The next day, we continued and stopped at what looked to be a large ice covered river. "Now, Aslan's camp is near the Stone Table, just across the frozen river," Mr. Beaver said.
We all looked at him. We need to cross it? "River?" Peter and I asked at the same time. "Oh, the river's been frozen solid for a hundred years," Ms. Beaver reassured us.
We looked at the distance once again. "It's so far," I said. "It's the world, dear. Did you expect it to be small?" Ms. Beaver asked. "Smaller," Susan said and we kept going.
The more we all walked, the more Mr. Beaver was getting cranky. "Come on, humans, while we're still young," Mr. Beaver called as he and Ms. Beaver led.
"If he tells us to hurry up one more time, I'm going to turn him into a big fluffy hat," Peter said as he let Lucy climb on his back and we all shared a laugh. "Hurry up!" Mr. Beaver said. "He is getting kinda bossy," Lucy said. "No! Behind you! It's her!" Mr. Beaver shouted, pointing behind us.
We turned and saw a huge storm of white snow, along with the sound of sled bells. We all started to ran, trying to get away from the sled.
"Quickly!" Mr. Beaver shouted, showing us a hole that was in the ground. We all ran inside and it was silent. We saw a shadow and then we heard footsteps and then there was a few moments of silence.
"Maybe she's gone," Lucy whispered. "I suppose I'll go and have a look," Peter said. Mr. Beaver stopped him. "No, you're no good to Narnia dead," He whispered.
"Well, neither are you, Beaver," Ms. Beaver said. "Thanks sweetheart," Mr. Beaver said and then he climb out to investigate.
It was silent. Ms. Beaver let out a quiet whimper and I hold her hand, comforting her. After a long pause, Mr. Beaver appeared, startling us and Lucy let out a small scream.
"Come out! I hope you've all been good, because there is someone here to see you!" Mr. Beaver said with a big smile. We all shard a frown before slowly one by one walking out of the hole.
Then I saw someone that I didn't thought I'm meet. Father Christmas. He laughed at our shock looks. "Merry Christmas, Sir!" Lucy said with a big smile. "It certainly is, Lucy . . . since you all have arrived," Father Christmas said with a smile.
"Look, I've put up with a lot since we got here. But this . . ." Susan started. "We thought you were the Witch," Peter admitted.
Father Christmas looked down. "Yes, sorry about that." Then he looked back at us. "But, in my defence, I have been driving one of these -" He looked back at his sleigh "- Longer than the Witch."
"I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia," Lucy said. "Yes, not for a long time. But the hope you have brought, your Majesties, is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power," Father Christmas said. "Still, I dare say you could do with these!"
He pulled a bag out of his sleigh. "Presents!" Lucy said, happily. Father Christmas chuckled. Out of the side of the sack, Father Christmas pulled out a small glass vial in a leather strap.
He kneeled down to Lucy. "The juice of the fire flower. One drop will cure any injury. And though I hope you never have to use it . . ."
Father Christmas handed Lucy a dagger. "Thank you, sir. But I think . . . I could be brave enough," Lucy said. "I'm sure you could. But battles are ugly affairs," Father Christmas said.
Father Christmas got up and then reached down into the sack again and pulled out a large quiver filled with arrows and a bow. "Susan," He called to her as Lucy went to stood beside me.
I watched as Susan stepped forward nervously. "Trust in this bow and it will not easily miss," Father Christmas said to her softly as he handed it over to her.
"What happened to, 'battles are ugly affairs?'" Susan asked. Father Christmas chuckled. "And, though you don't seem to have trouble making yourself heard," He said and then he handed her a sword.
Susan smiled down at her gifts and then sent Father Christmas a small smile. "Thanks," She said. He then turned to Peter. "Peter." Peter walked forward. "The time to use these may be near at hand," Father Christmas said, handing Peter a large sliver shield with a red lion imprinted on the front and a large sword in a red sheath. Peter draw the sword and show it in the light.
"Thank you, sir," Peter said to Father Christmas. Father Christmas set his sights on me and smiled. "Sophia." I gave a small smile and stepped forward. He pulled out from the sack a gold and steel sword, "This is for you and -" He handed me a horn, "Blow on this, and wherever you are, help will come."
I gave him a smile. "Thank you," I said and he smiled. "They are tools, not toys. Bare them well and wisely," He addressed us all and then he clapped his hands together. "Now, I best be off. Winter is almost over and things do pile up when you've been gone a hundred years!"
He picked up his sack and lifted it back into the sleigh once more before turning back around to face us. "Long live Aslan! And Merry Christmas!" He said and then he was off across the snow.
"Bye . . . Merry Christmas!" We all called. Lucy turned to Susan. "Told you he was real!" She said, grinning. "He said," Peter said as he gazed off after the disappearing sleigh, "Winter is almost over." He spun to look at us, "You know what that means . . . No more ice!"
We came to the final crossing of the river right at the waterfall. The ice was breaking away and was almost all gone. "That's not good," I said. "We need to cross now!" Peter said. "Don't beavers make dams?" Lucy asked the Beavers.
"I'm not that fast, dear," Mr. Beaver said. "Come on!" Peter said as he grabbed hold of Lucy's hand and we begin to make our why down. "Wait, just think about this for a minute," Susan said.
Peter turned to face her. "We don't have a minute!" He snapped. "I'm just trying to be realistic," Susan defended. "No, you're trying to be smart, as usual!" I snapped and we continued.
When we all reached to the bottom of the cliff, Peter stepped on the ice and it started to break so he pulled his foot back. "Wait, maybe I should go first," Mr. Beaver said. "Maybe you should," Peter agreed.
Mr. Beaver slowly and carefully walked on the ice and every moments would slap at the cracks with his tail. "You've been sneaking second helpings haven't you?" Ms. Beaver asked.
Mr. Beaver looked back at her. "Well you never know what meal is gonna be your last, especially with your cooking," He replied.
Peter took the lead and we slowly made our way across the ice. Lucy grabbed hold of Peter and I with Susan stayed close behind us. "If Mum knew what we were doing . . ." Susan started. "Mum's not here!" Peter snapped.
Suddenly, ice fell to our left from the waterfall. We turned our gazed from the ice below to the ice above. We spotted the wolves running along the top of the waterfall to the other side.
"Oh no!" Lucy said. "Run!" Peter shouted and we all started to ran. But then the wolves surrounded us. Mr. Beaver raised a paw at the wolf to show he wasn't afraid but the wolf darted forward and clamped his jaws around him tightly.
"No!" Ms. Beaver said. "Peter!" Lucy and I called at the same time. Peter pulled out his sword and hold it in front of him, pointing at the wolf leader. "Put that down, boy. Someone could get hurt," The wolf leader said.
"Don't worry about me! Run him through!" Mr. Beaver called. "Leave now while you can, and your brother leaves with you," The wolf leader said.
Susan grabbed hold of Peter's arm but he kept his sword directed at the wolf leader. "Stop Peter, maybe we should listen to him!" She said. "Smart girl," The wolf leader said with a grin.
"Don't listen to him! Kill him! Kill him now!" Mr. Beaver said. "Come on, this isn't your war. All my Queen wants is for your to take your family and go," The wolf leader said.
"Look, just because some man in a red suit hands you a sword, it doesn't make you a hero! So just drop it!" Susan said. "No Peter! Narnia needs ya! Gut him while you still have a chance!" Mr. Beaver called.
"What's it gonna be Son of Adam? I won't wait forever. And neither will the river," The wolf leader said. Lucy looked up at the frozen waterfall. "Peter!" She called. We all looked up and saw the water started to break through in the ice in the waterfall. Peter glanced around at us. "Hold onto me!"
We all hold into Peter as he stick his sword into the ice. We looked up as the wall of ice came crashing down, causing a huge wave to engulf us. Me, Susan and Lucy screamed while the wolves were thrown into the river.
We reached the shore. We turned to Peter and saw he was holding Lucy's coat. But Lucy wasn't there. "What have you done?!" Susan asked. I looked at the distend, "Lucy!" I started to call for her and Susan joined me. "Lucy! Lucy!" We kept calling.
"Has anyone seen my coat?" A small voice asked behind us and we turned around and saw Lucy walking over, soaking wet. Our faces broke out into a smile. Peter gathered Lucy's coat into his hands.
"Don't worry, dear. Your brother has you well looked after," Mr. Beaver told Lucy as Peter wrapped her coat around her. "I don't think you'll be needing those coats anymore."
We all looked and saw at the forest the flowers started to bloom. Soon, the forest was green again and we abandon our fur coats as we continued to walk.
