the second occasion

[deepest_magic]

House. Wardrobe. Coats.

Comments

[deepest_magic]

Bella nods.

"Well, you'll have to meet Aslan all the same," says Mr. Beaver. "And I should like to hurry, in case for all our caution there's been word taken to the Witch."

"All right, that's reasonable," says Bella. "Is he most likely there already waiting?"

"I imagine so, and in any event it would be much easier to stop you getting there than to stop him, so it's the best place to be," says Mr. Beaver.

[neverbeatme]

"Sounds like a plan," says Elizabeth. "Is there anything else to do before we leave?"

[deepest_magic]

"Well, we ought to pack some food for the journey," says Mrs. Beaver.

"We've packed some and haven't even begun to eat it yet. There's enough to share, especially if you like sugar. Are we going to take very long to get there?"

"Not too terribly, I suppose," Mrs. Beaver says. "And sugar's nice, of course."

And so out they go, bundled into coats, Bella creeping along until they're not so near a drop. The snow has stopped and the moonlight is shining. "We'll keep by the riverbank as much as we can. She couldn't bring her sledge down here," advises Mr. Beaver.

[neverbeatme]

Elizabeth nods along to this explanation. It seems wise as far as she can tell.

[deepest_magic]

They walk. And walk. Eventually the moon disappears behind clouds again and it starts to snow, but since they started out quite warmed up in the beavers' house and immediately moved on to trudging along the riverbank, they don't get too cold except for the ends of their noses. Enough time passes for everyone to become quite tired, and for Bella to distribute the sandwiches (she made four and offers each beaver one).

After this, Mr. Beaver scrambles up into a hidey-hole and announces that it should be safe for them to sleep there for a few hours, whereas sleeping first in their house would have made them very easily findable for anyone expecting the Daughters of Eve to be in the company of beavers in particular. It is sheltered and reasonably snug with two large beavers and two small girls all curled up together in it, although it is not particularly comfortable in any other respect.

[neverbeatme]

This seems reasonable. Elizabeth curls up and goes to sleep.

[deepest_magic]

So does Bella.

And there they may sleep quite peacefully, until they hear the jingling of bells.

Mr. Beaver is out of the hideaway in a flash and scrambling up the riverbank, and then voices are heard.

[neverbeatme]

Elizabeth listens.

That definitely doesn't sound like the Queen. Still - that doesn't mean it's friendly. She stays put.

[deepest_magic]

"It's all right!" shouts Mr. Beaver. "Come on up, it's safe, it isn't her!"

Bella sits up.

[neverbeatme]

Elizabeth decides to take his word for it. Out she comes.

[deepest_magic]

Bella follows, and so does Mrs. Beaver.

[pythbox]

And when they reach Mr. Beaver, they find... a man in a red coat, with a long white beard and brilliant blue eyes, standing by a sledge to which are harnessed six large shaggy brown reindeer.

"I've come at last," he says. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last."

[deepest_magic]

Oh wow.

Santa Claus.

Only that name doesn't sound quite suitable for this personage. He's - gladdening and solid and more like the Ghost of Christmas Present than like a soft drink commercial.

"Father Christmas," she says, quite sure.

[pythbox]

"I am," he agrees. "And now for your presents. There is a new and better sewing machine for you, Mrs. Beaver. I will leave it in your house as I pass."

[deepest_magic]

"If you please, sir," says Mrs. Beaver, curtseying, "it's been locked up."

[pythbox]

"Locks and bolts make no difference to me," says Father Christmas. "And as for you, Mr. Beaver, when you get home you will find your dam finished and mended and all the leaks stopped and a new sluice-gate fitted."

[deepest_magic]

Mr. Beaver is quite speechless with delight, mouth open very wide.

[pythbox]

"Son of Eve," says Father Christmas, addressing Elizabeth.

[neverbeatme]

Slightly confused, she says, "Yes?"

[pythbox]

"These are your presents," he says, handing her a sword and a shield. "The time to use them may be very near at hand. Bear them well, and let them guide you when you have need of guidance."

[neverbeatme]

She accepts her presents with a thoughtful look. The shield is bright silver, bearing the device of a red lion; the sword has a golden hilt with the pommel shaped like a lion's head.

[pythbox]

He turns to the other human present. "Bella, Eve's Daughter."

[deepest_magic]

"Yes?"

[pythbox]

"In this bottle," he says, handing her a round vial of transparent crystal with innumerable shining facets, "there is a cordial made of the juice of one of the fire-flowers that grow in the mountains of the sun. A few drops will heal sickness or injury up to the very point of death, although not beyond."

Next he hands her a silver staff with gold detailing of curves and angles that matches the gold cap with silver detailing on the little bottle; the top of the staff bears a sphere of transparent crystal matching the bottle's many-faceted shape.

"And this, I think you will find particularly useful. Its magic will leave you surefooted while you hold it, and it can be called upon to make light against the darkness, to speak with your friends though you be separated by great distances, and to find what you are looking for. I caution you that this last power can be temperamental, and it is better not to rely on it unless you have no other choice."

[deepest_magic]

Bella nods, pocketing the vial and taking hold of the staff at once. "Thank you. Thank you very much."