Avel, Emet, and Ha-or Tov crept closer to camp. They saw all the creatures. They saw the two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve that it had been rumored had come. And then, they saw Aslan. Avel tried to describe him to Ha-or Tov, but everyone in Narnia knew that there were no words that accurately described the great Lion. Avel saw Aslan talking to one of the Sons of Adam (who he later learned was Edmund). Then the other three came over. Avel could see him talk to all four of them, but he couldn't hear the words he said.
Ha-or Tov cocked his head suddenly. "Someone coming!" he said. They scurried into some nearby bushes to hide.
Along came a dwarf. A leopard stopped him, they exchanged a few words, and the leopard went into camp. Avel could hear every word, for the bush in which they hid was closer to Aslan than where they had been before. "Sire, there is a messenger from the enemy who craves audience."
"Let him approach," came Aslan's voice. It was a deep, rich voice that Avel somehow felt immediately he could trust. The dwarf was brought into camp and Aslan asked him, "What is your message, Son of Earth?"
"The queen of Narnia and Empress of the Lone Islands desires a safe conduct to come and speak with you," came the dwarf's voice. "On a matter which is as much to your advantage as to hers."
There was a muttering, and Aslan said something quietly in return before turning back and raising his voice again to address the dwarf. "Tell your mistress, Son of Earth, that I grant her safe conduct on condition she leaves her wand behind her at that great oak." A few minutes later the dwarf and two leopards were seen leaving camp.
Then the White Witch came. Avel shuddered and scooted closer to Emet and Ha-or Tov. Avel tuned out what they were talking about because he didn't understand what she was saying. After a bit the White Witch walked back past them, glowing with joy. Avel heard her mumble to herself, "Aslan will be dead," she murmured. "Narnia will be mine forever! Nobody will be able to stop me."
Avel stared after her, shocked. He barely heard Aslan's order to break camp and move to the fords of Beruna. Hope was gone. It would die with Aslan. Slowly he turned to his companions and they walked away from the Stone Table.
They were walking back in the direction they had come when, several hours after leaving the Stone Table, Ha-or Tov heard noise. "The White Witch!" he exclaimed. The three of them ran, none of them watching where they were going. They found themselves in the White Witch's castle. The footsteps grew closer and then suddenly BANG! The gates shut and were locked. Then the footsteps walked away. They were trapped.