Chapter 6

Word Count: 3,132

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, Peter, Susan, Luna, and Lucy had rushed back to the Beavers' dam, the wolves in hot pursuit. They barely made it in before slamming and bolting the short wooden door and barricading any entrances with shelves and cabinets. Maugrim formed a semicircle around the exposed front of the dam with his entourage of snarling wolves. He stalked the beavers and Pevensies as if they were rabbits and he was their predator. They could hear their prey cowering inside the dam, feel their nervousness and anxiety.

"Get them." Maugrim snarled, revealing a row of sharpened white fangs.

"Hurry, they're coming." Mr. Beaver rasped, gently pushing his wife towards the back of the dam.

"There's no way out!" Susan panicked, biting her bottom lip anxiously. Lucy instinctively grabbed her older sister's hand in a protective manner. The older girl peered down at Lucy, a shaky smile forming on her red lips. The Pevensies watched Mr. Beaver pushed a dusty bookshelf parallel to the wall to reveal a small hole, large enough for the Pevensies to crawl through, or for Lucy and the Beavers to walk through.

"This should lead to Aslan." Mr. Beaver gestured to the tunnel.

"You said it led to your mum's place!" Mrs. Beaver frowned, placing her paws on her hips bitterly. Mr. Beaver smiled sheepishly and gathered the four Pevensies, leading them through the underground tunnel. Luna followed her siblings, staying in the back of the group, as she was the most attentive of them. She was startled by a muffled crash that seemed to be coming from the Beavers' home.

"Did you hear that?" She whispered, speeding up her pace and her siblings'.

"Hear what?" Peter inquired. A faint howl could be heard from behind the group.

"They got into the tunnels!" Luna gasped in realization.

"Pick up the pace!" Mr. Beaver began to run, the others in tow. Not long after the disturbance, the Beavers and Pevensies ran into a dirt wall.

"It's a dead end!" Mr. Beaver cursed. Luna gnawed her lip nervously; she could hear the soft padding of Maugrim and his army getting louder. Stellaluna popped out of Luna's coat suddenly.

"What's that?" Mrs. Beaver shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at the black kitten.

"Oh, that's just Luna's cat." Lucy said casually. "She doesn't talk."

Stellaluna leaped from Luna's shoulder to Susan's, then on to Peter's before jumping up through the ceiling.

"What the-" Mr. Beaver furrowed his eyebrows as dirt fell onto his fur-covered face. He looked up to see a hole in the top of the tunnel. He quickly made his escape before helping everyone else out. They all began to look around as Luna and Peter quickly shoved dirt through the hole until the ground was flat. Luna felt a shiver coming on as Stellaluna mewled into her ear quietly. She felt the presence of something dark.

"Do you see those?" Luna whispered. She stared straight ahead at a line of stone statues. Lucy walked up to a statue of a centaur, squinting at the marvel curiously.

"They look so real!" She said quietly.

"That's because they are." Mrs. Beaver replied solemnly. The Pevensies turned to the Beavers, shock written across their youthful faces.

"What? How? Why? Wh-" Peter stammered in surprise.

"This is what happens to the enemies of the White Witch." The group watched as a fox strode in from behind the trees, his orange tail swishing back and forth with every step. Mr. Beaver's eyes widened in fear as he and his wife held each other tightly.

"Stay still, traitor." His voice shook as he addressed the fox.

"Relax, I'm one of the good guys." The fox reassured them, picking up a paw and taking a tentative step towards the pair.

"Well, you look mighty like one of the bad guys." Mr. Beaver accused, his voice much more stable than before. The fox sighed in defeat before replying.

"An unfortunate family resemblance, but we can discuss family breeding later. Right now we need to move." His pointed ears perked up as the dirt covering the hole fell in. The Pevensies knew the wolves were coming.

"Well, what do you suggest?" Peter addressed the furry ally. The fox looked up at the tall trees surrounding them. The leaves and branches provided a lot of cover for anything up in those trees. Peter followed his gaze and rapidly led his siblings and companions up a particularly leafy tree. The group of six gathered on a thick branch, high enough to be away from the wolves' scent, but close enough that they could hear what was going on below. The wolves sauntered into the clearing, stopping right in front of the fox. Even though the fox had almost reached Peter's waist slouching, he still looked tiny compared to the smallest of the wolf pack. Had Peter been there for comparison, he was sure that Maugrim would at least reach mid-chest.

"Evening gents, did we lose something?" The fox smirked. Even though he was being a smartass, Luna knew he was terrified. Her sharp eyes didn't miss his shaking legs, but luckily, the wolves didn't seem to notice.

"Don't patronize me," Maugrim growled, sending a cloud of breath towards the fox, "I know where your allegiance lies. We're looking for some humans."

"Humans in Narnia, now that's some valuable information." The fox replied smugly, the smirk stuck on his furry muzzle.

"Where are they?!" Maugrim demanded, the fox shrinking under his gaze.

"I don't know." The fox's jaw trembled slightly as he replied. Maugrim narrowed his eyes, he wasn't that stupid. He swiped at the fox, coaxing a hurt whine out of him. Lucy cried out, but Susan clapped her hand over her little sister's mouth. The fox dropped to his haunches in pain as Maugrim loomed over him, his large frame dwarfing the fox's. The fox looked around the forest, a panicked look on his face. He hung his head in shame as he finally answered the wolf.

"They...they were headed North." He murmured. Maugrim turned to face the rest of the pack.

"Sniff them out." He ordered in a commanding tone. Before he left, he turned back to the fox and knocked him to the ground right as he picked himself up. The pack bolted out of the forest, led by Maugrim. The fox lay on his side, whimpering from the pain. The siblings could see blood on the snow beside him, the gash on his face from Maugrim's claws causing the fox's anguish. As the Beavers and Pevensies made their way back to the snow-covered ground, Mrs. Beaver rushed over to the injured fox, trying her best to make him comfortable.

"Are you alright?" Lucy cried, rushing to aid the fallen animal. She stroked his head in a comforting manner, and he let out a sigh.

"I wish I could say their bark was worse than their bite." He chuckled quietly before wincing in pain. Mrs. Beaver took out a cloth from her apron and dipped it in the clean snow, letting it melt onto the soft fabric. She dabbed at the wound, the fox writhing in agony at the harsh contact.

"Oh, stop squirming!" She ordered firmly. "You're worse than Mr. Beaver on bath day!" She continued cleaning the wound.

"Worst day of the year." Mr. Beaver shuddered. Peter let out a hesitant chuckle as the fox struggled to stand up.

"I'm afraid that's all the healing I have time for." He said, wincing again as he put pressure on his right paw.

"You're leaving?" Susan cried, an anxious look on her face.

"It's been a pleasure my Queen." He kneeled to bow to her, collapsing in a heap of fur. Susan pulled him up from the snow, dusting the snow from his orange coat. "I have been asked by Aslan personally to gather troops." He said proudly.

"You've seen Aslan!" Mr. Beaver gasped.

"What is He like?" Mrs. Beaver's eyes widened in excitement as she stared intently at the fox.

"Just like everything you've ever heard. He'll help us fight the White Witch."

"We aren't planning on fighting any witch." Susan replied snarkily.

"We just want our brother back." Peter added. Luna and Lucy looked at each other worriedly, Lucy clutching Luna's hand so tightly she thought it would cut off circulation.

Meanwhile, at the White Witch's castle, Edmund suffered in the cold that seemed to flow throughout all of Narnia. He struggled, his wrists rubbing against the iron cuffs that kept him chained to the wall in the witch's makeshift dungeon. Like the rest of the castle, the walls were white and everything was icily cold. He managed to reach the tin tray placed ahead of him and grabbed the small piece of bread. He attempted to bite into the morsel, but his teeth merely ground against the tough exterior. He abandoned the food and lifted the tin mug. This too, he abandoned, for the water was frozen solid. In his anger, Edmund threw the cup to the ground, the metal clanging on the icy floor.

"Are you gonna eat that?" A voice permeated the silence. Edmund searched for the source of the voice, only to find a timid faun sitting in a prison cell similar to his own. The boy silently slid the food over to the faun.

"Mr. … Tumnus?"

"You're Lucy and Luna Pevensies' brother!" Mr. Tumnus cried, delighted in his realisation.

"Yes, I'm Edmund." The boy replied.

"You all have the same nose." Mr Tumnus murmured, mainly to himself. Edmund rubbed at his nose self consciously. "Are your sisters alright?" The faun questioned, "Are they safe?"

"I…" Edmund started, "I don't know!" The two prisoners clamped their mouths shut and shifted back to their spots as the familiar sound of heels clicking on ice grew louder.

"My wolves tore that dam apart, your little family was nowhere to be found," the White Witch seethed in anger, icy pale eyes focusing on the human boy, "Where are they?" She lifted Edmund against the wall, her long nails gripping into the material of his shirt.

"I don't know…" Edmund responded honestly, his eyes downcast.

"Then you are no longer any use to me," the witch sneered, "Guard-"

"Wait!" Edmund cried out, "They said something about Aslan."

"Aslan!" The White Witch cried, her head whipping back to the boy, eyes filled with fear, "Where?"

"I left before I could hear anymore," Edmund replied, "I wanted to see you again."

"Guard!" Jadis cried, her eyes narrowed.

"Yes, your majesty?" A minotaur bowed to the self proclaimed queen.

"Release the Faun." The minotaur used his axe to cut through the iron chains that imprisoned Mr. Tumnus, who cried out in pain as he was dragged to the feet of the queen herself. "Do you know why you are here?"

"Because I believe in a free Narnia." The faun replied confidently, albeit shaking. The witch gave him a cold glare before speaking.

"You are here because he-" She pointed at Edmund, "Turned you in… for sweets." She gave the faun a nasty smile before barking out another order to the minotaur and dwarf that always accompanied her. "Take him-" This time she pointed at Tumnus, "Upstairs and ready my sleigh. Edmund misses his family."

"Now," Mr. Beaver started, "Aslan's camp is just over there by the stone table just across the frozen river."

"River?" Susan's voice shook as she voiced all their fears.

"It's been frozen for 100 years." Mrs. Beaver reassured the Pevensies with a knowing smile.

"It won't stay frozen forever." Luna murmured, taking Peter's hand in hers as Lucy gravitated towards Susan. Peter hushed her before ruffling her hair to show he wasn't worried.

"It seems so far." The oldest Pevensie added.

"It's the world dear, did you expect it to be so small?" Mrs. Beaver chuckled.

"Smaller…" Susan admitted sheepishly.

Ginarrbrik led Edmund up from the dungeons to the main level, where Tumnus stood, plain as day. Only it wasn't Tumnus, or at least, not the Tumnus Edmund had been expecting. This faun was made of stone. But it wasn't just a statue. Edmund gulped, knowing Mr. Tumnus's fate was one of the many punishments Jadis handed out.

"Whenever you are ready, Son-of-Adam." The witch gave the boy a false smile, as if he hadn't just seen his fellow prisoner-turned-statue. Edmund silently obeyed, getting into the sleigh alongside the witch and her loyal dwarf. He watched the pale woman with fearful eyes as the vehicle moved towards the forest and disappeared through the curtain of trees.

"Come on," Mr. Beaver encouraged the Pevensies, "Before we're old."

"If he tells me to 'hurry up' one more time, I'm going to turn him into a big fluffy hat." Peter grumbled, earning a slap on the arm from Luna.

"Hurry up, Son-of-Adam," The beaver addressed the eldest Pevensie, "We don't have all day!"

"He is getting kinda bossy." Lucy admitted, Stellaluna mewing in agreement from her perch on Luna's shoulder. The sound of bells broke the silence, startling Mr. Beaver. He turned to the siblings with wide eyes.

"It's her! Run!" The siblings didn't have to be told twice, and the ran as fast as they could, for their lives certainly depended on it.

"Quick, down here!" The beaver hissed, leading the Pevensies into a small den hidden by bushes and foliage. They crammed into the den, pushing their backs against the dirt wall and covering their mouths with their hands. A few minutes passed before anyone spoke.

"Maybe she's gone." Lucy suggested, although she still whispered.

"I'll go and have a look." Peter decided.

"No," Mr. Beaver insisted, "You're no good to Narnia dead." He started to exit their hideout.

"Neither are you, Beaver." Mrs. Beaver reminded him.

"Thanks, dear." Everyone held their breath as Mr. Beaver left the den, expecting to hear some sort of "all clear" or signal either way.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Mr. Beaver shrieked from above ground. Lucy screamed in response, the beaver's sudden yell having scared her. The beaver poked his head back into the den with an apologetic smile.

"I hope you've been good, because there is someone here to see you." The Pevensies stared at the beaver blankly, until he gestured for them to come outside. They complied, only to find a man standing there. He had spectacles, sparkling eyes, a white beard, and a red and white outfit. Not to mention, the sleigh led by reindeer.

"Merry Christmas, Sir!" Lucy greeted Father Christmas with a beaming smile.

"It certainly is, Lucy," The bearded man replied with a hearty chuckle, "Thanks to you."

"I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia." Susan interjected.

"There hasn't been for a hundred years," Father Christmas agreed, "But now the Witch's power is crumbling." He lifted his bag from the sleigh and threw it down on the ground in front of them.

"Presents!" Lucy cried. Luna smiled, knowing how disappointed Lucy had been during their Christmas, for the Pevensies didn't have much spare money to spend on gifts for each other. The area under the pathetic spruce tree had been bare, their stockings filled with an orange apiece and a dime. They had even pooled their money together to buy milk and cocoa powder to make hot chocolate.

"Lucy," Father Christmas addressed the youngest Pevensie, "These are for you." He handed her a cordial filled with a rum colored liquid. "The juice of the fire flower. If you or one of your friends are wounded, one drop of this cordial will restore them. And, though I do not expect you to use it, this." He handed the young girl a dagger tucked in a sheath that she hastily tied around her waist.

"Well, I think I could be brave enough." Lucy replied softly.

"I'm sure you could," Father Christmas chuckled, "But battles are ugly affairs." He turned to the eldest of the Pevensie sisters. "Eve's daughter, Susan," He handed her a beautifully carved bow and an ivory quiver with intricately carved detailing and red-feathered arrows, the former of which she slung over her shoulder. "Trust in this bow, for it does not easily miss."

"What happened to, 'battles are an ugly affair'?" Susan asked.

"And, though you don't seem to have trouble making yourself heard," Father Christmas looked at the brunette who gave him a sheepish smile in return, "Take this." He handed her a horn that was made from the same material as her quiver, resembling a roaring lion, "When you put this horn to your lips and blow it, wherever you are, help will come." He promised.

"Thank you." Susan replied sincerely.

"For Peter," Father Christmas gifted the eldest Pevensie with a sword and shield. The sword, like Lucy's dagger, had a gold lion pommel, and a red roaring lion decorated the shield. "These are tools, not toys," The man reminded Peter, "The time to use them may be soon at hand." Luna played with her hands nervously, not sure what he would pull out of the bag for her, or if there would even be anything for her. Stellaluna clearly didn't share her worries, as the black kitten had managed to climb atop one of the reindeer without problem.

"Luna," Father Christmas gave the redhead a warm smile, "You, like your brothers, are a fighter." He drew another sword from his bag, but it was different from Peter's. The sword was a bit longer and thinner, with a black hilt. And unlike Peter's, there was no lion. Instead, in silver detailing, a gryphon was engraved where the blade and hilt met, the wings spread to create the crossguard. "But you are not limited to the sword. And you will figure out your strengths, with time." His blue eyes sparkled with wisdom, drawing Luna's attention to the carving on the hilt. A tiny detail she'd overlooked - the eye of the gryphon was not silver, but blue. A small blue gem that hid among the intricate detailings. She smiled before sheathing her sword in its scabbard. Lucy's and Peter's were a crimson red, but hers was a navy blue.

"Bare them well!" Father Christmas warned with that ever present sparkle in his eyes, "I best be off, winter is almost over and things do pile up when you've been gone a thousand years," He got into his sleigh, Stellaluna returning to her spot on the redhead's shoulder, "Long live Aslan!" With that last declaration he took off into the sky, reindeer pulling his sleigh away.

"Told you he was real!" Lucy squealed in delight, pointedly looking at Susan and Peter.

"Did you hear what he said?" Peter asked, brushing Lucy's comment aside, "Winter is almost over. You know what that means? No more ice!"

"The river…" Luna whispered to herself.