It had almost been an hour before they got back and when they returned, it was not with pleasant news. Edmund had entered the White Witch's castle and her minions were now after the rest of the Pevensies.

"Hurry, Beaver. They'll be here soon. Kari! Help me pack."

"Yes, ma'am!" Kari scrambled around, looking for things they may need on the road beyond the necessities already being packed.

"Kari, no dear. Leave that to me. Just get your things!"

"Alright!" Kari ran to the cupboard next to the secret tunnel. "Mrs. Beaver! I can't find my pendant!"

"Beaver, help her!"

Mr. Beaver began rummaging around, helping Kari search.

"What are you looking for?"

Kari looked up for a second, seeing Peter standing there. "A medallion pendant engraved with a dragon."

He nodded and looked towards his sisters. "We'll help you look. Susan, Lucy?"

"Right. Come on, Lu, we've got to hurry."

They packed and searched the home, but before ten minutes had even passed, the White Witch's minions had reached them. Outside, there came howls and angered barking as they tried to find a way into the home.

"No... They're here! Hurry, Beavers! Hurry!"

Kari turned in flash as snow and twigs began falling from the ceiling. "They're digging their way in!"

"Found it! Kari. catch!"

She turned and caught her pendant, hanging it around her neck. "Thanks, Peter. Mr. Beaver, the tunnel!"

"Right. Everyone in! NOW!"

Kari pulled the hatch open and let the others in first. Once they were inside, she pulled the door shut and made sure it was completely closed.

"Kari, jump! I'll catch you!"

Kari nodded, then jumped off the ledge and landed in Peter's arms. "Thanks. Beaver, lead the way!"

When they reached the tunnel exit, they climbed up and into Badger's yard. Kari's foot got caught on the ledge as she climbed out of the tunnel and she slipped, but Peter grabbed her hand, pulling her back up.

"Thank you, Peter." She said, offering him a small smile. Then sensing something wrong, she turned to Mr. Beaver. "Beaver, are you ok?" She looked in the same direction as Mr. Beaver was and gasped. In front of them were little statues of animals. "No... She must've gotten here before they could clean up..."

Beaver placed his paw on Badger's arm. "He was my best mate."

Peter looked at Badger, then at the rest of the animals, turned to stone. "What happened here?"

"This is what becomes of those who cross the Witch."

Everyone turned at the sound of Fox's voice, but Mr. Beaver was none too happy to see him.

"You take one more step, traitor, and I'll chew you to splinters!"

Kari lunged forward grabbing Beaver before he could sink his buck teeth into Fox. "Beaver, no! You mustn't! It won't do anything to help Badger or Edmund!"

He continued to struggle and tried to break free.

"Relax. I'm one of the good guys."

Kari looked at Fox and knew Beaver had a problem trusting him.

"Yeah? Well, you look an awful lot like one of the bad ones."

Fox rolled his eyes. "An unfortunate family resemblance. But we can argue breeding later. Right now we've got to move."

Beaver relaxed, realizing that Fox was right. "You can let go of me, love."

Kari let him go and looked at Fox. "Is there any way we can rescue Edmund without any bloodshed, what so ever?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not. At least not until they become our Kings and Queens, and the White Witch has been defeated. Unfortunately, we can't exactly do that until Aslan has assembled all of our troops to strike back at the Witch."

Kari nodded and looked back at Peter and the others. "I'm afraid we can't get your brother back until..."

The barking came again, but it was getting closer and they were running out of time.

"They're coming! Quick Fox, we need a plan!"

He looked up at the trees, and Kari knew what he was thinking. "Alright, everyone into the trees, quick. Fox, you cover our tracks."

"Yes, milady. Now, hurry!"

As they climbed into the trees, Kari realized that the fox had called her "milady", but even as it confused her she had to remain focused on the task at hand.

"Kari! Come on!" Peter whispered in a hurried hush.

Kari reached up and grabbed Peter's outstretched hand. As he pulled her up onto the same branch as him- holding her close to him- the White Witch's minions came bursting out of the tunnel and surrounded Fox.

"Greetings, gents. Lost something, have we?"

The chief of the Secret Police, Maugrim, snarled. "Don't patronize me! I know where your allegiance lies. We're looking for some humans."

Fox laughed. "Humans? Here in Narnia? That's a bit of valuable information, don't you think?"

One of the wolves grabbed Fox in its jaws, biting down hard enough not to kill him. Lucy and Beaver gasped, and were silenced so they wouldn't give us away.

"Your reward is your life. It's not much... but still. Where are the fugitives?"

Fox looked up at the trees, trying to make it look like he was deciding whether or not to tell them, then back at Maugrim.

"North. They ran north."

Maugrim chuckled. "Smell them out."

The wolf holding Fox threw him onto the ground and ran to catch up with the other wolves. Kari and the others waited a few moments to be sure that they wolves were gone before they climbed back down the trees. Once they reached the ground, Kari and Peter gathered wood and started working on getting a fire going while Lucy helped Mrs. Beaver with fox. And finally, with the fire ablaze, Mrs. Beaver tended to Fox's wounds.

"Ow! Oh!"

Lucy looked at him, worried. "Are you alright?"

Fox looked at her and smiled. "Well, I wish I could say their bark was worse than their bite. Ow!"

Mrs. Beaver sighed. "Stop squirming! You're worse than Beaver on bath day!"

Beaver shivered, chilled by the memory. "Worse day of the year."

Fox got up and stretched. "Thank you for all your kindness, but that's all the cure I have time for."

They looked at him, puzzled.

"You're leaving?"

He nodded.

"It has been a pleasure, My Queen, and an honor, but time is short and Aslan himself has asked me to gather more troops."

Kari and the Beavers gasped, very much excited.

"You've seen Aslan?"

"What's he like?"

Fox smiled. "Like everything we've ever heard."

Kari looked at Peter and saw his tormented look. She reached up to put a hand on his shoulder. "You'll be glad to have him at your side in battle."

Peter looked at Fox, then at Kari. "We just want our brother back."

Kari smiled weakly at him, trying to give him some comfort. "We'll get your brother back, I promise."

He smiled back, then they all took a sip of Mrs. Beaver's sleep tonic and slept through the night. When morning came, they ate a quick breakfast and set off for Aslan's camp, hoping they could make it without any further delay. It wasn't just Edmund's life that was at stake.