And when Peter had done so he struck him with the flat of the blade and said,
“Rise up, Sir Peter Wolf’s-Bane.
And, whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword.”
THIRTEEN DEEP MAGIC FROM THE DAWN OF TIME
NOW WE MUST GET BACK TO EDMUND.
When he had been made to walk far further than he had ever known that anybody could walk, the Witch at last halted in a dark valley all overshadowed with fir trees and yew trees.
Edmund simply sank down and lay on his face doing nothing at all and not even caring what was going to happen next provided they would let him lie still.
He was too tired even to notice how hungry and thirsty he was.
The Witch and the dwarf were talking close beside him in low tones.
“No,” said the dwarf, “it is no use now, O Queen.
They must have reached the Stone Table by now.”
“Perhaps the Wolf will smell us out and bring us news,” said the Witch.
“It cannot be good news if he does,” said the dwarf.
“Four thrones in Cair Paravel,” said the Witch.
“How if only three were filled?
That would not fulfill the prophecy.”
“What difference would that make now that He is here?” said the dwarf.
He did not dare, even now, to mention the name of Aslan to his mistress.
“He may not stay long.
And then—we would fall upon the three at Cair.”
“Yet it might be better,” said the dwarf, “to keep this one” (here he kicked Edmund) “for bargaining with.”
“Yes! and have him rescued,” said the Witch scornfully.
“Then,” said the dwarf, “we had better do what we have to do at once.”
“I would like to have done it on the Stone Table itself,” said the Witch.
“That is the proper place.
That is where it has always been done before.”
“It will be a long time now before the Stone Table can again be put to its proper use,” said the dwarf.
“True,” said the Witch; and then,
“Well, I will begin.”
At that moment with a rush and a snarl a Wolf rushed up to them.
“I have seen them.
They are all at the Stone Table, with Him.
They have killed my captain, Maugrim.
I was hidden in the thickets and saw it all.
One of the Sons of Adam killed him.
Fly!
Fly!”
“No,” said the Witch.
“There need be no flying.
Go quickly.
Summon all our people to meet me here as speedily as they can.
Call out the giants and the werewolves and the spirits of those trees who are on our side.
Call the Ghouls, and the Boggles, the Ogres, and the Minotaurs.
Call the Cruels, the Hags, the Specters, and the people of the Toadstools.
We will fight.
What? Have I not still my wand?
Will not their ranks turn into stone even as they come on?
Be off quickly, I have a little thing to finish here while you are away.”
The great brute bowed its head, turned, and galloped away.
“Now!” said she, “we have no table—let me see. We had better put it against the trunk of a tree.”