The morning sun glinted off the surface of the nearby river, its soft gurgling providing a soothing backdrop to the scene. Elizabeth, Susan, and Lucy knelt by the water, laughing softly as they rinsed away the grime from their journey. Their chatter was light and comforting, starkly contrasting the tense moments they had shared only hours earlier.

Not far from the riverbank, Aslan and Peter stood watch, keeping a respectful distance to give the girls privacy. With hands clasped behind his back, Peter occasionally glances toward his sisters before turning his attention to Aslan. The great lion stood tall beside him in his human form, his golden eyes watching the forest calmly.

Peter hesitated before breaking the silence. "I can't stop thinking about Edmund," he admitted, his voice low. "What he did... running off to the Witch. He betrayed us. How can we trust him after this?"

Aslan turned his gaze to Peter, his expression compassionate but firm. "Your brother is lost, Peter," he said. "Not in body, but in spirit. He is a boy who seeks his place in this world, yearning to prove himself in ways he does not yet understand. It is not betrayal that drives him, but confusion and fear."

Peter frowned, his jaw tightening. "But what if he doesn't come back? Or worse, what if he comes back as her pawn?"

"Do not let anger cloud your heart, Peter," Aslan advised. "Edmund is your brother. He needs your love and forgiveness, not your hatred. Just as you are finding your strength and purpose, so too must Edmund. Understanding oneself is never easy, but it is necessary."

Peter stayed silent, staring at the ground as Aslan's words settled over him. The wisdom in Aslan's tone left him both humbled and uncertain. "I don't know if I can forgive him," he admitted after a long pause.

"You will," Aslan said confidently, his voice filled with an almost fatherly assurance. "When the time comes, your heart will guide you."

Peter looked up, meeting Aslan's gaze, and felt a sense of peace he hadn't expected. There was something about Aslan that made everything seem possible, even if it didn't feel that way now.

After a moment, Peter's eyes flickered to Elizabeth standing by the water, helping Lucy with her hair. He hesitated again and asked, "Can I ask you something... personal?"

Aslan inclined his head, his golden eyes warm. "You may."

Peter took a breath, his voice tentative. "How do you feel about Elizabeth? My sister, I mean."

Aslan's expression softened, and a small smile graced his lips. His gaze moved to Elizabeth, who was laughing at something Susan had said. For a moment, there was silence, save for the sound of the river and the girls' voices.

"Elizabeth is extraordinary," Aslan said finally, his voice carrying a profound reverence. "Her courage, kindness, and unwavering determination to protect those she loves set her apart. She has a strength she has yet to recognize fully, but it is there, and it shines brighter than she knows."

Peter observed Aslan. "You care about her," he stated, though his tone made it clear it was a question.

"I do," Aslan admitted without hesitation. "More than words can convey. She is... precious to me in ways I am only beginning to understand myself. I will do everything I can to protect her, just as I will protect all of you."

Peter sat quietly for a moment, taking in Aslan's words. Finally, he nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I think she feels the same way about you," he said quietly, glancing at his sister again. "She just doesn't know it yet."

Aslan's smile deepened, though he said nothing. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the forest, ever watchful, ever-present. Peter stood beside him, a sense of trust forming between the young man and the lion who would one day become more than just a protector of his family.

The gentle sound of the river accompanied the girls' voices as Elizabeth, Susan, and Lucy chatted while cleaning up. Their laughter was soft, their words spoken in the hushed tones of confidants. They believed themselves to be far enough from Aslan and Peter to have privacy, unaware that Aslan's keen senses allowed him to hear every word.

Elizabeth twisted her damp hair into a braid while sitting on the smooth stones at the riverbank. She glanced over her shoulder toward Aslan and Peter before returning to her sisters. "He's... different," she said softly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Susan raised a brow, intrigued. "Different, how?"

"I don't know," Elizabeth replied, a little flustered. "There's just something about him. His speaking and looking at everyone makes it seem like he can see right into their hearts. He's... remarkable."

Lucy, who was wringing water from her dress, grinned knowingly. "He's more than remarkable," she teased. "You like him, don't you?"

Elizabeth's blush deepened, and she shook her head vehemently. "Lucy!" she scolded, though her voice lacked confidence. "It's not like that. He's Aslan—he's... not just anyone."

"Exactly," Susan said thoughtfully. "He's Aslan. He's not like anyone else we've ever met. But I see what you mean, Lizzie. He has this presence that's... overwhelming. In a good way."

Elizabeth sighed, looking down at her hands. "It's not just that he's so... well, beautiful," she admitted. "It's how he makes you feel safe like nothing in the world could hurt you when he's near. And when he looks at you, it's like he sees everything you are, the good and the bad, and still... he cares."

Lucy beamed at her eldest sister. "That's because he does care," she said with certainty. "Not just about you but about all of us. But I think he cares about you a little differently."

"Lucy, stop it," Elizabeth muttered, though a small, shy smile tugged at her lips. "He's an Emperor, a leader. He's not—"

"A man?" Susan interjected, giving her sister a sly look. "I don't know, Lizzie. He's human enough when he wants to be."

Elizabeth gave a weak laugh, shaking her head. "I don't think he sees me that way. I mean, why would he?"

Standing some distance away from Peter, Aslan heard every word, though his expression gave nothing away. His sharp ears picked up Elizabeth's quiet admission, and he couldn't help but feel a warm fondness for her honesty and humility. Her words echoed the truth he felt but had yet to express fully.

Peter glanced at Aslan, noticing the lion-man's serene yet focused demeanor. "What are you thinking about?" Peter asked, his voice curious.

Aslan turned to him with a small, mysterious smile. "The river's song," he replied, his tone light but contemplative. "It tells many truths."

Peter raised an eyebrow, clearly confused but unwilling to press further. He returned his attention to the girls by the riverbank, unaware that Aslan's thoughts were not on the water's song but on Elizabeth's words and the quiet, unspoken connection blossoming between them.

For now, Aslan kept her heartfelt musings to himself, cherishing them as a secret held close to his heart.

As Elizabeth, Susan, and Lucy ascended the cliff, their laughter from the riverbank lingered. The uneven terrain slowed their steps, with Elizabeth leading the way. The sun peeked through the trees, casting a warm glow on the forest.

Just as Elizabeth was about to step onto a flat patch of ground, her foot sank into a hidden hole. She gasped, her balance faltering, and she began to fall backward.

It happened in an instant.

Aslan moved with the speed and grace of a predator, closing the distance between them in a blur. His arms wrapped securely around Elizabeth's waist, pulling her against him. Her hands instinctively gripped his shoulders as she steadied herself, her breath catching in her throat.

For a moment, the world seemed to stop.

Their gazes locked. Elizabeth's green eyes, wide with surprise, met Aslan's golden ones, filled with concern. The closeness was electrifying—their chests lightly touched as if their hearts were speaking in silent conversation.

Elizabeth's lips parted as she tried to find her voice. "Th-thank you," she stammered, her cheeks flushed from the fall and the intensity of his gaze.

Aslan's expression softened into a gentle smile, his hands still firmly but carefully supporting her. "You must be careful, Elizabeth," he said, his voice low and soothing. "This land has many hidden dangers, but I will always catch you when you fall."

Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat at his words, and she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I'll try to be more careful."

Nearby, Lucy watched the scene unfold with fondness and mischief. She leaned toward Peter, tugging on his sleeve with a grin. "See, I told you they'd be perfect for each other," she whispered.

Peter held Lucy close to ensure her balance as she leaned too far forward, his expression half amused and half exasperated. "Lucy, stop scheming," he muttered, though his lips twitched with a small smile.

Susan, standing beside them, couldn't hide her smile. "They do look... rather well-suited," she murmured, glancing at Peter. "It's like something out of one of those old stories."

Elizabeth finally regained her footing, though Aslan didn't let her go immediately. His hands lingered for just a moment longer before releasing her, his touch leaving an unspoken promise of protection.

"Thank you again," Elizabeth said, her voice steadier now, though her cheeks still carried a rosy hue.

Aslan inclined his head, his smile deepening. "It is my honor."

Together, the group continued their ascent, but the moment between Aslan and Elizabeth lingered in the air, unspoken yet undeniable.

The group gathered together near a shaded clearing where Mrs. Beaver had set up a modest but hearty spread of food. Steam rose from warm, crusty bread, bowls of fragrant stew, and cups of freshly brewed herbal tea. Everyone eagerly began eating, and the tension of their journey momentarily lifted as laughter and conversation filled the air.

Peter and Lucy animatedly talked with Bodhi, the friendly yet mischievous weasel, who delighted them with tales of his adventures. Susan joined in, giggling at Bodhi's exaggerated expressions. The cheerful scene reminded Elizabeth of simpler times when danger and war didn't overshadow their lives. She watched them with a soft smile, treasuring this moment of normalcy.

Oreius, standing watch nearby, observed Aslan and Elizabeth from the corner of his eye. His keen instincts, honed through years of battle and loyalty, detected the unspoken bond forming between the two. He admired Aslan profoundly and knew how much the Great Lion had sacrificed for Narnia. To see even the faintest glimmer of love and connection in Aslan's life stirred a fierce protective instinct in Oreius. He silently vowed that Elizabeth would remain unharmed, no matter what lay ahead.

Elizabeth's gaze eventually drifted to the forest, her smile fading into a look of concern. Her thoughts turned to Edmund—her youngest brother, lost and vulnerable in the clutches of the White Witch. Guilt gnawed at her, whispering that she hadn't done enough to protect him. Her fingers clenched lightly at her sides, and her chest tightened with worry.

Aslan, seated quietly beside her, had been observing her closely. He sensed the burden on her heart, her guilt for Edmund's betrayal, and the ache of wanting to bring him back. Without drawing attention, he gently took her hand in his. His warm and steady touch grounded her amidst her storm of thoughts.

Elizabeth looked up, startled, and met Aslan's calm, knowing gaze. The depth of his golden eyes seemed to hold the world's weight, yet they radiated unshakable peace.

"You are not responsible for the choices Edmund has made, Elizabeth," Aslan said softly, his voice a gentle rumble that seemed to echo in her soul. "He is walking a path that he must learn to navigate independently. But he will find his way back to the light. I will see to it."

Tears welled in Elizabeth's eyes, but she didn't let them fall. "I just... I wish I could help him, Aslan. I don't want him to suffer because of his mistakes."

Aslan squeezed her hand, his warmth flowing like a balm for her wounded spirit. "Your love for him is already helping him, even if you cannot see it now. Trust that love and trust in the strength within him. He is not beyond redemption."

Elizabeth nodded, a small smile breaking through her worry. Aslan's words carried a weight of truth that she couldn't deny. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling with gratitude.

Aslan returned her smile, releasing her hand as the others began to notice their quiet exchange. Elizabeth straightened, her heart a little lighter. She joined her siblings, determined to hold onto Aslan's reassurance as they prepared for the challenges ahead.

~*~

AN: I want to thank a dear friend of mine, who is one of my Writer-sister friends on here, for creating this beautiful mood board of Aslan and Elizabeth. 

Thank you!