Chapter 4
The stars shimmered radiantly against the midnight sky. Lucy, both worried and filled with bliss, wished that she could run into the heavens and get lost among their light. Mr. Beaver slept soundly near the fire beside Peter, and Susan slept on the opposite side next to Mrs. Beaver, though quite fitfully. A few times Lucy heard Peter mumble something resembling an apology; inwardly she knew he blamed himself for Edmund's folly, even though other things had played a large role.
She sighed.
This place was so awe-inspiring, forcing the world they'd come from to pale in comparison somehow, as if it had been part of a fleeting dream that she only had every now and then. It was this world, she realized, that they were made for…where they had always belonged. Where they always would belong.
The name Mr. Beaver had mentioned earlier still echoed throughout her thoughts, the real reason she could not rest.
Aslan.
The name rolled off her tongue so lovingly, like a beloved bird's call, or a baby's laugh. There was power behind it, too. Every time she whispered it the trees would rustle their branches in anticipation, the air grew sweeter, crisper even, and the earth trembled with hope. Smiling, Lucy gazed into the fire. Thoughts of Mr. Tumnus tried to sneak into the picture, but they were stopped immediately. She wouldn't, she couldn't think that anything terrible was happening to her friend because of her.
"Oh, my Dear. What are you still doing awake?" Mrs. Beaver asked. Lucy jumped, realizing that she hadn't even noticed the beaver's waking.
"I don't think I could sleep tonight, even if I truly wanted to," she replied. Mrs. Beaver sat down beside her, taking Lucy's hand. "Excitement's getting to you, eh?" she asked, chuckling. The young girl nodded. "Yes, well, I suppose I can hardly blame you. Ever since I was a young beaver and I first heard stories of the Great Lion, I've dreamed of meeting him myself." She gazed at her paws, brushing off some dirt that clung to her fur.
"Do you really think he'll help us get Edmund back?" asked Lucy, even though she believed she already knew the answer.
"Well, you never know. Aslan does whatever he pleases. But, I don't see why he wouldn't." Lucy nodded, pulling her coat tighter around her. She thanked Mrs. Beaver, who looked as tired as she felt, and rolled onto her side. Both of the ladies slowly fell back into a slumber, dreaming of the mighty Lion.