𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇
⸻ Cordelia Winterbourne's ordinary life with her mother was shattered by the onset of war, prompting Cordelia's mother to make a gut-wrenching decision by sending her daughter away for a while to keep her safe.
However, fate had a di...
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"Did that bird just 'psst' us?" Susan asked, turning to Peter in confusion.
"I don't think it did," I responded before taking the initiative to step out of the house. Yet, being the eldest among us, Peter gently pushed me behind him.
We scanned our surroundings, the two Pevensie sisters clinging to their brother, fearful of what might appear before us, as we were still unfamiliar with the capabilities of this place.
While Ed and I stood behind them, the boy beside me held onto my arms and carefully positioned me behind him, mirroring the protective gesture of his brother.
I should have been annoyed with him, but at that moment, I chose to ignore it. Then, a seemingly harmless beaver suddenly appeared in front of us.
"It's... It's a beaver," Lucy stated.
Peter extended his hand, attempting to pet the beaver, and said, "Here, boy."
The beaver glanced at Peter's hand briefly before speaking up. "I ain't gonna smell it if that's what you want."
Surprised, Peter quickly withdrew his hand, while Lucy couldn't help but giggle.
"Lucy Pevensie?" the beaver inquired.
"Yes?" the girl replied, cautiously approaching the beaver, who handed her a white handkerchief.
"Hey, that's the hankie I gave to Mr. Tum-"
"Tumnus. He gave it to me just before they took him," the beaver explained.
"Is Mr. Tumnus alright?" I asked, but the beaver glanced around before motioning for us to follow him.
As we began to follow, Susan abruptly halted us. "What do you think you're doing?"
"She's right. How do we know we can trust him?" Edmund questioned, his voice filled with worry.
"He said he knows the faun," Peter reasoned.
"He's a beaver. He shouldn't be saying anything!" Susan retorted matter-of-factly.
"The beaver may seem harmless, but they have a point, Peter. We don't even know what this place is capable of, so we shouldn't trust anyone here just yet," I stated, with the raven-haired girl nodding in agreement.
"But you were going to follow him too, right?" Edmund pointed out, a slight smirk on his face.
"I was not."
"Yes, you were."
Our bickering was interrupted as the beaver reappeared from behind the snow-covered stone. "Is everything all right?"
"Yes, we were just..." Peter began, trying to come up with a response.
"Talking. We were just talking," I interjected, a smile on my face.
"That's better left for safer quarters," the beaver said before disappearing again.
"He means the trees," I said, looking around as the Pevensies appeared puzzled.
As we ventured deeper into the forest, the beaver's assured guidance became our beacon through the silent woods. Its occasional glances back at us reassured us that we were still on the right path, while Peter and Lucy followed it with a sense of trust that seemed innate.
Their laughter no longer echoed through the wintry forest as before; instead, we moved in silence, interrupted only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the soft crunch of snow underfoot. Edmund and Susan still wore the worried expressions that had marked their faces earlier, a stark contrast to their previous playfulness.
I glanced over at the siblings in front of me, their excitement now replaced by a quiet determination to follow the beaver's lead. It was a stark reminder of the weight of responsibility that had fallen upon us in this unknown land.
The beaver led us through the silent forest, navigating effortlessly. The snow-covered trees glistened under the sun's soft rays, casting a serene glow that belied the mysterious undertone of our journey.
Our path meandered, and the landscape gradually shifted, as if the forest itself was orchestrating our way. Trees rose taller and more imposing, their majestic presence hinting at the secrets they held within their ancient boughs.
The air felt charged with anticipation, and an inexplicable sense of wonder settled over us. Each step led us further into this enchanting world, pulling us into a story that seemed both thrilling and unnerving.
The beaver suddenly stopped, gesturing towards a path that diverged from the main trail, indicating an alternate route.
"Should we follow this path?" Lucy asked, her curiosity piqued.
The beaver nodded, conveying assurance in its silent wisdom. Yet, beneath that assurance, a sense of urgency lingered in its movements.
Peter and Lucy, without hesitation, ventured down the new path. Edmund and Susan, exchanging a brief but telling look, quickened their pace to follow closely behind.
I lingered behind, taking in the changing scenery. The forest transformed with each step, heightening the aura of mystery and anticipation. The beaver, our guide through this enchanting world, led us deeper into the unknown, leaving me eager yet apprehensive for what lay ahead.
"Ah, goodness! Seems the old girl's put the kettle on," the beaver remarked, pausing as we spotted a makeshift small hut in the distance.
Ever the kind soul, Lucy complimented the beaver's shelter.
The beaver resumed leading us, with us following closely, and shared a knowing look with Ed beside me.
As we drew closer to the hut, we heard a woman's voice, presumably a female beaver.
"Beaver, is that you? I've been worried sick!" she exclaimed. "If I find you've been out with Badger again, I..." Her words trailed off as she caught sight of us.
"Oh, never thought I'd live to see this day," she remarked as if expecting our arrival.
"Look at my fur. Couldn't you have given me ten minutes warning?" the female beaver complained.
"I'd have given a week if I thought it'd help," her husband replied, eliciting chuckles from us, though Lucy was full-on giggling. I stole a glance at Edmund beside me, expecting a smile, but unfortunately, his expression was quite the opposite.
The female beaver invited us indoors, and the three Pevensies rushed in. I paused as Edmund halted before me, gazing at the distant mountains lost in thought.
"Aren't you coming inside?" I asked, breaking his trance. We held eye contact briefly before he shook his head and finally stepped into the hut, with me following closely behind.
