Chapter 13 Chapter 12 Peter's First Victory

While the dwarf and the hag were talking, the beavers and children were walking for miles away, as if entering a wonderful dream.They had long since dropped their coats.Now they said nothing to each other, "Look, there's a kingfisher!" or "Hey, hyacinth!" or "What's that lovely scent?" , deeply intoxicated, from the warm sun to the shade, green bushes, and then to the wide, mossy glade, where the tall elm trees set up a lush greenery, Then they walked into a thick field of red currants in bloom, and into hawthorn bushes, whose fragrance was almost intoxicating.

They were as amazed as Edmond was at seeing winter disappear, and the whole forest go from January to May in a few hours.They were not even as sure as the Witch that it was Aslan's presence in Narnia, but they all knew that it was the Witch's spell that made the interminable winter; The hag's machinations failed, and failed badly.The thaw lasted for some time, and they all understood that the Witch could no longer use the sledge.After that, they stopped rushing and allowed themselves to rest a few times, and the rest time was longer.Of course they were tired at the moment; but not in the sense of exhaustion—just listless, dazed, and peaceful, like at the end of a long day out in the open.Susan developed a small blister on one heel.

They had left the course of the great river long ago, for they had to turn slightly to the right (that is, to the south) to reach the Stone Table.Even if it wasn't their way, they couldn't keep following the valley once the thaw started, because with so much thaw, the river would soon flood—a terrific, roaring roar. Yellow Flood - The path they took would be submerged. Now the sun is going down, the sky is redder, the shadows are longer, and the flowers are beginning to gather. "It's not far now," said Mr. Beaver, and began to lead them up the hill, through a stretch of deep, soft moss (comfortable for their tired feet), where only a few tall grasses grew here and there. trees.Climbing the mountain at the end of a long day and everyone out of breath.Lucy was wondering if she could get to the top of the hill without a good rest; but suddenly there they were.

They were standing in a green clearing where you could look down on the forest, and all you could see was the forest, except directly in front of you.Far to the east, something was shining and still shaking. "My God!" Peter whispered to Susan, "the sea!" In the middle of this clearing at the top of the hill was the Stone Table.It was a large gray slab, with four straight stones supported on it.The stone table looked old, and it was covered with strange lines and symbols, probably the letters of an unknown language.You look at these symbols.A sense of curiosity will arise spontaneously.The second thing they saw was a tent pitched to one side of the clearing, and it was a marvelous tent—especially now that the setting sun was shining on it—it looked like apricot satin with a deep red Ropes, ivory tent stakes; high on tent posts, a flag embroidered with a prancing red lion was fluttering in the wind, and the breeze blowing from the distant sea brushed their faces .They were looking at the tent when they heard a burst of music coming from the right, so they couldn't help but turned to that side, only then did they see what they were looking for.

Aslan stood in the midst of a group of creatures which formed a half-moon around him.There are dryads and water-spirits (called satyrs and nymphs in our world), and they all have stringed instruments; that's what they play.There were four gigantic centaurs, with bodies like English farm horses and heads like stern, handsome giants.There is also a unicorn, a bull, a pelican, an eagle and a big dog.Beside Aslan stood two leopards, with his crown on one side and his banner on the other. As for Aslan, neither the Beavers nor the children knew what to do or say when they saw him.People who have never been to Narnia often think that no good man can ever be frightened.If the children thought so before, they have corrected it now.Because when they wanted to see Aslan's face, they only saw the golden mane and those mighty, noble, majestic, terrifying eyes, and they felt that they could not look at it, and they all trembled .

"Go ahead," whispered Mr. Beaver. "No," whispered Peter, "you go first." "No, Adam's son walked before the animals," Mr. Beaver whispered back. "Susan," whispered Peter, "how are you doing? The lady is going first." "No, you're the oldest," whispered Susan.Of course, the longer they drag on like this, the more embarrassed they feel.It was only later that Peter finally understood that it was all up to him.He drew his sword, raised it in salute, and said hastily to the others, "Come on, and be still." He went to the Lion, and said, "Here we come—Aslan."

"Welcome, Peter, son of Adam," said Aslan. "Welcome, Susan and Lucy, daughters of Eve. Welcome, male and female beaver." Its voice was deep and round, and somehow it took away their uneasiness.They just feel happy and peaceful now, and they don't feel awkward standing there without talking. "But where is the fourth?" asked Aslan. "He wants to betray them to the White Witch, oh, Aslan," said Mr. Beaver.So Peter said, "It's more or less my fault, Aslan. I got mad at him, and I think that made him worse." Aslan said nothing, neither forgiving Peter nor blaming him, but just stood there looking straight at him with his big golden eyes.Everyone felt that there seemed to be nothing to say.

"Please—Aslan," said Lucy, "is there any way to save Edmund?" "Do what you can," said Aslan, "but it may be more difficult than you think." Then it was silent again.Up to that moment Lucy had thought how dignified, resolute, and peaceful its face looked; now it suddenly occurred to her that it looked sad too.But that look soon passed.The Lion King shook his mane, clapped his paws (thought Lucy, "If he doesn't know how to be strong but soft, those paws would be scary."), and said: "Now prepare the feast, ladies, and take Eve's daughters to the tent, and take care of them."

When the girl was gone, Aslan put a paw on Peter's shoulder--softly but firmly--and said, "Come, son of Adam, and I will show you how you will be King the distant view of the castle." Still holding the sword in one hand, Peter followed the Lion to the east of the hilltop.A beautiful scene appeared in front of their eyes.The sun has set behind them.The whole country below them was in twilight--forests and hills, valleys, and the lower reaches of the great river that snaked its way like a silver serpent.A few miles away there was the sea, and beyond the sea was the sky, all rosy clouds in the setting sun.But just off the coast of Narnia--the mouth of the great river, in fact--something stood and shone on a hill.As it was a castle, the windows on Peter's side of course reflected the afterglow of the setting sun; but Peter thought the castle was like a great star on the coast.

"Man," said Aslan, "that is Cair Paravel, who has four thrones, and you must sit on one of them as king. I point it out to you because you are the eldest, and you will be a Supreme King above all others." Again Peter said nothing, for a strange sound suddenly broke the silence.Like a bugle, but with a rounder sound. "This is your sister's horn," Aslan whispered to Peter, in a low voice that was almost purring, if the Lion purring was not disrespectful. Peter didn't understand for a moment.At last, when he saw all the creatures rushing forward, he heard Aslan wave his paw and say, "Stand back! Let the prince do the work." He understood, and he ran quickly to the tent.There, he saw a terrible scene.

The Narcissus and the Dryad are running in all directions.Lucy, pale, ran towards him on her short legs.Then he saw Susan rushing towards a tree and climbing up it, with a huge gray beast chasing her.At first Peter thought it was a bear.Afterwards he saw that the beast was very much like a German shepherd, but much bigger than a dog.It was only later that he realized that it was a wolf—a wolf standing on its hind legs, with its front paws on a tree trunk, biting and growling, and the hairs on its back standing on end.Susan only climbed the second big branch, and couldn't get any higher.She was dangling by one leg, which was only an inch or two from the gnawing fangs.Peter wondered why she didn't climb higher, or at least hold on tighter; then he realized that she was going to faint, and if she fainted, she would fall. Peter didn't think he was very brave; really, he felt like he was going to throw up.But this did not affect his mission, he rushed straight to the beast, aiming at its ribs and stabbing his sword.This time he missed the wolf.It turned around like lightning, its eyes were burning fiercely, its mouth was opened wide, and it howled wildly for a while.If it hadn't been so angry that it required a howl to please it, it would have had Peter by the throat in no time.In fact—although it was all so fast that Peter had no time to think—he had only time to bend down, and with all his strength, thrust the sword between the beast's forelegs and into the heart.The ensuing period was frightening and chaotic, like something out of a nightmare.He dragged and pulled hard, and the wolf seemed neither dead nor alive, with a mouthful of sharp teeth knocking on his forehead, everything was covered with blood, heat and fur.After a while, he found that the giant beast had fallen to the ground dead.He drew out his sword, straightened his back, and wiped away the bruises all over his head and face.He felt exhausted.After a while, Susan came down from the tree.They both felt a little shaky when she saw Peter.Needless to say, the two parties could not help but kiss and cry when they met.But no one in Narnia would think the worst of you for that. "Quick! Quick!" cried Aslan's voice, "Century! Eagle! I see a wolf in the bushes. Look—behind you! He's going to his mistress Now is your chance to find the witch and rescue the fourth Adam’s son.” As soon as the words fell, there was a thunderous sound of hoofbeats and flapping wings, and about a dozen of the fastest-moving animals disappeared in the In the twilight. Before he could catch his breath, Peter turned and saw Aslan beside him. "You forgot to clean the sword," said Aslan. That was true, Peter blushed when he saw that the shiny sword had been stained with wolf fur and blood.He bent down, wiped the sword clean on the grass, and dried it on his clothes. "Give me the sword, and kneel, Son of Adam," said Aslan.When Peter knelt down as ordered, it patted him with the flat of the sword, and said, "Get up, Lord Peter Fenris-Beth. Never forget to clean your sword, whatever happens."