A/N : Can I just take a moment to... SCREAM OUT LOUD?! I mean seriously! You guys are so freaking awesome! Just checked my stats and guess what?! Almost 10K views and a 103 freakin reviews! OMG, I'm totally sooooo hyper right now! A big shoutout on the mountain tops, for every single one of my fellow Narnians who have followed/favourited/reviewed and most of all made my day! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
And a special congratulations to queenofthesilvermoon for being the official 100th reviewer of "A Place in this World", here's a chapter dedicated for you and every single one of my regular reviewers! Thank you so much guys, I have no idea what I would do without you!
Chapter 12; an explanation
His blonde, tousled hair hung low on his forehead. Peter Pevensie had already given up at his futile attempts to brush them off his eyes as he sighed, glancing down at the blank piece of paper- the proposed treaty he was supposed to go over, but could just not bring himself to. Peter rubbed his eyes, though it was just mid-day. Yesterday had been one hell of a day. Something that he would go as far as to say the worst he'd had since his time as High King, and that is the apart from the bloody attack.
First of all, he'd been harshly dragged away from his drink by the sudden attack, and the next thing he knew he was in a swirling mass of silvery blades, Rhindon in his arm twirling around in a dance of pure instinct, accompanied to the high pitched screams of the helpless guests. Truth be told, he hadn't expected this, none of them had. But that only made the situation so much worse. They'd been too secure in the sense of their own safety. Too oblivious to what was going on outside of the walls of Cair Paravel. If only, they'd been a bit more aware, he thought remorsefully.
The first thing he'd done since they'd been crowned was make sure that there was nothing of the sort that could be a threat- be it of magical or non magical origins, towards his land. And if there was, he'd made it his business to make sure he knew everything about it. Aside from Jadis, and the obvious threat of the larger dynasties from the lands beyond the Great Desert, there seemed to be none. Except of course, a couple of legends- a dragon by the name of Golgoth that had threatened Narnia, but since been banished by Aslan to the farthest land of the Seven Isles where its said to be bidding its time; another of an entire race of something or another trying to conquer the land, or rather just the Tree of Protection while the land was still young, but Jadis had put a quick stop to that annihilating the whole race itself.
But ever since he'd heard of them, he'd dismissed them as yet another fabricated legend. Peter sighed audibly, his fingers running through his golden locks. He could recall the sudden chaos that had ensued. All he heard was this sudden mayhem that had begun as people scrambled all over the place, their yells indistinguishable over the comprehensive uproar that echoed around the halls.
He remember looking around in confusion as he rushed on into the conflict, Rhindon glowing with a golden tint in his arms as a faun's blade cut through a kink in the armour of the black clad opponent, only for the whole armour to seem to fall apart as if nothing held it so in the first place and to the High King's horror, something rise up from the confines. Something black and menacing seemingly fluid in its movements, as if it weren't a living thing at all. As if it were instead consisting of a million individually live parts- almost like insects- working together to form a single sentinent being.
He could almost taste the bitter feeling in his mouth. But then the faun- Ragnor, overcoming the initial feeling of shock thrust his sword towards where- if the creature had one- its heart should have been. And Peter had watched on with astonishment as it simply disintegrated into dust being blown away.
"Their hearts!" he had yelled after that, at his fellow comrades. "Pierce them through the hearts!"
But now that Peter thought back, he realized something. For an attack on the castle so sudden that had taken them all by surprise, and not to mention the distinct advantage of the enemy.. the casualities had been to the minimum. Or maybe, too minimum. In fact, he could almost say that they had lost only a surprising number of not more than twenty good men. Though not all of them had come unharmed, suffering minor damages.
Peter ran his fingers through his hair. But that just did not seem right now, did it? Why would they just attack them, without any intent whatsoever of causing major damage? It was almost like a message.. or more like, a warning. But a warning about what? From whom?
Deeply lost in thought, a sharp rap on the door brought him back to the real world. "Come in," the High King called, making mental note to restrict access to the Royal chambers to only highly trusted personnels , though even now not all could access it, but it wouldn't hurt to be a bit more precarious now, would it?
In walked Iliea, a tree spirit or a dryad to be specific- one of his most trusted advisors ever since he'd been crowned. "Your majesty," she curtsied the sort of greenish halo embracing her form made quite evident in the dimly lit state of his room, before making her way towards the High King's table- or as he'd liked it known, the Work Desk- placing a large sheaf of paper, before turning around leaving at the nod of his head.
Peter knew what it was, it was the complete list of the guests present yesterday that he had requested. As hosts it was their duty after all to have their guests contented and from what had happened last night, he knew 'content' would be the last word he would use to describe their state of satisfaction.
He'd had a rather busy time yesterday. Having to console most of them those despicable noble ladies that clung onto him like leeches sobbing into his new tailored tunic, he thought with disgust. The worst, even he could see through the facade of false tears but had no choice but to assure them everything would be alright and personally escort (no thanks to his siblings for that) each to their own temporary guest rooms, until some kind of arrangements could be made to return to their respective homelands. Most of them, from the lands of the Seven Isles, including the nobles and respective royalties of Archenland and Terabinthia. And since the relationships within the countries were on quite good terms, he'd managed to placate the respective rulers and bad blood avoided. And for once, Peter was glad that he'd dismissed Susan's proposal to invite the Calormene and Telmar delegations. He could only imagine what would have ensued, if they had!
But right now, Peter had no time to to go through that. Right now what he needed was to see his brother, he thought as he got up from his desk easily missing the fact that it was almost midnight and that he'd been seated there for eight hours straight.
"Are you sure you're not forgetting anything? Every word of it?"
Edmund pursued his lips. "For the last time Peter, yes. That's all. And no, I'm not forgetting anything."
"Tell me once again, and don't leave out anything."
Edmund rolled his eyes as he begun to recall the same tale once again.
"Are you sure she did not mention anything before about a sibling? Even to our sisters?"
The Just King grimaced but yet gave a curt nod. "People do have their secrets, for whatever reason she kept this from us, I trust her." Peter could sense his brother's inner turmoil. Maybe he was getting better at reading his brother's emotions but before he could say anything Edmund averted his gaze as Peter quickly changed the subject . Edmund was always the better one when it came down to hiding emotions, and what the High King had seen right now, was according to him, a rare moment of vulnerability. And of course, Peter was not planning on letting it pass. But not now. Not when he would take his well meant gesture, an offense to his rigidity. Some other time, over mead perhaps.
And so he'd changed the subject, "How is the prisoner now?"
"In the infirmary. The gashes seemed to have healed on themselves though he still is unconscious. I've given the order to administer Lucy's cordial if he doesn't regain consciousness by tomorrow morning."
Peter nodded. "But what are we supposed to do with Aline then?"
At that, Edmund snapped, "Peter seriously, YOU are the goddamned High King, NOT me. Can't you decide one small thing by yourself?"
"You're the strategist Edmund. You're the one who thinks of everything."
The Just King's eyes flashed dangerously, his voice gone cold with a hint of satire but yet dangerously calm, that even Peter could not help feel at least threatened. "Do you mean to imply that it was my fault, brother?"
These were the moments that he'd dreaded most. The moments amidst conversations when Edmund grew so cold and distant at the slightest of provocations that even he could not recognize his own brother anymore. When he'd seemed to change into a completely different individual driven with nothing by rage and hatred for anything and everything. And right now, he knew his brother was on the very verge of losing it. Even though looking at him in a nonchalant way, a cold smirk on his lips, Peter could see his white knuckles, grasping the hold of the armchair rather hard that he could almost make out the greenish veins standing up against his contrastingly pale skin that suggested quite the opposite. And Peter knew he could not allow this conversation go that way.
"Both you and I know, that is not what I meant, Edmund. What I'd meant is, there is something going on, in here. Something that is beyond our comprehension and know nothing of. But whatever it is, she definitely plays some part in it, whether she knows it or not." Peter said.
"If that was what you'd meant, then you sure had an interesting way of phrasing it." came the quick curt reply.
Peter ran his fingers through his already messed up hair, clearly annoyed. Sometimes he thought Edmund did this all on purpose, just to piss him off. But then again, he'd refused to rise to it, so he responded calm as he ever was, "You know what you have to do, Edmund."
For a moment there, he thought Edmund would explode again, but instead he replied his voice not betraying his feelings, "I'm sure Susan or Lucy could do just as well." Edmund closed his eyes for a brief second, drawing in a deep breath, this time his voice a notch calmer, "Besides, I don't think she has anything to hide."
"We don't know that for sure, Edmund. And you know, why it's you who should do it."
Unfortunately, Edmund knew.
She stood by the balcony, her clothes- which she hadn't bothered to change for the night- rumpled, her unruly hair flying around getting tangled within themselves, but she could care no less. A single tear rolled down her eyes, trailing down an already damp cheek but coaxed no attempt from her to wipe it away.
Her feelings were mixed. She was feeling confused. And scared. And alone. Very, very alone. The feeling of emptiness threatening to bury her from within.
She wished she could leave this place. Why, oh why did trouble had to follow her every wake? For a rare moment, after she'd come to Narnia, Aline had allowed herself to hope that maybe, just maybe she could leave behind her old life, start afresh here, in this entirely new world. But alas, no, trouble was just not done with her. But.. why? Why, her? Why not someone, anyone else?
Her fingers as if in a mind of their own, were fiddling around with the emerald chain around her neck, like she did always, whenever she was nervous. By now, the necklace had almost become a part of her, that half the time she did not even notice the weight on her neck, unless during times like this. Times when she needed comfort the most, when she felt the loneliest and the most vulnerable.
But unfortunately, it never did comfort her, not at all. Instead, all it did was just bring back the memories, the memories of a more happier time. But not that those caused her to feel better. No, they just hurt her the more, reminding her of just exactly how much she'd lost in life. She could almost imagine Hannah laughing at her position. Not at her misery, but at how far she'd come and where she was right now. Aline remembered, she had always been the logical one of the two. She'd vehemently denied Hannah's fantasies, often causing most of their fights between the two. Oh, the irony!
"You would've loved this, wouldn't you? This fairy-tale life I guess. The sense of mystery," she spoke to the empty air. "And adventure. But I am not you. I'm.. I'm not as strong as you are, I never was and I know I'd never be." A tear rolled down her eye.
"I'm sorry. So, so sorry." silent sobs began racking her entire body, as she held the back of her hand to her mouth, preventing her from crying out loud. Which was good, for just at that moment, she heard the door open and a voice call in, "Lady Aline?"
It was a dryad. One of the ladies-in-waiting. She hurriedly wiped out the tear stains from her cheeks before turning to face the dryad, who had now swept into a curtsy, making her feel acutely uncomfortable.
"His Royal Highness, King Peter, requires your immediate presence and I am to escort you, my lady." she stated.
Aline nodded feeling her heart sink to her feet. They were going to kick her out. They surely were. Why else would they want to see her now, as not in the whole day today instead.
She wiped her face one last time, before nodding towards the dryad to lead the way.
The dryad, whom she hadn't even bothered to learn the name of, stopped in front of the large oaken doors which lead to Peter's study.
She hesitated a moment, looking back at the dryad her fingers grasping the handle. She smiled in encouragement.
Aline felt her eyes tear up once again, but managed to compose herself turning the handle as the door opened with a loud creak. She winced at the noise.
Looking up, she could see the stares of the Pevensies fall upon her. She hadn't seen any of them since yester-night, locking up herself inside her room. She had the least idea of what to say, or what to do, so she settled for a, "I believe you wanted to see me?"
"Aline?" Lucy's voice was the first to greet her. "Oh, Aline! You look so awful. Oh my gosh! I wanted to come see you but-"
"Lucy!" Peter admonished, and the younger girl stopped abruptly.
"Aline," Susan called, not unkindly, "why don't you come take a seat?" That was Susan, ever so gentle, even when they were just going to kick her out. Or... or worse, her mind supplied. What if they just locked her up in the dungeons. Surely they would not be so cruel, would they? Even if they did, they would only be so right. It wasn't like she was a saint either. She had only just watched on, heartless as her brother was- no, she just couldn't afford to let herself think of it.
Aline complied, barely keeping away the tears from pouring down her eyes, but somehow she'd managed with a nod taking her place in the chair where the Gentle Queen had gestured.
"So Aline," Peter started, "I presume you are aware of why you're here."
How could she not?
A million thoughts ran in her head but she managed to utter a single word, "No."
"We need your help,"
Her help? He was joking right?
"Or rather, co-operation,"
Oh, that made more sense.
"Aline are you listening?"
"Yeah, yes I am."
"So would you-"
"Look, I know you want information and I'll be glad to help you with anything, but- but you should know that there are somethings, things I would rather not.. recall. And I just ask that you respect that."
"Sounds good enough."
"And," she continued, "you need to tell me what happened, or- what exactly is going on in here."
"We would, Aline. Of course we would," Susan said her voice so calm and friendly, that when she spoke, Aline felt like she just with the sound of her voice did alleviate half the tension in the room, and she understood why they called her the Gentle Queen.
She nodded, her gaze falling on the Just King only to see him staring right back at her, his brown eyes intent and his gaze deep as if he were looking passed her face and straight into her soul, but for some reason she did not want to avert her eyes, she wanted him to see, she wanted him to believe that whatever it was that she was going to say, was true. It was crazy, she knew. But even she didn't know why it was but she wanted him to believe her. But then, he looked away. And she felt like something within her deflate.
"What do you want to know about?" she asked, her voice coming out smaller than expected.
Edmund chided himself turning his eyes away from where they were fixated on, which turned out to be her own green ones. He hadn't expected her to hold his gaze for so long, but when she did he hadn't expected to be captivated by their depths. It wasn't like he hadn't seen people with green eyes before but it was just that, they were mostly of a lighter hue, or bordering on the line of hazel, and never once had he come upon anyone who had green eyes as dark as she did. Almost as if they were emeralds engraved upon the pale of her- he stopped running his fingers through his hair, Edmund sighed inaudibily. With matters of much more importance at hand, here he was analyzing the shade of her eyes. Why couldn't he just seem to keep his head on whenever she seemed to be around? Or maybe, it was just that he was just merely observing them of their rarity, nothing else. Yep, that was the only logical explanation, he decided as he turned his attention back to his siblings, away from her.
"So Aline," Peter's voice cut through, "I guess we could start with your-" he looked at her in an almost contemplating manner, "-brother, isn't it? "
"Step- brother," she corrected, then added to the monarchs confused looks, "by my father, we've the same mother. I've known him all my life, though we never were-" she paused there, "on the best of terms."
That explains it, Edmund thought. Maybe that's why she'd never mentioned a sibling before.
"I presume he's older than you, then?"
"Yes, by two years."
And so it drawled on, with nothing much significance making its way into the conversation, that the monarchs just had to decide that she really did know nothing of the ordinary until of course she'd "stumbled"- as she had described- upon Narnia.
But something just did not seem to add up in there. Edmund clearly remembered what happened that night in the dungeons, and what talk had ensued between the two. Of course, she had said they were not 'on the best of terms', but what exactly did that mean, and what had he done that would not warrant for her forgiveness even after what had happened? Yes, he did shoot an arrow at her, but then she had seen with her own eyes that her brother was not exactly in the right state of mind, didn't she?
Edmund met Peter's gaze and he knew this was what he was thinking. Of course, though the High King hadn't been present, Edmund had, in fact relayed him everything that had happened down here and it wasn't like Peter to forget the tiniest of details. But he had, also noticed her discomfort whenever the mention of her brother, and they both knew coaxing information would never work. Yes, it did work for strangers, but not for people whom you've dealt closely with.
Edmund decided he needed to find out, but not now, not here. And the look on Peter's face seemed to convey the same as well.
"So, I've told you everything," Aline stated, "and now, it's your turn."
The Pevensies looked at each other, and Aline did not fail to catch the sleight glances directed by the elders towards Lucy. She wondered why..
Without a word, Peter opened a drawer beneath the desk and brought out something. Something that seemed like an.. arrow? Aline looked at him, confused.
"This," this High King started, his gaze steady on her, "is the arrow that we found lodged in you." He couldn't help but notice Aline's slight grimace, but he continued, "And not in others."
Peter twirled the arrow within his fingers for a moment, his gaze fixed on the bluish silver feathers woven into the shaft. What feared him the most was that he wasn't unfamiliar to its form. He recognised the blue feathers, the hind feathers of a blue-draken, now almost extinct, that was the symbol of the occult group that once existed, but now believed by most, no more. That was what worried him the most.
"So does that tell you anything?" she asked, her voice coming out hitched.
"Forsaken," Peter muttered under his breath, the very word arousing a strange feeling of gloom within the depths of his chest.
Lucy's ears perked up at the mention of the word Peter clearly hadn't meant to be heard out loud. "But you said they were destroyed long before the White Witch!"
The older siblings exchanged an uneasy glance, as Lucy inhaled a sharp breath reading through the unmasked looks in her siblings faces. "We didn't exactly say destroyed. Something more like 'not much a cause for worry.'"
"Oh wait!" the Valiant Queen interjected a rueful smile on her lips which did not at all suit her otherwise glowing countenance. "I get it! So this was another of your 'Lets-All-Not-Tell-Lucy-For-She-Is-Too-Young', ideas wasn't it?"
"Lucy, its not like that. We were just trying to-"
But the older sister never got to say what they intended to, for the young Queen cut her off, "Protect me? Protect me from what, Susan? From the truth?"
Susan flinched. Before any of them could reply, the young Queen rushed, off the study, nobody noticing the gleam of tears that caught her eyes as she turned away.
"Well, told you it wasn't a good idea." the Just King commented for the first time, in that carefree voice of his with his signature smirk that for some reason made Aline want nothing more than to smack off his face.
"Shut up, Ed!" Both the Pevensies responded to which he shrugged, and Aline despite everything could not help but feel a warm feeling rise up her chest.
"I think I'll go get her."
"No, Su." her brother put an arm around the Gentle Queens's shoulder, "not now, at least. I think she'd prefer her space."
But there were other questions floating round her head. To which she'd waited long enough and rightly thought in the least, she deserved answers, especially after she'd told them whatever it is that they wanted to know. "So what exactly are the Forsaken?" She asked feeling a shiver work its way up her back, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, as the uninvited image of those yellow slitted eyes flashed before her eyes.
Peter cast her a glance as if contemplating whether he should tell her or not, before finally seeming to decide that he should.
And so the High King started..
"Long before our time, during the reign of King Han, great grandson by blood to King Frank and Queen Helen, the first monarchs of Narnia, the Forsaken, or rather known in their time as the Swords of the Evening Star, a band of men, sworn to the unconditional protection of the ruling monarchy. As legend has it, one of them, by the name Eric, stumbled upon something.. something so old, and dark. An evil so old, that even its name had been forgotten over the ages. A talisman, they say. An object filled with Deep Magic, just like that horn of yours, Susan. Except instead it was corrupted by Black Magic, giving its wielder immense power, power beyond measure. Even the power over life and death, immortality.. or thus it was said. But alas, immortality does not come without a price. It took hold of him, eating into his very being, and from him spread towards the others like a deadly, contagious disease. No one realising, until it was too late.
But by then the evil had taken root deep in them, that nothing could weaken its clutches, eating into them. Taking away the very thing that made them human. The conscience.
The void it left filled with a magic so evil that it reeked out of the very pores of their skin.
With its best against it, the fall of the first Kingdom of Narnia had begun. King Han in an last attempt to reclaim the land from the clutches of the Forsaken, was said to have sought help from, a source unknown. As legend has it, he'd discovered, a doorway. Or to be precise a portal, banishing the Forsaken to a world far away, divided by the expanse of space and alas, he himself getting sucked into the swirling vortex, in the process. He'd succeeded, for the Forsaken were never to be seen in the land again, but having sacrificed himself in the deed.
For Narnians, it was no great time of celebration. They were at their weakest, the cities destroyed, villages burned, everyone had lost someone and their beloved King's fate unknown. And then calamity stuck, nobody having realized that was the portal not only a way to the other worlds but also a doorway into ours. For it was through the portal that Jadis gained access towards Narnia. The Kingdom already at its weakened state, was in no shape to take on an assault from a sorceress. Narnia was doomed, cursed for a hundred years of Winter. And the rest, you all know."
"So then, what became of this portal?"
It was Susan who answered, "It was destroyed, its foundation torn apart, the stones ground to dust strewn to the four corners of the land. Its impossible. Theres no chance the Forsaken would've come back, not without the portal, at least. Which was destroyed eons before."
"That's unless someone opened it once again."
"Buts that's what is impossible. Nobody knows the exact location of the portal, and the means of creating one if it were possible, was lost along the ages."
"Doesn't mean it could be found again. Just because you don't want to accept it, doesn't mean it is not to be, Su. They're back somehow, and that's all that matters." he said with a tone of finality in his voice as Peter nodded in agreement.
"Wait, so think that the arrow belonged to a.. a Forsaken, so now we have to assume they're back? And what about those.- whatever they were, that attacked?" Aline asked.
Peter gave an exasperated sigh,"There are many things at work, which we cannot comprehend. But the wheels of fate are turning once more and us with it. There is, and will always be questions unanswered, for which we will always be seeking answers, undaunted. We can't afford not to."
"Actually, I don't think you answered my question."
"You're a perceptive one, aren't you?" the High King asked, a wry smile in her direction. "And to answer your question. I don't think, I know they're back.. unless- And as for the creatures that attacked, those Aline, are what we simply call, 'the called'."
"The Called?" she asked the hint of laughter lacing her voice, and if the circumstances were different, she would've even laughed. Who even named these things? Probably not someone with a lot of creativity, she decided "Like, they're called, when their needed or something?"
"'Called' because once, those creatures used to be men, good men who died untimely deaths and their lives not avenged. A life for a life, that is the unvarying law, written at the time of creation itself, shaped by Aslan, and etched into the very core of the Deep Magic. And when a soul dies before its time and its blood remains unavenged, it retains the power to come back, at the call of another innocent at the time when justice fails them, to avenge their justice they're literally called back to life."
"That," Edmund interrupted, "or sorcery," she could feel his gaze fall on her for however short a moment, and for some reason Aline felt self-conscious. She knew she looked quite- unflattering, in her present state and then she thought.. but then she chided herself mentally rolling her eyes, yeah great, Aline great time to worry about how awful you look.
Right then, Aline almost jumped feeling a sudden weight land on her shoulders. Stiffling a shriek with the back of her hand in her mouth, she turned around to see that it was only just a book that had fallen from the shelf above.
Just as she heaved a sigh of relief, Aline heard a quite expletive swear from somewhere above her head. This was supposed to be something of a secret meeting, right?
"Corin! Get down here, right now!"
The guilty Prince let his grip slip off the tiny space in the shelf he'd been hiding in, landing lightly on his feet like he'd been doing this all his life.
"Uh- Wait! Hold on! I can explain!" the Prince started, "I swear I didn't do this on purpose! I was just walking by and Peter was telling this real awesome story-"
Peter cut him off half-way through his explanations. "May I ask what were you doing walking in an area that is clearly out-of-bounds? Much less how you even managed to get in with all those soldiers?"
The young Prince shrugged sheepishly. "I think they must've thought I was with you."
"Do you have any idea, what your father would have to say for such misconducting behaviour?"
The Prince's eyes widened. "You're not going to tell Papa are you?"
Peter just had a remorseful expression on his face. "I don't want to Corin, but your tricks are going out of hand lately, and you leave me with no other choice."
"But..but Pete, I swear it was just for fun! I was not going to rat you out! I promise I'll never ever breathe a word about it, until the day of my death!" The Prince made a locking his mouth and throwing away the key gesture, and even Peter couldn't help but smile a little.
"He's really not going to tell, is he?" Aline whispered over to Susan, as Corin made bescheeing eyes.
"I don't think so," the Queen whispered back, trying to hold back a grin, Peter shaking his head at Corin's vain pleas.
"But I swear on Aslan, this is the last! If you'll just give me one last chance. Just one." he pleaded, his eyes filled with childish innocence though not missing a spark of mischief.
"That's exactly what you told, the last time, and the time before that." Susan pointed out.
"But Su, this time, its different. This time, I mean it! Just don't tell Papa, please?"
"Well, what do you think Pete, how about give him one last chance? And then if he does something else again, send him packing right back to Archenland, with a letter addressed to King Lune?"
"Just this one last time," Peter warned, "Now off with you!" the young Prince scooted away like a wild horse, the monarchs laughing behind him.
Aline could not help but feel a quite genuine smile grace her lips.
"Quite a nice room you got here." a voice greeted her as she stepped in."Lucky you get to stay in it."
"Yeah, thank you, I guess" she said, trying to figure out exactly what warranted the Just King's sudden visitation, "What do you want?"
"Trust me," he said, that smirk back on his face that for some reason made her blush, "What I want is nothing you could give me."
"Then why are you here?"
"Meet me tomorrow morning at six sharp, the castle training grounds and," he added, already making his way outside, "don't make me wait."
"But.. why?" she asked, quite flabbergasted by the sudden request.
"We just can't have you walking around defenseless now can we?"
"But Edmund, wait!" she called, and he turned around, "I don't think this is a good idea." she said, the thought of her around sharp objects in her mind was quite.. not so life insurance friendly.
He smirked again, "You're right. It's the best idea. Any more questions to hinder my leave?"
"Yeah- I mean no, not exactly. You can- leave."
But he didn't move, standing there at her doorway a single eyebrow raised no indication of leaving.
She looked down, a quite embarrassed look colouring her face. Edmund made his way back towards her all trace of the smirk now gone, his expression quite serious, "What is it Aline?"
"Why?" she questioned. "Why not just, kick me out and be over with it?"
"You're not exactly the grateful sort, are you?"
"No!" she denied, "I mean, that would've just been easier, right. As much as I know. I don't and will never mean any harm, you- your family, I mean," Aline rectified, "did not have to trust me as you just did."
"Actually," he started, "if it were up to me that was exactly what I would have done." at that, Aline could not help but feel her mouth drop, "But unfortunately-" the Just King continued, "or fortunately for you, it was not so."
At his words, she felt something inside her stir up, even as she felt the distinct sting of tears behind her eyes. She did not know why. Maybe, it was because that wasn't the answer she was expecting, but then.. what else was she expecting, or could expect, especially when it came to him? And even now, as he was looking at her, the same smirk back on his lips as if he'd just cracked a joke, seeming completely oblivious to the hurt look on her face. Wasn't there a limit for exactly how heartless he could be? Or maybe, he was just who he was, and the fault was on her. For some reason, the way how cozy they'd been at the ball had made her think- no hope, that perhaps- perhaps what? her mind snickered. Perhaps, that the Just King of Narnia actually liked her? She felt something in her snap at the very thought.
"You know what Edmund?" Aline called, a surge of courage seeping into her voice "You are such a hypocrite. You act like you're oh-so funny and sarcastic but in reality you are only so heartless, cold, cruel and-"
And before she could complete it, she felt his hands grab her wrists harsher than what she'd expected. "I'd much rather prefer it, if you did not complete whatever it is you're thinking of saying, if only for your own sake." His deep brown eyes, now almost black, looking into hers threateningly. And it wasn't to say she was not afraid. She was, she felt her heartbeat hike up at his intensifying gaze, and a brief flash of last night, in the dungeons flashed before her eyes. She felt a shiver run down her spine.
"-alone." Aline completed. "You pretend you don't need anyone and you might have everyone else fooled but the truth? You're just a lonely pathetic boy who's trying to make up for.. for something by pushing everyone away cause deep down you're just alone and sad."
His eyes burned in rage but Aline shied not.
"Take you hands off me!"
He didn't. But instead he bent down, leaning in closer so that his eyes were level with hers. "If you ever think of hurting my family, I swear to Aslan, Aline, you'll have hell to pay. I'll make your life a living hell. I'll make you wish you never set foot in Narnia in the first place. I'll make you regret it until the day you die." His voice was cold, and menacing but she refused to shrink away.
Instead she looked right at him, her eyes meeting his cold ones, "I don't, and would never mean any harm towards your family who've been anything but kind towards me. As many things as I am, contrary to what you seem to think, I- I'll never be such a traitor. And, if I am, you can do everything you just said and more, though I'll have you know, you'll not be doing anything new to me, Edmund."
He let her go, almost too suddenly something flicker on his face, before it took him a moment to recompose back to his carefree attitude, "Good, because I'll be holding you to that."
With that, he walked passed her, his shoulders lightly brushing hers as he made his way out. "Oh, and Aline?" he called, just at the doorpost.
"Yes?" she said, turning around wiping a tear before he could see it.
"Goodnight."
And once again, she felt her heart beat spike up, but this time? For an entirely entirely different reason, that made her hate herself even more.
"Goodnight," she whispered, to the now closed door.
A/N : WOAH! 4500 words in a single chapter! This is like my personal best in not only number of words but also the chapter updated with the least time difference! I just wrote this and was totally like, ANOTHER CHAPTER WITHIN A FORTNIGHT?! THATS INSANE!
Anyways, there are some things I ought to clear up here. As Peter says here where he says about the Forsaken and the Called (I know, cheesy, right?) that it was through the Portal that King Han opened to banish the Forsaken did Jadis come to Narnia. But that is not so according to canon, since Jadis was there since the time of Creation, but just go along with it, will ya? At least just for this story? And feel free to PM or leave a review if you find stuff confusing, I'll get right back to you!