Chapter Five

Jylese

"Don't you know him, Jylese?" Niara snapped.

The nymph Jylese glared at Edmund. "I don't think so."

"He's King Edmund the Just!" Niara said angrily.

"Hello," Edmund said nervously. He was ready to grab his dagger.

Jylese grabbed Niara's skimpy arm. "We're going."

"No we're not," Niara tried to pull free, but his grip was too strong.

"Think of what your parents would say," Jylese snarled.

"My mother adores humans. She would not mind if I spent time with one. My father as well," Niara protested, all the while struggling to free herself.

"Release her," Edmund stood up.

"You think that just because you're a king you can get whatever you want?" Jylese growled at Edmund.

"You are taking her against her will. Release is what she wants," Edmund advanced. "I am speaking for her."

"No, you're not," Jylese tried to yank Niara into the water next to him. "You stay away from her!"

At this Niara freed herself and tried desperately to scramble away, but with no legs, she wasn't very quick. Edmund quickly picked her up and carried her higher on the rocks. He knew Jylese could not follow them unless he wanted to painfully flop onto the rocks after them.

"Leave her be!" Edmund shouted at the male nymph.

Jylese growled and swam away, but not before yelling, "I'll get you, Son of Adam!"

"Don't put me down," Niara said, "I won't be able to move. Leastways, not easily. Now, do as I say. At the side of the inlet, there's a pretty big rock."

Edmund cautiously came down, watching the water for Jylese.

"Okay, set me down here," Niara instructed.

Edmund did. Niara found the rock, peered around her, then shoved it aside. A black opening was behind it.

"It's a cave I found. I get in from land, because there are rocks that block the underwater entrance. There's a pool of water inside from the cracks down there," Niara pointed to some tiny cracks at the water next to them, directly under the entrance they were going to use. "The opening is small, but once you go a bit, it'll get bigger. Now quick, before Jylese comes back."

Edmund scrambled in, hearing the slap of Niara's tail behind him as she dragged herself on land. A pool of water appeared with a giant rock platform and a sliver of light streamed in from a crack above.

"Please don't tell anyone about this. This is my favorite place to be other than the inlet. I guess we could meet here instead. Just watch and make sure no one sees you," Niara splashed into the water.

"Who is Jylese?" Edmund asked.

"He's this male nymph that's fancied me for a long time. He's obviously jealous of you. He'd kill you, but Aslan would be greatly disappointed. He's going to try to find another way to separate us," Niara sighed.

"It's not right," Edmund said angrily. "He shouldn't be jealous of us, because we're just friends."

"We're…just friends?" Niara questioned slowly.

"I mean…yes, we're very close, I suppose," Edmund became confused.

"You suppose? Oh, Edmund, didn't I make it quite obvious to you? I thought you felt the same way for me," Niara said.

"What?" Edmund said dumbly. What was she saying?

"Edmund," Niara smiled, "I love you."

You don't think Niara's feelings for him was rushed do you? I mean, this is the fifth chapter! Please review!