Just and Magnificent
Volume 2.4 – Chosen, Tainted, Bound.
Volume 2 of Just and Magnificent takes place about 2 years after the events of the movie. It is the second of three volumes. It is AU and if you haven't figured out, contains slash and incest. Hopefully you find it handled in a way that is as pure as possible. Though I am sure if you're up to this chapter by now, you've pretty much figured out how it works in this story.
Summary: Susan and Orrin find little hope in the desolate city, except with each other. More of Edmund's past is revealed, as well as it's impact on the future. Peter and Edmund return to Cair Paravel. Revelations are made. Princess Eris makes a surprising impression.
Warnings: Slash, Incest, Love, Romance, Adventure, Mystery, etc, etc, etc
Disclaimer: Only characters that are mine are the Pretty Eyes People from Shian! All the rest belong to that master of awesomeness, C.S. Lewis!
CHOSEN
For days since their arrival at the borders of SharShian city, Susan had done her best to find any clue to the disappearance of it's population. Slowly, a picture had come to form in her mind, but she had yet to share that picture with Prince Orrin. Though it pained her to watch him scour his barren city for clues, she could see he at least had hope. If her picture of what happened was correct, then his hope would be for nothing.
True to his word, he had spent each waking moment since informing Susan of his intention to leave the base camp and return to the city itself, scouring almost every building he came across. And yet he was only one man trying to search a city that was as large and grand as Cair Paravel, perhaps even larger. Susan had brought a formidable sized tracking party with her from base camp, but the Prince knew the city better than anyone. He did his best to be hands on in the search for clues.
It seemed to Susan however that with each passing day without any further clue, Prince Orrin grew anxious and desperate. She did her best to soothe his aching heart with a supportive smile or sympathetic glance. Indeed, she had become incredibly fond of him and his intense dedication to his people. They were now on a first name basis, and had become increasingly familiar in the other's presence.
Susan hoped beyond a hope that she was wrong about the fate of his people. That what the seers had told her was wrong. That this city had not been touched by a darkness so strong that it had wiped almost an entire race from existence.
"It is no use." Prince Orrin cried in frustration, unaware that Susan stood behind him, "They're gone. They're all gone. And we still don't know anything about what might have happened to them."
"Orrin …" Susan said sympathetically.
"Majesty. I did not know you were there." Prince Orrin said with a bow.
"Orrin, what will you do if … your people are lost to you?" Susan asked with a concerned look.
"Susan, I have not yet reached a point where I will accept that as a possibility. Are you prepared to share what information you have with me? Do you know something that gives you cause to believe we cannot help them at all?"
"You mean besides the fact that this city is completely desolate?"
"Susan …" Orrin said with tears forming in his eyes, "Have you ever seen the celebrations for the summer's dawn? Every man, woman, child, and creature stand united to welcome in the first dawn of the summer. It is a time of great importance for our people. A time of joy. For one brief moment as the sun breaks the darkness, our people stand united. Even Secson and his army would lay down their weapons for this moment. For that one moment, we are one. I have celebrated that moment every year I have lived. My kingdom is never as beautiful as in that moment. I cannot bear to entertain the idea that I might never see it again."
Susan's heart broke for Orrin in that moment. Instinctively she touched her hand to his shoulder and comforted him. She could only imagine what he might be going through. For a moment his eyes met hers and found understanding. Her free hand found his and for a brief moment they touched.
"Please help me." Orrin begged, "Help me. If not to bring my people back, then help me at least to understand why they might not return."
"I do know something, Orrin. But it is not something you will be so eager to hear."
"Perhaps it may still be something I need to hear." Orrin asked, his eyes unwavering.
Susan sat down and invited Orrin to sit with her. She did not believe their friendship would stand much chance of surviving if they kept secrets from one another. Especially secrets that could shed light on the fate of the Shian Kingdom. Finally, after a deep sigh and much deliberation in her mind, Susan began telling Orrin the information she'd up till now hidden from him.
"The seers have only one point of comparison for an event like this. And if what happened in the past, happened here. Your people are lost." Susan said with sadness in her voice and compassion in her eyes, her hand clutching Orrin's.
"What happened?" Orrin asked, his interest piquing, "And to whom?"
"The wildlands of the north were not always so wild. The Dena once inhabited it. Until they simply disappeared. An entire people. Just like here."
"What happened to them?"
"No one knows what happened. Only that they did not return. Surrounding kingdoms of the time believed that the Dena were punished for their disbelief in the old ways."
"But we still believe in the old ways."
"I know. I don't believe the Dena were punished for anything. I simply believe they were chosen to be … wiped from the world."
"Chosen? Chosen by who?"
BY THE GRACE OF ASLAN
And still Edmund, King of the Fallen Army fell. Fell up, down, he could not tell. He could see nothing but darkness around. He could feel however that he was not alone. He could still feel hands grabbing at him in the darkness. He screamed out at them to stop, but they only increased in number and ferocity. Again he heard that voice. That voice who was many and yet one. That voice who taunted him with its presence and power.
"Come to us." The voice boomed in both a whisper and a hurricane, causing Edmund to scream out again, "Your taint, it binds you. You are one with us."
"Who are you?" Edmund gasped, fighting off the hands that forced their way over his mouth, "What do you want from me?"
Edmund then felt the hands fall away completely, before one single gloved hand pressed over his chest. He could feel a burning heat from the hand as it pressed ever more into him, melting away his armor and causing him to scream out in pain. He believed it would soon burn through his flesh like butter, as if the hand was going to reach in and wrap his heart in its hands. Then the voice spoke again, sounding more like one voice than a multitude.
"I … am … Lej…"
Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning streaking through a black sky he heard a mighty roar. A roar that broke the voice before it could finish revealing its name. A roar so intense it shook the fear from his soul. A roar so great it could only come from one lion. The great lion himself; Aslan.
All at once, Edmund found himself blinded. Blinded by a light so brilliant it lit up the darkness and for an instant, Edmund could see what surrounded him. Thousands upon thousands of fearsome creatures, all falling with him. Some he recognized, some he did not. One figure stood out from the rest. One figure that did not seem to be falling at all, rather, everything else seemed to be falling around it. One figure whose hand still burned against Edmund's skin. One hand that seemed to burn through to his soul. And that one hand belonged to the voice that had taunted Edmund. A voice that now had form. A dark knight that wore armor not unlike himself. In fact, it was almost exactly like himself. If only he could see the face beneath it.
Just as quickly, he was shrouded in darkness again. He could hear shrieking cries all around him as Aslan's roar shook the darkness. The hand released him and Edmund found himself falling all over again. The darkness was broken by flashes of light and soon Edmund was forced to cover his eyes for he was blinded by both the darkness and the light.
"He is mine!" The voice boomed.
"His sacrifice has freed him of your taint!" Aslan roared in the darkness, "Release him!"
Edmund felt overwhelmed by a cosmic battle that seemed to rage all around him, and yet he could see none of it. He felt as though he being pulled apart by both a damning cold and soothing warmth. He screamed out as he felt himself dying a second death. He could not comprehend the battle that took place around him. When finally he succumbed, it was to the warmth of a familiar breath on his face.
"Breathe, Son of Adam …"
Finally Edmund opened his eyes and felt the bitter awakening of breath filling his lungs. He realized now that he was alive. But for an instant, for one brief instant, he was not. He realized now that he was face up in a huge body of water deep in the chambers below the north tower. He could see light flickering in from above, just faintly.
His body was weak, but he was alive. And yet he barely had the strength to move. He coughed and spluttered up water as he tried to pull himself atop rocks nearby. It was then that he saw the great lion. Aslan lay on the rocks, gasping for breath and struggling to stand up. Edmund had never seen Aslan so weak before. He looked as though he'd been run a gauntlet, and it was unsettling for Edmund to see the great lion looking so weak.
"Aslan?" Edmund gasped, dragging himself along the jagged rocks, "Aslan?"
"Edmund …" Aslan said breathing heavily, "We must hurry. The tower will soon collapse and fill this chamber."
"How? How am I alive?" Edmund asked, as he remembered what was happening above, "Did we stop her? Is Peter ok? Can I go to him now?"
"I'm afraid not, Son of Adam. Our battles are not yet over."
Suddenly, Edmund felt himself begin to falter. He found his strength was barely enough to drag himself closer to Aslan. His eyes grew heavy and he began to fear that perhaps death was still hunting him. Without a word, Aslan rose to his feet and seemed to shake off any fatigue he felt himself.
"Climb aboard my back, Son." Aslan said as he breathed on Edmund, "Hurry."
Edmund felt himself fill with just enough strength to pull himself aboard Aslan's back. He slumped down and felt safe at last as he rested his head on the lion's mane. He held on tight as Aslan broke into a mighty sprint.
"Peter …" Edmund moaned as he struggled to stay conscious, "Peter …"
"I'm afraid our journey will take us far from here, Edmund. But you have saved Peter. You have saved Cair Paravel. Rest now. For you will need your strength. Our battle is just beginning."
As Edmund's vision began to blur, he looked up to see huge chunks of rock and marble begin raining down into the chamber. He thought of Narnia and his Fallen Army of Beruna. He thought of his sisters. He thought of Peter. He wondered if he'd done enough to save Narnia, and yet as he Aslan spirited him away from the chambers he feared that perhaps he had not. Most of all he wondered if he would ever see his Peter again. For he did not know where Aslan was taking him, he just knew it was far away from from the one he had died for, and would've died for again.
"Ed … we're home." Peter's voice whispered, waking Edmund from his slumber.
Edmund opened his eyes, and yawned as he saw the stunning image of Cair Paravel on the horizon. He wrapped his arms tightly around Peter from behind and breathed in his scent with a whimper. Peter clutched his hand over Edmund's, as if sensing the younger king's unease.
"Another nightmare, Ed?"
"A memory. It doesn't matter anymore." Edmund sighed with restlessness in his voice, "We beat him. I'm home. And no one will keep me from you again."
"I shall make sure of that." Peter said gripping Edmund's hand tighter.
Edmund held onto Peter with all his might, fearing the lonely memories of a life he lived without Peter. For over two years he'd been kept from Peter, both as King of the Fallen, and a rogue warrior fighting for Aslan and Narnia. Two years he hoped he'd never have to relive. And as he closed his eyes and pressed his head against Peter's back, he could almost hear his heartbeat. And he knew as long as that heart beat … so would his. Somehow, so would his.
A QUEEN AND A PRINCE
"If what you have told me is true … then my people are gone."
Susan stood beside Orrin in the now ghost castle of SharShian city. Atop one of the highest points of the city, they could see it all. They looked down over the city and Susan marveled at the majesty and despair it's image conjured within her.
"Orrin, it is not a proven fact that they have suffered the same fate as the Dena. I have used every resource at my disposal to discover the fate of your people. Even the dryads speak among their own to see if any of them bore witness to a fact that may prove helpful."
"What will happen to my city if my people are lost? Who will claim the barren lands of our kingdom? It would matter not." Orrin sighed, "My heart fears that what you have told me is right."
"Peter is probably speaking to the seers this very moment. He should have arrived back at Cair Paravel by now. I know he and Edmund will find an answer, if there is an answer to be found."
"At least Eris is safe. I knew Jesahn would keep her from harm. He is never far from her side. He is always with her. He has been her chosen warrior caste since they were seven years old. You know that warrior caste and ruling caste, like my sister and I, are never allowed to … love. At least now … there is nothing to stop them from being …" Orrin said with a sad smile, "Forgive me. I have given enough melancholy in your presence. It is not what I wished for our time together."
"Believe me, Orrin. I am happy regardless of how we spend our time together."
"Majesty, would you think it wrong of me to find myself thinking of you while my people are lost? You have become my anchor, without which I fear I would be adrift across a sea of despair. I thank you for your companionship and your gentle words." Orrin said finally daring to step closer to Susan and run his hand gently across his face, "I dare say … the brightest light in all this has been you, my Queen. Your compassion is matched only by your beauty. I am captivated by your presence. And I already fear the day when our paths lead us from one another. Do I offend thee with my words?"
"On the contrary." Susan blushed, "I feared this tragedy would keep you from ever saying them."
"Queen Susan, though I am a prince of nothing. A ward of a barren land. Would you grant me permission to court you?"
"I would." Susan said, trying not to let herself float away at that very moment, "Gladly."
"Then permit me this. For since the day I met you, I have dreamt only of it."
"What would that be?"
And there in the center of a desolate city, riddled with despair and melancholy, Susan found a sensation she could compare only to joy. Her body felt like a feather as Prince Orrin cupped her cheek and the small of her back before he leaned forward and kissed her. For the first time in her life, Susan began to feel a glimpse of what Peter shared with Edmund. She felt like a woman. A woman who had finally found someone who made her feel like the center of their world. A woman who quite possibly had found the seeds of love in a field of tragedy.
SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE PRETTY EYES
"Edmund!" Lucy yelled with a smile.
Edmund walked into the dining hall with his chin raised, and doing his best to look a king, and not just the warrior he fancied himself to be. He'd spent a great deal of time alone in his chambers while Peter tended to matters he would not reveal. For though he was King Edmund the Just, his time in Narnia had been spent fighting battles. Now he had to accustom himself to banquets and bothersome tasks of politics and duty. And it would all begin with a banquet to meet Princess Eris, right here in the dining hall. The entire audience gave him a respectful bow which he shrugged off with a coy smirk, before greeting Lucy with a hug.
"It's so wonderful now that you're here with us, Edmund. And now you get to sit on your throne and help rule Narnia with the rest of us. It is such fun. But of course there is a lot of work to do as well. Peter won't let me do any of the important things." Lucy said with a frown, "He still thinks I'm too young. But I'm not! You're not that much older than me, Ed. And you've had all kinds of adventures."
"I'm afraid I am much older than you, Luce." Edmund said with a warm smile, "Don't rush to do such dreadful grown up things."
"You do look so much older since you came back to us at the Golden Ball, Ed. When you died, and then you came back, is that what made you older? I would've thought you'd be younger. Are you alright?"
"The deep magic that helped Peter to bring me back, it isn't … well, let's just say I'm a little closer to Susan and Peter's age now than I am to yours. But I promise it won't change a thing. I'll still annoy you so, every chance I get."
"Oh, Edmund." Lucy laughed as she continued hugging Edmund, "You must come with Mr. Tumnus and I to the great Faun Dance this evening. It will be such good fun. Won't you come? Princess Eris is going to join us too. She's so very nice, Edmund."
"She's too kind." Princess Eris said approaching Edmund from behind, "I do not believe we have been formally introduced."
Edmund stood up straight, held his chin and prepared himself to meet the woman who almost took Peter's heart. He ran through his grand speech in his mind about how it was wonderful to finally meet her. Yet when he turned to face her, he found himself rather speechless.
"I am Princess Eris of the Shian Kingdom, daughter of King Firson, and heir to the throne of the Shian."
"You …" Edmund said confused as their eyes met.
"Majesty?" Eris said with a thin smile, "Is something the matter?"
"I … your eyes …"
"Edmund …" Peter said standing behind Eris, giving Edmund a stern look.
"You must excuse King Edmund. He is rather tired." Peter said ushering Eris to the banquet table.
Edmund stood confused for a moment. He couldn't quite pin it, but there was something different about Eris. Though they'd never been formally introduced, he'd observed her from afar. The Eris he saw then was somehow different to the one he saw now. He hoped it was just his jealousy getting the best of him, but when he turned towards the banquet table, he couldn't help staring at her eyes. There was something in those eyes that seemed eerily familiar, and not at all like the Eris he had chosen for Peter.
To appease Peter, he sat down and ate at the banquet table without another word. While others made small talk about the current state of affairs in Narnia, Edmund did his best to quell the unsettling feeling that built within him. He could see Peter becoming increasingly mad with his unsociable state. Yet still he found himself unable to concentrate on the trivial pleasantries and conversation around him. His mind was on Susan and the situation she faced. He found it strange that Eris had barely mentioned her kingdom's plight. He found it strange that even Peter had barely mentioned Susan's absence and current situation.
"So … Princess Eris." Edmund asked, his eyes meeting with hers, "Do you have any idea what might have happened to your people?"
"Well … I'm sure Prince Orrin has the situation well in hand. He has requested I remain here, and I shall do so."
"You're not in the slightest bit curious as to what might have happened? Or what possible danger your brother and my sister could be facing?"
"Edmund …" Peter whispered, elbowing Edmund in the side.
"Peter, why isn't anyone going to help Susan?" Edmund asked, whispering into Peter's ear.
"I told you to trust me. While you were preparing for this banquet, I was dealing with it." Peter whispered back, becoming somewhat annoyed, "Now stop being rude."
Once again Edmund bit his tongue, but he found little to comfort his dour mood. He could barely stomach eating such a mighty, culinary feast while Susan was out solving the disappearance of an entire kingdom's population. Was everyone else mad? Did they not care?
Edmund wondered if perhaps he'd been so hardened to battle in the last two years that he simply did not have the capacity for such frivolous politics and the finer delicacies of life. In the last year he'd lived on dried out flesh of dumb beats, nuts and fruit from whatever he could find. Nothing like he was eating now. He had lived like a soldier, like a warrior, not a king. He found the crown on his head was increasingly uncomfortable, and he felt uncomfortable taking part in such opulence. But still he sat silently to Peter's side, if only to save face for Peter. When all Edmund really wanted to do was jump up, find Phillip and ride off to aid Susan.
"King Edmund, do you …" Eris began to say before Edmund cut her off.
"Edmund." Edmund said with a curt bow, "Just Edmund. And if I may ask, don't you have an aide who was with you the night of the Golden Ball? Did he not whisk you away to safety?"
"Oh … yes." Eris said as if trying to formulate an answer, "He … is … predisposed."
"Here?" Edmund asked curiously, "I should like to meet him. He is a warrior caste, is he not?"
"He is. I'm afraid … he's not in the city. I have sent him on … a personal mission."
"Is that so?" Edmund asked, studying Eris for some sign that his jealousy wasn't making him paranoid.
"You must be awfully happy to be home again. Home with Peter."
Once again Edmund studied her eyes. Her face was as sincere as possible, but her eyes told him something else. Those brilliant blue green eyes. Surely it wasn't just his jealousy. There was something familiar in her eyes.
"Lucy tells me it was Peter's love for you that gave you life." Eris said with a smile, "Does that mean if you were to lose that love, you'd die?"
Edmund felt himself tense up at her statement. How dare she say something so blatant. And yet no one else seemed to read into her words what he had. Was it a threat? And did she know something he didn't?
"I imagine you'll live for an awfully long time then, because it's obvious Peter is simply mad with love for you." Eris continued, with that same sickly sweet smile on her face that only Edmund seemed to see.
"And on that incredibly accurate note. We have wonderful news." Peter said with a proud smile, holding Edmund's hand up, "King Edmund and I are en…"
"Majesty!" Oerius bellowed as he galloped into the room, "Seeko has returned from the borders of Archenland with news that does not bode well for Queen Susan and our forces currently stationed in the Shian Kingdom."
"What's wrong?" Edmund yelled, jumping out of his seat before Peter could stop him, "What's happened?"
"Edmund!" Peter yelled, standing to his feet, "Take Lucy and Princess Eris to the courtyard. I will speak with Seeko and Oerius alone."
"Like hell you will." Edmund snapped, before he realized everyone was staring at him, "Oh right, I forget, I'm just a regular king. Whoever thought having two kings would do any good anyway?"
"Edmund, please do as I ask." Peter asked again, placing his hand on Edmund's shoulder.
"For now, Peter." Edmund said begrudgingly, "For now."
Edmund did as he was told and left the dining hall with Eris and Lucy. Lucy seemed quite taken with Eris, but Edmund was still weary. He waited in the courtyard while Eris and Lucy played together, and for a moment wondered if it was just his jealousy getting the best of him. After almost an hour, Edmund could stand waiting no more.
"Edmund … you heard the king." Eris called after Edmund, "I'm sure he's doing something of the utmost importance without you. I imagine he'll be doing quite a few things without you … being high king and all. And of course if … Aslan forbid … something were to … happen to you. Don't you think so, Edmund?"
"No, I don't." Edmund snapped back, "And it's King Edmund to you."
"Edmund." Peter said emerging from the courtyard doors, stopping Edmund with a hand on his chest, "Where are you going?"
"I was going to find you. We have to talk, Peter."
"Soon, Ed. I …"
"No, now." Edmund said firmly, walking past Peter.
Edmund continued walking back to the chambers that belonged to Peter. He made a mental note to get his own chambers set up before the evening came, as it wouldn't do to share Peter's while they weren't married. He wasn't sure if Peter was following him, but his anger kept him from turning his head back. Sure enough, when he reached the chambers, Peter walked in a few moments behind him.
"Ed, what is it? You've been queer all afternoon."
"You know what, Peter." Edmund said pacing back and forth, "You know what."
"What is it? Is it me trying to protect you? Is it Princess Eris who you are continually rude to?"
"She's all wrong, Peter. I don't like her. She's not … she's different. I don't trust her."
"Ed …" Peter smiled, annoying Edmund even more, "Has my little doubt-bucket got a case of the green eyed monster?"
"Oh do shut up." Edmund said trying not to smile, "Can you not see I'm trying to be angry here?"
Peter stepped up to Edmund and placed his hand behind the younger king's neck, bringing their lips together in an open kiss Edmund wasn't quite ready for. It wasn't tender or gentle, it was fiery and passionate. Before Edmund knew what was happening, Peter had him back on the bed with his legs straddling his waist.
"You're still beautiful when you're angry." Peter gasped as he sucked gently on Edmund's neck.
Edmund closed his eyes with a breathless moan as Peter's lips did things to his neck that he'd never felt before. He gripped the sheets as Peter made little attempt to hide his intentions. Peter ripped off his shirt and just as quickly managed to rid Edmund of his. Soon his lips were again back on Edmund's skin, trailing down ever lower. Edmund cried out as the sweet torture Peter gave him began filling him with a sense of ecstasy he'd never known. It took all his might to pull this moment back before they crossed a line they'd done so well to avoid so far.
"Peter!" Edmund cried, pulling Peter up so their faces were next to one another, "No, Peter."
"Oh, Edmund." Peter moaned, almost painfully, "Please, please, please? I can't take it anymore. I must have you. We've waited so long. You want me too, don't you?"
"Of course I do. But … we have to wait." Edmund gasped, catching his breath, "We're not married."
"We're engaged. Can't that get us halfway?"
"No. There are rules and there are rules. Limits and conditions, I told you already. You ask me to trust you. Well, you must trust me."
"Oh bother." Peter moaned, letting a big gasp of air escape, "Bother, bother, bother."
Edmund closed his eyes and tried to bring himself down from his Peter induced adrenaline rush. He wondered himself how long he would be able to withstand Peter's advances, for he ached to give Peter what he wanted. He wanted exactly the same thing as Peter. And he knew it wouldn't be wrong or perverse. It would be just, and it would be magnificent. But they would have to wait. And so Edmund continued to think of ways to keep themselves from one another until the day of their wedding, however far away that might be.
"What is it, Ed?"
"I think it is time I had my own chambers set up, don't you?" Edmund asked throwing his arm over his eyes as if that would protect him from Peter's disappointed stare.
"Ed, I promise I'll behave. I promise."
"It'll only be till we're married, Peter." Edmund said reassuringly, looking at the ring that adorned his finger, "When might that be exactly?"
"Tomorrow?"
"Seriously, Peter. When?"
"Oh … well, I suppose about three months after we make the official announcement. At the earliest. Protocol and all." Peter sighed, "You don't really expect me to be without you for that long, do you?"
"You're not angry, are you?"
"Of course not, Ed." Peter said wrapping his arms around Edmund, "Of course not. But I do hope we can speed our wedding up for I shall not be able to take much more of this. And I do not say these things simply because I wish for us to make love, Ed. I simply want it to be that we are completely the other's. That we are truly one with no boundaries or limitations to stop us. I simply want all of you. Body and soul."
"You will wait for me?"
Peter smiled in surprise, staring at Edmund with a little disbelief. He studied Edmund for a moment, their hands finding the other's. Finally Peter smiled reassuringly as he laid his head beside Edmund's and gently kissed his cheek.
"Edmund … must you even ask?"
A PRINCESS WITH A PURPOSE
Princess Eris stood with Queen Lucy on the balcony just off the throne room, staring out at the dusk sky. Lucy had a beaming smile on her face and clearly enjoyed having a new friend to share her time with. Eris cut a stunning figure in contrast to Lucy, who was still very much an innocent queen.
"Tell me, Lucy." Eris asked with a smile that barely bordered on a smirk, running her hands through Lucy's hair, "Do you think Peter likes surprises?"
"Oh yes!" Lucy exclaimed, grinning, "Do you have one for him?"
"Oh I certainly do."
"Tell me, tell me, please. I won't tell anyone."
"I'll do better than that." Eris said as she revealed a small velvet bag, tied with a red ribbon, "I'll show it to you."
"Oh, what is it? Is it for Edmund too?"
"Oh I suppose you could say it is for Edmund. You see Edmund is very special. He has fought demons and shadows and evil of all kinds. He has even fought evil greater than the white witch. Some say it was the most powerful evil to walk the world."
"He has?" Lucy asked with wide eyes, "Oh, he hasn't told me anything. He is such a hero, is he not?"
"Oh he is, Lucy. And for heroes as special as him, they deserve rewards. They deserve … just rewards. He will get exactly what he deserves for slaying the great evil. Aren't you excited for him?" Eris asked as she clasped her hands together.
"Oh, I am!"
"This bag is just for Peter though. It's something that will change his world in ways he cannot imagine."
And with that, Eris turned her attention back to the ocean. She continued to run her hand through Lucy's hair while a crooked smile passed over her lips. She cast an imposing figure against the dusk sky, with a stature of a woman who ruled more than just a desolate kingdom. Her shadow was even more imposing, for it did not seem to quite match the shape of her slim, lean build. Lucy took Eris's hand and smiled at her new friend.
"Will he like his surprise?" asked an excited Lucy.
"Oh, Lucy. I do believe it will be positively heartbreaking." Eris said with a small, ominous smile, "But you mustn't say a word. It'll be our little secret."
A/N: Things are starting to heat up now in this second volume of Just and Magnificent.Is Edmund right about Eris? More of Edmund's past was revealed. As well as hints to who he fought and where he was for the year between the second war with Jadis, and his return at the Golden Ball. As mentioned in the last chapter, his 'life' has limits and conditions. All of which have been revealed, if you choose to seek them. I hope you are enjoying this series. This is about the halfway point for Volume 2, with one lastvolume to follow and wrap up the series in a way you probably don't expect ... or maybe you do. If you enjoyed this chapter, don't be shy to let me know what you liked or why you liked it. I'm sure I was supposed to thank somebody for something. Eeek, I'll remember next time. And please read my story 'Daughter of Eve, Believe', if you like my writing. Next chapter coming soon!
