Sticks and Stones
By Perriannath
Warning: none Rating: K+ (just being cautious)
Disclaimer: I do not own this it belongs to C.S. Lewis!
Prologue: Of Stones
It was the day before the Coronation and while it seemed that Peter, Susan and Lucy were settling in well Edmund had been determined to stay out of the way and away from the other people there feeling his betrayal just as sharply as when he had first come to camp.
He sat in the empty study enjoying the quiet and solitude pouring over a enormous tome his peace was broken as he heard two creatures talking,
"Aslan says that we are finding all the rest that are stone now that the battle is over. Is that true Oreius?"
"It is we are leaving in but a few moments are your search party ready?" the centaur asked.
"We are General we'll meet you out in the front courtyard."
Edmund had been listening and snapped the book shut, reaching a decision. He exited the Study and caught Oreius before he left the corridor.
"Oreius a moment!" he called.
"Yes Sire how can I help you?" the centaur asked.
"I heard you talking of going out and returning those who were stone to life is this true?" Edmund asked.
"It is Sire may I ask where you are going with this?" Oreius asked looking confused.
"I wish to go with you if I may, start changing what I've done." Edmund replied simply.
"Narnia has forgiven you, Aslan has forgiven you. You are under no obligation to do anything." Oreius insisted looking angry, that someone might have said something.
"Peace General, be that as it may I insist that I go though I do not exactly know how much help I can be." Edmund told him.
The centaur looked at the boy before nodding, "Get Philip ready and meet us out front if you please Highness." Oreius agreed.
Edmund nodded and hurried to his room grabbing his cloak and soft boots before racing down to the stables, forgetting to tell his siblings. He came in and stopped realising that he had never asked Philip if the horse wanted to bear him; the traitor of Narnia. Why would he? With a heavy sigh, he treaded up to the stable and looked in.
"King Edmund what brings you down here?" Philip greeted warmly.
"I am afraid Philip that I must ask you to bear me if you will." Edmund replied.
"I would be glad to Sire this is indeed a great honor." Philip replied.
"Why is that I am the Traitor of Narnia, who would trust or want me around?" Edmund sighed.
He was startled by Philip rearing his head and demanding angrily, "Who told you that! I shall pound them into the ground for this insult I will!"
"Whoa Philip no one has told me this I can only imagine that people must think it, I betrayed Aslan and all of Narnia many have dies because of me. I do not deserve the crown I wish I could give to someone who deserves it more." Edmund ended on a whisper but the horse would have none of it. Pushing his nose close to Edmund's face, he said firmly,
"Anyone tells you this let one of us know, they will know their place. You did what even the High King to be couldn't do, remember that and that I am proud to carry you and always will be."
With a grateful smile Edmund slipped the bridle over Philip and put his bag over his back mounting bareback.
"You know how?" Philip asked.
"I have for a long time I just never told anyone, do you mind?" Edmund asked. The horse shook his head and they exited the stables meeting the group at the front courtyard.
Moments later Aslan strode through and everyone bowed. Edmund lowered his head and the Lion chuckled, "Coming along Edmund?"
"If I may Sir, I wish to begin things on a better foot than the first time around." Edmund asked nervously.
He wanted to come but he would not argue if the Lion told him no, though it would be hard.
Aslan stared deep into Edmund's eyes, but the boy didn't back down he wouldn't, not for something like this. Finally the Lion nodded and Edmund breathed a sigh of relief, he could go!
Without any more delay, they took off out of the courtyard and out into the plains.
The entire day was spent finding animals out in the wilderness and turning them back. Edmund was content to be a part of this mission and suddenly as they neared the river a memory took over and he cried out, "The fox!" racing forward he led the party forward to a spot where to Edmund's horror the fox still stood.
Aslan stepped forward and nudged Edmund gently before padding over to the fox and breathing on him. Immediately the fox turned from stone back to soft fur shaking his head and bowing before the Lion.
Edmund had refused to look at the fox but at that, moment they met eyes and Edmund couldn't look away even for his shame.
"Sire I wish to thank you!" the Fox said just as Edmund had blurted out,
"I am sorry I was only trying to help!"
They stared at each other a moment before the fox replied, "I know, and I wanted to thank you for the attempt. I am called Ilitian Sire." The fox bowed.
"I was selfish when I betrayed them I wish to apologise for my actions and thank you for you service to my siblings." Edmund replied.
"You chose well Aslan." Ilitian said turning to the Lion, while Edmund blushed, feeling unworthy.
Aslan said nothing but turned proud golden eyes to the boy before saying to Oreius, "We head back to Cair Paravel, it is nearing dark."
Everyone nodded and those who needed to mounted again and they headed back towards Cair Paravel noticing as though for the first time just how quickly it was becoming dark. They had been so involved in the mission of rescuing people they had paid little notice to the passing of the sun. they arrived in better time than anticipated and Edmund bowed before Aslan, "I thank you for letting me come, I 'm hoping this can be considered a new beginning since my last one didn't go over well." Edmund had to chuckle the last part but Aslan stepped forward and kissed his forehead whispering something into his ear that no one heard but Edmund himself.
With a soft smile, Aslan padded away leaving the party alone to stare after him before leaving to retire to their own beds.
Edmund smiled, it had been a good day though he was sure his siblings were worried sick. That, he grinned, or extremely angry and he was going to get an earful the next morning. Either way Edmund didn't care it had been a good day, he reflected as his head hit the pillow and immediately he drifted off to sleep.
The next morning sure enough as he had expected the moment he entered the Dining Hall he was bombarded with questions.
"Where were you yesterday? We found out that you were with Oreius all day but what were you all up to?" Peter demanded looking up.
Edmund however only smiled replying, "We had important business to look to, some personal business nothing more. Besides I was with Oreius and several others from the army I was perfectly safe."
Though his siblings tried they could get no more out of him. Edmund smiled softly at the thought of helping those he had hurt yesterday…. That gave him a idea. With that thought he began to formulate a plan he would soon set into motion.
TBC
Hello all I do apologise for the delay on Recalled hopefully the next chapter will be up by this weekend or sometime during the weekend until then will this suffice? Reviews are welcomed and constructive criticism. Flames will be used to boil water for tea.