Only the Beginning of the Adventure [Narnia Book One]

Chapter 7: Red, Gold, and Reunions

We walked down a path of flowers and grass. Cherry trees bloomed on either side. We each dropped our coats and kept our pace.

Eventually, we came upon a camp of red and gold. As the tents loomed closer, everyone was staring causing Susan to ask, "Why are they all staring at us?"

"Maybe they think you look funny." Lucy whispered, causing Peter to smile.

Mrs. Beaver was smoothing down her fur and Mr. Beaver said, "Hey, stop your fussing. You look lovely."

We stepped closer to the tents and Peter pulled out his sword. He said to one of the centaurs, "We have come to see Aslan."

There was a sudden breeze and all the creatures started kneeling. A lion walked out into the open and we kneeled. The lion, Aslan, walked up to me. "Hello, child."

"Are you my father?"

He nodded and pressed his nose to my hand. Instantly, I was filled with a sense of love and purpose. "Welcome Peter, Adam's son. Welcome Susan and Lucy, daughters of Eve. And welcome to you, Beavers. You have my thanks. But where is the fourth?"

"That's why we're here." Peter answered.

"We had a little trouble along the way." Susan admitted.

I meet my father's eyes. "He was taken by the White Witch."

"Captured." Peter clarified.

"Captured!" The crowd repeated.

"He betrayed them, Your Majesty!" Mr. Beaver said.

"Then he has betrayed us all!" A centaur answered harshly.

"Peace, Oreius." Aslan told him.

Peter let out a sigh. "It's my fault, really. I was too hard on him."

"We all were." Susan added.

"Sir, he's our brother." Lucy replied.

"I know, dear one." Aslan said softly. "And that makes the betrayal all the worse. This may be harder than you think."

Aslan took Peter to a hill, Susan and Lucy went to the river, and I went to get to know my father, which meant exploring the camp.

The centaur, Oreius, walked up to me. "Hello, child."

"You know me?"

"I know of you. Your mother left with you when you were a baby. Your father wanted to protect you, so he sent the two of you away, hoping he would see you again. Seems he was right. You look like your mother."

I gave a tight smile. "So I'm told. I'm sorry, I miss her."

"So you should. Is she well?"

"Last I knew, yes."

I heard a horn and my eyes widened. "Susan!"

I ran over to where I heard the horn and saw Susan and Lucy in a tree with a wolf nipping at Susan's dangling foot.

I pointed my dagger at the wolf and glared at him. "Leave her alone."

The wolf laughed and said, "The Great Queen's dagger. You must be the lost princess. Hello, your highness."

He said it in a mocking tone, causing me to point my dagger closer to him. Peter appeared moments later and Aslan pinned another wolf to the ground. The centaurs readied their swords and my father shook his head. "No. Stay your weapons. This is Peter's battle."

Peter stabbed the wolf, and the wolf fell on top of him. "Peter!" His sisters cried.

I managed to pull the wolf off of Peter and helped him stand up. Before I could speak, my father said, "After him! He'll lead you to Edmund! Peter, clean your sword." He did so. "Rise, Sir Peter Wolfsbane--Knight of Narnia."