A Million Dreams

08

THE WITCH'S CAMP

The Witch spoke to Otmin the Minotaur who said, "The minotaurs will take the left flanks. We'll keep the giants in reserve and send the dwarves in first." She looked at the plans. "The prisoner!"

Aslan's army came in, lead by Oreius. The Witch went through camp and saw Ginarrbrik tied to the tree with a gag around his mouth. She grabbed the knife and cut the dwarf free.

"You're not going to kill me?" Ginarrbrik asked.

"Not yet!" the Witch cried, turning to Otmin. "We have work to do."

ASLAN'S CAMP

Peter walked out of the tent and saw Oreius. He noticed Edmund talking to Aslan on a hill. The girls walked out of their tent.

"Edmund!" Lucy and Esther cried.

Peter stopped them. Aslan and Edmund looked at them. Aslan motioned Edmund down and they joined the siblings and Esther.

"What's done is done," Aslan said. "There is no need to speak to Edmund about what has passed."

"Hello..." Edmund greeted awkwardly.

Lucy's smile widened. "Oh, Edmund!" She threw her arms around him excitedly.

Susan soon hugged the two of them and asked, "Are you all right?"

"I'm a little tired," Edmund replied.

Esther gave him a wide smile as her cheeks turned slightly pink. "I missed you. Um, we all did. I'm glad you're okay Ed... mund."

Edmund gave her a small smile. "You can call me Ed."

Peter turned to his brother. "Get some rest... and Edmund, try not to wander off again."

Edmund walked to the tent he would be sharing with Peter to get some rest.

A few hours later, he came out from the tent for breakfast.

He grabbed a piece of toast from the table the children were all sitting at and Lucy gave him a small smile. "Narnia's not going to run out of toast, Ed."

Peter took a moment to think before saying, "Make sure you pack some up for the journey back."

Susan turned to her brother and frowned. "So we're going home?"

"You are. I promised I'd keep you three safe. But there's no reason I can't help and stay."

Esther shook her head. "No, Peter. The prophecy calls for all five of us."

Lucy glanced at Esther and said, "She's right. They need us... all five of us!"

Peter glanced at his youngest sister. "Lucy, Esther, it's too dangerous. You almost drowned! Edmund was almost killed!"

"Which is why we have to stay," Edmund explained, causing everyone to look at him. "I've seen what the White Witch can do and I've helped her do it, and we can't leave these people behind to suffer for it."

Lucy took Edmund's hands as Susan stood. "Well, I guess that's it, then."

Peter frowned and asked, "Where are you going?"

Susan knelt down and picked up her bow and quiver. "To get some practice."

While the boys went to a field to practice sword fighting, Esther went with Lucy and Susan to the archery field. Susan aimed her bow and released the arrow, trying to hit a bullseye, but kept missing.

Lucy smirked at her sister and threw her dagger. Without trying, she got a bullseye.

Esther glanced at Susan. "Maybe try focusing on where you want the target to be and aim your arrow there."

"Thanks, Esther," Susan answered.

Lucy turned to Esther and asked, "Do you think the White Witch is going to take Edmund back?"

Esther shook her head. "I sincerely hope not."

The beavers ran up and Mr. Beaver said, "The White Witch is on her way to meet with Aslan!"

The girls left to see why the Witch wanted to speak to Aslan.

FIELD

Peter and Edmund rode up on horses, practising sword-fighting.

"Come on! En guard!" Peter said. "Keep your sword up like Oreius showed us! Now block!"

The beavers came running up and Edmund's horse reared.

"Whoa, horsey," Edmund said.

"My name is Philip," the horse told him.

Edmund, shocked, apologised. "Oh, sorry."

"You'd better come quick!" Mr. Beaver yelled. "The Witch has demanded a meeting with Aslan. She's on her way there!"

The boys galloped off to see what the Witch wanted with the King of Narnia.