His face was so serious no one had the nerve to ask what happened with the
Witch.
Everyone helps take the pavilion down. They pack things up after they eat
in the open air on the hill. They march off toward the northeast. Aslan advises Peter that once the Witch
is done with what she needs to do in this area that she will most likely go back to her castle to prepare for an attack. He
says they (Peter and his allies) might be able to stop her from reaching the castle. He outlines two battle strategies;
one for fighting the Witch and her crew in the Wood, and one for attacking her castle.
Aslan indicates he may not be there to personally guide Peter during this upcoming
period of time, of battle. The group pitches camp on the Fords of Beruna. Peter worries about whether if this
is a safe spot to camp, whether the Witch may attack tonight.
Aslan seems preoccupied and assures Peter she will not attack camp tonight.
Peter is insecure about fighting on his own. Later Lucy and Susan can't sleep, and both have feelings of
dread.
They get up, find Aslan, and follow him. Aslan notices them and lets them
continue walking with him. They realize how sad he is, and he also says he is lonely as well. He bids them
farewell, and tells them they have to stop and not be seen.
The girls weep, without really knowing why, kissing him. He leaves and goes up
the hill to the Stone Table. The Witch's people are there; cruels, hags, incubuses, wraiths, horrors, efreets,
sprites, orknies, wooses, ettins, etc. The Witch is standing by the Stone Table.
At first her entourage is frightened by Aslan's presence. They relax when
the Witch addresses Aslan as "the fool." He is quickly bound and tied to the Stone Table.
Lucy and Susan are shocked there is no resistance from Aslan. These
creatures laugh at Aslan's plight as they follow the Witch's order to shave off his mane with shears. They tease
him, mock him, calling him a "great cat." Lucy cries, thinking how awful this for Aslan, and that he looks even more
brave and beautiful than ever.
Aslan is now muzzled. He is surrounded by the crowd. They tighten the cords that
bind him. The Witch prepares her evil-looking knife. Aslan looks to the sky unafraid, quiet, yet sad.
Before striking Aslan with that fatal blow, the Witch gloats that she has
won. She says his attempt to save Edmund is in vain, as nothing will prevent her from killing Edmund once he (Aslan) is dead. She gloats that Aslan has given her Narnia forever now,
losing his own life in the process in order to appease the Deep Magic. She then says, "In that knowledge, despair
and die."
The girls can't look as Aslan is killed. They cover their eyes.
