Well, this Chapter is mostly #Edaline fluff, hope you enjoy! I did promise more action but kinda got carried away writing these two.. its absolutely so fulfilling finally after almost 30 chapters and all that back and forths and tension!! Please don't forget to rebiew if you've liked this chapter, would mean a lot!

Chapter 34; "and I, you."

..To once and for all, unite sword, stone and time...

Edmund must have repeated the lines of the prophecy about a million times under his breath for no avail.

After he'd walked Aline to her chambers and ensured the stubborn girl actually got some rest, leaving the little Geraldine to watch over, very much to her protestings but luckily for him, he turned out to be a King.. and well, now, it was time to face the truth. For real this time. He found his siblings already gathered in Peter's room, and as he walked in, with a small nod of acknowledgement from his brother, he knew their previous spat was all forgotten already. Of course, they'd have to have a conversation about it, but that was for later. Right now, much more important matters awaited the Royals' attention. And so Edmund began recounting all that had transpired at Ettinsmoor, and they'd listened. This version was obviously more detailed than the shrewd report the Council got, but they were family, and in family there was no secrets. So the siblings listened to their brother. Tears streaming down Lucy's face at certain parts... But now was not the time for comfort of weakness, they had much to do.

"The blood of the ancients..." he mused..

"What could this even possibly mean?"Lucy sighed.

"Alright, that's enough of wearing our brains out for today." Susan declared with an exasperated look at her siblings.

The High King couldn't help but agree,except Edmund did not stop.

"There is something we're missing," he persisted, "something we're not looking at." And he was right, his siblings agreed of course, but none dared voice out the missing piece, how Aline's arrival tied in to all of this or the seeming connection she had to the growing rebellion which for now, the siblings hoped had been culled. But especially after the altercation today, no one dared mentioned it.

"Brother, that's enough." Peter declared. "Whatever this turns out to be, we will face it together by Aslan's grace, as a family. Evil has no place in Narnia and we will vanquish it, as we did once, together."

Edmund almost slammed his fists on to the table but instead stopped, staying his hand at the last moment instead. He closed his eyes as he drew in a deep breath.

"Just for now, Ed." he felt Susan's hand on his shoulder. "Let it go."

Edmund stood up with an eye roll carelessly brushing it off. Maybe their words did hold sense.. maybe it was futile worrying about things they had no control over and let time take its course as it unveils things in its own way. "Maybe you're right." he couldn't help but agree.

They'd done all they could given the circumstances. Even as they were speaking Orieus was out there requiting for the Narnian military. All able bodied creatures willing to fight in Aslan's army, and their soldiers training as if they're expecting war any moment.

"Perhaps we should all go change for this stupid ball you threw and sing and dance along like nothings the problem eh?"

"Well, that would be a plan to start. Considering how we cannot let any, and especially Calormene know Narnia is threatened in any form."

"Wait," Lucy called, "what about Aline?"

Edmund turned in his tracks, "What about her?"

"She must know of this! We surely must tell her. Of.. whatever role she plays in this whole thing, she must least be aware of it."

"We don't-" Peter began but before the High King could complete, Edmund interjected- "And she will know of it. I'll make sure of it myself."

His word was sure and his tone stubborn, for once not even the High King could object.

"Right.. and while you're at it make sure you pick up some flowers." despite the situation Lucy couldn't help but tease.

"Carnations are her favourite!" Susan chimed in with a smirk.

"She does have a particular liking for yellow, by the way." at this Edmund couldn't help but shoot a glare Peter's way, "..though of course, am sure you're aware of it." he amended though not without a laugh.

And despite it all Edmund could not help but feel a blossom of warmth bloom in some deep corner of his heart as his siblings teased him about.. her.

They weren't that obvious, were they?

Perhaps, for now, his musings of what happened and what would come to pass needed to stop and what he needed to do was go get dressed for Susan's damned ball.

For some reason Edmund felt his heart lurch within his chest as he once again found himself stood in front of the wooden oak doors that barred his way. But this time her heart racing with a distinctly different kind of excitement.

Edmund reached forth with a knock.

"Hurry in Geraldine, I am at odds with myself as to the hair do that would suit milady the most!"

A shocked sigh sounded as the door creeped open to reveal the Just King instead. "Your Majesty! My apologies-"

"That's alright Willoa," Edmund almost laughed at the dryad's green tinted skin turning an almost frightening shade of purple, however, something else caught his eye. Something else that intrigued him even more, as his heart skipped a beat. "Though if I may-"

He could see her gaze in the mirror's reflection rise up to meet his own as a small smile colored her pursued lips before she averted her gaze downwards her cheeks colored a tough shade of rogue as Edmund approached.

He picked at the few hair pins Willoa had pinned in to start off her updo and undid them patiently. Before all at once in a fell swoop her hair fell downwards in place her curls neatly framing her face.

"There," he commented, and once again his gaze met hers in the mirror as she looked on in curiosity and a touch of amusement, "I like it better this way."

"Of course- your Majesty. Lady Aline, you look.. gorgeous!"

Aline's hand met his where they rested now on her shoulder as she cast him a smile, "Maybe the next time I want my hair done I should simply send for you," she spoke, "Edmund."

If Willoa harboured any discomfort at the callous way the Lady addressed the King she did well to not show it, "I suppose I shall take my leave then- my lady, your Majesty."

"I guess I shall have to hear all about Ragnor and you some other time then! Thank you, Willoa, and.. apologies for King Edmund's- rather rude, if I must say so, interruption."

Edmund opened his mouth in protest but Willoa beat him to it, "No, not at all. His Majesty's keen eye does suit you well my Lady. Now I best get going hope you.. the both of you.. have a great time tonight."

An awkward silence settled as the door clicked behind Willoa's leave.

"So you came." Aline broke it after a minute.

"Of course I did. I told you I would."

His hand came to rest on her shoulder as her intent gaze he felt drawn to never left his. "You look... breathtaking, Aline."

Aline all but rolled her eyes at that as she carelessly brushed away his arm whilst she rose from her vanity before turning to face him, the ripples of her dress carefully falling around her evident in the mirror in front of him as she did.

It was a beautiful green piece of work that clung to her figure as it gracefully fell down in pleats around her waist.

"Edmund-" Aline started, "you don't have to say things like that, just because we're now- you know.."

He couldn't believe his ears. Even as she stood before her mirror did she not know how absolutely stunning she was? Did she not see the way she often left his speechless? Or the way he simply could never bring himself to tear his gaze off of her?

"But it is the truth Al. In fact," Edmund gulped as her wide green eyes sought his, an almost unbelievable look etched onto her face, "I've known this since the day I first saw you, in that meadow. I found you to be the most beautiful creature I've ever laid my eyes on. And that still stands true."

A shy smile split her lips and Edmund found himself grinning in response. "Well, you do clean up pretty decent too," her hands reached as if she wanted to cup his face but instead brushed a strand of stray hair off his forehead, "your Majesty."

His hand caught hers midway in it's retreat as his other went around her waist pulling her snug against him.

I will not kiss you again, not unless you ask it of me, his words came to haunt him once more yet even as he pondered on, Aline's hands once more, like it had back in that cottage that rainy night, they'd found their way into his arms drawing him even closer.

"No," Edmund managed softly with a sigh despite the want, the need for her intensifying within him. He distinctly remembered how she tasted, and the way she gasped as they broke off for breath.. he'd stayed up many a night playing out the details of it, lest he'd forget before he got to be with her again. But this was different, she wanted him as much as he wanted her and this was real. "Is something wrong?" Aline's voice cracked as she notice his obvious hold back.

"I made you a promise," he whispered as he leant his head onto her forehead instead. "I promised you that I wouldn't kiss you, not without you asking it of me."

She stared at him agape for a solid beat of time. Then without warning, leant forth as her fingers untangled off his own and now buried themselves into his messy hair pulling him even closer when she pressed her lips onto his.

Edmund was dumbstruck for a moment. He did not see it coming. But he sure wasn't complaining as the warmth from her lips seemed to flow over towards his entire body. But just as it came, it left. She pulled back, a grin lighting up her entire face as she bit her lower lip.

"And in case that wasn't clear enough already, kiss me Edmund."

The Just King needed no further provocation. He crashed their lips together once more and this time it wasn't all fiery lust and passion, this time of was tender, soft, tenacious.. like they were exploring each other as if for the first time.

And when she pulled away at long last her lush lashes fluttering and her cheeks blushing a deep crimson, both of their minds were reeling. "We need to talk," she gathered herself enough to manage "there is something you need to know."

And just like that he felt reality crash back onto him like a tidal wave. Right, they did have a lot to talk about. He had a lot to tell her about.

But before he could reply Aline's face changed as her eyebrows creased while her fingers brushed a part of his over grown hair behind his forehead.

"Ed?" she called. "What is this?"

Oh. Right. That. He recalled with a slight shiver. Edmund had barely given any notice to the scars that stood testament of what went down in Ettinsmoor.

"What the hell happened while you were gone?"

"It-"

"And don't you dare lie to me!" she warned.

Edmund sighed. Running a hand through his hair as she looked up to him expectantly. He'd seemed like all was fine, but it wasn't. The entire experience shook him to the core. The Just King was known for many things across Narnia and the lands beyond, and one of it was his bravery. He feared few things, and showed it towards nothing. But.. the way, the Lady in Green, Lady of the Green Kirtle, or whatever she went by dug deep into his head, his most intimate thoughts and twisted them into a nightmare. His worst nightmare, mainly in the form of the girl that now stood before him, in all her innocence.. despite his word to his siblings that he'd be the first to tell her Edmund knew not where to even begin.

"I will tell you all about it," he said. 'I will, I promise. But before all that, is it bad that I want one night of normalcy. With you. Put away all of our troubles and this-" he pointed to the silver circlet that sat on his head "crown aside, and be just.. two people going out, on a date."

"One normal night.." Aline repeated. "Seems like we could use one night of normalcy even if it's just pretend."

"And did you just call this a.. date?" she blushed crimson again.

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"No. It's perfect."

You're perfect.

"Well, I um, actually got you something." he reached into the pockets of his tunic as he grabbed something.

Aline gasped, "I remember this! This is the Sapphire dagger, from the mines of Terabinthia, Galladrion had said. How did you.. even know I liked it?"

Edmund shrugged, "I noticed you looking at it. We can't have you walking defense less when you're not lugging around that sword now can we?" he smirked.

"Besides," Edmund pulled out something else, it was a leather leg harness. "If I may?"

Aline nodded, with a small laugh, as he took a knee whilst she fell right back onto her vanity seat, Edmund now undoing her heeled boot.

He strapped it right above her ankle where it sat snug as Aline slipped in the dagger into it into place.

"There," he commented, helping her put back on the boot he'd removed to now perfectly conceal the weapon. "It's perfect." she half whispered. "Thank you. For this. And everything else."

The Just King nodded.

"Edmund?"

"Yeah?"

"I want you to know that whatever happened or however the conversation we have tomorrow goes, that I.. it will not change the way I see you or the way I feel about you."

"And I, you."

"Now come on, we best be there before my sister's have our heads." Edmund helped her up and when she now stood again, Edmund offered her an arm.

"Well, this is definitely going to take some getting used to," she smiled as she eyed his outstretched arm much to his chagrin before she took it.

A/N: I genuinely hope you liked reading this as much as i LOVED writing especially this chapter. Don't forget to leave a comment, follow, favourite and also recommend to fellow #EdOC fans. also feel free to reach me via DMs for any questions, to fangurl over Edmund, or just talk. Sending everyone much love