~

Night melted into day as the three remaining Pevensies, Adeline and the beavers began their trek to the stone table. That morning they had woken up early to get a head start, stomping out the small fire and wrapping up their belongings. Just before they left Adeline couldn't help but look over to the lawn, where the stone statues, once talking beasts, were silent and cold.

The trees and forest around them looked the same to her, and she feared that they would get lost, although Mr. Beaver ensured her that he knew the way. Lucy stumbled as she gripped tightly to Adeline's hand, the drowsiness still taking its hold on the little girl. The beavers led the way, heading up a steep hill, Susan following suit and Peter taking the back.

"Come on Lu," Adeline helped the girl up a boulder, "You can do it."

"But I'm tired," she complained, as Adeline pulled herself up, "And my feet are cold, and my nose is runny."

Adeline huffed, pushing away a strand of hair that had fallen into her face, before crouching down to the little girls level, "So am I Lu, and as are Peter and Susan but we have to keep going. We need to make it to Aslan before the Witch does." she reached out and tucked a stray hair behind Lucy's ear and gave her a small smile, "Here, imagine that we're explorers, and that we've been sent on a mission to find new land." she stood up and took Lucy's hand, "And that we need to find the buried treasure before an evil sorcerer does." 

Lucy sniffled and looked up at Adeline with wandering eyes, "Can I be the leader?"

Adeline laughed, "Of course you can. I wouldn't have it any other way." 

A crunching of snow indicated Peter, who caught up with them and took Lucy's other hand, "Onwards, Lu."

The little girl squealed as Adeline and Peter swung Lucy by her arms. Both children laughed as they made their way up a steep hill. For the first time in a while, Adeline felt calm. The ruckus of the past day had been so sudden so much that she almost missed the quiet and calm life she had in the country, but this adventure was what she had been waiting for all her life, even if they were being hunted down.

Lucy's hand slipped out of hers as she ran to catch up with Susan and the Beavers, shouting something about how they all had to listen to her now. 

"Oh to be a kid again," Peter said, taking Lucy's place by her side, the boy towered over her, his cheeks nose, and ears red from the cold, snowflakes resting in his blond hair, and his blue eyes sparkling in the morning light. 

"We still are dummy," Adeline teased, picking up her brown fur coat by the hem and worked her way over a boulder before turning around and reaching out a hand to him.

His hand slid into hers and gripped tightly as she helped pull him up. With a hard tug, he was towering over her, and she looked up at him, his face merely inches away,

"And you're right," his breath coming out in small puffs which warmed her nose. His eyes skimmed over her face in concern and Adeline felt conscious of her ragged appearance and what surely had be bags under her eyes from the lack of sleep, "We're only just kids. How are we supposed to fight in an army?"

Peters voice lowered and his eyes dropped to the ground, "And how am I supposed to protect my siblings. We've already lost Edmund, I can't bear to lose my sisters," his hand squeezed Adelines tightly, which sent a twinge through her heart, "Or you."

Adeline pressed her lips together. She was scared as well and there was no point denying it. But if they didn't do this then all would be lost. Although she hadn't been here long, Narnia was familiar to her, calling to her, a voice that she had heard long ago, and she knew she couldn't leave behind.

"Don't talk like that." Adeline rested her palm on his cheek and turned his face towards hers, "We will get Edmund back and the girls to safety. And don't worry about me, I can take care of myself."

Peter shook his head and took Adeline's hand off his cheek, rubbing his thumb over her skin, "I'll always worry about you." he whispered before letting go and trudging after the girls.

Adeline's head spun with the words he had murmured to her and she couldn't help but allow a small smile to spread across her face before following him. 

~

"Now Aslans camp is near the stone table, just across the frozen river." Mr. Beaver pointed.

Adeline's mouth gaped open slightly at the scenery before her. They were standing on a cliff overlooking a massive frozen lake, a frosted forest behind it. The sun shone brightly through the misty air and far away in the distance Adeline spotted another cliff with something that looked like stone pillars at the top. Up there the air bit at her skin and she twitched her fingers, trying to get some feeling back.

"River?" Peter questioned.

"Oh the rivers been frozen solid for a hundred years." Mrs. Beaver explained.

A small hand grabbed hers and Adeline looked down to see Lucy's wide eyes staring over the land. Adeline turned back to it and gulped, how were they ever going to get to Aslan in time?

"It's so far." Peter said

"It's the world dear," Mrs. Beaver chuckled, "Did you expect it to be small?"

Susan rolled her eyes at the two older children, which Adeline let out an exasperated sigh at, sarcasm was the last thing she needed right now.

"Smaller." Susan said. 

~

The trek was almost unbearable now. Adeline's feet ached as she tried to keep up with the others ahead of her, taking the last place in their lineup. Ahead of her, Lucy's head hung low and Peter and Susan dragged their feet. The only ones who didn't seem too affected were the beavers who took the lead and were far ahead of the rest of the children. The barren frozen lake stretched ahead of them and with each step, Adeline felt she was making no progress.

"Come on humans!" Mr. Beaver called out to them, "While we're still young!"

Adeline groaned and jogged up to the others, trying not to trip over her long coat or slip on the ice. She reached Peter and Lucy and grabbed Peter's arm, tugging on his sleeve, "Is it wrong that I really want to punch him."

Peter huffed, "If he tells us to hurry one more time," he bent down, allowing Lucy to jump on his back with a giggle, "I'm gonna turn him into a big fluffy hat."

Adeline laughed and reached up, tucking a strand of Lucy's hair behind her ear. 

"Hurry up!" Mr. Beaver shouted, "Come on!"

"He is getting really bossy," Lucy said.

"no, behind you!" Mrs. Beaver cried, "It's her."

Adeline's head swiveled in panic, a cloud of white was growing behind them and Adeline could see reindeer and a sleigh. "Run!" she yelled.

Immediately, Lucy jumped off of Peter's back and Adeline grabbed her little hand, running after Peter and Susan. The little girl stumbled and Adeline struggled to keep her up as they scrambled to the other side of the lake. The jingling of bells and the sound of thumping hooves grew louder, Adeline's heart jumping to her throat. Her legs ached as she gripped Lucy tight and ran. They managed to reach the treeline, zigzagging through the trunks.

Mr. Beaver suddenly turned and scrambled into a hidden cave, which Adeline hadn't spotted before, "Inside!" he yelled.

Adeline pushed Lucy ahead of her, making sure the little girl was in before she did. She squeezed herself in with the other children, holding Lucy tightly and feeling the little girl shake underneath her. Beside her, Peter pressed closer, trying to make space as he threw an arm around her, drawing her nearer. Adeline's heart thumped in her ears and she could feel a mixture of adrenaline and her magic coursing through her quickly. Adeline flexed her fingers, making sure she was ready to unleash whatever little magic she had if the witch were to find them.

The creak of a sleigh and the jingle bells grew nearer until it felt like they were on top of them, then stopped. The only sound was the ragged breathing around her. Adeline's breath caught in her throat as a shadow figure appeared in front of them and a trickle of snow fell from the entrance. The figure then moved away and Adeline prayed that whoever it was would just leave.

"Maybe she's gone?" Lucy whispered, pressing her head into Adeline's shoulder. Adeline rested a hand against the girls head and held her closer.

"I suppose I'll go look," Peter said.

"No." Both Adeline and Mr. Beaver whispered. With her free hand, Adeline grabbed his, preventing him from moving.

"You're worth nothing to Narnia dead." Mr. Beaver said before sticking his nose out and sniffing the air.

"Neither are you, Beaver." Mrs. Beaver said. 

The beavers shared a sweet moment, "Thank sweetheart." Mr. Beaver crawled out and disappeared above them. Adeline's hands shook as she held on tightly to Peter and Lucy. The poor girl was whimpering and Adeline shushed her gently, stroking her hair. Slowly that hand reached to her throat, the silver pendant hanging there comforted her for a split second, the familiarity of it imprinted onto her skin as she clutched it tightly.

Her other hand slid down Peter's arm, the rough fur of the coat pinpricking her before she finally reached warm skin. Almost desperately Peter grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together, their breathing growing heavier with anticipation.

The sounds of thumping above them made them jump and Adeline mentally prepared herself to strike out if they found them. 

"Come here!" suddenly Mr. Beaver's head popped down from above making Lucy shriek, "Hope you've all been good, cuz there''s someone here to see ya!"

Adeline and Peter stared at each other in confusion. The tense atmosphere among them slowly fading away and instead being replaced with curiosity. Lucy climbed out of Adeline's lap and the girl followed her. She took Lucy's hand in her own, still unsure if something might happen. The others climbed out of the cave with her. When she turned to look, the fear still within her dissipated at the sight.

With the bright sun behind his back, in front of her stood a man she had never dreamed of seeing. She had only known him from tales told during the winter season. We wore a long scarlet coat with brown boots and a vest and had a long snowy white beard. Behind him was a magnificent wooden sleigh which was being pulled by four large majestic dear. His smile warmed Adeline when she saw it and she couldn't help but smile back, a slight tension in her shoulders loosening up. Beside her Lucy gasped and pulled at her arm, the little girl's smile widened and her eyes sparkled.

"Father Christmas!" Adeline gasped softly.

"Merry Christmas, sir." Lucy let go of her and approached the jolly man.

"It certainly is Lucy, since you have arrived." Father Christmas chuckled.

Susan turned to the elder children, "Look, I've put up a lot since I've got here but this-"

"We though you were the witch." Peter interupted.

Father Christmas gestured to his sleigh, "Yes, well I'm sorry about that but in my defense, I have been driving one of these longer than the witch." 

Adeline approached Lucy's side, her mouth still slightly gaping at the fact that the real life Father Christmas was standing in front of her.

"I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia." Susan said. Adeline huffed, the oldest Pevensie girl could be such a pessimist sometimes.

"No." Father Christmas replied wistfully, "Not for a long time. But the hope that you have brought, your Majesties is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power."

Peter approached the girls as well, as Adeline smiled at the fact that the witch was finally weakening. The creatures of Narnia were finally able to have some freedom. 

"Still," the old man said, " I dare say, you could do with these."

He turned and heaved a giant red sack out of his sleigh, dropping it on the ground. The contents inside were visible and the sack was filled with toys and books.

"Presents!" Lucy shouted, running up to him. He reached down and pulled out a small cordial in a red pouch. It was topped with a golden lions head and had gold designs and imprints decorating it.

"The juice of a fireflower," he whispered to her, "One drop will cure any injury."

Adeline shuffled closer to Peter, taking a look at Lucy's face as she marveled at the gift. Warm fingers suddenly took her hand and she couldn't help but smile, the worry from earlier completely gone and instead replaced with a fuzzy feeling she remembered having as a child when she would wake up on Christmas day.

Lucy took the cordial, the pouch bigger than her hand.

"And I hope you never have to use it," Father Christmas gave her a small dagger which matched the cordial with the same golden lions head.

"Thank you sir," Lucy said, "I think I could be brave enough." 

"I'm sure you could," he said reassuringly, "battles are ugly affairs." Lucy came back to Adeline's side, holding up the cordial for her to see, which Adeline smiled at and ruffled her hair.

Father Christmas straitened and reached over to the bag, this time pulling out a stunning ivory quiver with the letter S.P. engraved on it in gold. Blood red fletchings peeked out of along with a dark brown curved bow. Reaching over again he pulled out a stunning horn in the shape of a roaring lion, completely made out of cream ivory.

"Susan." he beckoned, the girl approaching him, "Trust in this bow, and it will not easily miss." he said handing her the quiver. 

"What happened to battles are ugly affairs?" she asked concerned.

Father Christmas chuckled, "Though you don't seem to have a problem making yourself heard," he held out the horn, "blow on this, and wherever you are, help will come."

"Thanks." Susan whispered with a smile.

"Peter." Father Christmas called. Adeline let go of his hand and gave him a little nudge towards the sleigh.

Father Christmas pulled out a grand sword and shield. The hilt of the sword was red and was endorned with gold decals, a golden lions head sitting on top of it as well. The scabbard was maroon and long which Adeline knew must hold a sharp blade. He also took out a silver shield with a red lion carved right in the middle of it.

"The time to use these may be at hand," Father Christmas gave Peter the weapon.

Slowly, Peter took grabbed the hilt and unsheathed the sword. The blade itself was even more gorgeous than the hilt. The sun reflected off of the silver and all the way down the center of it was gold writing in a language Adeline had never seen before. 

"Thank you sir." Peter said, holding out the sword for a moment longer before sheathing it again.

"Adeline." Father Christmas called out her name, catching her off guard. She hadn't really expected there to be anything for her but approached him anyways.

Father Christmas took out two dagger like weapons which seemed to match and were encased in a deep red scabbard and on a belt. The hilts were made of silver and at the top sat a four petal flower which Adeline recognised as the same flower which hung around her neck in pendant form. Engraved on each hilt were two different symbols, one was a cresent moon and the other a full sun.

He took her hands and placed them in her palms, "These," he said, "Were your mothers daggars. They were found the night you disappeared. It has been passed down from generations of fae and holds a sacred meaning to your family. It has long been said that she used these to protect you from the witch, and now I pray that you will use them to finally end her reign forever."

Adeline didn't realise it at first but felt a dampness on her face and when she reached up she realised a tear had slipped down her cheek, which she wiped away. The daggars were as long as her arm from the elbow to the tips of her fingers and when she unsheathed the one with the engraved sun it felt right in her hand. The weight was perfectly balanced and the silver blade glimmered in the fresh air.

"That one is called Solis, sun." Father Christmas explained with a soft smile, "And the other is her sister, Luna. Seperate they are strong but together they are a force to be reckoned with." 

Adeline gave him a watery smile, her throat dry, "Thank you sir. You don't know how much it means to me to be closer with my mother."

Father Christmas addressed all of them as Adeline took her place beside Peter with her daggers in hand. Peter gave her a soft smile and rubbed her back as Adeline tried to compose herself again. She held the daggers between her palms, a sudden familiarity rushed through her and her magic stirred. They recognised these daggars and Adeline somehow knew that her mother must be smiling down at her.

"These are tools," he said, "not toys. Bare them well, and wisely."

Father Christmas looked around him, the sunlight shining off of the half melted snow, "Now, I must be off."

He packed his sleigh, "Winter is almost over," he heaved the sack back onto his ride, "And things do pile up, when you've been gone a hundred years." he let out a hearty chuckle.

"Long live Aslan." he said with pride, getting onto his sleight and making  Adeline's heart lighten, "And merry Christmas!"

WIth a quick whip the reindeer went off, dragging Father Christmas and his sleigh after them and into the distance.

"Merry Christmas!" the children shouted after him.

"Thank you for everything." Adeline said quietly to herself, before strapping the belt and daggars above her emerald green skirt. Suprisingly they fit snugly, as if the belt was made just for her size. 

"Told you he was real." Lucy said smugly to her older sister. 

Adeline laughed, "Thank goodness he is."

"He said winter was almost over." Peter said, strangely somber, "You know what that means?" his voice raising up into a panic, his blue eyes widening.

"No more ice."

~

I'm back! Sorry it's been a little while but now I've returned and will be continuing this story. 

I can't believe I've written 10 chapters already, it's flying by so quickly!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, although it did take me a while to sit down and write it. I honestly can't wait until we get to more of the exciting parts but I need to patient and not get ahead of myself.

Question of the day:

~ If you could bring any Narnia character into your day to day life, who would it be? ~

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas (if you celebrate) and wishing every a happy New Year!

Until next time,

StoryTeller5678