Over The Edge Chapter 10
Edmund, Susan, and Lucy waited impatiently for Reepicheep to return from the castle. They were afraid that he would be captured and they would never know what is going on with Peter. Edmund paced the small room, finding it impossible to stay still. Lucy and Susan sat at the small table with Trufflehunter as Trumpkin kept looking out the nearby window hoping to see the small mouse approaching. It wasn't long until Trumpkin said he saw something coming.
Edmund approached the window and looked out to see that it was indeed the small knight running towards the house. Trufflehunter quickly opened the door letting the mouse in before closing the door tight and locking it. Reepicheep was out of breath as he attempted to speak. Lucy walked over to the sink and quickly got him a glass of water.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Reepicheep breathed, drinking up the water. "Your brother is in trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" Susan asked, worried.
"He is going to be used to bring Jadis back," Reepicheep stated.
Edmund stood there in fear. He would have preferred to fight against anyone or anything but Jadis. He thought he got rid of her for good the last time they were in Narnia. It would be another battle against the evil woman who tried to take his life before. Memories flooded back to him from the previous time she tried to escape. Her hand reaching out to Peter through the ice and the spell she had put on Caspian and Peter. It was a nightmare coming back to haunt him. He didn't know what was in store for Peter, but knew that they had to do everything to stop it.
"When is she supposed to bring her back? Edmund asked, breaking the silence.
"Tomorrow night, during the full moon," Reepicheep replied.
"Wait, why would this queen bring back Jadis?" Susan asked. "Doesn't she know what that would mean for her."
"I can just tell you what King Peter told me," said Reepicheep. "He knows of her intentions, but I don't believe he knows why."
"At this point it doesn't matter why," Edmund stated. "We just have to stop it."
"How are we going to do that?" Lucy asked.
"Peter said that he was needed to bring Jadis back," Reepicheep said. "So we need to get Peter out of that castle and away from Vyrina."
"That's not going to be easy," said Trumpkin. "Vyrina will keep a watchful eye on Peter. I have seen the way she does things. It will be kept quiet and I think she will have Peter somewhere she can personally watch him. That is if she really wants to do this."
"Peter was in the dungeons when I talked to him," Reepicheep stated.
"It doesn't mean he is still there," said Trufflehunter. "I think Trumpkin is right. We need to make sure we know exactly where Peter is and make a plan for the worst. Vyrina is deceptive and quite aware of what goes on outside of the kingdom."
An old woman made her way out of the forest with a grin on her face. It was quite fortunate to be in good favor with the queen and she was sure this new news would bring her even more favor. She nodded to the guards as she entered the castle. The queen would be in the thrown room now going over new plans for the kingdom. As the old woman entered, Vyrina looked up smiling.
"Do you have any news for me, Melinda?" Vyrina asked.
"I do, Your Majesty," said Melinda. "It seems that the young king is not the only one here. His brother and sisters are as well. They intend to come get their brother before you get the chance to do the ceremony tomorrow."
"Well, they will find that their brother is guarded quite well," said Vyrina. "I'll keep some extra guards around the area. However, I do think it might be quite enjoyable to let the former king and queens witness Jadis' return."
"The youngest king seems the most frightened at the aspect," Melinda stated.
"Perhaps I will let them get far enough to see the return," Vyrina said, grinning. "I have many things to prepare for tomorrows ceremony. Did you get everything I asked for ready?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," said Melinda. "The pot is already in the basement and all of the ingredients that is needed is set up in the order that you will be using them. Are you sure this is going to work?"
"I have no doubt," said Vyrina. I have a . . . very reliable source for information."
"Very well," said Melina, bowing. She started to head out of the thrown room and paused. She appeared to be thinking when Vyrina looked up to see the woman still there.
"Is there something else, Melinda?"
"Well," Melinda started, turning back to the young queen. "If you don't mind me asking. . . why are you bringing Jadis back? I mean, you are the queen now. You have all of the power you have ever wanted. If you bring Jadis back, you will likely lose that power. You're a smart girl, so I know that you must already know this. So why would you willing give that power up to Jadis?"
Vyrina looked down. She seemed to be thinking her answer through, as if she was debating telling Melinda the truth or not. Melinda tried to read the queens expression, but Vyrina would not look back up. There was not too much time left for the ceremony and Vyrina had been trusting Melinda with many aspects of her life. After several minutes, Vyrina looked back up to the woman.
"Because she's my mother."