Susan always felt in a different, indefinable way about Peter. When he tells her that he is adopted, that feelings clear up.
Disowner; Narnia and all her delightful creatures aren't mine. Exept for a few characters, later in the story.
KibumiWong: Not a bad idea! Punch him on the nose, and see if he's becoming realistic again :). And Susan... ah well, she'll be alright. But you know what they say; things always get worse before they clear up, muhahahaha!
HiddenOperaAngel: here's more.
VI. In which Susan wishes the ice would disappear, and Peter wishes the ice would come back
"We're doing well! Err, oh! Ham!" They were still in the dam, and mrs Beaver had now spent an hour on packing all kinds of things, "Tea... Sugar... Matches!"
"Mrs Beaver, we're wasting so much time!" Lucy said.
"That's what I said!" mr Beaver said.
"We can't go with nothing to eat, now can we?" mrs Beaver said, and mr Beaver sighed annoyed.
"Come on, we really have to go now! It's a long way, mrs Beaver!" Peter said. Now she was holding a sewingmachine.
"Oh please, stop hugging that thing! Do you really think you're gonna need it on the way?" mr Beaver said stressed. Mrs Beaver sighed.
"No, but I can't stand the thought of the Witch messing with it, or breaking it. Or even worse; steal it! That's just like her!" she said. Lucy sighed and looked up at Peter, who shrugged.
"We must go, come on!" mr Beaver said, now really really stressed out.
"Okay, okay," mrs Beaver replied, and the kids sighed relieved. They all stood up from their chairs, and walked to the door. Mrs Beaver went out last. She turned around and threw a last look through the livingroom.
"... Oh, let me check one last time, than we will go. I promise," she then said. The others could only sigh.
Susan sat against a cold ice wall of the dungeon. She crashed her head to the wall. How could she be so stupid to actually think she could save Tumnus on her own? It was only now that Susan realized this wasn't a dream. Narnia was real. This was a violent world, and this Witch really was life or death for these people. She looked at the plate next to her. It had a piece of bread and a cup of water on it. Susan wasn't hungry, but she did realize that not eating wouldn't exactly do her much good. So she grabbed the piece of bread and took a bite. It was disgusting, and Susan started couging. She quickly took the cup to her mouth, only to find more ice. She threw it down rather frustrated, and squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt not to cry. The only thing she had wanted to do, was save mr Tumnus and make everything better. Not getting herself locked up and betray her siblings! They would most definately hate her now. If at least they were still there to hate her...
"If – if you're not going to eat that," it was a weak whisper coming from beside her, and Susan's head turned startled.
"Oh, sure," she said, when she saw the owner of the voice. She took the piece of bread and gave it to him, "Mr Tumnus."
He looked up at her.
"You're Lucy Pevensie's sister," he said. Susan moved somewhat awkward.
"I'm Susan," she replied softly.
"You have the same nose,"
Susan couldn't help but quickly touching her nose. She wondered if she would ever see her sister again.
"Is your sister okay?"
Susan avoided eyecontact, but couldn't help noticing the fear in mr Tumnus' eyes.
"Is she safe?"
The cry of Maugrim upstairs made Susan cringe.
"I don't know," she whispered, trying to keep the tears in. It didn't took long before the Witch and Maugrim came marching down the stairs.
"My Police tore that dam apart!" she exclaimed, "Your little family is nowhere to be found. Where are they?"
"I don't know, Your Majesty," Susan felt so relieved that she couldn't stop it from creeping into her voice and eyes.
"Than you are no further use to me," she said, holding up her wand. Susan's relief twisted into complete panic, when she realized she was about to die. She closed her eyes and tried to calm down. Well, at least I can't do any more harm when I'm dea-
"WAIT!"
Susan's eyes flinched open, and she looked at the face of the Witch, who was just as surprised as she was. Susan looked beside her; it was Tumnus who had said it.
"Wait," he repeated, "What did she do to you? Why can't you just leave her be?"
The Witch smiled a cold smile.
"Guard!" she called, "Release the faun."
The guard, who was an ogre, dragged mr Tumnus in front of the Witch.
"Before I answer that, let me ask you a question first. Do you know why you're here, faun?" she asked. Mr Tumnus looked up at her
"Because I believe in a free Narnia," those were strong words, but said with such insecurity, that it almost sounded like a question.
"No," the Witch smiled her icy smile again, "You're here, because she," she pointed at Susan, "turned you in."
Mr Tumnus threw Susan a look of disbelief, that hurt her more than anything in all her life. The Witch gave a nod, and the guard dragged Tumnus upstairs. Susan watched the horrible scene with tears in her eyes. When they were out of sight, the Witch raised her wand again, and Susan saw her whole life passing by in front of her eyes.
"Your Majesty," the dwarf stepped into the dungeon.
"What is it?" the Witch exclaimed annoyed. She stamped on the floor, andif Susan wouldn't have been terrified todeath, she would'vefelt the urge to chuckle, becausethe Witchlooked like a five-year-old that doesn't get what she wants.
"We found a fox, creeping around the castle. We figured he might be a spy," the dwarf said.
The Witch glanced at Susan and then turned to the dwarf again.
"I'm coming. Take her upstairs," she said, and she pointed at Susan. Then she left, and the dwarf pulled Susan to her feet and roughly took her with him. When they came upstairs, the Witch sat in her throne, and the fox stood in front of her, surrounded by Maugrim's wolfs. The dwarf threw Susan down next to the throne. Susan gasped for breath when she saw the lifeless stone statue of mr Tumnus in the corner of the room.
"What were you doing that near my castle?" the Witch asked. The fox stayed silent, "Are you one of Aslan's spies?"
Despite everything, Susan couldn't help slipping a smile when she heard that name. The fox catched her eye, and she could see he indeed was one of Aslan's. It made her feel warm. This fox was an indirect link to her siblings.
"I'm sorry for my failure, Your Majesty," he said then, voice strong.
"Your failure? Don't waste my time," the Witch said.
"Excuse me, but I wasn't exactly talking to you," he said, with rudedisgust in his voice. He then looked at Susan, and everyone in the room followed his gaze. Then the Witch stood up, a look of dangerous fury on her face, and stabbed him. A loud 'NO' slipped from Susan's lips as she watched how the fox turned to stone. It was silent for a while. Maugrim was the first one to speak.
"What do we do now, Your Majesty," he growled, while stepping forward to his queen.
"I will send for general Otmin. You must take with you the swiftest of your wolves, and find the other three humans. I think they are heading for the Stone Table. Bring them here either dead or alive, I don't care,"
"That could take a while, Your Majesty. If Aslan is really back, there may be a war coming. We must be quicker than that!" Maugrim said.
"Yes, yes," the Witch replied annoyed, "But Aslan's return could also mean that a part of my dominion is melting. Then I must travel many miles to the West to find a place where we can safely cross the river. Go now, I will take care of the rest."
With that, Maugrim and his wolfs left. The Witch turned to her dwarf.
"How's my sleigh?"
"In perfect shape,"
The Witch stood up and turned to Susan.
"Whenever you're ready, Daughter of Eve," she said.
"All this snow!" Lucy whined.
"Oh, but we must be glad about it!" mr Beaver replied, "If anyone would be following us, they would find no tracks!"
"How much further do we have to walk?" Peter asked.
"Oh, we'll be walking for a while, trust me," mr Beaver said, "Aslan's camp is near the Stone Table. First we need to get out of this forest and then we must crossthe river. Than we're almost there."
"River?" Peter said a little startled.
"Oh, don't worry. The river's been frozen solid for a hundred years," mr Beaver said.
"It's so far!" Lucy said whiney.
"It's the world, dear," mrs Beaver said grinning, "Did you expect it to be small?"
Edmund growled. He had always hated snow. Suddenly he heard something, and he stopped walking to listen.
"Ed, what is it?" Peter asked somewhat irritated.
"Shh, wait a minute," Edmund whispered, "I hear something."
"What is it?" Lucy asked.
"Be quiet!"
They all stood as still as possible, and watched Edmund.
"Bells," Edmund whispered after a while.
"Yes!" Lucy heard it too. After another few seconds the others heard it too.
"RUN," mr Beaver yelled out of nothing, and he started running. So did mrs Beaver.
"What?" Lucy asked a bit disoriented.
"Oh my god, it's her!" Peter then yelled. He grabbed her hand and ran after the Beavers.
"Here, in here!" mr Beaver yelled at them, and he pointed at an almost invisible hole in the ground. One by one they jumped in, and tried to be as silent possible. The bells were dangerously close now, and Lucy was so pale, Peter was afraid she would faint. Then the bells stopped, and they heard someone walking around with firm steps.
"What the- is that the Witch?" Edmund whispered, surprised at the fact that she walked so masculine. Suddenly someone started laughing in a deep, cheerful voice. Lucy frowned. That voice sounded exactly like-
"Santa!" she whispered happily. She immediatly wanted to leave the hole, but mr Beaver stopped her.
"We can't besure, Daughter of Eve. Stay here," he whispered.
"I suppose I'll go look," Peter said. He didn'tknow who it was, but hedidn't believe that itcould possibly the Witch. And if it wasn't the Witch, it probably wouldn't be that dangerous.
"No! You're worth nothing to Narnia dead," mr Beaver whispered, and he cautiously started climbing out himself.
"Neither are you, Beaver!" mrs Beaver whispered.
"Thanks, sweetheart," mr Beaver replied, and Lucy had to repress a loud 'awww!'. Mr Beaver went out. It was silent for a long while. And then suddenly...
"AAAH!" Edmund yelled. Mr Beaver had suddenly appeared, and scared the others to death. He didn't seem to notice though.
"I hope you've all been good this year, cause there's someone here to see ya!"he exclaimed happy. Lucy and mrs Beaver immediatly got out.
"Come on!"mr Beaverexclaimed excited at them. Peter and Edmund glanced at eachother and then climbed out too. Peter's jaw dropped when he saw who was standing there.Father Christmas, in front of his sleigh. Lucy walked up to him and smiled widely.
"Merry Christmas, sir!" she said.
"It certainly is, Lucy. Since you have arrived," Father Christmas said smiling. Edmund turned to Peter.
"Look, I've put up with a lot since I got here, but this..."
"We thought you were the Witch," Peter interrupted Edmund, realizing he was being rude. Father Christmas grinned.
"Yes, yes. Sorry about that. But in my defence; I have been driving one of these longer than the Witch," he said, and he tapped his sleigh.
"I thought there was no christmas in Narnia," Peter said suspiciously, standing next to his little sister.
"No. Not for a long time. But the hope that you have brough, Your Majesties, is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power," Father Christmas replied, "But still, I dare say you could do with these."
He turned around and put the huge sack from the back of his sleigh in front of them.
"Presents!" Lucy exclaimed happily, and she ran forward. Father Christmas laughed at the little girl's enthusiasm. Lucy looked into the sack and saw a lot of toys, but Father Christmas took something out of a little pocket and held it in front of her. It was a small bottle in a leather holder.
"The juice of the Fire Flower," he explained, "One drop will cure any injury."
Lucy took the bottle and stared fascinated at the golden liquid.
"And though I hope you never have to use it..." Lucy looked at the beautiful dagger Father Christmas reached her, and slipped a smile.
"Thank you, sir," she said sincere, "But I think I could be brave enough."
Father Christmas smiled at the little girl.
"I'm sure you could," he said, "But battles are ugly affairs."
And although Lucy liked to be a heroe, she couldn't do anything but agree; war was a bad thing. She smiled one last time and stepped back. Father Christmas took from his sack a beautiful white quiver with a bow, and straightened his back.
"Edmund," he said. Edmund stepped forwards to where his little sister had just stood, and took the quiver with a look of awe on his face.
"Trust in this bow, and it will not easily miss," Father Christmas said. Edmund smiled and threw him a look of gratitude.
"Thanks," he said. Father Christmas gave him a wink.
"Peter!" he then said, and Peter stepped forward. Father Christmas gave him a sword and a shield with a red lion on it.
"The time to use these may be near at hand," he said seriously. Peter gripped the hilt firmly and pulled the sword out of it's sheath.
"Thank you, sir," he said with a moved tone in his voice, while he watched the shining blade.
"These are tools, not toys," Father Christmas said, noticing that Peter was a little bit too happy with them, "Bear them well and wisely."
Peter nodded, and sheathed the sword again.
"Now, I must be off," Father Christmas said, "Winter is almost over, and things do pile up when you've been gone a hundred years!"
He laughed, and put his sack back in his sleigh. Than he turned around again.
"Oh, Lucy! Can I speak to you for one minute?"
"Sure," Lucy said, and she and Father Christmas walked out of hearingrange of the others. Father Christmas took an in brown paper wrapped package out of his pocket.
"Give this to your sister when she's back, will you?" he said. Lucy took package and looked at it with an obvious dilemma in her eyes. Father Christmas understood, andmade her look at him.
"I am not unaware of Susan's absence, Lucy. Neither am I blind for Peter's anger. He has too little faith in Susan. You must be wiser than that," he said seriously.
"I have faith in her, sir," Lucy said, "And I do trust her. But she left us, andI justdon't understand."
"Nobody is perfect, Lucy," said Father Christmas, and with those words he walked back to his sleigh. Lucy hid the package in the deepest pocket of her dress, and followed. Father Christmas sat down in his sleigh.
"Long live Aslan," he said, "And Merry Christmas!"
With those words he gassed his reindeer, and left.
"Merry Christmas!" the three Pevensies yelled, and they waved until he was out of sight. Lucy turned to Edmund.
"Told you he was real," she said with a proud smile on her face.
"Oh, very funny," he replied.
"He said winter was almost over," Peter said, and the other two turned to him, "And you know what that means. No -more -ice."
And it wasn't a happy understatement for the end of the White Witch's reign.
"Oh, great," Edmund said. They were standing on top of the high riverbank next to the frozen waterfall. The ice on the river down there was melting quicker every second.
"This isn't good, is it?" Lucy looked up at Peter.
"We need to cross. Now!" Peter said, and he dragged Lucy along, "Come on!"
"Shouldn't we think of this for a minute?" Edmund said hesitating.
"We don't have a minute!" It came out ruder than Peter had meant it, but he was too stressed to feel bad about it. Edmund threw him an angry look.
"I'm just trying to take some responsibility," he muttered, somewhat hurt because he had really tried to help Peter.
"No, you're just trying to annoy me, as usual!" Peter exclaimed, not knowing why he had to react on Edmund. He started climbing down, and helping Lucy do the same. Edmund heard the cry of a wolf in the distance and followed. When they reached the low riverbank there was not much ice left that wasn't broken, but it was enough. Peter cautiously stepped on it, but whenalso that partstarted breaking, he reflexively took it back.
"Maybe I should go first," mr Beaver offered.
"Maybe you should," Peter replied. Lucy threw him a startled look.
"Relax Lucy,"he said, "Beavers swim better than we do."
The others followed mr Beaver once he had stepped onto the ice. Lucy wished she could close her eyes until it was over, but she knew perfectly well that she couldn't do that, because the ice was breaking under their feet.
"Look!" Edmund exclaimed, and the others looked up. Wolfs were crossing the still frozen waterfall, and came running down the bank in front of them. Peter looked behind them. The river had melted behind them and the only way they could go was forward.
"Run!" he yelled, hoping they would reach the bank sooner than the wolfs, so they at least they wouldn't get surrounded.
"Hurry!" mr Beaver exclaimed, but it was no use. The wolfs came down on the ice and there was no escape anymore. Mr Beaver growled at one of the wolfs, but to Lucy's horror (although she wasn't at all surprised about it), mr Beaver was no match for him. Peter pulled his sword out of the sheath, and raised it to the biggest wolf, who was coming closer and closer.
"Maugrim," mrs Beaver whispered with disgust in her voice.
"Put that down, boy," Maugrim said, "Someone could get hurt."
He nodded at mr Beaver who could get killed any second, but Peter didn't obey, though he wasn't sure what to do next. They couldn't get back, they couldn't get forward; in fact they couldn't go anywhere.
"Don't worry about me," mr Beaver exclaimed, "Run him through!"
"Leave now while you can, and yoursister leaves with you," Maugrim said. Peter still didn't lower his sword.
"Stop, Peter! Maybe we should listen to him!" Lucy exclaimed. Maugrim grinned.
"Smart girl," he said.
"Don't listen to him!" mr Beaver yelled, still held by one of the other wolfs, "Kill him!"
"Kill him now!" Edmund exclaimed, leaving it to Peter because he wassure he would be dead before he could reach his bow.
"Oh, come on. This isn't your war," Maugrim said, more convincing than Peter would've liked him to be, "All my Queen wants is for you to take your family and go."
"Just because Father Christmas hands you a sword, it doesn't make you a hero!" Lucy yelled, "Just drop it!"
Peter threw her a look that told her to shut up.
"No, Peter! Narnia needs you! Gut him while you still have a chance!" mr Beaver exclaimed. Maugrim came another few steps closer.
"What's it gonna be, Son of Adam? I won't wait forever," he said, and he looked up to the waterfall. It was making terrifying sounds of cracking ice and streaming water, and Maugrimgrinned,"And neither will the river."
Lucy followed his gaze.
"Peter!" she screamed, and Peter looked up just in time to see the last second of the frozen waterfall before the water broke through.
"Hold on to me!" he yelled, and Edmund and Lucy grabbed his coat firmly while he stabbed his sword into the ice. The next thing they knew, they were lying in the cold water. He still felt Edmund and Lucy against his side and tried to hold Lucy a little closer. A cold wave smashed against their faces, and they went under water another few seconds. When they came up, they were drifting closely by the bank, and Edmund managed to grab a rock, and pulled them closer. They stood up, gasping for breath, and relieved they had made it. Edmund smiled widely and turned around to face Peter, but his smile faded when he saw him. His face was pale, and his with terror widened eyes were staring at his hand. The hand with only Lucy's furcoat in it.
"What have you done?" Edmund exclaimed scared. Peter looked at him. He couldn't say anything. Had he just seriously lost Lucy? And did Edmund blame him for it?
"Lucy!" Edmund yelled, "LUCY!"
There was no answer. The only sound came from the water.
"We'll go look for her," mr Beaver said, and he and mrs Beaver jumped in. Fifteen terrifying minutes got by, and still no Lucy. Edmund had given up on screaming, and now sat down in the snow. Peter was still staring at the little furcoat in his hands. It was thirty minutes later, that mr and mrs Beaver finally returned.
Without Lucy.