Guilt in Life

Chapter Thirty Six

The White Witch retreated back to her castle without asking for Natasha's body. It was obvious that she was scared. Edmund planned the final attack with Peter and Caspian the other day, and was going to ride back to the Bay City to meet up people of the Ancient Shield. Caspian was grateful of his people, yet, he had to stay with the main troop.

"The fifth day at dawn," Edmund said to Peter one last time, "and we ride the castle."

Peter nodded, "don't be late, and," he paused, glancing at Natasha who was saying goodbye to Leif and Claus, "take care of her."

"I will," Edmund said, Peter hugged him.

"Be a good boy," Peter said fatherly before releasing him.

Beth's body was buried in the How so everyone could go and mourn for her. Edmund spend the next day planning for the attack and sitting next to her grave, Nat was with him. Quietly.

"Take care of Lu and Sue," Edmund said, Natasha made her way to them and Peter hugged her. They got on the horse and within minutes, spring breezes flooded their face freshly.

They stopped at night when the moon was out. Edmund folded his spare cloak on the floor. Natasha finished eating her bread.

"Making the bed, huh?" came Natasha's vivid voice. Never once that it failed to make Edmund smile.

"A simple bed," Edmund said. They lay down and watched the sky above, Edmund noticed she fell asleep. He sat up, stroking her face. She could manage perfectly well without him, but could he?

He sighed, taking off his cloak and put it on her shoulders. His back was leaning against the tree trunk. He missed Beth.

"She is fine, in my country."

Edmund's head snapped sideways, found a lion with golden mane came walking to him. He shot up and bowed at the lion.

"Come Edmund, a walk with me?"

Edmund nodded and hurried to Aslan. It felt all right, it felt fine and peace even.

"You've grown," Aslan said.

"Why didn't you stop those things from happening?" Edmund asked.

"I thought you understand," Aslan said quietly, "all those time you were with Natasha, all the good qualities you saw in Beth. Do they count as my help?"

"Absolutely, and," Edmund paused, "the reason why we came back..."

"All of you were not supposed to come back, but that guilt you bore was eating Edmund," Aslan said slowly, "the only to get rid of them is to get healing from Narnia. From Natasha. Love can heal all wounds, it takes time though."

"I'm going back, right?"

"You know the answer," Edmund heard Aslan, who chuckled, "I'm glad you've grown to the King you are now. The true Just King without any guilt."

"I will finish her," Edmund promised, "For everyone, for Beth."

"I trust that," Aslan said, "Natasha will manage fine. She has my blessing. But even though the two of you are not living in the same world, love has no boundary. She's always with you and you're always with her."

"I know," Edmund whispered, "I'll be ready when we say goodbye. But stay with me, won't you?"

"Till the end," Aslan promised.

Edmund stopped walking, he stroked Aslan and buried his head into his mane. He inhaled in and an unknown strength came filling his body. The strength to fight. The strength to leave. And the strength to say goodbye.

When he opened his eyes again, Aslan was gone and Edmund made his way back to Natasha. He kissed her forehead before lying down next to her, holding her close and drowsed off to sleep.

They arrived the Bay City soon. Edmund brought them the tragic news about Beth's passing. The City was in a grim mood, but because of that, they wanted to fight even more.

Goata welcomed them to his house and they stayed there for three days. Every night, Edmund watched Natasha sleep before him sleeping. Every morning, Edmund was kissed and the first thing he saw was Natasha grinning at him.

"Morning," he said huskily, smiling.

"Our last day before the attack, make the best of it," Natasha kissed his nose. Edmund chuckled.

"Let's cuddle," Edmund pulled her close.

They spent the night travelling the City like tourists. Edmund saw Holly and a few other old friends. They had a brilliant lunch and everyone was ready for the strike tomorrow. By twilight, Edmund and Natasha walked along the coastal, watching the sun sink into the sea. Edmund's fingers were tangled with Natasha's. The sunlight made her face glamorous. He couldn't stop staring.

At night, Natasha made Edmund dinner. It was a bit too salty, but Edmund loved it as well. Natasha kept feeding him carrots, and he knew, as much as he hated carrots, they would remind him of this girl when he was back in Britain.

"I love you and goodnight," Edmund heard her voice and she closed her eyes.

Edmund kissed her before closing his. A few hours later, they would ride to the Witch's and they would win.

By three o'clock, Edmund woke and had everything ready. The army volunteered by the five town's people were gathered in Yena. Natasha woke a few more hours before their attack. Edmund met her childhood friends. They were all nice and were eager to help.

With Yule out, Edmund sat on the horse, waiting for the first light to come. Natasha sat on the other horse, smiled at him.

He knew she was ready. For the final battle. For the final goodbye.

The golden sunlight came welcoming them and the sun rose from the east.

"Narnians," Edmund shouted, "It's time to claim back what's ours!"

People roared and they made their way to the ice castle. Soon, they arrived and Edmund saw Peter, waiting. The castle was barely recognizable, the ice was melting and it was more like a lake. There were different dark creatures around, but there were only a few hundred of them but a thousand of Edmund's.

A centaur blew the horn and Edmund felt the war began. People, Narnians and Telmarines, raced forward with their weapons out, charging at them. Edmund expected those creatures to fight, but instead, he saw a minotaur dropped his axe, and he raced into the woods. Soon, the dwarves followed him. The giants threw away their clubs and raised their hands, surrounding without a fight.

"Peter, deal with the giants," Edmund shouted to Peter in the war field as Natasha was fighting a harpy.

"Love to!" Peter shouted. Edmund saw Susan shooting with her bow and Caspian was fighting with the sword. Edmund swung his sword at a black dwarf fighting Lucy and she shot him a grateful glance.

Trumpkin soon roped all the dwarves together. Edmund found Natasha, he made his way to her and kissed her.

"You know what to do," Natasha smiled at him, glancing at the castle.

"Either dying or bring peace to Narnia," Edmund nodded to Natasha, "I'll make it out alive."

"I know," Natasha said, "you'll have it sorted."

Edmund left her after kissing her temple. There were the wounded and the broken, but victory was coming and Edmund heard people roared.

The ice castle was quiet, Edmund tightened his grip on Yule. It was almost empty with no sight of the Witch. Edmund walked into the main hall where he had been before. No one was here.

He glanced around, stern-faced and then-

Edmund felt a sword from his back and he blocked it with his. The Witch's face was fierce, she charged at him with all her might. She was fighting with a staff and a sword. It had happened before. The Witch had her old moves and she tried to stab his stomach, but Edmund was faster. He ducked, he kicked, he thrust his sword.

"You think you really are the one?" the Whit Witch sneered. Her hair was sticking out from her high knot.

"I am."

Edmund swung his sword at her again. This time, he had his aim.

"For Beth," Edmund mumbled and thrust his sword at the Witch. Her shriek echoed in the castle. Edmund pulled the sword out and her body was shattered as dust. Edmund won it. He heard cheering outside, Peter led them to victory too.

For some reason, he felt Aslan's and Beth's smile upon him.