The Honest and The Brave // Narnia

Chapter 14

I stare at the river below, gulping at the fact the ice has already started to melt. It's seems our presence has weakened the White Witch's power, but that doesn't mean it has a good effect on our journey. As I share a worrisome glance with Andrew, I notice Peter pulling Lucy toward a downward path - toward the melting river. Rather quickly Andrew guides me after them, the beavers weaving through our feet in a hurry to get us across - only it all halts as Susan yells out with worry laced in her voice. 

"Let's just think about this." 

As Andrew stops in his track, I accidentally bump into his frozen figure - not expecting him to come a stop that quickly. I send him a sheepish grin as an apology before focusing on Susan - the latter having a frown upon her face and a look in her eyes that tells me this isn't going to end well. She opens her mouth to say something, but her words are cut off by Peter who lets out an exasperated groan. 

"We don't have time." 

It's clear his not in the mood for patience or logic, as his tone is rather annoyed and frustrated. I can see a fiery gaze set in his eyes, pointed toward his sister whom sighs softly - as though trying to convince her brother of thinking. 

"I'm just trying to be realistic." 

As Peter groans at her words, I realise that he is clearly not in the mood for her logical side of things at the moment. He takes a small step toward her as he rolls his eyes - his actions causing Andrew to pull me closer in case something happens. 

"No you're not, you're trying to be smart. Like usual!" 

I gulp slightly as a thick tension fills the air before I'm guided toward the downward path by Andrew - following after Lucy and Peter. As we begin to travel downward, I feel Andrews hand against my back in order to prevent me from slipping - which it does. Lucky, for if I fall I will be falling into solid ice despite the cracks in its foundation. As we reach the river from eye level, I realise just how large this river is. From up on the ledge, the river seemed to be long and skinny - requiring only minimal movement to get across. Now, as I stare at the frozen waterfall cascading down onto the icy river, it's rather wide and almost impossible to cross when it's consistently breaking. I share a glance with Lucy before watching Peter take a small step forward - immediately pulling back as it breaks under his touch. Lucy let's out a squeal as she grips onto his hand just as I grip onto Andrew, knowing he's going to attempt a similar thing sooner or later. Suddenly, Mr Beaver slowly sneaks onto the ice with a small glance over his shoulder. 

"Wait, maybe I should go first." 

Andrew mutters a small 'perhaps you should' under his breath as everyone watches Mr Beaver walk further onto the ice - rapping his tail every now and then to test the strength of it all. As a few small cracks appear, I hear Mrs Beaver gasp at her husband before pointing an accusing paw toward him. 

"You've been sneaking second helpings, haven't you?" 

Mr Beaver sheepishly laughs and rubs a paw along the back of his neck, nodding ever so slightly in answer to his wife's question. 

"Well you never know which meal is going to be your last. Especially with your cooking." 

As he takes a few more steps, I'm immediately jolted forward as Andrew leads me onward - Peter and Lucy doing the same beside us. I catch my gaze with Lucy, the two of us staring at one another with a mutual fear between us. Behind us all, I can hear Susan mumbling to herself - the words quiet but audible. 

"If our mums knew what we were doing..." 

She trails off, just as I see Peter whirl around with an intense glare set upon his face. I jolt to a stop, just as Andrew does, whilst Peter lets out a soft groan.