Sorry it's taken so long. I've been mega busy, so I won't be able to spend as much time on this story as I would like. Hope all of you like this chapter, it's almost time to un-mask the Ranger. Can anyone guess who the Ranger is yet? Write me if you think you know.
Disclaimer: Refer to the Prologue...
Chapter Three
Arrivals, Meeting Aslan and Peter's First Battle
By the time all the ice and snow had gradually melted into the ground, and the clouds had rolled away, revealing the sun and warming the vibrant landscape, Peter, Susan and Lucy and the two beavers had nearly reached the camp of Aslan, located in a sloping, grassy canyon.
A warm breeze caressed their faces as Peter, Susan and Lucy walked through the soft grass towards Aslan's camp, taking the sweet-smelling air into their lungs. Hearing faint whispers behind her, Lucy turned to see that the petals of the pink flowers had created the figure of a pretty female dryad, which was waving at her. Lucy, smiling brightly, waved vigorously back before running to catch up with her older siblings.
Upon entering the camp of Aslan, the numerous creatures and Talking animals that were part of the vast army, who were going about their work, polishing their weapons and mending other things, stopped whatever they were doing and just stared at the three Pevensies as they walked through the main path of the camp.
"Why are they all staring at us?" Susan asked nervously, looking around at the army.
"Maybe they think you look funny," Lucy replied cheekily.
Peter smiled happily as he watched his two sisters banter, while feeling slightly self-conscious himself at all the creatures staring at them. He glanced down at the two beavers, who were also muttering to each other quietly. Peter was unable to hear what they were saying, but he managed to pick up one comment that Beaver made to his wife.
"Queen, stop your fussing," Beaver said, poking his wife. "You look lovely."
Peter laughed quietly upon hearing that remark, because Queen had been discreetly combing her fur out, trying to make it look better, but Beaver had obviously noticed. Finally coming to a halt, the group stood before a red tent on a small rock plateau. A tall, muscular centaur with long brown hair stood a ways from the tent, talking quietly with a satyr.
Peter slowly unsheathed his sword, and held it out in front of him. "We have come to see Aslan," he said clearly, looking at the centaur.
Then, the red tent began to blow delicately in the breeze, making the flags sway and petals from the flowers waft about. All the inhabitants of the camp, minus the three Pevensies, knelt reverently before the tent. The entrance flaps of the tent slowly parted to the sides, making the three children stand there in anticipation, waiting for what would emerge from inside.
Slowly and impressively, a majestic male lion, his mane glowing yellowish-brown in the sunlight, strode out of the tent's entrance. His amber eyes, which gazed at the children as he strode forward, were humble and wise, the sign of a true ruler. The sight of Aslan in all his majesty took Peter's breath away as Aslan walked slowly towards Peter and his sisters. But what Peter saw next made his breath catch in his throat.
Following silently behind the great shape of Aslan, wearing the same apparel, though now it was entirely dark green, and not visibly bearing any weapons, was the Ranger. Walking over and standing by the centaur, the Ranger watched Aslan and the three Pevensies silently and observantly. Peter and his siblings knelt before Aslan, bowing their heads.
"Welcome Peter, Adam's son. Welcome Susan and Lucy, daughters of Eve. Welcome Beavers, you have my thanks," Aslan said, sitting back. "But where is the fourth?"
"That's why we're here," Peter began.
"We had a little trouble along the way," Susan continued.
"Our brother's been captured by the White Witch," Peter finished, feeling an intense gaze on him.
"Captured!" Aslan remarked. "How could this be?"
"He betrayed them, Sire!" Beaver cut in.
"Then he has betrayed us all!" the centaur announced, anger in his voice.
"Peace, Oreius," the Ranger suddenly spoke, silencing the entire army with the simple, two-word statement. "I'm sure there's an explanation."
The Ranger looked directly at Peter, staring him piercingly in the eyes.
"It is my fault, really," Peter said quietly. "I was too hard on him."
"We all were," Susan remarked sadly, looking at Peter.
"Sir, he's our brother," Lucy exclaimed deeply, staring at Aslan.
"I know, dear, but that only makes the betrayal all the worse," Aslan replied calmly. "This may be harder than you think."
Peter and Susan exchanged worried looks, and Susan wrapped her arm around Lucy's shoulders.
After Peter had eaten and rested, he had been given a change of clothes. A pair of brown leggings and boots, a light blue shirt that hung between his hips and knees, and a leather tunic to wear over the shirt. Wearing his sword around his waist, Peter had been brought by Aslan to the cliff overlooking the camp below. From the cliff, a view of the eastern landscape of Narnia was also clearly and beautifully visible. Across the landscape of rolling hills, Peter caught sight of a magnificent castle built atop a soaring cliff looking out over the sea, reflecting the sun's brilliant rays.
"That is Cair Paravel of the four thrones, in one of which you will sit, Peter, as High King," Aslan explained to Peter.
Peter looked down at the ground, doubt clearly evident in his eyes and on his face, trying not to show this to Aslan, but failed.
"You doubt the prophecy," Aslan stated.
"No, that's just it…" Peter trailed off, when he saw the Ranger appear, now wearing a quiver and bow, and sit on a rock near to Aslan. "I'm not who you think I am."
"Peter Pevensie, formerly of Finchley," Aslan asserted. "Beaver also mentioned you planned to turn him into a hat."
Peter smiled and looked down, remembering the comment he had made to Susan in frustration, while Aslan laughed lightly.
"Peter, there is a Deep Magic, more powerful than any of us that rules over Narnia," Aslan said seriously. "It defines right from wrong and fulfil all our destines, both yours and mine."
"But I couldn't even protect my own family," Peter exclaimed.
"You brought them safely this far," the Ranger said unexpectedly, looking Peter in the eyes.
"Not all of them," Peter replied sadly, glancing at the Ranger and Aslan.
"I…we will do what we can for Edmund," Aslan said, gesturing over to the Ranger. "I too want my family safe."
Peter stooped his head, thanking Aslan, relief written on his face. He glanced at the Ranger, unsure of how to thank the unknown character sitting on the rock. The Ranger put the left hand to its head, and bowed its head slowly towards Peter.
Suddenly, the wind blew and the Ranger stood up quickly, as if listening to something. Then, the three individuals heard the clear sound of a horn ringing through the forest, making Peter's blood go ice-cold.
"Susan!" Peter exclaimed, running towards the sound of the horn, Aslan and the Ranger following closely behind him. They ran swiftly through the trees, heading towards the river, where Susan and Lucy had gone to wash and change.
Arriving at the river, Peter saw Susan and Lucy climbing up a tree, with a wolf, which appeared to be Maugrim, snapping ferociously at their feet, together with another wolf standing by. Peter charged through the river, unsheathing his sword, as Susan hauled her feet up away from the wolf.
"Get back!" Peter yelled at Maugrim, his sword pointed out straight.
"We both know you haven't got it in you," Maugrim sneered.
"Peter! Watch out!" Susan and Lucy yelled as the two wolves encircled him.
Aslan attacked the second wolf and pinned it to the ground, growling loudly at it as the Ranger came to stand beside him, with its bow drawn and an arrow notched. Oreius and a band of soldiers then appeared through the trees, as Peter walked towards Maugrim.
"Stay your weapons," Aslan commanded to the troops. "This is Peter's battle."
Maugrim moved in closer to Peter, baring his rotten teeth. "You may think you're a king, but you're going to die…LIKE A DOG!" Maugrim growled and snapped. He then attacked, hitting Peter point-blank and knocking them both brutally to the ground, falling on top of him.
"Peter…NO!" Susan and Lucy screamed together.
They leapt out of the tree and ran over to him, shoving what, thankfully, was the carcass of Maugrim off him, finding him alive and fine, just looking quite disgusted about killing the leader of the wolves. The soldiers cheered loudly, and Aslan smiled, before handing the other wolf over to the Ranger and Oreius, who grabbed him aggressively.
"Peter, clean your sword," Aslan said, walking up to Peter.
Peter cleaned his sword; then knelt reverently before Aslan, his sword pointed into the grass. Aslan lifted his paw and placed it on Peter's shoulder, resting it there for a moment, then removed it and put it back on the ground.
"Arise; Sir Peter Wolfsbane – Knight of Narnia!" Aslan proclaimed, looking down at Peter, who gazed back at Aslan in awe. He thanked Aslan and ran to hug his sisters, who were smiling widely, overcome with excitement. After hugging his sisters, Peter looked at Aslan quizzically, gesturing to the captive wolf.
Aslan turned to the Ranger, who was still restraining the wolf with the help of Oreius. The Ranger released its hold on the wolf, removing the bindings. The wolf howled and ran away hurriedly, heading to the northwest.
"Follow his tracks!" Aslan instructed, looking at the Ranger. "He'll lead you to Edmund."
Peter gave Aslan a startled look as the Ranger nodded, and let out a piercing whistle. There was a loud neigh, and a magnificent, midnight black horse cantered over to the Ranger, various weapons strapped to the saddle. Oreius took the reigns as the Ranger knelt before Aslan, head bowed low. Aslan placed his paw on the Ranger's shoulder for a brief moment, whispering in the Ranger's ear.
The Ranger nodded, thanked Aslan and stood up. Taking the reins from Oreius and mounting, the Ranger kicked the horse in the sides and galloped away, disappearing quickly over the hill. Aslan, Peter, his sisters and Oreius watched the Ranger go, with Peter hoping in his heart that the Ranger would bring Edmund back without difficulty.
There you go, hope it was good enough for you. Please review! Not too bad flames, pls!
