The Hill Difficulty was much steeper than Christiana had expected. From below, the house at the top had looked close. But after each turn in the steps, more steps waited ahead. Before they reached halfway, her daughter sat down and said her heel hurt.
Her husband offered to carry her. Great-heart first asked her to take off her shoe. There was a raw place inside her sock. He brought out a clean cloth, and her mother helped cover it. They divided their belongings again, so the little girl no longer had to carry the small water bag.
Christiana almost said, “I told you to wear the other shoes.” Seeing her daughter draw back her foot, she stopped. “How long has it hurt?” she asked.
“Since the tree.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her daughter looked at her without answering. Christiana remembered all the times she had said, “Bear it a little longer. Don’t keep people waiting.” She tied the cloth. “Tell me sooner next time. We can stop.”
Other travelers were resting in the arbor. Chris saw the long bench and touched the scroll in his bag. This time he did not immediately sink down to sleep. He set his things where everyone could see them, then sat to eat his bread.
Near the summit, a low growl came from ahead. Two lions stood beside the road, dragging chains over the stones. Her daughter clung to Christiana, who stepped backward herself. Below them, a giant in a hide coat rose and blocked the way down.
“Go back!” he said. “This road is no place for women and children. If anything happens, nobody will do your regretting for you.”
His name was Grim, and he carried a thick club. Chris started forward without thinking. Great-heart stopped him and sent the family onto a level space behind a low wall. Their father stood with the children, while Mercy took the little girl’s bag.
“This road belongs to the King,” Great-heart said. “You cannot bar the people he has received.”
The giant swung his club. Great-heart raised his shield, and the wood struck its edge heavily. Christiana held her daughter. As the sounds of fighting reached her, one thought filled her mind: Had she been wrong to bring the child?
Watchful at the summit had seen them. He called two helpers and hurried down with long poles. When the giant saw his retreat blocked, he dropped the club and escaped down the stony slope. Great-heart’s hand was scraped. They stopped to bind it.
Then Watchful stood between the lions and showed them how far the chains could reach. He did not tell the children to shut their eyes and run. He led them, step by step, along the wide enough path in the middle.
Christiana’s legs were still trembling after the last step. Watchful told her that the Lord had never promised a road without enemies. He had promised not to abandon his people. She kissed her daughter’s hair and followed the others through the lighted doorway at the top.