An: This is the second-to-last part, guys. One more chapter, then I'm thinking of doing a sequel for Prince Caspian and another one concerning the Harry Potter series. (Still in progress of planning. So no guarantees at all.)
Warning: Some parts of the dialogue did come from the movie-script. Don't be worried if you noticed it.
Disclaimer: All properties of the Chronicles of Narnia belong to the original writer and filmmakers. Even if many of us wish it for a Christmas present or even a Birthday Present.
Summary: Aslan, in his all knowing ways, had put in place four magical guardians for Narnia. They live on the other side, from where the lines of the Kings started. Unknowingly, with her treachery, the White Witch has unleashed something even more frightening than she anticipated: against herself.
At the First Dawn of the world, four beings of magic witnessed the Greatest of Evil. Tasked by the Creator of the New World, they founded an Order in exchange for a better future. The Order's Purpose has finally come. And you, My Queen, has unleashed their ire with your treachery. Run to the farthest seams of the universe, if you ever hope to live a little longer.
Word-Count: 6, 416 words.
The Ophiuchus
Part Three: Gathering of the Order
Edmund's journey with the White Witch was both terrifying and eye-opening. The scenery passed by in a blur of white, grey and black. The sled sped on in a dizzying speed. Edmund could practically hear the glee in the Witch's voice.
The sled stop all of a sudden. The momentum throwing Edmund forward in a tumble, the bindings stopping him from protecting himself. The reason for this sudden stop was the melted snow where sparse patches of grass would peak out from here and there. The sled couldn't move on forward amidst the mix of sleeping white trees and living green ones. The Witch's face couldn't even get any paler as her anger grew in front of this mockery of her powers.
Tersely, she ordered Ginarrbrik to get the sled out of the mud where it laid stuck. The dwarf was not strong enough — his hight being one of the factors — to push the sled out. The black dwarf complained so much that his whining voice brought upon the "Royal Forehead" a headache of massive proportions.
"Then use the boy!" She snaps back.
Edmund didn't need to be given another chance to get away from her line of sight. With that same dagger, still thirsting for his blood, his bounded hands were freed. He helped Ginarrbrik push the sled out. It worked at the cost of a very muddy dwarf, much to the delight of the wizard. Edmund his his grin to the best of his ability. Yet, the dwarf knew with the slight twinkle in the boy's eyes, knowledge that he showed by baring his teeth.
Ginarrbrik circled the sled to see the damage that was brought to it. Meanwhile, wolves from the White Witch's Secret Police approached their Queen. In one of their mouths laid a fox. The same fox that Edmund had met before when he journeyed to the Witch's Castle: Auric.
The wolf spat the fox. The latter with a small whimper that pierced Edmund's heart. "We found this traitor gathering troops in the Shattering Forest." The wolf spat out in a growl.
"Nice of you to drop by." The Witch smiled in the most vicious way. "I understand that you were most helpful to my wolves last night." Her eyes were shining in anticipation of something delightful.
Auric bowed his head towards the sled. "Forgive your Majesty." His tone was strong while his voice was sorrowful.
"Flattery will get you no where. It is to late for that." The False Queen spat out, quick as lightning. Her wand sparkled as magic started to gather.
The fox smirked at the response. "Not to sound rude, but I wasn't talking to you." He bowed more deeply towards Edmund.
Edmund nodded back. "There is nothing to forgive. You upheld your duty with pride and honor. I thank you."
The White Queen spun around in a quarter arc to look at Edmund. Gears in her head began to whirl as she suddenly understood. "You warned your family in advance, didn't you?"
Edmund stared straight back. "Your magic may have been the strongest, but it's hold is weakening. I did what I could to protect my family when It forced me to go to you." He could feel the Cold Magic being chased away, as summer warmth spread through his body, amidst the roar of approval.
"Then your little stunt will be for nothing." She spat back. She turned back to Auric, eyes blazing in fury. "Listen to me, fox, and listen well. You will only have one chance for me to spare your miserable life. Tell me where is Aslan now!" She hissed the last word, in a cold arctic breath.
The fox looked straight into her eyes in pure defiance. "Long live Aslan, the True King of Narnia." He said in a clear, strong way.
She raised her wand, ready to kill the insolent that stood in her way.
Seeing the danger, Edmund ran in between them, arms held out to protect the descendant of Yanic to the best of his abilities. "Wait!" He cried out. "I'll tell you what else I know if you'll spare his life."
Auric behind him gasped. "No, your majesty, you mustn't. My life isn't worth such a price."
"Your life is worth that, and much more." Edmund retorted, his head barely turning towards the messenger. He was still glaring at the Witch, not wanting to give her even a second of a chance to attack. "I will tell you, in exchange for his life." He repeated slowly. "I can even keep him with me in the sled so that you will have two hostages instead of one. Does that sound fair to you?"
"Of course, Edmund." The White Witch was crooning softly. As if she was trying to persuade him back to her side. "Now, tell me what you know and withheld from me."
"Not very much, I'm afraid. Your magic forced me to leave before I could get more details. All that I know is that in the North lays the Stone Table. Not far away from it is the location of Aslan's Camp."
The False Queen nodded. "Very well then. Take the fox in your arms. At the first attempt of escape, you will pay with your life."
Edmund nodded, relief relaxing his features. He turned around to gather Auric in his arms. The latter let himself go limp in his future ruler's arms. He knew of the danger that he was in. While he was ready to let down his life for his sovereign, it would seem that it was saved for a certain price. It didn't help that he was well aware that Edmund would help him escape at the first possible opportunity.
Edmund didn't climb back on the sled right away. The reason was Ginarrbrik who was now talking to his Queen, in the quivering sort of mess that he was. The reason was soon explained.
"We can't go any further." The dwarf stated. "Their isn't enough snow to continue forward. We can't go back with the sled stuck in the mud like this."
The Witch's face grew even more thunderous than before. Her pale skin was even more paper-like, creating an unearthly mask on her face, emphasizing that she was never, and would be never, a human being. Despite her appearance like a Daughter of Eve.
"Very well. We shall walk to our Camp. I hope that it will be set up at the Stone Table." The last order was directed to her wolves. They bowed and scattered quickly from her anger. "Release the reindeers, they will return to the castle by themselves."
She ordered, dismissing the dwarf by turning away from him. Climbing down daintily she started to walk briskly towards the direction of the Stone Table. Her long legs making her steps even longer than the rest of the company. "And for Heaven's sake, don't forget to bind the boy so that he can't run away." She added her command as an after thought.
Ginarrbrik hurriedly obeyed his Queen. The reindeers ran away as quickly as they could, freed by Edmund while the black-bearded dwarf watched closely. He still found a way to slip in a message to the head reindeer's ears. "Warn the Camp as quickly as possible." The reindeer barely flickered an ear to show that he understood.
Edmund's heart grew slightly lighter to know that word had been sent. The messengers will be faster than the Witch's troops on foot. On top of that, he had somehow — Edmund still didn't know how he achieved such a feat — spared Auric's life from the Witch's wrath. All that was left for him to wait for the perfect time for their escape.
Ginarrbrik knotted Edmund in such a way that only his hands were in front of him to carry Auric. The dwarf did not trust the fox to walk side-by-side with them and not try to escape. Despite the the threat on his sovereign's life. Auric did nothing to increase his weight. He knew that he had to lay low.
The trio followed the False Queen to the encampment. Only time would tell if they would be saved.
— OotW —
When Peter realized that Edmund was missing. He was beside himself of worry. Where had his idiotic brother gone to now? For the past three years, Peter had been a sort-of nightmare where Edmund was growing further and further away from them. Ever since he had joined that private school for the gifted.
Peter didn't know what to do. He really tried to grow closer to his brother, but it backfired spectacularly, making Edmund distance himself even more from him and Susan. Lucy was still to young to understand what was happening.
He had tried to defend his brother against Mr. Beaver's accusation. Although, the facts led to only one conclusion: Edmund had betrayed them. Peter's senses screamed to him that it was impossible for Edmund to betray his family. Even if Edmund had separated himself from his family, he was still loyal to them.
Then, they heard the howling of the wolves. That prompted the Beavers to act. Mrs. Beaver packed as quickly as she could, mostly food for the journey ahead. Mr. Beaver, on the other hand, was trying his best to think of an escape plan. The diggings paws of the wolves echoed around the dam.
Seeing that they couldn't leave through the traditional way, Mr. Beaver uncovered a secret tunnel. The entrance was under a carpet, placed in such a way that when the door closed, the carpet covered it instantly. Needless to say that Mrs. Beaver was very surprised to know the true destination of the tunnel.
"You told me that it led to your mother's." rang out in total outrage. Mr. Beaver was really lucky that they were fleeing for their lives, or else, he would have faced the extreme ire of his wife. If they survived the war, Mr. Beaver would have a lot of groveling to do. He would have a better chance facing the Witch's ire unscath than for his wife to forgive him for his secret drinking and long-term lie. (Another story for another time, as one would say).
The group came out in a snowy clearing, guarded by statues of stones. They were Mr. Beaver's drinking friends, all around a circle of a long ago burnt out campfire. The wolves barking in the tunnel spurned the group to run as fast as they can. But to where? The Secret Police would be able to sniff them out if they had one little suspicion.
Out from the circle of statues, a fox came out. "This is what happens to the enemies of the Witch. And what awaits you if you are captured by Her forces." He pointed with his head to the statues around them.
Mr. Beaver, full of grief at the state of his friends, tried to lunge at the Fox. "Stand still there, traitor!" He was held back by his wife who didn't want to see him hurt.
The fox stepped back once, frightened of the anger in the beaver's voice. "Whoa there! I'm one of the good guys." He chuckled softly at the joke, trying to lighten the mood. He wouldn't have made such a detour if his King hadn't ordered it.
"Well, you look awfully like one of the bad ones." The fury was almost palpable in the air.
"An unfortunate family resemblance, I can tell you that. Now, either we discuss the family breeding ways in such a profound way that you will no for sure that I am a good guy … letting the Secret Police catch you in between. Or, you can trust me right now and get on with it." Auric really was having a trying day. First someone who know of his ancestry, then, a message from his king and finally, an utterly mulish beaver who didn't know right from left even if it was staring at his face!
The eldest of the siblings decided to take charge. "What do you suggest?"
Auric only smiled as he looked up. The group of fugitives quickly scrambled up the sleeping trees to escape their captors. Not a moment to soon for the entrance to the tunnel soon burst open with the force of a couple of a tensome of wolves. At the head of the group was Maugrim, the leader of the pack.
Auric decided to launch the offensive first, to destabilize those around him. "Good evening gentlemen. Searching for something, perhaps?" His tone was cocky while his body held the slight tremble of fear.
The wolves circled around him. "Don't play games with us," one of them snapped. "A group of humans has just passed by. Tell us where they went."
Auric pretended to think about the order. Up above him, Peter was sweating, wondering if he did the right thing to place his trust in Auric's paws. He breathed — not realizing that he had stopped for a moment — when he heard Auric's voice speak up once more. "Humans? In Narnia? Now, that would be quite a piece of information wouldn't it?"
"Do not pretend, fox." Filled with the chase of the hunt, Maugrim's voice was darker than usual, more menacing for all to hear clearly. "We all know where your allegiance lies. Tell us where they went and I'll spare your life." He pounced on Auric, his jaws barely distanced from the fox's throat. "How's that for an incentive?"
Auric's body relaxed, his face sad and weary. "North, I sent them North to the Witch's Castle."
The fox hit one of the statues with a small yelp, batted by one mighty throw of Maugrim. The alpha howled into the wind. "Come on boys. The hunt is still on." Growls of pleasure echoed after the running pack.
Waiting for a few moments, Auric then signaled for the group to come down. "I have bought you some time and fulfilled my side-mission. Now, I must return to gather the troops for Aslan himself." He puffed out in pride of the greatest honor given to his clan.
"Side-mission?" Susan asked, curious.
"Indeed, my queen. Originally I was much farther away from here. As I pursued on my journey, I met your brother, the King." Auric told them. The whole group looked at him with great interest at the news. "The Witch weaved some spell of magic on him, for he was forced to her Castle. With the last of his strength, he bade me to warn you of the danger coming your way and to help you if I can. I have done just that. Now the rest is up to you. I bid you good luck on your journey. Evade the wolves by crossing over as many bodies of water as possible. It will weaken the smell for a couple of miles, while breaking your trail. Now go, fly to Aslan's Camp. You will be safe there."
They parted ways, Auric running North to spread the word of Aslan's camp, while the Children and Beavers went South for safety. Not before Mrs. Beaver healed Auric from the Swiftpaw clan to the best of her abilities amidst their limited amount of time. During the ministrations, Auric would describe, to the best of his abilities, Aslan.
The group of fugitives continued on their trek in the deep desert of white. They ran as fast as their legs could carry them, the Beavers being the fastest since they may be the smallest, but they were also the swiftest. Lucy, when tired, alternated between running forward and being carried by her brother. Their fear gave them wings to go faster than they were used to, making them short of breath quite quickly.
Wings of fear that grew bigger once they heard the bells of a sled from behind them. Spotting a ledge up ahead, Mr. Beaver doubled back as quickly as he could to show them the hiding place. The group flattened themselves to the best of their ability. Lucy whimpered slightly, burrowing to the best of her into her brother's warm body. The bells stop, not far away from where they lay. A shadow appeared just in front of them, standing for a couple of seconds, appearing more menacing amidst the glittering snow.
Then it disappeared, while the bells didn't jingle away. Mr. Beaver, ready as ever to lay down his life for children — the fact that they were the ones of the prophecy being only a juicy bonus — darted out to see if the Witch had left. His shout made them startle, while Mr. Beaver's head appear upside down.
"Come quickly, this isn't her." The children and Mrs. Beaver scrambled out of their hiding place. "I hope all of you have been good, for their is someone here to see you." Pursued Mr. Beaver, all giddy and jittery. When the rest of them joined the beaver, they too began to smile.
It was true that it was a sled, just like the Witch's, pulled by reindeers and decorated with bells. However, while the Witch's sled was as white as her spells, this one was of a deep brown of age-old trees, with red and gold paintings to decorate the sides. In it was a jolly man dressed in red, a long white bear and bearing a huge bag of something beside and behind him. In front of them, getting our of his sled before stretching tall and true, was Father Christmas in all his glory.
"Ho ho ho!" He merrily chuckled. "A Merry Christmas to all."
"Merry Christmas to you too, sir." Lucy answered back giddily. She had always believed in Father Christmas. Boy, was she glad that she was right.
Susan, always the skeptical wondered about a small detail that they had learned from the Beavers. "I thought that there hasn't been a Christmas in Narnia for the past hundred of years." She pointed out astutely.
"The Witch forbade me from spreading my joy with her magic. Now that her magic weakens, I am now free to bring Christmas to Narnia." Not wanting to dwell on such a subject, Father Christmas gestured towards his full bag in the sled. "Now, how about some presents, eh? I think that all of you are in need of some Christmas cheer."
The group stepped forward, closer to the sled, clearly happy for the gifts to come. Father Christmas approached the Beavers first. "I shall start with you, dear friends. Mr. Beaver, your present is the complete restoration of your dam, in it's first state as if brand new. As for your present, Mrs. Beaver, it lays on your dinner table. A sewing machine and a pantry filled to the brim of food that will stay fresh until your return."
The Beavers thanked the jolly man with heartfelt thanks. Their gratitude couldn't even be translated into words. The very first Christmas that Narnia had seen in the past hundred of years. It was a joyful celebration to see a sign of Hope and the end of winter fast approaching.
"Little Lucy, light of all. Come closer, child, to get your gifts." Lucy approached the red-clothed man eagerly. Her steps bouncing slightly in her carefree way. Out from his bag came two little objects. The first one was a gleaming dagger in it's scabbard belt. Father Christmas presented it to her.
"Even if I do not wish for you to ever use it, take this gift to defend yourself." Seeing the young girl pout, he added. "War is in an ugly affair. The ways of healing are more useful than you shall ever know. For that, I gift you with this cordial." A beautiful crystal bottle containing a ruby red liquid passed hands. "One drop and all wounds are cured. Use it wisely, dear heart."
Then, the jolly man turned to Susan. "Sweet Susan. Alas for you, I gift thee with a bow and arrow. May they fly true and to your target." Susan accepted the bow and quiver full of red-feathered arrows.
"What happened to war being an affair?" She asked wirily, even if she examined with great interest the arrows.
"That is most unfortunate." The Jolly Man told her. "Which brings me to my second gift. Even if you don't have a problem in being heard, in times of great danger, if you find yourself in need, then blow in this horn for swift aid." He gave her a beautiful white horn, incrusted with gold, silver and bronze decorations around it.
Susan thanked Father Christmas profoundly. Awe enabled her to properly thank the man. The latter just chuckled.
Now, it was Peter's turn to receive his gift. The boy stepped forward, without any problem. "Now here is Peter, the eldest of the four. You're destiny is truly heavy to bear for one so young. To aid you in your quest, I give you these weapons." From his bag came a big shield bearing a lion on it and beautiful broad sword. "Be careful now, they are tools, not toys. Use them wisely for what lies ahead."
"Thank you sir." Peter was grateful, examining the sword and the shield. Then, he realized something with a start. "What about Edmund? Will he have any presents?"
Father Christmas laughed, yet it was more mute. "Your brother will indeed receive gifts. Not at the moment, mind you, but very soon. It is not as if he is without protection. Ho ho ho! The Witch should grow weary once he escapes from her poisonous grasp."
That cheered up the three remaining Pevensie siblings. Edmund had not joined the witch of his own free will. That meant that he had not betrayed them. Yet, they were sad that so much misfortune had come upon him and that he wasn't with them at the moment.
"Now, I must be off. Winter is at it's end and things do tend to pile up when a hundred years pass. Safe journey and long live Aslan." He climbed back on his sled and took off in a merry jingle of bells. Everyone watched in pure amazement at the miracle they were witness too.
Peter, always the most sensible of the four siblings, soon got the meaning behind Father's Christmas' warning. "We must hurry. If winter is nearly at it's end, then that would mean …"
Susan interrupted as she too realized the implication. "… The river is thawing. We will no longer have the means to cross it if we are to reach Aslan's camp."
They hurried quickly to the gigantic flowing river. Throughout the years, it was known as the Great Icy River. Now, it will be renown for the Great River since the thick ice covering it had started to melt, quicker than most with the fast pace of flowing water. To top everything that had gone bad so far (not worse), the crossing place they had chosen was at the foot of the iced waterfall.
Any minute now, the ice would crack, letting a torrent of icy water flow down from the waterfall. Their only piece of luck was that there was still ice right at the foot of the waterfall, allowing them to cross over on the other side.
"Maybe we should rethink this." Susan stated, not reassured at the slightest at the sight.
"We don't have time, Su." Peter retorted.
"I was trying to be realistic." A hurt Susan was a vicious Susan.
"No, you were being smart …as always." The last two words were added to lighten the mood. They didn't have the time to fight between them. Not when they were on the run.
The group started to walk over the ice. Then, they heard the cracking sounds right at the beginning of the trek.
Mr. Beaver, wanting to help out to the best of his abilities told them to stay where they were while he tested the ice for them. Being an aquatic being, he could swim if he ever fell in and his fur and fat would protect him from the cold.
Slowly walking forward, he used his tail to test the ice before them. It cracked from time to time. Mr. Beaver, trying to not show her fear, cried out in mock anger. "You've been sneaking second helpings, haven't you?" That was the only reason for Mr. Beaver to be so fat.
Mr. Beaver, understanding the mood, fired back. "I can't help it, you don't know when it will be your last meal." He paused to tap a particularly thin looking patch of ice. As he suspected, it wasn't safe. "Especially with your cooking." He added with a slight laughter in his voice. He dearly loved his wife.
Howling behind them cut through the lightened mood. The wolves had caught up to them! They could see the black blurbs of shadows running towards them.
"RUN!" Peter shouted, practically caring Lucy whose shorts legs would hinder them. Halfway of the crossing, their route was barred by Maugrim himself, one of his wolves pinning down Mr. Beaver to the ground. Trying to protect his family, Peter drew his sword. Hand unsteady at the unfamiliar weight and ignorance at how to wield it.
"Put that down boy, before you hurt someone. Mainly yourself or maybe your little friend here." Maugrim taunted, feeling superior at the situation at hand.
Mr. Beaver shouted out, despite being at the mercy of the fangs and claws of his captor, "Don't worry about me. Slit his throat." He was silenced by a growl and a mouth approaching his jugular vein.
Maugrim decided on another approach. "Listen, if you agree to leave now, I will make sure that your brother leaves with you." He could see that the boy was wavering, still uncertain about what to do. He hasn't grown up enough to make such a decision.
"Stop it Peter." Susan intervened, half hysterical at the danger in front of them, the other half tempted by Maugrim's proposal. "Just because some man dressed in red gave you a sword doesn't mean that you are some sort of warrior."
"Peter. Don't worry about me. Narnia needs you and your siblings, so go ahead and slay them." Mr. Beaver, more stubborn then anything else, continued to defy even from his precarious position.
"Peter." Trembled Lucy, scared from the situation.
Peter finally made a decision, an idea forming as ice began to fall from beside them. It seemed that the river's frozen state was finally over. "Hang on." He called out to his sisters before he planted his sword deep into the ice. Susan and Lucy crowded around him, sensing that something was up.
Maugrim, thinking that he had won, was about to leap when he heard the sound. Like the crack of the whip soon followed by the moan of an oak, the giant waterfall unfroze after a hundred of years of ice finally thawed in enough to let it go. A whimper escaped the fearsome Alpha before he ordered a retreat. Order that was cut in half by the icy water gushing down on them.
Wolves were swept in the fearsome flow, while the Pevensie siblings clutched to each other, hoping that their makeshift raft of ice would carry them. The trip was fast and swift as the river carried them down to more grassy lands and warmth.
It was only after that they have reached shore that Susan and Peter realized that Lucy wasn't with them. To make sure that the youngest was with them, Peter had kept a hand on her coat. Peter hadn't realized that Lucy had slipped from her coat during their watery journey.
They cried out, searching for the youngest. Her name echoing throughout the woods. Susan, her grief needing a target to lash out, shouted at her brother. "What have you done?" She demanded to know, not wanting to blame herself for the loss of their sister.
A voice cleared itself not far from where they stood. A male voice broke their fearful search. "Excuse me? Is anyone missing a little girl by any chance?"
The siblings turned towards the speaker. He was a young man, the same age as Peter, with curly red hair and brilliant blue eyes. He bore the colors of red and gold. But, what was most important was what in his arms, a little girl still shivering slightly from the cold. A bright red cap with something in gold — the lines of the symbol to bunch up to know what it was exactly — was around her, adding another layer of warmth against the fight of hypothermia.
Peter and Susan rushed towards the stranger, thanking him immensely, as the fluttered around Lucy to make sure that she was alright with their own eyes. Well, Susan fluttered while Peter stayed next to his sister, searching with his gaze.
"Has anyone seen my coat?" Lucy asked cheekily. That broke the mood as the three rejoiced for getting out of the spot of danger.
When all was said and done, Peter turned to the stranger, who was smiling strangely at them. "Thank you very much for saving her, sir."
A booming laugh came from the boy in front of them. "Sir? I am about the same age as you, Peter. I doubt that you would call any of your friends "Sir" would you?"
Peter startled. "How do you know my name?" He trailed on, wanting at least a name.
"Brian. My name is Brian Prewett. I study in the same school as your brother, Edmund." Brian answered, a big smile on his face. "He can't stop talking about you, Peter, and you Susan, while gushing about his adorable little sister Lucy."
It wasn't completely false either. Whenever he could, Edmund would talk about his siblings, missing them fiercely every year. His fellow Knights were sorry that he couldn't talk about magic to his family. At least now, Brian hoped, Edmund wouldn't have any reason to keep his secret any longer.
"He did?" Susan wondered. "He certainly didn't talk about you."
"And I can say for sure that he hadn't talked much about his school, has he?" Brian countered. "But now is not the time for squabbling. Come now, I have some beavers to catch to and a camp to guide you to."
The siblings followed the red-head downwards the river. They soon joined the Beaver couple. Then, they followed their guide to Aslan's Camp. The group were escorted by a hallway of swords and whispered words at their approach. Brian was right next to Peter as they walked in the front of the group.
Lucy wondered at the whispering, even asking Susan for the reason. The elder sister couldn't answer. Mrs. Beaver was fussing with her fur. She didn't even have enough time to be properly presentable for her meeting with Aslan. "Stop fussing." Mr. Beaver tried to stop her. "You look beautiful, my dear."
They approached a beautiful large tent, where red, yellow, blue and green blended together, forming something hypnotic at first glance. A large centaur, with black-hair that fell down to his chest in ringlets and whose horse part was the color of chestnut, stepped forward. "I am Oreius Commander of this army and Aslan's General of War. What is your purpose here?" He demanded, voice slightly gruff.
Peter drew his sword, presenting it to Oreius. "I am Peter. My siblings and I have come to seek Aslan." He stated, his voice clear and firm.
Brian also took out his sword, keeping it in the air parallel to Peter's. "I am Brian, the Leo. I am the Knight of the North from Aslan's Order. I have come for the Gathering, summoned by the Ophiuchus to come in Narnia's aid." As he uttered these words, the Narnians broke out in even more hushed whispers. Hope and smiled bloomed even brighter than when they first met the children of the Prophecy.
The whispers stopped of all sudden, as if some invisible signal had been made. The wind, a breathless hum, passed through as a gentle breeze. The tent's flaps moved as they parted, by magic, for the King of the Land.
He was a magnificent lion, taller than any of the Pevensies have ever seen. Molten gold seemed to be the make-up of his fur, his mighty tail swished peacefully in the sunlight. His majestic presence brought peace to all that looked upon him. Everyone kneeled before the true King of Narnia, the Son of the Emperor of the Sea, the Mighty Creator of this land.
The siblings kneeled as well, as their instincts dictated them to do. Not in that forceful way that is one of fear, it was in that peaceful way one would do with respect.
The Lion stopped before them. His voice was deep melodious, as the Earth and Sky mixed together. "Welcome Peter, son of Adam, welcome Susan and Lucy, daughters of Eve. Welcome to you as well, Beavers. You have my thanks for bringing them here safely. Greetings to you as well, Knight of the North." He took a look at each and every one of them. His gaze full of wisdom and strength. "Yet, I do not see the fourth of the siblings of the prophecies. Where is he?"
Peter looked up. "That is why we came here. We need your help to save our brother."
"We ran into a little bit of trouble along the way." Susan continued, piping in. "He's been captured."
"Captured!?" The crowd gasped in surprise and terror. One of the future Kings had been captured by the White Witch! All hope was lost for the future of Narnia.
Mr. Beaver, his mouth running ahead before his thoughts, exclaimed. "He betrayed us all, your Excellence."
"Then he had betrayed us all." Oreius declared. His tone incensed from what he had heard.
"Bite your tongue." Barked out Brian. "Edmund is more loyal to Narnia than you will ever be, Beaver. Unlike you, who have lived passively during the Witch's reign, he has been prepared for something like this to come by." His face was livid in anger, hand at his sword ready to bring it out at a moment's notice.
Peter really tried to bite back that sliver of jealousy. Here was someone that really believed in Edmund, while he still had his doubts.
"Peace Brian. Beaver is not aware of all the facts, just like many narnians have forgotten the tales of old." Aslan soothed the warrior. It didn't stop the Knight from sending furious glares to the trembling beaver.
"It's my fault sir, I was to hard on him." Peter said.
"We all were, Peter. This isn't only your fault. Please, help him, he is our brother, sir. " Susan added. Lucy only sent her most pleading look.
"We will do what we can." Aslan decided. "For now, rest here from your flight as we plan a way to save your brother." The siblings bowed their head as the narnians cheered. "Brian, bring the Pevensie to your tents, you will be sharing with them. Then, come back to see me as we plan Edmund's rescue."
Brian stood up, before bowing deeply before Aslan. "Of course, Sire. It will be done." He waited for Aslan to go back to his tent before he turned towards the brother and sisters of his fellow knight. "This way please. Susan and Lucy, you will be sharing a tent with the Knight of the North. Leia should be arriving in the next couple of days. I think that you will like her. Peter, you and I will be sharing a tent with the Knight of the South, Michael, and with Edmund once he is rescued."
Peter could only nod his agreement. Despite them being of the same age, he deferred to Brian who seemed more older somehow, just like Edmund was.
"Perfect." The Knight of Leo chirped. "Then here there are. The blue-green sea tent is for the girls. The golden-green is ours, Peter. Make yourself comfortable, it will be of no use to Edmund if you are tired." A jaunty wave later, and the siblings found themselves together in the girls' tent. Still to wired up from their flight to really want to sleep.
One thing that was niggling in Peter's mind was Lucy's rescue. She hadn't told them how Brian had fished her out from the river. From one thing, the flow was very fast with the sudden influx of melted water. Another fact was that when they met Brian, after those few terrifying minutes, he didn't seem to have one drop of water on him.
"Say Lucy," began Peter, wanting to get to the bottom of the mystery. "How did Brian get you out of the river?"
"I'm not to sure myself, Peter." Lucy huddled deeper int he red cloak, having not taken it off, not even during their meeting with Aslan. "One minute, I was tumbling in the water. I couldn't see, I couldn't breath. Everything was so frightening." Her face was still so pale from the ordeal, despite the small measure of rosy blush on her cheeks. She was still only a little girl after all. "Then, all of a sudden, something plucked me out of the river. Like a giant invisible hand. Before I knew it, Brian had wrapped his cloak around me, making me feel very warm all of the sudden. He told me his name and that he'll bring me to you both."
That in itself was troubling. How did Brian fished out Lucy from the river? They would have to ask him later on.
Seeing that his sister was tired, the hidden yawn from Lucy not helping, Peter asked that they all go lie down on the hammock for a quick nap. Soon, all three of them were snuggled together and fell in a deep sleep, so profound, that they didn't hear the commotion outside, nor the urgent shouting. For the next sixty minutes or so, the three siblings rested with nary a dream.
It wasn't a normal sleep, but a magical one, cast by the Knight of the East with the aid of the Lion. And if his companions from North and South arrived during that time in a portal of light, then, it was just a coincidence, that was all.
An: A brief recap of the knights fighting with their House represented:
Slytherin: The Knight of the West, the Ophiuchus, is Edmund Pevensie. His mentor was Myra Black. == Associated trait: Cunningness.
Gryffindor: The Knight of the East, the Leo, is Brian Prewett. His mentor was Septimus Weasley. == Associated trait: Strength.
Hufflepuff: The Knight of the South, the Brock, is Michael Smith His mentor was Rosalba Doralia. == Associated trait: Force.
Ravenclaw: The Knight of the North, the Valraven, is Leia Kerasos. Her mentor was Albert Commonsword. == Associated trait: Wisdom.