For Narnia

4.1

"Now, Aslan's camp is near the Stone Table just across the frozen river," Mr. Beaver explains as they look out across the land where the sun is rising.
"River?" Peter asks worriedly.
"The river's been frozen solid for a hundred years," Mrs. Beaver explains to him.
"It's so far," Zoe says in amazement as she looks out at the land.
"It's the world, dear. Did you expect it to be small?" Mrs. Beaver asks her.
"Smaller," Susan says sarcastically, causing Zoe to slightly glare at her. Zoe had only been in Narnia for a short while, but she had already fallen in love with it.

"Come on, humans! While we're still young," Mr. Beaver says as he leads the way. Zoe is behind everyone, keeping a watchful eye on Lucy to make sure she doesn't fall too far behind.
"If he tells us to hurry one more time, I'm gonna turn him into a big, fluffy hat," Peter says before letting Lucy climb on his back, causing Zoe to giggle as she starts walking beside Peter.
"Hurry up! Come on!" Mr. Beaver calls frantically.
"He is getting a little bossy," Lucy says, causing Zoe to smile.
"Behind you! It's her! Run! Run!" Mrs. Beaver yells, causing the Pevensies to look behind them to find a sleigh racing towards them.
"Run!" Peter yells as he sets Lucy down before he and Zoe grabbing her hands. They quickly run into the forest.
"Inside! Dive! Dive! Quick! Quick, quick, quick!" Mr. Beaver orders as they quickly duck into a small cave. They hear the sleigh stop before a shadow appears above them. After a moment the shadow disappears.
"Maybe she's gone," Lucy whispers when they hear nothing.
"I suppose I'll go look," Zoe says going to get up.

"No!" Peter and Mr. Beaver say quickly as Peter grabs her arm. Zoe looks at Peter confused while he looks away from her, wondering what had came over him.
"You're worth nothing to Narnia dead," Mr. Beaver quickly tells her.
"Well, neither are you, Beaver," Mrs. Beaver tells him.
"Thanks, sweetheart," Mr. Beaver says before he goes to look. Zoe holds Mrs. Beaver's paw while they wait on Mr. Beaver.
"Come out! Come out!" Mr. Beaver says as he ducks his head in, causing Lucy to scream. "I hope you've all been good cause there's someone here to see you!" Zoe grabs Lucy's hand before leading the way up. Zoe stops in amazement as she sees a man in a red suit with a white beard. The man chuckles as the others stop beside Zoe in amazement.
"Merry Christmas, sir," Lucy says as she walks forward.
"It certainly is, Lucy, since you have arrived," Mr. Christmas tells her.
"Look, I've put up with a lot since I got here, but this..." Susan says as she turns to Peter and Zoe.
"We thought you were the Witch," Zoe says cutting her off as she stands beside Lucy.
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry about that, but in my defense, I have been driving one of these longer than the Witch," Mr. Christmas explains with a shrug.
"I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia," Susan says as she and Peter join Lucy and Zoe.
"Not for a long time. But the hope that you have brought, Your Majesties, is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power. Still, I dare say you could do with these," Mr. Christmas explains before pulling a huge bag from the sleigh.
"Presents!" Lucy cheers as she rushes over.
"The juice of the fire-flower. One drop will cure any injury," Mr. Christmas says as he hands Lucy a flask. "And though I hope you never have to use it..." Mr. Christmas hands her a small dagger.
"Thank you, sir, but I think I could be brave enough," Lucy tells him with a determined look.
"I'm sure you could. But battles are ugly affairs," Mr. Christmas responds as Lucy steps back while Mr. Christmas pulls out a quiver full of arrows and a bow. "Susan. Trust in this bow and it will not easily miss."
"What happened to "battles are ugly affairs"?" Susan asks him with a raised eyebrow.
"Though you don't seem to have a problem making yourself heard, blow on this and wherever you are, help will come," Mr. Christmas says before handing Susan a horn.
"Thanks," Susan tells him before stepping back.
"Peter," Mr. Christmas says as he pulls out a sword and a shield. "The time to use these may be near at hand."
"Thank you, sir," Peter says as he unsheathes the sword and looks at it.
"Zoe," Mr. Christmas says as he pulls out another sword with two daggers. "You have the heart of a lion and are ready to charge into any battle you may face." Zoe smiles as she looks at her sword, taking notice of the lion's head. "Peter." Peter walks over to him while the girls look at Zoe's sword before Peter walks back over. "These are tools, not toys. Bear them well and wisely. Now, I must be off. Winter is almost over, and things do pile up when you've been gone a hundred years." Mr. Christmas puts his bag back in the sleigh. "Long live Aslan!" He gets into the sleigh. "And Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!" They all call as he takes off.
"Told you he was real," Lucy tells Susan with a smirk.
"He said winter was almost over. You know what that means. No more ice," Zoe explains as she and Peter look at each other worriedly. They quickly race to the river to finding the ice melting.
"We need to cross, now!" Peter says as he grabs Lucy's hand.
"Don't beavers make dams?" Lucy asks as she looks at the beavers.
"I'm not that fast, dear," Mr. Beaver answers her.
"Come on!" Zoe says as she grabs Lucy's other arm.
"Wait! Will you think about this for a minute?" Susan asks as she comes to a quick stop.
"We don't have a minute," Zoe tells her as she shakes her head.
"I'm just trying to be realistic," Susan responds with a slight glare.
"No, you're trying to be smart. As usual," Peter retorts before they start making their way down to the river. Peter steps onto the ice only for it to start to sink.
"Wait. Maybe I should go first," Mr. Beaver says as he steps in front of Peter.
"Maybe you should," Peter says in agreement.
"You've been sneaking second helpings, haven't you?" Mrs. Beaver asks as some of the ice sinks beneath Mr. Beaver.
"Well, you never know which meal's gonna be your last. Especially with your cooking," Mr. Beaver answers her before Zoe starts following Mr. Beaver with the others behind her.
"If Mum knew what we were doing..." Susan starts.
"Mum's not here," Peter quickly retorts.
"Oh, no!" Lucy calls as the wolves start running across the frozen waterfall.
"Run! Hurry!" Zoe says as they try to make it to the other side, only to be blocked by the wolves.
"No!" Mrs. Beaver calls as Mr. Beaver is attacked.
"Peter! Zoe!" Lucy calls before Zoe and Peter unsheathe their swords.
"Put them down, kids. Someone could get hurt," Maugrim says as he stalks towards them.
"Don't worry about me! Run him through!" Mr. Beaver yells as they back away from Maugrim.
"Leave now while you can, and your brother leaves with you," Maugrim offers while Zoe can tell that he was lying.
"Stop, Peter! Zoe! Maybe we should listen to him!" Susan yells as she grabs onto Peter's coat.
"Smart girl," Maugrim says as he glances from Susan to Peter.
"Don't listen to him! Kill him! Kill him now!" Mr. Beaver orders as he looks at Peter and Zoe.
"Oh, come on. This isn't your war. All my Queen wants is for you to take your family and go," Maugrim tells them.
"Look, just because some man in a red coat hands you swords, it doesn't make you heroes! Just drop them!" Susan yells at Peter and Zoe. Peter glances at Susan and starts to lower his sword, causing Zoe to step forward.
"No! Narnia needs you! Gut him while you still have a chance!" Mr. Beaver yells.
"What's it gonna be, Daughter of Eve? I won't wait forever. And neither will the river," Maugrim says as Zoe glares at him.
"Zoe!" Lucy yells before they turn to see the waterfall cracking. Zoe and Peter share a look before looking at the ice they are standing on.
"Hold onto Peter!" Zoe orders before she and Peter slam their swords into the middle of the ice. The waterfall busts, releasing the river as Peter and Zoe hold onto their swords with Susan and Lucy holding onto them. They ride the piece of ice through the water before Zoe notices Lucy slipping from her coat. Lucy falls into the water before Zoe let's go of her sword, sliding into the water so she can grab onto Lucy. "Grab onto the branch!" Zoe pushes Lucy forward before Lucy grabs onto the branch. Zoe is pulled under the water as Lucy makes her way to shore. Meanwhile, the block of ice goes to shore where Peter and Susan get off. Peter looks around in shock as he grabs Lucy's coat and Zoe's sword.
"What have you done?" Susan asks Peter as she sees him holding the items. "Lucy! Zoe!" Lucy hears her name and starts making her way over, assuming Zoe is behind her.
"Has anyone seen my coat?" Lucy asks as she reaches the others.
"Don't you worry, dear. Your brother's got you well looked after," Mr. Beaver tells her as Peter wraps Lucy into the coat.
"And I don't think you'll be needing those coats anymore," Mrs. Beaver says as they turn to see flowers growing on trees.
"Zoe, look!" Lucy says excitedly before noticing that Zoe isn't there. "Zoe?"
"Zoe!" Peter yells as they start to look around.
"The River took her," Mrs. Beaver says sadly when they can't find her.
"No," Peter says as he shakes his head in denial.
"We have to get you to Aslan," Mr. Beaver says causing Peter to let out a defeated sigh, since he didn't want to leave in case Zoe showed up. They continue their journey before they arrive in a lush green forest, causing them to shed their coats. Zoe lets out a gasp as she wakes up on the shore of the river.
"Don't be afraid my child," A voice says, causing Zoe to look up in shock.