Chapter # 2 - Beaver's Dam
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Narnia, only my OC Stephanie.
This story will be rated M for later Chapters.
About and hour or so into their journey they came upon a river. Oberon told Stephanie that this was the Great River of Narnia that they would follow to Cair Paravel. Oberon also told Stephanie about Miraz his Castle which they'd pasted along the river. Shortly after passing the castle Stephanie found herself looking at what she figured was a beaver's dam. Her prediction was correct for the herd had stopped at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, great friends of the royal family and the unicorns.
Braun nickered then rapped his hoof against the door of the beaver's den. Soon after a small Beaver appeared from behind the door.
"Oh my dear Braun, welcome we've been expecting you" Mrs Beaver cheerfully greeted her old friend. She then noticed that sitting atop Oberon's back was a fine young woman. "Oh! Who do we have here? Tis not Queen Susan or Lucy"
"This is Miss Stephanie, she arrived in Narnia this morning, we came across her in Lantern Waste and she will be joining us on our way to Cair Paravel." Braun answered
"Welcome! Welcome Miss Stephanie!" Mrs Beaver was now standing outside her home then turned to call for her husband. "Beaver! Darling come here quickly for Braun has arrived and with a special visitor"
"I'm on me way dear, just getting our many bags together" answered Mr. Beaver huskily as he came carrying a bundle of sacks. "I dare say she'd pack the entire house if I'd be able to manage the carrying of it all" he laughed then he to noticed Stephanie. "Goodness me, another human in Narnia why this is a grand occasion."
By now Stephanie had dismounted Oberon and was shaking the paws of the Beavers without apprehension. With every moment her knowledge and understanding of just how special Narnia is was becoming clear. "My name Stephanie and this is my first day in Narnia. Pleasure to meet you both. Are you traveling to Cair Paravel also?" she asked
"Yes, my dear we have a standing invitation with the royal family. We join them each spring for the festival of creation." answered Mrs. Beaver
"Festival of Creation?" questioned Stephanie
"Oh tis now one of this most time honored traditions in Narnia. Each Spring creatures of Narnia travel far and wide to the castle at Cair Paravel to celebrate the new life springs brings about. The royal family hold a grand celebration were they honor the new born children of Narnia. Its marvelous and you will be delighted to be here for such an occasion" Mrs Beaver continued to explain as Mr. Beaver finished gathering the last of their belongings for the journey.
"Well the festival sounds lovely, in fact all of Narnia sounds wonderful" Stephanie responded as she was remounting Oberon.
"Oh it tis Madam, thanks to the royal family full-filling the prophecy and ending the 100 year winter. You see that's when the festival was created. It marked the end of the 100 year winter and the creation of a new time in Narnia." said Mr Beaver
"Prophecy? 100 year winter you say?" asked Stephanie again intrigued by Narnia's story
"Ouy! You humans never know anything about Narnia" complained Mr. Beaver jokingly.
Mrs. Beaver jumped in "Now Deary, Miss Stephanie has never been to Narnia before so how could she know"
"Well we've got our selves a journey to the castle so we might as well be given you some history of our great land" proposed Mr. Beaver
"Oh I'd be delighted to hear it" answered Stephanie with great enthusiasm
"Long ago an evil White Witch had enchanted Narnia so that it is always winter and never Christmas. But the White Witch was conquered a few short years ago when a family of four children arrived in Narnia. The Pevensie family fought along side Aslan whom was the true ruler of Narnia. Together they restored a peaceful Narnia and now the four children have taken their rightful place as King and Queen's of Narnia." Beaver told Stephanie.
"So there are four rulers of Narnia? In England, we only have one Queen." asked Stephanie
"Well the eldest boy Peter, he's known as King Peter the Magnificent. Well Peter is High King and ultimately holds the most power. However each of his siblings bring a special element to the royal court. We have Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just and then thee youngest Queen Lucy the Valiant" added Beaver.
Stephanie was filled with many questions regarding the Pevensie family and of course the story of the white witch. So as they continued their journey the Beavers recounted the story with great detail for they had been there along side the Pevensie's since the beginning.
"Wow, I now understand why humans are in such high regard here in Narnia. I mean Peter's story is truly magnificent, Edmund seems to be very just, Susan gentle and Lucy of course brave and valiant. I couldn't imagine saving anything from anyone, let alone an entire world." Stephanie said as she continued to contemplate the story she'd just heard. She was now very anxious to arrive at Cair Paravel to meet the royal family. Of course she was nervous too, she'd never met anyone of royal status before.
After following the Great River through a vast valley of rolling hills they came to the edge of a forest. It was now a few hours after sunset and the air was becoming crispy and cool. Lighting up the sky was a blanket of stars, in far greater numbers and colors then England.
"Just beyond this wood lie the eastern shore and alas Cair Paravel" Oberon stated as he stood in front of the wood. "These woods are filled with many creatures, great and small, and I must say that some caution must be taken in crossing through. My father has gone ahead and when he's made sure its safe he will call us"
Stephanie turned her eyes to the stars again, admiring their great beauty. "We don't have skies like these in England. I love the Night Oberon, the mystery and elusiveness of it. There is so much magic in those stars"
Just then they heard Braun calling and the rest of the herd started to enter the forest. The image of the sky was blotted out by the canopy of dense tree-tops. The unicorns used the glow of their horns to light their path. Stephanie was captivated by the shadowy forest around her. She knew this wood was very much alive for it almost seemed to be whispering to each other.
