Forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest.
Summary: Set during The Dawn Treader. What if Eustace had a girl chosen by their parents to marry him in the future? What if she got to Narnia with him and Edmund and Lucy? A tale of friendship, adventure and forbidden love. Edmund/OC/Eustace.
A/N. So, hello everyone! This is my first try at Narnia, so go easy on me) I watched the Dawn Treader for the third time today and felt like I had to do it. I can't help it- I just LOOOVE Edmund so much, he's strong, brave, humorous and simply the hottest thing!** And since Eustace and his family are so obnoxious and uptight, an arranged future marriage is just something they would do, I think it makes sense. Though this is set during the movie, I will not write line for line all the time, cause' then it won't be much of a fanfic now, would it?) I will add some small changes. For example: when Edmund, Lucy, Eustace and my OC are on the ship everyone will have their own cabin, instead of sleeping all together in one room.
I have a fairly good idea of what I'm doing here, but don't hesitate with suggestions and other tips if you feel like it. I hope it turns out good.) Enjoy!
Сhapter 1.
Eustace Scrubb was lying on his bed, busily writing in his diary. "Dear Diary, it is now day 253 since my wretched cousins Edmund and Lucy invaded our house. Not sure how much longer I can cope living with them. If only one could treat relatives like wandering insects, all my problems would be solved. I could simply put them in a jar, or pin them to my wall. I can't imagine why Edelle likes them so much. I mean, every time I invite her to my house she stops to chat with them. Lucy even thinks of her as her best friend. My mother (to the Pevensies- Aunt Alberta) thinks I should stop bringing her to the house that often, while my cousins are still here. Sure, I will stop bringing home the only thing that gives me the tiniest bit of happiness! Yeah, right! I tried to ask her why she thinks it is necessary, but she didn't explain, just shot a mean look at Edmund. I didn't understand it then, but a couple of days ago I think I started to catch up on mother's worries. Edelle is spending way too much time with him than she should. They talk and laugh together and seem to be enjoying each other's company. Oh well, why am I worried anyway? Our parents have long ago decided that she will marry me when we grow up, even though she is older than me. It has something to do with our fathers' businesses. I know she doesn't like me much, but it's not gonna change anything..."
He stopped writing when he heard the door close downstairs. Lucy and Edmund returned from the market. He hid his diary in his sock and headed downstairs. Halfway down he heard Lucy's voice
"Uncle Harold, we're back. I tried to find some carrots, but all they had were turnips again. Shall I start making soup?"
The man in the armchair didn't reply and proceeded reading his newspaper.
"Uncle Harold?" Lucy tried to get his attention once more and then he heard another girl's voice.
"Don't take it personally, Lu. He's probably not in the mood. Good day, Mr. Scrubb!"
That voice Eustace knew all-too well. Edelle.
Edelle Jade Gilbert was sixteen years old. She had gorgeous golden-blonde hair that cascaded down to almost her waist, big brown eyes, cherry-red lips, flawless tanned skin and a perfect body complexion. She always looked like she was glowing, she was just radiating beauty. Her colours where red, white and black. She was smart, kind-hearted and polite but at the same time, mischievous, bold and extremely fun-loving. She was the type of girl that believed that marriage is something made to bond two loving hearts, so when she heard that her parents set her up with Eustace Scrubb she was...well, "furious" is a kind word for it. She locked herself in the room and only came out at night to get some food and water. She even tried to run away once, but was quickly found and returned back home. After that incident her mother spent almost an hour yelling at her, saying that, whether Edelle liked it or not, the marriage will take place once Eustace turns eighteen and if she does anything, anything at all to get in the way of it, they will just throw her out as a "useless, ungrateful burden". Times were hard and Edelle didn't have a choice. She had to give in, and so, there she was now-smiling to her parents, visiting Eustace, pretending that she's okay with it.
She was ecstatic when Eustace mentioned that his two cousins where coming to live with him until the war ends. For a long time, there wasn't any good company for her, except for that conservative, uptight, way too serious about everything snob, Eustace. She was dying to meet someone new and when she did, she wasn't disappointed. Lucy Pevensie was the sweetest girl. Even though, she was two years younger, like Eustace, she was nothing like him. She was kind, gentle and always complimented Edelle about how beautiful she was. They always had something to talk about and soon they became great friends. As for Edmund...he was the most handsome boy/man she had ever seen. And a wonderful person too. They had talked a lot and she could clearly see an interesting, brave and humorous boy. She just loved the way he occasionally scolded Eustace for this and that. He even almost hit him at times, but Edelle and Lucy always managed to pull him away on time. Everyone, including Eustace, knew that Edmund was a lot stronger and if they attempt a fight, Eustace would be sent to knock-out within five seconds. But he also knew, that this was his house and if Edmund even tried to land a punch on him, he would have to face Uncle Harold and, what's worse, Aunt Alberta. During the few weeks, Edmund and Lucy had grown so close to Edelle that one day they decided to tell her about Narnia. At first, she didn't believe them, who would? But then again, why would they want to lie to her about something like that? She always wanted to believe in magic and besides, what did she have if not belief? So, she always sat and listened in fascination about their adventures in Narnia and got annoyed at Eustace when he mocked them for it.
Today Edelle accompanied Lucy and Edmund to the market and they have just returned. Uncle Harold never liked the Pevensies and even when Lucy was trying to be polite, like now, he was still being mean.
"I said, good day, !" she repeated, a bit annoyed for her friend and after a minute she heard the man in the armchair mutter "Hello, Edelle." and then he got back to reading. She sighed and turned around to see Edmund making a face at the man and giggled.
"Father, Edmund is making faces at you!"
They turned around and saw Eustace standing on the stairs. Suddenly he got out a tube and threw a paper spit-ball at Edmund.
"Why you little..." Edmund hissed in fury and rushed to him.
"Father, he's gonna hit me!" Eustace whined. Edmund was merely a feet away when Lucy reappeared in the room and shouted
"Edmund look!-she held up a letter that's just arrived-it's from Susan!"
After a minute Lucy, Edmund and Edelle where in Lucy's room, reading the letter.
"I do wish you were here with us. It's been such an adventure, but nothing like our times in Narnia. America is very exciting, except we never see father, he works so very hard. I was invited to the British consul's tea party by a naval officer who happens to be very handsome. I think he fancies me. It seems the Germans have made crossing difficult right now. Mother hopes you both wouldn't mind another few months in Cambridge."
Lucy stopped reading and looked at Edmund.
"Another few months? How will we survive?"
Edmund sighed and sat on the bed next to her. "You're lucky, at least you got your own room. I'm stuck with mullet mouth."
Lucy got up and walked to the mirror. "Do you think I look anything like Susan?"
Edelle raised her eyebrows. She knew that Lucy wasn't very comfortable with herself-they had talked about it a couple of times, and every time she tried to convince her that she is not so bad-looking herself, but she wouldn't listen.
Edmund sighed, as he was also getting tired of that question and decided to change the subject.
"Lucy, have you seen this ship before?" he got up and walked towards a painting on a wall. It showed sea and a ship in the waves.
"Yes, it's very Narnian-looking, isn't it?"
Edelle got up and went to it too. "Narnian-looking? Have you been on a ship like that?"
Edmund lightly shook his head. "No, but I think if narnians built a ship-that's exactly what it would look like."
"There once where two orphans, who wasted their time, believing in Narnian nursery rhime."
They turned around and saw Eustace in the doorway, listening to the whole conversation.
"Please let me hit him!" Edmund asked the girls and Edelle grabbed his arm.
"As much as I'd love to see you take him down, I don't want you getting in trouble! Eustace,..-she calmly walked to him-..I don't know how to tell you this...go away!"
"Don't you knock?" Edmund said, clearly not pleased with his presence either.
"It's my house, I do as I please! You're just guests. Excuse me, Edelle."
She rolled her eyes and turned to the painting again.
Eustace crossed the room and sat on the bed. "What's so fascinating about that picture anyway? It's hideous!"
"You won't see it from the other side of the door." Edmund said, not looking at him.
"It looks like the water is actually moving." Lucy said in wonder.
"What rubbish!-Eustace muttered-That's what happens when people read all those fairytales of yours."
Edmund, still looking at the picture, responded "There once was a boy named Eustace, who read books full of facts that were useless."
Edelle and Lucy smiled and Eustace continued, ignoring the remark "People, who read fairytales are always the sort that become a hideous burden to people like me..."
At that Edmund's back stiffened and Edelle shot Lucy an alert look. If there was a time when you thought "Oh, you shouldn't have said that", this would be it. Edmund turned around so he was facing him and furrowed his eyebrows; Eustace didn't get the danger sign and continued talking
"...who read books of real information."
Edmund started walking towards him. "Hideous burden? I haven't seen you lift a finger since we got here!"
Eustace quickly got up and reached for the doorknob, but Edmund was faster and pushed the door closed with his hand, making Eustace back up.
"Maybe I should tell it was you who stole Aunt Alberta's sweets!"
"Liar!"
"Oh, really now? I found them under your bed and, guess what? I licked every one of them!"
"Urgh! I'm infected with you!..."
While they were arguing, Edelle and Lucy saw water coming out of the frame! They both cried in unison "Edmund, the painting!"
Edmund was merely a second away from punching Eustace when the girls got his attention as he looked at the picture and froze.
So, how was it? I tried my best so please review and tell me what you think, 'cause reviews are what gives me some inspiration and what keeps me going. Do you like it so far? What do you think about Edelle? Should I even continue? Please let me know! Thank you! *love you all*.