He released her and stretched. "Ah, how good it feels!"

She laughed, but at the same time she was crying. "Don't be silly, Aslan! You asked for it!"

He grinned at her mischievously. "I say! I do feel like running around on two legs again!" He tapped her shoulder smartly. "You're It!"

"No fair!" she said, and she proceeded to chase him down the slope of the hill. They laughed as they ran and several times she almost caught him, but every time he managed to dodge. Finally she managed to pounce on him and they fell onto the grass, a laughing, shaking heap of clothes.

Mallory had never felt so content, even though the feeling of contentment belonged to Alvarya and thus was not hers. She wished her own brother could be like this, but he had never done such a thing before because generally he disliked all childishness. She liked the feel of him holding her, and knowing that he would always love her and protect her.

Suddenly he stood and squatted, and Mallory automatically climbed onto his back and he stood up. Piggyback rides, she smiled to herself. Aslan carried her back towards the hill and they were silent, for there was really nothing to say. He trudged up the slope of the hill as she pressed her cheek to his and sighed with gladness. The fresh scent of him brought her mind back to a world full of tall mountains with snowless peaks and wide, rolling plains and roaring waterfalls, and finally a sea full of white lilies, her favourite flower.

She hugged him ever more tightly, not wanting to lose this precious moment. Ever.

When they reached the top of the hill, he set her down and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll always love you, Mallory. Always." Then a golden light shone around him and he was back into a Lion again. He touched her nose lightly with his nose and said, "Get some rest, Mallory, or eat. It has been a long journey for you." Then he loped off, as if wearied, in the direction of the eastern edge of the hill-top and stared at the Sea for a long time, his head bent. Mallory wanted so much to console him, but somehow she sensed that he needed the privacy.

She made for the pavilion, a stunning erection of rich red and deep gold cloth which edges billowed grandly in the wind. On the very top of the pavilion a golden flag with a red rampant lion stamped on it waved as the breeze caressed it. She entered the pavilion and was immediately greeted by a group of Tree-women and Well-women who, with their tinkling laughter, brought her down to the Fords of the lovely, roaring river of Beruna and there they bathed and refreshed themselves in the cool water. Mallory had never before so much as dipped her feet into a river, let alone bathe in it, so it was quite a thing for her, entering the river, much less bathe in it with such beautiful creatures as Naiads and Dryads. After they had bathed and laughed and played as much as they could, they returned to the pavilion in their wet-cloths and she changed into a most comfortable Narnian riding dress coloured in a magnificent red. Then the Tree-women and Well-women found a suitable belt to hold the sword that Aslan had given (and made) for her so that she was able to carry the sword snugly around her waist and it would not weigh her down, despite the gilded scabbard. After all this was taken care of, Mallory sat down to a hearty lunch of berries and fruits and roast and mashed potatoes with the wonderful female company.

It was well after lunch that Mallory was finally allowed to leave the pavilion. She walked about the hill-top, enjoying the fresh and crisp Narnian air which was so different from that of England. A few feet away from the pavilion, the Centaurs were holding a duel of their own. The clanging and clashing of swords excited her so much so that she immediately dashed for the scene.

"Oh, can I fight too? Can I?"

One of the Centaurs, a fair-haired and fairly young one, laughed gaily and said, "I am afraid not, Daughter of Eve. We are a good deal taller than you are."

"But I can wield a sword!" she said indignantly, and despite her annoyance, she laughed together with the Centaurs. "Please, give me a horse and I shall show you what I can do. I will not disappoint, not will I be a waste of time to you."

The same Centaur turned to their leader, a deep-chested and stern-looking Centaur with black hair, "What do you say, General Oreius?"

Oreius smiled and said, "This Daughter of Eve has a sword with her. And it is the one that my father had oft described to me because he was taken by its beauty. Let the Prince, or in this case, Princess, win her spurs! Fetch her a horse!"

"I shall be her steed," said Snowmane, and he came forth with a proud stamp of hoofs. Mallory climbed onto the Unicorn and unsheathed her sword.

"Graneus," said Oreius, referring to the fair-haired one who had laughed at her. "The first strike goes to you. Agree, Daughter of Eve?"

Mallory drew a deep breath and tightened her knees on Snowmane's body. "Agreed."

"Then we shall begin!"

Graneus charged forward and swung his sword at her. She deflected the blow and Snowmane cantered in the opposite direction. Graneus laughed and made for her again. Mallory kicked Snowmane's flanks forward and the two met midway in a stunning blow-for-blow duel. Their swords clanged and clashed and rang out so loudly that it drew the attentions of every Animal, every Naiad and every Dryad on the hill-top. Mostly, Mallory was the one on the receiving end. She parried and blocked until she was quite tired, but she was determined not to lose. Gritting her teeth, she picked up her strength and began deflecting his blows, foiling his attacks. Upon the impending sense of victory, she attacked now, raining blow upon blow upon his sword, and, in one smooth, fluid move that she didn't quite understand, manage to intertwine his sword and hers and wrench it out of his grasp.

Mallory was hot and sweaty and her arm was weary from the heavy and furious sword-wielding, but the triumph was well worth it. The claps that came in from all directions of the audience circle fuelled her pride, but she remembered to keep her ego in check. She kissed Snowmane and said, "Thank you!"

Snowmane whinnied a bit. "No, thank you. That was excellent! I shall be proud to be your steed in the face of battle."

Mallory laughed. "If Aslan wills it."

Graneus trotted over towards her and held out a hand, smiling, "It was an honour to have been your opponent, my lady. You are a fine warrior!"

She blushed a little, but took his hand anyway and shook it firmly, "Thank you for the compliment. But you almost had me there, you know."

Graneus laughed. "I thought I would never live the day to be defeated by a female Centaur, let alone a little Daughter of Eve like you!" And they all erupted in hearty laughter.

Mallory sheathed her sword and was about to descend from Snowmane when she saw Aslan standing a far way off. But she saw the look on his face, and it was one of pride.

"Mallory!"

She whirled around. "Firumel!" she exclaimed. Abandoning all mannerism, she jumped down from the Unicorn and ran towards him and hugged him. "Oh, Firumel! I thought you'd forgotten about me!"

Firumel laughed (more like a cackling, really). "Forgive me about that, Mallory. I'm sorry, truly I am! Anyway, where were you?"

"I was with Aslan."

"Oh, very well then! I saw your match with that Centaur. Very amazing. But you slaying the Minotaurs was even more terrifying, in my humble opinion."

"Why thank you! I really had no idea how I did that, but at the same time, it all made perfect sense to me. Isn't that odd now?"

Before Firumel could reply, a short blast of a horn reached their ears and the Animals left whatever they were doing and headed for the direction of the sound. Firumel and Mallory exchanged curious look and went too.

The Naiads and the Dryads and the Centaurs and the Leopards Lord Marvyr and Lord Gaurung, and Snowmane the Unicorn had formed a half-crescent around Aslan. The Naiads and the Dryads had brought with them their stringed instruments and struck up a beautiful melody. Firumel went to stand next to Snowmane. Mallory stood half-hidden behind him so that she could watch what was going to enfold.

First, a pair of Beavers pattered up the hill and came into view. Shortly after, three children followed, two girls and one boy. Mallory gave a gasp, for the children were exactly like the ones she had seen before. The boy, who was tallest and perhaps eldest, led the children. They came to a halt several feet away from Aslan and the gathering of creatures. Mallory watched as they whispered with each other for a moment, then with the Beavers, and then the boy drew his sword and came forth. Mallory realised pleasantly that it was the very same sword that she had given to Father Christmas.

"We have come – Aslan." The music stopped.

"Welcome, Peter, Son of Adam. Welcome, Susan and Lucy, Daughters of Eve. Welcome, He-Beaver and She-Beaver. But where is the fourth?"

Mallory was just wondering the exact thing. There were supposed to be four of them.

"He has tried to betray them and joined the White Witch, O Aslan," said one of the Beavers, bowing respectfully as it did so.

Suddenly the boy, Peter, said, "That was partly my fault, Aslan. I was angry with him and I think it helped him go wrong."

A heavy silence fell on all of them. Mallory's senses were standing on a prickly edge indeed. She wondered why Aslan did not say anything about it. Peter fidgeted as he waited for a response. The girls looked as if they were holding their breaths. Then the youngest one said, "Please – Aslan. Can anything be done to save Edmund?"

"All shall be done," said Aslan solemnly, "But it may be harder than you think." Then he shook his mane and clapped his paws. "Meanwhile, let the feast be prepared. Ladies, take these Daughters of Eve to the pavilion and minister to them."

The Naiads and the Dryads took the girls away towards the pavilion and the crowd dissipated save for the Centaurs. One of the Dryads took her hand, laughing a pleasant silvery laugh, and Mallory waved goodbye at the Eagle.

They entered the pavilion and the Naiads and the Dryads did to the girls what they had done with Mallory, who was left with the task of choosing dresses for the girls to wear. When they returned to the pavilion, Mallory handed them their new Narnian dresses.

"Why thank you!" said the elder girl, and the younger one was so excited that she straightaway pulled it on.

"I'm Susan, by the way," the elder girl held out a hand and smiled. "Susan Pevensie."

"And I'm Lucy," said the younger one.

"I'm Mallory. Say, how are the dress? Do they fit?"

"Oh, very!" Lucy beamed as she twirled around. "This is the most beautiful dress I've ever worn."

Susan laughed and said, "Let's go out and get Peter and show him our new dresses!" She took Lucy's hand and ran out of the pavilion.

Suddenly Mallory heard screams. Then, a rich sound, richer than any Narnian horn that Mallory had heard, pierced into the air. She ran out of the pavilion and saw that a pack of wolves had stormed the encampment. A particularly huge and shaggy-furred one bounded for Susan and Lucy and they managed to swing themselves up onto a tree. But Susan's legs hung too close to the wolf's snapping jaws for comfort. A wolf rushed for Mallory and she quickly drew her sword and slashed at its head, cutting it off completely. But strangely the blood and the horrible mess didn't bother her one bit. With her sword swathed in bright red blood, she ran towards the tree where the wolf was snapping at the girls.

But just then, Aslan and the boy, with a few Centaurs had rushed for the pavilion. The Centaurs were about to start for the wolves and Mallory was about to join them, but Aslan waved his paw.

"Back!" he said. "Let the Prince win his spurs." He cast a stern look at Mallory. "Put the sword back."

"But Aslan - "

"Mallory," he growled quietly, and she understood. He needed the boy to prove himself. She nodded and sheathed the sword back. Aslan nodded in approval.

The boy ran up towards the biggest wolf and slashed at his side, but it seemed to have missed. They screamed when the wolf had sensed the boy's presence. It turned around to face him, and, Mallory had to admit, the ferocious advance of the wolf, its snarling fangs and murderous yellow eyes, were fierce enough to make the bravest boys quake.

Without any warning at all, the wolf growled and leapt at the boy, who bravely plunged his sword down between the wolf's forelegs and into its heart. Unfortunately, the wolf landed on top of him, and he struggled to get out from underneath the wolf.

"Oh, Peter!" the girls cried, and they leapt down from the tree to free him. They hugged and kissed and cried for joy and the danger was over. Mallory wiped her blade clean on the grass (the sight of it made her sick now) and sheathed it and descended the slope for the river, where she washed her face thoroughly and scrubbed her hands until her skin was red.