The Phoenix, The Sword, and the Tunnel
By: bigo4190
Disclaimer: I do not own this. All the differing events and other changes are mine, but the original ideas belong to J.K. Rowling and C.S. Lewis
Speaking: "Blah"
Thinking: 'Blah'
Original Book Scene Quoted: Blah
Chapter 4
It had been nearly two months since Harry and Ginny had entered the mountains, and so roughly 3 since they had entered this strange world that they knew nothing about. They noticed that, thought they were no higher nor any further north than they had been a few months before, that the days had become increasingly cold, and the air held the distinct shill of winter in the last few days. Then, one day, they crossed to where they could see past the next mountain and beheld a castle.
"Well, there we have it, civilization once more. Though, I must say the ice makes the place look rather…uninviting; wouldn't you say Harry?"
"Once again, I am stunned by your skill at understatement, Ginny. If that castle were anymore uninviting, I would be tempted to believe the Dursley's had designed it." Yes, after the many months that they had traveled, Harry had told Ginny about his guardians. "It almost feels like that that castle is part of the reason why it's been so cold lately; or at least, is tied to it."
"What are you thinking Harry—evil witch that has cursed the land to suffer winter so long as she rules, and that is her castle."
"Sounds crazy, I know; but something like that Ginny. Lets get a little closer. This is probably another step on the journey that Fawkes sent us on; it is right in the path we've followed to get here.
Inside the castle, a quite unexpected thing was occurring. Two girls, one 8 years old the other 12, dashed about to the various statues; while on its own this is not too surprising, the lion that followed them, breathing life into the statues was. For this was the palace of Jadis, the White Witch, the one who called herself Queen of Narnia, Chatelaine of Cair Paravel, Empress of the Lone Islands, and whose only true title was the Former Empress of Charn. And very soon, all the statues had revealed themselves as captured creatures, turned to stone by the Witch's evil magic.
The two young magicians approached the castle cautiously, and their reticence only increased as the drew closer, for not only was the castle appearance all the more intimidating up close, but the raucous din that now came from inside the walls of the courtyard—where only silence had been audible mere minutes earlier—made them uneasy. Suddenly, there was a great noise, and the gates came crashing down from the inside. The two were instantly alert when faced by what could only be a giant. But, they were confused when Rumblebuffin, for that was the giant's name, stepped aside and a great lion, with the two young girls from earlier, stepped forward to meet them.
The lion stared at them for a few moments, and then with an almost chiding expression upon his face, spoke to them. "You are late." The two stared at them, wondering how the lion could talk, and why he was expecting them. Seeing this, the lion signaled the two on his back off, before suddenly transforming into Fawkes and back. Now even his companions were speechless.
Finally, Harry gathered his wits…mostly: "F-Fawkes?"
"I am called by that name, young Harry. But in this form and in this place, I am known as Aslan. Come now, there is little time; I sense that the battle goes not as we would hope. Susan, Lucy, you two shall ride my companion here," nodding his head back at the other talking lion of their company, "and Harry, Ginny, you shall ride upon me. There is much I need tell you—Susan and Lucy know their roles, but you do not." After Harry and Ginny had climbed upon his back, the host of creatures took off, following the scent to the battle. As they tore across the landscape, Aslan spoke. "I am sorry that I have not told you sooner why it is that you were called here, but you were not ready then. You're time together in the wilderness, and perhaps the very air of Narnia, have matured you, and now I know you are ready. The castle we have just left is that of Jadis, the White Witch; her usurping power has kept Narnia frozen in winter for 100 years, and that enchantment has only lifted within the last few days in all place but here. Now, this group, that I have liberated from her stronghold, rush to join the battle against her. Yet, the risk is high that we will have suffered crippling loss well before this group arrives. You have your armor and weapons, and you must use them, I trust you to make a good showing of yourselves—though I would suggest you avoid the minotaurs is this battle."
Before the two could object, the group rounded the last bend to find the battle in full swing. The Witch's magic had turned many more creatures to stone upon the battlefield, though she now stood at the center of the field trying to use a stone knife to kill Peter Pevensie, brother of Susan and Lucy, who was barely holding off with his sword. Nearby, the fourth Pevensie, Edmund, was engaged against a minotaur. Knowing that their strength would do little good, the two young magicians still felt bound to help the young man against his fearsome foe. Even as Aslan tackled away the witch, the two swept over to Edmund, block a blow that would have surely killed him; with their closer proximity, they realized that his condition was poor enough that he shouldn't even be in the battle at this point. Supporting him, the two wizards fought their way out, unfortunately being obvious targets for what vile creatures still lived, and finally made it to a small support tent run by a talking female Beaver, where Lucy was treating the last of it wounded. When she saw her brother, who by now was a nasty green, she quickly dosed him with her magic cordial.
When the last of the wounded and stone-made had been cured, Harry and Ginny found themselves back at the center of the field, with Edmund in between, and Aslan himself knighted them. And, alongside the rest of the army, the two magicians swept off to Cair Paravel and found themselves the highest advisors and champions of the Kings and Queens of Narnia.