Chapter Three

What Edmund Knows

"Owww!" Edmund groaned at the intense pain. He managed to open half an eye and thought he was seeing a pair of stars. But as his vision cleared, he realized the two blue dots were eyes. Susan's eyes. Her face slowly swam fully into his eyesight. The pain suddenly vanished as panic set in. He scampered away from her, terrified of what she might try to do.

"Easy, easy…" soothed Peter's voice and Edmund noticed he was crouching next to his sister with a worried expression. "Sorry Ed, I thought you were someone else trying to attack us."

Edmund eyed them shiftily and maintained his distance. They looked clear-headed at the moment but earlier when he came to check on them, he found them both loose from their bonds and locked in an embrace. The first thing that came to his head was that Peter was still drunk and trying to seduce their sister. He tried to pry Peter off and got knocked for it. "Are you both sober now?" he asked doubtfully.

His siblings looked at each other with puzzled expressions and they seemed to have realized something. They turned identical shades of red. It convinced Edmund they were sober enough if they knew how to blush.

"What happened last night, Edmund?" Peter worriedly asked. "We don't remember. Has something gone terribly wrong?"

Edmund noticed his brother and sister were seriously distraught, but he couldn't really decide how to answer that last question. Yes, something terrible had happened. Many terrible things had happened to him in particular. The horrible images of the night before flashed before his mind and he recoiled at the memories. He was sure to have nightmares about this forever and he didn't want to have to retell them. It was too embarrassing. Maybe it was best that his siblings didn't know if they couldn't remember anything. If they did, Peter and Susan might be so ashamed of what they did they may never look at each other the same way again.

"Ed, please," pleaded Peter. "If something happened… did anyone… did anyone hurt Su last night?" He seemed close to tears with worry and Susan looked so haunted. Edmund realized how frightful the situation looked to his clueless siblings.

Edmund shook his head. "No, she's not hurt. Not really. And neither were you. It's alright. Nothing… bad happened, at least nothing regarding the safety of Narnia if that's what you're thinking."

"But we were tied…" Susan began.

"I was the one that tied you both last night," Edmund admitted.

Peter and Susan gave him a look that meant: "Why?"

"I had to. You were a bit too drunk. I was worried you might… wander off," he said lamely.

"But we have bruises," said Peter. "And Susan… just look at her!"

Edmund knew they were going to ask that. He searched for a good excuse but nothing seems to be coming into his mind at the moment. Peter's punch must have dislodged a part of his brain.

Edmund just shook his head and got up. "It's nothing," he dismissed. "Those were just accidents. Come on, we have to go home before Lucy worries that we're missing. Philip and Aglaia are waiting for us not far from here." He ran on leaving his siblings behind. But it wasn't long before they caught up to him just before he reached Philip in a little distance. Peter pulled roughly at Edmund's shoulder.

"I'm not leaving until I get some answers, Ed!" demanded Peter.

Edmund violently pulled back, half-afraid that Peter was still somehow affected by the wine.

"Look at this," Peter pointed angrily at the bruise on Susan's arm. "Don't tell me this was just an accident!"

"Don't lie to us, Edmund!" Susan warned. "Who did that to Peter?" she indicated the numerous scratches their older brother had on his chest. "Just tell us who! I don't care if it's a nymph or some other creature! You don't need to protect them!"

"He should be punished," added Peter, menacingly. "I'll make sure of that!"

Edmund would have laughed at the utter hilarity of the situation, but at the moment, he was just too tired, too stressed and too angry. After the night of misery they put him through, his siblings had the gall to shout at him.

"Fine! You want to know? You did it yourselves only you were both too drunk to remember! Except that one on Peter's cheek. I did that. Somebody had to knock some sense into him!"

Peter's and Susan's anger immediately abated. "You mean…" began Susan. "These were self-inflicted? We tried to hurt ourselves?"

Edmund was tempted to just tell them everything, but it was a good enough excuse, so he decided to just let them think that. Then he related mostly what happened the night before—Peter's drinking, his dance with the nymphs, the arrival of Bacchus and his mad girls, the flowing of the wine, Susan's wild dancing with the Maenads, up to the part where Bacchus had chosen her to be one of his consorts. Edmund, however, was careful to leave out the most distasteful parts where Peter and Susan tried to attack each other. By the end of his account, his siblings looked ashamed enough that Edmund decided they didn't need to know any more.

"I shouldn't have come," said Susan remorsefully. "I was just so mad at you and Peter for leaving me out. I stole away and followed you. I met some of the water nymphs who had just come from the river on their way to the festival. I gave them a false name and they gave me some wine and I just kept drinking it. I should have stopped then. But then they introduced me to those women with Bacchus and I thought they were a jolly lot. They gave me more wine. It just tasted so good that I couldn't stop…"

"It's both our faults for losing our heads. Some help I was," Peter said with equal regret. "I couldn't help Ed keep you safe from Bacchus. All I did is get drunk and get myself scratched. I'm sorry Ed, for all the trouble…" he paused for a moment then: "Ed, you… you're not going to tell anyone… especially Lucy… about this incident?"

Susan looked up to him hopefully.

Edmund raised an eyebrow at them. "What incident?"

Susan and Peter looked immensely relieved.

"Thank you, Edmund," said Susan gratefully.

Edmund got on Philip. Peter offered to take Susan with him on his unicorn.

"Just promise me one thing," said Edmund. "Never attend another Bacchanalia again unless Aslan himself is with you."

His siblings promised that they wouldn't and they were soon galloping back towards Cair Paravel in silence. Edmund turned his thoughts on the better part of last night's events. He let his mind dwell on the image of a lovely nymph whose smiles made him feel headier than the most potent wine Bacchus could ever conjure. Maybe he would go out riding towards Lantern Waste next week. He rather liked the taste of apples.

Peter led his unicorn to a quick gallop in silence. Susan rode side saddle in front of him and she hadn't said a word either since they had left Dancing Lawn. She seemed to be deep in thought as he was. Peter figured she was as desperate to remember anything that happened last night as he was. He too was wringing his own brain for any memory, but all he could conjure up in his mind was the image of himself chasing a woman pass the trees and into an open field. It didn't make sense at all, but his curiosity was itching to find out the woman's identity, if she was indeed real. He wasn't certain. It could have been all just a dream.

Susan gave a deep sigh.

"Are you alright?" he whispered.

"I just feel so confused. I tried to remember anything but all I get are these feelings that are so… contradictory."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I don't understand it, but I remember at first feeling so alive. Like I could do anything and there was nothing holding me back. It felt… liberating." Peter noticed her eyes shone with wonder and somehow he could relate. He too could recall something like that last night: the wild exhilarating feeling of not caring, of having no responsibilities.

"Like you can do what you wish in the world and not worry of the consequences?" he asked.

"You felt that too?"

Peter nodded. It felt good to be sharing this with someone.

"But then," she continued. "Suddenly I get this feeling of… anger." She paused and shook her head. "No… it's not even anger, it's rage. Did you feel that way?"

"No, I didn't or maybe I don't remember."

Susan sighed again. "It's like I wanted to hurt someone so badly and I don't know why. That's probably why I hurt myself." She stared at her discoloured arm.

Peter stared at the ugly mark in her arm and felt guilty, though he couldn't understand why either. He figured that maybe he was blaming himself for not stopping her from hurting herself the way she did. He promised himself he would never act impulsively again. Boredom was no excuse. Susan may irritate him sometimes but he deeply cared for her and would never let her be hurt.

"Does it hurt?" she asked.

"What does?"

"Those?" she said pointing to the red welts on his chest.

"Stings a little."

"I'll dress them for you when we get home."

"Thanks." He knew that was an offer of peace. All the troubles they had from last week had been forgiven. He felt there was also something else they were forgiving each other for though he couldn't quite explain what exactly.

Susan leaned her head on his chest but was careful to avoid his scratches. He knew she must have a headache as painful as his but he was willing to be a makeshift pillow. She closed her eyes and was silent for a long time.

"Peter?" she finally said, though she didn't lift her head from its resting place.

"Hmmm?"

"You think maybe we could do something different with the Ceresian Festival next year?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking, maybe we shouldn't be leading all the dances all the time. Maybe we could get some of the other creatures to lead for once. Give them a more active role. Well it does get exhausting when we lead all the time."

Peter laughed. "I thought you enjoyed leading, you seem to be enjoying ordering Lu, Ed and I to do it."

Susan finally lifted her head from his chest and looked at him. "I do not order you!"

Peter raised an eyebrow that indicated she did.

"I don't!" she insisted.

"No, but you nag and it gets to me the same way as ordering me!"

Susan looked a bit guilty. "Alright, maybe a little. I'll try to loosen up."

Peter smiled. "I'm not counting on it." Susan scowled at him and Peter rubbed his nose against the top of her head. "What prompted this change of heart?" he teased against her hair.

"I don't know… perhaps this night… those feelings I had last night, the first one not the anger part. It made me feel I'm missing something. I think I shouldn't take things too seriously… but not going to extreme, of course."

"Yes," Peter agreed. "I think we both should. What do you say after the trade negotiation talks with the Lone Islands ambassadors we take off for a holiday?"

"We just had one for a week during the Ceresian."

"Not that kind of holiday. We still had duties then. I mean a real holiday, with nothing to do but enjoy ourselves. No schedules, no obligations, no meetings and no visitors. Just the four of us, even for two days. We can leave Mr. Tumnus, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, and Oreius in charge."

"I think I'd like that. And so would Lu and Ed." Susan smiled wistfully. "But only if there would be no wine either."

Peter couldn't agree more. After last night he would be sticking to water for a very long time.

They had finally reached Cair Paravel and got off their horses with instructions to Aglaia and Philip not to breathe a word about what happened to anyone. The horse and the unicorn then trotted off to the pastures for breakfast. Surprisingly, however, Edmund didn't go to the front gates but walked on stealthily to the rear gate that led near the kitchens.

"Ed, where are you going?" asked Peter.

"Sshhh!" shushed Edmund. "Do you want to wake up everyone?" he hissed. "We're coming up through the back."

"Why?" asked Susan softly as they followed Edmund.

"There are four floors between the front door and our rooms. That's four sets of stairs, 16 corridors and 48 doors. Do you honestly want to walk in there looking half-naked and bruised as we are where any of our subjects and perhaps Lucy can see us?"

Peter never thought of that and realized his brother was right. He was deeply ashamed of what he did last night and he could never live it down if any more of his subjects aside from Philip and his unicorn ever found out about it. Any of his subjects were sure to question them if they saw the bruises they had.

"We need clothes or at least something to cover up, especially the bruises," continued Edmund.

"How?" asked Susan.

"We're stealing from the clothesline," answered Edmund.

"What?" Susan and Peter asked together.

"Got any better ideas?" asked Edmund sarcastically.

They both had to admit they didn't.

The sun was already fully up. Peter estimated it was around nine in the morning. Normally on the day after the Ceresian festival, most of their subjects slept in late. But the dwarfs that did the washing were always up at six, regardless of the date. It was at this time that they just finished hanging the first batch of freshly washed linen. Sure enough when they came upon the back courtyard, there were several sheets and blankets billowing under the sun. Unfortunately, none of them were proper clothes, but those would have to do.

They grabbed three sheets and quickly entered a small side door just as a pair of female dwarfs appeared with a second batch of blankets and spoke in puzzled tones as to why they were missing three pieces of linen they had just hung out to dry.

The side door led to a small dark staircase. It was one of those shortcuts through the palace that was usually used by the Cair Paravel's servants. Of course, most of them were small talking beasts and magical creatures, thus the space was built to their size. It was a rather uncomfortable long climb for the three royals who had to crouch and duck at every turn when the ceiling became too low. Twice, Peter hit his head on a beam, adding additional aches to his already throbbing head. He wanted nothing more but to reach his bed and sleep. He vowed yet again that he would never, ever get drunk in his life.

At last they reached the door that opened to the corridor on the third floor. Only one floor remained, but they had to pass a very long hallway, another flight of steps then a second long hallway to get to their rooms.

"Wrap up," instructed Edmund. They used the sheets to cover themselves. It was easiest for Susan. She turned the blanket she got into a somewhat passable dress around her body. But he and Edmund couldn't do anything with their own sheets but wear it like cloaks over their shoulders. Peter had the additional problem of hiding the welt on his cheek. Edmund didn't have that trouble since Peter hit him where his hair covered the swelling.

"Wear it over your head like a hood," suggested Susan. "That way you could just hide your cheek against the cloth if someone comes by."

Peter felt ridiculous but admitted that she had a point and did as she suggested.

Susan went first and served as a lookout. The hallway was clear and they emerged from their hiding place and made their way slowly. It would have been easier to run but they didn't risk making any noise, especially since they were also passing through some of their courtiers' bedchambers.

So this is what we are reduced to, thought Peter miserably. Sneaking into our own castle like thieves dressed in bed sheets.

They finally reached the final staircase and they made their way through it uneventfully as they met not a soul. Peter felt very foolish the way he was dressed when he need not have done so. He pulled down his makeshift hood but kept his blanket around his shoulders. Susan too had unwound her improvised dress and wore her blanket around her shoulders like Peter and Edmund.

The fourth floor hallway was also deserted. Of course that was not unusual. This floor was their private section in Cair Paravel. Except for the occasional cleaning staff, only the four monarchs usually came up here. And since it was the day after the Ceresian festival, nobody would be here to clean until tomorrow.

They all began to relax and Peter thought back again to the mysterious woman he remembered chasing the night before.

"Say Ed?" began Peter. "About last night… you wouldn't happen to remember seeing me… with someone…"

"What do you mean?" asked Edmund.

"Well, I do remember something… but I'm not sure… Peter hesitated but then decided to just ask as it was the only way to satisfy his curiosity. "Alright, there's this beautiful nymph, don't laugh Su. But I remember running after her."

Susan broke into a soft giggle. "Are you in love?" she teased.

Edmund coughed slightly, but Peter hardly noticed it. He felt his cheeks redden with a blush.

"It's not like that. I can't even remember her face. I'm just curious that's all… Ed, you didn't happen to see who she was…?"

"You mean that Naiad you danced with?" Edmund asked, his voice sounded a bit hoarse.

"No, not her," said Peter. "I know who she is. She's sweet, but she's not the one. There was someone else." He remembered kissing the Naiad, but somehow she didn't matter much to him as the identity of the other woman that he remembered chasing.

Edmund didn't say anything for a long moment and Peter thought he saw something strange in his brother's eyes that he couldn't place but it was gone before he could observe it further.

"No, sorry, didn't see anyone else," replied Edmund evenly.

Peter felt disappointed.

"Oh don't worry," said Susan as she placed an affectionate hand on his shoulder. "Maybe you'll meet her again. We can always ask the nymphs. All the nymphs are familiar with each other. Someone's bound to know her."

Edmund was suddenly attacked by a choking fit and he began coughing uncontrollably. Susan patted him in the back. "Are you alright?" she asked.

"Nothing," replied Edmund when he recovered. "Just air went down the wrong pipe."

They had finally reached the doors to their own rooms.

"I don't think you should pin your hopes up on finding her, Peter," said Edmund just as Peter opened the door to his room. "Maybe she's not real. Maybe she's just… a part of your imagination."

Peter considered it and thought that perhaps Edmund was right. "Yes, I suppose she is."

He turned to go in but he froze when a voice called:

"So you finally decided to come home."

Peter instinctively clutched at his blanket to cover his chest and faun-skinned covered legs. His eyeballs then turned to his right and saw Lucy standing at the end of the hallway, fully dressed, with her arms crossed over her chest. He didn't dare turn fully towards her, knowing if he did, Lucy would see the bruise on his cheek and he had no explanation for it.

"What do you mean, Lucy?" asked Edmund lamely. Peter saw that he and Susan were also wrapped completely in their bed sheets in order to hide their rather questionable attire underneath.

Lucy rolled her eyes at him. "Oh don't even try lying to me. I was up since dawn and none of you were in your beds. In fact I don't think you were ever there at all the entire night." She approached Susan and plucked a leaf from her older sister's hair and held it out as evidence. Peter knew immediately there was no getting around their youngest sister.

"So just tell me," continued Lucy. "What goes on during the nightly dances with the fauns and nymphs?"

Peter exchanged glances with Edmund and Susan and they reached a silent agreement.

"Oh nothing," said Susan. "It was just dancing, just like the end of the Ceresian. There wasn't anything different."

"Got really boring," added Edmund. Peter nodded in agreement.

Lucy was still eyeing them warily. "Well then maybe I ought to join you next year and see for myself too."

"No!" all three of them cried.

Lucy looked quite taken aback and even more suspicious.

"Oh go if you want," said Edmund nonchalantly. Peter looked at him in alarm. But Edmund appeared as calm as ever. "Just don't ask me to go with you. After a dull night like that, I'm never going back. Utter waste of time, if you ask me."

Peter understood what Edmund was trying to do. He should have known that telling Lucy she shouldn't do something would only serve to encourage her to do the opposite.

Peter pretended to yawn, which turned out not to be fake at all for he was very tired. "I'm not going back there too. It's not so interesting and the dances get tedious after some time."

"Me either," echoed Susan. "The day dances are much more fun. We just ended up falling asleep the whole night and it wasn't very comfortable in the ground. I'd rather just stayed in and slept in my own bed."

"Oh yeah, absolutely horrid sleeping on the ground," said Edmund. "Peter actually tried to lean against a tree bark and got a horrid bruise on the cheek when he nodded off and hit a rough part. Show her, Peter."

Peter revealed his cheek and was glad Edmund could think of an alibi so quickly.

"Looks bad," said Lucy with concern. "That must be some hard tree bark. I'll send one of the dwarfs up for some medicine. But why are you wearing blankets?"

"Oh it got cold," quickly supplied Susan. "We brought them along which was a good thing we did."

"Oh well," said Lucy who looked quite convinced. "I suppose I won't go to one then as well. But I'm glad to hear that you got some sleep at least. We can start off the day earlier. I got a late letter last night from the Lone Islands ambassadors. They're coming back from Archenland to resume the trade negotiations. I was going to put it off for tomorrow, but we might as well receive them now. Go get dressed and I'll meet you in the throne room in half an hour." Lucy turned and skipped downstairs. When her footsteps had gone, Peter turned to his two siblings.

"You think she suspects anything?" he asked.

"No," replied Edmund. "But we better make an appearance at the throne room or she might."

Peter eyed his warm bed longingly and gave a groan. He heard two similar echoes and he knew his siblings were also wishing they had never left their beds in the first place.

End

A/N: In the Apollo-Daphne myth, Daphne was changed to a laurel—the same tree that Edmund tied Peter to. Apollo's tree is officially the laurel because of Daphne. Meanwhile, the cypress, where Susan was tied to, is Artemis' tree.

I was actually deliberating whether to let Susan and Peter know what they did to each other. I initially wrote a part where Edmund tells them, but later changed the story where Edmund just keeps it a secret from then. I thought it would be funnier to have Edmund squirm when Peter mentions he's looking for a mysterious nymph and Susan encourages him to find her. Plus, I thought letting Peter and Susan know about the incident might give them unnecessary emotional baggage that could alter their relationship.

Again, thank you to those who read and reviewed, and I'm especially grateful to those who pointed out some mistakes I made and those who gave me a few more insights.