Disclaimer: All of this, of course, belongs to the amazing C.S. Lewis. Several segments are from the book as well as some dialogue from the new movie. (cited below)
A/N: (looks at all the reviews) Thank you so much! (grins) This story has really exceeded my expectations and I'm loving every minute of it. You guys rock! I don't know how to say thank you enough.
One quick note before you read (I'll leave the rest for the end ;) ). This chapter is VERY angsty. So be prepared.
With that said, your reviews, comments, suggestions, fav parts/characters, are always welcomed and extremely appreciated!
Chapter Ten: Painful Regrets
As soon as the wolves left, Ginarrbrik shoved Edmund forward, making him stumble. This definitely is not what I had in mind! thought Edmund, glancing around despairingly. He didn't even feel like retorting when Ginarrbrik shoved him again, the knife pressing against Edmund's back. He sighed, watching the ground beneath his feet as he walked, feeling completely helpless. Now look what you've gone and done! Peter, Susan and Lucy could be dead and it'd be all your fault! he berated himself angrily, his hands clenched into fists. Idiot! I am…I am such an idiot. I can't believe I thought that the Queen, no White Witch, was nice! All the warnings were there and I was just too caught up in myself to suss it. Now what am I supposed to do?
"Hurry up," snarled Ginarrbrik, pushing Edmund through a doorway into an icy dungeon. Edmund didn't say anything as he was forced to the freezing floor. Ginarrbrik snapped shackles around Edmund's ankles and walked out. Edmund sighed, leaning back against the cold wall, his breaths coming out in white puffs. Drawing his knees to his chest for warmth, he looked around the room. The walls were covered in slick ice and the floor seemed to be a solid sheet of it. Why does it have to be ice? he wondered. Rotten luck. At least I'm not sitting on a lake. He didn't want to think about that incident but he couldn't help it, looking around at all the ice. His cell had no bars, but it wasn't like he could move very far with his shackles chained to metal that was frozen in the ground. He looked up and saw a small window with rusty, iron bars preventing anything from getting in or out. One side of his cell was a wall of ice with spiked, metal bars frozen inside it. The other side was identical save for a jagged hole in the center, icicles dripping down from the top of it. Through the hole, Edmund could see part of another cell.
He shivered and hugged his arms around his legs tightly, burying his head in his arms. He could feel hot tears pricking at the corners of his eyes, but he refused to cry. He felt quite wretched, his body bruised and battered from his trip to the Witch's castle. To make things worse, he was frozen to the bone and very hungry. Why, why did I believe her? he thought, his eyes shut. I should've known better. When she was offering me Turkish Delight and being so nice. It was all fake… just to get me to bring my brother and sisters to her…I don't want to think about what she would have done to them…He shivered again but this time it wasn't from the cold. His stomach twisted at the thought of Turkish Delight and he found that nothing repulsed him more than that sweet. He didn't think that he would ever be able to look at Turkish Delight again without feeling sick, knowing that because of that sweet, he had betrayed his family.
He heard footsteps and looked up to see Ginarrbrik walking in with a tray in his hands. The dwarf set down the tray, smirking at Edmund, and walked out. Edmund looked at what was on the tray: a hunk of dry, stale, crusty bread and a mug filled with dirty water. He was repulsed by it but he was so hungry he reached for the bread. Swallowing, he took a tentative bite and immediately spit it out. Disgusting! He dropped the hunk of bread onto the tray and reached for the mug to wash down the awful taste. However, nothing came out when he lifted the mug to his lips. He frowned and looked at it. The water was frozen. It would be, wouldn't it? he thought dejectedly. He threw the useless mug down on the tray and buried his face back in his arms. I hate this! I just want to go home. If I went back to my brother and sisters, they'd only say 'we told you so." Well, Peter and Susan would. I don't know what Lucy would do. They probably all hate me. And I deserve it. I was completely rotten. I'm so stupid! Drawn in by sweets! He hit his fist into the icy ground and yelped, drawing back his hand quickly. He nursed his bruised hand, looking at the far wall. Peter…Susan…Lucy…please be all right…I know I've been downright horrid to you but I didn't mean for anything to happen to you! I swear!
"If you're not going to eat that…" came a quiet voice, startling Edmund out of his thoughts. Edmund looked around for the source of the voice, his gaze landing on a figure lying in the cell next to him. The jagged, icicle filled hole allowed him to see only part of the figure and Edmund picked up his bread, scooting over to the wall. "I'd get up…but, my legs…" He heard the scraping of chains and soft groans of effort as the figure dragged himself into view. A Faun! thought Edmund in surprise, glancing at the furry legs and then the human torso. Edmund handed the bread to the Faun, who sagged against the wall, watching as the Faun bit into the bread hungrily.
Edmund swallowed, hugging his knees tightly. Could this be… Lucy's friend? "Mr…Tumnus," he ventured quietly.
"What's left of him," said Mr. Tumnus bitterly, continuing to eat the bread. He looked up at Edmund, his eyes darting about Edmund's face as if trying to place him. "You're…Lucy Pevensie's brother."
"I'm Edmund," he said softly, glancing at Mr. Tumnus before averting his gaze to the ground. And I betrayed them to the Witch…I don't deserve to be her brother…I'm horrible. Edmund hunched over, trying to keep as warm as possible.
Mr. Tumnus smiled slightly. "You have the same nose," he said, touching his own nose briefly.
Edmund sniffed, rubbing his nose, glancing at Mr. Tumnus before looking away. He couldn't bear looking at the Faun, knowing what he had done to Lucy and the others. If he knew what I had done…he'd hate me too, thought Edmund miserably.
"Is your sister all right?" asked Mr. Tumnus, peering at Edmund. Edmund couldn't look at him and rested his chin on his arms. "Is she safe?"
The sounds of growling wolves made Edmund look up towards the barred window. His heart thudded in his chest, his stomach twisting into knots. Oh God…I…I hope they didn't catch them! Please let the others be all right! "I…" Edmund glanced at Mr. Tumnus before looking at his feet. A mixture of apprehension, fear, and depression filled him and he felt even more wretched if that was possible. "I don't know," he whispered honestly.
The sound of keys clanking against the spiked, metal dungeon door made Edmund look up. He gasped when he saw the Witch standing on the other side with Ginarrbrik next to her, unlocking the door. Moving quickly, he slid back to his original spot next to the tray, swallowing at his heart hammered in his chest.
The door was thrust open as the Witch strode into the dungeon, moving over to Edmund's cell. He cowered in terror, inching backwards until he couldn't go any farther. She looked down at him icily, her wand gripped in her left hand. She placed her right hand on her hip. "My police tore that dam apart," she said coldly. "Your little family are nowhere to be found."
Thank God! thought Edmund in relief. However, that relief was short-lived as the Witch reached down, grabbing Edmund's shirt. She hauled him up off the ground, leaving his legs to dangle, the shackles clanking against each other. His eyes widened in fear, his heart catching in his throat as he tried to swallow. Oh God…please…please don't let her hurt me.
"Where are they?" she questioned angrily, her eyes glittering icily.
"I- I don't know!" protested Edmund, his heart thundering in his ears.
"Then you're of no further use to me," she said quietly, her words chilling. She threw him down onto the ground and he winced as he hit the ice painfully. Struggling to sit up, he saw her raise her wand and his heart jumped into his throat, sussing that she intended to kill him. No! Please! He drew back, leaning on his arms in an effort to be as far away as possible from her.
"Wait!" he cried, deciding to play his last card. Well, second-to-last. "The Beavers said something about Aslan!"
"Aslan?" asked the Witch in surprise, lowering her wand. She stared at him. "Where?"
"I –" began Edmund, not really wanting to tell her where. I can't…I've already betrayed them…
However, Mr. Tumnus saved him from speaking by crawling towards the Witch. "H- He's a stranger here, Your Majesty!" stammered Mr. Tumnus. "H-He-He can't be expected to know anything!" Edmund glanced at him, wincing when Ginarrbrik hit Mr. Tumnus with the base of his axe. Edmund returned his gaze to the Witch, staring at her. The Witch glanced at Mr. Tumnus before looking back at Edmund.
"I said, where is Aslan?" she asked quietly.
Edmund swallowed, venturing a look at Mr. Tumnus. The pleading look on Mr. Tumnus' face tore at Edmund's heart and Edmund knew he couldn't give up the location. "I-" he began, looking back up at the Witch. "I don't know. I left before they said anything." He glanced at Mr. Tumnus, who had bowed his head. "I wanted to see you!" cried Edmund, sitting up, his eyes on the Witch. Maybe…maybe if I just explain to her why I didn't bring them…maybe she'll let me go. But even as he thought this, he knew they were false hopes.
The Witch narrowed her gaze at Edmund but didn't say anything for a few moments. Then she yelled, "Guard!" and turned towards the open dungeon door.
"Your Majesty," growled a huge ogre as it walked into the dungeon. Edmund gasped, staring at it.
The Witch looked back at Edmund coldly as she said, "Release the Faun."
The ogre growled and Edmund watched as the ogre walked into Mr. Tumnus' cell, using a club to break the shackles around Mr. Tumnus' ankles. Mr. Tumnus cried out, startling Edmund, who couldn't help but stare. The ogre grabbed Mr. Tumnus by the scarf, dragging him into Edmund's cell, dropping him face-first beside the Witch.
Edmund watched in horror, feeling awful and completely helpless to do anything. The Witch turned to look down at Mr. Tumnus. "You know why you're here, Faun?"
"Because I –" whispered Mr. Tumnus, wincing in pain as he looked up at the Witch, "- believe in a free…Narnia."
She arched her eyebrows. "You're here because he –" she said, pointing her wand at Edmund and fixing her icy gaze upon him. Edmund swallowed, looking at up at her, inching backwards. "- turned you in." She paused, a cold smile playing across her lips. "For sweeties."
Edmund froze, his heart beating rapidly. He ventured a look at Mr. Tumnus and the expression on Mr. Tumnus' face was crushing. Edmund never felt lower in his life than he did at that moment. The betrayal and hurt on Mr. Tumnus' face was not something Edmund would ever forget and Edmund bowed his head, unable to meet Mr. Tumnus' eyes. How could I have done that… thought Edmund, the horror of his own actions sinking in even more so than before. He hates me…he should hate me…I don't deserve anything less than hate…I betrayed him…I sent him to this icy prison just because I wanted sweets…
"Take him upstairs," ordered the Witch and Edmund, his head remaining bowed, looked up as the ogre dragged out Mr. Tumnus. Mr. Tumnus' eyes met Edmund's. The look of disappointment and Mr. Tumnus' cries of pain as he was dragged across the rough, icy floor cut through Edmund like a knife. "And ready my sleigh." The Witch looked at Edmund, who glanced at her before looking back down at the floor miserably. "Edmund misses his family." What am I to do? he thought downheartedly. I'm so horrible…I wish I could change it all…I wish I had never come to this place. I miss them so much…I just want to be back with the others, even if they do hate me… As the Witch and Ginarrbrik walked out, shutting the door behind them, Edmund drew his knees to his chest, burying his face in his arms, sobbing softly.
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He wallowed in the pain, regret and total despair flooding through him for what seemed like eternity, feeling completely and utterly alone. I can never forgive myself for what I did…never, he thought. He didn't lift his head, but he opened his eyes to look at the icy ground beneath him as a memory enveloped him.
It was a few days after his father had gone away, and Edmund still hadn't left his room. He sat in his window-seat, hugging Maddie, looking out between the blackout curtains at where the vehicle had come to pick up his father. His mother continued to bring him meals, trying to get him to come out of his room, but he refused. He had yelled and even thrown one of his soldiers at her the last time she had come to take him out of his room. She stopped trying after that.
Daddy…why? I didn't want you to leave, thought Edmund, sniffling and wiping his tears away. He felt miserable and totally alone. His siblings weren't his father, especially Peter, who had brought it upon himself to act like Dad. You wish you were Dad, thought Edmund angrily. But you'll never be. Always trying to tell me what to do, trying to be the hero.
"Ed?" came a quiet, hesitant voice.
Edmund looked up and toward his door where his twelve-year old brother stood. Peter didn't step into the room, remaining in the doorway. "What do you want?" snapped Edmund, glaring at him.
"Ed…come and play with us," said Peter, keeping his voice soft. There was sadness in his eyes. "We all miss Dad, but he wouldn't want us to feel rotten about him going to war. He had to do it."
"What do you know?" retorted Edmund, angry tears sparking in his eyes. "You don't know anything!" He picked up one of his shoes from the floor and heaved it at Peter.
Startled, Peter jumped back as the shoe collided with the edge of the door frame. Edmund's aim had always been good and if he had really been trying to, he would have hit Peter. Edmund watched, breathing hard, as his brother swallowed and looked back at Edmund. "Ed, please. Won't you come out?"
"Not with you!" he snapped. "Go away!" Edmund turned back to the window, glaring out as he hugged his knees to his chest. He heard Peter sigh and then the sound of his footsteps as Peter walked away. Edmund glanced at the doorway to make sure it was empty before burying his face in his arms and sobbing.
Edmund closed his eyes, feeling a few tears prick at the edges of his eyes. There's no way they can come here or they'll be captured. Who knows where they are? I'll probably never see them again…the Witch will probably find them and bring them here to be turned into stone. And I'll sit here in this icy prison forever. I just want to go home. He felt hot, salty tears trickle down his cheeks. They all hate me. Probably never want to have anything to do with me anymore…I really am completely alone, an outcast in my family, and now a betrayer of them in Narnia…
He heard footsteps, snapping him out of his thoughts, and then the dungeon door was thrust open with a loud clang as metal hit ice-covered stone. Edmund looked up, hastily wiping away his tears, to see Ginarrbrik walking in with the whip in his hand. Edmund backed up, not sure what was going to happen next. His back hit the icy wall behind him and he swallowed, watching the dwarf with apprehension. However, Ginarrbrik just scowled at him, unlocking the shackles. "Get up," he ordered, motioning with his whip.
Edmund staggered to his feet, confused, his body numb from the freezing dungeon. Ginarrbrik shoved Edmund towards the door with the whip, making him stumble and wince as he knocked his shoulder against the frozen wall. Ginarrbrik silently ushered Edmund along, leading him up the stairs, through a courtyard of statues, and into the main courtyard. As Edmund passed through the giant archway, he froze, staring in horror. There, only a few paces away, stood Mr. Tumnus…except he wasn't breathing anymore. He had been turned to stone and the look of pain in his face wrenched Edmund's heart. Oh God…she…she…she's killed him…and it's my fault, he thought. He suddenly felt quite sick to his stomach and he tore his gaze from the statue as he heard the Witch say coldly, "When you're ready, Son of Adam." Edmund looked over to see her standing on her sledge, the lanterns hanging from the front casting shadows across the statues and icy, stone walls.
Ginarrbrik pressed the whip into Edmund's back, forcing him to move towards the Witch. Edmund couldn't help but glance at some of the statues he passed. The looks of anger, pain, and shock on their faces made Edmund finally suss just how horrible the Witch really was. When he had first passed through the courtyard, he had been in better spirits and had jeered at them. Now he just felt wretched.
The Witch sat down in her sledge and Edmund climbed in, sitting down by her feet. He glanced at her as she wrapped herself in her white furs. Then he looked away, hugging his knees tightly to his chest and resting his chin on his knees. He heard Ginarrbrik let out a yell, snapping the whip, and the sledge took off with a jerk.
As they passed through the front arch into the bright sunlight, the frigid winter air hit Edmund like a ton of bricks, chilling him to the core, as if he weren't cold enough already. He huddled on the floor of the sledge, trying to protect himself from the wind as it whipped across the sledge. The scenery flew by in a blur as they sped across the frozen lake. The biting wind bit at Edmund's exposed flesh, making it hurt and turn red from the cold. Edmund ventured a glance at the Witch, who looked down at him icily before returning her gaze outward. Edmund swallowed and looked down, burying his face in his arms, trying to stay warm but to no avail. At least he was out of the dungeon.
As the sledge flew across the ice, cutting through snowy drifts, Edmund found himself constantly being completely covered in snow. It soaked through his already damp clothes, making him feel quite miserable and numb from the cold. He kept trying to brush the snow off, but every time he did so, he would be covered again. Finally, he just gave up and rested his chin on his arms, keeping his knees hugged tightly to his body. He looked at the floor of the sledge as the trees whipped by, too exhausted to do much else. He closed his eyes, shivering. Doesn't look like I'm going to be King after all, he thought unhappily. It was all lies from the beginning. I can't believe I thought that she was good and that she was in the right. I'm so stupid! By this point, he would have given anything to be back with the others, even Peter. This has to be a dream…just another awful nightmare. I'll just pinch myself and wake up. That's it. No more Narnia, no more cold, no more Witch… but even as he thought this, he knew that it wasn't a dream and that it was very, very real.
Hours passed with no sound but the swish of snow and the creaking of the reindeers' harness. Incoherent thoughts raced through his mind as he passed in and out of a restless sleep. He could barely keep his eyes open anymore, his body almost numb to the cold by now. He felt a mixture of sadness, hopelessness, and regret. If only I could see them… he thought, allowing his eyes to close once again as memories flashed before him.
Peter rushing into his room as Edmund screams from a nightmare…Edmund creeping down the hall late at night, having just awoken from a particularly bad dream, moving into his brother's room and snuggling into his brother's arms. His dad buying them all ice cream and Edmund's chocolate ice cream falling to the sidewalk, having melted too quickly for him to eat it all. He was crying and then Lucy offered him her ice cream cone. Then Edmund was sitting in Susan's room, working on a difficult homework problem, and she was sitting next to him, helping him through it. A flash of an arrow…Edmund was at his first archery lesson and couldn't hit the target. He was frustrated and Susan walked over, gently showing him how to hold the bow properly. He shot his next arrow and it hit the target.
Then he saw a tired Peter holding out a fixed Maddie in his hands, a smile on his face. Edmund yelling at Peter for telling him to grow up, now noticing the look of pain on Peter's face as Edmund ran out of the room. He and Peter were out in the garden at home and Peter was pushing Edmund on the rope swing. Then they were climbing trees and Edmund fell…but his fall was halted as Peter reached down, grabbing his hand. Edmund looked up at his brother, realizing that Peter would never let him fall, figuratively or not.
Edmund's first day at his new school…people bullying him, the teachers being horrid…Edmund sat crying outside near the bus stop…he saw Peter walk up and sit down, drawing Edmund into a silent hug…Susan and Lucy spending all night on making a surprise birthday cake for Edmund…Edmund seeing this but going back to bed before they could see him.
Lucy offering Edmund Teddy during one of his nightmares…her sleeping with him despite his protests…Peter, Susan, and Lucy standing at the foot of Edmund's bed when he had been horribly ill, acting out the play he had so desperately wanted to see. He had been too sick to go that night and so they all had stayed home to do this for him…
Edmund felt hot tears run down his frozen cheeks and he buried his face in his arms, crying quietly. I was so stupid…not seeing how much they loved me…everything that they did for me, all those times. I was horrible to them but they always came back, eager to make me happy and help me. I had shoved all those memories away, only remembering the bad ones. I miss them so much…I just want to say how sorry I am…oh, I hope they don't hate me…they should…they really should. How could I have done this? I'm so sorry, Peter…Susan…Lucy. Please forgive me. Please.
"What have we here?" cried the Witch suddenly, jerking Edmund out of his thoughts. "Stop!" The sledge jerked to a halt, nearly causing Edmund to fall over. He threw out his hands in an effort to halt his fall and grimaced as his frozen hands connected with the floor of the sledge, sending white-hot spikes of pain shooting up through his arms. He lifted his head slowly, unable to feel most of his body.
A little way off at the foot of a tree sat a merry party, a squirrel and his wife with their children and two satyrs and a dwarf and an old dog-fox, all on stools around a table. Delicious smells invaded Edmund's senses but he couldn't tell what they were eating. They all looked so happy, with holly decorations lining the table and mounds of food covering the top. Edmund's stomach rumbled, making him remember how hungry he was.
The Fox, obviously the oldest person present, stood, holding a glass in his right paw, about ready to say something. But then the party froze upon seeing who was in the sledge and all the laughter disappeared from their faces. If it were possible, their faces would have gone white. The father squirrel stopped eating with his fork halfway to his mouth and one of the satyrs stopped with its fork actually in its mouth, and the baby squirrels squeaked with terror.
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded the Witch. Nobody answered. "Speak, vermin! Or do you want my dwarf to find you a tongue with his whip? What is the meaning of all this gluttony, this waste, this self-indulgence? Where did you get all these things?"
Edmund stared at them, swallowing. What is she going to do?
"Please, your Majesty," said the Fox, "we were given them." He looked terribly nervous but managed to stammer out, "And if I might make so bold as to drink to your Majesty's very good health –"
"Who gave them to you?"
"F-F-Father Christmas," stammered the Fox, staring at her. Christmas! thought Edmund in surprise. But I thought Lucy said that there wasn't Christmas in Narnia!
"What!" roared the Witch, springing from the sledge and taking a few strides nearer to the terrified animals. "He has not been here! He cannot have been here! How dare you –" She stopped, controlling her icy rage and said, in a much quieter voice, "-but no. Say you have been lying and you shall even now be forgiven."
However, at that moment, one of the baby squirrels lost her head completely and squeaked, "He has – he has- he has!" beating her little spoon on the table.
Edmund watched with wide eyes, his heart hammering in his chest, as the Witch bit her lips so hard that a drop of blood appeared on her white cheek. Then she raised her wand and Edmund tried to climb to his feet. "Oh, don't, don't, please don't!" shouted Edmund, grimacing from the pain shooting up through his frozen body as he moved. But even as he shouted, she had already waved her wand and instantly where the merry party had been there were only statues of creatures seated around a stone table on which there were stone plates and stone food.
The Witch whirled to face Edmund, rage evident in her features. Edmund stared at her, gulping, his heart pounding in his ears. "As for you," she said coldly, stepping towards him and giving him a stunning blow on the face as she re-mounted the sledge. He cried out, white-hot pain driving into him where her slap had landed. He put a hand up to his face, knowing there would be a nasty bruise there later. "Let that teach you to ask favor for spies and traitors." The Witch looked forward. "Drive on!" The sledge jerked forward and Edmund watched as the statues grew farther and farther away. And for once, he felt sorry for them, sussing that they would forever be only stone, unable to enjoy anything anymore.
He hugged his knees to his chest, resting his chin on top, closing his eyes. His face still stung where the Witch had slapped him, a painful reminder of how much trouble he really was in. As they drove on, Edmund noticed that the snow which splashed against them as they rushed through it was much wetter than before, and he noticed that he wasn't quite as cold anymore. He lifted his head, watching the scenery fly by. It was beginning to grow foggier and warmer with each passing minute and the sledge began to slow. The sledge began to jerk and skid, and kept on jolting as if it had struck stones. There seemed to be a curious noise all around them but the noises of their driving and jolting and the dwarf's shouting at the reindeer prevented Edmund from hearing it properly.
Suddenly, the sledge stuck so fast that it wouldn't go on at all. In that moment of silence, Edmund could hear the strange, sweet, rustling, chattering noise – and yet not so strange, for he'd heard it before – if only he could remember where! Then all at once, he remembered. It was the noise of running water. All around them, though out of sight, there were streams, chattering, murmuring, bubbling, splashing and even, in the distance, the roaring of a waterfall. His heart gave a great leap as he sussed that the frost was over. Winter is gone! he thought in wide-eyed surprise. Spring has come! What does this mean? Edmund watched as a great load of snow slid off a tree and for the first time since he had entered Narnia, he saw the dark green of a fir tree.
"Don't sit staring, fool!" cried the Witch, startling Edmund from his thoughts. She was glaring down at him and he swallowed. "Get out and help."
Edmund obeyed, knowing that he must, and stepped out into the slushy snow. He began to help Ginarrbrik, pushing at the sledge until they got it out of the muddy hole it had been stuck in. Edmund slipped in the mud, falling to the ground and cutting his knee on a rock. He grimaced in pain, standing. Ginarrbrik shoved him back towards the sledge and he limped back to it, taking his seat on the floor.
Ginarrbrik, by being very cruel to the reindeer, managed to get the reindeer going again and they drove on. Edmund couldn't help but stare at the passing scenery. The snow was melting away quickly and patches of green grass were beginning to appear in every direction. The sense of relief he felt at seeing grass was intense and he couldn't help but smile a little. No more cold. No more snow. Finally…Spring! Then the sledge stopped again, jerking Edmund forward. He winced as his knees banged against the edge of the sledge.
"It's no good, your Majesty," said Ginarrbrik, looking back at the Witch. "We can't sledge in this thaw."
"Then we must walk," said the Witch, climbing out of the sledge.
"We shall never overtake them walking," growled Ginarrbrik. "Not with the start they've got." Edmund climbed slowly out of the sledge, working feeling into his tired, cold muscles and trying to ignore the throbbing pain of his various bruises and cuts.
"Are you my councilor or my slave?" snapped the Witch. "Do as you're told. Cut the harness of the reindeer; they'll find their own way home."
Ginarrbrik obeyed and then Edmund was shoved forward. "Move," growled Ginarrbrik and Edmund stumbled through the slush and mud and wet grass. He was constantly slipping and sliding and every time he stumbled, Ginarrbrik would curse and sometimes give him a flick with the whip. Edmund flinched, biting his lip in an effort not to cry out, and continued to walk. Even though he wasn't cold anymore, he still felt quite miserable, exhausted, and hungry. It didn't help that every time he fell he added a new bruise or scrape to his already bruised and battered body. What I wouldn't give to just be home…or even back at the Beavers' house, thought Edmund wistfully, wincing as he tripped over a rock.
As they walked, Edmund glanced around, watching as the patches of snow grew smaller until they had vanished completely. Dark-green firs, silver birch trees, dark-brown oaks, and other various trees could be seen. Brightly-colored blossoms and rich leaves appeared on the bare branches, filling the forest with color. The roaring of the waterfall grew louder as they walked over a gurgling stream, passing over flower-covered ground. Flowers of every variety were appearing in all directions, adding even more color to the forest. Then Edmund heard a sound which caused his heart to leap again. Birds. He heard a bird chirping in the trees above him and soon it was answered by another, and another, until the entire forest was filled with the sounds of bird calls. Edmund looked up, watching as birds alighted on branches, flying to other trees, or sailing through the air.
"Faster! Faster!" cried the Witch and Edmund was pleased to note the hint of panic in her voice.
The fog was gone now and the sky became a crystal-clear blue. In the wide glades there were primroses and a light breeze sprang up, scattering drops of moisture across their faces. The canopy filled out with hundreds of leaves, the sunshine streaming in through the open areas, sending beams of light to the forest floor. To Edmund, this was the most wonderful thing he had ever seen, and for once, he felt there could be some hope.
"This is no thaw," said Ginarrbrik, suddenly stopping. Edmund and the Witch both halted. "This is Spring! What are we to do? Your winter has been destroyed, I tell you! This is Aslan's doing."
"If either of you mention that name again," said the Witch through gritted teeth. Her gaze was filled with icy rage. "He shall be instantly killed."
They walked in silence for many minutes until they came to the edge of a roaring waterfall. Edmund looked at the gushing water, following it as it disappeared in clouds of white foam. The river sped far below them, all traces of ice gone, and a stunning rainbow arched brightly across deep-blue water. Edmund ventured a glance at the Witch, who was staring down at the river in rage. Edmund couldn't help but smile slightly at how frustrated she was. Serves her right.
"It's so warm out," commented Ginarrbrik, beginning to take off his grey-fur coat. With one icy glare from the Witch, Ginarrbrik halted his actions and pulled his coat back on. Edmund heard the growling and barking of wolves and turned to see several wolves run into the clearing. One of them carried a Fox in its mouth. The wolf dropped the Fox down on the ground, looking up at the Witch.
"We found the traitor," growled the wolf.
"Ah, nice of you to drop by," said the Witch coolly, turning and looking at the Fox as he struggled to his feet. She walked over to the Fox, looking down at him, her gaze glittering icily. "I understand you were so helpful to my wolves last night." Edmund moved silently to stand beside her, staring at the Fox. Wait…does… His heart beat a little faster, his eyes widening. Maybe my brother and sisters are all right! "Perhaps you can help me now."
"Forgive me, your Majesty," said the Fox sadly, bowing his head.
"Oh, don't waste my time with flattery," snapped the Witch.
"Not to seem rude," said the Fox, smirking slightly, "but I wasn't actually talking about you." The Fox looked at Edmund. Edmund's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the Fox, thoroughly confused. What? What does he mean? thought Edmund, arching an eyebrow. Why is he looking at me? He glanced at the Witch, who gave him a cold look, and he looked back at the Fox, his surprise and confusion still evident on his features.
He watched as the Witch stepped forward, bringing her wand in front of her, pointing it at the Fox. She looked at the Fox icily. "Where are the humans headed?"
Edmund's heart leapt at her question. That means they're still alive! But where? Mr. Beaver said something…about an army…and the Stone Table…and meeting Aslan…could they be there already? Though he felt that he had no hope of being rescued, the thought of his brother and sisters being all right and reaching the army gave him hope that the Witch would be defeated. Oh, I do hope they reach Aslan. That'll show the Witch. But… Edmund looked at the Fox, who was slowly backing away from the Witch's wand in fright, refusing to give up the location. I…he saved my brother and sisters…I can't let anything happen to him. I've already done enough horrible things…maybe I can save him from her hurting him or turning him to stone.
As the Witch raised her wand to strike, Edmund cried out, "No! Wait!" He ran to stand between the Witch and the Fox, looking up at her, his heart pounding in his chest. "Don't." She'll probably slap me again for doing this, but I don't want someone else to die because of me and what I did. The Witch lowered her wand, giving him an inquisitive, cold look. "Beaver said something about the Stone Table…and that Aslan had an army there." He took a deep breath, trying to calm down his nerves as he looked up at her.
The Witch raised her eyebrows. "An army?" she asked quietly and moved past Edmund to look down at the Fox.
Edmund swallowed, turning to look at the Fox. The Fox shook his head in disappointment and disbelief, sighing as he looked to the ground. Edmund felt as though he had been punched in the stomach, realizing his mistake. I did it again! I'm such an idiot! Why can't I keep my mouth shut! Everyone hates me! I can't do anything right. Edmund looked to the ground, unable to look at the Fox, feeling horrid for what he had just done. Well done, Ed, he mentally yelled at himself. You've betrayed your family, Mr. Tumnus, and now the Fox that helped save your brother and sisters. What next, the rest of Narnia?
The Witch glanced at the Fox before returning her gaze to Edmund. "Thank you, Edmund." The Witch looked between the wolves and Edmund, nodding her head slightly. "I'm glad this creature - got to see some honesty -" She gave Edmund a cold smile and Edmund looked at her, unsure what she was going to do. "-before he died," she said coldly, whirling around and thrusting her wand at the Fox, who yelped just before he was turned to stone.
"NO!" cried Edmund, moving forward, his eyes wide. That wasn't supposed to happen! The Witch spun to face him, moving her wand to her side. She looked at him icily and he backed up, swallowing hard. Her gaze narrowed and she slapped him across the face quite hard. He let out a cry, turning his face away as he brought up his hand to touch his stinging cheek. He grimaced in pain, closing his eyes. That slap had hurt even more than the first one.
He felt a hand grasp his shoulder, turning him back. The Witch looked down at him coolly and he winced, hoping she wouldn't hit him again. Please don't hurt me… he thought, swallowing. "Think about whose side you're on, Edmund." Her gaze was penetrating and he couldn't look away, even though he desperately wanted to. "Mine –" She gripped his face roughly in her hand, forcing him to look at the stone Fox, "- or theirs." She let go of his face, walking away. Edmund could only stare at the Fox, breathing hard, feeling tears threatening to spring forth. I did that…he's like that because of me, thought Edmund, feeling lower than he thought he could ever feel. It was even worse than before. Yet another being had been turned to stone on account of his actions. It's all my fault…my fault... He blinked away his tears, feeling completely wretched. I'm horrible…I don't deserve anyone's help…it's my fault that all this has happened…because of me…I don't think I'll ever see my family again…how could I face them if I did see them? After everything I've done…betraying them…betraying Narnia…
"Go on ahead," the Witch said and Edmund looked over at her. She stood in front of the semi-circle of wolves, looking at them. "Gather the faithful." She paused, her face cold. "If it's a war that Aslan wants –" A butterfly fluttered past her and she turned it to stone in one swift motion, not removing her gaze from the wolves. "- it's a war he shall get."
So...what do you think? How do you feel? (his thoughts and flashbacks) I'm curious to know:)
This chapter, as you probably noticed, has several bits from the book as well as sections from the movie.
Writing this chapter made me especially feel for Edmund...angst...and just how miserable he really was about the whole ordeal. Don't worry, next chapter is their reunion and Aslan's words to Edmund (oh how we are all curious to know what Aslan said to him! (grins).
So be prepared for some fluffy scenes :D
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all again for reading this, and all your reviews. It makes me feel good as a writer that I can please you and give you a good story (at least, that's what I hope :D )
As always, if you spot any Americanisms, please let me know. It's appreciated (smiles)
Citing: Description/action/lines for the Christmas Party turned to stone, the Witch/Edmund/Ginarrbrik's journey/actions/lines once Spring as arrived. Chpt 11 of LWW