Once a Queen

From Western Woods to Beaversdam

"Come on. We don't want to be caught out here after nightfall," Beaver called from ahead.

Lucy and Elise were trailing at the back, with the rest of their siblings not too far in front of them. She had not yet let go of Lucy's hand, but assumed from her younger sister's tight grip that she didn't mind too much. Elise couldn't believe the wonder and beauty of this world, but she still could not shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Seeing the rest of their siblings stop ahead, Elise and Lucy walked up beside them, reveling in the sight of a small beaver dam just in front of them. There was smoke billowing from the chimney, and there was a light shining from inside, adding to the very picturesque scene.

"Ah, blimey!" Mr. Beaver said, leading the way once more. "Looks like the old girl has got the kettle on. Nice cup o' Rosy Lee."

Lucy stepped forward immediately, pulling Elise with her. "It's lovely," the young girl complimented.

It really is, Elise thought to herself, following not quite as hesitantly anymore. She could hear Peter, Susan, and Edmund close behind her, and she was glad that they seemed to somewhat accept the oddities of Narnia.

Mr. Beaver chuckled modestly, admiring his little home. "It's merely a trifle. Still plenty to do. It'll look the business when it is, though," he told them, leading them closer to the beaver dam.

Even unfinished, it was beautiful against the harsh white snow that Elise had become so used to seeing in their long walk.

"Beaver, is that you? I've been worried sick!" came a female voice from inside the dam. Elise squinted her eyes to see a small brown figure making her way towards them, and she realized with a start that this must be Mrs. Beaver. "If I find out you've been with Badger again, I..." she cut off, now looking up at the visitors standing with her husband. "Oh! Well, these aren't badgers," she finished shyly.

Mrs. Beaver quickly became fixated on her fur, running her paws down it in attempts to smooth it. "Oh, I never thought I'd live to see this day," she said excitedly, eyeing the five humans. Elise's lips turned down in confusion, unsure as to why seeing them was such an occasion for the little beaver.

Mr. Beaver walked up closer to his wife, and was then promptly criticized. "Look at my fur. You couldn't give me ten minutes warning?" she said, still attempting to clean up.

"I'd have given a week if I thought it would help," came Mr. Beaver's humorous reply. Elise bit her tongue to hide her laugh, tilting her head down so the amused smile on her face couldn't be seen.

Mrs. Beaver merely chuckled and rolled her eyes, though her paws dropped to her sides, no longer trying to smooth her fur. It was clear that she was rather used to her husband's playful jabs. "Oh come inside," she told the Pevensies. "And we'll see if we can get you some food, and some civilized company," she said, staring pointedly at her husband as she turned to lead the siblings into the small dam.

Elise ducked to miss the low-hanging doorway, but turned back around when she saw only three siblings inside. Edmund stood alone, staring off into the distance, focusing on the two distant mountains once more. She followed his gaze, though she couldn't see what he was looking for.

"Ed?" she spoke up, startling her brother out of his fixation.

"You should come inside. You'll catch a cold out here," she told him gently, still standing at the entrance to the Beaver's home. Edmund didn't respond, but with one last glance over his shoulder at the mountains, he made his way inside, Elise following after.

Once they were all settled inside, Elise choosing to sit near Edmund--who had conveniently placed himself next to the window-- Peter got right down to business.