Surprise! I'm not dead! So I had originally decided to give up on this story. Being enrolled in 11 classes between high school and college and travelling a lot doesn't leave a girl with much time to write. But I couldn't leave y'all hanging forever. And I owe it to Lucy and the Narnians to tell their story. Since it has been like half a year since I posted here is the longest review of what happened in this story. Buckle up because the review starts now.
Months ago, Lucy was kidnapped by two men named Drake and Dolphus for King Jerez of Telmar. King Jerez had taken a Lyroc vow against the Pevensie family, for he claimed the Narnians murdered his younger son Damien. A Lyroc vow means he will kill one of the Pevensies or die trying.
King Jerez, however, lied. He attempted to have his older son, Marius, kill Damien and frame the Narnians. Unknown, to him however Damien escaped, thinking he had killed his older brother in self defense.
While trying to escape, Damien was captured by Telmarine slave traders and concealed his identity. Drake and Dolpus decided to sell Lucy into slavery to General Zephrus, Jerez's right hand man, rather than condemn her to die.
Dolphus, felt guilty and upon Lucy's request and went to Cair Paravel to reveal what he had done. Peter and Edmund set out at once leaving Susan in charge. The courier she had fallen in love with, Lance, threw Dolphus in jail. Dolphus revealed to Susan that Lance was working for the Telmarines and he had spies and men all over the castle.
Meanwhile, Lucy was suffering in slavery. She befriended a girl named Christine and a child named Markus. While enslaved, she was whipped by General Zephrus' son, Lord Greco and almost killed by King Jerez though he didn't know her true identity.
Aslan and Damien, who escaped from slavery, saved her and escaped into the woods with Christine and Markus.
Peter and Edmund learn of Lord Greco and Lucy's escape and flow after them. Lord Greco, however, tricked them and they ended up being kidnapped by Drake and the Telmarines.
Through Lance's lies Susan thinks Lucy is dead and sends her trusted friend, Sir Merrick out with an army of men to aid Peter and Edmund in avenging Lucy. Lance proposes. Sir Merrick leaves his brother Anthony to look over Susan, but Lance threatens his children Lana and Elle forcing Susan to accept the proposal.
Christine and Lucy became like sisters and Damien and Lucy both revealed their royalty. A Narnian boy, Leif attacked them because Marius had taken his siblings: Liam, Amira, Maddox, and Mace captive. Leif ended up joining forces with Lucy, Damien, Christine, and Markus, who promised to help rescue his family.
Christine, however, was shot by an arrow and killed. Lucy was destroyed by this.
They rescued Leif"s family and it was revealed that Amira was actually Arabella, Damien's sister. He thought she had drowned when they were children. This was significant in propelling King Jerez down a path of evil, at the prompting of his brother, Prince Althalos. Amira doesn't know she is a princess.
Phew. I am getting tired!
Ok so while leaving Leif's farm the party is attacked by Telmarines (the same ones who hold Edmund and Peter captive) and in combat Lucy kills Jerez's brother Prince Althalos. Some Narnians, including Sir Merrick, rush in and save Lucy, Damien, Leif, Liam, and the children. They take them back to a secret castle Caput Anguli.
Sir Merrick and the Narnians pressure Lucy into becoming High Queen though she does not want to. Peter, however, cannot act as High King since he is in captivity and might be forced to do something that is not for the good of Narnia. Though she initially resisted, after talking to Aslan, Lucy agrees to take the crown. Unknown to anyone else, she had been hallucinating about Peter and her family and dark magic.
After the coronation, Lord Greco, goes missing from the dungeons, and Lucy is kidnapped by a man named Malum and apparently Sir Luca, knight of Narnia was involved. She is saved by Damien. She still doesn't know that both he and Leif have fallen in love with her. And something fishy is going on with Damien, but no one but Lord Greco and Sir Luca know what it is.
Jerez reveals to Edmund and Peter that the Lyroc vow is now valid since Lucy kills his brother, and he will make Lucy suffer immensely, kill the guys, and marry Susan off to some pawn.
THAT WAS EXHAUSTING!
This chapter means a lot to me and when you make it to the end you'll understand why. It is 20 pages long and took forever to write. Without further ado I proudly present Chapter 14 "The Gift"
"How is she?" Leif asked. It had been a long morning before the return of Lucy and Damien.
His friend shook his head. "She spoke little. When she did speak, she did not speak of what had transpired between her and her captor." His voice caught. "I am not certain I even arrived in time, before…"
"Stop." Liam said. "We all did what we could, and she is unharmed."
The three of them were silent a moment. "She did mention something about Sir Luca, however."
This caught Leif's attention. "Oh? I have yet to see him today."
"But what could-"
"Gentlemen." They turned to see Lucy standing regally in front of them. How could she have gotten there without them hearing her approach?
"Your Majesty! How are you fairing?" Leif inquired, searching her eyes. "Why are you awake at this hour? We were certain you-"
"You were certain I would be wrecked with despair and sobbing myself to sleep." She said it not in a hostile tone nor a friendly one.
"Of course not Lucy, we are simply concerned for you," Damien spoke up.
She snapped her gaze to him at the mention of her name and nodded in acknowledgment of the statement. "I am strong enough to handle this. Do you believe any different?"
Without waiting for a reply she continued. "It is of no consequence friends. We have much more important matters to discuss than the emotions of a silly girl. Follow me." She pivoted on her heel and marched down the corridors.
Damien leaned over and whispered in Leif's ear as they followed Lucy. "I fear we have made a grave error in judgement, my experience is breaking Lucy, just not in the way we expected."
Leif nodded somberly as they entered the solar. Sir Merrick was already inside, staring out the window. He had aged in the short amount of time Leif had grown to admire him. Looking after the young queen was proving to be a difficult task and after the past couple of days he knew Merrick considered himself a failure.
"Please sit." Lucy said. Quietly the three of them took their seats around the table while she stood. "The man who kidnapped me was called Malum or so he told me. It is my belief that he hailed from Telmar."
The men nodded, all expecting this. "However, he had help. Sir Luca assisted him in the kidnapping and was planning something nefarious though we have yet to discover what that may be."
Leif saw Damien swallow. This was disturbing news indeed. Sir Luca had been a loyal knight to Narnia for ages. How had he been reigned in by King Jerez? "What of his brother, Sir Quinn?"
"I know not. There is the matter of-" she ceased talking. Lucy was looking behind them. She took a few steps back in obvious terror.
Leif quickly turned, his hand on the hilt of his sword but nothing was there. He faced forward. "Lucy?"
"Do you not… Do you not see?" She stumbled.
The four men looked at her confusion in their eyes. "See what?"
Lucy shut her eyes a moment before opening them once more. "It's no matter. I want you all to investigate Quinn. Find where his loyalty lies. For now, tell no one of his twin's betrayal. I don't want to scourge Quinn's name until we have to."
"That is wise Your Majesty," Merrick said.
She looked up at him, searching his eyes. "Yes, well, if you gentlemen will excuse me I have other pressing matters to deal with." With that, she briskly turned and marched out of the room.
Damien swallowed as she strolled by him. This was all his fault. He had tried to stop Luca but it was too late. They were going to go forth with the plan whether he was on board or not.
Liam rose from the table first. "Do you suppose we should track Quinn down now?"
Damien shook his head. "You can if you want, but I need to make my way down to the kitchens for some breakfast."
Sir Merrick laughed. "Lad, you eat more than I do. I saw you eat half a dozen eggs at your first breakfast this morning."
For the first time in a while, Damien let a smile go free. "Well rescuing a pretty lady tends to wear a man out. None of you would know anything about that though, would you?"
Leif scoffed as Sir Merrick chuckled. "Aye. You did good Your Highness. When all of this is over Narnia will look forward to having such an ally on the Telmarine throne."
A stab of guilt pierced his gut.
Believe me. You don't want a man like me on the throne. He clasped arms with Sir Merrick, and nodded at Liam and Leif before heading out the door.
He hadn't lied exactly. He would go to the kitchens… after one quick stop. Looking over his shoulder to make sure no one was following him, Damien quickly made his way back to his quarters and locked the door behind him.
He took a deep breath and moved to the oak wardrobe, hesitating a moment before opening it. Then he thrust the door open.
Lord Greco, lay there, blood on his head, gag in his mouth, and hands and feet tied up, glaring daggers at him.
"If I remove your gag, you cannot make a sound," he growled. Greco nodded and he tossed the gag out onto the floor.
"How nice of you to return, Your Highness," Greco spat. "You didn't happen to bring any food with you?"
It took everything within Damien not to slug the man. "I thought you were suppose to meet up with Malum, not Luca."
"Yes, that was the whole reason you kept me locked in your personal dungeons rather than the castle's wasn't it?"
"You could wiggle your way out of any dungeon, Greco. I have no doubt."
"You flatter me Damien. Now focus on the plan. Has the girl fallen in love with you, yet?"
Damien looked to the ground.
"Oh I see," Greco sneered. "She has yet to fall in love with you, but you have fallen in love with her. A pity."
"Stop talking."
"No you stop. It was your plan Damien. It was your plan."
"I don't want to follow through on it anymore!"
"You were always the weak one compared to Marius."
Damien paused. "What do you mean? He planned on executing me due to my father's orders, so he could invoke a Lyroc vow. When I attempted to escape, he stood in my way. I had no choice but to try and kill him, which I thought I had done, until Leif informed me he was keeping the children held captive."
Greco diverted his eyes to his bonds. "That's not the whole story."
Damien glared. "Explain."
Before Greco could open his mouth, however, they both heard a gasp. Without hesitating, Damien stuffed the gag in Greco's mouth, slammed the door shut, and spun around facing his chambers. No one was there. Yet he was certain he heard an intake of breath. He flexed his fingers at the hilt of his sword.
"Who's there? Come out at once."
Still he saw nothing. Just when he was about to convince himself that he had imagined the noise, two somber forms crawled out from underneath his bed, eyes lowered to the ground. Markus and Arabella.
The blood drained from his face. "How? What?" he stammered.
Before the child even met his gaze, there was a knock at the door. "Amira? Markus? You better not be hiding in there." It was Liam.
Markus, who seemed very confused, at the obvious tension in the room opened his mouth to call out, but Arabella clasped her hand over his mouth. She lifted her chocolate eyes to Damien. She was shaking in fear. Because of Damien. His sister was afraid because of him.
"Markus? Amira?" Liam knocked again.
"Get back under the bed," Damien sighed as he moved towards the door. "Please do not make a sound."
Arabella dragged Markus back to their hiding spot. His hand shaking, Damien opened the door to see a worried Liam.
"Damien," he sighed. "So very sorry to disturb you." He ran a hand through his ginger hair. "The children were playing hide and seek when I went to check on them. Maddox can't find Arabella or Markus anywhere, and I fear they are hiding in someone's chambers. You haven't seen any sign of them have you?" His eyes searched Damien's.
This was the moment to choose. To come clean about everything and start fresh with Lucy and the Narnians. All he had to do was tell the truth. Instead he found himself saying, "I am afraid not, but a little while back I heard some squealing out in the gardens. I would check there if I were you."
Liam's shoulders slumped a little as he nodded. "Yes that is probably where they are." He chuckled. "Look at me all worked up like a mother hen. If only Leif would step up and help… " His voice trailed off.
Damien offered his friend a weak smile. "No worries Liam. Everything will be back to normal soon."
"Thank you, Damien. I shall go look for those ruffians in the gardens. And so help me if I find them safe and unharmed, I am going to kill them." He gave Damien one last smile and turned away, marching down the corridors.
Damien closed the door quietly and slumped against it. He was a Telmarine. And as he told Leif on the day they met, he would always be darkness in this Narnian realm of light.
"I am sorry Your Majesty, but we must leave."
Susan had her back to Eleanor, her beloved lady-in-waiting. She was the fifth this week to resign. They feared for their lives under Lance's power, and none of them understood why their Queen did nothing to help them. Lance was simply a courier to them. A mad, power hungry one, but a powerless one at that. Yet with the kings away, Lucy dead, and Susan refusing to stand up to the brute, there seemed to be little choice.
"We shall return upon the change of seasons Susan." When Peter and Edmund would be ruling once more. "I wish you the best in your…. your marriage."
The words were a knife in Susan's gut and before she could say anything, Eleanor ran out of the room, tears soaking the girl's freckled face. Susan clenched her fists. Who would be left behind to battle Lance and his followers when the time came? Her people were abandoning her, and she had given her word that she would marry Lance within the week.
"Ah my beautiful rose!" the devil proclaimed as he strolled in, placing a kiss on her cheek. "How does the eager bride fair? Wedding preparations are going well?"
Susan forced a smile, and nodded unable to say anything appropriate.
"I heard another wench and her family is leaving us. It is no matter. You shall have only the best after I become your husband."
Don't throw up. Don't throw up.
"I must say however," he quieted, looking Susan up and down. "I fear I will not be able to wait the week, my sweet, to become fully your's." Lust radiated from him. He caressed her cheek. "Perhaps we should start the honeymoon now. Maybe-"
"I will never be yours!" Susan burst. She couldn't take it any longer. Lance's mouth dropped open. "You are a wicked, wicked man! I will never be your queen and you shall never touch me again." She slapped his hand away and stormed out of the room, ready to summon the guards to haul that beast away. But… no one was there.
"Ronan? Daniel!" She called, a chill settling over her. She felt sick to her stomach. Where were her men?
"They are gone, my rose."
Slowly, Susan turned to face the monster. There was no longer any pretense. His eyes were deadly, cool, calculating.
She stood her ground. "What have you done?" She held his gaze.
He circled her, like a vulture. "Any who didn't abandon you willingly were threatened into leaving. Those who still remained behind were imprisoned."
She blinked back the tears that threatened to engulf her. "My brothers shall have your head."
Lance smiled, devilishly. "I think not. King Jerez of Telmar informs me that he has held the kings captive for a week now."
"You lie."
"You know I don't. Why else haven't you heard from them?"
Susan said nothing. It can't be true. It can't be true. Oh Aslan…
"Now of course, we shall still wed. Not only to ensure that the people do not try to rise up against us, but also…" He stepped forward and took her hand gingerly. Susan stared in shock as the man behind the mask transformed into the courier she fell in love with. His palms were sweaty and he seemed nervous.
"I do still care about you, Susan. Marry me. We can make a great team."
How could he possibly believe this was still an option?
"Susan, I will teach you to obey me. I will teach you to love me. Flower, things can be-"
She wrenched away her hand and smacked him across the face. He touched his cheeks in shock.
"You," she gasped, her breaths heavy with fury, "You repel me."
The beast was back. He jerked her hand behind her back, twisting it. She cried out in pain.
"You little witch." He pushed her through the corridors. "You will marry me, Susan." They reached her chambers. He yanked the door open and threw her inside on the ground.
She held her wrist, glaring up at him. He was breathing deeply, perspiration on his brow. He straighten his tunic. "I shall check on you in an hour. With that he slammed the door and locked it. Susan heard him stalk away.
She closed her eyes.
This isn't real.
Peter had finally fallen asleep, and Edmund was grateful. His brother was distraught and that did not help this situation at all. It wasn't that Edmund himself wasn't paralyzed with fear, but he knew that he had to keep it in check and trust Aslan. Otherwise he was no use to anyone.
So Lucy had killed Jerez's brother, Althalos. That was bad. Very bad. But, oh how he knew what Lucy would be dealing with soon, if she already wasn't dealing with it now. Guilt. Grief. She had taken a life from this world. The sweet girl who had stumbled through the wardrobe all the years ago was forced to do the most terrible thing a person can do.
Now Jerez's plan was to make her suffer as much as possible. In doing so, however, he might be able to torture her family even more. Peter and himself were supposed to die, and Susan was destined to .… What had Jerez said? Married? To whom?
He heard footsteps. Someone was coming. Quickly, Edmund rushed to Peter's side and shook him awake.
"Ed?" Peter asked groggily. The door to their cell swung open, and instantly Peter sat up. It was Drake, the man who had taken them and who had also taken Lucy.
"Up." He ordered. The brothers sighed and rose. Who knew how long they had been in this dark cell, so whatever the Great Lion had in store for them, they were just ready to see the light.
Once again, they were paraded through the corridors to the great hall. Servants peeked at them as the kings passed by, but said nothing. They lived in fear of Jerez and the court. If they were able, Edmund was certain they would flee this land. He was grateful that was something that would never happen at Cair Paravel. His people were family.
The doors to the Great Hall opened, and Drake hung back as Edmund and Peter were led inside. What they saw was a very different scene from a day ago. A large gathering of men, whom they did not recognize, sat together at a long table, glaring at them. This was Jerez's court.
Jerez, himself sat at the end of the table, saying nothing. He glanced at them, impassively and gestured for the two kings to step forward. "I should kill the two of you now, and fulfill my Lyroc vow."
Peter spoke with a smile that never met his eyes. "Please do Jerez, and the wrath of Queen Susan the Gentle and Lucy the Valiant will soon fall upon you."
Drake stepped forward and slapped Peter across the cheek with his glove. "That is King Jerez to you, boy."
Peter growled, and a man at the opposite end of the table waved his hand dismissively at the man. "Sit down, Drake. It is for the good of Telmar that we do not kill the High King. His brother however…"
"You do not speak for Telmar, General Raniero." Drake spat.
Edmund's blood ran cold. He did not fear death, but he feared what the Telmarines end game was. Peter gave him a look, that showed he certainly feared Edmund's death.
"Why do you want my brother alive?" Edmund asked quietly, looking around the table. He was certain it was not for the good of Telmar.
Jerez rose and began pacing, hands behind his back. "Raniero is right. You see," he said, "I have several scholars advising me concerning the ancient laws of Narnia, and they have informed me, it is only the High King who can surrender a Kingdom and everything and everyone that resides within it." Edmund and Peter looked at each other, their fear growing.
"So while it is still very important to me to make you suffer, my first duty is to my people. Telmar is running out of resources; food, metals, slaves…." He sneered gleefully. "and as King, it is my duty to meet those needs." He stopped pacing. "Narnia is rich with these resources."
Peter spat at the ground. "I will never surrender Narnia! You will have to kill me first Jerez!"
Jerez made a tsk tsk sound as he gestured towards Edmund. "I could never kill you, High King Peter. I need you to do as I say, for the time being. However, if you don't do as I say, your brother shall be tortured and killed at once." He snapped his fingers, and two guards stepped forward and grasped Edmund by his arms.
"No!" Peter cried, as he tried to run to his brother, but was immediately blocked by more guards.
Edmund looked at the despair in Peter's eyes. Twinges of fear begin to trickle inside his mind as he glanced first at the the guards, then Jerez, the court, and finally back at Peter. Jerez was not bluffing. He would torture Edmund, to get what he wanted. And it would not be a quick death, either.
"Peter," he whispered, the court stilling at what he had to say. Even Jerez looked generally interested. "Remember what I said yesterday. This world was never meant to be our home. For me, to live is to die to myself daily and to serve Aslan. And to die…"
Peter nodded, knowing what Edmund would say, but his heart breaking in two at the same time.
"And to die… and be with the Great Lion…. is a gain Peter. I am ready."
The court was silent for a moment before Jerez spoke. "How quaint, boy." He looked to Peter. "I will give you two days time to make your decision, High King. In the meantime, let us give you and your brother a glimpse into the certain future if you refuse to do by bidding, hmm?" He smiled. "Take the lad away."
Drake entered and gestured for the guards to follow him with Edmund. The man, named Raniero, followed as well. They walked at a quick pace.
"No!" Edmund heard Peter shout once more.
He turned to look over his shoulder to see Peter struggling against the guards. "Never give in, Peter!" He shouted back. The guards pushing him to look forward. "Never! The Lion is with us!"
Through the corridors, and down the spiral stairs, to a dark and damp part of the dungeons, Drake led the party. Finally, they reached an imposing black metal door. The gateway to sheer terror and fear. Edmund prayed for strength for whatever he would face behind the door. Raniero, thrust the door open as the others followed behind.
Edmund looked around. The walls were cobblestone, with moss growing from each crevice. Chains hung on the walls, with hammered metal shackles on the floor. The scent of death and suffering hung in the air. He recognized it from the battlefield. A strange cold surrounded the back of the room.
On the side of one wall, there was a black stain that appeared thick with tar and blood. It made Edmund shudder to think of what previously took place here. But what scared him, most of all, was the long wooden table with metal shackles.
Drake turned to Raniero. "I will leave you to your way. You know what happens if he escapes?"
"Do not speak down to me," Raniero growled. "I outrank you."
"That did not answer my question," Drake continued with eyebrows raised in disdain. It was obvious to Edmund these two had an unpleasant history. That could be useful to him. If he lived through the day of course.
"If he escapes, I will die in his place," Raniero spat. "Now out."
Drake gave a mocking bow. "As you wish Lord Raniero." He strolled out of the room, slamming the metal door behind him. A loud, chilling echo filled the dungeon.
Raniero looked to the heavens. "I loathe that man." He turned his gaze upon Edmund and the guards restraining him. "Wait outside by the door. The lad's hands are bound. I shall summon you if I need you."
The men clicked their heels together and did as they were told, leaving Edmund alone in the torture chamber with the peculiar man.
"Don't do anything that will make me kill you," Raniero sighed. Pulling a canteen from his belt and taking a swig of whatever was inside. "The king needs you alive until your brother does his bidding." He held the canteen out. "Have some."
Ed shook his head, though he was tempted. He wanted nothing from this man.
"Suit yourself," Raniero shrugged. "By the time your day is over you are going to wish you had."
"The Lion is with me."
"The Lion is a myth! He can't help you here." His eyes became glossy and for a split second, Edmund saw guilt in the man. "Perhaps you ought to attempt escape and make me kill you. You would fair far better."
Edmund pondered this a moment. If he was dead, he couldn't be used as leverage. Peter would follow him to his grave rather than betray Narnia.
Perhaps he could finally die the death that was supposed to be his seven years ago. Maybe-
Not yet, My son.
Edmund flushed. He was certain he had heard Aslan.
"Well?" Raniero huffed.
"The Lion is with me," Edmund repeated.
Raniero stared at him with the faintest hint of respect. Then, he called out to the guards on the other side of the door. "Start the fire. Bring me a poker."
The Lion is with me.
"Oh Aslan."
Leif paused. It was Lucy around the corner. He would recognize her voice anywhere.
"Aslan!" She cried out louder now. "Stop! Make them stop!" She was screaming.
He jumped into action, removing his sword the from its sheath, darting around the corner. Lucy was slumped against against the wall, tears trickling down her pale cheeks. No one else was there.
"Peter!" she cried again. Waving her arms frantically in front of her, like she was trying to fight some fiend off.
He ran and kneeled down beside her. "Lucy? Lucy, what is amiss?!" He grabbed her arms which only caused her to scream louder.
He heard footsteps and men's shouts. She wouldn't look him in the eye. This isn't going to look good.
The first man, rounded the corner and took in the sight of Lucy on the ground, crying and screaming with Leif restraining her. It was Sir Merrick.
He turned to shout to the approaching men. "Back to your posts. All is well."
He blocked their line of vision. The knights and guards looked doubtful. Their Queen was screaming. They had already failed to protect her.
"Please," Sir Merrick said. "Trust me."
The men nodded their assent and left their brother in arms. Merrick had the collar of Leif's tunic in his hand in an instant ripping him away from the Queen. "It was you?!" he barked. "You assisted in the kidnapping?!"
All Leif could do was shake his head.
"Peter!" Lucy sobbed.
Merrick dropped the lad. "Lucy, my sweet girl, whatever is wrong?" He knelt beside her, anguish in his voice. She only sobbed, breaking her friends' hearts. "Aslan, make it stop."
Suddenly, the queen turned to the men. "Merrick? Leif? What happened? I… I…" She collapsed unconscious.
"I found her in this hysteria," Leif said, rising from the ground, praying Merrick wouldn't knock him unconscious as well. "Has she been attacked again?"
Merrick swooped Lucy up in his arms, her head falling limp. He gazed at Leif, seeming to determine whether or not he was telling the truth. Then he shook his head. "She's been drugged with Allomentia leaves. Possibly hallucinating."
"How?"
"I know not. I have never seen a case this severe. Which means…"
"Dark magic?"
Merrick nodded. "Dark magic."
"Leif!" Liam came running around the corner. "The children-" He stopped talking, taking in the sight of Lucy in Sir Merrick's arms. "What happened? Was it Lord Greco?"
Merrick shrugged. It was a possibility. The man was still on the loose.
"What about the children?!" Leif pressed.
"I can't find them anywhere. Amira and Markus. I have searched for hours!"
Leif paled.
"The children?" Merrick inquired. "I saw them in the stables with Prince Damien two hours ago."
Liam shook his head. "You must be mistaken. Damien said he hadn't seen them, and he knew I was worried."
"Did I hear my name?" Damien asked, walking up to them. He paled visibly at the sight of Lucy's limp form.
"Long story," Leif said. "Damien were you-"
"We can't find Amira or Markus," Merrick interrupted. "Have you seen them?"
Damien shook his head. "I am afraid not. I have been in my chambers most afternoon, catching up on sleep."
The group said nothing.
"Well," Damien continued. "I believe I shall see if I can track down Lord Greco. Keep me updated on the children. I am sure they will turn up." He walked away.
Still the party remained silent. Finally Merrick said, "I shall put the Queen in her chambers. Liam, see if you can find out how the Queen was drugged while searching for Amira and Markus. Leif…"
He turned to the knight. "Follow Damien."
Leif nodded. Damien hadn't even asked about Lucy. He was certain his friend, the Prince of Telmar, was keeping secrets once more. The question was what were they?
"Aslan!" Edmund cried out as the fiery hot poker branded his skin. His body lurched on the table, the shackles restraining any abundance of movement. Every time he passed out from pain Raniero would order the guards to pour water on him, waking him up, to face the next round of torture. His body yearned for rest.
No, Edmund thought. My body yearns for death.
He screamed yet again. The pain unbearable. He felt himself begin to black out again. Then, he felt nothing. Images began to appear before his eyes. At first blurry. Then, crystal clear.
He was in the Beaver's cabin. Somehow he knew it was the day his whole family had first arrived in Narnia. The four children were sitting down to a meal. It was as if Edmund was hovering over the scene. He could see the Beavers, Peter, Susan, Lucy, and himself, yet they could not see him. He heard Mr. Beaver say the Great Lion's name and a mysterious horror consumed him.
Suddenly, he was near the Great River, with Jadis, the White Witch. The fox was before them. She raised her wand to strike the clever animal, but Edmund heard himself stop her. "Wait! No, Don't!" Beaver said something about The Stone Table, and that Aslan had an army there."
The witch looked down to Edmund. "An army? Thank you, Edmund. I'm glad this creature got to see some honesty... before he dies!" She turned the fox into stone. Despair filled him. He closed his eyes, unable to bring himself to look at the fox.
"You have a traitor in your midst, Aslan."
Edmund opened his eyes to see the battle camp. The White Witch was speaking to the Great Lion. Lucy, Peter, and Susan appeared both petrified and infuriated. There were low growls among every animal present. Edmund only felt cold.
"His offense was not against you."
"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia has been built?"
"Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch," Aslan roared. "I was there when it was written"
"Then you'll remember well that every traitor belongs to me. His blood is my property."
The scene once again changed. But it was to one Edmund had never seen before, yet he knew it all the same. He feared this more than anything else. "No," he whispered. "Please no."
A great crowd of people were standing all around the Stone Table and though the pale moon was shining, many of them carried torches which burned with red flames and black smoke. Ogres, wolves, and bull-headed men screamed into the night sky. This time however, Edmund was not hovering above them. He was one of them.
All those who were on the Witch's side were there. And right in the middle, standing by the table, was the Witch herself. The screams of the beasts went on and on, chanting something terrible, and Edmund himself was drawn in by it. It seemed so natural to him. As though, this is who he was born to be.
Then terror struck him, as the Lion paced towards the Table. There was silence. The Witch gave a fierce, wild laugh. "The fool has come. Bind Him fast!" The hags darted toward Aslan, and Edmund found himself with them, tying the beautiful Creature to the stone table. The magnificent creature did not resist. Edmund cheered and shouted with the dwarves and apes, as they dragged Him towards the Stone Table. Still the Lion made no noise.
"Stop!" shrieked the Witch. "Let Him first be shaved." More laughter left Edmund's traitorous lips. Oh how the Great Lion looked so small and different without His mane. "Muzzle Him!' The monsters did as she bid, and the whole crowd was kicking Him. Hitting Him. Spitting on Him.
Finally, Edmund helped the beasts tie Aslan to the Table with more cords. When they were finished, a hush fell on the crowd. The Witch looked right at Edmund. "Come, Son of Adam. Bring the knife."
Edmund froze. He looked down to his hands and there was the abominable weapon. It was made of stone, not steel, and it was a strange, evil shape.
Ever so slowly, Edmund came to the center of the Table. The Lion stared at Him with those magnificent blue eyes. The Witch peered down at him with a look of victory. "Do it Edmund," she whispered. "Kill the Great Lion."
He raised the knife. Aslan looked up to the sky, silent, looking neither angry nor afraid. Edmund plunged the knife into the Great Lion.
"No!" Ed heard himself scream. "No!" He looked around. He was still at the Stone Table, yet everyone and everything was frozen in time. There was still the White Witch. The monsters were still looking on eagerly. The Lion was still on the table with a dagger deep in his side. Edmund saw himself standing over the Lion in victory. He felt dead inside.
"Edmund."
He turned. Walking toward him was Aslan, King of Beasts, son of the Emperor Over the Sea, King of Narnia. Yet, He was also still on the table, motionless.
"Oh Aslan!" Edmund wept falling to his knees. An unimaginable emotion of agony and despair consumed him. The tears he cried were from his soul. They poured out of him like life itself, creating a river of guilt, grief, anguish. "It should have been me!" He screamed into the air. "It should have been me!"
"Yes." The King of Kings agreed. "It should have been you, My son."
"Why then?!" Edmund cried, stumbling to his feet, though the torment in his heart was so great it threatened to send him back to his knees, "Why did You take my place?"
"Because I love you, Edmund."
The lowly Narnian King collapsed at those words, pounding his fists against the hard earth. He was a filthy rag bowing before the Lord of All.
"It is a gift, Edmund Pevensie. One you may choose to either take or leave"
Edmund peered up at Aslan, from the ground.
"I shall not lie to you, Son of Adam. You deserve to suffer the consequences of your betrayal, for you not only betrayed your brother and sisters, but You have betrayed me," He purred. "But so have all, in this realm."
The Lion took a step closer. "Accept this gift, Edmund. I am the Great Redeemer. It is why I took your spot on that table," His deep voice was full of love. "You will never deserve the peace and assurance I am offering you, yet I choose to offer it to you all the same."
"My story did not end on that table, Edmund. If you take the Gift I present you, your story can begin at last." The Lion blew away Edmund's tears with His breath. "Once again, it is your choice, Son of Adam."
Edmund, turned to face the Stone Table. It should have been him, and he could never make up for that. He deserved Aslan's wrath yet here He was, offering a boy from Finchley everlasting peace and hope. He turned to the Great Lion. "I accept the Gift."
JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
-So trying not to cry here. What Aslan did is such a beautiful representation of what Jesus did for us. Ugh! I serve a great God. Ok, anyways... sorry about that... Phew. I'm fine. Really.
Please, please, please review. What the heck is Damien doing? Where did the children go? What will Susan do about Lance? Who drugged Lucy and how? What will happen when the Telmarines learn Peter is no longer High King? Please let me know what you think about all of this character development, and conspiracies. Oh man, is it good to back. Since these chapters are so incredibly long I will do by best to try and update within the month this time. Thank you so much for reading. God bless!