Chapter Eleven
Rebecca grasped the hilt of her sword as she took her place beside Joy. She was surprised to see the Witch's crier was a dwarf, walking down the main path towards Aslan's tent. He was shouting the Witch's royal claims to the throne of Narnia but nobody was listening to him, for their attention was on the sight behind him. The Witch followed the dwarf, carried on a litter by four Cyclopses, and a minotaur walked at her right hand. Rebecca saw remnants of icicles sticking out of the top of her head which she assumed used to be the Witch's crown, and to everyone's relief she carried no wand. Rebecca glanced over at Joy and saw a nervous look on her face. She quickly let go of her sword hilt and wrapped her arm around Joy's shoulders. Joy leaned against her body while Rebecca studied the scratches and bruises on Joy's face and met the Witch's curious gaze with a chilly glare. Nearby, Aslan stood before his tent with an expression Rebecca found hard to understand.
The Cyclopses set the litter down and the Witch stood up with a dramatic flourish. She stared coldly at Rebecca, then looked briefly at Joy and turned her gaze to Edmund. Rebecca saw that he looked scared, and he glanced over at Joy quickly and the shameful look returned to his face. The Witch walked forward, still staring at Edmund who then nervously met her eyes. "You have a traitor in your midst Aslan," said the Witch. Murmurs broke out throughout the crowd and Edmund looked anxiously at his siblings, who looked at him with worry.
"His offense was not against you," said Aslan calmly. Rebecca saw Joy look anxiously at Edmund out of the corner of her eye. She squeezed Joy's shoulders and Joy looked forward again.
"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?" asked the Witch, and Aslan growled, cutting off her words.
"Do not cite the Deep Magic to me Witch," he said, and all the Narnians stared at Aslan. "I was there when it was written," he said in a low voice. Rebecca felt a sudden and overwhelming urge to learn everything she could about this mysterious and majestic lion, and she eased her grip on Joy. The Witch however did not seem to feel the same reverence and gave the lion a haughty look.
"Then you remember well that every traitor belongs to me," she said victoriously. Rebecca shook her head and feared the Witch would threaten to take Joy as well. "His blood is my property," said the Witch as she looked over at Rebecca and Joy "along with his friend, the girl." She looked back towards Aslan. "Anyone who comes to me willingly must pay the price, you know that Aslan," she challenged him. Peter and Rebecca drew their swords.
"Try and take them then," said Peter. Rebecca came up alongside him, glaring at the Witch. She would not let her sister go without a fight, no matter the consequences. The towering minotaur beside the Witch was instantly on alert, ready to defend the Witch. The Witch merely stared at the pair, not phased by the threat.
"Do you really think that mere force will deny me my right," taunted the Witch, and Rebecca noticed Peter's bravado had started to crumble "little King?" That remark made Rebecca tighten her grip on her sword and she made no move to stand down and let the Witch win this one. "Back down little girl," said the Witch, and Rebecca fumed. Beside her, Peter stepped back and lowered his sword after shaking his head at her. There was no point in attacking right now.
"Aslan knows," continued the Witch "that unless I have blood as the law demands," she turned sharply around to face the Narnians "all of Narnia will be overturned and perish, in fire and water." She wheeled around and pointed straight at Edmund. "That boy, will die on the Stone Table." The Narnians broke out talking. All the children looked panic-stricken at Edmund, who looked helplessly at them. What could they do against this Deep Magic? "As is tradition," finished the Witch. She lowered her hand and looked back towards Aslan. "You dare not refuse me," said the Witch in a threatening tone.
"You can't take my brother!" shouted Lucy, and Susan held her back by gripping her arms. Joy and Edmund looked nervously at one another and said nothing.
"Enough!" called Aslan, and the Narnians fell silent. Rebecca stared at the Great Lion, wondering what he would do. "I shall talk to you alone," he said. The Lion turned and went inside his tent, and the Witch followed with her head held high.
Once the train of her long skirt disappeared behind the tent flap, everyone waited anxiously to see what would happen. No one knew what to do, as talking and making idle chatter seemed rude but at the same time, trying to listen to what was going on inside the tent was also rude. A cold breeze blew in the children's faces as they sat down on the grass. Lucy, Joy and Edmund picked at the grass, pulling up clumps of it then picking it apart, not knowing what to say.
Rebecca knew in her heart that Aslan was good, but if the Deep Magic was so powerful, what could he do? Susan sat up on a boulder, braiding grass together to make something though the object was still unclear. Peter kept on looking at the tent, then at Edmund, who was looking more and more worried as the minutes ticked by. Seated beside Joy, Rebecca pulled her compass out of her skirt pocket. As she stared at it, the arrow turned away from her and Rebecca realized it was pointed behind her and off to the left. She looked in that direction and saw Aslan's tent. Her eyes clashed with Joy's and Rebecca remembered she hadn't told Joy about the magical compass yet, but she would have to soon. She turned her attention back towards the tent and Peter must have seen her staring for he looked over his shoulder too.
The tent flaps fluttered. He and Rebecca quickly got to their feet, followed by the others. The Witch stepped out. All the Narnians who had sat down on the grass quickly got to their feet as well. Some dwarves nearby backed away from the Witch as she descended the rocky steps and headed towards her litter. She paused, staring first at Edmund and then Joy with a slight smirk, like she knew something they didn't, then continued onward.
Rebecca noticed Aslan was out now and stared at him. His head was down, like it was very heavy. The wise look in his eyes was now one of sadness, and strangely Rebecca's heart broke for the sorrowful sight but she could not place the feeling. As quickly as the sadness appeared, it vanished as the Great Lion raised his head. "She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam and the Daughter of Eve's blood," he announced. The tension around the children broke. Rebecca hugged Joy as cheers erupted around them and Peter quickly grabbed Edmund by the shoulder while Susan wrapped him a hug.
"But how do I know your promise will be kept?" asked the Witch.
What promise? thought Rebecca. Aslan roared loudly, looking very fierce, and the Witch quickly sat down on her litter. The Narnians cheered and laughed all around them. Lucy hugged Edmund tightly, who picked her up and set her down, grinning the whole time. Susan and Peter hugged each other and went around hugging the others too. A Talking Dog was leaping with happiness by Rebecca's feet when she looked up and noticed Aslan wasn't celebrating. Rather, he was hanging his head again and looking very sad. He looked up, saw Rebecca staring, and went inside the tent. She looked away and saw Lucy staring. She must have seen it too.
Joy suddenly ensnared her in a hug from behind. "Oh, Rebecca! Now everything will be alright." She let go and Rebecca quickly spun around to face her. "Aslan and Peter will lead us into battle and we shall take Narnia back from the Witch." Rebecca smiled at her sister's happy face, but she sensed something wasn't right. What was the promise Aslan gave to the Witch? Rebecca looked away from the tent and watched as Joy weaved through the crowd. Joy found Edmund talking with some dwarves and threw her arms around him in a quick hug.
"I'm glad you're safe Ed," she said in a not so quiet voice after she let him go. He spun around looking rather surprised and Joy shrugged. But he grinned, and all that worry and shame seemed to have melted away, as if it was never there. Rebecca smiled at the two before becoming engulfed in a hug from Peter and Susan on either side of her.
Once the Witch left the camp, the sun came out again and the temperature grew warmer. The spirit of the Narnian camp grew brighter as the afternoon wore on. Everyone was talking about the victory they would have over the Witch now that they had Aslan and the Kings and Queens to lead them. Most of the Narnians, including Oreius, were treating Rebecca and Joy with more respect, as a result of everyone being in a good mood.
The children spent the rest of the afternoon training and practicing, and Oreius privately apologized for sending Rebecca away earlier that day. Rebecca accepted his apology and sparred back and forth between Edmund and Peter throughout the training session. Peter refused to talk about the upcoming battle, and Rebecca chose that sparring with Peter using her sword was better than sparring with words. Also, it seemed better not to talk about what nearly happened at the training area earlier that day, which gave Rebecca great relief for she didn't know what to say if Peter brought up the subject.
At dinner that evening, Aslan did not appear and Rebecca saw one of the leopards carrying a silver tray and heading in the direction of Aslan's tent. Rebecca and Lucy made eye contact before turning their attention back to their meal. No one said much, and an oppressive mood seemed to sit on everyone's shoulders. Rebecca guessed Aslan's absence was affecting everyone.
Once darkness fell, the children headed back to their tents for the night. Rebecca had just closed the tent flap and looped the sword belt over the bedpost when Joy asked her a question. "Rebecca, where did you get that compass? The one that doesn't work?" she asked, and Rebecca fished it out of her pocket.
"This compass?" she held it up for Joy to see and Joy nodded. "Father Christmas gave it to me along with the sword, and it does work." She gave Joy a sharp look for emphasis, and Joy looked back at the compass. "It's a magic compass Joy, it does not point North," explained Rebecca as she sat down on the bed "it points towards Aslan. Either Aslan himself, or what Aslan wants me to do." She smiled at the compass as she quoted Father Christmas' words. Joy looked up at her with a curious expression and held out her hand.
"May I see it?" she asked. Rebecca hesitated, then carefully placed it in Joy's open palm and wrapped the chain around her fingers. Joy held it close to her face, studying it. "This is really interesting," she said "did you notice the details etched into the silver? It shows two girls, one on either side of the compass. One carries a sword, the other a bow and quiver full of arrows." Joy turned it over in her hands. "And there's strange letters and words carved all over the back of the compass." Rebecca stepped closer and noticed the fine details.
"Hm, that's very strange," said Rebecca. "I never noticed those details before," she shook her head "nor did I see them. How could I have missed them before now?" Joy shrugged.
"Maybe they just appeared right now," she said, and Rebecca shook her head.
"That's impossible, how do carved details magically appear?" asked Rebecca. Joy looked up at her with a glint in her eyes.
"It's a magical compass, could that have something to do with it?" she asked, and Rebecca gasped.
"Joy, I think you've hit it!" she exclaimed. "I may be not all that observant but I certainly would have seen those carvings before." Joy shrugged and handed back the compass.
"Let's go ask Aslan in the morning, maybe he'll know what the strange lettering means," said Joy, and Rebecca nodded.
"Yes, and I feel like we should ask him why we are here in Narnia," said Rebecca. "If the prophecy only calls for the Pevensies, why are we here?" She placed the compass on a corner of the washstand and sat down on the bed. "Joy, did you notice Aslan this afternoon? Did he seem," she paused, trying to think of the right word "different to you?" Joy shrugged, with a tired look in her eyes and she was still staring at the compass.
"I haven't seen him since the meeting with the Witch," she said, then smiled "I'm glad he put her in her place." Rebecca smiled too; it was nice to see the Witch get scared after terrifying her sister in the dungeon cell.
"Yes, me too and I think you should thank Aslan next time you see him," said Rebecca.
"Yes, Rebecca," said Joy, and Rebecca crawled underneath the soft Narnian blanket after taking her shoes off and pulled the covers up to her chin. Doubtful thoughts crowded her mind and Rebecca looked in the direction of Joy's bed.
"Joy? Do you think we have a reason for being here?" she asked. "Most of the Narnians seem to think we are outsiders while they love the Pevensies. I can't figure it out," she said. She heard the blanket rustle and Joy's voice followed saying "Mr. Fox said that no human comes to Narnia without a reason, so maybe we are supposed to be here for something," said Joy. Rebecca sighed.
"I wish I knew," she whispered, "let's just go to sleep," and Rebecca pulled the blanket over her head.
Joy heard the blankets rustle from her place across the tent and after a few minutes slowly got to her feet. She slid out of bed, tied on her shoes, and tiptoed to the flap. She had noticed when she took the compass from Rebecca that the arrow pointed in a different direction in her hands than in Rebecca's and she wanted to see what was out there. She froze as she stepped outside, for she thought she heard voices coming from the boy's tent, and she held her breath in the shadow of the tent. Once the racket subsided, Joy made her way around the tent and headed off in the direction of the arrow.
Torches and bonfires were lit all throughout the camp. Some sentries stood guard over them, keeping a sharp look out for intruders. One or two of them looked her way, but Joy didn't stop. Weaving around the fires, she followed the arrow's direction out to the edge of camp. Beyond the last fire, she spotted a golden lion headed towards the woods.
Aslan. Then she noticed that Lucy and Susan were following him! The three disappeared into the trees and Joy crept forward. As she approached the fringe of the forest, someone behind her said "Joy?" She gasped and spun around. Edmund was standing several feet away, and his face wasn't visible because of the bonfire flickering in the distance behind him so Joy couldn't see his expression.
"Edmund?" asked Joy. She was shocked to see him out at this time. "What are you doing out here?" She moved closer to the fire to get warm.
"I saw you leaving your tent," said Edmund. "I was going out for some food when I saw you and wondered where you were headed. What are you doing out here?" Joy had hoped he wouldn't ask; how could she explain she was following a hunch created by a magical compass? After a pause he said, "I think this conversation sounds familiar."
"Oh, yes," said Joy and she smirked at the memory. "When I caught you…" her voice trailed, and she didn't finish the sentence. Edmund's face fell and she decided not to bring it up again.
"What are you doing out here in the dark?" asked Edmund.
"I," She started pointing towards the woods and dropped her hand. "I don't know," she finally said. Edmund frowned, and Joy knew he did not believe her. She shrugged and walked towards the camp.
A familiar growl came from the trees behind her and Joy turned around to see two sets of glowing yellow eyes. "Edmund!" she screamed. The two wolves charged and Edmund leapt in front of her as she stumbled backwards. He slashed his sword left and right, and Joy regretted she had left her bow and arrows in the tent and threw rocks at the wolves to keep them distracted.
"Give us the girl and we will let you live Son of Adam!" snarled one of the wolves.
"Leave Joy alone!" shouted Edmund. A wolf charged towards her and Joy hit it between the eyes with a rock. The wolf turned away, looking dizzy and started running towards the woods. The other wolf, whom Edmund had been fighting, slowly limped after it for Edmund had severed its right hind leg. Joy looked at Edmund as he put the sword back into its sheath.
"Thank you, Edmund," she said, grateful for the way he quickly rose to her defense. She smiled. "For this, you are my new best friend," she said in a proper tone, hoping to make him smile. But Edmund merely nodded, looking very serious.
"Come on, let's get back to the tents," he said, and Joy nodded. They walked in awkward silence for a few minutes, and Joy couldn't think of anything to say. She wondered what the wolves had wanted with her, and a trickle of fear ran through her veins. She then remembered what Peter said earlier that day about Edmund being almost killed and she dredged up a question.
"What happened after you left the dungeon?" she asked. When he didn't respond Joy said "Sorry, I was only curious."
"We went after my siblings," said Edmund in a low, tired voice. "We took her sleigh through the woods but never got to the Beaver's dam. When we tried to find a way to cross the river, her wolves brought a fox to the Witch and said he was gathering her enemies in the woods. She turned him to stone," Joy gasped "and when I tried to stop her, she slapped me." He rubbed the bruises on his face. "She froze a section of the river with her wand for us to cross, and then set up camp on this side of the river." He paused, like the story was about to get worse. Joy didn't doubt it but she wanted to hear the next part.
"What happened?" she prompted him.
"She ordered Ginarrbrik," said Edmund and Joy cocked her head in confusion "the dwarf," he said to clarify "to kill me. If Aslan's soldiers hadn't come in time," he did not finish the sentence and Joy nodded, understanding what he was going to say.
"I, I don't know what to say," she said softly. "Except that I'm sorry for what happened. And, I'm glad Aslan's soldiers came when they did."
"It's alright," he said, and shook his head "it's not your fault." The firelight flickered across his face, and Joy could see the regret in his face. "It's mine."
"Edmund," Joy stopped walking and Edmund turned around to face her "Aslan talked to the Witch, so we have nothing to worry about! And in the battle, we will defeat her," said Joy. She instinctively reached for the strap attached to her quiver only to remember she had left it back in the tent and dropped her hand to her side.
"I hope so," said Edmund, his tone doubtful "you weren't at the Witch's camp, you haven't seen her magic powers. The hundred years winter is the mere surface of her powers." He looked up at her and Joy's stomach sank. He must have seen the look on her face for he said "But I believe in Aslan, and I believe in Peter. He will make a good King."
"So will you!" reminded Joy. Edmund shrugged at that.
"I wonder what those wolves were doing here," he said, "and what they wanted with you." He looked over at her with worry.
"I don't know," she said, shaking her head. The Witch's words came back to her and Joy gasped. "That's it! The Witch wants me." She stopped walked and looked at Edmund. "Remember what she said about your blood being her property? She said that I rightfully belong to her too!" Edmund's eyes went wide with realization.
"Of course," he said, "she said that anyone who came to her willingly must pay the price." He shook his head. "Once again, its my fault." Joy frowned.
"Edmund, Aslan made the Witch renounce her claim on your blood! This one is my fault," she said, "and if it wasn't for my silly pride, I wouldn't be in this mess." She said, "Thank you again for stopping the wolves." The pair came around the corner to the humans' three tents. She stopped by her tent and turned around to look at Edmund. "I'm sure you'll be a wonderful King," she said.
"Thanks Joy," said Edmund and Joy was surprised she was smiling at him. How had she gone from extremely disliking him to becoming his friend? "Goodnight Joy," said Edmund, and he walked away.
"Goodnight Edmund!" called Joy softly back and she went inside her tent. Rebecca was fast asleep, and Joy had no trouble climbing back into bed and didn't bothering to take off her shoes. By now, she had forgotten completely about Aslan and where he was going, but by now she was too tired to think about it. She quickly dozed off, and her dreams were filled with arrows, Aslan's voice, and the Witch's wand. As the Witch raised her wand over Joy's head, a loud voice shouting "Joy!" made the Witch dissolve into thin air.
"Joy! Rebecca!" called the same voice. Joy sat up and based on the lack of light coming from under the tent flap, Joy knew it was still dark outside. Rebecca bolted up, threw her covers aside and scrambled for her shoes. Peter and Edmund thrust the tent flap open and ran inside, swords drawn.
"What is it?" asked Rebecca as she tried to smooth her hair and put her shoes on at the same time and failed at both.
"Aslan is gone, he's dead." said Peter, looking back and forth between the two sisters.
"No, he can't be!" exclaimed Rebecca and Joy felt her face grow pale. "He was just in his tent last night. Joy and I," she stopped, and Joy shook her head. There was no point in discussing the details on the compass when Aslan no longer lived to explain them.
"He was killed by the Witch at the Stone Table," said Peter and Joy gasped, remembered what happened before the wolf attack last night.
"I saw him leaving the camp last night!" she exclaimed as she leapt out of bed, and Edmund looked sharply at her.
"When?" he asked.
"Before you found me," said Joy "I saw Aslan heading into the woods, and Lucy and Susan were following him."
"What were you doing out there last night?" asked Rebecca.
"I followed the compass," said Joy, looking around the group "the arrow was pointed towards the woods and so I followed it. That's where I saw Aslan along with Lucy and Susan, but I ran into Edmund and I never ended up following him," said Joy, choosing to leave out the wolf attack. As she finished talking, Peter spotted the compass lying on the washstand and picked it up. The children pressed in around him, and Peter positioned it so the light coming from the tent flap shone down on the arrow. It was spinning around and around, and Joy quickly looked away for fear of getting dizzy. She looked at Edmund, who looked slightly sick as well.
"Come on," said Peter as he handed the compass back to Rebecca. "Let's go to Aslan's tent." The children filed out of the tent and walked towards the centre of the camp. Most of the Narnians were awake by now, quietly milling about the camp finishing off weapons and armour and stoking the fires for the forges. Many stopped and stared at Peter, as if they were seeing him in a new light. In front of her, Rebecca slipped her hand into Peter's as they walked and Joy tried not to roll her eyes. A flapping of wings made her look up and she saw a gryphon fly overhead and land among the Narnians ahead of them.
The children grouped around the map in front of the tent. Joy half expected the Great Lion to appear, and then the world would be made right again. But he did not appear, even after Peter looked inside the tent and Joy felt a sadness grow deep inside her heart. It was at that moment when she remembered Peter's sisters. "Where are Lucy and Susan?" she asked.
"They are at the Stone Table," said Peter, looking down at the map. "They sent the news by dryads and they will stay at the Table until the battle is over." He rested his fists on the map stand. "The problem is what are we going to do?" He stared defeatedly at the map with Edmund on his right, Rebecca and Joy on his left, and Oreius stood on the other side of the map. Edmund looked over at Joy, who gave him a slight nod, and then back at Peter.
"Peter, you'll have to lead us," said Edmund. Peter didn't look up from the map or respond, he continued to study the landmarks and pins. "Look," continued Edmund, "there's an army out there," he gestured to the surrounding camp "and its ready to follow you." Rebecca and Joy nodded in agreement.
"I can't!" protested Peter.
"Peter," started Rebecca when Edmund interrupted her.
"Aslan believed you could," Edmund paused "and so do I." Peter slowly looked up and smiled at Edmund, who gave him a small smile back. Rebecca grabbed one of Peter's hands.
"So do I, Peter," she said with determination.
"Me too!" piped up Joy. Peter looked gratefully around the group with a thankful smile, for no words needed to explain how he felt. Then, Oreius cleared his throat.
"The Witch's army is nearing Sire," he said, "what are your orders?" Peter looked down at the map again, and resolve found its way into his expression. When he looked up, Joy thought he had transformed right before their eyes into the King they all knew he was.
"I need a gryphon," said Peter. Oreius nodded at Peter and galloped away. Peter then turned to Rebecca. "Rebecca, are you sure you still want to fight in the battle?"
"Yes Peter," said Rebecca, raising her chin "I still want to fight for Narnia." Peter nodded but didn't seem happy with her answer.
"Alright," he said "you, Edmund and I will head to the armoury after this meeting." He looked at Joy. "How have you been progressing with archery?"
"Ember said I was doing just fine," said Joy, and excitement crept into her heart "am I going to fight in the battle?" she asked excitedly.
"You will be up with the archers and stay there the whole time," said Peter and he looked at Edmund "same with you Ed, but you will only join in the fighting if its absolutely necessary." Joy and Edmund nodded. "You will need to come to the armoury with us Joy," and Peter then turned back to the map. Oreius came running back, and a gryphon named Coron landed at his side.
"You asked for me Sire?" he asked.
"I want you to take a message to the Witch," said Peter "tell her to meet us for battle at this large field here," he pointed at the map "past the Great River. We will be set up at the Eastern side of the valley." The gryphon nodded and took off. Peter studied the field and worked out the plans for the charge, and how to delay the advance of the Witch's soldiers. He said they needed every opportunity to take down as many of the Witch's soldiers before the two sides met in combat
After putting Oreius in charge of the soldiers, the children headed to the armoury. Edmund, Peter and Rebecca were outfitted with suits of armour that had the Narnian crest on the front. Peter and Rebecca received helmets with visors as they would be in the charge. Joy's armour differed greatly; she received a chainmail shirt with a thick leather shirt underneath and boots to replace her shoes. It was clear that even though she would be out of the fighting, Peter still wanted her to be well protected. Before Rebecca stepped into the suit of armour, she asked Jamila to wrap her ankle as tightly as possible so she would be able to move freely in battle, and Joy chose to say nothing about it. With any luck, Rebecca would stay on Flamewing's back throughout the battle.
The children then went back to Aslan's tent and ran over the last few details as most of the Narnians got ready to leave the camp. The sun was starting to peek over the sea now, lighting up the valley filled with tents. The children mounted their specified horses, this time both Joy and Edmund rode Philip, and the entire army set out for the battlefield, leaving the camp as it was for they hoped to return to it after the battle.
Rebecca rode Flamewing alongside Peter, who was again riding the unicorn bareback, and Oreius rode on Peter's left. The three talked the whole way to the battlefield, and Joy assumed they were running over the battle plans again. Joy and Edmund rode on Philip in the back with the archers.
"Edmund," said Joy "are you scared?" She was clinging to his sword belt so she wouldn't fall off Philip's back, as she wasn't seated in the saddle but behind it.
"Not yet," said Edmund. He sounded like he was trying to be brave. "Are you?" he asked, and Joy swallowed hard.
"Terrified, I feel like I'm going to be sick," said Joy. Edmund looked sharply back at her.
"Well, don't be sick on my armour please," said Edmund and Joy grimaced.
"I'll try not to," she said and Edmund did not say another word. As they rode on, Joy blew a few loose strands of hair out of her face and looked around at the woods as they rode towards the field. After crossing a ford in the Great River, the plan was for the soldiers to split up. Ember would lead the archers up to the overlooking cliff, and Peter would lead the soldiers to the battlefield. Peter and Rebecca rode back to the archers and said good luck to their siblings.
"Good luck Joy," said Rebecca, and she hugged both Edmund and Joy tightly, then turned Flamewing back towards the front of the line. Peter shook both their hands with his metal-covered hand, since the leather-covered one was holding his shield. Joy noticed that both looked nervous as they rode back to the front of the line.
"Archers! Move forward!" shouted Ember. The archers moved off to the left, and further into the woods. Joy looked back at the line up of soldiers and gripped Edmund's sword belt in a panic. Without the archers in the line, the army now looked a lot smaller. She looked over at Edmund and saw that he looked very worried, and Joy remembered how Edmund had been at the Witch's camp.
"Edmund?" she asked but Edmund shook his head and Joy chose to not say anything. Suddenly, they broke out of the forest and started climbing up a steeply sloping hill. Joy quietly gasped at the size of it, for it seemed to be going straight up into the sky. All the gryphons they had brought along took their places all over the hill, looking around for large rocks. The line of archers reached the top and Philip was panting, completely out of breath. Joy quickly let go of Edmund's belt and slid off Philip's back, and Edmund followed her.
"Thank you, Philip," said Joy as she patted his neck "you are one of the greatest Talking Horses in my book." Philip nodded, too out of breath to speak. Joy took a flask of water and gave Philip a drink to help him catch his breath.
All around her, the centaurs and dwarves were setting up their arrows and equipment, including the Phoenix arrow which was something Joy had never heard of. It was a special kind of arrow which was lit on fire and would turn into a Phoenix and then flames. A torch was set up in a wire basket nearby, already lit, so it would be ready when the moment came in the battle. Joy put down the flask of water and ran to the edge of the cliff as she set an arrow on the string. Edmund ran up beside her. "Joy," he said, "the Witch's army isn't here yet." Joy took a deep breath and slowly relaxed the bowstring.
"You're right Ed," she said, and she put the arrow back into the quiver. She turned to face him. "Edmund, aren't you scared yet?" He became distracted and looked at the opposite side of the valley and Joy watched as his eyes widened. She quickly turned around and looked in that direction. She saw that the gryphon who had brought Peter's message to the Witch was flying across the field towards them, screeching as he flew. Beyond him and on the ground, Joy saw something gray and black and covering a vast amount of ground that was moving slowly towards them. With a cold shock she realized it was the Witch's army.
"Yes, I'm scared Joy," answered Edmund. Mr. Beaver ran up beside Joy and the archers quickly got into position along the cliff's edge. Joy grabbed her arrow out the quiver and set it back on the string.
"This is it Edmund" she said, and they braced themselves for the battle to come.