The Quest for Narnia: The Hidden Queen (Under Construction)

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

(Peter's POV)

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Mr. Beaver asked. Madi gave him a small smile and I helped her put on the coat I had brought for her. Madi's plan was to chop down the tallest tree in the area and have it fall across the river, creating a bridge for us to cross safely on. I admit, it was a good idea. Was it crazy? Yes. Is she insane? Probably, but that's what I love about her. Was it worth the risk of one of us falling into the freezing cold river? Totatlly.

"We have to try. This is the only way to Aslan's camp, so I suggest we at least give it a shot." she said confidently. I had to smile. She was great. She was brave, kind, smart, courageous, funny, and beautiful. Madeline would be a great queen. Plus she liked me, so that was a good sign too. She caught me staring at her, and rolled her eyes, a small grin on her face. I quickly looked away before anyone else could notice, a small smile plastered on my face.

"Alright, you ready?" he asked. Madi nodded, and he started to chop down the tree. Mrs. Beaver hung back with the others, making sure they were safe and out of the tree's way if things back fired. Madi and I were to help push the tree over in the right direction when it was falling. It wouldn't be a difficult job.

The tree started to lean once the beaver had cut deep enough into the bark. Madi and I began to push, hopefully helping the situation and not making it worse. Then we heard a huge CRACK! The tree began to fall. I grabbed onto Madi's arm and pulled her back, making sure that she wouldn't get hurt. The top of the tree landed with a loud CRASH! on the other side of the river, just like Madi had predicted. The water stirred as branches fell off the fallen tree and flowed down the river. She smirked, obviously happy that her plan had been a sucess. I couldn't help but stare. Her smile was amazing. She was amazing. I realized that as the seconds rolled by, I hadn't let go of her arm. She noticed and chuckled. I quickly let go of her arm, slightly embarassed.

"Sorry." I said as rubbed the back of my neck with my hand. She just rolled her eyes.

"Relax, Peter." she said and hopped onto the fallen tree.

"Madeline! Be careful!" Mrs. Beaver said to her as she started to cross. She turned around to look at her mother and smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." she said and continued to walk. I climbed up and followed her, avoiding branches that were sticking out. I tried my best to keep up with her, but then I lost my footing. I started to slip. I felt my heart sink as I began to fall backwards. I heard Lucy shout my name, and saw Madi turn around. We made eye contact as she reached for me. I reached for her extended hand as well. She gave me a smug little grin as she pulled me up from that close call. When I had grabbed her hand, electricity shot through it. When our skin touched, something seemed different. A good different.

"Careful." she said to me and continued to step across the log. I looked back as the others gave me evil smiles, knowing exactly what was going on. I rolled my eyes at them and tried to hide the blush that was now covering my face.

(Madeline's POV)

I continued carefully, taking each step as cautiously and gracefully as possible. I kept my eyes glued to the log, slipping would've been a fatal mistake. The water was less than freezing, and the current would easily drag you under. It was good that I had caught Peter's hand. If I hadn't, he would've been done for. And I really wouldn't have enjoyed that. I don't think I could live with out Peter.

"Almost there."  I whispered to myself. I hated doing this kind of thing. Having to balance on a very unsteady log wasn't really my style. I would've rather beat up a bunch of the witch's guards, but I guess this was the only way. I looked up from my feet and noticed that I was litteraly one step away from the other side of the river. The safe side. Aslan's side.

I gracefully hopped down and took a good look around me. The forest didn't seem different from the other one we had just been in before we crossed the bridge, the only difference was the temperature. It was warmer. And that was a very good sign.

"It's so warm!" Lucy said happily when she hopped off the fallen tree. I smiled and put my hand on her shoulder.

"You aren't going to need that coat much longer." I said to her. I gestured for her to hop on my back, and she did so. I made sure to hook my hands behind her knees so that she wouldn't fall off. She giggled gleefully as I ran towards Aslan's camp.

"Madi! Be careful!" my father shouted as the others tried to keep up. I scoffed and rolled my eyes as I jumped over a fallen branch.

"No promises!" I shouted back to him, causing more laughter to erupt from Lucy. Then, I stopped. I looked around and noticed that I was standing on a cliff. Looking down, I saw a camp. Red flags swayed in the wind around the tents, I could hear the clanking of metal on stone as Aslan's soldiers prepared their weapons for battle. I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes.

"Lucy....welcome to my home." I said as I heard the others starting to catch up. I heard Lucy sigh.

"Wow. It's amazing." she said. I smiled, happy that someone besides myself thought the view was breath taking. I heard someone behind us breathing heavily. Peter. I felt him put a hand on my shoulder as Lucy giggled because of his lack of energy.

"You....are....really....fast." he said in between deep breaths. Lucy and I began to crack up. I couldn't help but laugh at him. He just stared at us with a confused expression on his face, causing us to laugh even more.

"What's...so funny?" he asked, still trying to get his rapid heart beat under control. Lucy and I laughed so hard that I almost lost my footing. That wouldn't have been good. Susan, Ed, and my parents finally caught up, breathing even worse than Peter. I had Lucy climb off my back for fear that I would drop her while laughing. Tears ran down our cheeks because of our laughter. I could tell Peter was trying not to smile, even though he was glaring at us.

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"Welcome home, Madeline." Aslan said as we stood before him. We had just arrived at camp. My mother and father stood on one side of me, while Peter and the other Pevensie children stood on the other. I couldn't help but smile. I was happy to see Aslan, even though he hadn't saved my parents. Whenever I was with him, I felt safe. I started to take a step towards him, then stopped, unsure if it would be proper. He nodded, and I ran to him like a child to a long lost parent. I had missed him more than I thought. I didn't care that all eyes were on me. I had to get used to that when I was younger, so it didn't really bother me. He chuckled slightly as I hugged him tightly, my hands digging into his big soft mane. Tears of joy actually fell from my eyes.

"I'm so happy to see you." I said to him. He smiled gently, and placed a big furry paw on my shoulder.

"I'm happy to see that you have moved on from what happened in your past. It had been a horrible moment for me, and I know that you had gone through alot as well." he said. I sighed, and heard the soldiers behind me return to their business. I looked at the ground, pain and sorrow filling my heart and soul. I missed them. And what scared me the most was the fact that as the years goes by, my memory of them began to fade away. He looked at me concerned, knowing exactly what was bothering me.

"Don't worry, everything will be alright." he said to me, and disappeared into his tent.