𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕒𝕘𝕟𝕚𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕥 - ᵖᵉᵗᵉʳ ᵖᵉᵛᵉⁿˢⁱᵉ

꧁Tʜᴇ Rɪᴠᴇʀ꧂

By the time they made it to the river, it was nearly gone. They had to walk down to the waterfall part which still remained intact. At the bottom, there was just enough ice for the children to walk across. Katherine watched as yet another piece broke off and floated away.

"We need to cross now" Peter demanded.

"Don't beavers make dams?" Lucy asked as she turned to the two.

"I'm not that fast dear" Mr Beaver replied.

"Come on," Peter said grabbing Lucy and Katherine's hands pulling them towards the narrow path down.

"Wait! Will you just think about this for a minute" Susan objected. Peter and Katherine whirled around.

"We don't have a minute" Peter shouted.

"Besides Susan every minute we waste standing still the Witch catches up to us. Or did you forget we're all being hunted?" Katherine retorted.

Susan backed down giving her friend and brother a hurt look, "I was only trying to be realistic"

"No" Peter quipped, "You're trying to be smart. As usual" Before taking Lucy down the winding rocks. Howling echoed in the near distance and Katherine grabbed Susan's arm hauling her towards the path.

They quickly climbed down the path and Katherine shuddered as they heard the pack of wolves drawing near. The beavers were down first, then Peter got to the bottom helping Lucy down, finally, Susan jumped down and steadied Katherine who nearly slipped as she half jumped the rest of the icy path.

Peter tried walking across first but the ice cracked and hissed underneath him. In front of them, another chunk of ice broke away from the ever-narrowing crossing.

"Wait" Mr Beaver stopped him, "Maybe I should go first"

Peter looked to the beaver and then the ice, "Maybe you should."

The beaver moved slowly across the ice, turning around and patting it with his tail every now and then. At one point the ice cracked softly and Mr Beaver winced.

"You've been sneaking second helpings haven't you" Mrs Beaver accused.

"Well, you never know which meal is going to be your last" he defended as he turned to her.

"My new life motto" Katherine chuckled and Peter smiled softly.

"Especially with your cooking" Mr Beaver muttered under his breath.

Finally, the children braved the ice. Peter stood closest to the waterfall, then Lucy, then Susan and Katherine walked closest to the edge. Lucy let out a squeal as the ice cracked next to her and halfway across Katherine nearly fell in.

The ice had broken away on one side of her and had Susan not grabbed her arm she would have plunged into the icy water instantly. Half of her leg, however, was wet and she made it her mission to walk ahead of the Pevensies so as not to fall in again.

"If mum knew what we were doing" Susan began as they made it halfway.

"Mum is not here" Peter retorted.

Suddenly howling was heard from above and Katherine shrieked as the wolves ran along the top of the waterfall and surrounded them on both sides.

"Run" Peter called, but it was too late. Mr Beaver ran out and bared his claws but the wolf just lunged and gripped him in his teeth as Mrs Beaver cried out.