Here I am with the next, long chapter... and a depressing one. Go get your tissues! ;)
This one is for all my reviewers, especially "fan" who actually submitted 20 reviews just so I would update! Thank you everybody soooooo much for sticking to this story. It is because of you all that I stayed up all last night to write this... ah well, I didn't feel like sleeping anyway!
So, go on, read and enjoy and most importantly: REVIEW!
Disclaimer: Narnia is not mine.
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DEFINITELY DESTINY
– – CHAPTER 24 – –
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"Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love."
– (Neil Gaiman)
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"Stop it, Alfred!" Estella screamed, tears flowing down her cheeks while she waved her arms wildly, hoping to stop the assault.
But it was no use.
He was too strong for her. And he was enraged.
She cried out as another slap landed on her face, splitting her lip.
"Stop it, please!" she begged.
"How dare you talk to me like that?" he asked, grabbing her hair and pulling her up.
"I just asked you who that girl was," she replied. "I don't know why you're so angry."
"I just don't like you poking your nose in my business."
He pushed her and she slipped and fell, glass shattered around her as the vases toppled.
She barely had the time to catch her breath when –
"Stop creating a mess!" he ordered, kicking her in her stomach.
She was sure it would bruise. But then, what would another bruise do?
Nothing but hurt her. And she was so used to it now.
"I'm not," she said, curling into a ball. "You pushed me."
"So, it's my entire fault now?"
She remained quiet, closing her eyes, hoping to tune out the pain.
Alfred's hand wrapped around her wrist and he hauled her up. And then he slapped her again.
"Answer me when I ask a question." He ordered. "Is it my fault that you are creating this bloody mess?"
Vision blurry because of the tears, she saw broken china and spilled blood on the floor and gasped, looking down at her hand.
"I'm bleeding," she said, panic creeping into her voice. "Let go of me, Alfred, I'm bleeding!"
"Yes, so who is the messy one here?"
"I am," she shouted. "Now let me go!"
Slap!
"Don't use that tone with me."
"What do you want from me?" she cried.
"I want you to shut up and clean this place."
"I will," she said, gasping as he pulled her hair. "But let me bandage my arm first."
"Now."
"It will create a greater mess."
"Now!" he spat. "All you do is poke into my life. Why don't you clean this place?"
"I'm your wife, I have a right to know about you," she sobbed.
"Bitch!" His fist collided with her face and she fell back down.
Slam!
She heard the door open and looked up, every nerve in her body freezing up like ice.
Edmund stood in the doorway, his eyes wide looking at her. A short moment later, Adeline stepped up behind him, out of breath, and she too stared at her in shock.
Horror.
Embarrassment.
Fear.
Pain.
And finally relief coursed through Estella.
Holding on to that relief, she forced herself to stand up and dashed forward, wrapping her arms around Edmund and weeping.
And when his hands wrapped around her, she felt safe. Protected. Comforted.
"I thought you were not going to return until dawn, my king." Alfred said, and Estella could detect that he had gotten over the shock of seeing Edmund here.
"I thought you were an honorable man, Alfred," Edmund shot back, his voice cold.
"Let go of my wife," Alfred's voice was just as cold as his.
"Why were you beating her?"
"I said let go of my wife."
Estella cried out in surprise when she felt Alfred take hold of her arm and pull her towards him.
Edmund took hold of her other wrist, his deadly eyes on the Lord of Daelhr.
"Let go," Alfred ordered.
"Why did you hit her?"
"That is a matter between me and her," Alfred said, tugging hard. "You stay out of this."
Edmund glanced at the hand he was holding. "She is bleeding."
Alfred pulled her again and she winced when Edmund's fingers tightened over her wound.
Edmund saw that and let go, not wanting to put her through any more pain.
"Get out," Alfred said. "She is my wife and I can do whatever I can to her."
"No you cannot."
"Watch me," Alfred challenged. "Estella, tell him to leave."
Estella's lip quivered.
"I told you to tell him to leave!" Alfred said, his fingers digging into her arms.
"Go, Edmund!" she cried out. "Just go away!"
She saw Edmund's eyes move to her arm where Alfred had his hold on her and then back on her face, and she knew what was going to happen next.
She tried to find her voice to protest but she was too slow.
Edmund stepped forward, pushing Alfred away from her.
The ground rushed up to meet Estella while she heard Adeline gasp.
Estella took a breath to steady herself and looked up to find the two men ready to kill each other. She watched as Edmund hit Alfred.
"Stop it," she said.
And when Alfred retaliated with a blow, she jumped on her feet just as Adeline moved forward.
"Stop it, Edmund!" she said, reaching him first and taking his hand in hers. "Please. Please. Stop it."
He looked into her eyes for a moment before nodding slowly and glaring at Alfred. "She's not going to live with you anymore."
"She is my wife."
"All the same."
"You have no right –"
"Adeline!" Edmund called.
"Yes?" Adeline asked.
"Go get Alys," he ordered. "We're leaving now."
"You cannot –" Alfred began as Adeline quickly walked out of the room.
"We can and we will. All the preparations had been made," Edmund replied coolly. "And I'm taking 'Stella with me."
"She doesn't want to go."
Estella looked at her husband, another tear leaving her eyes and then at Edmund.
"She will nonetheless," Edmund said firmly.
"Listen to me, that woman is my wife and don't you dare take her away," Alfred walked forward. "She will stay here with me."
"You'll regret it if you touch her."
Edmund's was voice deadly, full of threat, and Estella quivered just listening to it.
"I can touch her whenever and however I want," Alfred raised his hand to get a hold of Estella when Edmund punched him squarely in the face.
Estella gasped as her husband stumbled and fell back.
Disgust clear on his face, Edmund intertwined his fingers with hers and pulled her out of the room without a backward glance.
Halfway down the stairs, Adeline joined them with Alys in her arms.
The three of them walked out of the mansion and towards the carriage in the courtyard that was ready for their departure.
Edmund opened the door and motioned the women to get in.
"I'll see you two at the main road," he said. "I have to get Lucy."
With that he closed the door and the carriage moved forward after a few minutes.
[][][][][][][][]
"He hit her!" Edmund barged in Chad's place, breathing heavily, not even bothering to knock. "He hit her mercilessly."
"Is she alright?" Lucy asked, getting up and rushing over to him.
"I think so," he replied. "She is in the carriage. We are leaving now. She is coming with us. Come."
"What, now?"
"Yes, Luce," he took her hand and moved towards the door. "It's time to leave."
"No."
Edmund paused. "No?"
"No," she glanced at Chad, who was standing next to the chair, "I want to talk to him."
"Luce –"
"Please, it is important to me. I have to. I love him."
He closed his eyes at those words. "You don't."
"You're no one to decide that," she said softly, running her hand through his hair. "I really do love him. Please?"
"We cannot wait, Lucy, I'm sorry."
"Then go. I'll come home by myself."
"Peter will kill me," Edmund groaned. "And nothing makes sense. There is Adeline and I was with her for months and then there is Estella whom I love and now she is sad and now Adeline knows that I don't love her. And then there is Kayla who has been through so much and Chad who is a sad boy and you love him when you are my little sister and so young… I'm so exhausted, Luce. And the world has just toppled over."
"Come here," Lucy said, wrapping her arms around her brother in a friendly hug. "It's going to be alright."
"How?" he asked, resting his head on her shoulder.
"I don't know," she replied. "But I'm sure Aslan will not let things fall into such a chaos."
"Things already are in a chaos." He reminded her.
"Then I'm sure he will show us a way to make things right."
He nodded slowly, pulling back. "Are you sure you don't want to come?"
"I'm sure."
"I cannot leave you behind, Luce."
"Lucy, you should go," Chad said, walking over to them. "There is nothing we have to talk about."
"There is," Lucy said firmly.
"No ther –"
"There is. Don't argue with me."
Chad smiled slightly and turned to Edmund. "If you really have to leave then you should."
"I'm not going to let Lucy stay in Daelhr. Alfred –"
"I know. It is too dangerous," Chad agreed. "But I can sneak out Dusk. He is the strongest and the fastest horse in the mansion. And he gets along well with Lucy. She will be at the palace in less time than usual. I'll come with her if –"
"It's too dangerous. I don't want you to leave Kayla in the city alone."
"I can take care of myself," Lucy told them. "I've been alone in dangerous circumstances before. Just trust me."
Edmund paused, staring at his sister intently. "… Alright, I'll trust you," he said. "It is a six hour ride to the Cair and if you are not there in eight hours –"
"– You can take your army and march here in search for me," Lucy finished for him.
"I will," he said. "Or at least, Peter will."
"I know."
"Take care," Edmund said with a smile and kissed her cheek. "And know your limits when it comes to boys."
Lucy rolled her eyes and noticed how Chad almost blushed.
He was so cute at times!
"Alright." She said, hugging him once more. "Take care. I'll see you."
Edmund nodded towards Chad and moved towards the door and stopped.
He turned around and walked over to where Kayla was sitting on one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. "Hi."
She looked up at him. "Hi."
"Did you know your brother is an idiot?"
She laughed. "I know."
"But he really loves you."
"I know that too."
"But in case you are ever looking for a brother who is not stupid, you can always come to me."
She smiled a pure, beautiful smile. "Alright."
Edmund took her hand in his. "I'm going to punish the man who hurt you and I'm going to make him pay for each of the tears you spilled," he promised.
"T-thank you," her voice shook.
"Take care, Kayla," Edmund leaned forward and kissed her cheek lightly.
And then he got up and walked back to the door.
"King Edmund," Chad stopped him.
"Just Edmund."
"E-Edmund," Chad looked at him seriously. "Thank you."
"Thank you, Chad." A pause, "Just take care of Lu and make sure she returns safely."
"I will."
Edmund smiled and then ran out of the door and into the street.
A few minutes later, he spotted the carriage followed by the horses that belonged to his guards and sighed in relief, running towards it. One of the servants bowed when Edmund reached the ride.
"Is everything in order?" he asked.
"Yes, my king," he replied. "Everything is packed and everyone ready to leave."
"Great then," Edmund said. "Let's head home."
The Just King got into the carriage and sat down next to a shaken, sobbing Estella.
"Where is Lucy?" Adeline, who was sitting opposite to them with Alys in her arms, asked.
"She will reach the Cair directly," he replied and turned his attention to the woman next to him. "Are you alright, 'Stella? You were bleeding. Your hand –"
"– Adeline tied a p-piece of cloth around it," Estella said. "I'll be f-fine."
Edmund nodded, looking into her eyes.
And she looked back in his.
A moment of silence passed and then Edmund wrapped his arms around her. "It's alright," he hushed. "You're safe now."
"Edmund!" she clutched his tunic tightly in her fists, burying her face in his chest. "Edmund!"
"I'm here. You're with me and everything is fine," he said, running his hand up and down her back. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you now. I promise. I love you. And anyone who wants to hurt you will have to go through me first."
"He hit me… a-again," she sobbed, her voice barely understandable. "He h-hit me again."
"I'll break his hands. Just stop crying," he said, resting his cheek against her hair. "I hate seeing you like this. Please, stop crying. You're fine. Alys is fine. You're with me and I'm never letting you go away from me again."
She nodded slightly. "Just hold me while I c-cry, please."
"I won't let go of you." He murmured, kissing her head. "I love you."
The journey went quietly for almost an hour when Edmund felt Estella's hold on him loosening. He glanced down to see her eyes closed, her head limp.
"Estella," he asked, cupping her cheek. "'Stella, wake up."
Nothing.
"'Stella, wake up. Can you hear me?"
Nothing.
He tried a little more but got no response.
"She must have fainted," he stated, worried now.
"I know," Adeline looked closely. "She must have been drained." She leaned forward and shook the unconscious woman lightly. "Estella, open your eyes."
Estella groaned lightly and snuggled closer to Edmund.
He let out a sigh of relief.
"She is fine," Adeline stated.
Edmund looked at the girl before him and into her gray eyes.
She had been so silent ever since they had been at Chad's place and they had not got the chance to talk to each other.
"I cannot read your eyes," he said to her.
Adeline blinked but remained quiet.
"What are you thinking?"
"... Nothing."
He smiled slowly, sadly. "I still can tell when you're lying."
She didn't say anything but simply kept on looking at him with her hooded eyes.
"Adeline," he began with a sigh and glanced down at Estella before looking back at her again. "Adeline, I… I-I…I don't know what to say," he confessed, moving his hand to place it over hers.
And she moved her hand away, wrapping the blanket around Alys tightly and hugging the child closer to her.
"It's cold," he said.
She nodded.
He sighed and rested his head on Estella's, putting his arm around her. His eyes, however, remained fixed on Adeline.
Adeline looked down to ensure that Alys was comfortable and still sleeping before she rested her head against the small window of the carriage and closed her eyes after taking a deep breath.
[][][][][][][][][]
Lucy stood in the doorway of the small bedroom, watching as Chad pulled the blanket over a sleeping Kayla and bent down to kiss her brow.
He turned and his green eyes met her brown ones.
"Would you like to go for a walk?" he asked in a low voice.
"A walk would be good."
And the two strolled out of the house through the back door and into the forest.
"Why did you lie to me?" Lucy asked. "Why did you say you didn't love me?"
"Do I have to explain all that to you again?"
"No, I heard what you said. I simply wanted to know if you meant it."
"Of course I did." He said. "I love you, Lucy."
She smiled. "You have no idea how good it feels to hear that."
"I know," he said. "I felt the same when you said it."
She took his hand. "Then why was your response the opposite one?"
"I'm still going to say that," he sighed. "I don't think it is possible."
"I wish you would stop saying that."
"It's the truth. You are a queen – beautiful, intelligent and the sweetest person alive. And I'm just an illegitimate child, a servant, a complex person. You deserve someone way better than me."
"It is for me to decide who I deserve, Chad and I think that I deserve you… and you deserve me."
He shook his head. "No, Lucy. I cannot see that happening. I have Kayla to take care of."
"Kayla likes me. She understands –"
"I know," he cut her in mid-sentence. "But everyone will –"
"For once Chad, stop caring about others and think of what you want!"
He stopped when they entered a small clearing.
"Wait here for me."
"Where are you going?" Lucy asked.
"I'm going to get Dusk."
"It's too dangerous," she said.
"I'll be back," he said. "And I promised your brother you will be there on time. I don't want him running after me with a sword because you didn't reach the palace!"
She chuckled. "Be safe."
"You too."
[][][][][][][][][]
The sound of twigs snapping brought Lucy back to her surroundings. She gasped, looking around in the dark forest.
Her hand went to her dagger.
And the bushes moved.
"Who is it?" she called out.
"Just us," a voice replied.
"Chad?"
"Not only Chad," he replied, stepping out into the small clearing and pulling the reigns he was holding. "Chad and Dusk."
Lucy smiled and walked over to the horse, petting it. "Hi Dusk!"
"Can I give you a piece of advice?" Chad asked, his green eyes filled with amusement.
"Sure."
"Next time, if you're alone in a forest and your hear something unusual, don't ask 'who is it?'," he said, "Just run and hide."
She slapped his arm playfully. "I'm not a coward."
"That you are not," he agreed, "But sometimes being cautious is not cowardice. It's intelligence."
"Alright, fine!" she scoffed and sat down against a tree while he tied Dusk to a branch.
"So," Chad began, coming over to sit next to her. "What were you doing before I got here?"
"Just thinking."
"About what?"
She sighed. "About how much everything has changed tonight."
He nodded.
"Edmund loves Estella," she said. "How did you guess?"
"I saw it in his eyes," Chad replied. "And I saw him acting the same way I did when it came to you."
"Poor Adeline," Lucy said, resting her head on his shoulder. "She really, really loved my brother. I have talked to her about it and I can guess how hurt she must be." she paused. "No, I cannot guess how hurt she is."
"It does seem unfair."
"I know," Lucy sighed. "And you know what is worse?"
"What?"
"Worse is the fact that Edmund loves Adeline."
Chad looked down at her. "No. He loves Estella."
"I know my brother, Chad. Sure, he loves Estella, but he loves Adeline too – he just doesn't know it yet."
"How can one man love two women at a time?"
"Love is love," the Valiant Queen replied simply. "It's not a race or an equation. It just happens. And I wonder what Edmund will do when he realizes what he feels for Adeline."
"Maybe he doesn't really love her."
"He does," Lucy told him. "I've seen them together for months. They remind me of Peter and Isabel. In any case, I think I know love when I see it."
"Then, we can only wait and see what happens."
"I know. I just hope they all get their happy endings."
"Me too."
The two were quiet for a while. Then –
"What about our happy ending, Chad?" Lucy asked in a low voice as she looked up.
He smiled sadly, his fingers touching her locks. "We don't have a happy ending, Lucy."
"I think we do."
"I wish I was as optimistic as you."
"Do you love me?"
"Yes," he replied instantly.
"And is that love true?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then I'm sure that we will have a happy ending."
"I'm not so sure," he murmured, his eyes locked with hers. "But I hope so."
She didn't know if he had moved forwards of if she had, but a moment later she felt his lips brush lightly over hers.
He looked at her for a moment before leaning forward and kissing her.
It was soft and sweet and Lucy felt herself melting.
His hands held her face, his thumbs caressed her skin, his fingers moved in her hair.
And she kissed him back just as she felt her heart swell with sheer joy.
He pulled back.
"This was my first kiss," she whispered, opening her eyes to look at his handsome face.
He raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
She nodded.
"Mine too," he said with a small smile. His eyes flicked over to Dusk and then back at her. "You have to go."
"I have," she agreed sadly. "But I don't want to leave you."
"I…" he stopped. "You have to go."
"… I will."
And he moved forward and captured his lips with hers, this time passionately.
He took her by surprise and she fell back, lying on the forest floor. He moved with her, his lips never leaving hers, such that he hovered above her.
"Chad," Lucy murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.
Intoxicated in Lucy's scent and with they way her lips moved against hers, he moved her hand to bury it in her hair, forgetting that he had used his elbows to keep his weight from falling over her.
Lucy gasped as his body pressed against hers. He wasn't heavy, but having him so close to her made her heart dance.
He deepened the kiss when she gasped and his heart skipped a beat at the moan that escaped into his mouth. He ran his fingers in her hair, now splayed on the ground. And he groaned when he felt her hands move all over his back, clutching his tunic tightly.
He pulled away to let Lucy breathe and gulped air himself as he looked down at the flushed woman beneath him.
She looked up at him, her cheeks pink and smiled. "I love you, Chad."
He kissed her brow. "I love you too, Lucy," he replied, rolling off her. "But…"
"But?" she asked.
"But I don't know," he sighed. "I need some time to clear out my head."
"I understand."
She always did.
"And you should head back," he continued. "You family would be worried if you don't return and in any case it is too dangerous for you to stay here while Alfred is going insane."
"How did you sneak out Dusk?" she asked.
He smirked. "It is not the first time. Dusk and I have enjoyed secret rides in the forest before this too."
"Oh," she said. "And Alfred? Did you see him at the mansion?"
"No," he said. "But from what I could guess when I overheard the servants, he is not happy. And that alone is something to be worried about."
"Will you and Kayla be in trouble?"
"I think not." He replied. "Your brother took away Alfred's wife and daughter. I think Alfred will handle this matter before he moves over to punishing Kayla and me."
"So, you'll be alright?"
"Don't worry about me," he said, looking at her. "I think I have learned some valiance from you. I will not let him hurt my sister or myself."
She smiled. "Glad to be of help."
He gently moved a lock of her hair behind her ear. "You'll be alright. And Dusk is fast. He might get you there sooner."
"I'm sure he will." She paused. "Why don't you and Kayla come to the Cair too?"
"I don't think Kayla would want that," he said. "And I don't want to leave my house too. Sure I've had many bad memories here, but it is the place I grew up in. It reminds me of mother."
She smiled. "Alright."
With a sigh he got up and then pulled her to her feet too.
"How will I know if you have reached the palace safely?" he asked, leading her towards the horse.
"I'll send you a letter."
"It will take a long time to get to me."
"No, I have faster ways too," she told him.
"Really?"
"Well, when Peter was away for a war, he used griffins to stay in touch with Isabel," she said. "I think I'll try that too."
"Alright."
He helped her mount Dusk and then looked up at her. "Be safe, Lucy."
"You too." She said, "I love you."
He smiled sadly. "I need time."
"You can have as much as you want." She replied.
"Goodbye, Lucy."
She looked at him intently for a minute, no smile on her face.
He looked back at her, his face solemn.
And then Dusk moved forward, leaving Chad alone in the forest in the dark, cold night.
His was hurting to let her go away...
... and he knew that she was feeling the same.
[][][][][][][][][]
"Do I look fat?" Susan asked, one hand on her swollen belly while she examined herself in the mirror.
Behind her, Caspian who was sitting on the bed yawned. "No."
"I do look fat!" she said. "And you don't even look at me now."
"What? I do look at you."
"No you don't. You don't like me anymore," she accused. "You just yawned."
He rolled his eyes. "Susan, the sun just rose and we just woke up. I'm sleepy."
"You don't like me anymore because I'm fat."
"That's not true," he said, getting off the bed and walking over to her. "You look beautiful."
"Really?"
"Really," he kissed her head. "And I love you more and more each day."
She smiled turning around. "Even though I really annoy you with my mood swings?"
"Even then," he replied and kissed her.
Knock. Knock.
"Who is it?" Caspian asked, pulling away.
"Isabel."
"Come in."
The door opened and Isabel peaked in, looking worried. "Edmund is back," she said.
"But they're not supposed to be back until late morning," Susan said.
"Problem," Isabel said quickly. "Come to Edmund's room."
"We'll be there," Caspian said.
A few minutes later they walked into Edmund's chambers and stopped.
Estella lay in his bed, unconscious, with her lip split and a bruise on her face. Her hand was wrapped in a bandage.
Edmund sat on the edge of the bed, holding her hand.
Peter sat on the couch.
And Isabel and Adeline stood near the bed.
"Is she alright?" Caspian asked.
"She will be," Peter replied.
"Did she have an accident?" Susan sounded worried.
"… I don't know."
"She was beaten by her husband," Edmund explained, fury hidden in his words.
Shouts of surprise broke all over the room.
"What?"
"But they were so happy."
"Is this some joke?"
"Did you kill him?"
Edmund almost smiled at the last question that came from Peter.
"I don't know much except that this had been happening for quite some time now," the Just King said. "We'll have to wait until she is ready to tell us."
"Are you alright?" Isabel asked. "You have a bruise on your face too."
"Alfred punched me," he shrugged. "And I guess I am fine… I hate seeing her like this."
"We all do," Caspian said, wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulder. "She is a great friend to us all."
"Where is Lucy?" Peter asked.
"Long story short – she will be here soon."
The High King narrowed his eyes. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that the younger two of us weren't as lucky as the older two when it came to love," Edmund said bitterly.
"What do you mean?"
"Lucy loves Chad and Chad is scared of love. This is Lucy's story to tell. She will be here soon."
"Lucy is in love?" Peter asked incredulously. "She is seventeen."
"Peter," Isabel said. "Let's just wait until she arrives and then you can shout at her."
"What do you mean the younger two of you?" Susan asked.
"You didn't miss it, did you?" Edmund asked.
"No."
"How do you think I feel looking at Estella?"
Susan froze. "You love Estella?"
"Peter will tell you this story," Edmund said, looking back at Estella. "I'm not in the mood."
They all were silent for a moment.
"You should rest," Isabel suggested.
"I'll just change and sit here," Edmund said.
"Do you want something to eat?"
"Not now, thanks."
"Alright," Isabel said, kissing his cheek and motioning everyone to walk out of the room.
"Edmund loves Estella?" Susan asked Peter once they were out. "And you knew?"
Peter simply nodded.
"I don't get it, then what about…" and the Gentle Queen trailed off, her eyes on Adeline.
The others followed her gaze too.
"Adeline," Peter asked kindly. "What happened in Daelhr?"
"It's not my story to tell," she said and held out the bundle of blanket she was holding to Isabel. "This is Alys."
Isabel took the child in her arms. "She is adorable."
Adeline nodded. "She'll be hungry once she wakes up."
"Alright."
Adeline looked around at all of them, her face blank. "Well, I should return home."
"Your sister is visiting," Caspian said, his voice sympathetic. "Rowan was here yesterday."
"That is good," she said, her eyes moving on to Susan. "All the best. I'm sure you'll be an amazing mother."
"Thank you," the Gentle Queen paused. "When will we see you again?"
Adeline took a deep breath. "Goodbye."
"Oh, Adeline…"
"Goodbye," she repeated and with one last glance at them, turned and walked away.
[][][][][][][][]
Edmund walked into his room that night, exhausted.
Lucy had returned a couple of hours after them, absolutely fine but tired. After telling everyone everything about Chad and Kayla, and answering Peter's tough questions, she had had lunch and retired for the day and the night… or so she had said.
Of course, then everyone had bombarded him with questions about why he hadn't said anything about Kayla or Chad… then they had expressed their disgust regarding Alfred.
And then Peter had almost killed him with his glares of leaving Lucy behind with the boy she loved.
The small blush in Lucy's cheeks had angered him just as much as it has angered Peter. But Lucy had said that knew her boundaries and didn't do anything that she wasn't supposed to. And he trusted her. So did Peter. Even though none of them was happy about it.
Estella had woken up, shaken just like before, but better. She had cried, yes, but hadn't talked to anyone about Alfred – not even Edmund.
They had guessed that she needed time to collect herself, and they would give her that.
The dinner was simple and quiet and after that Estella had politely asked for a guest bedroom, and retired for the night with her daughter.
Everyone was so serious and so depressed.
And Edmund's headache wouldn't leave him.
And then there was a storm outside – and it was raining mercilessly, the wind tearing down the trees and the thunder stealing away the little amount of peace that was left.
The only good thing in the day was meeting Irene. The girl simply cheered Edmund. He had spent a long time playing with her, feeling all his worries go away while he laughed along with her cute laugh, saw different expressions in her big, blue eyes and kissed those adorable, pink cheeks.
Tired, he walked back into his room, late at night and stopped near the couch.
He was standing exactly where he had all those months ago, when Estella had smeared chocolate syrup on his cheek.
He smiled at the memory, bringing his finger to his cheek.
They were both so carefree at that time… and he was so in love.
If only he had known.
Still smiling, he turned and paused, his eyes now on his bed.
He saw himself, sitting against the bedpost with Adeline sitting in between his legs, the white blankets covering them both. And they were laughing while they both talked and joked about small, unimportant things.
He could see her gray eyes twinkle with happiness. The eyes he was so good at reading. The eyes that made him feel alive.
And her laugh! The soft, lovely sound that reminded him of the sunshine after a long, lonely night.
For a few moments, he couldn't breathe.
"Edmund," the door opened.
He jumped, turning to see Isabel walking in and then stopping. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," he replied, relieved that he could breathe again. "Y-Yes, I was just…"
He trailed off, turning towards the bed and blinking in surprise.
There was no one there. No sign of Adeline.
He must have been seeing things.
"You're not sleepy, are you?" she asked.
"No."
"I figured." She took her hand. "Come on, our room. You, Peter and I will play some chess. Peter even has wine, much to my distaste, but I guess you will like it."
He smiled and let her lead him out of the room.
"Isabel?"
"Yes?" she asked.
"Thank you," he said, "For understanding that I needed this."
She smiled. "Anytime."
He sighed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "See?" he asked, a smile on his face, "This is your fault. I told you to marry me but you decided that Peter was better. It is because of you that I'm in such a mess!"
Isabel laughed. "When are you going to stop flirting with me, Ed?"
"Not until you decide to leave Pete for me," he said.
"That is not going to happen."
He winked at her. "Oh, you want me too, admit it!"
She slapped him playfully. "Keep trying, then."
"I will," he said and opened the door of Peter's and hers chambers for her.
"Have you been flirting with my wife again, Ed?" Peter, who was sitting on the bed with a goblet of red wine in his hand, asked.
"Maybe," Edmund replied, plopping on the bed next to his brother.
"Try that on other women," Peter told him. "This one is mine!"
"I did," Edmund said sadly, taking the glass of wine from Isabel, "It didn't work out so well."
"Oh, Edmund!" Isabel rubbed her hand on his leg sympathetically. "Everything will be fine."
"How?"
"It will be."
Edmund took a sip.
"You did so much for Estella," Peter said. "And you acted rationally and didn't kill Alfred."
"I wanted to, but it wasn't the right thing to do."
"Exactly," the High King nodded, "And I'm proud of you."
"Thanks."
"Poor Estella," Isabel said to Edmund. "I wonder why she has been lying all this while. She should have told someone about this. And if you hadn't gone to the mansion, who knows how long she would have been beaten."
"Well, it is a good thing you did go to the mansion," Peter decided. "And even now you're doing all you can for Estella. You really do love her, even after all this –"
"Where is Adeline?" Edmund asked suddenly.
Peter raised an eyebrow. "Adeline?"
"Yes," the Just king said. "She completely went off my mind this morning because so much was going on. Which room is she staying in?"
"She left," Isabel said.
Edmund blinked. "Left?"
"She went back to her home."
Edmund looked away. "She didn't even meet me before going."
"You were with Estella and…" Isabel trailed off. "I don't blame her."
"Neither do I," Edmund sighed, resting his head against the bedpost and staring at the ceiling. "How did my life turn into such a huge mess?"
Peter placed a hand on his shoulder. "I had told you to make a choice and you didn't," he said, his voice soft, "Now, life is making a choice for you."
"I hate my life," Edmund stated.
"Then stop thinking about it for a while," Isabel suggested. "Come on, let's see if I can beat you at chess this time."
Edmund smiled, looking at her. "You haven't been able to in all these years."
"I have," she protested. "A few times."
"You won't," he challenged, "this time."
"We'll see."
Peter smiled. "I'm going to watch and get some more wine."
"For me too," Edmund said, finishing his drink and holding out his glass to his brother.
[][][][][][][][]
The rain was cruel.
The wind was brutal.
The cold ready to kill.
And in the merciless weather, in the dark of the night, Adeline stood in front of her home.
She was finally home.
Too disturbed, too dazed she had spent the entire day walking around in the forest alone.
And now, with her head hurting, her heart torn and aching, her legs screaming, her vision blurry and her body drenched wet, she walked into the garden of her place, towards the front steps.
And she stopped, memories flashing by…
These were the steps Edmund had walked her to many times, being the perfect gentleman, making her laugh, talking to her, saying a goodbye, kissing her goodnight and then waiting for her to go inside before he left.
All those good times.
Those times filled with happiness, with love, with him…
And she couldn't take it anymore.
She was tired of it. Of not crying. Of being strong.
She didn't want to anymore…
So, she collapsed, falling down on her fours and letting out a cry of anguish.
Rain pounded, the heavy, icy droplets hitting her but she didn't care.
Tired, drained, heart-broken, she lay on her back, staring at the weeping sky.
"Why me?" she asked. "Why me, Aslan, why me?"
And she cried.
She let out all her pain, let down all her tears, all her grief until she could feel nothing else.
Shivering because of the hurt and the cold, she cried.
And cried.
And cried.
Until her vision swam, darkened and that pitch black darkness consumed her.
Anguish, eh?
How did it go?
Now, I want you all to review and tell me!
The next chapter will not be long, I'm guessing... I don't know. Let's see what I decide.
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