A/N: Hello all, I have the next chapter ready. I'm surprised that it is done actually, but it was begging to be written. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Edan stayed back, allowing the family to fuss and worry as they would. His chest pulled taut upon his closer hidden inspection. Lucy's sides bled from deep claw marks as her breathing grew shallow. Her eyes still hadn't opened, although her lids fluttered. If it hadn't been for the wounds, he would assume her to be asleep.
"Lu', come on please…" Peter's voice cracked as he blinked. He rose to his feet cradling the back of her neck with his hand. The clench of his jaw was immediately noticed by Edan who slinked further behind the tree.
"We should continue your Highnesses." Redian clapped Peter on the shoulder nodding for him to pick up Lucy.
Susan wiped tears away as she began walking in the direction indicated by her friend, again with a nod. Peter followed keeping particularly close to Susan.
Edan gasped as he noticed Redian didn't immediately follow. Instead he gave a sad smile and called out. "Edan… I know you're still here so stop hiding."
Glancing around the tree, Edan shook his head. "How did you know?"
"It isn't particularly difficult. You stick out like a sore thumb, plus I noticed you peeking." Redian walked over. "Are you coming?"
Edan sighed kicking at the snow with his foot. "Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I should go any further."
Redian furrowed his brow. "As I recall, you're still a prisoner so letting you go to return to the witch and report is not an option." A grin played at his lips.
Edan lifted his head. "You're mad. Peter would kill me on sight. And since when do you trust me?"
"It is not me that trusts you." Redian looked skyward. "Lucy… and… I've a feeling that Aslan has a plan for all of us. You included." He cuffed Edan on the shoulder. "So you have to continue with us."
"But…" Edan groaned as Redian raised his blade.
"I'm not afraid to make you." His voice grew dangerous. "If you don't, it means your actions weren't genuine. So prove it. Leave."
Edan didn't move rolling his eyes as his hands inched upward. "Tell me something though. You have faith that this is all a part of Aslan's plan. Aren't faith and trust identical?"
Redian's head bobbed almost imperceptibly. "That's true, but neither is placed in you at the moment." He gave a half smile, but Edan saw the wary glint in his eyes.
He let his body relax in relief. This was good. He knew where he was at in regards to Redian. It was better than him pretending complete acceptance and it made Edan sure of his character. He would have been more worried had the knight not laid it out straight away. Despite the shaky terms, he felt at ease.
"So, I assume you are coming?" The knight raised his eyebrows.
"Correctly Sir Redian. Correctly." Edan allowed himself a small grin. "You'd best catch up with your King." His face flamed as he realized what he had said.
Redian's face grew stony, but just as quickly it disappeared replaced with a chuckle and a nod. "Yes. I fear Peter's gotten lost already."
Edan ducked his head as Redian beckoned him onward. A glimmer of anger and question rose in his gaze causing Edan's eyes to sting. He had nearly forgotten their original meeting. He'd been trying so hard to tamp it down, had nearly succeeded if it weren't for that slip. Now he might have lost his only ally in the confrontation to come.
They caught up to the pair fairly quickly, neither one speaking. A dark glare greeted Redian who quickly knelt beside the unconscious princess, his hands folded in blessing.
Edan said nothing kneeling a good distance away with tight shut eyes. He could feel a piercing glare following his movements. Obviously Peter. He knew because when he opened his eyes, the elder girl wouldn't even glance his way.
"If we keep moving, we should reach Beaversdam before sunset." Redian said, taking the lead.
Susan raised her eyebrows. "Beaversdam? Why are we going there?"
"There are some who wish to meet you." Redian replied.
Edan didn't hear the rest of what was said. It wasn't for him to hear and… he felt himself being watched yet again. "Do you need something Your Highness?" He didn't look behind, staring instead at the back of Redian's helmet.
"A word." Peter's head nodded to the side in his periphery. "If you would."
Edan said nothing wetting his lips as he followed.
The snow they sat in was unforgiving, matched perfectly with the golden prince's eye contact. It didn't cease. He didn't even seem to blink. He just waited for the boy to sit beside him only a few feet away from where his sister lay, shuddering with pain.
"May I get a chance to explain?" The boy's words, his tone, Peter noticed, didn't match with the rest of him. He didn't even seem to want to look at him for more than a few seconds. Yet his words cut like ice, a confidence and arrogance exuded from them, one trying to put on the act of detachment.
His heart went out to the boy and yet… Peter felt his anger flare. His next words were whispered, those of the child he still saw himself as even now. "You took too long and now…" His voice broke as he felt his shoulders begin to shake.
The boy seemed to hesitate, a small bit of eye contact and then, "I didn't want it to happen. Lucy's helped me as much as any of you."
Peter nodded. "She does seem to put a trust in you. She said you helped her get away from the wolves?"
"Aye." He shook his head. "I've worked beside them since I was young. They would have been merciless. She didn't deserve…"
"No." Peter stared at him. Oddly enough, there seemed a genuine caring in the boy's words, anger at those he had formerly called comrades. He stood holding a hand out to help the boy to his feet. "Come on. We should catch up."
Edan watched as Peter went to grab his sister and followed at a respectful distance, feeling that despite no further talk that the conversation would continue.
If either boy had looked down at the young girl cradled in her brother's arms, they would have noticed the smallest of smiles.
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In the great throne room of Cair Paravel the wolves bowed low. "Your Majesty."
It was recognizable as the throne room and yet there was one marked difference. Whereas before, there was warmth and a welcoming light that radiated from every inch of the room, now it was shrouded in a frozen darkness. The banners of the lion were ripped from their places behind the thrones and strewn about the floor in such a way that the former occupants would shudder to see.
"What is it Maugrim?" The queen turned a severe gaze to her captain. "Is it done?"
"It is." Maugrim replied. "The youngest was most surely dealt with. But I fear they are getting to him. We lost Enri to your son's hand. He was able to join us, but bled to death shortly after we left the Southern pass." The words "your son" dripped with a scorn that caused Jadis to outwardly scowl.
Inwardly though, she shuddered. There was no amount of love she felt for the boy, not anymore. There was a time so very long ago when the mere thought of her son would send her sprinting for his nursery, just watching him carefully, protectively, possessively; but that was before, before he had to take the role. The boy she had trained wasn't her son, but he was a means to an end and so she addressed him as such, gave the kisses, soothed the terrors and molded him into the ideal weapon.
Apparently, she thought with pursed lips, that wasn't enough. The prince had to be dealt with and soon.
"Maugrim… tell Ginarrbrik to ready my sleigh and make certain there are no bells! I think it is time for me to speak with my son."
"As you wish my Queen."
A/N: Uh-oh. So what do you think of Jadis' scene? Any predictions, questions? Next chapter will bring our heroes to Beaversdam. Until next time read and review.
