I don't own Narnia. Only Drue and Land.

Misunderstandings and Awkward Moments

On the ride back to the palace, Edmund felt Drue slipping.

"Slow down, Phillip. Drue, you have to hold on or you're going to fly off." He turned around. She was slumping heavily to the right and looking very pale. Then he saw it. Blood everywhere. His own right side and her clothes were sticky. He hadn't noticed because he was already wet. He head injury was also probably worse that he had initially thought.

"Oh God…" he jumped down to get a better look at her.

"Is the young lady alright?" asked Phillip.

"I don't know," The bleeding was worse and wasn't stopping. He touched her arm and she gasped. His stomach churned at the sight of the mangled arm.

"We're almost there." he got back on and wrapped her good arm around him. "Hold tight."

They rode on more slowly but she still kept slipping and was slow to respond to anything he said to her. He passed by the practice courts.

Lucy was still talking to Land when he rode by. At first, she wasn't quite sure of what she was seeing. It was Edmund and Phillip she knew but there was someone else. A blur of pale blue and red. They were riding towards the stables. Then she remembered Drue had wandered away from her earlier.

"I'll have to see you later, Land." she said running after them leaving behind the puzzled red head.

"What happened?" Lucy reached them just as Edmund was letting down Drue.

"She fell through that old, wooden bridge down at the river and cut her hand and arm open. Nearly drowned too." He steadied her by her shoulders. "She's lost a lot of blood. She also hit her head pretty hard, I think"

"I'll get help." Lucy shot passed them into them into the palace. Drue wobbled and sank to her knees.

"You alright?"

"I'm really tired."

"Do you think you can walk?"

"I…don't think so." she opened her mouth as if to say something else but her eyes only wavered into thin air.

He crouched beside her. She held her injured arm to her chest. He suppressed a wretch. He hadn't seen an injury so bad apart from the battlefield.

"I feel like I'm gonna puke." she whispered hoarsely.

He heard Susan gasp behind him. He turned. She, Lucy and a badger that worked on the laundry room stood gawking. Upon catching sight of the blood she said to the badger, "Good Lord, Annie, we'll need more towels" she swept to Drue's side.

"Dear, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I…really dizzy…" Her voice faltered.

"Ed, are you hurt too? You're covered in blood."

"No, it's all hers."

"Lucy, go find Peter and tell him to meet us to the physicians room. Ed, carry her."

Lucy was off once again and the dark King was faced with a choice. She was completely out of it so maybe she wouldn't remember. He had already stuck his neck out far enough by saving her and bringing her home. This would only give more room for teasing. He didn't want this to get out. It simply wasn't good for his stern, rough mannered reputation. No one outside his family pressed or questioned him twice. He liked it just the way it was.

"Edmund, make haste!"

He groaned inwardly seeing he had no choice and gently lifted her. She was very light and felt small against him. From her blank gaze he reckoned she didn't even notice. Susan's followed swiftly beside him.

"My Lady." Annie came from the direction of the laundry room with a bundle of fluffy white towels. The queen took them and pressed one in Drue's hand as they walked. She plucked away the bloody scrap of cloth that she'd been clutching. If she noticed it was his she said nothing.

"Lucy said she fell through that old wooden bridge. We should've had that thing removed years ago." They started up a stairway. "Stay with us, Dear." she wiped Drue's chin. "What were you doing there?"

"Pete sent me on business. I stopped for a drink." He wondered how many times over he would have to tell the story.

"Well it's a lucky thing. Are you sure you alright?" she glanced up at him. His usually pale skin was tinged green.

They turned into another hallway.

"Mm-hm." he was queasy and trying not to gag. The metallic odor of blood was torture. He could feel blood running down his arm. What the hell did he do to deserve this?

Finally, they reached the physicians wing and entered the main room. One of the doctors, a centaur, was dusting cobwebs from the window when she saw them come in. Edmund practically dumped Drue on the nearest bed, grabbed a trash bin and nearly smacked into Lucy and Peter on his way out.

In the empty hallway, he stayed kneeled over the bin for several minutes heaving and gasping. He had seen worse before. On the battlefield, he had seen bodies piled on top of each other oozing and rotting. He'd run others through with a sword before and killed all in the name of victory and Narnia. However, for some reason injuries and blood seemed worse when it happened to someone he dealt with everyday. Last year, Lucy had scraped her knee badly when tripping down the stairs. He'd felt sick then while watching it being cleaned.

Soft hands brushed his neck and he opened his eyes to Susan wiping the blood from him with a cool, damp cloth. As thankful as he was for her concern he already felt stupid enough.

"I'm fine, Su." He tried to get up but she pushed him back down and continued.

"That was a good thing you did."

"Is she alright?"

"We got the bleeding to stop long enough to let Lucy's healing cordial to work. However, it looks like it will still leave a scar. It was a horrible gash. The physician said she hadn't seen one so bad in a while. Her head looks pretty bad too. She's still very weak from all the blood she lost so she was given a sleeping draught." He didn't respond. "Lucy and I were going to take her along with us to visit the ill today but it looks like she turned out to be one of them. We'll just go without her. Now I want you to go bathe and change."

She kissed him on the cheek much like their mother used to and departed. Irritated and uncomfortable he left the bin where it was and headed to his chambers.

"That was quite a scare you gave us." Said Peter the next day. He and Susan had come for a visit. Dear Lucy had been spending the whole day with her.

"Yeah, sorry about that." Drue was in a white nightgown and propped up against several pillows.

"I've arranged to have that bridge taken down tomorrow."

"Do you know when I'll be able to leave?"

"The physician said maybe tomorrow." said Lucy who was arranging some daisies in a vase by her bed.

"Only as long as you're feeling better," said Susan who sat opposite her brother on the edge of the bed, "You still seem weak."

"I'm sure I'll be fine." she replied. She hoped she would anyway. She felt really crappy still. Everything from the ride home to when she'd been put to sleep was hazy. She remembered Edmund carrying her and finally vomiting when her stomach and nerves failed her while the centaur tried to stop the bleeding. Edmund. She really wished she could stop the embarrassment that burned her every time she saw her bandaged arm and head and remembered him.

"So how did your village sick visits go?" asked Peter.

"Fine. Now that fall is here many people are coming down with the flu." said Susan.

"Speaking of fall when is the festival ball thingy?" asked Drue jumping at the opportunity to be distracted.

"Well I've already sent invitations to those who have travel the farthest. I've set the date to three weeks from tomorrow. It will be splendid! I can hardly wait!"

"We won't be required to wear anything ridiculous?" asked Peter trying to sound casual.

"You shouldn't even have to ask." Lucy giggled.

"Don't worry you'll look splendid." said Susan with a good-natured smile.

"Please no sparkles…or putrid yellow like you did for the spring ball. I felt like an absolute pansy. I'm sure Ed would tell you the same."

"About what?" Edmunds awkward, unintentional sullenness dampened the room slightly. The other three siblings worried that the events of the day before would spark conflict between he and Drue.

"We were talking about the costumes from the spring ball."

"Mercy, I remember." Edmund sat on the bed beside Drue's and leaned back against the headboard with his arms thrown behind his head and his long legs propped on the metal bar at the end looking dark, handsome, comfortable but stiff as only he could.

"Feeling better?" Lucy asked kindly.

"What happened to you?" Drue asked.

"Nothing." Edmund said quickly.

"But I though you got sick. I know blood bothers you. Su said you were looking pretty awful." said Lucy going to sit beside him.

"I didn't get sick. I've seen plenty of stuff like that it doesn't bother me." he snapped glaring at Drue making sure she got it. Lucy suddenly realized her mistake and feared his almost good mood would officially flattened to a nearly non-existent sliver.

"So how are you?" he asked Drue.

"A lot better. Thanks for…you know…all that you…yeah…"

"It was nothing." he lied. He'd spent all morning in his chambers his stomach doing back flips until noon. When he finally got around to bathing there was still so much blood on him. He got to feeling sick again and had to lie down. He refused to go get anything to settle his stomach. He didn't want anyone to see him in such a state.

"I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. It was really stupid to cross that bridge."

"Damn right."

"So," Peter interjected. His mind reeled for a distraction. His eyes fell to Lucy, "So… I see Land is back. You and him seem to be good friends."

Her head whipped around to him her cheeks red. "What?"

"I saw you talking to him for nearly and hour today."

"You were watching us?"

"No, I was sparring with others and such. I just saw you with him."

"So."

"I was just won-"

"What are getting, Peter?" Edmund said with a smirk.

"Nothing I was just wondering if you-"

"He's just a friend and nothing more! Just because I talk to someone doesn't mean I like him!"

"Alright no need to get touchy."

"No, don't you dare start this!" she jumped up her eyes ablaze, "I'm a queen, not a princess and you aren't my father so you have no right to tell me what to do and whom to see!"

"I told you no such thing!"

"But it will lead to that! I'm not stupid! Think of it as a warning!"

"Lucy-"

But she was already running out and if Drue wasn't mistaken she thought she saw tears.

"Now you've done it, Peter." Susan groaned, "You can be so tactless."

"I didn't do anything but ask a simple question."

"Questions about boys aren't simple." Drue said.

"If she doesn't like him why is she blowing up?"

Susan started to say something just shook her head.

Peter rolled his eyes and stood to leave the room without a good-bye. Edmund started to follow.

"Never as long as I live will I understand women." Peter said once in the hallway. Edmund smiled darkly thinking of Drue's unusually mild behavior toward him.

"You and me both, Brother."

"Susan you should have seen her. She was gazing up at him with eyes the size of dinner plates. And him! Looking her over like a cow he wanted to buy!"

"Peter I'm sure you're over reacting." Said Susan. They were in his study again that evening. Susan was doing her usual needle work by the fireplace. Peter sat at his desk writing again. He ignored her.

"And when did she start lacing her corset so tight? And make-up! She was wearing make-up!"

"You never said anything when I started to." said Susan. She glared at him fiercely and he blushed.

"Yes well your different. Older I mean."

"I was the same age. And it's not just the corset that makes her waist smaller and chest fuller. I told you she's growing up." the queen looked back down to her work.

"Yes but -"

"Stop it this instant, Peter. You are being absolutely ridiculous. You can't keep her a little girl forever. Besides we've known Land for years and his father when he was still alive He's a good boy and very respectable."

"He's not royalty."

"Neither were we when Aslan crowned us. This isn't England in the dark ages. She may have feelings for whomever catches her fancy."

"Whatever Susan. I'm just concerned for her well being."

She smiled and changed the subject. "So what do you think of Edmund and Drue?"

"I don't know. I'm glad he swallowed his pride and saved her."

"Do you think anything will change?"

"Who can tell? They're both stubborn smart asses. From the minute I met her I knew they were doomed. Even if they hadn't met under such unfortunate circumstances I don't think they would've gotten along."

"I tend to think they'll be alright. When he brought Drue in she had a piece of his tunic wrapped around her hand."

"And?"

"Well, he must've been concerned enough to do something like that and sincere enough for her to let him."

"True."

"And he went to see her. If he really wanted nothing to do with her he wouldn't have come at all. He even asked how she was doing. And she thanked him for his help. She could have very well pretended he didn't exist like she usually does when we're all together."

"I would've never looked close enough to figure that out myself." said Peter with a chuckle. "Once again you prove the difference between women and men."

She cast him a sideways glance. "What are you writing? Another rejection letter to someone interested in Lucy?"

"No this one is actually for you."

"What!" The content in her lap spilled onto the floor as she jumped up and went to his desk. "From who? Why didn't you tell me? You shouldn't hide such things from me."

"It's from Lord Cain's uncle. You remember him don't you? He seemed a kind man." he teased.

"Oh Peter! What are you saying? He's ridiculous and years older than me! When did you get the letter? You'd better send a rejection or so help me I swear I'll - why are you laughing you despicable jerk?" He stood laughing and had to hug her. She pushed him away. "Peter Pevensie, answer me this instant!"

"It's not so nice when the tables are turned is it? I got it this morning." he smiled and hugged her again.

"Peter, don't tease me so! You should have told me! I'm not Lucy! What if it had been someone I could have been interested in?"

"Despite what you may think I know my girls well. Worry not I was writing a rejection. I'm sorry for not telling you. Nevertheless, what can I say? I'm selfish. I don't want to give of either of you away yet."

As touched as she was she broke from him and went back to retrieve her scattered things and put them in her sewing basket. He watched her smiling triumphantly at her speechlessness. "Aw, Su where are you going?" he said as she walked to the door.

"I have planning to do for the festival. I still have a few more invitations to fill out. Don't you remember the Lord and Lady Red we had here earlier this year? Well two of their daughters are still unmarried. You know the youngest ones with freckles and large noses. I am sure the poor dears are having a difficult time in the marriage department. Oh and I was considering inviting their five cousin. All also unmarried." she closed the door smiling coyly on a scowling Peter.

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Next on Home Is Where the Heart Lives: You'd be surprised at the things that can change over a frothy cup of hot milk in the middle of the night ;)