A/N I know I said a week but I couldn't wait so yeahhh here's your new chapter! Hope this acts as a promise to that I vow to complete this novel!

So this is divided into two parts, I had initially planned on posting them together but it felt like too much was going on to be able to fit it into one, so here you go Chapter 21, part 1.

Chapter 16; letting you go

Since then days turned into weeks and the Cair functioned with barely any hindrances. As for Aline, as the High King had instructed, her days were occupied with sparring with Edmund- which for some reason she dearly looked forward to- and the rest spent with Mrs. Beaver and one of the Royal sisters on various topics most of which she could honestly not care less about and some that she did enjoy more than she'd expected. But hey! she knew the tremendous kindness the Pevensies' had shown her and did intend to make it up to them and if it was by getting to know the land she was in better she wasn't going to protest. And her brother-

Well, Aline wasn't allowed to meet her half-brother without supervision, no-one was but she had a very clear inkling as to who had that part to play in prohibiting especially her. Not that she had a problem with it. She obviously spoke up because she didn't want him killed or rot in some dark dungeon but that did not change the fact that she wanted nothing to do with him. Sigh, I wish things had never changed, she thought. I wish he didn't have to come ruin even this, like he had my entire life.

In the meantime the bond she'd shared with the Pevensies strengthened. The sister's considered her their own and she'd grown considerably closer albeit in a formal way with the eldest sibling often helping him out with accounts and matters of the sort. However, it was the inexplicable whatever that she had with a certain Just King that bothered her the most. Thinking about him sent butterflies and warmth throughout her body she couldn't help smile a little. It was hot and cold to describe the least. And she had a feel she wasn't the only one of the both who felt the confusion. Sometimes, she'd catch him staring at her across the table or he'd go out of his way to say something he knew would annoy her and so her thoughts drifted and she came to think of that time he'd hugged her assuring her nothing would hurt her and for some reason she believed him. But then, she could never understand him. She knew exactly how dangerous he was. Yet she couldn't quite figure out what attracted her to him. It was like sword fight, she mused, we keep circling each other in this deadly dance until one of us is going to get hurt. But she was willing to dance, wasn't she? And so was he.

Along the course of her days in Narnia his banter had turned almost flirtatious and she reciprocated. But now, she couldn't help but wonder, was there something more than just "flirting"? She hoped it wasn't, for her sake.

A low growl from behind where she'd taken her place in the Palace's East Garden broke her reverie. "Follow me," sounded the leopard, Sworn Shield of her all too favourite King barely giving her time to get up from her seated position. "Where to?" she questioned and Lora turned behind with an almost playful look that Aline never knew possible on an animal. "His Majesty sent me to fetch you Lady Aline. Now I suggest you follow me and make as little noise as possible, I'm tired of being cooped in this castle for this long like a dumb animal in a cage."

This was a path she'd never been down before and she tried her best to memorise it. Making their way though the dimly lit structure before long they'd gone underground with large rock walls lining left, right and up top. When she spotted an opening not long after, she knew they were outside Cair Paravel's walls and there she spotted Edmund. Her heart lurched and she gave him a small smile which he didn't return instead glaring at her. What did I do to piss him off now? She rolled her eyes. Alright, now she needed to keep her cool.

Edmund hadn't seen her for the past two days and found himself staring at her, taking in her form as a starved man invited to a Palace banquet.

"Missed me?" he grinned.

"You wish I did as half as much as you did," she replied with a smirk. "Now why are we here? Or could you just not go another day without.. beholding my beautiful countenance?" she batted her eyelids almost suggestively before breaking into laughter.

"Ha! You wish, beautiful. No we're here for a reason. Come over, I'm going to teach you how to ride a horse."

"Susan never mentioned anything about this for today plus I've already exhausted my quota of lessons for the day with Calormene diplomatics. Plus.. what makes you think I don't know how to ride a horse?"

She got him. Yeah, it was true that he'd just wanted to spend time with her. He missed her face and that snarky attitude which was why he came up with this bullshit excuse, though she'd never get to know of it and of course, not to mention this ulterior motive of yours, she'd never get to know of it now, would she? the dark voice in his head snickered.

"Plans change, my lady and here-" he gestured towards the talking Mare who'd graciously offered to aid in his short escapade out of lockdown for a bribe of sugar cubes. "meet Destiny. Now you sure you can- oh yeah you can," he finished as she'd mounted the mare without err a smirk on her face. "Thank you for letting me ride you, Destiny." the girl patted the brown mare on her mane "It is my pleasure, my Lady I was indeed looking forward to meeting you. Your beauty surpasses all accounts I've heard of it. It is an honour to be your humble stead."

He could see her blush and he couldn't help but agree with Destiny, but who had been talking about how beautiful she was? He made a mental note to look into it.

"Ed, where are we off to?" she called from his side, they'd left Cair Paravel and into the woods.

"You'll see," he had a feel she'd like this place, "somewhere I told you I'd take you to."

He could see her looking around her as if she was expecting something to jump out from the shadows. "Relax Al. You're safe here, with me." he assured her.

"I really don't think this is a good idea. Peter explicity stated we were not to leave the safety of the castle. What if something were to happen?"

"So you'd rather listen to that stiff royal pain in the ass, than someone offering you freedom and adventure much less no Guard of the castle would do a better job at protecting you and be as handsome as yours truly."

She predictively rolled her eyes, "Yes if that stiff royal pain in the ass makes sense!"

"You needn't worry Aline, we're safe here. This is dryad territory and as long as you don't do anything to piss them off their protection is ours. You have to trust me."

"I do," she mumbled.

"Good," they were moving at a slow trot, she heard it even as he spoke in a low voice, "because I would never do anything that would put you in harm's way."

She looked at him puzzled. This was exactly what she found confusing. This past entire week they'd been going at this game of flirting and banter until he pulled away and ignored her for the rest of the day or worse, said something that he knew would piss her off. She was done with this. She wanted him, yes. She knew she liked him. A lot in fact. She knew it was just a crush but if she was to not get hurt, she had to pull away. Or maybe she could talk to him? Ridiculous. She almost laughed out loud at that thought.

"We're here," he announced and looking around she felt her jaw drop. "You've got to be fucking kidding me." They'd just turned around a large rock and impossibly out of nowhere spread before her a massive clearing- "Is this even real? EDMUND! How is this real. This is so gorgeous!"

The man is question couldn't keep his eyes off of Aline as she dismounted stepping into the ocean of flowers. He could see what made her that way, in a seemingly otherworldly manner spread before them for acres were flowers, of all colours, shapes and sorts previously unknown impossibly intertwined with each other they seemed to have stemmed from the same plant.

"If you weren't a King already I'd say you'd make a good fortune as a florist!" she exclaimed finally turning to him an enormous bouquet in her arms. "Oh no, don't tell me picking flowers would offend the dryads."

"Oh that's alright, if they do get offended I'd offer them you as a peace offering they love a good serving of fresh virgin meat."

"I'm not five, besides," she was blushing for sure, "what makes you think I am a virgin?"

"I guessed. So am I right or am I right?"

"Wrong," she said her nose up in the air, "I've had boyfriends before you know."

"Oh yeah? Sure, tell me about them. I'd love to know."

"You don't believe me?"

"No I DO believe you, so indulge me. I'm dying to know how anyone put up with Lady Clumsiness."

She rolled her eyes.

"Alright if you will, though I warn you better not get jealous."

He chuckled, "pffft, as if!"

"Eh so suit yourself! lets see, so there was Charles, he was the Prince of Great Britain, but then well I got tired of him you see, always talking about politics and yada so I had to break up with him, unfortunate yes but then and then swooped in-" she could almost see his brain trying to process if she was lying or not and the smile on his lips fade a little regardless with a sparkle in her eye she continued, "Serena van der Woodsen, and yes, before you ask, a woman but then I met the dazzling hero of every girls dream," she paused here for dramatic effect (and also think of someone to fill in) while Edmund's jaw that dropped at the mention of her previous "lover" being a woman was yet to pick itself up much to Aline's amusement, "Brad Pitt! You see I've always loved his movies and what if he was a bit older than me, we were so great together that I just had to leave darling Sere-"

"That's enough you little liar," the King laughed, "You should've seen your face, I tell you," she joined in before sobering up contemplating for a moment before she decided to give him the truth, "I've never had a boyfriend before, never really had the time for that kind of thing."

"I don't see how guys on Earth would leave a girl like you single, if my memory of my old home world serves me right."

"There were a few," she recalled, she wasn't the most popular girl but she did okay. She had friends and quite a few admirers. "But, I had to you know, take care of responsibilities and such I never found time for relationships at the end of the day."

"However," she stated realising how close they were, seated on the ground amidst flowers she had to admit the whole setup looked extremely romantic. "I shall let you know before you intentionally disregard boundaries and ask it anyways, I have been kissed before, and no that is not a lie."

"Okay lets play a game. Ten questions." he suggested for her to groan, "You're not as sleek as you think you know?"

"Alright me first, how was it?" he smirked.

"You are a royal jerk, do you know that?"

"That's not answering my question."

"Well its cause it's none of your business!"

"So i'll take it it was bad."

"It sure was not. In fact I think it was the best kiss ever in the history of best kisses ever."

"Alright Aline, whatever you say. Your turn now."

She had a million questions she wanted to ask him. Do you like me? Is this a date?

"That day, after Susan called for the Ball.. Were you going to apologise?"

It was a simple question yet he felt all warmth rush out of his body. "Yes." he tersely replied. She kept looking at him expectantly yet he could say nothing more. He cursed inwardly, he had almost forgot about it. She'd have no doubt he was an absolute monster if she knew, he'd pleaded his sisters to leave that part out as they taught her the rich history of their land.. but he wasn't ready for that look he's seen on everyone elses face blossom on hers as well. He wanted her to be this way with him, forever. Carefree with child like abandon.

'You have to trust me.'

'I do.'

No, he could never bear to lose this. The last person who, though he'd given her plenty of reason to down in the dungeon that night, still stuck by his side, laughing along side him like he deserved this. He didn't deserve a drop of happiness yet here she was, by his side, making him happy.

"Ed?" she called softly.

"I'm sorry," the just King managed, "I was a jerk to you for no reason. And this is me apologising for the jerk I will be to you for a long time to come." that somehow made her smile.

"I would never expect a better apology from you, Pevensie. You think we're going to be friends for a long time to come?" she questioned.

"I'd answer that but it is my turn now. So, what's the deal with your necklace?"

"Why?" she questioned feeling self conscious all of a sudden as her hand rose to touch it, "does it not look good on me?"

"Quite on the contrary, it does. It suits you quite well. I'm simply curious since I've never seen you in anything else though am pretty sure my generous sisters already have you jewels that match each of your dresses."

"Oh well, this old thing, I guess it's sentimental.. reminds me of.. home, and I've had this on for a long time it gives a sense of comfort. My turn. How'd you feel when you first entered Narnia?"

Damn this girl. It felt like Aslan himself testing him. "It.. felt weird. Lucy discovered Narnia is a Wardrobe of an old Professor's we'd been sent to stay at during the War, and well no one believed her, though nosy me could not keep to myself that I went to check for myself and found it to be true but then long story short, I was a jerk to her in not defending her until something happened that led us all to hide in the Wardrobe and here we are!"

"Lucy never told me that part! Is that why you're always nice to her?"

"That's your third question, m'lady and to answer it, yes it is partially the truth and-" he added guessing what she'd ask next, "the other tiny detail being that the sweet little demon is my little sister after all."

"Were you and Sam on good terms in your childhood?"

"No, never really as long as I could remember. He always was the bully and I don't think he took kindly to me coming into our parents life. He.. loved my- our Dad and he loved him like he was his own son, that was crystal clear. I think he always despised me for coming in, intruding their perfect family. I.. don't really want to talk any more about it so next, you get to ask a double this time."

"Tell me about your parents."

Aline frowned, "I think you already know what you need to know concerning that Edmund."

"Then tell me something I don't." he pressed.

Aline felt her mouth sour, she knew exactly was going on, "I can't believe you!" she spat. "Really? Edmund! You really brought me all this way just to continue your damned interrogation? And here I was... Stupid of me, god. I hate you. You know what? I absolutely hate you."

Aline rose up, turning as she did to hide the increasing redness of her eyes. For a moment there she thought.. she stopped that line of thought before it could go further. This is Edmund Pevensie, incapable of feeling anything good. Could she even blame him for just.. being himself if anything at all she'd heard whispered of the Dark King were to be true, and more than that, all of their past interactions.. Oh God, she'd been so stupid to even entertain the very thought.

Watching her distancing figure, Edmund knew he ought to have chased after her assured her that wasn't the cause. But who was he kidding, he knew exactly what he was doing. I ought to apologise, run after her, make her see sense the King thought but her last words left him frozen to the spot she'd just vacated.

What had she done to him? His family and the safety of his country ought to be his first priority! Not some random girl who'd walked into his life. And now, one slight misstep, today was a mistake. He'd been off his game ever since he'd been spending more and more time with her. No, he knew he'd lost a part of his mind to her the day she'd walked in on him after he'd just got back from the tavern wounded.

He was genuinely enjoying his time with her, every minute of today. As for the questions, he'd by chance gotten the oppurtunity to ask and he'd taken it though definitely misjudging her comfort around him. He thought she'd let her guard down.. Or maybe she just isn't stupid like the airhead clowns that populate Court. That fact only made him respect her more. This girl would be the death of him.

"Aline. Wait, Look I'm sorry-" he caught up to her. "I need you to listen to me, that came out-" he sighed, as she turned to him sharply cocking an eyebrow as if challenging him to complete that line of thought. Edmund conceded, "No, no I definitely meant to ask those and yes it was on purpose but-"

"You know what? I'm done here. And I'm done with you, NO don't cut me off while I speak I want you to listen to me this time. Anything you or your siblings needed, everything I told you. I know I've done nothing to earn your trust but know this. I never wanted to wake up in some Disney freak show. I never asked for any of this. In fact you find a way to send me back to Earth, I would gladly get the fuck out of your face forever. I never asked for you to pick on me nor did I do anything to deserve your mistrust or this shitty way you treat me. I just want you to leave me alone. Please."

Her outburst shocked him.

"Oh and by the way, if its really that important to you, my mother after my father passed away she broke down lost her last thread of sanity, she.. was an addict and an alcoholic and no she wasn't away when- when what happened to me that brought me here did, she was upstairs tripping the fuck out. Is that enough honesty for you?!"

"I know nothing I say or do is going to make up for the hurt I've caused you-"

"No shit, Sherlock."

"But," he sighed, "I don't know what to say to you. I sure as hell didn't mean to hurt you-"

"Why?" she turned around and he could not mistake the distinct redness in her eyes.

"Why not just torture the answers out of me huh? Why do you have to lead me on like this? Do you give a fuck about what I feel? Or is this all just a game to you?"

He felt it would be easier on him if she'd just slapped him instead.

"You're right," never had he been affected by a woman's word as much as hers. The crack in her voice sent him a rather distinct memory that he'd supressed within himself a long time ago. Or rather a vision to be exact. The one of her in his arms her open eyes unmoving and heart beating no more. "We should stop doing this, Al."

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

"I mean, you see exactly how.. things are between us. This past week especially made me realise that we-"

"Look at me." she called. "whatever it is you're going to say next, look at me while you say it." and so he did. As hard as it was to look in to those emerald green eyes and deny his want- no need, for her. Like he hadn't already fantasized a million times about how it would feel like to run his fingers through her hair, to touch her lips, kiss them, to have those green eyes wake up right next to him.. "that we do not complicate whatever is in between us any more than we should." Edmund lied.

Aline stared at him open-mouthed. "I- I need you to be direct with me Edmund. What exactly are you trying to say?"

"You know what I mean." he desperately tried to keep his cool. "This flirting, the training, the stolen glances- everything-"

"Are you meaning to imply-"

"NO!" he said already regretting the words that were going to come out of his mouth, "I am not meaning to imply anything. It's.. us. Whatever we think is going on in between us, it's not.. healthy. And I do not want to lead you on, on things I can't promise you."

"Yeah no, I get it. I get that none of anything meant anything to you and I was just your.. distraction of the month. And I bet getting information off of me was a pretty bonus, huh?"

"Aline no-"

"You promised me," she half whispered to herself this time, "you promised you'd never let anyone hurt me but the irony Ed? You're the biggest hypocrite I've ever come across. You say that but then you proceed to not only just hurt me once, you do it again, and again and again. You're so full of shit but you know what, about this one thing though you're absolutely right. You're no good for me."

She just could not let him win or know he'd hurt her somehow. That was what he'd want and she would never give him that.

"I do not expect you to forgive me on this, but I think everything considered it would be better if we at least agreed to put our differences aside if only for appearances sake." It was all Aline could do to not roll her eyes while simultaneously keep the tears that threatened to pour out for some reason at bay. Could he come off as more of a dick? Edmund mentally slapped himself and before she could respond- "No, what I mean is," he remedied, now that we've got this out of our way, I think we should be friends or at least give it a try."

Edmund wasn't ready to lose her. So he continued with the only option he had, telling her the truth or at least part of it.

"Aline you have no idea of how bad a man I am or the despicable things I've done. You think am rude to you, thats the very least. But, when am with you and you're looking at me it feels like you're actually seeing me for myself your judgement of me not clouded by the past. You think I am a jerk for sure and you're wholly right about it but I am not ready to lose you just yet and trust me I am aware of how I'm the least worthy of your friendship but from now on, if you're willing we could start fresh. No lies. no bullshit no flirting nor any games. This brief time I've spent with you, you've grown to mean something to me and to my siblings. And I assure you, I will work to gain back your trust."

"Why'd you ask about my necklace?"

"It.. seemed familiar like I recognised it from somewhere- but we don't have to talk about any of it right now."

"It was a lady. She had purple eyes and a hauntingly beautiful face. Her red hair fell in waves to her waist and she wore green robes. She'd reached out to me and clasped my neck like she was going to suffocate me but a second later she withdrew and I saw this necklace hang off my neck. That, is the first memory I could ever recall from my childhood.. But I was never sure if it was real or a weird dream though I could never forget the details."

"Aline-"

"I do not owe you information Edmund. Especially about my past. And frankly about my trust in you? It's gone, so like you said let's just.. go back to having the least to do with each other. And you can start by telling me exactly why you brought me here, I don't believe all of this was for a silly game."

He did not want to ignore the first part of her statement. Somehow the fact that he'd lost her trust in him.. hurt. In more ways than it should. Edmund swallowed, great, yet another person I've not failed to disappoint.

"You're right, come over here let me show you instead."

A/N : I'm finally excited that this ship (what do we call it though?) has finally set sail! I'd love to hear yall's opinion on this, especially what you think about the dynamics between the two and Edmund's POV. Personally I felt it was a bit rushed though it might be beacuse I was 14 when I first posted this and am a wholeass 20 year old uni student now woohoo!

Your feedback would be much appreciated of course, and don't forget to follow and favourite, yada yada!

Part 2 will be up tomorrow and it is HUGE! I can't wait so stay tuned