I decided this submission to submit 2 chapters, since some important character development happened last chapter, and some other important developments happen this chapter.

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

And now, on with the show:

Chapter 13

A Sharp Turn of Events

The feast was in full swing. All manner of food and drink was out and ready to be tasted. Potatoes, steak, and other delicious meals made an appearance. Lively conversations filled the field, with discussions of the coming battle and what would be done afterwards paired with tales of Narnia in the time before the White Witch. All mixed together under the gentle rays of the sun.

Kitty heard and saw all of it, but her attention wasn't on any of that boring stuff. Her attention was on her new claws. She had been so shocked and surprised when Father Christmas had given her leather gloves with retractable claws. She hadn't realized how much she missed her claws up until that point. These claws made her feel whole.

Kitty looked over at Lucy and Susan. They were keeping Puss in check when he tried to embellish the story of how the Pevensies and their friends had made it to Aslan's camp. Kitty smiled. Up until this journey, Kitty's opinion of humans had been neutral at best. Humans had been the ones to take her claws in the first place. And that was before she had become an outlaw, being chased by humans who wanted to lock her up. Those opinions had changed recently. Kitty had started to see the Pevensies as more than strangers to protect. She had seen how they cared for each other through these difficult times. There was no scheming, no quid pro quo involved with these humans. This was a family bond you didn't see all that often. It reminded her of the bonds she shared with Puss and her friends. Kitty now felt more committed to protecting the Pevensies than before. Originally, she had been involved due to a sense of honor. Now, she was involved to protect these humans she considered as close to family as Puss, Perrito, and even Humpty.

A small rustle disturbed Kitty's thoughts. Turning, she looked into the bushes, which were shaking. Probably a squirrel or fox answering the call of nature. Still, it didn't hurt to be too careful. Kitty moved forward, claws extended, hand on her dagger. The bushes shook a little, then stopped moving. Kitty picked up a pebble and threw it into the bush. A small whine sounded.

Suddenly, several creatures ran straight out of the bushes. They moved too fast for Kitty to see. One moment, she was standing up, dagger and claws at the ready. The next, she was pinned down, a long maw of sharp teeth biting at her. Kitty dodged her head this way and that, swiftly extending her trapped claws onto the paw holding it. The creature whined, removing the paw. Kitty lashed out with her claws. The beast fell down, never to get up again.

Kitty turned towards the clearing. What she saw confirmed her suspicions. Maugrim and the remaining two wolves from the frozen river were running through the open space, heading straight for Lucy and Susan. In a few seconds, they would be on the girls.

Not if Kitty could help it. With a long jump, she landed on one of the wolves' back. It started bucking like a bronco, trying to get Kitty off. But Kitty was not a newbie at riding a creature bareback. She had ridden in several rodeos and horse races, and knew all the tips and tricks to stay on a bucking horse. Any moment now, the wolf would expose an opening. And that would be when Kitty would strike.

The moment came. For a brief second, the wolf exposed its throat. In a flash, Kitty moved her paw down towards it. But no wounds appeared. Kitty struck again. Nothing. Kitty looked at her paws. Her blood ran cold. The claws had retracted. Try as she might, Kitty couldn't pull them out again,

She didn't have time to ponder this development. The wolf, sensing an opportunity, made a big jump. Kitty lost her grip and flew through the air, landing on the grass hard.

The wolf started moving forward. Kitty looked for her dagger. It was a few feet away, behind the wolf. There would be no way for her to make it. As the wolf started to move, a small blur charged in. It was Puss in Boots. He was using his sword to somehow counter the wolf. When it charged, he deflected its maw. When it swiped, he parried and counterattacked.

"Kitty. Snap out of it and get back in the fight," Puss shouted.

Kitty blinked. Puss was right. She could figure out her claws later. Right now, she needed to fight. She looked around. Maugrim and the other wolf were jumping at a tree. Lucy, Susan, and Perrito were looking down from a branch above. Perrito was yipping and baring his teeth in defense. Susan had her horn out and was blowing it loudly. Kitty stood up. The others needed help, and she knew she was the only one who could make it in time.

Grabbing her dagger, she charged straight at the remaining wolves. Maugrim noticed her approach, flicked his head at the other wolf, then continued pressing his attack. The other wolf turned and started moving forward. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the ice breaker."

"How was your swim?" Kitty asked with a smile.

"Fine. Very refreshing. It's amazing how much time you can make up for when you have to get the blood pumping," the wolf replied. He looked closely at Kitty's paws. "No claws?"

"Decided I didn't need them for you," Kitty said, trying to hide her nervousness.

The wolf's eyebrows furrowed, as if thinking. Then, his eyes widened, and a cruel smile grew on his lips. "I doubt that. Claws are a part of our animal kind. Serves as part of our kingdom's natural defenses. If you're not using them now, I don't think you have them anymore; and if you don't have your claws, you're not an animal. You're nothing."

The wolf then charged at Kitty. It was all she could do to block his attacks. She tried for a few stabs, but they were slow and sloppy. Terrible form. Kitty's younger self would be cringing if she could see herself now. Before the wolf could break her defenses, a small yowl sounded. Both Kitty and the wolf turned to see the other hench-wolf dead, Puss standing over it pulling his sword out. Kitty smiled. She would never admit it, but Puss was one of the best sword masters out there. If he didn't show off in his swordplay, he could finish a battle in five seconds flat. If only her claws would come out, then she could beat that record.

The wolf turned back to Kitty, haunches raised to pounce. Before it could do so, a big paw came crashing down, holding the wolf down. Kitty looked up to see Aslan looking at her with those big, all-knowing eyes. She turned to see Humpty and Peter running into the clearing. Peter ran towards the tree, eyes set on Maugrim. Humpty, Puss, and the centaur Orieus charged forward, ready and willing to help. Kitty stood up, preparing to join them. Aslan growled, "Sheath your weapons, all of you." Kitty stood up, ready to protest. Peter needed their help. The boy was untrained in swordplay. Aslan looked straight at her, eyes indicating he understood her thoughts, but his orders remained the same. "This is Peter's battle, and his alone."

Kitty nodded, sheathing her dagger. Thinking about it, she understood the reasoning. There were times when somebody had to battle an enemy alone, as a way to prove to themselves and to others that they were stronger than they seemed. This was clearly one of those battles. This fight started at the frozen river, and one way or another, it would end here.

Maugrim moved away from the tree, circling Peter, who had his sword out. "Come on, human," Maugrim said, mockingly. "Strike me down. We both know you don't have it in you."

Peter held his sword out, face nervous. He swiped at Maugrim, but Maugrim blocked the half-hearted attempt. "Is that the best you can do?" Maugrim countered with a swipe of his own. Peter blocked it, but just barely. Maugrim continued circling. "How can you expect to lead an army into battle if you can't even beat me?"

Peter's hands started shaking. Kitty could see the same doubtful expression that she had seen on his face at the river . This time it was much stronger. If Peter didn't find strength to overcome this fear, he would lose the battle. Aslan growled softly at Peter, who was facing him. Peter looked up briefly. Kitty didn't know what Peter saw in Aslan's expression, but whatever it was, it was enough. The boy turned back to Maugrim, a determined look on his face.

Maugrim frowned, moving slowly towards Peter. "You may think you're a king, but you're going to die…" Without warning, Maugrim swiped his paw. Peter blocked it, but in the blink of an eye, the wolf lunged to the side and jumped straight at Peter. It was a feint. "…like a dog!" Maugrim screamed as he pounced. Kitty didn't see what happened next. All she knew was that Maugrim landed on Peter and Peter screamed. Out of fear or pain, Kitty didn't know.

"Peter!" Susan and Lucy yelled. Climbing down the tree, they ran over to the spot where wolf and human lay. There didn't seem to be any movement coming from the pile. Kitty moved forward with her friends, anticipating the worst. They moved Maugrim off Peter. Two observations quickly became apparent to Kitty. The wolf was very much dead and Peter was very much alive. He looked around, at the dead Maugrim and at his siblings. All three of the Pevensies embraced each other. Puss cracked a smile. "You remember what I said before about conquering your fears?"

Peter nodded. "Yeah?"

"I would say you have successfully beaten them down. Well done, Peter."

Peter smiled. "I did find something to focus on," he said, his eyes turning to Aslan.

Aslan nodded his head, a small smile on his face. Lifting his paw, he released the pinned wolf. The wolf stared for a few seconds at Maugrim, then ran straight into the trees. Aslan turned to Oreius. "After him. The wolf will return to his mistress. Now is the time to find her and rescue the fourth Son of Adam."

Oreius nodded. But Aslan had more to say. "You will need a tracker, for parts of the trail will be difficult to follow." He turned to Perrito.

Perrito looked up at Aslan. "Me, sir?"

Aslan nodded. "Yes. Your nose was perfectly made for this. You will know what to do when the time comes."

A faun in the back turned to Oreius. "Is this a good idea?" he whispered. "We'll only have enough to protect our team. It'll be harder to protect a tracker also."

Aslan turned to the faun, an unreadable expression on his face. It was not a look of judgment or agreement. Yet the faun looked down all the same.

"I understand your concern," Aslan said in a gentle voice. He turned to Humpty. "That's why your new tracker will have a protector."

Humpty gulped. "You mean me, sir?"

Aslan nodded.

Humpty stood tall, a determined look on his face. "I will do my best to protect the group."

Aslan nodded. "Good." He turned back in the direction the wolf had run. "Now go."

Soon, several cheetahs, fauns, centaurs, and other Narnians ran after the wolf. Humpty and Perrito ran alongside the others. Maybe it was Kitty's eyes playing tricks on her, but she thought the two of them were running faster than they ever had before.

Aslan walked over to Peter. "Son of Adam, you must clean your sword."

Peter looked at his weapon, which was spattered with blood. After wiping it off, he stood facing Aslan.

"Hand it to me," Aslan said. Upon doing so, Aslan told Peter to kneel. Then, in a more expert manner than one might expect a creature with big paws to do, Aslan touched Peter's shoulders with the flat of the blade. "Rise, Sir Peter, Wolf's-Bane, Knight of Narnia."

Peter stood up, a surprised expression on his face. Kitty could see the hope and excitement evident on Peter's face. There was no doubt at all. He had woken up that morning as a child thrust into leadership and was now nearing the end of the day as a man, ready and able to face what lay ahead. Kitty smiled, glad that Peter was having his moment.

Still, something was bothering her. Kitty turned to look down at her claws. Father Christmas had said that the claws were temperamental, but this was more than just being finicky. At her moment of need, the claws had failed her. She still couldn't extend them, even now. Kitty knew she was going to spend time working on it, but a doubt was creeping in. The wolf had said she was defenseless. Kitty didn't want to believe it, but she was having a hard time dispelling the idea that she was more exposed than ever before. A dagger could only go so far. Without her claws, what defenses could she use in the coming battle?

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