[seventeen: Strike me]

Upon the riverbank where the four children were previously stood, Edmund, the Witch and the dwarf Ginarrbrik stood sentinel looking down at the fast moving river and its now uniced current. The world had become seemingly warmer, so warm that Edmund felt a sense of relief that he didn't bring his coat because it was so warm that he was debating removing his jumper but decided against it as he didn't want to anger the Witch. He turns his gaze to watch the intimidating dwarf Ginarrbrik start to shrug off his furs and Edmund looks from him to the Witch in fascination. Why would she allow this?

"It's so warm out." Ginarrbrik sighs and the Witch gives him cold look causing Edmund to smirk slightly at Ginarrbrik's frightened expression. "I'll go and check the sleigh."

The sound of rustling can be heard in the near distance and Edmund turns his attention as the daunting wolves approach, one of them carrying the fox in its mouth and another holding Genevieve hostage. Edmund lets out an audible gasp as he looks at her, her hair tangled all over the place as her face bleeds - a visibly scratch on her face likely from the wolves. She also appears to be drenched in water, as if she had been swimming only a mere hour or so ago.

"Genevieve?" Edmund asked, his voice drenched in concern as he went to take a step closer to the girl only for Maugrim to let out a low growl and Edmund stayed put and looked down.

"Quiet Son of Adam, what news Maugrim?"

"Your Majesty. We found the traitor. He was rallying your enemies near the Shuddering Woods and the Daughter of Eve we caught at the river. " Maugrim informed his Queen who took a slight glance at the struggling Genevieve before sending a glare to the fox.

"Ah. Nice of you to drop in. You were so helpful to my wolves last night. Perhaps you can help me now. " The Witch taunted towards the fox who whimpered slightly as the Wolf detaining him bit down harshly in order to ensure he replied.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty." He whispered as he directed his gaze to the ground at the thought of failing in front of a monarch he respected.

"Oh, don't waste my time with flattery." The Witched snarled as she looked at the fox, not wanting to be manipulated with unwanted flattery.

"Not to seem rude, but I wasn't actually talking to you." The Fox stated before his eyes flickered to Edmund, whose eyes widened whilst Genevieve smirked before letting out a small snicker.

"Good one Foxy!" She murmured before meeting the eyes of the fox who gave her a solemn nod in recognition. The Witch stares with a glare. She looks first to Edmund and then at the Fox then glares at Genevieve before deciding to walk up to fox, twirling her wand before she points it at him.

"Where is are the humans headed?" The Fox refuses to answer and the Witch moves her arm back, about to use her wand when Edmund runs in front of her, shocking both Genevieve and the Fox who stare with wide eyes.

"Wait! No! Don't." Edmund says in fright and Genevieve sends him a quick glare, before she tries to step forward to stop him - only for the wolves to detain her again and she struggles.

"Get off of me...Edmund don't you dare." She says before a wolf claws her across her legs causing her to fall to her knees in pain and the wolves keep a firm detain on her.

"The beaver said something about the Stone Table, and that Aslan had an army there." Edmund says before he hears a huff and looks towards Genevieve who gives him a disbelieving look.

"What an idiot." She states bluntly before blowing a hair out of her face before meeting Edmund's eyes and shaking her head at him and Edmund's eyes wide in realisation.

He had betrayed them again.

"Oh..." He mutters.

"An army? Thank you, Edmund. I'm glad that this creature got to see some honesty..." She says gratefully before a smirk lights up on her face as she points he wand at the fox causing Genevieve's eyes to widen as she struggles to try and set herself free but failing. "...before he dies."

The Witch lets off a spell from her wand and the Fox turns to stone and falls to the ground, Genevieve managing to catch it quickly before it smashed - but this only caused a wolf to bite on her arm causing her to hiss in pain.

"No!"

"FOXY!" The Witch then abruptly turned and slapped Edmund across face and he winced in pain as he lifted his hand to his cheek, ensuring he didn't cry out in pain.

"Think about whose side you're on, Edmund. Mine..." She turns his head towards the stone fox. "...or theirs?" Edmund's lonely eyes fill with tears before the Witch turns to Genevieve. "And you need to watch your mouth."

"I will never watch my mouth. You are not the Queen of Narnia and I will never bow down to you. I will only bow down to a true monarch. Long Live Aslan." Genevieve snarled and the Witch glares at her before taking out her wand.

"Why you-"

"Go on, strike me. Don't let me stop you. Just know that I have Aslan on my side and if I die right here right now, justice will be served." Genevieve said and Edmund stared at her in shock, he had never expected this kind of response from her. The Witch looked at her in shock for a minute before she shook her head and turned to the wolves.

"Go on ahead. Gather the faithful. If it's a war Aslan wants..." She turns a random butterfly to stone as she walks back towards her sleigh. "...it's a war he shall get!"

+++

The three Pevensie children, who are now just wearing their shirts and no socks, pass a beautiful oak tree where Lucy stops and turns as a Dryad forms and waves to her with a small smile. She waves back and follows the others as they enter the camp on the top of a hill with small smiles of awe on their faces. Centaurs, Bears, Fauns and more majestic creatures all stop what they are doing as the children pass through the camp with proud looks and smiles as they watch the children pass.

"Why are they all staring at us?" Susan asks as she moves closer to her siblings as they swiftly move forward.

"Maybe they think you look funny." Lucy suggests before they all look to see Mrs. Beaver hurrying around, trying to make herself look better and more presentable.

"Oi, stop your fussing. You look lovely." Mr. Beaver says as he takes his wifes hand as they walk forward into camp with the children. They all stop in front of an official looking tent where a centaur, General Oreius stands guard. Peter pulls out his sword and holds it on front of him pointing to the sky to show his pride before speaking.

"We have come to see Aslan." He says proudly and Oreius nods before footsteps can be heard from the scarlet red grand tent in front of them. The tent flaps in the breeze and suddenly everyone kneels and the children look around, worried for a moment before looking forward again. A majestic lion walks proudly out of the tent and from their stories the three children immediately know it's Aslan and the children kneel as well.

"Welcome, Peter, Son of Adam. Welcome, Susan and Lucy, Daughters of Eve. And welcome to you, Beavers. You have my thanks. But where is the fourth and the Eve? " Aslan asks calmly, directing his question towards the oldest of the children with a confused look on his face.

"That's why we're here, sir. We need your help." Peter states before his sister steps forward.

"We had a little trouble along the way." Susan says solemnly as she thinks of all that had occurred in the last day or two.

"Our brother's been captured by the White Witch." Peter said and many creatures gasped, including Aslan himself who looked shocked at their words.

"Captured? How could this happen?" Aslan asked rhetorically, unsure of why the five children were not currently present and yet three were instead.

"He betrayed them, Your Majesty." Mr. Beaver stated and murmurs could be heard before Oreius steps forward, stamping his hoof.

"Then he has betrayed us all!" He declares and many other Narnians agree whilst the three children shake their head at the Narnians, not wanting their brother to be seen as a traitor.

"Peace, Oreius. I'm sure there's an explanation." Aslan says calmly before looking expectingly at the three children.

"It's my fault, really. I was too hard on him." Peter admitted before Lucy hugs him around the waist and Susan places her hand on his shoulder.

"We all were." Susan adds as she gives Peter's shoulder a small squeeze.

"Sir, he's our brother." Lucy said timidly and Aslan turned to her and gave her a calming look.

"I know, dear one. But that only makes the betrayal all the worse." He says before looking around again. "and where is the Eve?"

"She sacrificed herself to the White Witch on the way." Susan says, looking down in regret at the thought of what pain Genevieve could be in now... if she was even alive.

"I see she understands now." Aslan says as he walks towards the children and stands specifically in front of Peter before motioning for him to follow.

"Understand what?"

"This may be harder than you all think."

+++

"That is Cair Paravel, the castle of the four thrones. In one of which you will sit, Peter,as High King." Aslan says as he and Peter stand on the edge of a hill, looking out at the castle of Cair Paravel in the distance. Peter does not answer him immediately. "You doubt the prophecy?"

"No. That's just it. Aslan, I'm not what you all think I am." Peter says as lets out a sigh and leans against a tree as he looks at the castle.

"Peter Pevensie, formerly of Finchley. Beaver also mentioned you planned on turning him into a hat." Aslan chuckles and Peter lets a small smile accumulate his face. "Peter, there is a Deep Magic, more powerful than any of us that rules over all of Narnia. It defines right from wrong, and governs all our destinies. Yours... and mine."

"But I couldn't even protect my own family or a girl who I now view as part of mine."

"You've brought them safely this far." Aslan countered but Peter shook his head and let out another sigh.

"Not all of them." He whispered as he thought of his brother and Genevieve and what the witch could be doing to them right now and the pain they could be in.

"Peter, I will do what I can to help your brother and Genevieve, but I need you to consider what I ask of you. I, too, want my family safe." Aslan said as the both looked out at the castle in a momentary silence.

If only they knew the torture Edmund and Genevieve were currently in not even a mile away from their current location.