Title: Edmund Absolved

Summary: Edmund receives forgiveness from Aslan and his siblings.

Rating: K

Pairings: None

Disclaimer: None of the characters from The Chronicles of Narnia belong to me. They belonged to C.S. Lewis when he wrote them, but now perhaps they belong to Douglas Gresham, Walden Media, Disney, Fox, and possibly several others as well. I'm not making any money by writing this story. I borrowed some of the quotes from the Disney/Walden Media movie, though I don't think I took any from the book.

Author's Notes: This story takes place during The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It depicts Edmund's feelings when he realizes that he has been forgiven by Aslan and each of his siblings. There is a scene of forgiveness in the book which I like very much, but it's a bit different from the one in the Disney/Walden Media movie, on which this story is based.


Chapter One: In the Lion's Den

Edmund stood looking into the piercing eyes of the Great Lion for what might have been hours. Perhaps it had only taken minutes, or perhaps all of time, but he did not think he would ever want to leave Him. Neither of them had said anything aloud (at least, Edmund did not think they had), but Aslan could see down to the very bottom of his soul.

This had frightened Edmund at first, and then startled him, and then given him the deepest sort of peace he had ever known. He had apologized over and over in the beginning, when he had first been taken to Aslan; he had recognized Him at once (he knew not how), and had fallen at His feet and cried mercy for an hour, refusing to look up into His eyes until he felt a velvet paw atop his shoulder.

At first Edmund had shrunk down lower, fear and self-loathing making him feel unworthy to even look upon His face. But the Lion's touch had been enough to allow something besides the sorrow and guilt and pain and madness to break into Edmund's mind, and he distinctly heard his name spoken, though not in words. He looked up in shock.

He thought perhaps Aslan might kill him, and there was a terrible moment when he hoped He would; Edmund knew he deserved it. He only wanted the Lion to know how sorry he was, and to save his family, if there was yet any chance of that. But Aslan looked upon him with greater love than Edmund had known existed.

The boy trembled and cried and wailed, and he wanted very badly to run from those terrible eyes, but he was frozen in place, and he could not look away. He wished the Lion would not look at him so kindly, and he felt so wretched that he was unable to speak. It did not seem to matter.

Aslan let him clutch at his fur and bury his face in His Lion's mane until his misery was spent, and then He stood him up and led him out to the hilltop. There he searched Edmund's heart and mind and soul, and though at first He was very severe, He was never cruel or unjust. Edmund looked into His eyes the whole time this was going on, and when He was done He smiled. I forgive you, Edmund. Edmund shook severely, but he never moved. The love in the Lion's eyes remained, and Edmund was at peace. He had never, he realized, been at peace before. He let out a breath he had not realized he'd been holding, and now he was able to return the Lion's gaze without fear.

The Lion told him many things then; some of which were difficult to accept and others which he did not like at all, but Edmund found that the longer he spent with Aslan, the longer he wanted to spend. Presently he began to be told things he liked very much, and after a very little while he decided that he wanted to stay here with Aslan for ever.

But long before he was ready to leave the Lion, he understood that Aslan wanted him to do something else. No, thought Edmund desperately, don't make me leave You. You're the only One who understands; the only One who can make me whole… kill me if You must, but please don't make me leave You!

The Lion chuckled warmly. Look Edmund, he seemed to say, and Edmund looked where he was bidden. He was relieved at once, for there were Peter and Susan and Lucy, whole and very much alive. But his relief was tempered with fear once more. He had betrayed them. He heard Lucy call for him and it warmed his heart, but he knew that Peter and Susan would not be so forgiving. Nor would Lucy, he was sure, once the shock of seeing him had worn off. Even little girls would not grant absolution for ever. He cringed inwardly.

You must go to them, Son of Adam.

Edmund shuddered. No, he begged Him, and he was very aware that his sudden change of heart was cowardly. But his eyes were wild with fear, and he turned back to Aslan. They will hate me. The sudden guilt was too much, and he wanted to run again. But Aslan considered him carefully, and he knew he had to do it. I will be with you, child, said the Lion. You have nothing to fear. Edmund felt a wave of something wash over him, and he realized it was courage, mixed with love. He turned once again toward his brother and sisters, and then he set his shoulders. They were waiting for him.