Hermione's Journey

Chapter Fifteen

Lucy stared into the fire, her mind immersed in the memories of the things that had happened in two short days. A small part of her mind was telling her that none of this would have happened if she hadn't suggested a game of hide and seek, but she quickly brushed it aside as the Fox began speaking about her friend.

"They were helping Tumnus," the Fox told them while he laid down. Mrs. Beaver was attempting to fix up the injuries he had received from the wolf. "The Witch got here before I did." He let out a shout of pain as Mrs. Beaver touched a particularly tender spot.

"Are you alright?" Lucy asked.

"Well, I wish I cold say their bark was worse than their bite," he joked. He winced and released a moan, moving slightly.

"Stop squirming! You're worse than Beaver on bath day," Mrs. Beaver scolded him.

Beaver looked at the children behind Mrs. Beaver's back. "Worst day of the year," he told them.

"If your friend had not run off after your brother, I imagine the lot of you would have been able to have a much easier time getting to the Stone Table," the Fox said. "I admit myself I have waited years for the chance to meet her. Almost as long as I have waited for Aslan."

"What is it that is so special about Hermione?" Susan asked.

"I believed you would know, your majesty," the Fox replied. Lucy furrowed her brow and thought for a moment, back to every instant with the girl she could think of. She looked up quickly and caught Peter's and Susan's eyes.

"That owl," she told them. "I knew she was talking to it." Peter and Susan glanced at each other, feeling a wave of guilt overtake all other emotions they were feeling at the moment. "And the going-ons in London." Lucy was getting more excited. "She knew what they were about, but she wouldn't tell any of us. Do you think it has something to do with that?"

"I'm not so sure about that, Lu," Peter calmed her down, "but the Professor did mention her school when we were talking to him."

"And Hermione wouldn't tell us anything about her school," Susan added. The Pevensies all sat in silence for a few more moments.

"I guess we'll have to wait and see if we see Hermione again," Peter said quietly. Everyone felt their hearts sink when he stressed the 'if.' The animals looked at each other. Not sure if they should tell the children about their friend, or if they should wait and see what Aslan wanted to do about the entire situation.

"Thank you for your kindness," the Fox decided for all of them, changing the subject, "but I'm afraid that is all the cure I have time for."

"You're leaving?" Lucy looked at him dejectedly.

"It has been a pleasure, my Queen, and an honor. But, time is short and Aslan himself has snt me to gather more troops," the Fox stood up with a small smile on his face.

"You've seen Aslan?!" Beaver exclaimed excitedly.

"What's he like?" Mrs. Beaver added.

"Like," the Fox thought for a second, "everything we've ever heard. You'll be glad to have him by your side in the battle against the Witch." He looked at the Pevensies when he said this.

"We are not planning on fighting any witch." Susan objected at the idea of putting all of their lives in danger.

"But, surely, King Peter...the prophecy," the Fox looked hopefully at Peter, but with a frown on his face.

"We can't go to war without you," Beaver told Peter desperately. Peter stared into the fire for a few seconds before looking at all of them.

"We just want to get our friend and brother back."