A/N: Second update in a week?! No, there's no need to pinch yourselves this is REAL! Thank you so much for being such loyal readers and now that am a bit more free I definitely plan on updating more :)
Chapter 35; Aslan, at long last.
"Ed, are you sure?"
"Of what?"
They paused right before the doors that led towards the Royal's entrance of the ballroom.
"Of this. Us. And going out there.. together for all out to see."
Edmund paused.
"I assure you. There is no one else I'd rather have at my side."
"Are you sure?"
Edmund laughed, "Very. Now after you, milady."
"Oh my, Al!" "You look gorgeous!" both the Pevensie sisters gushed.
"And see, I told you, you should wear the gray gown," Lucy smirked knowingly as she nudged Edmund in his matching grey tunic.
"Alright, that's enough you two, give them some room to breathe." Peter called in from the side to their rescue.
"Everyone, get in line now. And oh, for Aslan's sake where is Corin?" Susan demanded exasperated and while she went away in search shouting the Prince's name, Aline couldn't help but look at Edmund only to find him looking at her. When she'd arrived at Narnia luck wasn't at her side and she'd come to think of it as a curse, but since getting to know the Pevensies, and the way they'd taken her in, cared for her.. it truly felt like a second shot at life. And of course, him. Edmund. Despite their rather tumultuous history, she wouldn't have it any other way. To look up at him, and seeing him looking at her a tender look on his face and a smile on his lips made it all worth it.
A weight felt lifted off her shoulders, at least for now.. One last night of normalcy, Aline thought.
Edmund squeezed her hand in his. "Let's go."
And before Aline knew it, they stepped right into the spotlight, at the top of the staircase and they descended, her grip on his arm only tightening. The room was decorated in a vastly different manner from the last time and the audience seemed to be much more.. Narnian and wilder in nature. It was the furthest away from the last lavish Ball she'd been to. Dryads flitted with liberty dancing with fauns and save for the Royals themselves and a few in the crowds there seemed to be not a human in sight that she recognised. However, the stares she felt thrown her way did nothing to ease her anxiety.
"Al?" she heard Edmund's voice break through her fog. "Focus on me. On my voice," and for the first time Aline realised in horror that they had to.. dance?!
In front of them Peter and Susan had already begun in a waltz, while Lucy and Corin just got in position behind them.
"I got you, Aline." Edmund reassured as she took his hand nodding.
"What if I trip or fall?" she questioned in horror. Not like they've not danced before, but it was never this public. And most definitely not when half of the Kingdom had their sights set on them.
"I won't let you," he reassured and as if to punctuate his statement his hand squeezed hers. "And if you do, then we fall together. So let's try to save least a bit of my reputation out here, okay?"
She couldn't stop the laugh that found its way onto her lips at that.
And with that, Aline completely let herself into his capable hands. And he led her in a slow waltz, very much like the first they'd shared and before long, she felt herself grow much more comfortable in their pace. And not long after that, Aline was laughing along heartily to some stupid joke the Just King had cracked while he just watched the girl in his arms throw her head back in laughter and once, for a change everything seemed good and right in his world.
That was until she abruptly stopped.
What is it, Edmund was about to ask, but noticing her gaze fixed on to something behind his back.
Edmund turned.
"I am going to kill Susan," he swore under his breath.
"No, Ed. It's fine."
What do you mean? He's not supposed to be out of his room, much less in here.
Aline sighed at that.
"What is it? What happened while I was gone?"
"A last day of normalcy remember?"
"Aline," Edmund could barely keep the anger in his voice, at this, "he tried to kill you."
"And that was some time ago. I think he truly is apologetic about everything. I'm fine with this, I swear it's fine, besides he is the only family I have left Ed."
But the Just King seemed unconvinced.
"Let's get out of here." he muttered instead.
"What? Why? Your sisters would-"
"I don't care, what my sister's have to say if they allow him roam around free. You don't understand, Aline. I simply can't have anything, anything happen to you and I don't care how apologetic he may or may not seem to be."
Aline almost argued back but the way he said it caused her heart to flutter. A tiny voice on the back of her head made her want to ask what made him say that? What exactly had happened in Ettinsmoor. And not to mention her own dark secret... with Samuel. But she intended on coming clean, she assured herself. On the morrow for sure. But for now, Aline simply wanted to savour this.
With a nod Aline allowed Edmund drag her off the dance floor as his arm left her hands to rest protectively at her waist now glaring daggers at anyone who dared look at her the wrong way and as Aline loathed to admit it, but she was enjoying this. Coming from him, it was different, she felt safe..
Aline sighed in complain, "how long do we have to keep climbing up? My legs are dead!"
Edmund chuckled, "In that case, allow me be of service my lady," he nuzzled at her hair as his arm went around her waist clearly to scoop her up.
But Aline backed away with a laugh, her back resting against the wall in the process, "No! I fear you spoil me too much, I am very much capable of walking and no I'm not as weak as you seem to think I am."
"You, weak? Believe me, I'd not make the mistake of underestimating you ever again." this time, he only pushed her against the wall effectively trapping her in between the stone wall and him. Edmund remembered the last time they'd got this way and by the twinkle in her eyes, he knew she did too.
"And as for spoiling you.." his lips skimmed her jaw as her fingers buried themselves in his hair clearly wanting something more and trying to guide him to it but Edmund resisted with a smirk, "I'm afraid I can't stop myself." She moaned as he pulled away instead now grabbing her hands and pinning them against the cold stone wall.
"As much as I can't seem to keep my hands off of you today."
"Edmund.." she half whispered, her voice dripping with want, need, lust even.
"Yes, my lady?"
This time his lips was on her neck and with her hands pinned against her, she was defense less, completely in his mercy, while he pressed kisses all over before he took her skin in his mouth. Aline gasped at the shock of pleasure it sent throughout her body.
He pulled back, satisfied with the now distinctly reddening mark on her neck, "Mine," he looked into her eyes to only see the very same look in his mirrored right back at him. "You're only mine."
She knew he was possessive in all forms of the word, if all that had happened with Peter wasn't confirmation enough. Yet Aline couldn't help but feel a shot of happiness cruise through her system to hear those words out of his lips as he looked towards her as if she was the only girl in the world, "Only yours," she echoes as his lips came crashing onto hers and this time, it was all that Aline wanted.
And when they were finally done, Edmund reached forward opening the door that was all this while right on their side. She stepped forward, hesistant at first but then.. a smile broke on her lips accompanied by a strong gust of wind that flew through her hair sending them drifting into a dark halo around her head.
Spread before her was like a small balcony, seemingly abandoned with tufts of grass sprouting out of broken tiles on the floor. But that was not what captivated her attention, for spread down below her feet was the town of Paravel in all it's magnificence. The outer ring of the Cair which hosted the dwellings of the nobles to the beginning of the the town. And she was high, like so very high that the fires burning through opened window sills seemed to be mere flickers of fairy lights. Concentrated closer, and then gradually disappearing with the distance.
"God! It's so beautiful," she exclaimed half in awe, half in surprise.
Aline walked over to the very border of it, the balcony was broken in places while metal works stuck out of the rest dangerously.
"Very much so," she heard him at her side. His hair parted to a side by the strong wind, and his features arranged in a look of awe. "We're at the highest point of the Cair. I found this in our first year of reign and since then, this has sort of been my escape."
"Are you.. going to kill me? Push me to my death?"
"Well... now that you mention it.." but the wide smile on the Just King's lips suggested otherwise. Had she ever seen him smile this wide, or this often for the matter? Aline couldn't help but muse.
She felt an immense feeling of guilt settle onto her chest and almost involuntarily her hands went around him, curling around his shoulders.
"Thank you," she whispered into the hug. His hands came around her almost uncertainty, "For what?"
"I know you're not exactly one for sharing. And thank you for bringing me here, and sharing this with me."
"That and for not killing me when you had the chance to, I guess?" she added with a smile, pulling away.
"If that's the case, you know, I don't think I would be as confident, as to say 'too late.'"
She only caught the wicked gleam in his eyes, just as she felt her weight being lift off the ground and her back against the balcony railing that was clearly missing pieces. With a short gasp her hands flung up around his neck pulling him towards her in an attempt to regain her balance . "Edmund!"
"And that's not the best part."
"Definitely not," she agreed "that was the worst."
"But," he whispered. In fact he didn't have to talk louder, the way they were pressed together, she'd still have heard it even if his voice were to drop lower. "I can't possibly let you die without showing you this now, could I?"
His fingers were under her chin again tipping her face upward and she complied, raising her gaze with his.
Aline gasped. Spread above her a tapestry, the colour of deep velvet was the vast expanse of the sky, sprinkled benevolently with stars as if someone had pricked holes into the fabric to let light in. Right above her head hung a great yellow orb bathed in a golden halo of its own light. And it felt so close.. so so close that if she were to reach forth she could touch it with her fingers. She realised with a start that the stars here, seemed somehow closer, bigger, maybe it was because of their high altitude. And the moon, the Narnian Moon.. the way it had a sort of shimmery sheen to its luminescent light. Aline doubted it would be something she could see on Earth..
"It's so beautiful," she said her voice seeming breathless. A fond memory revealed itself in her mind's eye and this time she smiled.
"It is, isn't it?" Edmund's voice came from near her ear though if Aline hadn't been so distracted by the constellations above her she'd have realised the King clearly had something.. or someone else in mind whilst he said it.
"You know, there is an old legend here that says the stars were once an ancient race inhabiting Narnia, before Aslan sang order from the chaos* that had existed before known time."
She looked at him, amused. Aline didn't know if he noticed it or not, but even when he'd let her go, she was acutely aware of what little the space between them. Space that would evaporate if only one of them decided to lean a bit in front... "Really?" she questioned, her voice coming out a bit breathless.
"Mmhm," Edmund seemed to have picked on it as his gaze fell right on to her lips as she smiled pulling him in welcomingly as his lips touched hers once more. Now that they'd finally, after long last given in to their feelings, it felt like a flood gate let open. Aline simply couldn't get enough of this, of him. And the Just King seemed to be of the same thought. Her hands tangled themselves at the back of his head again as she reached to her tip toes, the difference in height between them frustrating her once again, much to the King's amusement. His arm went around her waist lifting her up lightly against himself but unfortunately this time, Aline lost her footing sending her spiralling right into him giving him no time to brace himself upon impact, they both went straight down to the ground and the next thing Aline knew she was on the ground right on top of Edmund her legs going on either sides of his.
"Are you alright?" he questioned, concern in his eyes as his hands came to steady her at her waist.
"I should be the one asking that of you, you're the one on the ground."
"And so we fall together," Edmund smirked and Aline couldn't help but laugh at that remembering their previous conversation.
"At least there's no one around to witness your fall from grace, your Majesty." and for the first time did she not mean his title in any sarcastic way instead her voice radiated pure warmth and adoration as she brushed a few strands of his hair out of his eyes only to sigh as her efforts went in vain because of the bellowing wind that blew it right back to where they were before.
Edmund, sat up his hands going behind to prop himself up as he held her in place where she was sat comfortably on his lap.
"What? Do I have something in my teeth?"
"No, no you're perfect. I am simply admiring the view from up here, my love."
Even in the stark darkness only illuminated by the Narnian moon, Edmund could make out the distinct redness on her face at his words.
"Edmund?"
"Yeah?"
"I know we promised a night of normalcy but-"
"Your Majesty," a low growl interrupted her, "Apologies for the interruption, but the High King just began giving his toast."
"Thank you Lora. We'll be right there."
"Susan insists I address the citizens," Edmund explained as he helped her up, "We'll finish this conversation after the speech, yeah?"
Aline could only nod as once again he grabbed her hand in his tight as they made their way down the tower and back to the ballroom though not before sneaking a kiss, or two, on their way out.
"... once more purge this evil before it takes root in our lands. With Aslan's will, shall we emerge victorious."
Cheers erupted around him all over the room but Edmund's eyes sought only one as he felt his heart lurch at her absence.
She was just there. He'd seen her as he made it up to the dias she'd given him an encouraging smile and a thumbs up even. And if Edmund knew anything about it, it was unlikely she'd simply walked away. The King felt a sudden irrational fear grip his heart, of course she'd gone off to some rational explanation, probably bored by his speech.. or something. But something wasn't right in his gut.
Edmund rushed out as quick as he could passed a confused Peter at his abruptness, "Aline?" he couldn't help but yell out to the now empty hallways.
The same fear he'd felt, countless of times, in his nightmares.. seem to come alive except this time he was wide, wide awake.
"Aline!" Edmund yelled out again, this time attracting the attention of a guard in duty.
"Your Majesty? Is something wrong? Do I need to sound the alarm?"
Edmund remembered something sinister.
"The true Queen knows not herself nor her true nature. She is captivated, enamoured by the Usurpers charms and viles.
But soon, my people, very soon will we free her of their delusions. Very soon will the true Queen of Narnia be returned to us.."*
What if they got to her? Now that he knew they were indeed speaking of Aline.. what if.. no Edmund refused to even think of it. He was going to find her. And if despite all their protections both magical and mundane anyone did manage to get into the Cair and got to her he was going to hunt them down and make them regret they ever set their sights on her. Edmund swore.
"There's no need for that, yet at least." Edmund said to the soldier. "Have you seen a lady, from the ball, she's dressed in the most exquisite grey, with black hair and green eyes."
"Would you be referring to Lady Aline by any chance?" Edmund glared at the soldier, "Your.. sparring partner I mean, your majesty." he stammered out. "I fear I haven't."
Right about them sounded a roar. Edmund paused not to even think if it. He rushed towards where it sounded, the King's hand on his blade and mind devoid of all thought..
Edmund busted into the Throne Room and there she was.
Relief washed over him like waves on a shore.
But the look on her face...
That was when Edmund realised, she wasn't alone. For right beside her in all his glorious magnificence was none other than the Great Lion himself.
"Lord Aslan," the young King sank to his knees.
"Arise, my child." Aslan's voice rang throughout the room ringing with power yet kind and compassionate at the same time.
"Where have you been for so long?" Edmund couldn't help but burst out. For once again, he felt like he'd reverted to his prior self. As a boy, just redeemed by the Highest Power. Every day since he'd expected Aslan to return, to guide them through the perils of ruling a nation, except that the Great Lion never showed up. A year after their coronation, that was when Edmund gave up- no, he didn't give up on the Lion himself, how could he after all that had happened? But the King began to stop waiting for Aslan to show up and took matters into his own hands. And though it took his siblings far longer than him, and through their acceptance, they had still always been awaiting his presence, since his last at their coronation, "We.. we've missed you- your guidance. Especially Lucy."
"I see you've all been doing a good job without my interference. You never needed it, this is your destiny after all, Son of Adam."
A/N: IABSOLUTELY love writing Edaline together oh my, don't you think it absolutely makes up for all the angst filled previous chapters?! Please do review, I truly need feedback on the way I write romance.. I feel like I'm way too.. frigid with it if that makes sense? But please do let me know, dying to know your thoughts and of you liked it!
IMPORTANT P.S: I've decided to continue and update "Once Upon a Star" as usual! If you haven't checked it out yet please do check it out! It's another Ed/OC, but set in an AU, and in our modern timeline. Ever wonder how an Edmund love story would play out in a world of internet, mobile phones and also.. magic? What are you waiting for?! Go check it outttt
