Well I'm back! My only excuse is that February can be renamed as insanity... Sadly though, its another short chapter, though I hope y'all enjoy it!
o0o
"Oron!" Peter's voice reverberated throughout the hall.
"Yes my Liege?"
"Any word from the troops in the woods?"
"No sire, I am on my way to check in."
"I think I'll join you."
"As you wish, Sire."
There was a hush to the woods. It was unnatural. A breeze rustled the leaves on the tree tops and troops moved between trunks, and yet to Peter, all was still as he saw the dark blood staining the ruined grass. The only thing that penetrated his senses was its stench. It was abominable.
"I want these...creatures...found," Peter said with quiet fury, "I will not have them running amok in my forest and threatening my people."
"Yes sire, If they are to be found, we shall find them," Oron said.
"Sire!" A small bird landed in Peter's outstretched hand. "Sire, King Edmund requests that you join him in the private meeting room. Your attention is required immediately."
"Thank you, Cousin. You may inform my brother that I am on my way."
"At once, Sire!" The little bird said as he took off from Peter's hand.
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Peter was not prepared for what met him in their private meeting room. A dryad, weak and sickly sat before Edmund and his sisters.
"Ah Peter. It's good of you to come," Edmund said.
"What is the problem, dear brother?" Peter asked.
"This is Foliage, a dryad from the Western Wood. He has some disturbing news."
Peter looked at the dryad, "Please, my dear cousin, share your news."
The dryad looked up, the leaves that framed his face were brown and withering and he smelt of rot.
"We have been attacked your Majesties," His voice was a mere whisper.
"Attacked! Who would dare intrude upon this land?" Peter felt the anger that had been simmering inside him rise.
"We do not know. We have not seen it. But it is as if a darkness has descended upon the Western Wood, and it is poisoning."
"What a horrid thing!" Lucy said in dismay.
"It's despicable!" Susan agreed.
Peter sat silently, his chin on his fist, until he looked at Edmund and at last he spoke, "I want to know everything there is to know. Find out what this darkness is, and when we know, we will bring the full force of the Narnian army on it. Then let us see how strong this poison is."
Edmund met his gaze square on, "I will go myself."
"Oh can't someone else go!" Lucy pleaded.
Edmund looked at her gently, "No, dear sister, I must see for myself. As well as it is my duty, for what sort of King would I be to ask it of another?"
"He is right," Peter said, "Besides, he is the most qualified."
A strangled sound brought all of their attention to the dryad. He had fallen to his knees and had seemed to wither even further, with crumbled leaves falling to his feet.
"My tree," he choked out, "It's on it!"
"Lucy, bring your cordial!" Peter said as they hurriedly moved to the dryad.
Lucy was out of the room in a blink.
"It will be alright, Foliage," Susan comforted, "Lucy will be here before you know it."
And she was. As Foliage sucked in what seemed like a last breath, Lucy came running into the meeting room and, in what felt like slow motion, tipped one drop into the dryads mouth. He came to life. Sucking in a giant breath, the dryad sat up. Slowly, like the coming of spring, color began returning to his leaves and strength to his limbs. His scent was now of morning dew.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Edmund asked
Foliage shuddered, then said, "I can not fully explain it. I know it was the darkness, but it was not only there in presence. It was on me. It moved and weighed and bent my boughs. And it left...remnants...on me, tying me down," he paused, "It wanted nothing but death. My death, the woods death...just death. It craved it."
Peter looked up at Edmund, "I'm coming with you."
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"You are not coming with me."
"Yes I am. I am not letting you go there alone."
Edmund very nearly rolled his eyes. He and Peter were having the discussion in their private parlor. They had made sure Foliage had been settled before they went to have what they both knew would be a long discussion.
"Face it Peter, but stealth and espionage is not your forte. As you said, I'm the best qualified."
Peter nearly growled, "I can manage."
"I'll find out what's happening...and i'll take my best Shadows with me," Edmund refilled Peter's wine glass, "And when we know what we are fighting, you can come with sword brandished at the head of an army."
Peter sighed, "I don't like it, Ed."
"I know Peter, but I'm just as much a king as you are. And you don't have a monopoly on the danger."
"I know. It doesn't mean I have to like it."
"None of us do."
And with a toast they sat in silence.
o0o
Yes Foliage is a stupid name, but I couldn't think of anything else. And as for Edmund's Shadows, I can't remember if I read that in a fic a long time ago or not. So if anyone knows anything about that let me know so I can give proper credit!