Ok, here's my take on an Edmund fanfic. I think that there are just too many of him hooking up with his brother. I don't think that they come from a place where dating your siblings is ok but hey, that's their right. Just as it's mine to write this. Nothing that you recognize is mine. I only own my characters and their descriptions, as well as the actions in the story. The familiars all belong to C.S. Lewis. Enjoy
Have you ever been betrayed? I mean really let down, flat out betrayed. Well I have. My story begins while was dealing with the consequences of my betrayal. It was mid spring, 4 almost 5 years after the defeat of the White Witch that ruled Narnia and the new kings and queens came to rule. And how I hated them now, so many years later.
Let me rephrase that. I didn't hate them, but I did hate what their coming to power caused for me. I was to be married to one of the kings. It was nothing more than politics my mother tried to tell me, but tears were still cascading down her face. She was struggling to speak through the lump in her throat.
I remember acting in a way very unbecoming of a lady, much less one of royal blood. My father is the king of one of Narnia's neighboring kingdoms; Breyliet. An alliance was needed. I was to be married off to one of the kings for, as my father put it, "the good of the country." I'd never screamed at my father until that day.
"NO, I WON"T! I WILL NOT DO IT, I JUST WON'T!" He remained calm throughout my tantrum.
"Julie, please be rational my dear. You know what this marriage will do for Breyliet. Think of the people." This only served to enrage me further.
"WHAT ABOUT ME," I screeched. "ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT ME!" He took a deep breath.
"Yes Julie, but as a king, I do have other duties and responsibilities. Please try to understand that. I have others to think about." His tone suggested that the conversation was at an end. I just glared at the floor breathing heavily.
And then I said something I never had before. "I will never understand this father. I hate you." And with that I turned on my heel to march out of the room. "But I love you," I heard him quietly say. I chose to ignore it.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
We were set to leave that week. I stayed in the gardens mostly. My maids were packing all of my gowns, shifts, jewels, all of my personal affects. My lady in waiting, my closest friend, stayed with me. I read out loud to her while we sat by the fountain. I'd read until I began to cry or couldn't handle the lump in my throat. Annalise would then hug me until it was dark at which point we would go inside, eat, go to bed and do it all again the next day.
On the day of the trip, I was bathed and blessed, more so for having children than my own happiness and well being. All of my things were loaded onto a carriage as well as the things my parents would need for their short stay: I would be married the day after our arrival and they would leave the next morning.
I wandered the grounds until it was time to go, at which point Annalise and I made our way to the front entrance gate where the carriages were waiting. My mother and father rode in one while Annalise and I rode in a separate one. Out Royal Guard was riding on horseback or walking around the carriages.
I looked at our castle and realized I wouldn't be living there anymore. I sat at Annalise's feet and handed her my silver brush from where I was sitting.
"Will you braid my hair please?" She immediately started running the brush through my thick, not quite curly not quite straight hair, an almost blonde yet still brown color. She started braiding it with a ribbon produced from her pocket. It happened to match my floor length dark blue dress. Her fingers moved deftly and I barely felt my hair move before she said "All finished."
I moved to sit across from her once more. "Julie, are you going to be alright?" she asked. I sniffled a little bit. "I believe so. But I don't see how my own father and mother could do this." She sighed.
"Julie, they only want what's best for you and keeping the peace between two countries." I must have still looked upset because with a devious grin she added, "Besides, we maids talk and from my sources, it seems that both of these kings are more than just rather handsome. They're supposed to be a real treat to look at."
I smiled but then frowned again and said "But what if they don't like me? What if they find me hideous?" She snorted in a very unlady like fashion.
"Then they are completely and utterly absurd. Or blind. You are beautiful and smart and they would be crazy not to love you." I looked out the window and with a small sigh I answered over my shoulder. "I hope so."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
It took us just under a day to get there. We rode all through the night and stopped at first light to rest. We ate after sleeping and continued on our way. We reached Cair Paravel just before sunset. I squeezed Annalise's hand as we approached. The castle of Breyliet was large but it was dwarfed by the building before us. It was sand colored and had large towers with the flags of Narnia streaming from the tops. The castle was built right onto a cliff just over the water.
"It's beautiful," I said as I stepped out, Annalise right behind me.
"Thank you," an unfamiliar voice said. We all turned towards it. The owner of the voice was a rather tall male, about 20 or 21. He was tan, with golden locks and icy blue eyes. My father strode forward and grasped this man's hand in a shake.
"King Lucien of Breyliet and this is my wife, Queen Ashlynn." As I approached he said "And this is my lovely daughter Julianna." I curtsied low, in true royal fashion.
"I'm High King Peter, the Magnificent." He took in turn my mother's, mine, and Annalise's hands, placing a kiss on each. He truly was magnificent, dressed in his deep green tunic, accented with gold thread, tan trousers, and a brown leather belt which carried a sheathed sword. He looked a little older than me but still a handsome man to marry.
"Such an honor it is to meet you, your Majesty," I said.
"And what a pleasure it is to meet you as well. Shall we go inside? I know that Susan and Lucy are both very anxious to meet you." We started moving up the long walk, Annalise by my side. I was very nervous as we entered my new home.
"You mentioned Queens Lucy and Susan, but what of your brother Edmund," my mother inquired.
"Out on a scouting trip. There has been some trouble around the north eastern borders of our land. He's our strategic military commander so he went to investigate with a small company of our soldiers."
"But to the North, isn't that Talmarain land?" I asked this while picturing in my mind the map I had so often seen as a child playing in my father's study.
"Yes, and this is what has us so nervous. The Talmarains are a rather violent people and although they have never been foolish enough to cross us, a new king has recently claimed the throne and we are unfamiliar with his practices."
"Well then, I suppose there is no better time for an alliance," my father said. This brought back my momentarily forgotten worries of why we were here.
"Yes. The sooner Edmund gets back, the better. This marriage is an extremely important part of the alliance. I believe that the people of both nations will be much more accepting if they see a physical representation of the alliance," Peter supplied. My heart fell slightly. At least if it had been King Peter, I would have had some prior knowledge of him. Marrying Edmund meant a complete and total stranger.
"Yes I agree. The sooner the better," my father continued as, after entering the castle, we were led through the hall to a set of magnificent oak doors.
"Now I should warn you that Lucy can get a bit excited at times. She loves meeting new people, sees the good in everyone. She will be no different now. She is just a child though," Peter said as two guards pulled open the double doors.
I audibly gasped as I saw the room. The ceiling was made of glass. There were large cream colored pillars that matched the walls. At the back of the room were four thrones, all large and beautiful. Two were occupied. In one sat a girl of 18 or 19 with skin that could only be described as a glowing peach. She had dark oaken hair. Next to her sat a young girl, maybe 12 or 13 years with lighter brown hair. They both looked up at the sound of the doors being opened.
'They're here," the younger cried, hopping up from her seat and rushing to us. When she finally made it, my father bowed. "You must be Queen Lucy. How lovely it is to have the privilege of meeting you." She beamed.
"Thank you. It's very nice to meet you as well." She caught sight of me and her smile got, if possible, wider. "And this must be my new sister."
"Yes your highness. I am Princess Julianna. An honor to meet you."
"Yes, a pleasure to meet you as well. This is my sister, Queen Susan," she said as the other girl glided up to us. I curtsied once more, astounded by her beauty. I knew that there was no way I could compare with her fair skinned looks.
"Queen Susan." She nodded. "Hello, lovely to meet you. I am so sorry that our brother is not here to greet his betrothed. However he will be here in time for the wedding. Everything is in order, except of course the gown. We guessed on sizes based on measurements sent, but those could always be wrong. But it can't be too far off, if any. I believe that after a few minute alterations, it should be ready."
Remembering my duties, I said "Wonderful. When can we begin?" Susan smiled and replied "Straight away. That is, if you aren't too tired."
"No, no of course not. I've been sitting in a carriage all day. I am ready to start moving around."
"Wonderful," she repeated. "Mr. Tumnus," she called.
I almost screamed but held it in. A man, or goat, a blend of the two was at her side. "Yes ma'am?"
"Please escort the princess to the tailor's chambers. She must be fitted for her wedding dress."
"Yes your highness. Princess, if you'll follow me please." Peter, Susan, and Lucy led my parents further into the room while Annalise and I were led back out and up a staircase.
I had to ask. "Umm, excuse me, not meaning to cause you any offense sir, but well, well what are you exactly?"
He chuckled. "I am a faun. I'm Mr. Tumnus."
I smiled. "Well then Mr. Tumnus, I'm Julianna but those close to me call me Julie. And this is my lady in waiting and closest friend Annalise."
"Yes, well it's a delight to meet both of you. Ahh, here we are," he said as we reached a door. He knocked.
"Come iii-nn," a voice sang out, light and airy. Mr. Tumnus opened the door and we filed in. I looked around at and first I saw nothing but then a voice around my knees said "Hello, I'm Mysty." I looked down. The speaker was very small but had an air of excitement about her. She wore a gown of silver and was the size of a child, yet looked to be an adult.
"Umm, hello," I replied.
"Am I correct in assuming you to be the beautiful Princess Julianna?" I nodded. "I don't know about the beautiful part but yes, I am Julianna." She smiled.
"Oh, nonsense. King Edmund is very lucky to get a wife as lovely as you." My first thoughts were on her use of the word lucky? Were the rumors false? What if Edmund turned out to be a troll? I could not consummate a marriage with a man that reminded me of a hideous creature form stories. My next reaction was to blush at her compliment. "Why thank you, but I've already met Queen Susan. I know that I'm nothing special compared to her."
Mysty smiled. "Oh but you really are. However if you feel that way, then simply don't compare yourself to anyone else but you." I had nothing to say to that pearl of wisdom. She continued to smile and said "Now, let me get the gown." She disappeared for no more than a minute and returned holding a silvery blue dress, adorned with pearls and lace. It had a train of at least six feet.
"Oh my, it's beautiful," I said in a breath. She beamed. "Only the best for the King's wife. Now, out with you Tumnus. Once you leave we'll get started." He nodded and answered "Of course. Princess, Annalise," while bowing out of the room.
"Annalise, could you help me undress?" She dutifully set to undoing my dress buttons and from there my corset. I took a deep breath. I never realized how constricted my breaths were while wearing a corset until I got it off. "Thank you," I said.
"Now, very carefully, step into this please." I delicately pulled the dress on and allowed Annalise to button it up. "So, what is King Edmund like?" I wasn't going to meet Edmund before the wedding form the look of things so I wanted at least a small clue of what to expect.
"Hmm. Well, he's an interesting man. He is very quiet but not someone you can run over. He's very protective where his family is involved. He works hard in mastering swords and crossbow and other fighting styles. He's quite complex actually."
"Oh, ok." I sounded like I might be sick so she added "Don't worry, he's a sweet person. You just have to get to know him. You'll be fine." I took a deep breath.
"Ok. So, the dress feels good all over, not too tight." I stepped in front of the polished silver mirror and gasped. "Oh my goodness." It didn't even look like me. "Wow," Annalise complimented. Mysty smiled "Absolutely radiant. You're going to look beautiful tomorrow." And then it hit me. I was going to marry someone… Tomorrow. Marry someone I didn't even know. The world went a little fuzzy and then it was black.