The clouds had disappeared tonight, giving way to the glimmering half-moon that grinned down on the rural landscape, rays of faint silver illuminating hills, trees, dens, and nests, as they swept over the serene landscape. The land itself stood still as a painting with no sign of life in the grassy fields or gurgling rivers; no creatures scampered through the night. Oh no, everything was completely hushed, all eyes and ears turned to one place: Cair Paravel.

The drifting breeze of the cool Narnian night carried with it a quiet tune that flowed and crescendoed with cheerful gaiety, wordlessly declaring itself as a song of celebration. An anniversary, in fact; it was a celebration of the White Witch's defeat, exactly two months earlier.

The castle windows glowed, light flickering as the shadows of hundreds of people and animals moved within, dancing and laughing, feasting and celebrating. Everyone had gathered there tonight.

Everyone important.

Which was precisely why the youngest Son of Adam was ripping through his bedroom, throwing wardrobe opens, yanking drawers out onto the floor, shoving cabinets over, and flinging clothes, blankets, gifts, and all his other possessions across the room. Every now and then the King would pause, chest heaving up and down frantically, snatching an object off the floor and inspecting it. If he approved, it was shoved into a large leather bag that sat beside him as he hurriedly made his escape.

The boy had been madly ransacking his room for nearly fifteen minutes now, and some slight remnant of sanity in his mind urged him to hurry, warning that someone would certainly find him missing by now. And if they found him before he left…no. No, no, no- it wouldn't matter; he wouldn't let anyone stop him. After all, he was doing this for their good as well as his. For once, Edmund Pevensie would be doing the right thing, no regrets, no hesitations.

Finally, cramming an extra pair of shoes into the top of the over-stuffed bag, he stopped, determinedly telling his heart to slow down and be quiet so he could think. He had to remember everything now, because there was no coming back. Not after that.

Briefly, his mind flitted back to the grand ball just a few minutes earlier. The boy had known it wouldn't go well, but he had never thought…never thought that something like that would happen. It was supposed to be a celebration of their achievements, all four of them, but it turned into a flattering competition between the various creatures as they glorified the humans. First Lucy, of course, who took it well with a little giggle and gasp of happiness as the rabbits and sparrows presented a short, adorable play in her honor, as well as numerous, clever little toys and trinkets. Then it was Susan's turn, which made sense, and his sister accepted the situation diplomatically, as always. Her gifts included a new bow, at least a dozen necklaces and rings, enough flowing dresses that she wouldn't need to wash for a month, and a thick tome bigger than Edmund's head that was filled with ancient Narnian scripts, something they assured her she would enjoy reading. And then came the Great High King Peter the Magnificent, Wonderful, Marvelous, Fantastic, Amazing, Glorious, Heroic, Charming, Perfect. That should have been his title- High King Peter the Absolutely Damn Perfect.

Edmund couldn't even begin to recall all the gifts bestowed upon his older brother. It started with a new crown, as apparently, the old one wasn't magnificent enough for him anymore. That led to new ceremonial garments, new armor, new shields (yes, more than one), a new helmet, and even a new sword, and a pair of daggers. Everything was shining and glorious, jewel-encrusted when possible, finely sewn or carved or forged or whatever the case might be. The outrageous presents continued, from a great glowing jewel the size of Ed's palm to an eighteen-verse, completely choreographed song from the birds to celebrate the High King.

The dark-haired boy had lost track somewhere in the middle of the gifts, eyes growing wider and wider until they began to moisten, a single tear slipping away before he could stop it. No one was watching him, of course, so it didn't matter; everything and everyone was too busy adoring Peter.

And why not? Why shouldn't they love him, cherish him, praise him? He had saved their entire world, had defeated their greatest oppressor, had saved the lives of so many, including that of his little brother. Of his pathetic, little, traitorous brother. What had Edmund done for the kingdom, anyway? Better yet, how had Narnia served him? He had been ensnared, drawn unwittingly into a plot to kill his family, then held captive, thrown into prison, dragged through the wilderness, and beaten along the way. Of course, he was saved, but only to arrive to a great, heroic lion leading the troops of purity and righteousness, with Peter standing there beside him, blond hair ruffling in the wind like a mane of his own.

There and then, that very moment, he realized what he should have done so, so long ago. Edmund had to leave; there was nothing else that could be done. He would only ruin the land more; how many times had Susan told him that he only brought trouble and grief to his siblings? Normally that was only after one of his temper tantrums, or reckless capers, but that wasn't the point. How many times had Peter scolded and reprimanded the wild boy's behavior? How many times had Lucy tried to help him, only to end with frustration and tears from both of the children?

No, Narnia was better without someone like Edmund Pevensie.

The boy shoved the contents of the bag down, quickly pulling it closed. He had stuffed enough clothes, food, and supplies in there to last him at least until the wood where the wardrobe could be found. The journey would be easy enough, as long as no one caught sight of him and tried to drag him back to Cair Paravel. They just couldn't understand- just wouldn't listen to him. But he'd try, one last time, to explain it.

Digging through a pile of papers, scrolls, documents, and books, the boy found an empty sheet, yanking it away from the jumble of parchment, along with a pen and ink. He began to scribble out a message, just a short one, because he had to say goodbye somehow, and he'd never manage it face-to-face. Peter would frown and shake his head slowly, like he always did when Ed was being silly, while Susan would scowl and admonish, encouraging the dark boy's quick temper to arise. Lucy would blink innocently, before smiling at silly Edmund, telling him so clearly in her childish words why he was wrong, wrong, wrong. But not this time.

He read over the letter quickly, mumbling the words out loud to make sure he hadn't missed anything:

"Dearest Lucy, Su, and Peter-

Don't worry.

I know what I'm doing for once, and I know it's the right thing. I've already nearly ruined Narnia once and I don't want to get anyone else hurt again. Not any of you, or Tumnus, or Orieus, or anyone. So I'm going back home, where I belong. Please don't send anyone to find me.

Just trust me for once. I promise I know what I'm doing.

Lu, you'll find other people to play games with. I was never patient enough to properly play with you, anyway. Susan, I'm sorry for making you mad so often- I really didn't mean to be so beastly. And Peter, stay magnificent. It's stupid of me to be a king as well when all Narnia needs is you as the High King.

So goodbye. I'll say hi to mum and dad and the professor for all of you.

I love you all dearly,

Edmund."

"Well, that's that," the boy sighed softly to himself, cringing as he glanced around the demolished room. Just another mess he was leaving behind for them to clean up. Picking up the letter and leather bag, he slung the latter over his shoulder, pushing the door to his room open for the last time. Gently, he closed it, letting the note flutter down in front of it. Perfect.

Edmund turned away hurriedly, trudging down the hallway to the side of the castle. As long as he kept moving, he didn't have to actually think; as long as he rushed himself along, there was no reason for any emotion to take control. No reason to cry.

Repeating that thought to himself, the boy broke into a jog, eventually reaching a near sprint as a side door revealed itself at the end of another hall. Throwing his shoulder against it, he let the wood swing wide open, whacking against the solid stone wall of Cair Paravel.

So this was his great escape.

He took a single step out into the cool, motionless night, feeling so out of tune and alienated in the tranquil peace that smothered the land.

So this was his freedom.

The boy took another hesitant step across the grass, then a few more, striding slowly away from the stone walls. As he stepped out of the shadow of the great building, suddenly everything came crashing down, all his anger and jealousy and impulsive decisions. Suddenly, the moonlight illuminated the former King Edmund the Just of Narnia as what he truly was- just a small, unremarkable child named Edmund Pevensie.

But, whoever he was, the boy had promised to do this, had pledged to make the noble, unselfish choice. To do the right thing.

And now, for once, he knew exactly what that thing was.

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A/N: First CoN fic, so I hope you liked it, though it's based more on the movie-verse than the books, I'm afraid.) I apologize if Ed seemed a little off, but I couldn't help but love this idea. I don't know if I'll continue, but it was a fun plot to use for what-ifs, regardless.