Only the Beginning of the Adventure [Narnia Book One]

Chapter 5: Escape

The scratching continued, and was growing more and more intense. "Hurry, Mum," Mr. Beaver warned. "They're after us!"

"Right then." Mrs. Beaver replied. "Neila, fetch me the--Oh, you already have the jam."

"What is she doing?" Susan asked. "And Neila?"

Mrs. Beaver smiled softly. "Don't worry, you'll thank me later. It's a long journey and Beaver gets cranky when he's hungry."

"I'm cranky now!" Mr. Beaver cried.

"Do you think we'll need jam?" Susan wondered.

"Only if the Witch has toast." Peter answered sarcastically.

"Or if we're hungry." I added, earning a look from Peter and Susan. "What? I'm hungry."

We made our way down a secret tunnel. "This should lead to my friend's." Mr. Beaver informed.

Mrs. Beaver frowned. "You told me it led to your mum's."

I heard scuffling and crashing. "We don't have time for a squabble. They're gaining on us!"

Moments later, Lucy exclaimed, "They're in the tunnel!"

The tunnel led us to a dead end. "You should've brought a map!" Mrs. Beaver stated.

"There was no room next to the jam!" Mr. Beaver retorted, jumping from a hole.

With no map, we eventually made our way to the exit. Lucy fell on stone figures and I helped her up. Together, we investigated them. Mr. Beaver stepped closer to one of the figures. "He was my best mate."

"What happened here?" Peter wondered quietly.

"This is what happens to those who cross the Witch." A fox replied, stepping out from the shadows.

"Stand still there, traitor." Mr. Beaver said angrily.

As though I sensed his gentle spirit, I stepped between the fox and Mr. Beaver. The fox gave me a nod of appreciation as he said, "Thank you, Highness. Relax. I'm one of the good guys."

Mr. Beaver frowned. "Well, you look an awful lot like one of the bad ones."

"An unfortunate family resemblance, but we can discuss family breeding later. Right now, we need to move."

"What do you have in mind?" Peter asked.

The fox told us to climb the tree behind us, so we did. The entire time, I was wondering how the fox knew I was apparently royalty.

A pack of wolves soon appeared and stalked towards the fox. They began circling him and the fox took on a cocky tone of voice. "Greetings, gents. Did we lose something?"

One of the wolves growled in annoyance. "Don't patronise me. I know where your allegiance lies. We're looking for some humans."

The fox laughed. "Humans in Narnia? Now, that's a valuable bit of information, don't you think?"

"Where are they?!" The same wolf demanded, grabbing the fox's fur.

Lucy's quiet gasp was heard and Peter covered her mouth. Eventually, the fox gave in. "North. They ran north."

"Quickly." The alpha wolf said. "Smell them out."

As soon as the wolves left, the children and Beavers' climbed down from the tree. As soon as we reached the ground, I made my way to the fox and decided to attempt something. I focused on healing the wolf.

"Are you alright?" Lucy asked worriedly.

The fox let out a small chuckle, wincing as I healed him. "Well, I wish I could say their bark was worse than their bite."

The fox's wounds disappeared and I saw black spots. Mrs. Beaver gave the fox a look. "You're worse than Beaver on bath day."

"Worst day of the year." Mr. Beaver said with a shudder. "Neila?"

"I'm not used to all this magic stuff yet. I'm okay."

The fox bowed at me. "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm afraid I must be leaving."

"You're leaving?" Susan asked.

"It has been a pleasure, my Queen. I have been asked by Aslan himself to gather troops."

"You've seen Aslan!" Mr. Beaver yelled.

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

The fox smiled. "Like everything we ever heard. You'll be glad to have him on your side in the battle against the witch."

Susan shook her head and frowned. Peter said, "We're not planning on fighting any witch."

The fox turned to Peter. "Surely King Peter..."

He was cut off. "We just want to get our brother back."

Our journey continued on and we happened upon a rock bridge. Mr. Beaver said, "Now, Aslan's camp is near the Stone Table, just across the frozen river."

"River?" Susan asked with worry.

Mrs. Beaver gave her a reassuring smile. "It's been frozen for over a hundred years."

"It seems so far." Peter commented.

"It's the world, dear. Did you expect it to be small?"

"Smaller." Susan muttered.

As we slowly trudged through the snow, Mr. Beaver turned to us. "Come on, humans, while we're still young."

Peter frowned. "If he tells me to hurry up one more time, I'm going to turn him into a big fluffy hat."

I bit back a laugh at his annoyance. Honestly, being told to hurry up made me want to go slower. Especially after healing a creature's wound. I didn't even know I could do that!

Mr. Beaver continued, "Hurry up, Son of Adam. We don't have all day."

"He is getting kind of bossy." Lucy said as Peter lifted her onto his back.

Peter glanced at me. "Are you okay, Neila?"

"Oddly enough, yes. I think the magic here is helping."

He nodded and we heard bells ringing. "It's her! Run!" Mr. Beaver yelled, darting off. He then called out to us. "Quick! In here!"

We all dove under a giant rock and waited in silence. A few moments later, I said quietly, "She's gone. I think."

"I suppose I'll look." Peter decided.

Mr. Beaver shook his head. "No. You're no good to Narnia dead."

"Neither are you, Beaver." Mrs. Beaver said.

"Thanks, dear."

I sighed. "Would it make you feel better if I went with him, Mrs. Beaver?"

"Yes, Neila, that would be wonderful. Thank you."

I followed Mr. Beaver out of the cave and into the open field. I saw a graying man in a red coat next to a sleigh with bells. While I stayed by the man, Mr. Beaver ran back to get the others and returned moments later.