Chapter Four

The next day after the mysterious girl's arrival was busy. Susan ("Eww") and mother had to change the girl's clothes frequently because her blood kept coming out of her wound, staining the bandages and the clothes. Lucy was changing the girl's bandage once every two hours. Peter went out to search for the spy sparrow. Edmund tried to keep himself occupied by polishing his sword, which was shinning at this point.

Edmund, then, buried himself with a collection of books about the science of photosynthesis, something that he had absolute no interest in. He made lunch when Peter came back from the search.

"There's nothing, no sight of any birds in the sky," Peter said.

"The sparrow probably ate all other birds," Edmund said, "you'll never know."

"Let's be optimistic, maybe the sparrow went back to Narnia," Susan said mindlessly.

"How? There needs to be portals that displace projectiles. It's like a teleportation," Edmund said, "which is a transportation of matter or energy from one point – well one world, our world, to another – which is Narnia, without traversing the physical space between them."

"Speak English," Susan said.

"A door. A object. Something that connects our world with Narnia," Edmund said, "could be a gap between the worlds."

"We'll never find something like that," Lucy said.

"No we won't," Peter replied, "they find us. Remember us going into the wardrobe? Remember the train platform? We don't have to find it."

"Which makes that girl something unnatural – potentially dangerous" Edmund said sharply, "something's wrong with her, I can tell."

Lucy shook her head and went upstairs to see the girl.

"Do the logic. How you can think there's something wrong with a stranger who hasn't spoken to you?" Susan said.

"For one, how did she find us? There are so many houses in the street, and we didn't exactly have a neon sign saying We Are the Narnia Royalties" Edmund said.

"You were sitting in the lawn, and they had us painted," Susan said. "She recognised you."

"And she came out from the end of the street? Narnia's magic summons us back, never the other way around," Edmund said.

"Talk like you know a lot about the ancient magic," Susan snapped.

"At least when we were kings and queens, I spent a decent amount of time in the library or with the wise centaurs instead of attending every party," Edmund muttered.

"We were royalties, it was our duty -"

"That's enough," Peter said wearily. "You think there's a portal somewhere here?"

"Either that or someone sent her here on purpose," Edmund said, "But then that's another kind of magic."

"Could it be Aslan?" Susan said.

"No," Peter said firmly, "Aslan would care enough to heal her first."

"And she had our stuff," Edmund said, "I left my sword with Caspian the night before we came back. Caspian said he'd put it in his chamber next to Peter your sword. And your horn," Edmund said to Susan, "where did he put it?"

"He did mention that he'd put it in his bedroom," Susan said slowly.

"See? This means there could just be another attack. How could that woman get all these treasures? Caspian would not give them to her unless he is bewitched -"

"I am sure he's not," Susan said in a scared voice.

"You won't know," Edmund replied coldly. "He was young for a king when we left."

"Well older than we were," Susan replied.

Edmund returned to his reading again, though more questions and doubts about that girl came into his head. It was the natural instinct of being the Just, and with all these thinking and the idea of Narnia, Edmund almost felt like himself again. Though this sense of homeliness didn't last for long.

"Ed!"

Edmund looked up from the book. Lucy was standing on the stairs and gesturing Susan's room. He put the book away and followed her. Peter was standing in the corridor when Lucy went inside. He grabbed Edmund's arm and said, "I know you don't like her-"

"I've never said that," Edmund said.

"You've showed it well enough," Peter said hastily, "courtesy is not your virtue, and with all the doubts and questions that you have in mind, I am only asking for your basic manner as a gentleman and your patience."

"Why do you care so much about that now?" Edmund asked.

"Because she is badly wounded," Peter said, "and it's innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around."

"There are things that she needs to answer," Edmund said.

"That yes, and you will proceed the questions in a kingly and gentle manner," Peter said, "now, brother, can I have your word? Whatever she says or however she acts, whatever items that trigger you of the war, you will be calm."

"I'll see what I can do," Edmund said.

Edmund went inside Susan's room. The woman sat on the bed, looking at them weakly. Susan was sitting on the bed edge and Lucy was sitting on the chair. Peter was standing aside with a stern face. The woman looked at the four of them with wide eyes. She looked surprised and uncomfortable in Susan's clothes.

"Your majesty," she mumbled, "my swords and horn might I ask?"

"My sword and Susan's horn," Edmund corrected her.

"They are kept safely in another other room," Peter said, "What's your name and who are you?"

"Natasha, my name," she replied slowly, looking at her bed, "I am here to bring you back."

"What happened in Narnia?" Peter asked eagerly.

"Terrible things happened there," Natasha said, staring at the bed end, "things are going bad."

"What happened?" Edmund repeated.

"The Witch rose again," Natasha said with great difficult, "King Caspian is no match against her and Aslan is nowhere to be seen. She rules nearly the whole Narnia now. Some Telmarines switched sides, quite a lot of them actually."

"Who sent you?" Edmund asked.

"No one sent me," Natasha said, "I came here by this horn. It is said to be magical."

"He gave it to you? Is Caspian alright?" Susan asked.

"He's well enough," Natasha said, "I am not sure. I've been away from people, trying to find my way here. Please go back to Narnia with me."

"How did you get the horn?" Edmund asked in a rough voice, "and my sword."

"A friend gave them to me, asked me to set off to find you or somebody is going to pay the price," Natasha said. She looked at Edmund.

"Who is going to pay the price? What price?" Edmund asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Susan said, "of course it's the Narnians or worse, Caspian."

"What friend?" Edmund asked.

"Edmund please," Lucy said gently.

"We need to know. What if she's a decoy?"

"Hey!" Peter said, turning to face Natasha, "My apologies. Edmund would you come out for a moment?"

Edmund nodded and they closed the door, standing in the empty corridor.

"Your manner?" Peter said.

"I was listing out the possibilities and measuring our risk," Edmund said, "we won't know."

For a moment, Edmund stared at Peter's red face and thought he was about to shout. But he didn't. "Look Ed," Peter said, patting his shoulder, "I don't know whether you notice or not, something has changed after you got home. You are always doubting everything around you, and whether notice or not, you're always doubling checking everything. The oven. Your shoe knots."

"For safety, yes," Edmund said casually, "Don't fancy seeing the oven explode or me tripping on the floor over anything."

"I know these things do happen after you went to war, I've seen men acting the same way as you are in the hospital. But Ed, that girl is from Narnia. No – you listen, of course not everything is cherry in Narnia, but she came all the way here to find us for rescue. She's even hurt by whoever tried to stop her -"

"What if she hurt herself on purpose?"

"Why would she do that? And that wound should mean a lot to us because she is risking her life for Narnia. How bad can that person be?"

Edmund nodded, "I will keep my suspicions but I won't mention them in her face."

"That will be very much appreciated," Peter said. "You're going to go back to Narnia and help while I cannot. Aslan said -"

"Aslan knows that you care enough to go back," Edmund said, "if you really can't go back, He won't let you know any of these."

Edmund opened the door again, he said, "If you don't mind me asking, Natasha, how exactly did the horn get you here? Because the horn only brings help back to Narnia, not transporting people here? I am just curious. And your answer will be, er, very much appreciated."

"I don't know," Natasha said, "I blew it, I thought of you and I've seen you before. I was ten years old. In the square."

"You wore a blue dress, didn't you?" Lucy said, "and you gave me flowers when I was on the horse!"

Natasha nodded fiercely.

"What happened to the time law?" Edmund asked.

"She broke it and publicly announced it. Not all the Narnians understood it, but I did. One day here equals to one day in Narnia." Natasha said, she must have seen Edmund open his mouth "and my dear king, I know that because after you left, Trumpkin and King Caspian made a record of everything that you old kings and queens have said. Your stories are the best evidence of the time law, especially your young re-apparance after 1300 years. Now with my own eyes, my theory is right. It's been five years in Narnia and -"

"And three years here," Peter said, "fair enough. How about Caspian?"

"He ruled fair and fine at the beginning despite the fact that some lords were still plotting things and discontent towards him. King Caspian is a great man. He sent out spies to make sure that the lords did not disturb the Narnians. And someone got lost in the woods and was tempted. The Witch received one drop of human blood and that was all she needed. There's nothing we can do to fight. It's cold there, everywhere. Creatures, humans, trees – all choosing sides. People are dropping like flies. Trolls and giants and dark creatures are coming out from their caves. We can't fight for long. King Caspian is in the Lantern Waste now. Your forest," She said to Edmund.

"Where's Aslan?" Peter asked. Edmund stared at the dressing table, thinking about winter.

"Do I look like I know?" Natasha said, "terrible things happen there. People are turning sides and some are forced to because their family is kidnapped. Narnia is dying. And I am sorry. To bring you the bad news I mean."

"We'll get there," Lucy said, "Don't worry."

"Will we?" Susan said to Peter, who ignored her.

"How did you get hurt at the beginning?" Lucy asked.

"The Witch stabbed me," Natasha said, "I was in her castle, it was freezing and there were just ice everywhere! And there were statues of people and Narnians. Even frozen trees and petals! I – I," she was trembling and "there were black statues that I thought there funny looking artwork. I looked at them and I even laughed at some facial expression and I realised it – they – it's enough. Can we not talk about that?"

Edmund, who was stabbed too once by the same Witch looked up from the floor and studied Natasha for the first time. She had massive, chocolate colour curly hair. She looked frail, probably was because of the wound.

"How come you were in the castle? Why did she stab you?" Peter asked.

"She doesn't need a reason to do anything," Edmund said, "suppose stabbing people with swords and daggers is like her daily habit. Let's stop giving the girl a hard time remembering these and talk about something else."

For a moment, Natasha met Edmund's gaze. She didn't smile or anything. She looked startled and she looked away. Edmund realised her eyes were in blue.

"With the time law broken, we'll need to convince mum to let us go. She's still not back from the shopping yet. One day passes here and one day in Narnia. It can take us a year to get things right. Maybe even a decade," Peter explained.

"Peter's right," Susan, surprisingly, supported Peter, "a year time can mean a lot to some people. We don't even know if we're ever coming back."

"It's not like we have a choice," Lucy said, "we can't turn our back on them."

"I'm not saying we are," Peter said, "I want to go. I am not sure if I can, Lucy. Aslan said I've grown up."

"They need us. All of us," Lucy said emotionally, "Don't act like children now. Peter you were fearless. Susan drop the Hollywood thing. Those people need all of us there. Whatever it's going on there, it needs to stop now."

"If Aslan means you to not go there," Edmund said, "You can't go however you try. But since we don't know that yet, it's worth trying."

"I'm still not sure," Susan said slowly, "I'm going downstairs, to, sort of, check the mail."

Susan left the room. Lucy explained to Natasha that this was their world and she was wearing their clothes. Lucy assured her that everything would be alright.

"That's enough talking for today," Lucy said, shoving her brothers out, "we'll talk after she rests."

"How many days you reckon she needs?" Peter said. "We don't have time."

"Five days at least," Lucy said, closing the bedroom door. "Peter, you talk to Susan. Talk to sense into her."

Peter signed and walked downstairs, calling "Susan? Want to go to your favourite cafe in town?"

"That's a really nice approach," Lucy said, smiling at Peter's back with great admiration.

"That's the Peter with courtesy," Edmund shrugged.

"You were quite the opposite," Lucy said. They went down to the living room and got the kettle boiling. Peter and Susan left the house already.

"I was already restrained," Edmund replied. "I am not sure if I trust her."

"You're not sure if you trust anyone, and that's called a trust issue," Lucy said.

"I trust you."

"Because I'm your sister and I'm the one putting up with your everything," Lucy said with a smile, "if Peter and Susan can't go to Narnia, then you'll be in charge."

"No, Caspian will. I trust his judgement and see? I don't have a trust issue." Edmund said, "I'm not leading anything. I'll be a political figure. A ceremonial king, or a soldier to fight in battlefields. And you, my sister, will be a brilliant healer and everyone's special force of happiness."

Lucy chuckled.

"Though I would love to take down Jadis on my own," Edmund said, "I will crush her like I did last time."

"Last time it was a figure summoned by black sorcery," Lucy said, "it probably was just part of her."

"She's like a monster with many heads," Edmund said, "Cut one and she'll grow five more."

"Well, where do you think Aslan is? Things never happen the same way twice, I know," Lucy said, "but where?"

"Somewhere between a hopeless situation and a favorable condition?" Edmund said, holding a cup of water, "He always turns things around. Eventually."

"And He will show up, right?" Lucy said.

"You know the answer better than anyone living under this roof," Edmund replied. "I'm going to polish Natasha's sword. In case she needs it. Why don't you start thinking about how to persuade mother to let us go? She almost had a heart attack when we told her about attacking Miraz's castle and slaying the trolls."

"What a difficult task that you're giving me. And Edmund? Don't bully her," Lucy said.

Edmund chuckled before climbing upstairs. Natasha was sleeping. Edmund grabbed her sword from the wall and brought it to his room, started all the polishing work. Lucy managed to ask Natasha to call them by names. Mum, Peter and Susan came home. Night fell. Susan wasn't in a good mood though Peter was. Mother asked about the girl and Lucy told her everything.

"Mum," Lucy said, "I know that you're not going to let us go easily. But here's the truth, we're going anyway. You know me and I rarely stand for something unless I have to. This is my stand. Those are my people and I am not going to die in Narnia. But if we don't go to Narnia now, we will die here in regret."

"Why are you talking about dying here or dying there?" Mother whispered.

"Oh we're just doing the worse assumptions," Susan said, "that's what we do every time before a war or a battle. That actually helps us to think of the alternative quicker."

"Edmund has been in the army and all of us can fight," Lucy said.

"How about this Susan," Mother turned to Susan, "we can go to America. Let's go audition in Hollywood! That'll be exciting and your siblings will go there too! To support you?" Mother was smiling brightly.

"Hollywood is treacherous, you – or Peter said that," Susan said. "I'm going back, mum."

"Peter! I thought you went persuading her to not go just now!" Mother said.

"I'm sorry," Peter said, "I told her that Caspian would be greatly disappointed if she doesn't help him while he's in terrible danger. He saved her once."

"And there's a reason why I am crowned as Queen Susan of the Horn," Susan said.

"What reason? You had bow and arrow and you didn't even shoot! I've seen you." Mother said, "It's just a childhood dream -"

"No." Susan said and when she spoke, she spoke gracefully with a clear voice as though she was standing in the golden hall of Cair Paravel with a silvery crown, "I am a gifted archer. I don't kill at wars because I rarely go to wars. But I will not hesitate to shoot when my country, and my people are threatened. I am fierce at battles and I am capable to protect and defense. Aslan said 'to the Radiant Southern Sun, I give you Queen Susan the Gentle'. And mother, I tell you now. I am Queen Susan."

"Child! You're not going back. You're going to Hollywood, just as you've wanted," Mum said loudly. Peter just smiled, "what if people beat you up in that place – Narnia? You can't protect yourself and I am thinking if you don't go, your siblings would probably stay here too!"

"For one thing, she can call for help. Caspian will always be there to save her day," Lucy said.

"I don't need him to save me, and in return I shall save him and the country that we gave him," Susan said. "mother, you want proof that I can aim marvollously?"

"Don't be ridiculous, child -"

"Peter stand there and don't move," Susan pointed at the kitchen cupboard. Peter stood before it and Susan picked up the kitchen knife. Mother screamed ("Put it down! Put it down darling!"). Susan went to the corner of the house, standing as distanced from Peter as the room allowed. Mum kept screaming ("No, sweetheart, please! Don't!").

"Should I blindfold myself?" Susan said.

Lucy and Edmund laughed.

"Um, o...okay," Peter nodded, "How about cover one eye only? Just my insurance."

Mother didn't stop yelling ("nooooooooooo!"). Lucy and Edmund's laughter became hoarse. And Susan covered her eyes with one hand. The next thing Edmund saw was the knife flying in mid air. The knife was an inch above Peter's head, sinking deeply in to cupboard wood.

"You gave me a heart attack. You gave me a heart attack! You gave me a jolly heart attack!" Mum shrieked, cursing around the house. So this was how mother compromised with the fact that all of them were going back to Narnia.

When Susan was bathing, Lucy asked Peter what tricks he used on Susan.

"Remember there was this corner where school bullies like to hit the young boys?" Peter said.

"I have been one of those young boys," Edmund shrugged.

"I brought Susan to the ally corner. Something is still there in her," Peter said, "she is practical and bossy, but there's a queen inside. A queen who once rejected Prince Rabadash's proposal and defended Narnia. Lucy, when we got back to help Caspian, there was a bear. And she hesitated because she was afraid if it might be talking bear. She hates bullies."

"So?"

"So, that's the way that I'd like to remember her. Compassionate. Caring. Us spending time in two worlds makes her doubt the realities, both here and Narnia. She became more superficial, caring so much about her appearance and social life. But in the midst of all these fashions and material desires, our sister is still there. Buried deep inside, but there. She saw the school bullies and she saved a little boy. Then I brought her to the archery centre. She picked up her skill like the bow was part of her hand."

"And when she decides to do something or there's something she wants," Lucy said.

"She'll get them," Edmund said.

"Right," Peter said. Lucy hugged Peter and they beamed.

Edmund was still taking the couch in the living room at night. The moonlight was gleaming into the room. He couldn't sleep and made himself a mug of hot chocolate. Edmund heard something. He quietly climbed the stairs and opened the door of Peter's room. He left after he saw Peter sleeping soundly on his bed. He then knocked Natasha's door and opened it. As he guessed, Edmund found Natasha sitting very close to the bed edge.

"Your majesty," Natasha said.

"You were trying to open the window?" Edmund said, "I heard you."

"It's too far for me to reach," Natasha said. Edmund opened the window for her.

"We'd better not draw the curtains," Edmund said, "In case the sparrow is out there."

"The place that you live is a wondrous place. Wherever that spy bird is now, he must be missing home though," Natasha said.

"As you are," Edmund said. He turned on the lamp on the dressing table. He sat down on the chair. "Hot chocolate?"

Natasha shook her head.

"I thought you hated me," Natasha said.

"I am being cautious," Edmund said. "And despite all my questions and attitude, I have not found a reason to hate you."

"People say you were wise and careful in the old days," Natasha said, "and at this moment, tell me, are you being cautious with me?"

Edmund looked at her face for a moment, and he looked at the steams coming from his mug.

"Not tonight," Edmund said, "being cautious is tiring."

"Then why?"

"Peter is free natured. Lucy is naïve with a good heart. Susan is driven by her practical logic. No one feels the need to be cautious when it comes to matter of Narnia," Edmund said, "I have to."

"What an observer." Natasha said, "and earlier today you stopped the High King from questioning me because you've been where I was."

Edmund looked at her with a startled face, "you've really dug in your history."

"I like reading about you," Natasha said, leaning her back on the pillow, "you're complex."

"How does it feel to see a fictional character comes to life?" Edmund said and chuckled.

"It makes me very," Natasha said flatly, "emotional."

"You don't look like it," Edmund said.

"Because emotions are complex and I am not used to showing that," Natasha said.

"We have something in common then," Edmund said.

"A lot actually."

"Name some?"

"We've all made mistakes," Natasha said.

"You must think you've made great, terrible mistakes – whatever that is, and I hereby assure you that you have not," Edmund said, "well, at the very least not more terrible than mine."

"Don't say that," Natasha said, "You've done great deeds."

"So have you. You're here." Edmund said. "Tell me about your family."

"I don't have anyone left," Natasha said in the dark and the yellowish lamplight glowed on her face. "The war costed my everything."

"Really no one? That'll be a miserable life," Edmund said, "There was a time, a long time ago, that I wish I had no siblings. But trust me, that's way harder because you won't have anyone to find you when you're lost. We all need an anchor."

"I have a sister, she's very young," Natasha said, "but difficult time now. It's better to say you're alone. Don't want anyone to hold her against me."

"Where's she?"

"Somewhere in safety," Natasha said. They sat there in silence for a few minutes.

"You really hate her, don't you?" Natasha said.

"The Witch? The truth is I wish my hatred could incinerate her," Edmund said, "she made people do terrible things. She lurked people to believe that, to believe that..."

"That the future can be fruitful and full of joy," Natasha said, "She makes you crave for more and brings you false hopes. And then she tortures you and turns against you after exploiting you. Everything you have turns into dust."

Edmund looked at her. Her long hair was falling over her shoulders and she was looking at her toes.

"Yeah, she does that," Edmund said, still staring at her, "look, are you sure you don't want this mug of chocolate? It could be the best chocolate that you've ever tasted."

Natasha smiled, "no thank you."

"Have you ever been in wars? Or battles?" Edmund asked, "you sound like you have."

"There were local battles," Natasha said, "but those are haunting memories."

"Local battles but big scale?" Edmund said.

"Yes, with the catapults and huge iron arrows," Natasha said.

Edmund nodded, "You can't shake the war off your head?"

"It's always going to be there. Sometimes a fragment or a picture. Sometimes they come like a flood and determine to ruin you," Natasha said. "Suppose you know, you're a warrior."

Edmund shrugged. "Goodnight. Sleep well." He stood up.

"You're neither happy nor hopeful. Am I correct my lord?" Natasha said.

Edmund paused at the door and looked at her, "You're an observer too?"

"I guess so," Natasha said, "My lord, grim people see through grim people, and maybe that's why your siblings can't get through your cautiousness. They're too far away from being damaged."

"And you're unhappy and damaged too?" Edmund said.

"I am more like exhausted," Natasha replied.

"Then close your eyes and get some sleep. Dream of a peaceful country and dream of a place where the sea water is sweet and people are dancing and singing."

"Is that still possible after all the blood that was shed?"

"It's still worth a try," Edmund opened the door, "goodnight."

When Edmund walked down the stairs, he knew that Natasha wouldn't try because they both knew that Edmund was just trying to prove that he wasn't one of those grim people.