Bodyguard to Queen
By Samhoku
Disclaimer: I do not own Narnia in any way, shape, or form. I only own my characters.
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Edmund heard a footstep behind him and pushed Forest behind him, reaching for his sword. Forest grabbed unto Edmund's arm before he could react, "No, it's the children. I rescued some of the children." She looked desperate and Edmund believed her. He gently loosed his grip on his sword and watched as 10-15 children came out of the forest. The eldest boy in the group, who was about Lucy's age at 16, was carrying a baby girl. The minute he saw the carnage he turned the kids around so they were not facing it. It reminded him of Peter, constantly trying to protect others.
"They can all come to the castle." Edmund stated, knowing they would have room, "It is best if we leave now." He put the three youngest children on the back of the horse while Forest gathered the children all together. She was moving painfully and it made Edmund wonder if she had more wounds then she let on. Forest wouldn't take any of the kids on her back and said something quietly to the eldest boy.
The boy's eyes flicked but didn't make any other indication that he heard anything. He helped the child unto his back and then started walking. Edmund stayed by Forest, just in case.
Forest was limping a little and seemed to be hiding pain. Edmund remained silent and didn't comment on that fact. He finally looked over at Forest and asked, "How much did they do to you?"
Forest ignored the question and continued to walk. Edmund let her get a little ahead of him and noticed that her shirt was sticking to her back. He felt a little sick and realized...she had sent the children away but had gotten caught herself. Tortured, probably. Edmund caught back up to her and commented, "You know, being captured isn't something to be ashamed of."
"They took away my innocents." Forest replied flatly, tilting her head to the side and looking up at Edmund, trying to see if he would get it.
It took Edmund a second but when he realized a dark expression came over his face, "They did?" He saw her flinch at his expression and he softened it, as not to scare her, "Sorry. I am not mad at you."
Forest shook herself inwardly, knowing that the Just King wouldn't hurt a women. Those Pirates were wicked, they had done it to most of the young women. Forest had gotten away because the boy, Reeds, had attacked them. If Reeds hadn't been there she probably would have been killed when they were finished with her.
Edmund looked at her back again, "They whipped you first?"
"Every time I refused them." Forest answered again, "Until I was too weak to fight back." She was still answering in a flat voice.
Edmund felt a rage inside him, what if they started doing this to all the villages? Then it hit him. The pirates were now being trained to be assassins. And the Telmerens hired assassin Pirates. What if they did this to Lucy or Susan? Edmund tried to control his sudden rage and forced himself to take deep, cleansing, breaths.
Forest turned her neck so it made a cracking noise, getting rid of a kink in her neck, "So...I will still protect your sister. She doesn't need this happening to her."
"You need to get well first."
"Your sister's health and safety is far more important then mine."