Chapter 14 Before the Battle
"It's no use," grumbled Edmund. "I can't find them anywhere."
Ron looked grumpily at Peter and King Caspian.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it now," Peter stated. "The battle will happen with or without the girls, Draco, and Harry."
"Last time I fought a battle in Narnia, Harry went missing too. Took forever trying to find him."
"At least he was in the battle. Now he's MIA."
"What's MIA?" Ron asked Edmund.
"Missing In Action."
"He's not the only thing missing," Ron complained. "Where's the food? We were supposed to have a good breakfast this morning."
King Caspian grinned. He felt the same way and soon he was leading the boys to a royal breakfast buffet, fit for Kings and Knights of Narnia.
( )
"The trees are huge!" Harry shouted, as he, Pansy, and Draco made their way through the overgrown forest.
The trees were twice as tall as the three students remembered. This time, however, their leaves were the only part moving.
"They used to dance," Pansy said sadly. "We used to dance with them."
"We did, but Potter can't dance for his life. Didn't you see him trying to at the Yule Ball?"
"With one of those Patil twins?"
"Oh, shut it," Harry glowered. "I don't need to dance. I just have to face the next challenge for the Triwizard Tournament."
"Whatever," Draco grinned.
"Hey! I got past the first two."
"On luck."
"Draco, play nice," Pansy scoffed. "Harry, stop gloating."
A minute went by without the three saying anything. Going deeper into the forest made it easy to forget the coming battle with the Telmarines. It was quiet and peaceful, and for once, they could enjoy it. There was no rushing, even Pansy and Harry had forgotten about the urgency of Peter and Miraz's single combat in only a couple hours time.
The grass was a dark green and grew up to the children's calves. It swayed gently in the soft breeze, and hid small wild rodents and insects. Every now and again, a bird or flock of birds would become startled and fly off deeper into the forest, chiding the children from above, however, they too were wild and their chidings were wasted on the intruders. As the three passed each tree, their hearts yearned for the old days, when the trees danced, rodents talked, and birds sang such sweet songs, making the children sing with them.
"If we didn't go exploring," Pansy whispered, too scared to talk aloud in the quietness, "would this have happened?"
"Even the Kings and Queens of Narnia went back to England," Harry replied, his voice hushed. "None of us meant to, but apparently we were meant to leave Narnia. If Aslan didn't want us to leave, that cave wouldn't have lead us back to Hogwarts."
"Even so," she sighed, "I miss the Golden Age, when we danced and sang and never had to fear the country of Telmar. Things were simple. All we had to do was get rid of the witch, and Aslan did that for us."
"That's all we had to do?" Draco asked, clearly disagreeing with the statement.
"All we have to do now," Harry said dreamily, "is win one battle that we're not even facing. Peter is."
"All we have to do," Draco hissed, "is find the White Witch's wand so we can find the crown. Battle comes after."
"Draco," Pansy asked softly, standing still between the two boys.
"Yeah,' he asked, coming to a halt.
"Do you hear something?"
"Birds, maybe. Why?"
"I don't think we're alone."
Harry turned around and scanned the wood.
"Nothing," he murmured.
"I know I heard something. Something not, not animal."
"Something, human?" Harry asked, his hand going for his sword.
Draco was scanning the forest franticly, trying his hardest to find what Pansy heard.
Then, out of nowhere, all three of them heard it, making them jump and huddle together, all three of their swords drawn.
"No," Pansy answered as quietly as she could. "Something…" but her voice trailed off as the sound drew ever closer.
( )
"Can you see Him yet?" Hermione asked Susan. Lucy was leading the way to Aslan, and Aslan was the one thing that neither Hermione nor Susan could see.
"No," Susan panted.
All three girls were running as fast as Lucy was, racing to meet Aslan. Lucy was half laughing half singing as she made her way to her faithful lion.
And then, so suddenly that it scared the two older girls, Aslan appeared in front of them. His big golden mane shimmered in the sunlight and his great tail wagged gently from side to side. A wonderful smile lit up His face and His eyes danced and sparkled.
"Aslan!" both girls cried, embracing the great lion.
"You two have proven to be true and gallant," Aslan chuckled. "Now, all three of you are to help rave havoc and release a long held captive."
"That sounds like such fun," Lucy nearly squealed.
"Who is the prisoner?" Susan asked.
"Ride on my back and you'll soon find out." With that, Aslan crouched low for the girls to climb up onto his back, then with a small roar, Aslan was off.
As He ran, animals of all sorts, yet all were Non-Talking, ran alongside the Great Lion. Aslan led them towards the right, circling around Aslan's How, making sure He was out of view from the tomb and the creatures there. He ran through the rest of the wood, for it circled around Aslan's How, as if the trees were too frightened to grow so near the tomb, and soon they came to a decline and on the bottom of the decline was the Bridge of Beruna.
Aslan slowed to a stop, all the animals following His lead. There was no one at the river guarding the bridge.
"They must all be getting ready for battle," Hermione whispered.
"Now what?" Susan asked, wondering where this prisoner was they were to rescue.
"What's that?" Lucy asked, "In the water."
Susan and Hermione followed her finger to the water. It was bubbling as if there was something below the surface of the water, and then ringlets formed around the bubbles. And then, something emerged.
It was a head, much larger than a man's, and its head held a crown of rushes. The wet figure sported a long tangled beard and its eyes were sad.
"It's not a man," Hermione whispered. "It's as if the man is made out of water."
"That must be the river-god," Lucy guessed. "I bet we're to rescue him." She didn't know who she knew, but deep in her heart, she did.
As soon as Lucy stopped whispering, the river-god looked at Aslan and a smile flooded his face.
"Oh, Aslan," the river-god said in a deep voice. "Will you unbind me?"
"Always, as long as you ask," Aslan answered. "Deliver him from his chains."
Some of the animals pranced forward and started to vandalize the bridge, kicking off posts and smashing the wood. Then a curious thing happened. Vines started slithering up the bridge from both sides of the river. Then, when they met, the animals hastily made their way off the bridge, either onto land or into the river.
"His chains must be the bridge," Lucy gasped. "Look!"
The bridge was trembling, shaking harder and harder until a splintering sound erupted. With the force of angels, the vines had snapped the bridge in two and were now destroying it piece by piece, to the loud cheers of the animals and the three girls.
"It's the Forge of Beruna again!" Lucy laughed, jumping off Aslan and running into the cold sweet river, many animals already splashing around joyously.
"Susan! Hermione! Come in!" she giggled.
"I am in your debt, my great king, King and Prince of Narnia," the river-god praised, his head bowed.
"You know what you can do," Aslan replied kindly. "If you were to do such a thing as that, surely there would be nothing left in your debt, Great King of the River."
"As you wish it, it will be done."
With a great roar, Aslan jumped the river.
All eyes grew big at what they saw the lion do. Looking behind Him, Aslan laughed a deep wonderful laugh at every face.
"Come, we have work to do," The Great Lion purred. "The town before us needs deliberation."
( )
"Peter, are you sure you're ready?" asked Edmund.
He, Peter, Ron, and King Caspian watched as Miraz's army marched steadily towards Aslan's How, where the single combat match was being held.
"I don't have a choice," Peter breathed, putting on his helmet.
He was already in his gear, sword in hand, as was everybody. Everybody except the girls and Draco and Harry. No one knew where they were.
"Remember, he'll underestimate you at first," Edmund went on. "He'll figure out his mistake soon enough, so bide your time and don't show mercy. He'll have none for you."
"Remember," Caspian added, "by the rules, you can have up to three breaks, about five minutes each. It's not cowardly to use them, no matter what my uncle tries to make you think."
"Any advice from you, Ron?" Peter asked.
"Just what Starr said the last battle we were in."
"What's that?"
"Just don't die."
What are Aslan and the girls doing? And what dark foe has found the treasure seekers? Find out in chapter 15 (Battles and Magic).
Courtesy of both C. S. Lewis and JKR