The Meeting with Aslan at the Stone Table

The Meeting with Aslan at the Stone Table is the central, transformative event in which the Pevensie children—Peter, Susan, Lucy, and the newly rescued Edmund—first come face to face with Aslan, the true King of Narnia. This encounter, set on a green hilltop overlooking the sea, shifts the story from a journey of flight and survival into a formal alignment with the forces of good, establishing Aslan's authority, the children's roles, and the stakes of the coming conflict.

The Setting and the Approach

The children, led by Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, arrived at the top of a green open space after a long day's climb through springing moss and tall, widely spaced trees. From this hilltop, they could see the forest spreading in every direction, and far to the east, something twinkling and moving—the sea. In the very center of the open hilltop stood the Stone Table, a great grim slab of grey stone supported on four upright stones, cut all over with strange lines and figures that might be the letters of an unknown language. Beside it was pitched a pavilion of yellow silk with crimson cords and ivory tent-pegs, and high above it on a pole, a banner bearing a red rampant lion fluttered in the breeze blowing from the distant sea. As they looked, they heard music from their right and turned to see what they had come to see.

Aslan and His Court

Aslan stood in the center of a crowd of creatures grouped around him in the shape of a half-moon. There were Tree-Women and Well-Women—Dryads and Naiads—who played stringed instruments. Four great centaurs stood nearby, their horse parts like huge English farm horses and their man parts like stern but beautiful giants. Also present were a unicorn, a bull with the head of a man, a pelican, an eagle, and a great dog. Next to Aslan stood two leopards, one carrying his crown and the other his standard. When the children and Beavers saw Aslan himself, they did not know what to do or say. They had thought that a thing could not be good and terrible at the same time, but now they were cured of that notion. When they tried to look at Aslan's face, they caught only a glimpse of the golden mane and the great, royal, solemn, overwhelming eyes, and then found they could not look at him and went all trembly.

The Formal Welcome

After a moment of awkward hesitation among the children, Peter drew his sword, raised it to the salute, and advanced to the Lion, saying, "We have come—Aslan." Aslan replied, "Welcome, Peter, Son of Adam. Welcome, Susan and Lucy, Daughters of Eve. Welcome He-Beaver and She-Beaver." His voice was deep and rich and somehow took the fidgets out of them, making them feel glad and quiet. Aslan then asked where the fourth child was, and Mr. Beaver explained that Edmund had tried to betray them and joined the White Witch. Peter added that this was partly his fault, for he had been angry with Edmund and thought that helped him go wrong. Aslan said nothing either to excuse Peter or to blame him, but merely stood looking at him with his great golden eyes. Lucy then asked if anything could be done to save Edmund, and Aslan replied, "All shall be done. But it may be harder than you think." He was silent for some time, and Lucy noticed that his face, which had seemed so royal and strong and peaceful, now looked sad as well.

The Vision of Cair Paravel and the First Battle

Aslan then laid his heavy, velveted paw on Peter's shoulder and led him to the eastern edge of the hilltop, where the sun was setting behind them. The whole country lay below in evening light—forest, hills, valleys, and the great river winding away like a silver snake. At the mouth of the river, on a little hill, something shone: a castle, with sunlight reflected from all its windows. Aslan said, "That, O Man, is Cair Paravel of the four thrones, in one of which you must sit as King. I show it to you because you are the first-born and you will be High King over all the rest." At that moment, a strange noise like a bugle, but richer, woke the silence. It was Susan's horn, signaling an attack. Aslan said, "Back! Let the Prince win his spurs," and Peter ran to find Susan being attacked by a wolf. He killed the wolf in his first battle, and Aslan knighted him, saying, "Rise up, Sir Peter Fenris-Bane. And, whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword."