Disclaimer: don't own.
A/N: Someone asked for another protective Edmund story set during the Golden Age. Or at least, I'm hoping they wanted one where he was being protective, because that's what I've come up with. Because my idea of humour is rather skewed, it probably won't seem like humour. I'm told it's rather dry. It will probably end up being be angst and drama, because I'm good at writing them.
Summary: Susan and Lucy are all set to go on a diplomatic mission to a small country to the west, close to Telmar. But when some reports start coming in about how women are treated in this place Peter states that the girls can't go. Susan of course argues, as does Lucy, finally Edmund steps up to the bat, and he and Susan begin their journey. But this little country is expecting two queens. And this is one diplomatic mission Edmund never wants to speak about again.
A King or Two Queens?
Edmund tugged at his collar irritably, it was stuffy inside the coach his sister had commissioned for their journey. He would much rather be on a horse, riding alongside. With a dramatic sigh he slouched down in his seat. "Tell me again why I agreed to this?" he asked.
Susan pursed her lips at him. "You didn't agree to anything Edmund, you were the one who suggested it." She told him. "Now do sit up straight, honestly. You shouldn't slouch so Edmund; it's hardly very kingly is it."
Edmund gave her a look and tugged his collar again for effect. "It's rather difficult to feel 'kingly' when I'm stuck in a too hot coach dressed like a peacock. Let me slouch." He groaned slightly. "Why couldn't Peter have done this instead?"
Susan rolled her eyes, hiding her smile. "Because you said, and I quote 'Peter 'll be no use, he'll be too busy being noble to notice anything going on around him. Better if I go.' So don't you go complaining."
Edmund threw her a plaintive look. "But Su, I didn't expect to end up going like this." He waved his hand around him. "This is horrible, why do you insist on travelling like this?"
She folded her hands in her lap, holding her book open. "Really Ed, you shouldn't complain. All you had to do was let myself and Lucy go as we'd originally planned—"
"No!" Was Edmunds response to that. "You read the letters we were sent about that place. I wasn't about to let the two of you go off on your own. Peter was worse than me though, you have to admit."
Susan sighed, exasperated. "Oh really!" she exclaimed. "Whatever happened to 'King Edmund the Just'? They could be perfectly nice people. You should know better than anyone that it's not what other people say about someone that matters."
Edmund waved his hand again, he was sixteen now, and had only just finally gotten around to forgiving himself for what he had done. "Oh, I don't intend to judge them until I see what they're like. But do you really think I want to put up with Peter going on and on in my ear about how you two got yourselves married off and were now living a life of slavery, if the rumours do turn out to be true?" he shook his head and shuddered at the mere thought. "I don't think so."
Susan knew what he meant, and she appreciated the sentiment, truly she did, but couldn't her brothers have the slightest bit of faith in her and Lucy? "Honestly." She sighed.
Edmund smiled from his place across from her, well, grinned was more the word for it. "Come on Su, it'll be fun, just you and me. We never spend any time together." There was a hint of a pout in his words, the kind of sound that could melt any older sibling's heart in an instant.
Susan smiled at him, and she was glad to see him smiling more now, teasing, and not in the mean way he had before Narnia, and he was no longer so depressed. "I thought you didn't like travelling in my coach?" she teased him.
His face crumpled into a put on scowl and he looked at his surroundings again. "I still don't see why I can't ride a horse." He pouted.
Susan lifted her book again and smiled as she began reading.
x
"Check." Susan said, moving her knight across the board.
Edmund stared at her move for along moment before glaring at her. She smiled at him. Just then the carriage rolled over a hole in the road, upsetting the whole chess board, sending pieces scattering everywhere.
Susan gave an exclamation of annoyance, this was the closest she had come to winning in the seven games she had let Edmund talk her into.
"Too bad Su, play again?" he asked her grinning.
She glared at him, glad no one outside the carriage could see her. "I shan't play with you again Edmund." She told him plainly.
Edmund raised his eyebrows at her. "Um... what else is there to do Susan?" he asked her, looking round at the interior of the confining carriage he hated so much.
Susan considered the question, before smiling, a little evilly. "Well, you could always try your hand at sewing." She suggested, enjoying the way her brother spluttered at the very idea of it. He stared at her incredulously, unable to form coherent words. "Well, it's not like I enjoy sewing up your clothes when you come back with them all ripped up after some battle or other."
Edmund gaped at her for a moment before shutting his mouth, and pointed his nose towards the ceiling, and in his most annoying, bratty brother voice he said. "Well, I never asked you to do it."
With a suppressed growl Susan reached over and gave him a swat on the leg.
"Hey! What was that for? What happened to being Miss 'Queen Susan the Gentle' and 'Lady's shouldn't behave in such a way'?" he demanded to know, rubbing his leg and glaring at her.
Susan fought back a smile. Only Edmund could bring out such tendency's in her, of, she didn't mean violent ones, but he did make her forget her ladylike manners and take a swat at him, always grinning like a madman when he managed to push her that far. It would have been sweet, had it not been so infuriating most of the time. "You shouldn't provoke me." She retorted, earning a grin.
"So, one more game? I'll let you win this time." He offered, reaching for the pieces still on the ground. He looked at her, with a sideways smile. "Promise."
Susan rolled her eyes, but agreed.
x
Edmund pulled his head back in from the window and slouched in his seat again irritably. "How far away is this place?" he asked.
Susan cast him an exasperated look. "We'll be on the road a few more days at most Edmund, really, can't you stop complaining for a moment?"
"No." He told her, quite seriously. "Do I have to wear this?" he asked, annoyed now.
Susan looked over at him again, setting her sewing aside, knowing she wouldn't get anymore done with him complaining so much. "You wanted to come Edmund, so yes, you must."
"But surely I could change into it when we reach the border." He pleaded.
Susan gave him a stern look, glad when he backed down from it. It was good to know she still had some power over her little brother. "You know they may be sending a delegation out to meet us, do you really want to be unprepared?" she raised an eyebrow at him.
He crossed his arms and blew out a sigh. "I know. But it's really uncomfortable Su."
Her eyes softened just a touch. "I know, but you'll manage."
He scowled at her. "I'm only doing this for you, you know." He told her.
She smiled at him. "I know Edmund, and I appreciate it." She glanced out the small window at her side at the passing scenery. "Do you honestly think there's anything to worry about?" she asked softly. The letters had been rather detailed, telling of the rites and rituals involved there over getting a wife, and then the treatment they could expect after marriage. None of it was particularly pleasant, and most of it was violent.
Edmund shrugged. "That's why I'm going, remember." He said, then mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like "Not gonna let anyone hurt you." And blushed slightly, looking away. Susan didn't call him on it, knowing it would just embarrass him even more, but she smiled, feeling warm at his words. She supposed this must be how Lucy felt whenever Edmund got protective of her.
x
The carriage halted, jerking Edmund out of his doze, and making him start, which Susan found kind of funny to see. She schooled her features quickly, knowing how cranky Edmund was when he just woke up. The door opened, and Bright-Spark, the wolf, poked his head inside.
"Group approaching. They don't smell familiar. Edmund Sire?"
Edmund looked at him hard, and blinked. "Do they look like they're attacking?" he asked.
Bright-spark shook his head. "No, we think they're the delegates, we thought we should warn you before they reach us so you can make yourself presentable." The wolf grinned, his eyes lit with amusement, his tail twitching slightly as if he was laughing.
Edmund kicked out irritably. "Thank you Spark." He intoned sarcastically. "Go and do some guard stuff will you."
Bright-spark snickered as he pulled his head out of the carriage and the door closed, but not before a quick. "Lady Susan ma'am.", to which Susan smiled.
Edmund, grumbling, pulled out his shaving kit. "Do you have any idea how long it took me to grow that beard." He complained. The carriage began to move again. Susan watched with interest, Edmund had a remarkably steady hand, and didn't cut himself once.
When he was done Susan smiled sympathetically. "I know Ed, but it will grow back."
Edmund glared at her balefully, before sighing. "Ok, get it over with Su."
x
It was indeed the delegates, come to meet them at the border. Susan put on her most winning smiled and descended from the Carriage, dress rustling on the grass. "How kind of you to meet us here. Will we be travelling together back to your King?" she asked.
The lead delegate got off his horse and bowed before her. "My lady, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. We shall indeed be accompanying you to your destination. But was your sister not supposed to be travelling with you?" he asked her in obvious concern. His accent was deep, rich, and rather alluring.
Susan glanced back towards the carriage. "Well, yes, she was." She smiled winningly at the men. "Oh, my manners. Before I forget to introduce myself again. I am Queen Susan the Gentle, of Narnia," she heard Edmund begin to make his way out of the carriage then. "And this is..." she turned slightly. "My sister, Queen Lucy the Valiant."
Edmund had managed to get out of the carriage without tripping, which was a feat in and of itself, and he looked at the men who sat atop horses around them, reaching up self consciously to push some of the wig behind his ear.
Why had he agreed to do this again?
Oh, yes, he hadn't agreed, he'd come up with this stupid plan.
Susan could only be glad that he did not make a terrible looking girl.
Come on now, honestly. How many of you didn't see it coming? Lol. Sorry, but I find cross-dressing inexplicitly funny, especially if straight men do it. Lol. So, Edmund is pretending to be his little sister. Think Skander Kyenes in the second movie, in a dress and a Lucy like wig. Don't worry though, Ed will get to do some fighting, beside's, I'm sure he'll need to knock someone's heads together for hitting on his big sister. For some reason this is mostly from Susan's POV, don't know how that happened.
Please review, I'd sure appreciate it.