Mercy

XII: It's the world, dear

We were walking our way to Aslan's camp. I knew it would take long and it would be hard, but I just had a feeling that something would happen, something bad. I grabbed Peter's hand for comfort. He glanced at me with the same worried expression I assume I have. "I feel like..." I sighed looking back at the snow.

"Something bad will happen?" Peter whispered to me so our siblings wouldn't hear us.

"Yeah. Let's just stay close and keep an eye out." We nodded to the plan before glancing at our siblings.

Lucy held a firm grip on Susan's hand. The two were walking ahead with the Beavers. They seemed to be looking at something. We walked over to where they were.

"Now, Aslan's camp is near the Stone Table, just across the frozen river." Mr. Beaver told us as we looked out across the ice.

"River?" Peter asked in worry as he turned to me.

"Oh the river's been frozen for a hundred years." Mrs. Beaver reassured us.

"The river...it's so far." Peter muttered and I nodded.

"It's the world, Dear. Did you expect it to be small?" After Mrs. Beaver's words, we started to walk our way there.

I heard Susan mutter, "Smaller." And smirk at Peter and I.

Peter looked back out with uneasiness painted on his face. I gave Peter's hand a squeeze. "Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be all right." I said in an unsure tone. We both knew we were just trying to reassure our own selves.

We made our way to the river and we were almost to the end of it when Mr. Beaver spoke again. "Hurry up humans! We haven't got all day." I rolled my eyes and laughed. Peter stopped to pick Lucy up onto his back.

"If he tells us to hurry up one more time. I'm gonna turn him into a big, fluffy hat." I looked behind us and widened my eyes.

"Hurry up! Come on!" Mr. Beaver yelled in urgency.

"He is getting bossy." Lucy commented and I pulled on their hands.

"No! It's the Witch. She's behind us!" They turned back and started to hurry.

Peter set Lucy down so they could run better but his grip on her never faltered. Mr. Beaver found a little dug out and we hid in there. I sat next to Peter and Lucy. Susan sat on Peter's other side while the Beavers were on both sides of us. I held Lucy close to me as we huddled together.

We stayed quiet as the sleigh came to a stop. A shadow peered on the rock in front of us. It didn't look like Jadis but we couldn't take a chance. "Maybe, she's gone?" Lucy purposed in a whisper.

"I suppose I'll go look." Peter said as he made his way to get up.

"No! You're nothing to Narnia dead. I'll go." Beaver stood, reassuring his worried wife.

After a few moments, Beaver jumped out from above, scaring all of us. "I hope you've been good." He told us as I helped pull them all up.

"Merry Christmas, sir." Lucy smiled at Father Christmas.

"It certainly is, Lucy, since you have arrived." He nodded to her.

"Look, I've put up with a lot since I've got here, but this..." Peter stepped forward cutting off Susan.

"We thought you were the Witch."

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry about that." He turned to his deer and smiled. "In my defense, I have been driving one of these longer than the Witch."

Susan stepped forward to question the man. "I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia." She tilted her head and I sighed. She just wouldn't give up, curious minds will wander.

"Not for a long time. But the hope you have brought, Your Majesties, is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power. Still, I dare say you could do with these." He turned and grabbed his sack. He plopped it down and Lucy cheered.

"Presents!" Lucy walked forward to get hers first, just like the child she is. I love that about her.

"The juice of the fire flower. One drop will cure any injury. And though I hope you never have to use it..." he handed her a sheathed dagger. It was red leathered with gold trimming just like the pouch the fire flower juice was in.

"Thank you, sir, but I think I could be brave enough." She smiled uneasy at the man and he nodded.

"I'm sure you could. Battles are ugly affairs." He shook his head with a frown and I looked away. Peter put his hand on my shoulder and I gave him a small smile.

"Susan." Susan walked towards the man and grabbed the bow and arrow set he held out. It was white with gold and red details. "Trust in this bow and it will not easily miss."

Susan looked up at him in confusion. "What happens to 'battles are ugly affairs'?"

He let out a chuckle then grabbed a horn. "Though you don't seem to have a problem making yourself heard, blow on this and wherever you are, help will come." She looked up and smiled.

"Thanks." She whispered as she walked away.

"Peter." Peter stepped up and Father Christmas  sighed in sadness. "The time to use these may be near at hand." He took out a golden sheathed sword. It was Rhindon. It had a golden sheath and the hilt was also gold. It was a lion's head roaring; Aslan.

The other object was a shield with our family symbol, using red and gold, rather than red and green. He handed Peter both objects. Peter unsheathed the sword and looked at it. "Thank you sir." He said and then backed up.

"Evelyn." I stepped forward and watched a he grabbed another sword. It was silver with golden trims. It was beautiful. "Because we all know you've loved this sword since the last time you were in Narnia." He smirked at me and I laughed.

"Also..." he went to his sleigh and pulled out a silver mirror. "This mirror will allow you to see where any Narnian or where your siblings are at all times. Though, since it seems the winter is still harsh, the mirror will frost over for your brother, Edmund."

"Thank you sir." I mentioned and he smiled.

"Anytime." Father Christmas stepped back with a warm smile. He nodded as he started to get his sleigh ready. "These are tools, not toys. Bear them well and wisely. Now, I must be off. Winter is almost over, and things do pile up when you've been gone a hundred years." Father Christmas chuckled as he heaved his bag into his sleigh. "Long live Aslan." He said and then heard off in his sleigh.

We yelled out our goodbyes and then turned to Peter. "He said winter...was almost over." His eyes widened in realization and he turned to us. "You know what that means?" He asked and I thought about it for a second.

"No more ice." We all widened our eyes at that.