Letting Go: Part Two

What others say


Edmund that morning just had a fitting for some warmer clothes for the incoming winter. At the seaside, it was never as cold as it could be further west, but the winds made up for the little relief. It was what the tailor was saying to him at the least. Edmund did agree, as there were a couple of moments where the wind out blow through the outside halls to a point the tall and heavy doors of the Great Hall would threaten to break loose. Those winds only happened twice during the summer. Yet the tailor said as the winds would shift, they would gust.

He was supposed to meet Peter in the council room with Oreius as the General needed a plan. Edmund was on his way and about to pass by the Great Hall until he heard his name be said on the other side of the door. Edmund stopped and listened.

"I'd say," the low voice began. "I am very worried. There are some who are very concerned. The White Witch had many tricks. I'm afraid what she has done with the King."

"It's been very well established that King Edmund has made amends. The four have done so much already, but please be patient as they are young," said more youthful voice. It sounded very familiar.

"He betrayed his family and us. Aslan has forgiven him, but that does not mean he would never do such a thing again. He was swayed by his desires, and it makes me wonder if something can happen again. The Witch has some very clever loyalists. Tumnus, please understand that there are some that are very hesitant to trust," said the other voice. It was becoming louder and concerning. Edmund steps back from the door slightly. Although, he was still very much engaged in the conversation.

"Durin, I have heard the voices of many who are concerned. You must understand that my first meeting with the Just King was in a cell. The Witch turned me to stone because what he had said as she manipulated him. On my own life, I will assure you that something would never happen like that again. The two Kings are not inseparable." Tumnus continued to defend him, but words would never be the same as actions.

"I shall not wholly trust him. I know that you feel the same as well."

Edmund's heart was racing as he could feel his face flush. Tumnus did not respond, he stayed quiet for a moment.

He did respond, but not the answer he wanted. "I have forgiven King Edmund, as he is not malicious. I do hope that he will grow to be much like the High King which I already see happening. Please heed my words Durin, his commands are discussed first."

Edmund could hear footsteps moving towards the door. Carefully and silently he darted away from the doorway and down the corridor to the council room. When Edmund slowed next to the door, he hesitated to put his hand on the door. No, he could not enter in this state. Peter would have a million questions. Those questions he did not know how to answer.

From when he began school and onwards, everyone tried to compare him to his brother. His mother and father were quick to acknowledge that each of them was different, but Peter always was the good child. The golden one that Edmund better follow in his footsteps or he would disappoint. Edmund in that stance disappointed many people. The Headmaster was the worst as he was always scolded as well as punished for the fights. Peter never got into fights…

Edmund closed his fists tightly. There were no means to be bitter about this. It was how everything happened the first time. He swallowed a sob down his throat and kicked at a leaf that must have blown into Cair with the breeze. They were saying he could not be trusted if he were not like his brother.

Narnians had said the same that Durin has said, but not in such detail. Peter was very quick to come to a defense which he appreciated. Although, it was doing nothing to have people think differently about him. Peter had said to him that most of the cousins who said such did not fight in the battle. They did not see what he had done for Narnia. It was a justification, and that was it.

Edmund knew things would be better if things happened differently. He still continued to regret being a beast to everyone before. It was in the back of his mind haunting him. Things could be different for the better.

The Just King took a deep breath and calmed himself. There was no time for this since he was expected by Peter.


Thanks for reading! Please send any form of feedback as it is appreciated.