At that moment when the Stone Tables cracked, something strange happened to me. It seemed like at that moment, my brain became empty. Not the dumb kind of emptiness, but the memory kind of emptiness you would sometimes encounter. I forgot almost everything that had occurred in the past—our world, how I came here, my family, but most importantly, I forgot what Aslan had told me—I forgot the very reason why I was brought into Narnia!
I knew something had changed but I was unable to identify what had changed and I had no choice but to push away my puzzlement for a time and rejoice in Aslan.
So we rushed towards him crying, “Aslan!” and we kissed and hugged him with such joy unimaginable.

******

“On my backs, children!”
We climbed without hesitation, having the most marvelous time.
Immediately, he sped away with us—heading towards the Witch’s Home.
The speed Aslan had was incredible, the whizzing of the myriad colors in the scenery was stunning, and the gloriousness of them all were indescribable.
Soon we found ourselves before the Witch’s Home.
Fear mingled with bitterness as we remembered all the Witch had done.
“Why would you bring us here?” Lucy asked Aslan.
Surprising as it may be, I echoed her question.
Aslan, not answering, but calling out a warning to hold on tightly, he jumped. No, flew—up and over into the Witch’s House.
We grabbed tightly. Lucy let out a scream. My heart raced and fear ate into my heart as we flipped upside-down, Susan’s hair slapping into our faces.
Just as I could take it no longer, we landed on safe ground. I felt thousands of animal statues staring at me. Some had a frozen tear on their lifeless faces while others held the look of chivalry.
“How unfair,” Susan whispered softly.
“Do you think,” Lucy began, “that they still might be alive inside but just…frozen?”
We didn’t answer, for fear of upsetting Lucy and instead, turned to Aslan.
But Aslan was busy breathing on the statues.
What’s he doing? They’re dead! There’s almost no hope.
But somewhere, far away, a small voice said, “Yes, there is.”
Somehow I couldn’t grasp what that tiny voice said and once again, I pushed the thought away into the farthest part of my mind.
What is wrong with me?! I feel like I’ve lost something.
Susan broke into my thoughts, nudging me excitedly.
I looked up and became astonished!
For as soon as Aslan breathed on the statue, a gold streak began to creep along the edge of the statue. Then the creature moved.
I gasped.
Next, he shook himself vigorously and the golden streak vanished into his fur.
I stood there, speechless.
Lucy tugged my sleeve. “Let’s find Mr. Tumnus!”
I nearly tripped from my loss of composure.
We took one last glance at the joyful crowd.
It was stunning to see how the animals brightened our dull dirt wall surroundings as they danced around Aslan, cheering with all their might.
Susan and I followed Lucy who was racing up and about the corridors in search of a dear friend.
Finally, we found him—he stood lifelessly in the darkest corner of the corridor.
We froze, staring with wide eyes.
After a few moments that seemed like eternity, Lucy burst out, “Aslan! Aslan! We’ve found him! Come quickly!” She jumped up and down in excitement.
Aslan came bounding to us and breathed softly on Tumnus.
It was only after a few moments of pure joy when we realized we were needed in the courtyard.
Entering the courtyard again was like stepping into ecstasy, literally. The air was perfumed with it!
The sweet spring air flooded into the courtyard, blowing the wisps of my hair softly.
Aslan called to the giant Rumblebuffin, asking him to lead us out.
He heartily set himself to work, ordering us little ’uns (we were very little compared to him) to stay away from the gate.
I glanced casually to my left arm and then I blinked twice in disbelief, then horror.
My watch was gone!
“Girls,” I quickly shoved my left arm into their faces. “My watch—gone!”
“What?!”
“How?!”
But just then, a most ear piercing sound silenced us.
I slapped my hands over my ears to see Rumblebuffin knocking down the gates.
I gave them a look that told them that this wasn’t the end this topic.
They nodded, feeling sorry for my loss.
Then another ear piercing sound exploded into the air as Rumblebuffin knocked a hole into the wall, causing a puff of air to leap into the courtyard. Sweat came in drops as he asked for a “hankerchee”.
“I have one,” Lucy announced, tiptoeing.
“Thanks,” he rumbled.
What the giant did next scared the wits out of us. He lifted Lucy up, mistaking her for the handkerchief.
“No!” shrieked Susan as Lucy’s body tensed fearfully.
Suddenly, a sheepish look fleeted across the giant’s face as he quickly laid Lucy down, apologizing hastily.
We sighed with relief.
Then Aslan roared for silence and began to give out orders. The smaller ones—those who couldn’t keep were assigned to the faster ones. Leopards and dogs smelled the battle out.
We cheered after Aslan’s speech and we girls searched anxiously for a partner.
“There’s an eagle,” a dwarf pointed out. “And he’s won awards for the highest flying eagle, too!
I coughed nervously. “No, there’s no way I’m riding an eagle!”
He shrugged. “Then I guess Timithus over there can partner with you.”
“What is he?”
“Huh?”
“What animal…”
“Oh, a centaur. Why?”
“Okay, good,” I breathed a sigh of relief.
Timithus held out his hand and I grabbed it, placing myself in the side-saddle position.
The view was splendid. The ride was a ride that I will never forget and not at all like riding a horse in our world.
In a few moments, he broke out into a gallop. Further ahead, Susan and Lucy were riding on Aslan.
My hair flew as the wind caressed my cheeks and various colors from the scenery whizzed past me.
We raced faster and faster, twisting to and fro through the valleys, ducking our heads inside tunnels, then finally, we reached the last curve.
Faint noises of pitiful shrieks and noises of sharp swords clashing into each other grew louder and louder.
Then I saw them. The evil, gruesome creatures that we had seen in the dark were ten times more evil and gruesome in the light.
Spotting a young boy and realizing it was Peter, I watched with dread as he dodged within centimeters from the Witch’s double edged sword. He twisted and turned with lightning speed.
“Ugh,” I cried out, quickly turning my head away.
I jumped off the centaur.
I heard an earsplitting roar from Aslan as he leapt onto the Witch.
Another scream penetrated into our ears, only it was much more frightening.
Then all the newcomers dashed towards the evil creatures, signaling the end of the war.
Susan and Lucy rushed to my side.
From a distance, Aslan and Peter shook hands.
“Why, Peter looks so stern, so pale, and oh, so much older!” Lucy exclaimed.
I thought I heard Susan sigh. “He’s no longer a b—“she halted, gasping. “Where’s Edmund?”
We ran to Peter and Aslan in alarm, exchanged a few words with them and then hurried up a hill.
And there, a ghastly sight stood before our eyes.
Edmund was lying down, his cheek on the dirt, and he was soaked in red.
Quickly, Lucy jumped forward, kneeling beside him. Her hands trembled as she fumbled to uncork the cordial. She slowly poured drops of the ethereally lavender liquid on each of his wounds.
We held our breath.
One drop.
Two.
Three.
We searched each other’s faces worriedly.
Why isn’t he waking up?
But then our hearts soared.
Edmund stirred, fluttering his eye open. Then his wounds (every single one) vanished!
Edmund, with great energy, sat up as if he had never been hurt, and asked, “What happened?”
“You—we-ere cover-red in bl—“Peter attempted to answer, unable to finish. “I’m glad you’re alive,” he whispered, hugging him tightly.
I smiled as we five embraced each other.
Aslan commanded Lucy to help the others. She left us behind, but not before protesting slightly.
Peter, Susan, Edmund, and I chattered excitedly.
Before long, Aslan and Lucy appeared behind us and there, Aslan knighted Edmund.
Susan and Lucy started to converse in low tones.
“What’s bothering you two?” I asked curiously.
Susan gave Lucy a look and opened her mouth to respond but then we were interrupted.
*******
“I’m telling you, I can’t believe it’s gone!” I said emphatically to the Four as we sat in a circle before the blazing fire.
“How did it get lost?” Edmund asked.
“I don’t know!”
“Are you sure you didn’t lose or drop it somewhere?” Peter asked, still not believing.
“I don’t think so…besides, why would I?”
Susan tried to help. “When was the last time you saw it?”
I thought hard. “I know I had it on when we were crying at the Stone Table.”
Edmund said scornfully, “Maybe the Witch stole it,”
“Hush!” Peter ordered.
“No,” I shook my head. “She didn’t even touch me! Wait, talking about mysterious happenings, I felt really strange after the Stone Table cracked. I don’t know how to explain…but I feel like my brain became empty. I mean, cleared from something…like when you wake up and you can’t remember your dream—and it’s all fuzzy…”
Silence.
Then—
“I feel the same way!” whispered Susan slowly.
“Me too,” Peter said even more slowly. “it happened sometime when I was fighting. I can’t explain it…it’s just like emptiness…” he trailed off.
“You know,” Lucy spoke for the first time. “You always say that Aslan has a reason for everything. I think he let you lose your watch on purpose, Anne. Maybe he even did it himself. And I think this loss we’ve experiences, even though we can’t describe it, it’s all Aslan’s doing. Aslan has a reason for everything,” She ended softly, “always.”
***
We stayed in the camp that night. That night was the grandest of all.
For supper, we dined on an elegant high tea. All thoughts I had of the previous meals vanished from my mind.
The following day, my heart rejoiced and my heart rose in excitement—we were going to Cair Paveral!
We marched along the side of the Great River.
Rippling waves dashed towards the cliffs, brushing against them where its foam sprayed all around, soaking us pleasantly.
By teatime, we arrived in Cair Paveral.
As we neared it, mistakes I had made came flooding back to my mind.
I am so unworthy! This magnificent and richly decorated palace is for me! What have I done to receive this? Nothing! And how many years did Cair Paveral sit here waiting for me? Over a hundred years! Oh, dear, dear Aslan!
Deep gratitude swarmed into my heart as I took one step closer.
Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, and I stood before the pure gold gates in awe.
“It’s wonderful,” Lucy breathed, wide-eyed.
Edmund’s mouth parted.
Susan’s eyes sparkled as she leaned forward.
Peter bowed his head.
And I just stood there, speechless.
“Go on,” Aslan encouraged.