The Honest and The Brave // Narnia

Chapter 17

"Sophia!"

Yelping in surprise, I lurch forward in bed with my eyes wide. I haven't been asleep for very long, as the celebrations of the day carried well into the night - the female centaurs happily teaching Lucy and I some traditional dances. I fell many times, which is probably why my back aches slightly, but it was awfully good fun. Yet as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was asleep instantly - which is why I'm surprised to be up again so soon. I rub my eyes ever so slightly as I notice Lucy grabbing her cloak and belt - her presents already attached to the material.

"Why are we awake?"

The young Pevensie sighs before pointing behind her bed - the shadow of what appears to be a lions tail disappearing from sight. My eyes widen in surprise, sleep no longer on my mind as I sit up straight - realising that perhaps the look in Aslan's eyes earlier today was not such a good thing. Grabbing my cloak, quiver and belt I quickly follow after the two Pevensie girls - Susan quickly taking the lead. Despite this, she doesn't get very far before she stops us from walking - holding Lucy and I against the tent, preventing us from walking past it. I wait patiently for a few seconds before I lean over Susan, watching with furrowed eyebrows as Aslan trails into the forest with a sad tail hanging behind him. I share a glance with both girls before we travel after the great lion - myself intrigued by his nightly activities.

~

Peering past yet another tree, I sigh as I try to remain out of Aslan's eyesight. I'm surprised I haven't tripped over a root considering how deep we are now into the forest again - going in the opposite way of which we all travelled to get here. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Lucy looking on in distress - I squeeze her shoulder in support before focusing back onto our lion friend. Suddenly, Aslan stops walking completely - halting in the middle of the forest. I bite my lip, trying to peer closer when I jump at the sound of his voice.

"Shouldn't you all be in bed?"

My eyes widen, like a deer caught in headlights. From the tree beside us, Susan lets her shoulders deflate slightly before  stepping out into the open - her sister following her actions. Realising that there is ok way of getting out of this, I too step out from behind the tree - just as Lucy sighs.

"We couldn't sleep."
I gaze at her from out of the corner of my eye, rolling my eyes slightly at her choice of words. I cross my arms over my chest, yawning ever so slightly which simply adds to the irony of the situation.

"Speak for yourself."

Lucy nudges me slightly, causing me to yelp in surprise and tumble over slightly - bracing myself against the tree. I send her a playful glare before focusing on Aslan - the lion having a soft smile on his face, directed at the three of us. I can see him opening his mouth to speak, when suddenly Susan's voice echoes throughout the night.

"Please Aslan, couldn't we come with you?"

I gaze across at her, realising just how far she has come in the past few days. Her logical mind has come to terms with the magical land that is Narnia. I notice Aslan gazing at us all fondly, before he nods slowly and sighs quietly.

"I would be glad if the company for a while. Thank you."

Sending him a small smile, I make my way over to him and slowly lift my hand. Standing beside him, I realise just how tall the lion is - it should feel intimidating but it doesn't. Slowly, I reach out and grasp his mane - the soft fur feeling like feathers underneath my fingertips. It's as though I'm running through silk, and a small smile make sits way onto my face. Very slowly, Aslan begins to lead us through the forest - silence enveloping us all. Not that I mind, for it gives me time to admire the scenery just as I have done on most of this journey. The flowers blooming on the trees are much larger than ones I've seen, and the bushes seem to have berries growing on them. As I contemplate whether I should pick some or not, we suddenly come to a stop once again. I jolt forward slightly, almost toppling over Lucy as I do - giving her an apologetic smile as I straighten myself up. My fingers slip for Aslan's mane as he pulls away, his face grim which makes me believe that something bad is about to happen.