Kari and the others finally reached the ford at Beruna, but what they found was not what they were expecting. Telmarines everywhere, chopping down the trees they had once called friends- building a bridge across the ford.
They circled back and made their way back to the ravine at the river Rush.
"So, where exactly did you think you saw Aslan?" Peter asked.
Lucy turned to glare at him a bit. "I wish you would all stop trying to act like you're grown-ups. I don't think I saw him. I did see him."
"I am a grown-up." Trumpkin muttered as Lucy went towards the edge of the ravine.
"It was right over..." Lucy looked around the edge, but she screamed when the ground beneath her collapsed.
"Lucy!"
Everyone rushed forward, thinking the worst only to find Lucy sitting down where she had landed a few feet below.
She looked up at them and said, "...here!"
Kari and the others looked where she had fallen, seeing a pathway of sorts leading down into the ravine to the river. They followed after Lucy as she took the lead and led them down the pathway, to the river and across to the other side. They continued to press onward, going as far as they could before night fell and once it had, they made camp- gathering around a fire to eat and rest while they could.
When the earliest morning light began to creep in through the trees, Kari had woken from a fairly restless slumber and went to scout the woods. Not long after, Lucy woke to a soft growl in the distance and thinking it to be Aslan, she hurried off to investigate alone. And shortly after that, the others woke to the sound of swords clashing in the distance and found that Kari, Peter, and Lucy were missing. They scrambled to gather their weapons and hurry to find them, hoping that they were alright. When they found them, they also found a large group of Narnians gathered and a young Telmarine with Peter's sword in hand- pointed at Peter.
"Peter!"
"High King Peter." the Telmarine said, putting two and two together.
Peter nodded. "I believe you called."
"Well, yes, but I thought you'd be older."
"If you'd like, we can come back in a few years." Peter said, beginning to turn away.
"No. No, that's alright." the Telmarine said. "You're just... You're not exactly what I expected." He looked around at the Pevensies.
"Neither are you." Edmund added, looking around at the Narnians- seeing amongst them some old enemies.
"A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes." said a badger.
A rather large mouse bounded his way forward and stood up. "We have anxiously awaited your return, my liege." he said, looking to Peter. "Our hearts and swords are at your service."
"Oh, my gosh, he is so cute." Lucy muttered, leaning in towards Susan and Kari.
The mouse drew his sword and looked around, waving his sword at each person. "Who said that?" he demanded.
"Sorry." Lucy said, apologizing in defeat.
"Oh, uh..." the mouse lowered his sword and bowed to her. "Your Majesty, with the greatest respect, I do believe 'courageous', 'courteous' or 'chivalrous' would better befit a knight of Narnia."
"Well, at least we know some of you can handle a blade." Peter said.
"Yes, indeed. And I have recently put it to good use, securing weapons for your army, sire."
"Good. Because we're going to need every sword we can get." Peter said, turning to look from the mouse to the Telmarine.
"Then you will probably be wanting yours back." the Telmarine said, handing Peter back his sword.
As Peter sheathed his sword, he looked up as Kari stepped through the gathered Narnians. "There you are!"
Kari hurried down the hill. "I was just scouting the area around our camp when I heard fighting." She rushed to Peter, throwing her arms around him in relief. "I was worried the Telmarines got to you."
"Oi, what's another Telmarine doing here?" someone shouted.
Kari stepped back and looked around, seeing amongst the Narnians gathered some familiar enemies. "Peter, what's going on?"
"This is what's left of our people." Peter said, looking down at her.
"I don't believe me eyes..!"
Peter and Kari looked down as the badger approached them. Kari's eyes widened in recognition.
"Trufflehunter?"
"Kari, my dear girl!"
Kari knelt and hugged the badger. "It's been a long time, old friend."
Trufflehunter stepped back. "It's been eight years, dear girl. Let me have a good look at you!" He looked her over as she stood. "You have grown to be quite the beautiful young woman. Your mother and father would be proud."
Kari's smile faded a bit at that. "Trumpkin told me they passed."
Trufflehunter sighed. "Yes, not long after you disappeared." He looked up at her, reaching for her hand and patting it comfortingly. "They never stopped looking for you, dear girl, never once gave up hope."
"I didn't mean to leave them... I didn't mean to leave you..."
"It's alright, dear girl." Trufflehunter offered her a smile. "What matters is that you are alive and well." He noticed the look that the other Telmarine had on his face. "Are you alright, Caspian?"
Kari looked from the badger to the other Telmarine. "Caspian?"
Caspian stepped forward, looking Kari over. "It can't be..." He met her gaze, seeing familiar blue eyes.
Kari looked him over as well, a sense of familiarity rising from his energy.
"It is you... isn't it?" Caspian asked, reaching up to touch her cheek.
Kari's eyes widened and she smiled, tears welling. "It's me, Caspian." she said nodding. "All grown up."
Caspian threw his arms around her, holding her close. "I thought I'd never see you again..!"
Those gathered watched as Kari and Caspian embraced, many of them a bit confused.
"Kari, you know him?" Peter asked when they stepped back.
Kari nodded. "Peter, this is Caspian X, prince of Telmar." She smiled back at Caspian. "And my older brother."