Chapter Seven
Surprisingly, Rebecca slept well curled up by the stove. The Beavers woke all the children at first light, saying they had a long journey ahead of them if they were to reach Aslan's Camp before the Witch. After a quick breakfast, the Beavers led the children in a southeastern direction, away from the snowy clearing and up into the forest. The sky became brighter and bluer as they walked, and presently the group walked out of the trees and onto a narrow cliff. From the top, they could see the forest spread out below them. Beyond it, a large valley surrounded a wide river, which Rebecca noticed was frozen solid, with forests and mountains in the distance. Lit up in the rising sunlight, everything looked so pristine and beautiful that Rebecca felt bolstered in her personal mission to rescue Joy and make the Pevensies fulfill the prophecy.
"Now Aslan's Camp is near the Stone Table," said Mr. Beaver as he surveyed the valley "just across the frozen river." He pointed at the shimmering, icy river.
"River?" asked Peter, sounding a little worried.
"Oh, the river's been frozen solid for a hundred years," said Mrs. Beaver cheerfully. All the children looked back at the view.
"It's so far," remarked Peter. Rebecca nodded in agreement; this journey seemed to be shaping up into an even bigger adventure.
"It's the world dear," said Mrs. Beaver, looking up at Peter. "Did you expect it to be small?" she asked him. Susan gave Peter an annoyed look.
"Smaller," she said, and walked past Peter towards the edge of the cliff. Peter took Lucy's hand and followed, while Rebecca stared at the scenery. All she could think of was freeing Joy, and this beautiful country, from the Witch's tyranny.
"Rebecca!" called Peter, and Rebecca ran to the others at the edge of the cliff.
It wasn't an incredibly high cliff, but high enough to make everyone nervous. There was a rocky bulge halfway down the cliff, where it turned inward and dropped down to the ground. The Beavers went first, clearing snow away from the ledges with their tails as they made their way down. The four children stared down the cliff. After looking at the others nervously, Rebecca stepped forward.
"Alright, I'll go first," she said.
"Be careful," said Lucy. Rebecca went to the edge and turned around. The others were still standing several feet away from the edge.
"Come on," she said, and she started climbing down. Her shoes were horrible things to climb with and keeping the hem of the fur coat away from her feet was just as difficult, but Rebecca took her time going down the rocky cliff face. Sometimes she would grab the sack of supplies between her teeth in order to free up her hands so she could grab the rocks. Susan went next, then quickly followed by Peter and Lucy. Rebecca had reached the top of the bulging rock when she heard Lucy scream "Peter!" Rebecca looked up in a panic.
Peter was tumbling down the cliff, narrowing missing Susan and heading straight towards her! Rebecca leapt to the side and wiped out on the snow-covered rocks. Peter slid past her, right for the edge of the cliff! "No!" shouted Susan. Peter went over the edge! Rebecca let go of the cliff face and quickly crawled forward. She could see Peter holding onto the rocky ledge and noticed his white-knuckled hands. As she reached him, one of his hands slipped.
"Peter!" screamed Rebecca, hanging her hands over the edge. She could hear Lucy and Susan panting behind her.
"Hold on Peter!" shouted Lucy.
"Son of Adam!" called Mr. Beaver from the base of the cliff. Mrs. Beaver wrung her paws together next to him. Rebecca felt the pressure build up on her shoulders.
"Grab on Peter," she said, and leaned forward, her hands shaking from the stress. Peter still couldn't reach her, and he was swinging through the air like a pendulum. His eyes were wild with fear.
"Peter," Rebecca tried to keep her voice calm "I'm going to try and pull you up." She wrapped her hands around his fingers. "You have to trust me," and she pulled upwards. Lucy and Susan appeared on either side, pulling at her arms. Her sweaty palms made his fingers slip. Rebecca tried to tighten her grip but he was falling too fast! "Don't let go," she muttered to herself through gritted teeth. She had just pulled Peter up far enough for Susan to grab one of his coat sleeves, when he slipped.
"No!" all the girls screamed. Peter fell and landed hard in the snow at the base of the cliff. Please Aslan, don't let him die, thought Rebecca. The girls scrambled down the cliff face and ran to him. Rebecca nearly forgot the sack of supplies and had to run back to get it. As she reached the group, Lucy and Susan were on their knees on either side of Peter. Rebecca held her breath when she realized he wasn't moving and the most horrible thought swept through her mind.
"Peter? Are you okay?" asked Lucy frantically while Susan cried silently. Then Peter slowly sat up, rubbing the back of his head and snow covering him from head to toe.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said. Susan and Lucy hugged him tightly, and Rebecca nearly dropped the sack again, her limbs weak with relief. With the trees only a few feet away, he could have had a much worse landing and Rebecca silently thanked Aslan for letting Peter live. Peter looked past his sisters' hair and up at her. Rebecca tried to think of something to say, but nothing seemed right. Finally, he said, "At least I had a soft landing," and Rebecca smiled. Susan handed Peter his coat and helped him to his feet.
"Let's get going humans," said Mr. Beaver, and the travellers started on their way again. Despite the snow covering his clothes, he seemed unharmed. After constant questions from Lucy, Peter finally said, "I'm fine Lu, stop worrying," and Lucy moved forward to keep up with the Beavers. Rebecca ran through the deep, forest snow to catch up with him which was hard-going for the sack of supplies over her shoulder.
"Peter," she started to say, when he looked over at her and for a moment Rebecca got lost in the frosty blues of his eyes. She took a deep breath and came back to her senses. "I'm very sorry," she said, "I thought I had a good grip on your hand!" She looked down at her free hand before shoving it back into her coat pocket.
"I'm alright," said Peter with a shrug of his shoulders. "You're just as bad as Lucy when it comes to worrying. As I said, at least I had a soft landing." He gave her a half smile, to which Rebecca smiled back. She looked down before she started blushing again and then narrowly missed running into a tree. Peter then lifted the sack of supplies off her shoulder and swung it over his own. "It's alright," he said when she protested "you've been carrying since last night, I can carry it for a few hours." Rebecca thought of arguing the point but remembered that if he was to be King of Narnia, maybe she should let him have his way. So, she let Peter carry the sack and slipped her left hand into her coat pocket as well.
The group walked through the seemingly never-ending forest as the sun rose over their heads. Slowly Rebecca's thoughts returned to Joy, wondering what had happened to her. What had made her follow Edmund; the two didn't even get along! No matter what scenario she played out in her mind, nothing seemed to answer the question and Rebecca gave up trying to figure it out.
The travellers came to the end of the forest and entered a large valley. The Beavers took the lead, then Susan, Rebecca, Peter and finally Lucy bringing up the rear. Their footsteps marred the untouched snow as they walked. The sun was high in the sky by now, it must have been about ten o'clock in the morning, and Rebecca's eyes were starting to ache from the sun's glare on the snow. With all the walking, and the sun beating down on their backs, the children unbuttoned their coats and sweaters. Mr. Beaver turned around and looked at the trudging children behind him.
"Come on humans, while we're still young," he said with a wide grin showing his buck teeth. Peter shook his head as he caught up to the girls.
"If he tells us to hurry," he said, handing the sack of supplies back to Rebecca "one more time," and he bent down so Lucy could climb up on his back "I'm gonna turn him into a big, fluffy hat." Rebecca and Susan laughed.
"Hurry up! Come on!" called Mr. Beaver.
"He is getting a little bossy," said Lucy from her perch behind Peter.
"Agreed," said Rebecca.
"No, behind you," said Mrs. Beaver. The children looked back the way they'd come. A sleigh drawn by reindeer was coming across the field towards them. "It's her!" There was no question about who "her" was.
"Run!" shouted Mr. Beaver. Peter quickly let Lucy down off his back and grabbed her hand.
"Run!" he called. Susan and Rebecca ran as fast as they could through the snow towards the tree line. The sack of supplies kept on hitting Rebecca's leg but she didn't bother to run cautiously. All that mattered was staying away from the White Witch. The jingling bells of the sleigh seemed to be coming closer and closer behind them. The trees quickly engulfed them as Rebecca and Susan ran into the forest.
Mr. Beaver who was leading the group turned suddenly to the right. "Inside!" he shouted. There was a little hollow inside the rock! Rebecca and Susan dove into it.
"Quick! Quickly!" said Mrs. Beaver. Mr. Beaver jumped down as Lucy and Peter dove inside. It was a tight squeeze but everyone sat perfectly still, fur coats bundled on top of one another. The whole group went quiet. Rebecca even tried to breathe quietly, whereas Susan next to her sounded like a roaring lion in her ear.
A shadow appeared on the rock above their heads and from the shape it looked like a dwarf. Some snow fell from his boots in front of the children, and they all watched as the dwarf walked away. Mr. Beaver started sniffing the air.
"Maybe she's gone," said Lucy quietly. Rebecca thought you would hear the sleigh and reindeer but didn't dare say it out loud. Peter started to climb out of the hollow.
"I suppose I'll go and look," he said. Rebecca shook her head at him.
"No!" whispered Mr. Beaver, stopping him. "You're worth nothing to Narnia dead." He headed away from the hollow.
"But neither are you Beaver," said Mrs. Beaver. Mr. Beaver clasped her paws with his own.
"Thanks sweetheart," he said tenderly, and then he climbed up onto the ground above their heads. What followed was hard to make out: a whisper, the jingling of a harness, a quiet laugh. Rebecca didn't know what to think but hoped that Mr. Beaver was alright. Lucy and Susan looked at Peter with worried expressions. He tried to encourage them with a smile but Rebecca saw right through it. He then glanced at her and Rebecca looked away.
"Come here! Come here!" said Mr. Beaver, and his head suddenly appeared over the top of the hollow. Lucy shrieked! Susan and Rebecca were startled, and Peter grabbed Lucy's arm to quiet her down. However, Mr. Beaver ignored all their reactions. "I hope you've all been good cause there's someone here to see ya!" Fear gave way to confusion, and everyone slowly climbed out of the hollow.
As Rebecca peeked her head over the top of the hollow, she saw a large man standing by a sleigh which was drawn by reindeer. He was laughing, and the sound was so jolly that Rebecca started smiling herself. They had no reason to run for it was Father Christmas! Lucy walked past her and said to him "Merry Christmas Sir."
"It certainly is Lucy," he said, "since you have arrived." Susan turned to Peter.
"Look, I've put up with a lot since I got here," she said, and Rebecca tried not to roll her eyes "but this," continued Susan.
"We thought you were the Witch," said Peter, interrupting her.
"Yes," said Father Christmas as he looked down at his boots "I'm sorry about that. But in my defense," he took off his gloves "I've been driving one of these longer than the Witch." Susan stepped forward.
"I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia," she said, regarding him suspiciously.
"No," said Father Christmas, tucking his gloves into his pocket. "Not for a long time. But the hope that you have brought Your Majesties," he paused "is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power." Beside Rebecca, Mrs. Beaver looped her arm through Mr. Beaver's and smiled. Rebecca hoped that if the Witch's powers were weakening, Joy would go free.
"Still," said Father Christmas "I daresay, you can do with these." He hoisted a huge bag out of the back of the sleigh and dropped it onto the snow.
"Presents!" cried out Lucy, and she rushed forward. Father Christmas laughed and took two items out of the bag. He bent down so he was on level with Lucy and his face grew very serious.
"The juice of the fire flower," he said, and handed a small bottle made of glass to Lucy which contained a red liquid "one drop will cure any injury." Lucy took it, and Rebecca saw it came with its own red leather pouch which would connect to a belt. "And though I hope you never have to use it," he handed her a small dagger attached to a belt.
"Thank you, Sir," said Lucy "but I think I could be brave enough." Rebecca silently hoped she herself would be brave enough when they would fight against the Witch.
"And I'm sure you could," said Father Christmas, then shook his head "but battles are ugly affairs." Lucy smiled at him and stepped back. Father Christmas went back to his bag and pulled out two more items.
"Susan," he said. Susan hesitated but went forward. Father Christmas placed a bow and a quiver full of arrows in her hands. "Trust in this bow, and it will not easily miss." Rebecca could see Susan's initials on the front of the quiver.
"What happened to 'battles are ugly affairs' Sir?" asked Susan. Father Christmas laughed.
"Well you don't seem to have a problem making yourself heard," he said and held out a horn which seemed to be made of ivory "blow on this and wherever you are, help will come."
"Thanks," said Susan, and Rebecca was surprised to see a smile on her face. Father Christmas grinned and went back to the bag. A flash of metal caught everyone's attention, and Rebecca's eyes latched onto the objects.
"Peter," said Father Christmas and Peter stepped forward. "The time to use these may be near at hand." He handed Peter a sword, complete with sheath and sword belt, and a silver shield with a red, rampant lion design across it. Peter slipped the sword out of the sheath and it shone in the sunlight from beyond the trees.
"Thank you, Sir," he said.
"These are tools, not toys," said Father Christmas. "Bear them well, and wisely." Peter put the sword back in its sheath and stepped back. Rebecca wished with all her heart for a sword like that. Then, Father Christmas looked straight at her.
"And Rebecca," he said, and the Pevensies all looked at her. The Beavers looked like they were about to jump out of their skin with surprise. Rebecca slowly walked forward, anxious.
"Me, Sir?" she asked. Father Christmas nodded, eyes twinkling like he was holding back a secret. He held out a sword, slightly smaller than Peter's, but it was the perfect size and weight for Rebecca to use. Rebecca gasped with delight as she took the sword in her hands.
"Battles are ugly affairs," he said and gave Susan a look which made Rebecca smile "but something tells me you would fight no matter what." How did he know?! Rebecca stared at the sword, now she was ready to fight for Joy's freedom and for Narnia. "And this is something that may help you," and he placed an orb of silver in her right hand. It was a compass, with a bright red lion at the centre and a silver arrow acted as the needle. "This is a compass, but it does not point North," he said. Rebecca gave Father Christmas a questioning look. "It points towards Aslan." Rebecca heard the Beavers' gasp behind her. "Either Aslan himself or the way that Aslan wants you to go." Rebecca's jaw dropped and she looked at the compass again. Did this mean Aslan has a plan for her?
"Thank you, Sir," said Rebecca with awe. She stepped back, looking down at the compass. The arrow slowly spun away from Father Christmas and pointed towards the woods behind her. It looked very similar to the arrow from her dream a few nights ago.
"Now then," said Father Christmas. Rebecca looked away from the woods and back at him. "I must be off," he said. "Winter is almost over, and things can pile up when you've been gone a hundred years." He hoisted the bag back into the sleigh and Peter laughed. Father Christmas turned around to face the group.
"Long Live Aslan," he said, and climbed back into the sleigh. All the children were smiling at him, even Susan. "And Merry Christmas!" He flicked the reins and the sleigh started pulling away.
"Merry Christmas! Thank you! Good-bye!" called Lucy.
"Good-bye! See you next year!" shouted Peter.
"Good-bye!" shouted Rebecca and Susan in unison. They burst out laughing, and Mrs. Beaver joined in. Once Father Christmas was out of earshot, Lucy turned sharply towards Susan.
"Told you he was real," she said. Rebecca chuckled to herself and wrapped the sword belt around her waist. Peter showed Mr. Beaver his sword while Susan asked to see Lucy's cordial bottle.
"You know Lucy, this bottle is made out of some very thick glass," said Susan, turning the bottle of cordial over in her hands. Mrs. Beaver waddled forward.
"Let me see," she said, and took the bottle from Susan's outstretched palm. After a few seconds, Mrs. Beaver's eyes went wide. "This bottle is made from diamond!" she exclaimed. Lucy smiled proudly while Rebecca's jaw dropped.
"Diamond?" she asked, stepping closer. Mrs. Beaver handed the bottle back to Lucy and looked at the compass in Rebecca's hand.
"Your compass," she said, pointing at the orb of silver "may I?" Rebecca slowly placed the compass in Mrs. Beaver's paws. Mrs. Beaver then nodded excitedly. "Yes," she said, "your compass' housing is made of diamond too!" Rebecca took the compass back and stared at it, watching as the arrow spun back towards the woods again.
"He said winter was almost over," said Peter thoughtfully behind them. All the girls stopped talking and he looked at them with a worried expression. "You know what that means?" he asked. Puzzled, they stared at him. "No more ice."
"He's right," said Mr. Beaver "we have to make it to the river!" Rebecca spoke up.
"And I know the way we have to go!" She turned in the direction the compass was aiming. "This way," she pointed.
"How do you know that?" asked Susan skeptically.
"Because she's the only one with a compass," said Peter, and everyone rushed forward. Peter and Susan ran awkwardly, for putting on your weapons and running at the same time is not a good combination. Also, Susan had to stop to help Lucy put the healing cordial onto the belt attached to her dagger. But presently they all got underway, running through the forest with Rebecca and the Beavers in the lead. Rebecca soon noticed that the snow seemed to be growing wetter and slushier beneath her feet, and several times droplets of water fell on her head from overhanging branches.
A little while, the trees suddenly cleared and the travellers were standing at the top of a rocky cliff from which you could look down at the frozen waterfall and the river. Unfortunately for them, the frozen river was melting rather quickly. Great ice pieces were breaking off and floating downstream while the sound of the crackling ice filled the air. The amount of solid ice for which they needed to get across the river was shrinking and getting closer and closer to the waterfall, which so far was still frozen. But that did little to calm them down.
"We need to cross, now," said Peter. Lucy quickly looked at Mr. Beaver.
"Don't beavers make dams?" she asked.
"I'm not that fast dear," said Mr. Beaver, and he and Mrs. Beaver started climbing down the cliff. Peter grabbed Lucy's hand.
"Come on," he said and rushed towards the rocky path down to the river. Rebecca followed them.
"Wait," called Susan "can we just think about this for a minute?!"
"We don't have a minute," said Peter, looking frustrated.
"I was just trying to be realistic," said Susan with annoyance.
"No," countered Peter "you're trying to be smart. As usual!" He and Lucy started down to the river. Rebecca put her hands on her hips.
"Come on Susan," she said. Susan hung back stubbornly until a familiar and terrifying sound came from the woods behind them.
A wolf's howl.
Susan quickly rushed forward and passed Rebecca. The Beavers leapt from ledge to ledge, reaching the river about the same time as Peter and Lucy. Rebecca and Susan stood behind them. The cracking ice had drawn even closer to the waterfall, and not much was left for them to cross on.
"Do we just go for it?" asked Rebecca. Peter, still holding Lucy's hand, stepped out with one foot onto the ice. It snapped under him and a gust of icy spray shot into the air! Lucy and Peter quickly backed away.
"Wait," said Mr. Beaver "maybe I should go first."
"Maybe you should," said Peter nervously, and Mr. Beaver set out with caution. He broke the remaining ice into pieces to act like stepping stones so they could across the river.
"You've been sneaking second helpings, haven't you?" called Mrs. Beaver.
"Well, you never know which meal's gonna be your last!" replied Mr. Beaver. Mrs. Beaver chuckled with annoyance and set out onto the ice as well. "Especially with your cooking," said Mr. Beaver in a quieter tone. Mrs. Beaver's head flew up, indicating she had heard him anyway.
Looking determined, Peter stepped out again onto the ice with Lucy. Once they were out on the ice and away from the rocky cliff, Susan followed and then Rebecca. Rebecca slipped her compass into her coat pocket so she would not lose it. Ahead of her, Lucy slipped and screamed. Rebecca's left foot slid across the ice and she planted her other foot to keep her balance.
"If Mum only knew what we were doing," said Susan to no one in particular. Peter turned his head sharply towards her.
"Mum's not here," he said shortly, and kept walking. Rebecca leapt to another chunk of ice when falling icicles from the waterfall caught her attention and she looked up. Wolves were running along the top of the waterfall, overtaking them!
"Oh no!" cried out Lucy.
"Run!" shouted Peter. The children started running, leaping from ice piece to ice piece.
"Hurry!" cried Susan. Three wolves ran down the rocks at the side of the waterfall, one of which Rebecca recognized as the leader. He leapt down from an overhanging rock and landed squarely on the ice in front of them, snapping his teeth. Lucy screamed! The group stopped running and they looked behind them. More wolves were gathered on the ice and river bank behind them. They were surrounded.
Mr. Beaver bared his claws and snarled at the wolf standing by the leader. The wolf pounced, biting him on the neck. "No!" cried Mrs. Beaver. Without thinking, Rebecca dropped the sack of supplies and quickly drew her sword. The wolf behind the leader fixed its amber eyes on her.
"Peter!" shouted Lucy. Peter drew his sword as well.
"Put the swords down children," said the leader in his rough and callused voice "someone could get hurt." He slowly sauntered forward, making the children slowly back away from him.
"Don't worry about me," called Mr. Beaver "run him through!" The wolf bit him harder. The wolf behind the leader advanced forward too.
"Leave now while you can," said the leader "and your brother leaves with you." Rebecca froze. What had happened to Joy? Why didn't he mention her? Susan tried to make Peter put his sword down.
"Stop Peter, maybe we should listen to him!" she shouted. The wolf chuckled.
"Smart girl," he remarked. Rebecca briefly glared at Susan.
"Don't listen to him! Kill him, kill him now!" called Mr. Beaver. Rebecca flicked her eyes from the leader to the wolf behind him, who grinned at her like he knew what she was thinking.
"Oh, come on," said the leader "this isn't your war. All my Queen wants is for you to take your family and go," he said to Peter.
"Look," shouted Susan "just because some man in a red coat hands you a sword, it doesn't make you a hero. Just drop it!" she screamed. Rebecca looked back. They were on the last piece of ice before they would end up in the water. She had to do something!
"No, Peter!" called Mr. Beaver. "Narnia needs you! Cut him when you still have a chance!" Susan looked away, furious. The wolf was almost touching the tip of Peter's sword.
"What's it gonna be, Son of Adam?" asked the leader. "I won't wait forever." Indecision covered Peter's face but Rebecca had made up her mind. "And neither will the river!" added the wolf.
Rebecca charged. "Maros!" called the leader. The amber-eyed wolf pounced, knocking her down with her back to the ice. They slid together towards the base of the waterfall and Rebecca drove her sword into its side. The wolf went limp.
"Peter!" screamed Lucy. Rebecca tried to crawl out from under the wolf's body. She heard icicles breaking and the ice was cracking. Icy mist filled the air. Someone suddenly pushed the dead wolf off her.
"Come on!" shouted Peter. He gave her a hand up and she saw the other wolves were running to the safety of the riverbank. Susan and Lucy were still standing up on the edge of the ice, Susan holding onto Lucy's shoulders. The waterfall burst behind them. "Susan! Lucy!" shouted Peter. Water swept Rebecca's legs out from under her.
"Peter!" screamed his sisters before they disappeared from their sight. A great wave crashed down on them, hurling them into the depths of the river. The icy water shot up Rebecca's nose and stung her skin. She clung to her sword and shot to the surface, breaking through the cold water and gasping for air. It seemed she was caught in a current and Rebecca desperately wished she could get out her compass. She couldn't see any of the others.
"Peter!" she shouted. She sunk below the river's surface, inhaled some of the cold water and came up coughing. "Lucy! Susan!"
"Peter! Lucy!" called another voice and Rebecca swam towards it. She quickly spotted Susan looking around at the choppy waves. "Lucy!" she called again. Rebecca swam up beside her, treading water.
"Susan!" she called, and Susan twisted around in the water with a panic. At the sight of Rebecca however she relaxed.
"Oh, Rebecca," Susan breathed a sigh of relief. "Have you seen the others?"
"No," said Rebecca, bobbing up and down in the water. "Let's head to the bank." They swam for the far side of the river, their initial destination since earlier that day. The girls climbed out of the water and lay on their stomachs in the snow, gasping for breath. After coughing up some river water, Rebecca turned to Susan.
"Susan, what happened?" she asked. Susan sat up and pulled her coat tightly around herself.
"The waterfall burst, that's what happened," said Susan. "I tried to hold onto Lucy but the river pulled her out of my grasp." Susan turned accusing eyes towards Rebecca. "If you hadn't tried to attack that wolf maybe Peter would have made up his mind and taken us home." Rebecca forced herself to sit further up on the bank.
"What do you mean?" asked Rebecca angrily. "Peter didn't know what to do. It was you who was trying to force Peter to make up his mind! How could you listen to the leader of the Witch's Secret Police when the Witch is holding Joy and Edmund prisoner?"
"It was logical, and the safe way to get out of here," said Susan.
"What about faith in Aslan? What about doing what's right?" asked Rebecca. Susan looked away from her and further down the bank. Her frustrated and somewhat guilty expression quickly changed into relief and joy.
"Peter!" she called and got to her feet. Rebecca looked over and saw Peter climbing out of the river. She got to her feet as well and the two girls rushed over to him. When they reached him, Rebecca noticed the Beavers climbing onto the bank. Susan helped Peter up while Mr. Beaver shook his fur and said "Fluffy." Peter quickly hugged Susan tightly, and his eyes sought out Rebecca as Susan stepped back. Peter then looked around.
"Where's Lucy?" he asked, the colour draining from his face. Rebecca went pale with fear and quickly scanned the river.
"Lucy!" called Susan hoarsely, throat raw with river water. "Lucy!" she called again.
"Lucy!" shouted Rebecca. Peter looked too scared to say a word.
"I'm over here!" came Lucy's voice behind them. Everyone whirled around. Lucy was walking slowly towards them, soaked to the skin, trying to pull her dripping sweater around her. It looked like she had lost her coat in the river. The three older children breathed an enormous sigh of relief.
"Don't you worry dear," said Mr. Beaver "your brother's got you well looked after." Peter took off his coat and wrapped it around Lucy's shoulders, trying to do the buttons up with his shaking hands.
"You had us all incredibly worried Lucy," said Peter. Susan wrapped an arm around Lucy's shoulders and held her close. Rebecca smiled at the three, and wished Joy was with her now. As if he had read her mind, Peter looked up at her from where he knelt before Lucy. "Why did you charge at that wolf?" he asked. Susan and Lucy turned questioning faces to Rebecca, who looked around at all the faces.
"The leader of the wolf pack never mentioned Joy," said Rebecca. "He said, 'Leave now while you can and your brother leaves with you.' I needed to know what happened to her, and that wolf lurking behind the leader knew what I was thinking. I was so worried and so angry that I charged and," she stopped, looking at the sword hanging by her side.
"By killing him, you'll never find out what happened to her," said Susan. Rebecca looked angrily at her.
"I will defend Joy at the risk of my own life," she argued. "I charged at the leader and instead that wolf pounced on me. I had to defend myself!"
"She's right Susan," said Peter gravely, and Rebecca was surprised that Peter was standing up for her, but she also wondered if he regretted not slaying the leader when he had the chance. "Let's just move on," he said, and sheathed his sword. Susan turned away quickly while Peter tried to warm Lucy's hands with his own.
"Children!" called Mrs. Beaver. "I don't think you'll be needing those coats anymore!" Grateful for the distraction from Peter's obvious love for his siblings, Rebecca looked at what Mrs. Beaver was pointing at.
A cherry tree, blooming with little brown buds and pale pink flowers which covered every branch. The children moved away from the riverbank and walked underneath the branches grinning, for it was the first sign of spring they had seen in that frozen land. Rebecca then remembered the compass and fished it out of her pocket. She was surprised to find that it still worked. It must be magic, she thought.
Using the compass, the group headed into the forest and yet this journey was very different from the one before they had crossed the river. On every tree branch they could see buds peeking out from under the snow. Birds were singing from the tops of the trees, filling the forest with song as the children walked by. Or they would wish the travellers a "Good day!" before flying off into the increasingly bluer sky. Smaller forest animals would look out from their burrows or nests as the group passed. The snowy patches under their feet grew smaller and smaller as the temperature rose, and the thick fur coats soon became a burden to the children.
Unfortunately, they had lost their sack of supplies at the waterfall which Rebecca knew was partially her fault, so the group had to forego dinner but munched on some fresh berries and apples. The children all agreed the fruits were some of the best things they had ever eaten, for they were so crisp and fresh it would make your mouth water in vain if I described them anymore to you. After walking for some time, three fur coats and three sweaters were left behind in the forest; thrown over fallen logs and hanging on low branches as the group headed towards Aslan's Camp.