Disclaimer: I own nothing except my own characters and plots. The original universe and everything in it belong to C. S. Lewis. All photos used of film characters belong to Walt Disney Pictures. The content I have written is fanfiction and its only purpose is to inspire creativity and to further immerse oneself in the universe C. S. Lewis has created.
"Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny."
- C.S. Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (1950)
Chapter 5 – Aslan the Great Lion – September 1000 – Narnia
Someone once said that a photograph or a ghost is a memory frozen in time. The same could very well be said about the stone statues scattered about the White Witch's castle and courtyard. The Witch's fortress was abandoned as her army had gone to war, but of course, the petrified creatures could not know that the Battle of Beruna had just begun, and that the rightful Kings and Queens of Narnia had begun fulfilling the great prophecy of overthrowing the imposter queen.
By an archway, slightly hidden away in a corner, stood the statue of a sixteen-year-old girl from Greenwich, London. The girl was standing upright, her fists clenched tightly and with a triumphant grin stretched across her face. Her name was Philippa Copland, and little did she know she was mere minutes away from being rescued from her enclosure of stone.
"Oh, Susan, look at this place!" Lucy cried out as she entered the courtyard through the iron gate with her sister and the great, golden lion Aslan.
"Look at Aslan!" Susan responded in turn.
The lion was dashing around, breathing on every marbled stone figure he could see. The two girls stood still in anticipation: nothing happened at first, but then slowly, as a fire being lit and its flames engulfing the kindling, the statues came to life. One by one the bears, the eagles, the foxes, the fauns, the satyrs, the horses, the squirrels and all creatures you could possibly imagine came to life and surrounded the golden-maned lion. The once so silent courtyard was now filled with hooves stamping the ground and cheers filling the air.
"My friends!" Aslan rumbled loudly. "We must search this castle for any petrified Narnian! Leave no stone unturned! King Peter needs all the help we can give him!"
The re-animated Narnians wasted no time running about the Witch's castle, calling out to Aslan every time they had found someone. Soon little Lucy came running.
"Aslan! I have found Mr. Tumnus, oh please come quickly!" She begged and led the lion and her older sister to her dear friend.
The faun's face was twisted with a gruesome expression on his face, and the mere look of her friend made Lucy burst into tears and run toward the faun, embracing his unmoving figure with her small arms. As Aslan moved forward, Susan took her little sister in her arms and kissed the top of her head to soothe her cries. Aslan breathed on Mr. Tumnus out-stretched fingertips, and then slowly, but surely, his body returned to its original colour and became living once more.
The faun fell forwards, but Lucy ran to him and caught him in her arms and embraced him tightly. Susan, however, thrilled as she was that Mr. Tumnus was now well again, had spotted a statue by the archway, partially hidden by ice-covered branches and leaves. As it looked eerily familiar, she approached it and brushed the branches away carefully.
"Aslan! I think it's Pippa!" Susan gasped. Aslan walked to her and breathed on the girl's face. Her face regained colour and as she drew her first breath, she opened her once steel, grey eyes. Pippa stumbled forwards, still in the darkness she had barely become accustomed to.
"My dear child, look at me." A warm voice beckoned, the same voice that had twice spoken to her in her head. She felt like she had slept for days on end.
Pippa looked to where the voice was coming from and once again felt warm breath upon her face. Her eyes narrowed because the sudden radiating sunlight was overwhelming after having been in the darkness for some time. Was she not dead? Before she could look upon her surroundings further, she was engulfed by several pairs of arms in a tight hug. Lucy had her little arms wrapped around her waist, Susan was hugging her left side and Mr. Tumnus was by her right. Pippa laughed with joy and relief as she hugged her three friends closely.
"I knew we could do it!" Mr. Tumnus cheered and Pippa smiled warmly at him, before her eyes widened in shock at the magnificent lion behind him. It was not just the shock of seeing the glorious beast whose voice had been trying to save her in her darkest moments, but the fact that she could see him so clearly. Her glasses were gone, how was it possible? She wondered.
The lion's eyes were kind as he approached the three girls and the faun still embracing each other. "I only restored what the Witch had taken from you. I thought it the least I could do for your act of bravery." Aslan answered her unspoken question. "Now, we have no time to waste! We must find the Kings and assist them in defeating the Witch! Onwards friends, onwards!" He roared a mighty roar, and Narnians and humans alike cheered with new-found courage.
As Aslan, the girls and their army were hastily making their way to Peter and Edmund on the fields by the Fords of Beruna, Pippa looked in amazement at the landscapes. The fields and forests of Narnia, that only days before had been covered by cold and snow, were greener and brighter than anything Pippa could've imagined. On the ground where she walked colourful flowers were in full bloom, and the once so naked trees had leaves once more. Birds were singing songs and the bees were buzzing in her ears.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Susan commented as she walked by her side. Pippa nodded in agreement as they rapidly made their way to the battle.
"Winter always turns to spring, such is the law of life, and even the White Witch's magic cannot deny the laws of the universe." Aslan said as he urged the Narnians forwards before he himself broke into a sprint.
When they reached the battlefield, Aslan leapt forward with a mighty roar that shook all of Narnia and its inhabitants from the great seas to the lamppost in the woods. Pippa looked out on the battlefield in horror as everywhere she looked metal met metal and friends and foes alike fell as the fighting continued. Just as the newly arrived Narnians charged onto the battlefield, and Pippa spotted Peter fighting a dozen enemies on each side, Aslan flung himself upon the White Witch in the centre of the field with another mighty roar and ended her wicked rule once and for all. The enemies that had not already fallen, fled once they realized their queen was dead. The battle was over and won.
"Peter!" Susan and Lucy shouted as they ran to their victorious brother and gave him hugs and kisses. Peter looked tired and aged far beyond the age of sixteen. Pippa stood not far from them as to not impose on their reunion. Susan pulled away from the hug and looked around.
"Where's Edmund?" Susan asked her weary and blood-stained older brother. Peter looked crestfallen and everyone feared the worst. The Pevensies, with Pippa following them, ran toward a limp figure laying on the battlefield, his eyes closed and his breathing shallow. It was Edmund.
"No! Edmund!" Susan shouted and shot one of her red-tipped arrows into the chest of a dwarf looking to end her little brother's young life with the blow of his axe.
The Pevensies ran to Edmund and cradled his body. Susan pulled off his helmet and held his head as Lucy opened his mouth and let a small droplet from a circular flask enter his mouth. Pippa did not understand the meaning of this, but she did not have to wait long before Edmund's face brightened considerably, his breathing evened out and his brown eyes opened gradually. He coughed loudly, and everyone sighed in relief. Peter hugged his brother close; he wouldn't have been able to forgive himself if Edmund had died whilst he was meant to protect him.
"When are you going to learn to do as you're told?" Peter asked exasperated, the tears of sorrow still evident in his eyes. Edmund gave a small grin and Peter pulled him into another tight embrace with Susan and Lucy joining in this time. Pippa was smiling at the scene unfolding before her, tears of her own almost spilling in joy and relief. She moved to stand a little further back which caught Lucy's attention.
"Pippa!" She called. Pippa blushed as all eyes fell upon her.
"I don't wish to intrude." She stammered and shuffled her feet slightly.
"You're no intruder." Edmund said simply. Everyone looked at him in surprise. "After all, you did save my life in the Witch's castle." He explained, but before Pippa could respond Aslan joined them.
"There are other wounded people who could use your assistance, young Lucy." The lion reminded them gravely, and he was right, there was no time to waste if that meant they could save the lives of the brave Narnians who had fought for their country.
Lucy quickly got up, cordial in hand as she turned towards the first fallen soldier, and with Pippa and Susan's assistance in healing their fallen soldiers, almost half of their army was recovered that day. Another quarter of their army was also saved by Aslan as he restored those who had been turned to stone by the Witch's wand. With the finale battle won and the White Witch defeated, the Golden Age of Narnia could begin with the crowning of the rightful Kings and Queens.
A few days after the battle of Beruna was won, the crowning ceremony was just about ready to begin. Pippa had been helping Lucy with curling her short hair when Aslan had called upon her to join him for a walk in the main gardens at Cair Paravel. The main gardens of Cair Paravel included not only several lovely intertwining gardens with the most wonderous flowers and trees, but also a lush apple orchard by the North Gate and a stone-clad courtyard with fountains and streams of running water. It was by the largest fountain in the courtyard Pippa found Aslan resting his heavy head on a wooden bench. As she approached him, he raised his head and looked at her with a mirthful expression on his face.
"There you are Philippa. Join me on this bench, will you?" Aslan asked. Pippa sat down and softly stroked Aslan's golden mane with her fingers. The great lion purred, and Pippa let out a soft giggle. After a little while Aslan stood and motioned for her to follow him. They walked in silence for a few moments before the lion asked:
"Are you happy you came to Narnia, child?"
Pippa had to think for a moment. For although the beginning of her adventure in Narnia had been difficult and she had made choices she deeply regretted, she had found courage and a strength she didn't know she possessed. She wasn't a completely changed person, but she had finally learned to begin to believe in herself and to fight for her friends because she was not weak or useless; she could be strong. As strong as the heroes and heroines in her favourite books, Pippa reminded herself.
"Yes." Pippa finally said. She and the lion shared a smile.
"Good." Aslan paused. "But you must wonder why you came here. After all you are not part of this prophecy." Aslan's eyes were now thoughtful.
Pippa had indeed wondered why she had been allowed to enter this wonderful world if there was no need for her, but she did not say this, she simply kept walking silently with Aslan by her side awaiting his explanation.
"Nevertheless, you did come to Narnia, and thank heavens you did, for what would we have done without you?" Aslan said after a while, the look on his face still thoughtful, but kind.
Pippa looked at him questioningly. "Why?" She wondered. "None of it made any difference. Your men still came to rescue Edmund, and Mr. Tumnus would most likely have been turned to stone anyway." Pippa said dismissively, suddenly feeling less important and courageous again.
"It made all the difference in the world, my dear." Aslan murmured. "Your sacrifice was pure of heart. You challenged the Witch unafraid, and in doing so you weakened her powers."
Pippa looked at the great lion in surprise. "But I was not unafraid." She answered.
The lion smiled heartfully. "You were less afraid than her." Pippa looked at Aslan astonished. "Sometimes, it's not about how much we hurt, but about how much we are willing to hurt for our friends and family's safety." Aslan explained. "And in time I expect you will be an excellent advisor to the Kings and Queens in the years to come." He added.
"Thank you." Pippa uttered, truly feeling thankful for Aslan's gentle words.
"I only speak the truth as I know it." Aslan said and looked towards the Great Hall. "Come. Let's celebrate with our new Kings and Queens."
Cair Paravel's Great Hall truly was a glorious part of the castle. The ivory roof and the white marbled floor and columns were all decorate with red poppies, white lilies and banners of the Pevensie's new emblem; a red lion raging on a field of green grass. The balcony to the east, which overlooked the sea, was opened so that the merfolk could salute their new sovereigns. The hall was filled with cheerful Narnians, and as the fauns blew their trumpets, Aslan entered with Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy and led them to the four marbled thrones at the end of the hall.
Pippa stood by the Beavers, who she had been delighted to meet again, wearing a deep-green coloured gown and white flowers in her curled hair. She still wasn't used to seeing without her glasses and frequently touched her face in search of them. As she kept fussing with her hands, her eyes met Peter's as he stood next to his throne. She smiled at him reassuringly, and thought he looked quite splendid in his gold and jade-coloured tunic.
Susan was beaming in her gown of silver with emerald and gold trimming and was without a doubt the most beautiful being in the room. Lucy could hardly keep still, and Edmund laughed merrily at his little sister's excitement. The hall grew silent with anticipation and awe as Mr. Tumnus stepped forward and Aslan began to speak.
"To the Glistening Eastern Sea, I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant." The lion thundered and Mr. Tumnus place a crown of silver flowers upon the young girl's head as she grinned at him.
"To the Great Western Wood, I give you King Edmund the Just." Aslan continued as Mr. Tumnus placed a silver, bejewelled crown on Edmund's black hair.
"To the Radiant Southern Sun, I give you Queen Susan the Gentle." Susan bowed her head as Mr. Tumnus laid a crown of golden leaves upon her head.
"To the Clear Northern Sky, I give you King Peter the Magnificent." And as the golden crown was placed upon Peter's head, the hall erupted in deafening shouts of, "Long live King Peter! Long live Queen Susan! Long live King Edmund! Long live Queen Lucy!"
The four monarchs sat down on their thrones as Aslan solemnly spoke. "Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen. Long may you reign!"
Some hours later when the food and drink had been devoured, and the sun was setting in the west, the Narnians were gathered upon the marbled floors, ready to dance the night away. Peter was currently engaged in a conversation with the centaur Oreius, already eager to improve his skill in battle. His attention was drawn to a maenad moving to the music in a most hypnotizing way. Her blue frock and golden hair made her skin look ablaze in the dimly lit hall. He willingly joined her when she beckoned him and together they danced in the shimmering light.
Susan and Lucy were dancing close by with the fauns to an entirely different beat, but no one seemed to notice. The two young queens' crowns were discarded as were their shoes and cloaks. Lucy laughed uncontrollably as Susan spun her around and around until the little girl saw stars. Pippa was enjoying some of the sweet blackberry wine and speaking with a leopard about his new-born cubs when Edmund approached her.
"Uh, my lady?" He said unsurely. It sounded awkward coming from his lips, but Pippa understood his sudden need to practice the formalities now that he was king. "May I speak with you?"
"Of course." Pippa said, curtsying as best she could. "My king." She added hastily. Edmund nodded stiffly and bowed to the leopard. The leopard left them and both Edmund and Pippa let out big sighs.
"That was very uncomfortable." Edmund said and Pippa nodded. They shared a laugh before Edmund's grin faded.
"What I really wanted to say to you was thank you. Thank you for saving my life." Edmund said it with such honesty, Pippa couldn't doubt that he meant it.
"Don't mention it." She answered and took a sip of her wine. She would have told Edmund what she had told Aslan mere hours before the coronation, that her rescue effort hardly would have made any difference where he was concerned, but his sincerity made her withhold her statement.
"No, I mean it. Especially after I was so, so …" Edmund couldn't quite think of a word to describe how nasty he had been to his siblings and Pippa earlier.
"Rude?" Pippa offered playfully. Edmund appreciated her playful gesture, for in truth he felt he deserved much worse.
"Yes. Amongst other things, I was indeed very rude to you, and for that I'm sorry." Edmund apologized. "I guess that's what I wanted to say, other than that I owe you one." Edmund finished. "Oh, and welcome to the family!" He added and lifted his cup to hers.
Pippa looked at him and raised an eyebrow in bewilderment. "Welcome to the family?" She asked. Edmund nodded, his eyes innocent and his smile hopeful.
"Well, of course." He stated. "You will be staying here with us, won't you?" Edmund asked an astonished Pippa.
"Yes, if you'll have me." She spoke and Edmund grinned.
"Of course, we'll have you! Susan and Lucy will be delighted I'm sure of it, and Peter wouldn't stop asking about you when I was rescued and brought to Aslan's camp." Edmund smirked as Pippa blushed.
"Really?" She asked and her eyes searched for Peter in the crowd.
When she caught sight of him, he was still swaying closely with the maenad dressed in blue. To her surprise, Pippa felt jealous of the maenad, not because she was beautiful or because they were dancing so close, but because she had captured Peter's interest. An interest, Pippa realized, she would quite like Peter to also have in her. As a friend only, of course.
Edmund poked her side with his elbow. "You are staring." He noted, a smirk still on his lips.
"I am not." Pippa dismissed Edmund's statement and turned away from the sight of the High King with his dance-partner.
"You like him?" Edmund asked teasingly as only a boy of thirteen would. His voice was teasing, but his face looked the slightest bit disgusted at the thought of an infatuation between his brother and Pippa.
Pippa blushed. "No, I don't." She half-lied. In truth she did not know him yet, but she wanted to.
Edmund raised an eyebrow as if to say, 'I know you're lying'.
"You know what," Pippa began to tell him. "I much preferred it when you weren't talking to me at all." She tried her best to insult him, but Edmund just laughed and raised his cup to hers once more before drinking deeply.
Not long after Pippa's talk with Edmund, he was carried up the marbled stairs to his bedchamber, the strong wine having gotten to his head. Pippa could hear Susan scolding him as she followed the two satyrs carrying her little brother. Lucy had fallen asleep on a nearby sofa and was looked after by Mr. Tumnus. With the royals retiring to their chambers the feast had come to an end, however, some remaining Narnians were still drinking and dancing, but to a much more peaceful tune of music.
Pippa found herself wondering whether they had pianos in Narnia for it had been such a long time since she had played. All in due time, she reminded herself. She knew in her heart that her adventures in Narnia had just begun, and she would have plenty of time to explore this strange new land. She walked out on one of the marbled balconies overlooking the ocean and rested her head on her arms as they lay on the banister.
"Hello." Peter's voice rung out. Pippa acknowledged him with a nod as he joined her.
"Hello." She answered quietly.
"Aslan's gone." Peter said. He sounded tired, no doubt from the dancing, Pippa thought a bit sourly.
"Yes, I know. Lucy told me." Pippa answered in a stilted manner. Peter sensed something was not quite right with her.
"You alright?" He asked concerned.
"Of course, just feeling a bit tired is all." Pippa didn't look him directly, she just kept staring firmly at the calm waves of the ocean beneath her.
"You know, I wanted to thank you." Peter began. "For saving my brother." When Pippa only gave him another nod, he tried again. "Oreius and his men tried to get to you, but there were too many of them." He paused. "I was worried about you. Edmund said you looked dreadful when he escaped the Witch's castle."
At his last statement, Pippa lifted her head off the banister and glared at him. "Dreadful? I had been in a dungeon for days!" She defended. "And the White Witch blinded me!" She added wistfully.
Peter's blue eyes stared into Pippa's stormy, grey ones with such a shocked look on his face, Pippa couldn't help but laugh.
"No one told you?" She finally managed to ask in between fits of laughter. It wasn't really funny, yet somehow it was. Lucy hadn't been able to keep quiet about her and her siblings' adventures to Pippa in the past few days and so it was rather amusing that Pippa herself had, apparently, forgotten to mention what she had been through during her captivity.
"No." Peter answered her, a grin appearing on his face. "Someone must have forgotten how important she is becoming to this family."
"Well, then we have lots to talk about then, don't we?" Pippa mused and grinned back, her cheeks red and breathing strained from laughter.
Peter's hand brushed hers as he stepped closer to her. "We do. And I think I'd like to get to know you better, if that's alright with you?" He asked politely.
Pippa's eyes twinkled in the moonlight, as she spoke boldly and truthfully. "Yes, I think I'd like to get to know you better too."
TO BE CONTINUED.
Based on 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' (1950) by C. S. Lewis.
Based on 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' (2005) by C. S. Lewis (Andrew Adamson, Mark Johnson, Phillip Steuer, Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures).
Songs for this chapter:
The Battle – Harry Gregson-Williams
Courage and Kindness – Patrick Doyle
The Reel – Rolf Loveland, Secret Garden
Ori, Lost In the Storm (feat. Arealie Brighton) – Gareth Coker
Only the Beginning of The Adventure – Harry Gregson-Williams
Peter Pevensie – Born 19th of January 1924 (16 years old)
Susan Pevensie – Born 2nd of June 1925 (15 years old)
Edmund Pevensie – Born 6th of March 1927 (13 years old)
Lucy Pevensie – Born 25th of December 1929 (10 years old, turning 11)
Philippa Copland – Born 7th of July 1924 (16 years old)