Chapter Three

When Father Christmas was gone, the children looked at each other then at the tool in their hands. Finally, Lucy spoke up,

"Told you he was real!" She told Susan with a smug smile on her face. Susan rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. Lucy was correct. Though in her defence, how was she supposed to know that the man existed? It wasn't as if magic was normal back home.

"Did you hear what he said... winter is almost over. You know what that means... no more ice!" Peter stated, his eyes widening in horror at the realisation. Kali snorted, drawing all attention to herself as she expertly placed the sheaths and weapons on her person. The katanas going on her back whilst the hunting knives on her waist at either side.

"You are forgetting that I am a magic user." She told them as they stared at her. "Freezing water will not be an issue for me." She told them calmly as she stood tall with an emotionless expression on her face. She didn't like that a part of the past that she had tried so hard to hide had been revealed without her permission.

"You can?" Susan questioned with disbelief colouring her tone. Kali rolled her eyes,

"Sure, you can believe in a magical land with an evil Witch and Father Nickolas but you can't believe that a magic user can freeze water. In what reality does that make sense?" She questioned sarcastically. Susan blushed but didn't reply. And that was the end of that conversation as the children followed the beavers toward the river.

They stared as the frozen river started to break up in front of them.

"We need to cross now!" Peter announced loudly.

"Don't Beavers make dams?" Lucy questioned, looking at their beaver companions.

"I'm not that fast, dear." Mrs Beaver answered.

"Wait, just think about this for a minute." Susan stated, looking overwhelmed as she gazed at the obstacle they were meant to overcome.

"We don't have a minute." Peter overruled as he frantically looked for the safest place to cross. Kali rolled her eyes at the siblings' argument, glad in that moment that she was an only child (she didn't could her cousin).

"I'm just trying to be realistic." Susan argued,

"No, you're trying to be smart… as usual!" Peter retorted. Kali didn't allow them to argue anymore as she took off down the cliff, moving carefully on the ice. The others quickly followed., not eager to be left behind. At the bottom, Peter attempted to take charge again and stepped onto the ice, only to quickly fall back as it started to break.

"Maybe I should so first?" Mr Beaver questioned.

"Maybe you should." Peter agreed. Kali rolled her eyes yet again as she watched the Beaver step carefully onto the ice, patting his tail a few times on it to make sure it was secure. Honestly, didn't she tell them she could do this without all the fuss?

The children follow his path carefully with Kali strengthening the ice without them noticing so that there was no way it was going to break underneath them. Honestly, it was like she was the only one with a brain here.

"If Mum knew what we were doing…" Susan muttered,

"Mum's not here!" Peter retorted with a glare. Lucy suddenly looked up and caught sight of the wolves that had been chasing them for the last several hours.

"Oh no!" She cried, drawing the attention of both the wolves and her companions. Kali cursed before strengthening the ice the rest of the way with an overpowered charm.

"Run!" She snapped, removing her wand from her person as the wolves leapt on to the ice. Peter removed his sword from his sheath and pointed it unsteadily at the lead wolf.

"No!" Mrs Beaver cried out as one of the wolves got hold of Mr. Beaver and held him down. Kali glared at them as none listened to her.

"Susan, Lucy, get across the ice, now!" She hissed dangerously at them. Both girls glanced at her and took a step back at the look on her face. "I've strengthened it for you, now go!" Kali ordered again coldly, her tone telling them it wasn't up for debate. Peter nodded to them and they quickly rushed across the ice, abandoning any care they had previously shown. The lead wolf growled in frustration but couldn't go after them since he was still faced with two humans.

"Put that down, boy. Someone could get hurt." He goaded the boy, thinking he was the bigger threat.

"Don't worry about me! Run him through!" Mr Beaver yelled out.

"Leave now while you can, and your brother leaves with you." The wolf told him with a soft growl.

"Don't listen to him! Kill him! Kill him now!" Mr Beaver shouted. His sisters watched from the other side of the river nervously. Kali glanced at Peter and knew he would never go through with it. He was petrified.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake." She muttered before pointing her wand at the wolf, "Stupify." She uttered. A bolt of red light struck the wolf and flung him backwards. Kali didn't wait a second before hitting the wolf that was holding down the beaver with the same spell which produced the same results. She glanced at Peter who was staring at her in shock, "Go. I will finish this." She ordered softly but firmly. This time, he listened. Peter nodded before sheathing his sword and running across the frozen river, the Beavers' following.

Kali followed at a sedate pace, her wand casually pointed at the still conscious wolves. The wolves didn't dare follow. She smirked coldly, "Smart wolves." She told them. When she was half way across, she pointed her wand at the ice a few meters in front of her. "Bombarda maxima." She uttered and watched the spell strike the ice. Immediately the ice blew up and cracks began to spread in all directions. Immediately, she spun around and sprinted the rest of the way. She met the others on the bank of the river and together they watched as not only the ice on the river crack and break but the frozen waterfall several dozen meters away begin to melt and break, creating tidal waves of water and ice as it came tumbling down. Kali didn't know how many of the wolves survived, nor did she care as she turned to the rest of them only to find them already staring at her.

"What?" She questioned calmly as she tucked her wand back into its holster.

"That was," Susan began,

"Incredible." Peter finished with an incredulous laugh. Kali nodded,

"Thank you." She acknowledged the praise before moving on, "Next time however, when I give an order, do not make me repeat it twice." She stared hard at them, "This is not my first fight nor will it be my last. I know what I am doing. You do not." She warned. The three Penvensies could do nothing but nod. Kali nodded in return before turning to the Beavers how had been staring at them all,

"Well then, let's continue, shall we?" She asked rhetorically. Mr Beaver nodded silently before beginning to walk again, the rest of them following.


It was an hour later when the Beaver spoke again, "I think you can lose those coats now." He stated as the ice began to shift to grass. It got greener and warmer the further they walked which only encouraged the Penvensies to abandon their coats and for Kali to drop the warming charms on all of them. Lucy trailed behind them as she caught sight of the leaves of a blossom tree swirling around until a shape of a woman could be seen. The blossom woman waved which made the little girl giggle and wave back. Kali caught the interaction at the corner of her eye and a genuine smile passed her lips for a moment before her cold expression was back.

They arrived at Aslan's camp and heard as one of the Centaur blew a horn, announcing their arrival. They watched as the camp population, a mixture of fauns, centaurs, satyrs, cheetahs and other creatures, parted before them, all staring at them in amazement and awe.

"Why are they all staring at us?" Susan questioned, her eyes darting to look at them all.

"Maybe they think you look funny." Lucy answered innocently though her eyes sparked with mischief. Kali's lips twitched at the response whilst Peter smiled fully.

"Stop your fussing. You look lovely." Mr. Beaver uttered as he looked with exasperation at his wife who was licking her paw and patting her fur down. The children smothered their smiles at their interaction before coming to a stop several meters away from a large red tent in the middle of the Camp. A Centaur, obviously an important one, step forward. Peter drew his sword and lifted it in the air as a salute,

"We have come to see Aslan." He announced as bravely as he could manage.

The centaur looked to the tent and everyone but the children could sense something as they knelt or bowed in respect. The children heard soft thuds of paw prints on the ground before the tent doors parted slightly as Aslan emerged. Kali sucked in a breath as an onslaught of Old Magic assaulted her senses. Immediately, she knelt, her head bowing in reverence. The Pevensie children looked at her in surprise for a second before quickly following and kneeling as well. Aslan smiled slightly,

"Welcome Peter, Son of Adam." Peter looked up as he was addressed, "Welcome Susan and Lucy, Daughters of Eve." The Penvensie daughters looked up as well. Aslan turned to Kali, "Welcome to you, Kali, Child of Emrys." He waited for her to look up at him and was amused as the child almost had to force herself to. He smiled gently at her and felt further amusement as the teenager lowered her eyes again to the ground. He took pity on her and turned to the beavers, "Welcome, Beavers, you have my thanks." He paused for a moment, "But, where is the fifth?" He questioned. Peter shifted slightly.

"That's why we are here, Sir. We need your help." He stated as he stood up with the rest of them even as he sheathed his sword.

"We had a little trouble along the way." Susan told him, Kali inwardly rolled her eyes at the understatement, still the Pevensie children were doing better than her in the fact they could talk to the Lion which was Aslan. She couldn't help it; the sheer abundance of Old Magic was incredible and almost forcing her own magic to submit to it.

"Our brother's been captured by the White Witch." Peter spoke solemnly. Kali had to stop herself from gritting her teeth, maybe now perhaps, but Edmund had willingly betrayed his siblings in the beginning.

"Captured? How could this happen?" Aslan asked, worry colouring his tone.

"He betrayed them, Your Majesty." Mr Beaver answered slowly after none of the Pevensie children were willingly to answer him. Kali just figured that it wasn't her place to reveal what happened, it wasn't her brother after all.

"Then he had betrayed us all!" The centaur growled loudly. Yep, Kali could agree with that statement even as muttering from the crowd of Narnians behind them agreed.

"Peace, Oreius." Aslan ordered loudly before continuing in a softer tone, "I'm sure there's an explanation." He looked at the children.

"It's my fault really. I was too hard on him." Peter admitted. Inwardly, Kali was surprised that the fourteen-year-old was willing to admit it. So far, the boy had acted nothing short of arrogant and brash since they'd met. Susan placed a gentle hand on her brother's shoulder in support,

"We all were." she stated before pausing. "We, aside from Kali whom hasn't met him yet." Her eyes flickering to the eldest in the group. She was surprised that she hadn't spoken at all.

"Sir? He's our brother." Lucy piped up quietly. Aslan sighed,

"I know, dear one. Bu that only makes the betrayal all the worse…" He paused slightly and looked at them all, "This may be harder than you think." He told them solemnly before dismissing them all. Everyone bowed before leaving. The children following Oreius to a nearby tent for some refreshments.


Kali slipped out of the tent unnoticed as the Pevensie siblings chattered happily amongst themselves. Walking through the camp again, she nodded to those who bowed at her, not completely comfortable with the display but knowing there was nothing she could do about it. She walked up a hill and stared at the castle in the distance, it was a magnificent structure, greater perhaps than even Hogwarts.

"That is Cair Paravel, the Castle that houses the five thrones in one of which you will sit, Kali, as High Queen." Aslan spoke softly as he walked up beside her. Kali blinked and sighed,

"I did not expect this when I pulled the arrow out of the wall." She uttered quietly. Aslan chuckled quietly,

"That's how you got here? The others came through a wardrobe I believe." Kali shook her head at the weirdness but didn't say anything, she had, after all seen much weirder in the Wizarding World.

"Do you doubt the Prophecy?" Aslan questioned after a minute of silence, he was well aware that the teenager had yet to look at him.

"No, my Lord." Kali answered, "I believe it, I just." She sighed before continuing, "I already have a Prophecy back in my world hanging over me." She explained, an edge of tiredness in her tone.

"I see." Aslan stated, he knew the personality of the girl named Kali Potter, he knew that her life so far had been far from happy and as such the teenager was much more jaded and mature than any her age had the right to be.

"My Lord, why did you pick me?" Kali had to ask, "There are hundreds if not thousands of children that could fit the line of this Prophecy. Why me?" She repeated. Aslan huffed slightly,

"Look at me, Child." He commanded and Kali reluctantly did so, "I did not choose you." He answered and kali's eyes widened, "There is a Deep Magic more powerful than any of us that rules over Narnia. It defines right from wrong and governs all our destinies. Yours. And mine. That is what chose you." He explained. Kali gritted her teeth, yet again Fate controlled her life.

"I understand, my Lord." And she did. She understood the concept of Old Magic much better than most. That did not mean she was happy about it.

"I know you do." Aslan chuckled, "And please, do not call me 'my lord'. I am not such." He told her sternly. Once more Kali lowered her eyes to the ground,

"Forgive me, my-" She stopped herself, "Aslan." She corrected herself, "But to me, to my magic, you are." Aslan gave her a look,

"Explain, please, Child." Kali shifted,

"Your presence is filled with Old Magic." She began, "My magic reacts to it, acknowledges its superiority and authority."

Aslan looked at the teenager with understanding now in his gaze. He should have guessed. That explained why the teen could barely look at him, the magic was too much for her senses to bare.

"My apologies." He stated as he pulled back the natural aura of magic he put off slightly, "It has been a long time since someone who was so sensitive to the Magic of this world was here." Kali took a deep breath as her senses were no longer overloaded. Tentatively she looked back up at the Lion who smiled softly.

"Thank you." She breathed with a quiet laugh.

"You are very welcome, Child." Aslan answered. They stared at each other for a minute, both familiarising their eyes with the other's present.

"You remind me of who I think Godric Gryffindor might have been like." Kali stated comfortably, settling down on her knees on the ground. Aslan sat down next to her,

"Oh? And who is that?"

"One of the Founders of Hogwarts. My school. There are four Houses we are split into, each named after a Founder." Kali answered.

"And how do I remind you of him?" Aslan settled into the conversation easily, pleased that Kali was becoming more relaxed around him.

"For one thing, his symbol was a Lion." Kali spoke with a soft smile which Aslan chuckled at, "For another, you embody the traits that he prided himself and his House to uphold."

"And they were?" Aslan was intrigued,

"Bravery. Honour. Chivalry. Nobility." She answered simply. Aslan cocked his head slightly, yes, he could see where Kali had drawn the lines.

"I see. Can you tell me the other Founders? It does sound rather intriguing." Kali chuckled,

"Of course. There is Rowena Ravenclaw; her House embodies intelligence, wit and logic. Helena Hufflepuff; her traits were loyalty, hardworking and kindness. Finally, Salazar Slytherin, he prided himself and his House on being cunning, ambitious, talented and ruthless."

"Interesting people." Aslan hummed and Kali nodded, "May I ask, which House you are in?"

"Gryffindor, though Slytherin was the first choice. Unfortunately, Slytherin has gained a dark reputation in the last century which made being in that House a rather unpleasant prospect for me based on who I am, so I chose Gryffindor." Kali answered. Aslan nodded,

"Unfortunate indeed, though I can say that Gryffindor does suit you well." Kali chuckled,

"Thank you." They stayed in silence for several long minutes, simply enjoying the calmness of Narnia.

They were interrupted by a cough and both turned their heads to see Peter standing there uncomfortably.

"Peter." Aslan greeted confidently as he stood up. Kali copying his actions. Peter bowed his head awkwardly,

"Aslan." He replied, "Can we speak?" He asked, looking between the two. Aslan nodded slightly before turning to Kali who simply bowed low to him,

"I take my leave." She murmured quietly before with a nod at Peter she disappeared down the hill.

"An interesting one." Aslan muttered as both he and Peter turned to look at the Castle,

"Though one with a lot of secrets." Peters answered. Aslan chuckled at that,

"True, but they are needed and they are hers to share." He answered. Peter nodded at that, content to let the matter drop.

"That is Cair Paravel, the Castle that houses the five thrones in one of which you will sit, Peter, as High King." Peter didn't answer as he continued to stare at the castle.

"You doubt the Prophecy?" Aslan questioned, inwardly feeling amusement at having the same conversation twice.

"No, that's just it… Aslan, I'm not who you all think I am." Peter protested.

"Peter Pevensie, formerly of Finchley. Beaver also mentioned you planned on turning him into a hat." Aslan stated and Peter had to smile at that, "Peter, there is a Deep Magic more powerful than any of us that rules over Narnia. It defines right from wrong and governs all our destinies. Yours and mine." Repeating what he had said to Kali,

"But I couldn't even protect my own family." Peter protested again,

"You've brought them safely this far." Aslan argued,

"That was mainly due to Kali." Peter pointed out, "And not all of them." He added. Aslan turned to look at the young child,

"Peter, I will do what I can to help your brother. But I need you to consider what I ask of you… I too want my family safe." He spoke before falling silent.


Kali watched from a distance as Lucy and Susan played about by the Lake side.

"You look like Mum." Lucy commented, meaning the dress that Susan now wore. Kali herself had politely refused new clothes as she was more comfortable in her own clothes than the dresses they offered for her to wear. She was not a dress wearing gal thanks.

"Mother hasn't had a dress like this since before the war." Susan replied, somewhat sadly. Kali frowned, what war?

"We should bring her one back. A whole trunk full!" Lucy gushed excitedly.

"If we ever get back…" Susan trailed off at the sad look on her little Sister's face. "Sorry, I guess I am like that." She began again, "We used to have fun together, didn't we?" Cheering up her sister with a wide smile on her face.

"Yes." Lucy agreed before adding with a teasing smile, "Before you got boring." Susan put a mock hurt face on,

"Oh really?" She questioned before splashing Lucy with water who squealed before splashing back. The two went back and forth for a few minutes before Susan walked over to the tree and grabbed her towel. She gasped as one of the wolves appeared and growled. Both the girls screamed.

"Please don't run. We're tired." The wolf stated,

"And we'd prefer to kill you quickly." Another wolf added as he appeared off to the left.

Susan's eyes darted over to the side and saw her horn, quickly she hit the first wolf in the eye with the towel before scrambling over and blowing on the horn.

Kali instantly reacted. Running swiftly towards them, reached the sisters in under a minute before jumping over Lucy's crouching frame as she huddled, scared. She landed on the ground and unsheathed one of her swords. Susan quickly grabbed her little sister and pulled her over to the tree and pushed her to climb which Lucy thankfully began to do. Kali kept her eye on both wolves as she kept herself between the tree and the wolves. Peter suddenly appeared next to her, his own sword out though his hands were shaking.

"Get back!" He warned them, moving his sword from one to the other. Kali inwardly rolled her eyes, like that would work. With a flick of her finger, the second wolf was flung back into the waiting arms of Aslan who pinned him to the ground. The first wolf growled as his eyes darted from one to the other. He knew that the girl was more dangerous as she had no compunctions against attacking.

"Come on, we've already been through this. We both know you haven't got it in you." He growled, looking at Peter.

"He might not. But I do." Kali stated, stepping forwards and twirling her sword expertly in her hands.

"Stay your sword, Kali." Aslan ordered even as Oreius arrived with a group of warriors. Kali startled, looking at him, "This is Peter's battle." He told her calmly. Kali snarled slightly but nodded and stepped back, lowering her sword.

The wolf chuckled, "The little King is left all alone." He taunted Peter as the willing warrior stepped down. He got ready to pounce, "You may think you're a king, boy, but you're going to die… like a dog!" With that the wolf leapt at Peter, his teeth bared to rip Peter's throat out. Peter fell to the ground, the wolf on top of him. Kali looked between Peter and Aslan, an annoyed expression on her face even as Susan and Lucy jumped out of their tree and ran up to Peter. Susan pushed the wolf's body off her brother and Peter sat up, his sword was still stuck through the wolf's body. It was with relief that the boy hugged both his Sisters tightly just as they did to him.

Aslan released his hold on the other wolf who sprinted off, "After him. He'll lead you to Edmund." Oreius nodded before giving chase, the rest of the group following. "Peter, clean your sword." He commanded which Peter did before kneeling before the great Lion. Aslan placed his paw on his right shoulder, "Rise, Sir Peter, Wolf's-Bane, Knight of Narnia." Peter stood up and looked at Aslan before putting his word back in its sheath. His sisters quickly ran over and hugged him again before dragging him off somewhere.


Kali watched it all with an emotionless expression on her face as she sheathed her own sword,

"I could have handled it without fuss." She stated, looking at the Lion with cold eyes. Aslan sighed and approached,

"I know." He responded, "but this was Peter's fight. It was his sisters that the wolves attacked." Kali just looked at him. This was the problem with the noble type, they always seemed to believe that there was only one way a fight should end. To Kali, it didn't matter if the wolves had only attacked Peter's sisters, they had been a credible threat and Kali was not in the business of letting threats escape her just because the person they attacked wasn't related to her. She'd learnt her lesson after Sirius.

"The next time, I will not hold back." She warned.

"Be careful, Kali, do not be so eager to take a life." Aslan responded. Kali looked at him, her eyes older than they had the right to be,

"I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that innocents are safe." Kali responded coolly before with a stiff, low bow, she left.

Aslan watched her go, feeling pained for what life had turned the girl into. She was more like Oreius, an old and experienced warrior rather than a girl who had only experience fifteen almost sixteen years of life.

And Aslan knew that the coming war was not the only one that Kali was going to be fighting in. He was just trying to lessen the damage that Kali could cause herself by preventing her from killing as much as possible.

A/N: So, this chapter basically wrote itself quickly so I have decided to give you a second chapter this week... it's not going to be the norm unfortunately. Hope you enjoyed it!

S.