Chapter 3: Letting the pieces fall
Disclaimer: The characters and other things from The Chronicles of Narnia don't belong to me (sadly). Credit goes to those who do.
Edmund was playing chess under the big oak tree in their backyard. As he moved the wooden pieces across the board, he couldn't help but reminisce about the golden set he had in Narnia.
He took a deep breath as he thought of that place. They always thought that since he and Lucy would be allowed back that leaving the second time would be easier. It wasn't. He finally felt right again. He did what he was supposed to—protect his family, believe in Lucy, trust Aslan and not be tempted by the White Witch. He did everything by the book and somehow that wasn't enough.
'If I'm like this, I don't want to think how Susan is really.' He shook his head knocking down the chess pieces one by one.
He thought it downright silly when Susan kissed Caspian in front of Aslan and all those people. He meant it when he said he didn't want to understand. But watching Susan all this time he began to see the truth that of all of them, it was her who needed to go back the most.
They thought he left after smashing the wall of ice that held Jadis a moment away from returning. No, he stayed long enough to see Susan come in with a look of utter disappointment that she only reserved for her siblings when they did something so wrong. Yet she wasn't looking at Peter. And there was something else. She looked hurt. Following her gaze she saw the guilty face of the Telmarine, his hand bleeding into the ground. He could practically hear the apologies running through the young man's mind but they never made it out in time as Susan spun on her heels.
Edmund stared at his callused hands, the only proof that he truly did wield a sword in battle. He couldn't get that from doing chores here in England. He knew they would fade in time. There would be need to defend his family here. He was a child here and he would again be made to watch as others fought for his freedom.
It was difficult to watch Peter go head to head with Miraz. Old geezer that he was, he had an advantage over the High King. He watched them blow after blow, hoping that he could step in and help Peter just as he always did when the eldest got into fights at school. He didn't always need to do it alone. But he stood his ground. It also takes courage to stand still and wait as he did that day.
It wasn't just Peter he was anxious about. His sisters had ridden off in what could be a suicide mission had the Telmarines figured out they were missing. He remembered how relieved he was at the sound of hooves pounding against the ground, thinking they have found Aslan so quickly. His hopes were dashed when he saw Caspian riding in…with his Susan anchored to his waist.
Edmund laughed, beginning to realize his neighbors could probably see him right now. He was serious one moment then laughing the next. He decided a mere smile would not scare them off completely immersing himself once again in his memories.
She tried to act like it was nothing, focusing instead on the task at hand. Lucy made it through, get up to the ledge with the archers, hug Peter—get it all over with not a glance at the one who saved her. If they weren't in the middle of a war, he would have called Susan on her being too stiff. Too bad she couldn't help the approving look when Caspian didn't kill Miraz or the assuring one he gave Caspian when she landed safely when their DLF swung her to the fallen entryway.
Edmund shook his head. Susan never could hide how she really felt. Her eyes betrayed her easily if you knew her enough. He could see through the walls she carefully constructed around herself. She knew that the girl, who walked through their gate, looking so carefree with an ice cream cone in hand, was hurting.
"Edmund, what are you doing out here alone?" Susan asked.
"Nothing. Where were you?" He asked back.
"Around" Susan said vaguely, casting a sidelong glace at Peter willing him to stay silent.
"Oh well I hope when you go 'round again you bring Lucy home the ticket, preferably in green. She's got quite the impressive collection of those already" Edmund chided knowing fully well who owned them.
Susan's eyes narrowed at that, fixing him with a withering glare.
"Honestly! Doesn't anyone in this house mind their own business?' she said, storming off into the house, melting ice cream in hand.
"Ed…" Peter said exasperated at his brother's antics.
"What? She kept bringing home the red ones. If she rode a bit further she could get the green ones or was it blue?" Edmund said looking innocently up at his brother.
"Let's just play alright." Peter said giving up.
"Sure, one game should be enough to let her cool down you think?" Edmund asked
"Two. And that's only if you're lucky enough that Lucy distracts her."