CHAPTER 5

They were in the sleigh for maybe an hour. With every passing minute the temperature increased. After a half hour Kate no longer needed Edmunds warmth and slightly pulled away from him. She still wasn't totally over what he had done but she had forgiven him slightly. Once off the frozen lake, the sun broke through the clouds blinding her. She raised a hand to cover her eyes but she noticed a glare from Jadis. Dropping her hand she put her head down.

The sleigh stopped suddenly causing Edmund and Kate to lurch forward, both almost falling out. "S..sorry..." Edmund mumbled as he pulled away from Kate where he had landed on her. Jadis Kicked Edmund so he fell backwards onto the grass. Kate jumped out to help him and both stood there, looking at Jadis. She motioned for them to go ahead of her and they did. They made is to the side of a waterfall and Kate gasped. She knew now where she was but she couldn't believe it. The frozen river was flowing, hard and fast and the waterfall was leaving off small droplets as it crashed down, causing Kate to smile.

The queen on the other hand wasn't smiling. She looked furious. "It's so warm out" Ginnabrick said tugging at his winter clothes. He cowered under her fierce gaze and mumbled "I'll go check the sleigh" and wandered back the way they had come. Then there was a voice behind her. "Your Majesty" A pack of wolves had entered their small group and Kate's heart rate had quickened and she unconsciously grabbed Edmunds hand. In the mouth of one of the wolves was a fox.

"We found the traitor...he was rallying your enemies near the shuddering woods..." the wolf continued as the fox was thrown at Jadis' feet. "Ah, nice of you to drop in, you were so helpful to my wolves last night...perhaps you can help me now..." She stared him down. "Forgive me your Majesty..." she scoffed.

"Don't waste my time with flattery..." she started but the fox cut her off. "Not to seem rude, but I wasn't actually talking to you!" he turned his head to Edmund. Edmund just stood there and Kate gave his hand a squeeze to make sure he was still there. The queen glared at Edmund and stepped towards the fox, twirling her wand threateningly. "Where are the humans headed?"

The fox just looked back and forth between Edmund and Kate. Although not as friendly with him as she was the other Narnians, she still knew him and she could only guess what was coming next. The queen raised the wand to strike but Kate grabbed her arm "NO!" Jadis, infuriated, forcefully pushed Kate back, hitting her head. Edmund jumped forward, screaming NO at the same time.

"The beaver said something about the stone table and that Aslan had an army there..." The fox hung his head and Kate almost groaned in frustration. Why Edmund? WHY? But she knew he only said it to protect the fox. Edmund stepped aside and helped her up. She leaned on him as the blow to her head had made her dizzy. Jadis looked at them.

"An army...Thank you Edmund...you know I'm glad this creature got to see some honesty...before he died" The wand went into the air and Edmund yelled NO! But Kate turned away, he face in Edmunds shoulder. She heard footsteps approach and look up to see Jadis. She brought a hand back a caught Edmund in a full force blow across his face. His cheek was red and his lip bruised slightly but he didn't move. In that moment Kate's fear was momentarily clouded by anger.

"Think about whose side you're on...Mine...or theirs..." Kate finally looked up and saw the statue of the now dead fox. She allowed a small number of tears fall as Jadis turned to the wolves.

"Go on ahead and gather the faithful...If it's war Aslan wants...then it is a war he shall get..." The wolves took off leaving Edmund and Kate alone with Jadis. "We shall walk for now..," Edmund was about to argue that Kate was in no condition to but she squeezed his hand and whispered she was fine. Jadis took off ahead, Ginnabrick following behind. Kate was getting a headache from the fall but pushed through it. Edmund never let go of her hand, an act she later thanked as they walked through the forest and the light was minimal and the pain in her head was affecting her eyesight.

They walked for the rest of the day until dusk. Neither Edmund nor Kate had eaten anything and were both extremely weak, especially Kate. They reached a camp and Kate grabbed Edmunds arm, although she was already holding his hand, for extra support. The camp was full of Minotaurs and ogres. Dwarfs were making weapons and others were planning with maps.

"Tie them up somewhere..." Jadis said as she walked into a large tent. Two very large, rough hands or paws grabbed Kate's arm. She winced at the contact and kept hold of Edmund. She was tied to a tree and so was Edmund. The strangest sensation came over her when their hand left each others. Like she was alone. Shifting himself Edmund turned to face her. Kate notices that everything was getting dull and fuzzy.

"Whoa Kate...come on...stay with me..."Edmund said having noticed how ill and weak she looked.

"My...my head...hurts...so...tired..." she said. Edmund didn't like this. He felt very protective of her and she was scaring him. "No Kate, look at me...Kate!" She lifted her head slightly and looked at him. He looked worried. But that's all Kate saw as her vision went black and she was no longer aware of what was going on.

Edmund panicked. Why did she collapse? He couldn't do this alone! She had to wake up. "Kate?" nothing. "Kate!" he whisper yelled and still nothing. Ginnabrick came over. "Is our little prince comfortable? Does he want his pillow fluffed...Special treatment for the special boy...is that want you want..." He laughed and turned to Kate "...or maybe her?" he asked going over to the unconscious Kate. "Don't touch her!" Edmund said before he could stop the words. Ginnabrick smiled and laughed pulling Kate's head back. "Why not?" he threw her head forward and walked away laughing. Edmund put his head back. "I'm sorry...If anyone's listening..I'm sorry!" and he watched as the workers went about their work.

The camp work on and Kate never woke. Edmund was starting to feel the sleep he had missed when suddenly a scream shifted him. Kate was screaming in her sleep. And whatever she was dreaming was hurting her terribly. Edmund tried in vain to wake her but she wouldn't. Ginnabrick had had enough and come over to gag her. Her screaming stopped slightly but she was still whimpering and tears came from her eyes. Edmund wanted so bad to hold her but he couldn't. He instead watched as she cried before falling into a sad and restless sleep.

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Aslan approached Peter where he stood looking out towards the ocean and the castle sitting on the coast. "That is Cair Paravel, Castle of the four thrones, at one of which you will sit Peter, as High King...You doubt the prophecy?"

"No...That's just it...Aslan I'm not who you all think I am..."

"Peter Pevensie, formally of Finchley...Beaver also mentioned you planned on turning him into a hat!" Peter smiled. It seemed like so long since he had. "Peter...there is a deep magic more powerful than any of us can ever imagine that rules over all of Narnia...It defines right from wrong...and governs all out destinies...yours and mine!" he took a breath and looked down.

"But...I couldn't even protect my own family..." Peter said.

"You brought them safely this far!" he sighed "Not all of them..."

"Peter I will do what I can to protect your brother...but I need you to consider what I ask of you...I too want my family safe..." suddenly a horn sounded around the campsite and Peter knew straight away. "Susan!" he cried and ran down to the river where he had watched them go to earlier. As he approached he saw Lucy and Susan up in a tree and 2 large wolves snapping at their legs.

"Get back!" he yelled drawing his sword. The wolf got annoyed. He was the one they had met on the river. "Come on...we've been through this before...we both know you haven't got it in you!"

"Peter...look out!" Susan called drawing his attention to the second wolf circling him. But Aslan and some troops turned up and disabled the second one. Orieus went to kill the other but Aslan stopped him.

"You may think you're king...but you're going to die...like a dog" and he jumped at Peter only to impale himself on Peter's blade. Aslan allowed the other to go and turned to the troops."Follow him...He'll lead you to Edmund and Kate!" and the others took off, leaving Aslan and the siblings alone.

They returned to camp after the knighting ceremony and had a late dinner. There was no word from the search party by nightfall so Peter decided to go to bed. He could not however sleep. He was afraid what condition they would find Edmund in. He realised that he didn't even know who Kate was but the Beavers had become good friends to him and his sisters and they were obviously worried about her. He tossed and turned and he eventually fell into a restless sleep.

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Edmund was awake despite the hour. Kate hadn't woken up since her screaming and he was really starting to worry. The camp was still busy and there were still soldiers walking around. Kate stirred a few time in her sleep but never woke. Her face was stained with dirt and the tear tracks were visible. Edmund had been unable to sleep. He wanted to make sure no one touched her as a few of the others were watching both of them. On more than one occasion, Ginnabrick showed up just to annoy or attack Edmund, pulling his head back to hit the tree. Kicking dirt at him. Slapping his face. Like now. He was pulling at Edmund, trying to annoy him.

Suddenly a wolf ran through the camp whimpering. Edmund noted the sound out hooves. And the whole camp filled with Centaurs and other creatures in red armour. The lead centaur stopped in front of Edmund and Ginnabrick, drawing his sword. Before he knew it, Edmund was being cut free. He looked at Kate and went to help her. One of the Fauns cut her free and Edmund carried her but the Centaur took her. Edmund was told to get on his back, which he did and Kate was handed to him. He held on to her as they took off at blinding speeds. She seemed to relax more in Edmunds hold and just before they reached Aslan's cam she whispered "Edmund" but he did notice her breathing was heavier and she was taking shallower breaths.

It was almost dawn when they arrived. Through the few rays of sun Edmund could see the sea of Red and Gold tents that covered the mountain. He didn't spot the Lion until they stopped. He slid down from the centaurs back holding Kate. "She needs help" the centaur said and a female one stepped forward taking her from Edmunds arms. He suddenly felt very empty. He watched as she was brought into one of the tents and he turned to the lion.

"Edmund I presume" he said calmly. Edmund nodded. He had an idea who this was but was afraid to speak. "I am Aslan...Orieus..." He turned to the Centaur who had recued Edmund. "Would you give me a moment?" he bowed and left. Aslan turned "Follow me" he said and Edmund did. They walked to a small hill beside the camp before Aslan stopped. Edmund only had one question though.

"Will Kate be alright?" he asked. Aslan smiled. "Yes, I believe she will...she just needs some rest and she should be fine...you obviously care for her..." Edmund blushed but nodded.

"Do not be afraid or ashamed by love Edmund...it is the most powerful thing we have...and the love for our family is the strongest we will know..." Edmund knew what he was getting at and hung his head. "I'm sorry...I let everybody down...I almost got them killed and for what!" he shook his head. "They hate me...don't they" Aslan sighed.

"No Edmund, they do not hate you although they are disappointed...as I'm sure you're aware they have every right to be..." Edmund nodded. "But let us not dwell in the past...what happened i before now is gone and we cannot change it...it is our future that we must try to change..." Edmund nodded but then he heard him name. Looking down he saw Peter, Susan and Lucy looking at him and his heart soared when he seen them. He knew he had hurt them but hopefully in time they could forgive him. We walked to them, Aslan following. When they reached his siblings Aslan spoke, Edmund kept his head down.

"What's done is done...There is no need to speak to Edmund about what has passed..." and with that he left the reunited siblings. Edmund couldn't look at them. "Hello" he said quietly and to his shoes. And suddenly small arms were around him and hugging him. Lucy squeezed her brother and she never wanted to let him go. Susan was next doing the exact same thing. "Are you alright?" she asked worriedly. "I'm a little tired" it was true. He hadn't slept in 2 days and spent last night trying to make sure Kate didn't fall off the centaur.

"Get some sleep..." Peter said motioning to the tent. "Where's Kate?" he asked. "Don't worry...she's fine...she's sleeping..."Susan calmed him but she noticed the edge to the worry in his voice and the look in his eyes. He turned and walked towards the tent Peter had motioned to.

"And Edmund...Try not to wonder off!" he smiled and walked into the tent. He did however hear Lucy whisper "I wonder if Ed's got himself a girlfriend?" Peter laughed but Susan said "Just because you don't" that quietened Peter causing Edmund to smile. He really missed his siblings.