𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 || Edmund Pevensie

VI

"If you don't risk anything, you risk even more"
- Erica Jong

Narnia, 1000

The house was very nice. The beavers placed a table, ready for the children, with a lot of food and water. Inside was very illuminated, too, with the candles burning bright as they hung on the ceiling on a chandelier and stayed on the table in the candelabrum. They served various small cups, and Olivia and Susan helped them set the table while Lucy and Peter helped hang all five coats.

Edmund was sitting by the stairs instead of the table, looking at the walls filled with roots and mind elsewhere. Olivia brushed her hands on her clothes, sitting down next to Susan.

" Isn't there anything we can do to help Mr Tumnus? " Peter asked the beaver as he prepared some soup by the fire.

" They'll have taken him to the witch's house. You know what they say; there's few that go through them gates that come out again. " The beaver replied in a macabre tone. Olivia glanced at Edmund, who still seemed disinterested in the conversation.

" Fish 'n' chips? " Offered Mrs Beaver with a delightful smile and a chuckle. She looked at Lucy, who seemed bummed by her husband's saying. " But there is hope, dear, lots of hope. "

Mr Beaver was drinking water and immediately spat it back on his cup. " Oh, yeah, there's a right bit more than hope! " The beaver moved with his hand for the children to lean in. " Aslan is on the move. " The beaver whispered.

A warm feeling went through all the children as the beaver whispered that name. They felt the hope clinging to each of their hearts, making way and opening the space for good thoughts.

Edmund stood up and moved to the table. " Who's Aslan? "; asked the boy.

The beavers started laughing. " Who's Aslan? You cheeky little blighter. " The beaver waved his hand as if it was a funny joke. His wife nudged him as she saw the five kids weren't finding it as amusing as he did.

" You don't know, do you? "

" We haven't exactly been here very long. " Peter replied.

" Hm, I have heard of him. " Olivia chipped quietly. She blushed as she saw five pairs of eyes focused on her. " My grandfather used to tell me stories. About this place. Narnia, the great kingdom. Aslan was its king and creator; he was a lion with golden fur, a majestic mane, and the saviour of this land. " Olivia's face scrunched, trying to recall the correct memories.

Those moments with her grandfather were truly magical. They would sit by the fireplace, and he would tell her stories until she fell asleep and tuck her into bed later. Moments like those in Olivia's childhood would warm and cosy her heart.

" The professor... he knows? " Lucy asked.

Olivia nodded. " He does. He claims to have come here when he was young, about our age, with his friend. I grew up with the stories about Narnia and Aslan. Of course, I-I had my doubts if this place existed, but when I came here the first time- it was magical. My grandfather's words finally made sense.  "

Olivia felt the worried gaze of Edmund on her back. " Is my grandfather correct? Is Aslan who he claims to be? "

The beaver nodded. " Your grandfather is correct. Aslan is the king of the whole wood. The top geezer. The real King of Narnia. " Edmund scrunched his face after the last saying of the beaver and headed towards the exit of the place.

" He's been away for a long while. "

" But he's just got back! And he's waiting for you near the stone table! " The beaver exclaimed.

" He's waiting for us? " Lucy asked in disbelief.

" You're blooming joking! " Mr Beaver signed. " They don't even know about the prophecies! "

" Well, then- " Mrs Beaver gestured towards the children.

" Look, " He signed again. " Aslan's return, Tumnus' arrest, the secret police, it's all happening because of you! "

" You're blaming us? " Susan questioned.

" No! Not blaming, thanking you. " Mrs Beaver corrected with a smile.

" There's a prophecy. 'When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone sits at Cair Paravel in throne, the evil time will be over and done.' "

" That doesn't really rhyme. "

" I know it don't. You're kind of missing the point! "

" It has long been foretold that two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve will defeat the white witch and restore peace to Narnia. " Mrs Beaver explained, patting her husband's back.

" Wait. That's four; we're five. " Peter confusedly remarked. " What about the fifth? "

" There is a second prophecy. 'When the blood of the dawn sits on the throne of flesh and bone, the immortal one to return, the hero of Narnia will she become.' "

Lucy, Susan, Peter, and the beavers looked at Olivia expectantly. They saw her writing with a quill in a notepad. " What? " She asked when she looked up. " I'm taking notes. Who knows, we might need these later. "

Peter turned his attention to the beavers. " And you think we're the ones? "

" You'd better be, 'cause Aslan's already fitted out your army. "

" Our army? " Lucy exclaimed. The three girls looked at Peter.

" Mum sent us away so we wouldn't get caught up in a war. " Susan warned her brother. Peter looked at her and signed.

" I think you've made a mistake. We're not heroes. " Peter told the animals.

" We're from Finchley. " Susan added. " Thank you for your hospitality. But we really have to go. "

" No, you can't just leave! " Mr Beaver exclaimed as the two eldest sat up.

" He's right. We have to help Mr Tumnus. " Lucy told her siblings.

" It's out of our hands. " Peter replied.

Olivia safely secured the notepad and quill in her bag and closed it. She stood up and spoke: " I do not know about you, but I am staying. It is time I live my own adventure. Things do not happen by accident. I stumbled here for a reason. "

" Well, since you aren't coming, I'm sorry, but it's time the four of us were getting home. Ed? " Peter and Susan turned their heads towards the empty stairs of the corner of the dam.

" Ed? " Peter asked again, this time his voice lightly laced in panic. Susan and Peter exchanged a look. " I'm going to kill him. "

" You may not have to. Has Edmund ever been to Narnia before? " The beaver asked Peter.

" Oh no. " Olivia panicked, and everybody turned to look at her. " I know exactly where he is. And it's not good. "

Tugging onto the strap of her saddle, Olivia hurried out of the dam, the other five hurrying right after her.