Chapter Two: A Whole New World
It was cold, wherever she had landed. Kali instantly sprung up from where she was lying in the snow before wandlessly applying a warming charm. Looking at her uncovered feet, she ignored them in favour of looking at her surroundings, her wand at the ready in case she was attacked. She was in a forest; she saw that much.
"Why does this shit always happen to me?" Kali muttered to herself as she transfigured two sticks into a pair of sturdy black boots before slipping them on. Walking silently through the snow-covered trees, Kali kept a watch out for landmarks as she tried to find something that could identify her location. The fact that no warning had occurred when she used her wand to transfigure her boots meant that she was definitely not in Britain any more but that didn't mean much.
Stopping after twenty minutes without seeing anything useful, Kali finally got frustrated and held her wand out in front of her, "Point me civilisation." The wand spun around for a minute before finally settling down, pointing South. "Right then, that's a start I guess." She mumbled before setting back off, following her wand as one does when lost.
"What are you doing out here!?" That was the first voice she'd heard in nearly four hours. Kali instantly spun around and crouched low, making herself as small a target as possible even as she kept her wand pointed in front of her, ready to fire off a spell whenever necessary. The fifteen-year-old searched her surroundings frantically but couldn't find the person whom the voice belonged to. "Hello!? You deaf or something?" The voice came again. Kali's eyes darted in the direction it came from and searched the landscape before coming to a stop on a Beaver who was staring at her.
"You?" Disbelief coloured her tone. The Wizarding World was weird, she would be the first one to admit it, but even they didn't have talking animals. Unless they were snakes and it was her or unless they were familiars and even then, it was all mental communication.
"Duh. Who else would it be?" The Beaver retorted, "Never mind that." He hurried on quickly as he saw the teen open her mouth, "You need to get out of the open immediately. It's not safe."
"Why?" Kali questioned, suspicious.
"The White Witch of course." The Beaver answered as though she was stupid.
"That doesn't mean anything to me. I'm not exactly from around here." Kali answered dryly. The Beaver blinked before his eyes widened,
"Of course." He breathed. Kali's eyes narrowed,
"What do you mean?" The Beaver shook his head,
"Not right now. We need to leave, it's not safe."
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me where I am and why I should trust you." Kali retorted, her natural trust issues rearing their head.
The Beaver sighed in frustration but realised the teen wouldn't be moving unless she had some answers. He couldn't fault her for the caution, especially during these dark times.
"You're in Narnia. There was a prophecy foretelling the arrival of two sons of Adam, two daughters of Eve and one child of Emrys. These five would return Narnia to its former glory, defeating the White Witch and sit on the thrones at Cair Paravel, as Kings and Queens of Narnia." He explained hurriedly. Kali's expression hardened even more.
Great.
Just great.
Another prophecy.
Yay.
"I see. And you believe me to be one of these prophesied five?" She questioned though she knew she was. The child of Emrys was telling, Emrys being magical after all.
"Yes." the Beaver agreed. "Now, can we go? My wife's going to be worried about me." Kali nodded curtly, she needed more information and currently her only source to which to get it was the Beaver.
"Fine. I'll follow." She answered and the Beaver nodded before running off, Kali easily kept up.
"Beaver, is that you? Where have you been? We've got guests!" A shrill voice called out from within the Beaver's home.
"I'm here, Love, and don't worry, I've brought another visitor." He called back before gesturing for Kali to follow him. Kali warily did so, and entered the burrow in which was where the Beaver's called home.
"Bless me!" The now obvious the wife gasped as she got a look at the other visitor her husband had led in. Kali glanced at the female Beaver then at her surroundings cautiously,
"Hello." She uttered, her eyes drawn to the three other children within the burrow. 'One son of Adam and two daughters of Eve. But where's the forth?' She noted as she took stock of the exits and entrances of the home. The female Beaver moved forwards,
"You're- you're the child of Emrys." She gasped. Kali moved her eyes back onto her and raised an eyebrow,
"So I have been told." She agreed.
The Pevensie Children had been staring at the newcomer with wide eyes. The teen was obviously a strange one with how she was dressed. Peter stepped forwards,
"I'm Peter Pevensie, these are my sisters, Susan" Susan nodded, "And Lucy." Lucy grinned and waved energetically. "And you are?" He questioned. Kali glanced at him, 'Tall, strong, noble but arrogant.' She noted and inwardly groaned, those were always the worst ones to deal with considering they always believed themselves to be right.
"Kali Potter." She answered finally. Peter held out a hand which Kali shook awkwardly. She stared at him for another second before withdrawing her hand and turning her attention onto the Beaver,
"Right then, I believe you owe me answers." She stated, taking a seat on one of the stools. Mr. Beaver blinked before nodding,
"Right, that I do." He moved closer and settled into his own chair as the others also retook their seats. "As I told them lot, Aslan is on the move."
"And who is Aslan?" Kali broke in, her eyes not staying from the Beaver even as she accepted a tea cup from Mrs. Beaver with a nod. Mr. Beaver sighed whilst the Pevensie Children either smiled or giggled,
"He's the true power of Narnia, the King of the whole forest." Kali nodded,
"And where has he been since the White Witch has taken control? Surely, if he is so strong, he could have defeated her by now?" She questioned. There was an awkward silence between the two Beavers as they looked at each other,
"He's been away." Mrs Beaver answered slowly. Kali nodded,
"Right and now he's back and what? Waiting for us to defeat the Witch for him?" There was an edge of anger in her tone.
"Now wait a minute." The Beaver was getting angry, "Aslan has been away doing important work, he doesn't just rule Narnia. It's not his fault that the White Witch took over in his absence and he's certainly not just waiting for you to deal with it. He's waiting for you at the Stone Table to help you!" If Kali was perturbed by being yelled at by a Beaver, she didn't show it. Instead, she crossed her legs and straightened up,
"Okay then. When do we leave?" She asked calmly. The Beavers were not the only one confused by her mood swing. Peter blinked,
"What?" Kali smirked,
"The best way to get an honest overview of a situation is to make the person with the information angry. Their tongue becomes harder to control and therefore you get honest answers." She replied simply.
"So that was an act?" Susan questioned, intrigued. Kali shook her head,
"Somewhat. From the sound of it, at the beginning at least, Aslan sounded too much like someone I know who gets everyone else to do the work for him. I wanted to know if Aslan was like that or not." The older ones nodded though Lucy just looked confused, she was too young to understand the intricacies of the world.
"I see." Peter answered though he looked uncomfortable with the trickery. Kali inwardly sighed, that was the problem with the 'noble' ones. They thought the only way to win something was through honest and brave means. Not bad traits, not in the least; she possessed them after all, what with her being a Gryffindor and all, but she at least understood that there were other ways to getting the answers and results that were needed. There was a reason why the Hat wanted to put her in Slytherin in the beginning. She had more Slytherin cunning than she did Gryffindor nobleness.
She turned to the Beavers,
"So, currently we have two daughters of Eve, one son of Adam and one child of Emrys. Where's the second son?" She asked. There was an awkward silence,
"Ed… left." Peter finally answered. Kali raised an eyebrow,
"Explain." She demanded sharply,
"He's gone to the White Witch." Beaver replied.
"So, he's a traitor." Kali's tone was even as she looked at the traitor's siblings. The Penvensies wanted to refute the statement but knew they couldn't. Edmund had betrayed them all.
"Well then, we should leave before they capture us. He has no doubt told the Witch of your presence here. Does he know you're at the Beavers?" She questioned hurriedly, standing up, her eyes darting between the siblings and the Beavers.
The Beaver's eyes widened in horror as they realised what she was saying,
"Yes." Beaver breathed. Kali cursed quietly,
"Right, get some possessions that we will need. We need to leave, right now." She ordered, already moving towards the back of the home. Just then, howls of wolves close to their location filled the air. "Now!" She shouted as they all stood there frozen. Immediately the Beavers shoved food and other necessities into a bag before showing them the back exit. "Run!" Kali yelled as she enforced the wooden with a spell exit before backing away.
They could hear the wolves slamming themselves at the wood as they ran,
"What did you do?" Lucy asked,
"Magic." Kali answered simply before spinning around. The wolves were almost through her defences. They must be enhanced somehow to get though them so quickly. Her eyes darted round before landing on the trees. "Climb." She ordered as she lifted Lucy onto one of the lowest branches and gestured for her to climb up before following. They were just in time before a pack of eight wolves launched themselves out of the broken defences of the Beavers' home. The humans and Beavers in the trees watched at the wolves confronted a fox who happened to look up and see them. Kali narrowed her eyes as she watched him lie his way out of trouble and send the wolf pack north, away from them. Slowly, they climbed down and approached, kneeling around him. Mrs Beaver began to tend to his wounds whilst the others got some much needed information.
"Why did you do it?" Kali questioned. There was no question of what 'it' was. The fox looked at her,
"Because you are the rightful King and Queens of Narnia, My Queen. It is my duty to help you in any way I can." Kali looked at him for a moment before nodding, trusting his words.
"Then you have our thanks for not betraying us." She replied. He nodded before getting to his feet.
"That's all the time I have to rest, I thank you, Mrs Beaver, for the assistance." He told her,
"You're welcome, dear." She replied,
"You're leaving?" Lucy asked quietly,
"Indeed I must. It has been a pleasure, your Majesty, and an honour, but time is short and Aslan himself has asked me to gather more troops."
"You've seen Aslan?" Susan asked, immediately there was excited movement from the Children and Beavers though Kali remained somewhat passive.
"What's he like?" Lucy asked eagerly,
"I have indeed, your Majesty." He paused for a moment before speaking again, "He's like everything we've ever heard. You'll be glad to have him by your side in the battle against the Witch." The fox answered.
"But we're not planning on fighting." Peter objected,
"What? But the Prophecy!" Beaver exclaimed,
"King Peter, we can't go to war without you all." Peter slumped forward as his sisters huddled up to him,
"We just want our brother back." He answered tiredly.
Kali had watched the family moment in silence. Sometimes she still wondered what it would have been like to have a family like that but those times became farer and fewer between as she grew older.
"I will fight." She uttered calmly in the wake of the silence following Peter's refusal. They all stared at her and she blinked blankly at them, "It will not be my first battle and I'm certain it will not be the last." She added.
"Thank you, My Queen." The fox replied, relieved that at least one of the Prophecy Children were not going abandon them, especially the child of Emrys who arguably was the strongest one. Kali nodded, if anything, this war was going to give her a taste of what she could expect in the Wizarding World. Kali had no illusions that she wasn't going to be at the forefront of the war with Voldemort.
She glanced that the Penvensies,
"Like it or not, the only way you will be able to get your brother back is to defeat the White Witch. She will not give him back willingly." She told them.
"She's right." Beaver stated, "The White Witch is vicious and wants you all dead. Edmund is the best way to getting to the rest of ya therefore she won't give him up." The remaining Pevensie Children exchanged a glance before coming to a decision.
"Alright, we will go to the Stone Table and meet Aslan. We want our brother back and for that, we'll need help."
"Excellent. Your Majesties, it was an honour but I must leave." The fox bowed his head before darting off.
"And that's our cue to leave as well. The wolves are still out there." Kali stated as she stood up. The others nodded before the Beavers began to lead them away.
"Where are we heading?" Peter asked as they trudged along. He looked on with envy as the new girl walked on silent feet with nothing but the strange clothes she was wearing. "How are you not cold?" He added.
"Warming charm." Kali answered distractedly as she focused on her surroundings.
"What?" Peter questioned, confused.
"I have magic, I use it to keep me warm." She explained, focusing on him for the moment.
"Oh." He paused, "Can you do it to us too?" He asked hopefully. Kali raised an eyebrow slightly before nodding.
"Very well." With a flick of her wrist, her wand fell into her hand. With a simple wave of her wand, the three Pevensie children sighed with relief as warmth spread throughout their body and refused to leave.
"Thank you." Susan stated gratefully.
"Yes, thank you." Lucy added, hugging the stunned witch before running ahead, giggling. Kali shook her head.
"Thanks." Peter told her seriously with a small smile on his face before calling Lucy back.
"You're welcome." Kali replied calmly as she put wand back in its holster. It was better to hide just how good she was at magic for the moment. They may be her allies in this, but it didn't mean she trusted them.
"To answer your question," Mr. Beaver began, looking at them all in annoyance, "Aslan's camp is near the Stone Table, just across the frozen river."
"River?" Peter questioned, horror on his face as his mind began to conjure images of having to swim across a massive body of water.
"Oh, don't worry. The river's been frozen solid for a hundred years." Mrs Beaver informed him, patting him comfortingly on his arm as she passed. The children exchanged a look but didn't say anything else as they trudged along.
"Come on, humans, while we're still young." Mr Beaver called out as he went on a head. Peter growled lowly as he walked next to Susan,
"If he tells me to hurry up one more time, I'm going to turn him into a big fluffy hat." He muttered. Susan smiled amused as did Kali from where she walked behind them at the back.
"Hurry up!" Mr Beaver called again making Peter clench his fists. Kali raised an eyebrow but generally ignored the byplay having experience more strict instructions from her Sensei than what the Beaver was saying.
"He is getting kind of bossy." Lucy admitted from just in front of Peter and Susan before giggling at the huff of annoyance that Mr. Beaver exhaled.
Suddenly, soft bells ringing could be heard in the distance. They all stopped.
"It's the Witch!" Mr. Beaver yelled.
"Run!" Peter shouted. Instantly, they all took off, though Kali made sure to stay behind them all so that she could protect them if necessary.
They ran for several dozen meters before finding a small cave in the ice and snow.
"Quick, in here!" Mr. Beaver called as he ushered his wife below. Lucy reached them first and dived in, quickly followed by the other three and Mr. Beaver. Kali was reluctant to hide as it gave her less room to manoeuvre if she needed to fight, but she obeyed. They all remained silent for several minutes as they strained their ears for any sound of movement.
"Maybe she's gone?" Lucy stated loudly if not optimistically after several more minutes. Peter clammed his hand over her mouth as loud footsteps suddenly thudded on the ground. Several more minutes of silence went by and Peter slowly relaxed slightly,
"I'll go and have a look I suppose." He stated. Kali raised an eyebrow at his bravery. Someone was still there and he was willingly to go out without any weapons or fighting knowledge? She didn't know whether to commend him for his bravery or slap him for his stupidity.
"No, you're no good to Narnia dead." Mr. Beaver shot him down.
"Neither are you, Beaver." Mrs Beaver told him. Mr. Beaver cupped her cheek for a second,
"Thanks, dear." He answered before climbing out of the cave before anything else could be said. Kali got her wand ready just in case as the seconds ticked by.
Suddenly, Mr. Beaver's head appeared above them, looking down at them and making Lucy jump and gasp in fright. "Come out! I hope you've all been good, because there is someone here to see you!" He told them before disappearing again. Mrs Beaver left the cave without hesitating, trusting her husband but the children exchanged a glance. Kali frowned, wondering who would be here to see them though she had a suspicion she knew who. The little jab at whether they had been good or not was a little telling.
"Come on. Let's get it over with." She muttered before gracefully climbing out, the Pevensies following.
Kali hated being right as she saw who it was. It was indeed Father Christmas or Father Nickolas if you believed in the Olde Ways.
"Merry Christmas, Sir!" Lucy cheered. Father Christmas laughed loudly,
"It certainly is, Lucy… since you've arrived in fact." The older children exchanged looks again,
"Look, I've put up with a lot since we got here. But this…" Susan trailed off, looking at him in disbelief.
"We thought you were the Witch." Peter added, hurrying them along from Susan's words. Father Christmas chuckled again,
"Yes, sorry about that." He looked at his sleigh and then turned back, "But, in my defence, I have been driving one of these longer than the Witch." Kali smirked lightly at the response.
"Indeed. If the tales of you are true at least, Father Nickolas." She spoke up for the first time, looking at the jolly man with a blank expression on her face. Father Christmas looked at her with a sad expression on his face, his eyes showed his understanding of her emotions and why she wasn't excited like the others.
"I'm sorry, Kali." He uttered sadly. The others looked between them in surprise.
"It is unneeded." Kali replied tightly.
"Oh, I think it is." He responded, the sad smile still on his face.
"Sorry, but what are you talking about?" Peter asked, a confused expression on his face.
"It matters not. It is in the past." Kali answered coldly, her speech taking on a formal manner even as she glared at them. The others looked at her in surprise, whilst she hadn't been the warmest person since arriving, Kali hadn't acted completely cold or hostile with them either. Father Christmas sighed again,
"I apologised to Kali here," He began,
"Do not." Kali cut across him sharply. Father Christmas looked at her with understanding but also determination,
"Kali wasn't allowed to celebrate Christmas growing up and such she never received a gift from me. It was always taken away from her before she could open it." He explained. Kali glared at him in anger,
"They did not need to know!" She hissed at him. Father Christmas just shook his head,
"You need to heal, Kali, and to do that you need friends, friends who know what you've experienced." The glare increased to such an intensity that Father Christmas realised he had pushed the teenager too far and backed off.
"It was not your right to tell them anything." Kali spoke so coldly that even the ancient man flinched back slightly. "My life, my secrets, are my own."
"You never experienced Christmas?" Lucy asked with innocent horror written over her face. Kali moulded her features back into her blank mask,
"Correct." She answered curtly.
"But that's horrible!" Susan exclaimed. Kali ignored them,
"Why? Why weren't you allowed?" Peter questioned, unable to believe how it was possible and why she would be banned from experiencing it.
"It is none of your business." She answered icily, "Do not ask again." She gave him a warning look. Peter swallowed at the look, the expression that promised retribution if he brought it up again. He nodded and exchanged a looked with Susan who thankfully changed the subject away from Kali,
"I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia?" It was half a statement, half a question,
"Not for a long time." Father Christmas agreed, "But the hope you have brought, Your Majesties, is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power. Still, I dare say you could do with these!" He added as he turned to his sleigh and pulled out a massive sack.
"Presents!" Lucy squealed in delight. Father Christmas chuckled as he took to a bottle of cordial out of his bag and handed it to her.
"The juice of the fire flower. One drop will cure any injury." He explained before digging back down, "And though I hope you never have to use it…" He handed her a dagger.
"Thank you, Sir. But I think…" She paused before looking down at the dagger and a firm expression settled on her young face, "I think I could be brave enough."
"I'm sure you could. But battles are ugly affairs."
He turned next to Susan as he pulled out a bow and a quiver of arrows, "Susan, trust in this bow and it will not easily miss." He told her warmly. Susan took the weapon and smiled wryly,
"What happened to 'battles are ugly affairs?'" Father Christmas chuckled,
"And, though you don't seem to have trouble making yourself heard…" He trailed off as he handed her a horn, "Blow on this, and wherever you are, help will come." He told her.
"Thanks." She replied as she took the horn in her hands.
He turned to Peter next, "Peter. The time to use these may be near at hand." He warned as he handed the fourteen-year-old boy a sword and shield with a lion engraved on both.
"Thank you, Sir." Peter uttered seriously as he took them carefully. Father Christmas nodded before finally turning to Kali who had been watching in silence,
"I know you are reluctant to take anything from me and I cannot blame you for that. However, the time is nearing where you will be in battle and you will need the tools of your trade. With that in mind…" He pulled out twin sheaths with twin katanas within and handed them to her. Kali, though wanting nothing to do with the man whom could have made her childhood at least a little bit more bearable within the Dursley Household, took the weapons as she knew she would need them. He then handed her twin hunting knives. "I know I can trust these to you as you've proven numerous times in the past that you can handle them with care. Use them well." He told her. Kali looked at him in silence for several long seconds before bowing her head slightly,
"Thank you." She stated. Father Christmas smiled,
"You are most welcome." He replied softly before turning so that he was looking at them all, "These are tools…not toys. Bear them well and wisely. Now, I best be off. Winter is almost over and things do pile up when you've been gone a hundred years!" He climbed into his sleigh again, "… Long live Aslan! And Merry Christmas!" With that he rode off, leaving four children better prepared for the battle ahead.
A/N: Hey so, a few people have commented (thanks for that :D) that they are interested in this story so I've written the second chapter.
Hope you guys are all safe!
S.
