A/N : hello, just letting yall know that i will be editting the previous chapter (20; part 1) and uploading it again within today. Not many changes to the plot, just improved on the language and some typos since I was in a hurry before uploading :)

Chapter 17; through these meadows

He led her through a winding path amidst the flowers to the opposite edge of the field. Aline was sure that if he hadn't pointed it out she would've completely missed the huge structure that as she could make out now covered in vines and foliage, like pillars of the Colosseum that once sought made the eyes wonder how it could've missed something of that magnitude.

Gesturing her to fall behind, Edmund walked forward, his eyes searching through the green clad surface for something before locating a symbol etched on what seemed as white marble stone; an inverted tree its upturned roots growing upwards to swallow the Sun- and with a grinding rumble the slab of stone moved to reveal sunlight shining through as of the Sun itself shone from within.

As their eyes accustumed to the sudden glare than seemed to die down by the minute, she could make out a part of the meadow as if it just extended through the wall, though inside here there were in between distances trees as opposed to the plain outside though none like any she'd encountered before. Bathed in an ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from the surrounding she looked around, dumbstruck. There wasn't a breeze than she could feel yet the leaves around her danced each in a direction of its own almost as if they were alive and wanting to be set free of the branches that held them.

"Welcome to my Kingdom." his voice brought her back. "Its a long story so I suggest we sit down." And so they did.

"I believe you've heard of the blessings Aslan bestowed us upon our Coronation."

"Yes. Peter, his Sword that would never miss its strike, Susan the enchanted Bow and Lucy the healing Cordial and this.. I suppose is Aslan's gift to you?"

"Yes and no," he sighed, "more like Narnia's gift to me in a way." he said with a pause before continuing, "It was a long time ago, mere weeks after the Coronation. Narnia was in a constant mood of freedom and celebration though the same wasn't extended to us. We were just learning the workings of a Nation and sometimes, things would get.. too much to handle, and I'd wander off into the Eastern Woods alone though I had nothing to fear, it was my domain after all. However, one dat somehow by happenstance or call it dumb luck, I stumbled upon this meadow.. You could imagine, my reaction was no less surprising than yours the first time you laid eyes on it but I was soon to discover that I was alone, no sign of my faithful Shadow that I hadn't been able to get rid of even if I'd wanted. It didn't take a genius to realise powerful magic was afoot, however if the place had let me in there ought to have been a reason and a curious little boy I was, I'll admit and it wasn't long before I discovered this secret entrance.. But it was something more of that I was sure. It called to me like a siren song and I heeded..."

A 11 year old Edmund a silver circlet sitting on his head who's weight he was yet to discover, made his way into the entrance Sword in hand ready in anticipation. The song in his head seemed to grow louder and louder, more compellent now that he'd stepped inside the stone entrance.. As if in a trance the little boy followed the sound, and it led him inside deep into the heart of the Enchanted Meadow that he would later get to know was called Circe's Ring. It called him further deep into the woods, deeper and deeper, until he found himself staring at his reflection into a well.

And then... silence.

A pail sat on the edge of the well and little Edmund could not help but push it down, if only to see how far deep it went. A thud sounded almost instantaneously.. it did not seem that deep at least, he thought looking back down. Except this time, once the ripples began settling down what stared back at him was not his reflection.

"Drink, son of Adam, drink from me and quench your thirst," it was then that it hit him exactly how parched his throat was, almost as if the voice that spoke willed it into existence. "Who are you?" the young King called back only to be met with musical laughter.

He could make out blonde waves of hair set on an extremely angular face of perfect proportions.

"Fret not, youngling. I am not your foe nor do I have any intentions of becoming so."

"That did not answer my question. Who are you?" The musical laughter followed his question once more as he brandished his Sword down the well though he knew it gave him no advantage.

"I am a friend of Narnia. And as I can sense, so are you too, son of Adam. I behold Narnia's mark on your soul oh dear one, you indeed are destined for great things, how long a time I've awaited your arrival! Drink from me and you shall see."

Suspicious as it was, something in the young boy's heart told him to trust her. He felt it was the right thing to do so he pulled out the pail, to see it filled to the brim with sparkling water that caught the Sun's reflection and he drank from it. Gulping it down, it tasted sweet like honey infused with a hint of lemon to add a touch of tangy-ness. Never had he tasyed such sweetness before and soon the boy was drinking to his hearts content, the water not only seeming to soothe his body but also satisfying his soul. And when he was done, the last droplet of water touching his tongue, everything turned white.

He was blinded for a moment before the brightness seemed like it gathered density turning into a thick mist, out of which he could sense more than see, distinct shapes taking form. Just then began a shrill ringing tone which seemed to strike his head. 'Look away, my youngling, this is not something human sight could handle," and so he obeyed, once again. Eye tight shut and hands to his ears to block out the ringing.

Edmund didn't know how long he'd spent in a crouched position his hands to his ears until he heard, "At long last my sisters, we have been woken from our slumber to walk this land again like we once did! We are free."

He opened his eyes only to close them right back in embarassment his face turning a deep shade of rouge. In front of him, stood no less than two dozen women with naught to cover their modesty except for long hair that extended from the top of their heads to their heels.

"And here" spoke the same woman as before, "behold, our Champion, King Edmund the.. Just." the boy tried to keep his gaze steady on her face rather than let it wander. "a worthy title for one such as you, I see. You've freed us of our century of slumber King Edmund and for that you shall have our eternal gratitude."

"Well long story short, upon Jadis's invasion the dryads had been hunted down and bound by dark magic converting them into ghouls that the Witch used for her purposes. Many were lost while a few went into hiding and what I saw before me that day awaken from their slumber were the oldest of the Dryad Bough, the most powerful of their kind, who had willfully given themselves up in a last attempt to avoid corruption. And it had worked, until I'd set them free. In return of course they'd pledged their loyalty to Narnia and this meadow was well.. mine."

"That is.. so cool!" she meant it but the look on his face showed her he was expecting something drastically different.

"So cool?" he questioned, "what is that even supposed to mean?"

She laughed out loud momentarily forgetting their previous conversation and all the reasons she had to stay mad at him, as if he'd asked the stupidest question ever and he couldn't help but smile at her despite the shot of guilt that shot through his heart. She had this effect on him, drive him crazy a moment and then make his want to crack stupid jokes just to hear that contagious laugh. She makes me smile, he thought. She made him want to do a lot of different things a lot of it more towards a sexual nature. Yet, she also made him want to be a different person, a nicer one. And with her, he was, sometimes of course but that was more than most got out of him. He wanted to keep her laughing for ever if only for the fact that each time she did was the only minuscle amount in time where he felt happy himself.

He'd made the right decision he'd told himself. For once, he did. Maybe it was the enchanted atmosphere that heightened his emotions but this girl that stood beside him her smile reaching her eyes as she spoke animatedly explaining him all about what "cool" was in her futuristic time, he knew he had to protect her at all costs. Even if it was him she needed protection against the most.

"Hey Ed, listen up. Logically, if we were to meet back on Earth.. You would be well around seventy, or eighty-ish you think?"

"Then I suppose you're lucky to have met me in this world, this time my lady. It would've been a shame to not witness this handsome face during its glory days."

Aline frowned. "Edmund?" her voice was soft, "you're doing it again."

He took in a deep breath to clear his head, "I'm sorry," this was already proving to be harder than he'd thought, "I shall try harder to not flirt with you, I give you my word,"

"Good." she breathed back clearly bothered and as much as Edmund wanted to take her in his arms and assure her its all going to be alright and that he'd never stop caring for her... this definitely was the magical meadow air messing with his senses. He needed to get his head straight.

"I brought you here because.. I told you I'd show you the place you were found in when you landed in Narnia."

"But, I don't understand. I thought Mrs. Beaver found me by the Aquaducts-" he cut her off with a side grin, "That isn't entirely false. I found you here, well out there actually, in the meadow's dead center. You seemed almost like you'd fallen asleep until of course I'd seen your-" he gestured to the faint remaining scar on her forehead, "and your weird clothing that seemed vaguely familiar. I knew you were someone important even back then. A Daughter of Eve, like us. So I carried you all the way to the Aquaducts and laid you there and waited until the Beavers found you. You were out cold you barely noticed."

Something didn't add up and now she saw it clearly, of course, she thought. She couldn't expect any more of him now could she.

"I understand now," she looked up to him. She wanted to look into his eyes, his lips spoke to her a million lies but those brown eyes, she'd trust whatever they'd convey her. His eyes never lied. "You took me out of this meadow because.. you didn't want anyone finding me here. You didn't want anyone knowing of this place." she replied her own question like she was piecing the puzzle together out aloud, "You let the Beavers' find me so that you wouldn't have to answer unnecessary questions because.." a cunning smile grazed his lips at this, "because your siblings don't know of any of this."

Edmund stared at her dumbstruck. Though he hadn't pondered much on it, of course he felt an almost protective affinity towards the largely untouched meadow. Other than the fact that it was deep within the heart of the Western Woods none of his siblings had dared venture this far, even if they did the large Rock structure that covered the entrance would've illusioned them into not exploring. Furthermore, the secret opening over the fae folk ruins that seemed to have called for him, and only him. He deserved one good thing to call his own did he not? Despite the fact that his actions of betrayal had prevented him receiving any gifts from Father Christmas, this felt like Narnia herself's gift to her youngest King.

"You're right. And wrong. My siblings know all of what they're required to of course. Though particulars as to what this place is or as to how Narnia's life force seemed to multiply in a day and the fae kind find their elemental connections grow... the particulars weren't deemed necessary as long as we had their loyalty and support."

"But, why?"

"Because," he looked at her sincerity in his voice like he wanted her to believe him so bad. "It felt nice to have something that belonged to me and only me. I was young of course back then and as the years passed, I didn't really know how I could break it to my siblings without sounding like a complete jerk," again he added mentally- "that I had potentially unleashed some unknown powers into the land."

"No, I mean.. Why bring me here? Or show me this and tell me this story?"

She refused to believe he had to ulterior motive. As hard as his apology had hit her for before and despite the sincerity in his voice, he wasn't known as the Dark King for naught. He was cold, calculating and manipulative and she knew whatever it is she saw in him was exactly what he wanted her to see in him. So as much as she'd wanted to break down and make him understand this weird twisted attraction she felt for him and how badly she wanted ot reciprocated, she took the olive branch of friendship he offered and reminded herself once again who she was dealing with.

"Maybe I thought you deserved the truth." he said finally, "despite what you think I am not a monster Aline."

"I don't think you're a monster. I think you're just.. cold and calculating and every move you make is to give you an advantage over something. You treat life as if its a game of chess and you cannot take a loss." She wasn't entirely wrong, he thought. But she could never understand, he had to be so. Not because he wanted to but when the security of an entire nation rested on his soldiers, he never really had a choice now did he? "But," she continued her voice seeming small as she'd turned her gaze away from him, "sometimes, when you're with me it's easy to forget that you don't do anything that would not be to your advantage but then, sooner or later you remind me anyways. You're not a monster you're just another narcisstic asshole."

If it was just about anyone else who'd say it to his face he'd either have them thrown in the darkest dungeons of the Cair or have their bowels dissembled in front of them. But when it came from her he couldn't help but see the seed of truth. Wasn't that what he wanted her to think of him anyways?

He coolly stepped towards her, his face close to hers, "I always knew you got me better than the rest, my love." there it was again that cunning smile that she deplored. "Though I'd caution you against calling me that, ever again."

Aline laughed wryly as she shook her head. Did she really think he would change? So much for 'lets be friends' huh Edmund?

"I'm getting tired we should leave."

A/N : As usual please do review, follow favourite! i'd love comments on the rocky dynamics between the two and ways O could improve upon it!