My first chapter. Can you tell? Of course. HAHAHA. Anyways, it's Edmund/OC and I hope you all like it. Please leave a review and tell me what you think.
And thanks to Laura for helping me with this story :'D
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Chapter 1
The weather was lovingly warm, once a season passed, a new one began. The sun was beginning to rise as most of the children in the city were playing with each other, making a fuss here and there in the morning market, which was filled with a flurry of activity everyday. The adults seemed busy themselves, running such an economic activity while happily meeting new people when working. It was such a peaceful morning, and everyone seemed so happy to welcome the day.
There was one girl though, who was known as one of the nobles in Narnia, and was a daughter of a wealthy family. She was very kind and charming to people, especially to children. She did not brag about how wealthy she was, and how anybody would want her father's position. Iris was used to people staring at her and pitying her. Although she couldn't actually see, she could feel it.
She didn't ask to be blind, and she wasn't born blind either. For years she was in denial of the fact that her eyes couldn't function properly anymore. She was born as normal as ever, with striking blue-green eyes that were passionate and fierce, she got her eyes from her beautiful mother. Her soft brown hair was inherited from her father. He was a generous and agreeable man and never acted conceited towards people, even with his high position, working for the Kings and Queens. Iris had adapted and was rather content with her life now, and didn't ask for too much from it.
She learned everyday that getting her eyes to function normally again was not the only way to get happiness. She had an accident back when she was just seven years old. She was asleep in her bedroom, cuddling with her favorite summer hat that her uncle had given to her on her previous birthday. She had a thing for hats, and couldn't go a day without one on the top of her head.
She was fast asleep when the clock in the hallway sounded, signalling that it was midnight. She was shaken awake by none other than her mother, whose face was covered with dust and ashes. Startled, Iris was dragged out of her bedroom. The house was burning down, and almost everything was on fire. Everyone had already managed to make it outside except the both of them, they struggled through the debris and were nearing the exit when part of what used to be the ceiling of their home fell and hit Iris. She fell unconscious, and when she woke up in her uncle's bed chamber, it was just to darkness instead of the familiar faces of her family who survived.
It was a traumatic moment in her life, but she had managed to sweep the memory away when she had decided to move on with her life, no matter what.
The children of Narnia always acted like they owned the world, fighting fake battles with their own wooden swords with each other. They looked up to their Kings and Queens with such adoration, the way it was supposed to be. That morning, Sara, Iris' niece, approached her with a quickened pace.
"Iris! You have to know something!" she yelped in excitement.
"What is it?" Iris asked, smiling as she heard Sara's cheerful voice as it echoed through the kitchen.
"King Edmund and Queen Susan are outside! They're in the market, I think they're buying some stuff there and talking with others! I wonder why they would come down to the city to buy stuff themselves, though."
"Are there any guards with them?"
"Of course! Lots of people are watching them outside, do you want to come?"
"Be careful Sara, it's crowded out there. Watch your step." Caris, Iris' sister, said while washing the dishes.
"Of course mom."
Iris really wanted to meet the royals herself. The way her father described the royals to her really made her want to meet them. She wanted to thank them for all the sacrifices and efforts they had made for this country. Iris did not need to deny that she admired the royals, just as every Narnian did.
They were in the center of the market. Crowds could be seen from the distance and Sara told Iris to be careful since it was very crowded. Iris didn't mind, even though she was not used to being told where to step, in crowded places she knew it was necessary for her safety.
King Edmund was talking to a bunch of boys who had gathered to listen to his advice about sword fighting and such, while Queen Susan was buying various vegetables and fruits, and greeting everyone nearby.
"They seem so nice to others." The seven-year-old girl told Iris.
"They are always nice. I wish I could have a proper conversation with them." Iris said wistfully.
"I want to go up closer to them." Sara said, trying her best to stand on her toes to get a better look.
"I'll wait here. You go." Iris said graciously.
"Is it okay? You won't mind?"
"Of course not. Go."
Sara went ecstatically into the crowd, pushing everyone aside so she could see the royals. Iris laughed and sighed, if only her eyes could see, she wanted so badly to see her King and Queen. Hearing stories of them used to be enough for her, but as she grew older, she asked more. She knew it was selfish of her, but there was always a part of her that wished what happened to her hadn't happened.
Her father was a counselor, as well as a doctor in the palace. Often, he came home late but in many cases he just stayed at the palace for several days on end. Her father was very close with the Kings and Queens, especially with High King Peter, who always asked for her father's presence. The royals put so much trust in Iris' father that he, and the rest of his family were treated well, almost like family.
But Iris was always too shy to show up. When Iris' family was invited by the royals to parties, Iris would stay home. When she did come along, she would sit in the corner of the room, or try to find a balcony so she could be alone. She had been introduced to the Kings and Queens a couple of times, but she believed none of them had any memory of her.
A sound of a child sobbing caught her attention. In the middle of a crowded place, with noisy voices, she could barely catch the sobbing. But when she approached the voice, the sound drew nearer, and she bent down.
"What happened?" she asked softly.
The child snapped his head up from burying his face in his hands and looked at Iris. He knew from the way Iris's eyes stared directly, not to his eyes, but beyond, to what lay behind him, that the girl was blind. But instead of mocking her, he answered the question.
"I lost my candies."
"Candies? You had a lot then, I assume." Iris said and felt around to find a spot to sit beside the boy.
"A faun gave them to me earlier. He was very nice. The candy was so good."
"Narnia's candies are better than anything else. I'm addicted to them, if I can be honest here." Iris made an effort and tried to brighten up the little boy's mood.
Iris loved children. She treated them equally. She often baked cookies or cakes on weekends and gave them to children all over the city if she could, with Sara's help. Often, Sara would bring a few of her friends home and Iris would gladly begin story telling with different voices for each of the characters, which the children found unique and entertaining. Everyone loved Iris for her kindness and sweet heart. With her visible imperfection, she was pretty much a definition of total perfection.
"I'm sorry about the candies, but if you want something sweet," she said, and reached into the pocket of her dress, "I made this myself. It might not be much like the candies you had, but I can bet the whole country it tastes good."
"R-really?"
"Of course! My niece loves this one so much, that's why I always have a few in my pocket."
"Thank you so much!" the boy cheered happily.
Iris knew what it was like to lose so many candies at one time. Better to cheer him up the best she could, than not at all. The boy had finished with the candy she gave him, and he stood up.
"Thank you-"
"Iris. My name is Iris."
"Thank you Iris, you are so nice. Your candy is better than the ones the faun gave to me. I loved it."
"You're welcome."
"Oh, do you need help?" the boy offered, and helped Iris to stand up.
"Thank you. What is your name?"
"My name is Finnegan."
"It's nice to meet you, Finnegan."
"It's nice to meet you too, Iris," he said, "I should go now. I'll see you soon Iris."
"See you too, Finnegan." Iris mumbled as she heard his footsteps getting farther away.
There was no sign of Sara, and it made Iris worried. Maybe she was just so excited to see the royals that she lost track of time. All Iris could do was just stay, waiting on the grassy ground, not far from the crowd. She was just sitting enjoying the air, since her candy supply was taken earlier, but she was happy to be a help to a boy she had never met before.
Finnegan approached the tall guy who, at the moment, was pretty much busy greeting the people.
"Uncle, can we go now?" he begged.
"Finn!" The guy was startled, but relieved to see that Finn had come back, "Where have you been? I thought you ran off somewhere!"
"Someone gave me a whole plastic of candies, but then I lost it."
"You scared me! Don't do that again, okay? If you want to look around, please tell me or ask me first. Don't go anywhere alone."
"Yes uncle. Where's mom?"
"She's with Susan, buying you some blueberries like you requested." The guy winked at him.
"My request or your request?" Finn grinned.
"Let's just say, the both of us." He high-fived Finn.
"What's that on your collar?" he pointed at the stain on Finn's collar.
"Oh, it must have been that candy. Someone gave me a replacement for the candies I lost earlier. It turned out better than those bunch of candies the faun gave me. I wanted to ask for more, they were so sweet, but she was blind. I couldn't ask for more. But she was so nice."
"Blind? Finn, don't talk to strangers again, okay?"
"But she was nice! She didn't look poor either, she dressed up pretty nice."
"Who is she? You like her, don't you?" He teased Finn.
"Of course! You should meet her, Edmund! Her name is Iris."
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