Hey everyone. Hope your week is going well.Here's today's note of legalities:

Disclaimer: I don't own any aspects to characters or scenes in this story.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program:

Chapter 9

The Journey Begins

Kitty felt the warmth of the sun shine on her fur. She opened her eyes slowly to see smoke rising from the smoldering campfire. The Pevensies were all sleeping alongside Humpty, the Beavers, and Perrito. Puss was sitting on a log looking around. He noticed Kitty sitting up, rubbing her eyes as she woke up. "Good morning, my dear. How was your sleep?"

"Good. After the second watch, I went to dreamland easily. What about you?"

Puss shrugged. "Fine. Last watch was a little hard, but I got some good sleep. Though I still think that that game was rigged."

Kitty smiled. "You lost to me fair and square."

"Well, if I'd known we could use daggers in a hammer-paper-coal game, I would have pulled out my own sword or maybe my claws-"

Puss stopped talking. Kitty looked down. The subject of her claws was still a very sensitive subject. After all, not having claws was the reason she had fallen off the ship in the first place. Everything had gotten worse since then. Her claws would have been useful in dealing with the secret police instead of dodging them.

"I'm sorry, Kitty. I wasn't thinking." Puss finally said.

"It's alright, Puss. I appreciate the apology."

A moment of silence followed. A yawn to their right made the cats turn. The Beavers were getting up, Mr. Beaver yawning like crazy. "Mornin' everyone," Mr. Beaver said. "Up and at 'em. It's time to go."

Perrito opened his eyes. "What's for breakfast?"

Mrs. Beaver reached inside the sack and pulled out some biscuits and jam. "Here you go."

Kitty grabbed the biscuit handed to her and watched Mrs. Beaver pass the remaining ones to the others. Last night, Kitty had thought packing was a waste of time. Now, she was grateful Mrs. Beaver and the others had grabbed supplies.

The procession started soon after breakfast was finished. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver led the way, followed by the Pevensies, Humpty, Perrito, then Puss and Kitty bringing up the rear. Everyone had varying degrees of wakefulness.

Puss made small gasps as he walked. "Are you alright?" Peter asked.

"I'm fine," Puss replied. "Just not used to the snow on my bare feet."

"Why don't you wear them now, and clean them when we stop?" Humpty asked.

"I cannot. These boots are very dear to me. I cannot bear to get them sullied by the snow," Puss replied. "Even if it means bearing the pain of cold feet.

"It's not so bad, Puss," Perrito replied. "This is how most dogs and cats walk, myself included. I find it rather soothing and restful for the feet."

Puss smiled, but didn't respond. Kitty noticed, though, that he grunted less after Perrito's comment. Whether it was Perrito's positivity rubbing off on him or just a decision to quietly bear the cold, Kitty didn't know. She did appreciate the quiet though.

They soon reached a small land-bridge, separating two cliffs from each other. Mr. Beaver held up a paw. "Wait. I need to get my bearings. In the meantime, enjoy the view."

Kitty turned to take a look. What she saw took her breath away. The land before them curved down, trees pointing like spikes. They receded upon reaching a flat plain of ice, which seemed to stretch for miles. More hills climbed beyond the ice, eventually lifting to a cliff. If Kitty squinted, she could just see some ruins at the top.

Humpty had his quill out, scribbling rapidly. "What a sight."

"Never gets old," Mrs. Beaver said, smiling.

Peter pointed to the cliff. "What're those ruins over there?"

"That'd be the stone table," Mr. Beaver replied. "Aslan's camp is right next to it, just across the frozen river."

"River?" Susan asked.

"Yes. And the lake as well," Mrs. Beaver said. Noticing the concerned looks on the others, she added, "Don't worry. Both the river and the lake have been frozen solid for a hundred years. They'll hold for us."

Peter looked into the distance. "It's so far."

"Well, it's the world, Peter," Perrito replied. "Did you think it was going to be small?"

Susan shot Peter a smug look. "Smaller." Kitty could tell there was some unspoken disagreement that had just been resolved, but now didn't seem the time to bring it up.

As they walked back into the trees and started making their way down, Humpty was still writing with his quill. Puss held up a hand. "Humpty, watch out for that…"

He was interrupted by a small bonk. "…tree." Puss finished.

Humpty shook his head. "I'm alright, Puss. Just busy writing some stuff down. Point taken, though. I'll look where I'm going."

"What are you writing?" Susan asked.

Humpty looked up. "Well, I'm actually writing about these events. I've always been one to keep a journal, even in my youth. Now that I've finished writing about magic beans, it's time to write about something else. This seems like a good thing to write about."

Susan nodded. "It's always good to keep a chronicle of your daily life."

"So long as you're writing good things about me," Puss added.

Humpty chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm trying to keep as factually un-biased as I can."

Lucy furrowed her brow. "Hang on. Did you say magic beans?"

Humpty nodded. "Yeah. Magic beans."

"You mean like Jack and the Beanstalk?"

"Yeah. Grows the beanstalk and everything."

"So that's not just a story?" Susan asked, eyes widening.

"I assure you, Humpty is not pulling your legs," Puss replied. "The magic beans are real, as is the giant's castle. I, Humpty, and Kitty went up there and saw the golden goose ourselves."

"Really?" Lucy asked. "What happened?"

"It's a rather long story…" Puss started to say.

"You know you're dying to tell it," Kitty interrupted. "What else are we going to talk about?"

Puss looked over at Humpty, who had looked up as the discussion came up. After a short second, the egg nodded his head. Puss took a breath. "Well, alright."

As Puss talked, everyone became captivated. Puss glossed over the beginning events explaining how he, Humpty, and Kitty had met. After that, everything was told exactly as Kitty remembered it. Acquiring the beans from Jack and Jill, going up to the giant's castle, escaping the Great Terror with the Golden Goose, and Puss getting knocked out by Jack and Jill. Kitty noticed Humpty paying more and more attention as Puss went on. The egg was nervous about what Puss would say about him.

Puss then told how he woke up and followed Jack and Jill to San Ricardo. "So once I arrived, I found out a horrible revelation." Puss paused for dramatic effect, Humpty squinting as if bracing for a blow. "The Great Terror was the Golden Goose's mother. I needed to work with my friends to keep the Golden Goose away from Jack and Jill and reunite her with her mother. We worked hard and fast. It was difficult corralling a giant goose, let me tell you. But with Kitty and Humpty's skills, we got the Golden Goose and Great Terror out safe and sound."

Humpty looked up, surprised. Puss smiled at him as he bowed, accepting the applause of everyone else. Kitty smiled. If being a moral outlaw didn't work out, Puss could always go into storytelling.

"I'm surprised Jack and Jill were criminals," Lucy said.

"How come?" Perrito asked.

"Well, I've always heard that Jack and Jill fetched a pail of water from a well up a hill," Lucy replied. "There doesn't seem to be anything in the rhyme saying that they became mean."

"We have the same rhyme as well," Perrito replied. "But it doesn't say anything beyond them going for the pail of water and Jack breaking his crown. It could be that they didn't become criminals yet, or that that wasn't important to the rhyme."

Lucy's face turned puzzled. "I never thought of it like that."

"Perspective is important when it comes to what you hear," Perrito replied. "I think someone said it well with that glass-half-empty-or-full metaphor. It's always important to know the full story before taking action."

Everyone nodded, slightly surprised at the wisdom coming from this small dog. A brief lull of silence followed.

"Now I have something to ask about," Perrito said. "We've discussed how some of our stories are different from yours. I'm curious what other differences there could be. Are there any other famous fairy tales in your world?"

"Well, I always enjoyed the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears," Lucy replied. "In the story, Goldilocks visits the bears while they're away and tries some of their food, sits in their chairs, and sleeps in their beds. When the bears come back, she runs away, afraid of them."

"She also comments that whatever she's doing is either too hot, too cold, or just right," Susan added. "Does that story exist in your world?"

Perrito smiled. "The story is similar, but what happens at the end is different. That's not to say that Goldilocks and the Bears are bad. In fact, they're rather good friends. It didn't start that way though. Let me tell you…"

Kitty smiled, watching Perrito launch a discussion about fairy-tale differences that led to a retelling of the Last Wish adventure. She would have joined in, but noticed Humpty waving her and Puss over.

Once they came over, Humpty took a breath. "I just wanted to say 'thanks' to you both. You didn't have to cover for me in your tale."

"Anything for a brother," Puss replied.

"I did want to take this time," Humpty added. "to bring up a point I've been carrying. I've thought long and hard about what I did. I know no words can make up for all my deeds. So I just want to take this moment to say I'm sor-"

"Stop right there," Puss replied, holding up a paw. "We've already gone through this before. Look, Humpty. I know that you've done some bad stuff. However, you saved Kitty and your home by sacrificing yourself. You didn't know if you'd survive or not, yet you still gave up your life to make right what happened. I think that that makes us pretty much even."

"I agree," Kitty replied. "Humpty, you helped in that moment and you've been helping now. I would say that we should just drop the subject."

Humpty nodded. "Thanks." Though, it seemed to Kitty that the egg wasn't entirely convinced by their speech.

After a moment or two passed, Mr. Beaver cleared his throat. "If we're done lallygagging, we should try and pick up the pace. Hurry up, everyone."

Soon, the group was walking along the frozen lake. Kitty couldn't help but admire the solidness of the ice. There didn't seem to be any cracks or traces of thin ice. Clear away the snow, and it would be perfect for skating.

"Hurry up, everyone. While we're still young," Mr. Beaver said, breaking Kitty out of her thoughts.

Mr. Beaver had continued telling the group to hurry up after leaving the land-bridge. This comment was usually followed by a chuckle, indicating no harm or offense meant in the statement. The first few times it was amusing, but after twelve such instances, it was getting annoying.

Peter apparently felt the same way. "If he tells us to hurry one more time, I'm going to turn him into a big fluffy hat," he said, letting Lucy ride piggyback to rest her legs.

"Maybe you should add some mittens for Puss with that," Kitty replied.

"I don't know if mittens would be for me," Puss said. "Now boots for Perrito…"

"No thank you," Perrito interrupted. "Just a jacket for me, thank you very much. Just wish it wasn't so itchy sometimes."

"Well, we can put it to a vote later," Susan said. "Though I do like the idea of a fur handkerchief."

Everyone chuckled a little at that, including Mr. Beaver. He knew that they didn't mean anything by their comments. Kitty was glad for the levity. Provided a small distraction from all the walking.

"Hurry up, come on." Mr. Beaver shouted.

"He is getting a little bossy," Lucy said.

Kitty opened her mouth to comment when Mrs. Beaver shouted. "No! Behind you! It's her!"

Kitty turned around. If this was a new joke, it was in very poor taste. Suddenly, she saw something in the distance. Snow flying as a blur moved towards them. Kitty thought she heard bells in the air as she began to make out a sleigh.

Suddenly it hit her hard. The Beavers had mentioned a sleigh being the White Witch's preferred travel method. There could be no other explanation.

Kitty turned back. "Run, all of you!"

Everyone started making a mad dash for the trees. Kitty looked back occasionally to see the sleigh getting closer and closer. This was not good. At the rate the sleigh was going, it would be a miracle if they could get to cover before it reached them.

Suddenly, Puss slipped. The boots flew out of his paws and fell to the ground. Puss started to move towards them, but Kitty held up a paw. "Leave them. There isn't time. Think of the others."

Puss looked like he was about to argue, but stopped, seeing the logic of Kitty's words. He then ran fast and hard after the others. "That Witch will pay if she hurts my boots."

"I know, Puss. We can deal with it later."

The group soon made their way into the trees. Kitty heard the sleigh bells close behind them. "We need to find a place to hide," Mrs. Beaver shouted.

Kitty saw a small ditch, with a cave jutting out under a rock outcropping. "What about this?" Kitty called.

"Perfect. Get inside! Move!" Mr. Beaver exclaimed.

The Pevensies dived in, followed by Humpty and Perrito. Kitty and Puss were last, weapons ready.

Silence filled the cave as they all looked out. The sleigh bells had stopped directly above them. Snow suddenly fell to the ground as a figure stood directly above them. Kitty dared not breathe. The figure stood there for a moment, then walked away.

A minute or two of silence passed. Lucy was the one to state the question they were all considering. "Maybe she's gone?"

Kitty looked to Puss and Peter. This could be a ploy to draw them all out to their doom. There was only one way to know the truth for certain. "I suppose I'd better take a look," Peter whispered.

Mr. Beaver and Puss held out their paws. "No. You're worth nothing to Narnia dead," Mr. Beaver said.

"But neither are you, Beaver," Mrs. Beaver said, guessing her husband's intentions.

"Thank you, sweetie," Mr. Beaver replied, taking his wife's paws in his own. "I'll be fine."

"Especially since you'll have someone to watch your back," Puss added. He turned to Kitty. "Watch over the others."

"I will," Kitty replied.

Puss and Mr. Beaver made their way up the rocks as quietly as they could. A minute passed. Two. It was hard, all this waiting. Kitty kept a paw on the Pevensies, her other paw on her dagger, eyes darting around the entrance for any signs of an ambush.

Footsteps sounded above them. Kitty leaned forward, prepared for the worst. If she was to go down, she'd go down swinging.

Suddenly, a head popped down. Lucy screamed and Kitty started to thrust. Her eyes widened and she stopped an inch from Puss' face.

"Put that letter opener away, Kitty. You could take an eye out," Puss said, grinning.

"It's alright. It isn't her," Mr. Beaver said, suddenly leaning down and wearing one of the widest smiles they had seen him wear. "Though I hope you've all been good, because there's someone here to see you."

Kitty followed the Pevensies out of the cave and up to the top of the rocks. The first thing she saw was a sleigh. It was a simple sleigh, with two lanterns up front and a large sack in the back. Eight reindeer stood in front, led by another reindeer with a red nose. But the thing that drew Kitty's attention was the man standing in front of them. He wore an old red coat and a Russian cap on his head. He was an older man, with a long white beard and some wrinkles on his face. Still, there was a twinkle in his eyes, a sense of energy and joy. Kitty's jaw dropped. She had heard of this fellow. He was known by many names in her world, but there was no mistaking who he was.

"Father Christmas!" Lucy yelled excitedly.

The man smiled. "Welcome, everyone. I've finally made it."

The man spoke with a voice that seemed old yet lively at the same time. There was a trace of several different accents. Russian, American, Australian, you name it. It all blended together to make a wonderful combination.

"I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia?" Susan asked.

"Well, there hasn't been," Father Christmas replied. "Not for a long time. But now that Aslan is on the move, the Witch's powers are weakening. First comes Christmas, next the end of winter."

"It's an honor to meet you, sir," Perrito said.

"Thank you, kindly," Father Christmas replied. "Now, to get down to tacks of brass." So saying, he leaned down and pulled his sack out. Kitty could see all manner of toys in there.

"Presents," Lucy said excitedly.

She ran over as Father Christmas leaned in and pulled out a small bottle. "Lucy, Daughter of Eve. This cordial is for you. It contains the juice of the fire-flowers that grow in the mountains of the sun. If you or any of your friends are hurt, a few drops of this will restore them. And also," he said, pulling out a dagger, "this is to defend yourself. But I hope that you will never need to use it.

Lucy's face grew serious as she looked at the gifts. "Thank you, sir. But I think I could be brave enough."

Father Christmas chuckled. "I do not doubt it. But battles are ugly affairs, I'm afraid."

Lucy nodded, not fully understanding, but accepting the advice of Father Christmas.

Father Christmas turned to the rest of the group as Lucy stepped back. "Puss in Boots, Cat of Nine Lives."

Puss' eyes widened. "Me, sir?"

"Yes, of course, you. Come on over, my friend."

Puss came forward, eyes looking over the sack.

Father Christmas, however, pulled something out of his sleigh. "I found these on my ride over. I assume they belong to you?"

Puss looked at the items in Father Christmas's hands. "Yes! It's my boots!" He grabbed them and hugged them tight. Looking at the others staring at him, he cleared his throat and stood up straight. "Thank you, sir. You don't know how much this means to me."

"Oh, I think I do," Father Christmas replied, chuckling. "Clean boots for worthy deeds. And that's why I've added a special polish of mine. I think you'll find your boots won't get a stain on them from mud or snow. Any stains that do appear will be cleaned easily. So long as you never forget the boots' significance, the polish will do its work."

Puss' eyes widened, brimming with tears as he realized the full significance of Father Christmas' words. "Thank you, sir," was all he could say.

Susan was next in the group. "You must only use this in great need," Father Christmas said, giving Susan a bow and a quiver of the finest arrows Kitty had ever seen.

Susan looked them over. "What happened to 'battles are ugly affairs?'" she asked.

Father Christmas chuckled. "I still hold true to it. It is to be used in defense like the dagger. Shoot with your heart rather than your head, and it will fly straight and true, no matter the distance. One other thing," Father Christmas said, reaching in the sack. He pulled out a hunting horn, carved with a roaring lion. "Blow on this horn in a time of need, and help will come."

"Thank you, sir," Susan replied.

"Perrito, Creature's Best Friend," Father Christmas called.

Perrito walked forward.

"Now this gift might seem smaller than the others," Father Christmas said, pulling up some snow and shifting it. "However, I know the size of the gift does not define the worth of the gift."

Father Christmas pulled out a small snowy tube with holes sticking out at the bottom. He then put it on Perrito, the snow soaking into his jacket. Perrito waited a second or two, then a smile started to form. "It's stopped."

"What's stopped?" Kitty asked.

"The itching. My jacket has stopped itching!" Perrito said, sounding more and more excited. "It feels much softer and more comfortable than before."

"Yes. This is a snow jacket, of my own design," Father Christmas replied. "It will always stay attached to your jacket and feel like the softest pillow on your fur."

Perrito smiled widely. "Thank you so much, sir," he said, licking Father Christmas's face wildly.

Father Christmas laughed heartily. "You're welcome, my friend." He then turned to the Beavers. "Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, Faithful Guides."

The Beavers waited expectantly.

"When you return home from your adventures, you will find the house swept fully clean and free of the secret police's touch. Also, all the finishing touches on the dam will be taken care of. All the leaks plugged, a sluice gate added, and a new sewing machine fully ready."

Both Beavers grinned before giving multiple expressions of gratitude. Kitty knew that the dam had been a project for the Beavers. It would feel so good knowing that it was all finished.

Smiling, Father Christmas turned to the others. "Humpty Alexander Dumpty, Scholar and Chronicler."

"Yes, sir?" Humpty asked, coming forward.

"I know in the coming times, you will need something to defend yourself with." Reaching into the sack, Father Christmas pulled out a small dagger. It was curved on the side with symbols on the blade.

Humpty reached for the dagger, but hesitated.

"What do you fear about it?" Father Christmas asked.

"Well, I'm not sure if I'm worthy of using a weapon such as this," Humpty replied.

Father Christmas frowned. "I know it looks small and unassuming, Humpty. Some might even call it the weapon of an assassin or crook. But there are hidden depths to the weapon. Surprising and wonderful depths that will make themselves known when the time is right. Don't scorn the weapon. It's what's inside that counts. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

Humpty nodded. "I understand, sir."

Father Christmas nodded. "Glad that you do, Now then, come on up, Peter, Son of Adam."

As Peter walked forward, Father Christmas reached in the sack. "I feel the time to use these will come very soon for you, Peter. But remember, these are tools, not toys. Use them well and wisely." He soon lifted up a large silver shield. A red lion, lifting on his hind legs to attack, was emblazoned in the center. Accompanying the shield was a long, sharp sword, with a golden lion's head set as the pommel. Gold lettering that Kitty couldn't make out was written like flowing water on the side.

Peter looked the weapons over. "I will use them wisely, sir."

Father Christmas gave a small smile. "Good. You are stronger than you know, Peter. Remember that when the time comes."

Peter nodded solemnly. Father Christmas turned to Kitty. "Don't think I've forgotten about you, Kitty Softpaws, Master Borrower."

Kitty moved forward, curious about what her gift would be.

Father Christmas reached into the sack. "Now I know what you've been wondering about. I know what you've lost and what you've gained. I hope that these help in the battle to come."

Father Christmas pulled out a pair of leather straps. There seemed to be a mechanism on them that Kitty couldn't quite make out. Putting them on, she turned to Father Christmas. "Now what?"

Curl your paws," Father Christmas replied, smiling.

Kitty did so. With a small snap, sharp curved points stuck out between the niches of her paw. Very sharp and smooth. Come to think of it, it was exactly like… Kitty's eyes widened, hardly believing her eyes. Father Christmas had given her the one gift she secretly desired. Her own claws.

"Thank you so much, sir. I… I…" Kitty said, fumbling for words.

Father Christmas held up a hand. "No need to thank me, my dear. I trust these will be used well. Still, a word of advice. The claws will work as intended, but they are a little temperamental. Give yourself time to the one who wears them, and you will find they suit you well. Besides," he added, a hand on Kitty's shoulder. "the true strength of a warrior lies within."

Kitty nodded, retracting the claws. "I will remember that, sir."

"Then I trust it's in the best of paws. Now then," Father Christmas said, lifting the sack back in the sleigh. "Winter is almost ending, and it turns out that there's a lot to do and catch up on when you've been away for a hundred years."

Climbing back into his sleigh, he flicked the reins. "It was nice to see you all again. Merry Christmas and long live Aslan."

Kitty waved farewell with the others. The sleigh went dashing off into the trees and over the hills, sleigh bells jingling in the distance.

Kitty smiled widely. Father Christmas had come and given everyone a gift. Gifts that were useful and connected to the user in some way or another. As long as she lived, Kitty knew she would always remember this day.

Peter looked at the ground. "Hang on. Father Christmas said winter is almost over."

"Yeah? What would be the problem with that?" Perrito asked.

Peter looked at the others. "No more ice."

Originally, I wanted to alternate referring to Father Christmas by that name, and by the name I knew growing up, Santa Claus. But I realized that that would be confusing, so I stuck with how the original story referred to the holiday figure. Doesn't mean I didn't throw in a reference to the character as he's depicted in one of my favorite animated holiday films. I also wanted to make sure the gifts that Puss, Kitty, Perrito, and Humpty got were special to them, just as the Pevensies' gifts were special to them. Time will tell what meaning, if any, some of those gifts have. I hope you all have a great day. As always, please rate and review.