Hello all! You are all going to hate me by the end of this chapter (not that you don't already). I've decided not to bore you with any details. Also, I am so sorry that this took so long to get out, but I have been having a horrible writer's block. But I've already started writing the next chapter so it won't take so long to get out.
Note: Every one of the things Jadis did to Edmund has a purpose. Most of it is so that she could mark him. The reason I cut off his cheek is for another reason, which will come into play later. I didn't just do it for drama. Also, is it Orieus or Oreius?
Second note: Bold Italics means that you're inside Ed's mind, so everything there is from his P.O.V.
Disclaimer: Don't own it. Ignore grammar, spelling, etc.
Edmund's Void
Peter/Anyone Talking from outside the Void
Edmund's thoughts while in the Void
Thoughts outside the Void
ENJOY!
Chapter 10: The Cliff
It was a half an hour after the Witch and her army disappeared that Susan and Lucy built up the courage to approach the Table. By that time, a slight haze was beginning to fill the sky so it was easier to see The Lion. But even though the sky was lightening, it still felt that all hope had disappeared. It took all their strength to make it up those stone steps without collapsing.
They slowly walked over to The Lion and sat on either side. His once magnificent mane was now only a few tufts of dead hair and His beautiful golden fur was now as dull as a dead daisy. Everything about him was dead.
Both girls were beginning to cry, but Lucy still had the silent hope that the cordial would work. She wrapped shaking hands around it and brought it close to His lips. Susan stopped this motion.
"It's too late," Her voice cracked. "He's gone." Still seeing Lucy close to tears, and feeling herself beginning to follow, she put on a smile and said, "He must have known what He was doing." She didn't know if this was to reassure he little sister or her; maybe it was both.
Lucy put the cordial back into its holster and laid her head down on The Lion's neck. Susan put her arm around her and followed suit. Then, they heard the noise.
Peter had been sitting with his brother for hours now. Mashka, Casial, and another assistant named Tatia, had been in and out of the tent every few minutes and it was really beginning to annoy him.
As of right now though, he and his brother were the only ones in the tent. It was unnaturally quiet and it made Peter feel uncomfortable. The only thing that kept him from checking Edmund's breathing every few seconds was that fact that he could see his chest rising ever so slightly.
He had seen to it that the girls were comfortable in their own tent before he went to the medical tent for the rest of the night. That was five hours ago and Peter had yet to fall asleep. He almost envied his sisters for being able to sleep, but as soon as that thought came to his mind he banished it. They were just as worried as he was and they too were trying to be strong for Edmund.
But they weren't here right now, so that job depended solely on Peter. It was hard, but he was willing to do it. He would do anything for his brother.
It's dark and everything is silent. The pain is overbearing and I just want to cry out to whomever is there to make it stop. I know someone is there because I could hear It, but why won't the being help me. It-
The Witch. She has me and I am once again at her mercy. She will torture me until who knows when. She will laugh at my pain and then leave me to rot. My siblings won't even recognize me when I am found and they will just walk all over me like they have in the past. Then, the Witch will come and kill them too. She'll watch them suffer and then…well, I can't say. I have to get out; have to get away.
Eddy!
Wait! That's Peter's voice. What's he doing at the Witch's castle? Had she already gotten them all and now she's hurting them too?
Edmund, calm down! You're at Aslan's Camp remember?
Aslan's Camp? What? What's the Peter voice talking about? And then it all comes back. The rescue, the bandaging, waking up…Peter. Relief floods through me and I struggle to awaken once more.
Susan, terrified of mice, started shooing the creatures away from Aslan's body. She had always hated mice, ever since one had bitten her when she was small, but the fact that they would dare to harm The Lion's body made her blood boil.
"Get away! Get away all of you!" She weakly flicked her wrists at the mice, but it didn't seem to be doing much. Just as she was about to yell at them again, Lucy's voice stopped her.
"No, look." Her voice was wispy, almost dreamy, and her gaze fell on the mice. Susan looked closer and found that the creatures were actually gnawing away at the ropes. Maybe the mice were useful after all.
Both girls took shaking hands and pulled on the ropes, making them come off. Lucy even ran her hand against his muzzle, searching for some kind of warmth. A sad sort of grimace graced Susan's face as a thought came to mind.
"We have to tell the others."
Lucy looked up and a desperate look came over her face. "We can't just leave him." There was truth in that, but…
"Lucy, there's no time. They need to know." Susan could tell that Lucy already knew this, but the thoughtful expression and sudden realization that dawned on the younger's face surprised her.
"The trees." Perfect.
He should have known that when the Witch renounced her claim on Edmund's blood that it was just too easy. He should have, but once again, his ignorance blinded him.
As the sun had just begun to rise, a Dryad, much like Casial, had woken him up and told him of Aslan's death. It was the only thing that could have taken Peter from his brother's side and when he entered Aslan's empty tent any doubt left his mind.
Now, here he was, a boy of thirteen with two little sisters and a dying little brother, looking at a battle map. Even in his wildest dreams, Peter never would have thought that he would be doing this someday. Although Oreius and Miron were right next to him, Peter felt as if he had already lost.
"Sire, if I may be so bold?" Peter was shocked out of his thoughts by the newly made Faun commander. After nodding quickly, Miron resumed talking. "With Aslan gone you'll have to lead us."
Peter was shocked. The only thing he had ever lead was a debate during political assessment class. He barely heard Miron saying that the army would follow him in whatever he decided to do.
"I can't." It was too much. He just couldn't do it.
"Sire, if Aslan believed you couldn't do it, he never would have don't what he did. He believed in you and so do we." There it was, plain and simple and right out of the Faun's mouth.
Oreius, who had been silent this entire time, made the resolve final. "The Witch's army is nearing sire, what are your orders?" And Peter knew what he had to do.
"Edmund?" Peter entered the tent for the last time before the battle. "I just came in to tell you that I'll be back before you even realize I'm gone. We will avenge you Ed; the Witch will pay." He turned to leave when he felt something brush against his hand. Turning around, he was shocked to see that it was Edmund.
The younger boy was barely conscious, but he managed a weak smile and loosely wrapped his bandaged hand around Peter's armored one. Then, in a raspy voice, he managed to choked out a few words.
"Good lu'k Pe'er. Y'u c'n win. I have fa'th in y'u." And then he slumped back onto his pillows, unconscious.
Peter just started and he probably would have just continue like that were it not for Oreius' call that they were ready. Quickly leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on his brother's bandaged forehead.
"Thank you Eddy. Now I know we can win." And with that, he turned and left the tent.
It was a beautiful field with the greenest grasses and the most wonderful flowers. Hard to believe that it would soon be littered with bodies. Peter almost felt like turning back just to save this beautiful place any more agony. Sadly, it was not to be.
Goldstorm the Gryphon flew overhead and nodded to Commander Miron who was leading the archers. With Edmund in the state that he was, Susan probably would have headed them, but neither she, nor Lucy, could be found. Although Peter was worried out of his mind for them, as long as they weren't fighting, he was fine.
Goldstorm landed next to him and Alverez stepped aside to give the creature more room. The Gryphon looked up and peter could see determined worry flashing across his eyes and face.
"They come, Your Highness, in numbers and weapons far greater than our own." Peter heard Oreius snort.
"Numbers do not win a battle." It was a bittersweet statement and Peter couldn't help but think of the Nazis.
"No…but I bet they help." He looked out onto the horizon and saw the beautiful Beast arrive.
A horn sounded and, although it wasn't very significant, Peter couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor polar bears he managed to see. In this new heat they had to be dying.
Getting his mind back to the battle at hand, he turned around and nodded to Miron, who nodded back. Peter raised his sword and Aslan's Army gave in to their nervous excitement with cheering. In the distance, the young future king could see her army beginning their charge. He lowered his sword in a sharp downward thrust.
Goldstorm's Gryphons took to the sky and began dropping boulders with deadly accuracy. Pete had to hold his breath; it was too much like the bombings.
"Are you with me?" He turned to Oreius and a looked flashed through the General's eyes, but it was too quick to catch.
"To the death." That was all he needed to know.
"For Narnia, Edmund, and for Aslan!" Cheers rose up from the crowd and Peter charged, his army behind him. The battle for freedom had begun.
It seemed so unfair that the sun should rise when the Narnia's Living Sun was dead. It was to this that Susan and Lucy awoke, their eyes red from sleep and tears. Susan took one look around and then at Lucy.
"We should go." She had expected her sister to put up a fight, but all she got were a pair of dead blue eyes.
"I'm so cold." With that, she got down from the Table and her older sister wrapped her arms around her. One look back, and then they started to descend the stairs.
A loud crack rippled across the surrounding area and the two girls fell to their knees. Regaining their equilibrium, they spun around and looked up the stairs. To their horror, the Table was cracked in two and Aslan's body was nowhere to be found.
"Susan!" There was desperation in Lucy's voice. They wandered up in a daze to the Table and still they found nothing. "Where's Aslan?"
Her older sister didn't have an answer, but a question of her own. "What have they done?" What had they done?
Just then, the sun's light rose to such an astounding brilliance that the girls had to close their eyes for a brief moment. They looked up at the arch and wonder filled them. There, gleaming like the Sun that He was, was Aslan-an alive Aslan.
"Aslan!" Neither knew whether they had breathed it out or shouted, but in their jubilance, they found that they didn't care.
The Great Lion laughed as both children embraced Him. Susan pulled away first, happy tears rolling down her cheeks.
"But we saw the knife…the Witch." Lucy too pulled away at that and looked at The Lion in curiosity.
"If the Witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice she might have interpreted the Deep Magic differently. That when a willing victim who has committed no treachery is killed in a traitors stand, the Stone Table will crack," They stopped walking and turned to the Table. "and even death Itself will turn backwards."
"We sent the news that you were dead." Susan turned towards the Lion. "Peter and the others would have gone to war." A soft ping was heard and Susan saw that Lucy had her dagger out.
"We have to help them." There was a tone in her Lucy's voice and Susan felt pride swell in her that this was her sister.
Aslan chuckled and raised on magnificent paw to lower Lucy's hand. "We will dear one," His eyes shimmered. "but not alone."
The girls were puzzled, but they trusted The Lion. He walked forward and crouched onto the ground.
"Climb on my back." The two shared a looked and did as He said. "We have far to go and very little time to get there." Unknowingly, a small grin made its way onto His face. "And you may want to cover your ears." With that, He let loose a mighty roar and they were gone.
Peter…you're an idiot. You can't fight her, she's too strong. You need me there. The blackness is all around me once again and I struggle against it to get out. Peter needs me. I know he can't kill her alone, even with an Army.
I have to get out, have to wake up. She'll win if I don't help. I know it. Please God…Aslan…anyone! Just let me awaken so I can fight.
I see a light.
Dark brown eyes opened fully for the first time in days. For a moment everything swam and ran together in a sea of colors. Another moment passed and Edmund was finally able to make out the tent. There was nobody to be seen. Good.
The prince managed to sit up and examine his bandages. New ones had replaced the old and many of them were much thinner then they had been a few days ago. The bandages on his legs were actually gone, as the salve that had been put on them had healed the wounds quickly. His broken fingers were in a brace and his burnt hand was regenerating skin so quickly (most likely because of the rare herbs that Tatia had given him) that it was actually starting to look like a hand again. The bandages that had been on his face when Peter left were gone and the wounds almost completely healed, leaving only small scars. The only things that remained remotely the same were his cheek (which was still bandaged), his burnt whip marks, and the spot where the Witch had marked him. However, even they were healing, albeit slowly.
In Edmund's book, he was fit to fight; in everyone else's, he should still be unconscious. But Edmund never had cared for what others though, so he sat up straighter, pulled off the blankets, stood up…and fell back down. Okay, so he wasn't fit to do much of anything, but that had never stopped him before.
Picking himself up once more, the young boy managed to stand up for three minutes before falling. He scowled and tried to stand up again. This time it worked, but not before Mashka walked in.
The Centaur healer gasped and dropped her bowl of herb water. Rushing over to him, she gently pushed him back onto the cot and tucked him firmly in.
"Don't you dare try to move again, sire, or I will have Philip come in a watch you." Philip? Edmund was confused beyond reason, but decided that it was best just to nod his head.
"Now, don't move and go to sleep, I will be back later with new bandages." She began to walk out, but changed her mind and turned around. Fixing him with a glare that could rival that of Jadis, she said with a hidden threat, "And I will know if you move." She left.
The only problem with her threat was that Edmund had been threatened enough times in his life to know when someone would carry it out or not. Unfortunately, this time he was too disorientated to realize that she always did what she said.
Throwing off the blanket (which took about seven minutes because he was so firmly tucked in), he was able to walk over to the other end of the tent and change out of the medical garb. On a chair was a set of tunics, leggings, and boots. Gingerly slipping the layers on, he made to leave when something caught his eye.
In the corner by his cot, lay a magnificent sword. It was laying in a beautiful, deep blue sheath and the hilt was made of silver with royal blue leather. Where the hilt met the blade was a lion's head, a sapphire for each eye. But the most extraordinary thing about it were the words running down the sharpened blade.
It stated, "Call and we shall come, forever right by your side." All Edmund could do was stare, so shocked was he. This was the most beautiful thing he had ever received. Looking down, he found a small peace of parchment. Opening it up, he read (quite miraculously for the script was very curly),
"Dear Edmund,
This sword was crafted for you and only you. I have bestowed upon it the name of Caladus, much like I gave your brother's sword the name Rhindon. As much as I would love to tell you to stay out of the war, I know that you would not listen. So to that, I give you my luck and hopes that all will turn out alright.
Happy Belated Christmas,
Father Christmas
P.S. Your siblings each got two gifts, your second is not a material possession, but one that you must find within yourself."
If Edmund was shocked before, now he was utterly astounded. Delicately, he returned the light sword to its sheath and attached it to his belt. Father Christmas was right, nothing could stop him from fighting.
"Fire!" Miron shouted the order and Lunea the Centaur let loose a flaming arrow. A crack was heard a moment later and a large Pheonix appeared, it's eyes set on a distinct destination.
One of the boggles spotted it and began to fly towards the creature, ready to strike it down. Peter, seeing what was about to happen, grabbed a spear from a dead Cyclops. Alverez ran swiftly and the boy-king to aim. With one deadly thrust, the spear went flying and imbedded itself into boggle's non-existent heart. The Pheonix was free to carry out its task.
The creature swooped down and erupted into flames, leaving a barrier between the two armies behind. But a victory was not to be, for a moment after Peter raised his visor, the Witched used her magic to extinguish the flames.
"Fall back! Draw them to the rocks!" A horn sounded and Peter lowered his visor before dashing towards the cliffs, his army all around him.
At the top of the cliffs, Mr. Beaver (in his unnaturally small armor) and Miron retreated to the base of the rocks with the rest of the archers. They had heard the signal and were ready (somewhat) for the battle ahead.
The two watched as Peter lead his army towards the rocks, never once looking back. They watched as he dodged all of the obstacles that threatened to end his life. They watched and were amazed.
With his sword at the ready, Miron looked at Mr. Beaver and said, "He'll make a magnificent king."
"Aye, a magnificent king in deed."
Everything moved by in a blur, the sounds, the colors, and the time. Neither girl knew where they were going and although they trusted Aslan, the had to know.
"Where are we going?" Susan asked in wonder. Then, she saw the icy castle.
"Hang on." Aslan hadn't answered the question for he knew what they were seeing and as unpleasant as the destination may be, had to get help.
Stone. Oreius, Castillo the Rhinoceros, and many other were stone. Oh and Alverez was as good as dead seeing as some Dwarf had shot him, causing him to fall, and Oreius and Castillo to come to his rescue. Now the two were stone and Peter felt as if the sky were falling.
There wasn't much he could do now, but fight until someone came and rescued them all. Oh Aslan, we could really use some help.
She couldn't believe it. All these beings, people with lives suddenly put on a permanent pause, were right her in front of her. Many looked as if they were about to attack something while others looked frightened and in pain. A hundred years worth of people, of fighting, was right here in this icy courtyard. It was a wonder that Edmund was not.
A sob sounded next to Susan and she looked to see that it was Lucy. The young girl was staring at a faun who looked as if he had just watched the world come crashing down. His arms were out as if to plead and his horns had been shorn off. Susan had hunch of who this was and she wrapped her arms around Lucy as she cried.
Just as she felt tears begin to swell in her eyes, Aslan walked over and softly breathed on the creature. The statue's hair actually moved and soon the stone began to fade away. In its place was a tired and bruised looking faun. He took one deep breath and collapsed into Lucy' waiting arms.
The faun looked up and laughed with the younger girl as their eyes met. Lucy then turned to her sister, who was grinning like mad.
"Susan, this is-" Bust Susan cut her off.
"Mr. Tumnus!" And she embraced him a warm hug. They a chuckled and soon Aslan appeared from the doorway with a whole mass of different creatures.
"Come, we must hurry and search the castle. Peter will need everyone we can find." He turned
"Susan, Lucy, I need you to do a quick scourge of the castle for any other creatures that may be of aid." He nodded to the Satyr and Faun next to him. "Verul and Rolian will help. Remember, make this quick and that everything is in the past." The last part troubled the girls, but they left Mr. Tumnus' side and to the entrance. Out of the corner of her eye, Lucy saw the Lion motion the her Faun friend and then she was gone.
Lucy shivered as they quickly made their way through the icy corridors. Now she knew why the Witch's army was so hideous looking. If she had to spend a lot of her time here she'd be hideous too.
Susan put her arm around the younger girl and looked in terrified awe at the castle's walls. She really hoped that the gruesome faces sticking out from the columns were just a bad architect's imagination and not some other cruel torture of the Witch. She shivered at the thought of it.
Verul seemed to notice his future queen's discomfort, for he sent her a compassionate look.
"Do not worry, your Highness, you are safe." He watched a small smile light up her face and he felt like he had accomplished a great deed. His Faun companion sent him a look and he returned to his soldier attitude.
"Rolian?" Verul watched as the Faun lost his monotone face for a moment and looked at the nine-year-old in shock.
"Yes, milady?" His blank look returned.
"If it's not to bold to ask, but could you take us to the dungeons?" Everyone, even Susan, looked at her in shock.
"Lu-" Lucy sent her sister a silencing look that was completely out of character for her.
"I need to see it Susan. I need to know." She turned her head so that she was only looking ahead. "Besides, there may be other creatures down there." Susan gave her a hard look before giving a sad smile and nodding.
Verul and Rolian looked at each other in puzzlement, but gave hesitant nods. "Of course, your Highness." And they took off down a flight of stairs.
Five minutes after the third stairwell, the group approached a icy, metal door and managed, with a few swords, to open it. The stench of blood and decay met their nostrils and the two girls, who hadn't had the military training of their companions, gagged and clutched their noses. The other two just made a face.
They went down rows of cells, each time peaking in to see if anybody was there. So far they had found nothing. Then they came to the last cell. It reeked of blood and all along the floor puddles of the substance could be seen.
"I thought being turned into stone was horrible, but this is just…I can't even describe this." Verul looked at the chains and then at the princesses, both who seemed shocked beyond belief. He and Rolian shared another look; something was wrong and it wasn't just because of the cell.
"Susan, you don't think…" The younger child looked up at her sister and fear brimmed in her eyes.
"I hope not Lu, but I'm afraid that's not the case." Tears shone in her eyes and she again wrapped her arms around her sister.
"Your Highnesses, if it is not too prudent to ask, but what do you mean." Rolian watched as Susan took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes.
"The Witch had kidnapped my younger, her older, brother. He was rescued a few days ago and we could hardly recognize him." She took a deep breath. "He was torn and bloodied and he looked as if he were dead. We fear that this may have been his cell."
"Oh." Both protectors looked a bit uncomfortable.
"Majesties, we should probably go. Aslan will be waiting." The girls took one last look around the room and shivered. Then, they followed their future subjects out towards Aslan and fresh air.
Edmund breathed in his first bout of fresh air since being brought to Narnia. His face stung, but he ignored his body's protests as he struggled up the hill, his leg still slightly broken. Discreetly, Edmund walked/hobbled towards a large red tent and found to his surprise (and glee) the battle plans. It couldn't have gotten easier.
"What do you think you are doing, Highness?" Scratch that. It just got harder.
Edmund spun around, catching himself as he began to fall. There, in front of him was large, chestnut Horse. The creature was looking at him in irritated askance and Edmund betted that, if he could, the Horse would have had an eyebrow raised at him. It only took a moment of shock for Edmund to remember that the Animals in Narnia did talk.
"Who are you?" So it may have been a bit rude, but at the moment Edmund didn't care.
"My name is Philip, sire." Philip? This was the creature that that healer would have sent in to watch me? "However, you still haven't answered my question. What do you think you're doing?"
"Umm…well, I was…you see…um…I'm Edmund." Oh way to go Ed, now he must think you're an idiot!
"I know, but that doesn't answer my question."
"You had a question?" Philip fixed him with a cool glance and Edmund faltered. "Well, I was kind of hoping to figure out where Peter had gone."
"Why?" The Horse was starting to get suspicious and he had a feeling he knew why.
"Because…umm, I want to go and fight." The last part was answered in a sort of sheepish way.
"You what?!" Edmund swore that Philip's eyes could not have gotten any bigger. "In your condition? Majesty, you just woke up after being unconscious for three days. You are not going anywhere, especially to war!"
"But Philip-"
"No buts, sire. If you're brother, or anyone, found out that I let you go to war alone in the state you're in they would have my head." Loophole.
"Then don't let me go alone." A very Edmund-like smirk lit up his face as he fought the Horse's logic.
"Wha-" Philip looked utterly confused and appalled at the same time.
"Don't. Let. Me. Go. Alone." The smirk was still there and he watched as Philip stuttered.
"But…but, your Highness, I can't, I won't." The tables had turned and now Edmund had Philip acting like an idiot.
"Look, I'm going with or without you, so either you come and lend support, or I go alone." He sent the Animal a look and Philip lowered his head in defeat.
"You're going to need a shield."
Miron watched as the battle raged on. His future king was defending himself against a Cyclops and was doing exceptionally well, especially for someone so young and inexperienced. A stone Gryphon broke and almost crashed into the boy, but he managed to get out only a bit dazed. All in all, the battle was tied until he saw her.
"King Peter!" Miron watched as the boy spun around and spotted the Witch, then the faun was forced to turn his attention to another fight.
Peter watched as the Witch forced her way through the crowd. Her chain mail dress gleamed in sunlight and formed a sort of dark halo around her. Aslan's mane hung from her neck and Peter's blood began to boil.
Here was the demon that had destroyed these peoples' lives for a hundred years. Here was the monster that had killed Aslan. And here was the beast that almost killed his little brother. She will die.
He charged forward and swung at her with his sword. She ducked and parried as his angry blows were brought down. Thrusting out her wand, she almost managed to pierce his skin, but just narrowly missed. They fought their way up onto the cliff that Miron and the archers has been just hours before.
Duck! Parry! Thrust! Duck! Parry! Thrust! Roar!
The loud sound vibrated throughout the area and both the Witch and Peter temporarily stopped fighting. Aslan had arrived and with him were the girls and more soldiers.
"Impossible." She whispered in disbelief. He was supposed to be dead! Peter, sensing his opportunity had come, attacked the Witch and caught her off guard. However, it wasn't long before Peter faltered. The Witch tripped him and he fell and landed on his back, the Witch's sword piercing his shoulder. He let out a cry and waited for her to make the killing blow. It never came.
Peter opened his eyes and gasped at what he saw. There, fighting the Witch with a sword similar to his own, was Edmund-an awake and angry Edmund. It was a miracle that the younger boy could even stand seeing as he had a broken leg and was obviously in a lot of pain, but he was doing well with holding his own. Peter would have gotten up to help, but for some reason, he couldn't move.
He watched as his younger brother fought the Witch towards the edge of the cliff. Although Edmund had never had any sword training, Peter felt that his brother could not have done any better then what he was doing now. He fought her with such vigor and Peter couldn't have felt prouder.
Suddenly, a bright blue light erupted and Peter could just make out the Witch's stunned face. Edmund, a ten-year-old injured boy, had done what nobody else had; he had broken her wand. Her face twisted into one of anger and she began to fight him with more power than he could handle. Using what was left of her wand, she knocked the sword from his hand and trust it into his stomach.
Edmund, as stunned as the Witch had been when he destroyed her magic, gasped for air and began to fall…right off the cliff. Before he was completely gone, however, he pulled Aslan's Mane around her neck, ripped it off, and pulled her off the cliff with him.
"NOOOOO!"
FINALLY! I'm done with this trouble chapter. Please review, but don't flame…or kill me. I know it took me forever to get this out and I'm really sorry. I hope to have the next chapter out by mid-May at the latest. Please forgive me!
Bye!