A/N: *Waves nervously* Hi, everyone! It's been a while, I know. Sorry...I've had a series of unfortunate events really including twisted ankles, hurt fingers, sickness...but, here's the next chapter! I hope you enjoy:)
Disclaimer: See previous disclaimers for previous chapters.
Chapter VIII: Recollections and Rain
Edmund's fever broke the following night-to everyone's relief. He was better and up about five days later.
"You had everyone rather worried, Your Majesty," Cor said later when seeing King Edmund for the first time in days.
"Thank you for your concern. I suppose I should have heeded the warning of a storm two weeks ago," Edmund replied.
"I'm sure you will next time," Susan added, more as a threat than a comment.
King Lune placed a hand on Edmund's shoulder. "It's a shame we didn't see you longer on our trip."
"Yes, I am sorry as well," Edmund replied.
"But I hope everyone had a good time, all the same," Lucy added.
All the Archenlanders genuinely agreed.
"I have only been to Cair Paravel twice and I must say both times have been delightful," Aravis said.
"And I hope you and your sister have also had a good first time," Susan said, turning to Breeca and Sheleiya.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The ball was simply wonderful!" Breeca interjected. The conversation continued with memories of the ball. They talked of the dancing, dresses, jewelry, and the like. "Oh, Sheleiya, I forgot to tell you the other night," Lucy said. "The necklace you're wearing is very beautiful!" She was speaking of the diamond shaped pendant that almost looked like a crystal, yet had stone like qualities. Sheleiya was wearing it now, strung on a silver chain.
"Oh, thank you, Queen Lucy," she smiled.
"I must say, I have never seen any stone like it. May I ask where you got it? Was it a gift?" Susan asked amiably. Edmund noted that Breeca cast Sheleiya a warning look which aroused his suspicion.
"Interesting, really," Sheleiya cautiously went on. "I found it."
"I must say, you fell in luck," Edmund put in. "It is very rare for one to find a jewel like that lying around. No one claimed it?"
"No, Your Majesty," she replied quickly. "We have been very fortunate in our-" She stopped to think of the right word. "-adventures."
"We have not heard of your adventures. We should very much like to hear how you came to where you are. Were you originally from Archenland?" Peter asked.
"Well, I, um," she stammered.
Breeca cast her a nervous look and also one that said, "I told you so" before she replied for her sister. "We met King Lune in search for a job. We were on our own for personal reasons and the king was gracious enough to take us in and give us opportunities," she answered calmly. It did not really answer Peter's question, but no one pressed her further, seeing that it made both sisters nervous. Even afterwards, Sheleiya hesitated and seemed very nervous. She twiddled with her fingers and looked at the floor until the subject changed.
A knock came on the door of the sitting room they were currently in. Peter admitted entrance and an attendant appeared in the doorway.
"King Lune, I would like to inform you, the carriage you asked for is here, and horses are bridled and saddled. All is ready for your departure, as you asked."
"Thank you," King Lune smiled. "Your Majesties, I am afraid we must leave you now."
The four monarchs led the Archenlanders outside where they pleasantly said their good-byes.
"And you shall hear from us soon enough. Perhaps two or three weeks from now," King Lune informed them.
Soon, the Pevensies stood on the stone road leading away from the castle waving to the carriage and the horses which held King Lune's advisors and sons.
"Well, Susan, would you like some tea?" Lucy asked after awhile. Susan said she would, and Peter and Edmund asked if they might join as well. And, of course, their sisters agreed.
"Edmund," Peter turned to his younger brother after Susan and Lucy had gone inside. "Would you like to go for a horse ride? You haven't been out in almost a week."
Edmund nodded and they walked over to the stables. They took out their horses. They took the path through the forest by the lake, near the south end of the castle where the ball room was. One could take a small road where he would find a lake and a bridge back to the castle.
"Edmund, have you found any places that the key might be able to be used?" Peter asked as they approached the silvery lake. It was not shining because it was rather a cloudy and dull day. When the summer sun would hit the lake, however, it would send out gold reflections onto the trees; and, from a distance, it would seem as the lake itself was one slab of gold, for it was that still.
"Well, not really. Have you?" Edmund was trying to avoid that question for now. He placed a mental note to attempt to fit the key into the small door in his desk. He had forgotten about it while he was ill.
"No, I haven't found one key hole. Oh, I have told the girls about it while you were sick. They are going to keep a look out as well."
Edmund nodded. For a while, they said nothing. All that could be heard was the clackity-plop clackity-plop of the horse hooves on the dirt.
"Peter, I want to ask you something," Edmund began gravely.
"What is it?"
"Do you-" Edmund paused to get his thoughts straight. "Do you still have nightmares about the witch?"
Peter looked at his brother worriedly. "No, do you?"
Edmund couldn't look straight at Peter. He glanced down at the reigns. "Well, that's the thing. I haven't for several years. But lately…"His voice trailed off. He felt a bit embarrassed. He knew he was forgiven and that everyone was all right. He was confused as to why he was haunted by these dreams all of a sudden.
"Perhaps it has to do with—but, no. I should be fine," Edmund thought.
"Ed, I'm going to ask you a serious question. And I want you to answer truthfully," Peter said in a stern voice. Edmund agreed and Peter continued, "You know everyone has forgiven you of your betrayal. Have you forgiven yourself? I mean, truly forgiven yourself?"
Of course, Edmund had. He no longer thought of himself as a traitor. "Yes, honestly. I-"
Peter cut in, "Let me put this in a way you might understand. If Susan shot an arrow that went amiss, and it hit you, would you forgive her and forget about it?"
"Well, Peter, I don't know our sister to ever to be that off in her archery (if off at all) but, yes, I would."
Peter nodded. "All right. If Lucy accidentally told an important ambassador one of your most embarrassing incidents, would you forgive her and forget about it?"
"Yes, without hesitation."
"And if I ever hurt you in some way, would you forgive me?"
"Yes! But, Peter, it's different!" Edmund exasperated. "Those are all little trifles, I- I betrayed everyone. But, as I was saying before, I don't think—"
"So, you haven't forgiven yourself?"
"But, I did! Aslan cleared it up! I know that he died for me and he-"
Peter stared at him surprised. "Edmund! How did you find out?"
"Didn't you think I would find out sooner or later," Edmund scoffed. "I overheard a conversation between Susan and Lucy last winter."
"Oh," Peter hung his head sadly. "I'm sorry, Edmund. You weren't supposed to know."
"Why not? I'm more thankful to Aslan than ever. I don't know why you all didn't tell me," Edmund said with a smile. But is soon turned into a frown. "But, it did make things difficult this past winter." Peter said nothing and Edmund continued, "It brought back so many recollections of the past I- well, it doesn't matter anymore. And, Peter, I did forgive myself. It's just, I've been thinking a lot about what Aslan has done. I suppose it brings back unwanted memories. Sometimes, I feel I just need to prove myself to the people, though. To show them I can, independently, make the right decisions."
"Edmund," Peter said in a gentle, compassionate voice. "Part of forgiveness is forgetting your past and leaving it behind completely. We all did. In fact, I haven't thought about our first time coming here in ever so long. Actually, not until you mentioned it. And I'm sure the people feel the same. As for proof, I think you've proven yourself worthy enough. Really, Ed."
Edmund smiled. "Thanks Peter."
He sighed. He still felt that he needed to prove himself under some kind of pressure. If there was some way he could test the change in him. If there was some way he could prove to himself, to Peter, to his people, that he was changed.
"I'll find a way," he thought. "I will."
Peter looked at the quickly darkening sky. "We had better get back now. It's going to rain. Don't want you to get ill again." As he was saying this, it was already drizzling. They both broke into a full gallop across the bridge and into the stables.
Narnian rain storms grow very bad, very quickly. In fact, by the time the two brothers reached the stables, they were already drenched. The rain was coming down so hard, they could hardly see three feet in front of them. Careful to stay under some panels by the stable, they ran into the castle. It didn't do much for them since they were already dripping wet. They were met by Lucy as soon as they walked through the doors.
"Lion's Mane! You two are soaked. Susan sent me to search for you. Tea is ready, but I do suggest you get out of those clothes and dry off." She then said half to herself, "I do wonder if the rain will ever let up."
The past week had been the only sunshine they had seen in over a month. They were thankful for the rain at first since they had just come out of a very dry season. But, when the rain started, it didn't stop. This often happened in the spring, but it made the summers gorgeous. The grass would always be lush green, the flowers would be the brightest, and everything would just seem perfect.
Peter and Edmund changed out of their wet clothes, got into dry ones, and met their sisters in the parlor room for tea. The parlor room, usually a very bright place, was dulled by the weather. It was nearly decorated in all white- the curtains, the couches, the tables. There were, of course, the red cushions on the chair and the flowers which brightened up the room.
When Peter and Edmund arrived, their sisters were already seated and pouring out the tea. The fire in the fireplace was roaring and immediately warmed the kings right to their toes. For one knows, no matter how warm it is outside, when you get soaking wet, it always seems colder inside.
Presently, the four kings and queens were sitting around table, sipping hot tea.
"Have you two found anything interesting in the past couple of days?" Peter asked Susan and Lucy.
"Well, it would help if we knew what the key looked like," Lucy said taking another sip.
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry! Edmund, I believe you still have the key in your possession."
Edmund suddenly sprung out of his seat with an "O-o-oh!"
His siblings exchanged confused glances.
"Yes, Pete, I do. Excuse me for one second, I must do something quickly," Edmund replied and ran up the spiral staircase leaving his siblings dumbfounded and puzzled. He raced to his room and shoved things around on his desk to find where he had placed the key. He was so sick when he had put it down, he didn't remember much at all. After some time, he found it on one of the shelves. He cleared the books from the space that was level with the desk that held the door. He just realized for the first time, that his desk was actually built into the wall itself. He took a deep breath, placed the medallion into the circle and turned it so the keyhole appeared, (he took it out a week ago so he wouldn't lose it), and carefully slid the key in. It was a perfect fit, no doubt. He sighed in anxiousness.
Just as he was about to turn the key, he hesitated. What if this was something evil that would place his family in danger? He remembered that he was trying to prove himself worthy to make right decisions. If this was evil, he would be making the same mistakes over again. In the end, Edmund assured himself that it was safe since Aslan had given him the medallion, which was a part to this.
He took another deep breath. He held it as he turned the key. He turned it three times before he heard a click and the small door creaked open just a little. He exhaled. He wrapped his fingers around the edge of the door and slowly opened it.
Edmund gave a quiet gasp and a small laugh. This was not what he expected at all…
A/N: Cliff Hanger! Hanging off a cliff! And that's why we call him Cliff Hanger! Please tell me some of you sang that:P Sorry to be cruel, but you all will find out soon enough what Edmund found. Stay tuned and let me know what you thought! What do you think is behind that door? ;)
