Disclaimer: I only own the plot and some characters you do not recognize. Oh, and the bizarre idea of pairing Hermione Granger with Edmund Pevensie :)
A/N: WEE, twenty-eighth chapter of "When Two Worlds Collide". Four more chapters and the story is done *sob*
So, this chapter is probably the unraveling of the prophecy. Some brilliant minds out there already guessed the important lines from the prophecy (eh, but then again, it was quite obvious as the story progressed). Oh well, I hope you like this chapter.
Please review afterwards. Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Betrayal by the Most Unlikely
"It's been three days now."
Lucy's spoken words during breakfast were grave, yet true. It prompted a painful clenching in Hermione's heart as she stared down at her plate, her appetite completely leaving her.
It had been three days now ever since they celebrated Peter's birthday.
It had been three days now ever since the High King had gone missing.
On the night he discovered Hermione and Edmund in the gazebo, lips pressed against each other, he immediately took off and went to Merlin-knows-where. They all thought that he would come back the very next day.
He did not.
The following day, during breakfast, the others, most especially Susan and Caspian, grew alarmed of this. It was also on that day when Hermione had burst into silent tears, with Edmund immediately rushing to her side to put an arm around her shoulders. They finally revealed they were in a secret relationship. Lucy held Hermione's hand for comfort. Sybill offered a small, sad smile. Susan was astonished enough to make her speechless. And Caspian, merely sighed.
"And Peter discovered," was what the Telmarine King stated, not questioned. Edmund's silent nod was enough answer for all of them.
They had searched for Peter all over the town, in the forest, in the Gentle Meadows, and some places near Cair Paravel but the High King could not be found. They had even sent a search party comprised of Narnia's best soldiers but they all went home, Peter-less.
"We must search more today," Edmund said. His voice was determined and grave, his eyebrows knitted together as a small, worried frown appeared on his face. "We must find Peter."
Hermione lifted her head and looked at him, offering him a small smile. Edmund tried to return it back, but all he had managed to do was to look at her, silent desperation in his eyes.
Edmund had been the most worried of all ever since Peter had gone missing. He was the one that had searched the most, searched the farthest, and searched the longest. Caspian even had to stop him yesterday when dusk was falling, knowing that if they were to continue, lives would be at stake. Edmund had lashed quite furiously that his brother was outside, roaming around, his life probably at stake.
He never voiced it out, but Hermione knew he was the guiltiest. She knew he was blaming himself, not her, for all that was happening now. Of course she had foreseen that Peter would be furious, but she never expected that he would run away and be gone for three days.
"I've appointed some of the soldiers already," Caspian said, solemnly looking at Edmund. "Supreme General Ardon would lead some to the east, while Reepicheep to the west. I've appointed Trumpkin to lead some to the North and Oreius to the south."
"I'll accompany Ardon - "
"No," Caspian sternly said. "You will stay here, Edmund, and Aslan knows what I'd do to keep you inside."
A pained look crossed the youngest king's face as he clenched his fist and coldly stared at Caspian. "It's my fault," he said through gritted teeth. "It's my fault that Peter disappeared."
"Edmund," Susan said, hugging baby Caspie close to her chest. "Do not say that."
"My dear boy," Sybill added. "I do believe that nobody is at fault here."
The just king did not say anything anymore but Hermione knew that deep inside, he was still continuing to blame himself. "Edmund," she said. Upon hearing her voice, his eyes immediately snapped to her. "Don't be too hard on yourself."
His eyes softened, yet the guilt still stayed. Lucy wordlessly placed a hand on her brother's arm and gave it a squeeze.
"She's right," the valiant queen said, tears already gathering at the corner of her eyes. "Don't blame yourself, Ed. It's not your fault. Neither of you are at fault."
"Peter's just… mad," Caspian said, struggling for the right words. His eyebrows knitted, a frown now marring his handsome face. "Give him some time and I know that he will come back."
Edmund released a tired sigh, slumping on his seat. He lifted his right hand and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Dark times are looming," he said ominously. "I don't think it is proper to be lax about this. For all we know, Peter might be in danger now."
Susan bit her bottom lip. "Let us pray for the best, Ed," she said. "Let us all pray for Peter's safety."
He was running. Fast and unstoppable. Peter was already gasping for huge amounts of breath but he did not seem to care at all. His sides were already hurting with too much running and yet, he wanted to run and to run, all the physical pain he was feeling still incomparable with the indescribable feeling in his heart.
Small scratches and bruises were already seen on his skin. Some branches had scratched his face and arms due to running. He had also tripped countless times already, but he always stood back up and continued to run away from those who had hurt him.
It had been days now. Exactly how many, Peter did not know. All he knew that he was hungry, and mad, and hurt at the same time; he had no idea where he was and what day it was.
The image of Hermione and Edmund in the gazebo in the garden, kissing for Aslan's sake, resurfaced back into his mind and he tightly squeezed his eyes shut. Being momentarily blind had resulted to another fall and this time, Peter stayed on the dirty ground for a while, panting fast and shallow.
'How dare they,' he angrily thought. 'How dare they.'
He could not believe his brother had done that to him. Edmund, of all people, should have known about Peter's obvious adoration towards Hermione Granger. From the first moment she stepped foot in Cair Paravel, he fancied her. Her simple beauty and her undeniable intelligence had attracted him too deeply; pulling away was too hard to do already. For the past few months, his thoughts were always filled with her, distracting him from his High King duties. But he thought that she was not a distraction because thinking about her was worth his every minute.
Peter slumped down, the pain of their betrayal tearing into his heart. He could not believe that here he was, so unlike himself, so unregal, all because of one girl that had stolen his heart. "I proposed," he bitterly thought, the words leaving a sour aftertaste in his mouth. It was something he had done impulsively without deeply thinking at all. Peter was never known as that; he organized everything. Things should be done according to his plan. But then, Hermione Granger came along and his organized plan was ruined single-handedly by her mere smile.
He still could not understand how his brother and Hermione were in a relationship. There was always something between the two of them akin to dislike and thus, any thoughts of possible romance did not cross Peter's side. And besides, his brother never had any time for romance. Everything that was in his head was battling and nothing more. He spent most of his time practicing in the Place of Arms despite Peter's protest, locking himself in his library to formulate more battle plans for incoming wars, and researching tactics and techniques that would greatly help him in the coming years.
Edmund never showed obvious attraction towards Hermione and vice versa. 'Nothing,' he firmly thought to himself. There was nothing.
Deep inside his heart, though, he thought that he had not observed too much. Maybe, if he had observed more, he would have seen the stolen glances. If he had observed more, he would have seen the secret smiles. Maybe, if he had observed more, he would have seen the look in their eyes when they look at each other. Maybe, if he had observed more, he would realize that there was something more between Edmund Pevensie and Hermione Granger.
Bitterly, he knew he was not Lucy who always noticed even the smallest details. 'There's a thin line between love and hate,' he thought with a soft growl. Peter now wondered when the hostility had diminished, replaced by something much more genuine and sincere.
He never viewed Edmund as a threat regarding Hermione's affections. After all the realizations he had made, he now regretted not keeping an eye on his brother.
High King Peter now slowly lifted himself off the ground. His muscles felt exhausted, but Peter knew if he did not continue at all, the pain of the betrayal would overwhelm him. His stomach loudly grumbled, beseeching to be fed.
He paused for a while as a wave of dizziness washed over his form. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, once again continuing his journey.
This time, Peter started to walk. He was in forest and he doubted this was the one near Cair Paravel. Narnia is a big country, with vast fields and greenery. This forest might lead him somewhere far away from his castle. Truthfully, though, he could not care less.
He continued to journey aimlessly. He still tripped a couple of times, earning him some more gashes on his face, arms, and legs. Still, he stood up and stumbled around, his broken heart urging him to go farther and farther from Cair Paravel.
His hunger had intensified his terrible mood. Peter cursed himself for immediately taking off and running away from Cair Paravel after he discovered about Hermione and Edmund's relationship. Although he could not bring himself to go back, he still regretted not packing some nourishment. There were a few fruit-bearing plants, thank goodness, and so, he was able to eat some.
A few more hours passed and Peter noticed that the path he was currently taking was leading him towards the end of the forest. He then fell into a jog until finally, he walked out of the forest. In front of him was a vast land, even bigger than Gentle Meadows.
Peter knitted his eyebrows together, believing that he had been in this place before. Familiar ruins stood at the middle of the field and then, it the realization struck him – he was in the same field where he and Miraz had battled for Narnia's freedom.
Slowly, the High King approached the place where Caspian had almost killed Miraz. He sat down for a while, exhaustion finally taking over.
Soon, he fell asleep.
"No sight of him?"
Ardon sadly shook his head. "We have scoured every place in the east, your majesty, but still, there was no sign of High King Peter."
Edmund slumped down on his throne and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "You may leave," he murmured, waving a dismissive hand.
The Supreme General bowed down and turned around, his eyes momentarily connecting with Lucy, who was sitting on the other throne beside Edmund.
Susan and Caspians X and XI were nowhere to be seen. The just king guessed that the small family were all in the Telmarine's library, discussing the current events that had started to happen in Narnia.
"Reepicheep will be back soon," Lucy whispered, placing a hand on top of his. The queen squeezed his hand for comfort, but her obvious want to comfort him did not reach Edmund. Instead, it only made his heart painfully clench more. His jaw tightened, wanting to contain the emotions he was currently feeling. Lucy seemed to noticed how he suddenly tensed, but she did not comment about it.
He had already predicted that Peter would be furious if he discovered that he was in a relationship with Hermione. But he did not foresee that he would run away, play a blasted hide-and-seek with the Narnian soldiers, without even leaving any message as to where he was going. Edmund had already braced himself for Peter's wrath, but he did not brace himself for the onslaught of guilt and desperation when Peter ran away from Cair Paravel.
It made him somehow incensed that Peter would do such a childish thing. He was twenty-three, for goodness' sake! He could treat them coldly, for all he cared. Banish Hermione from Cair Paravel forever if he wished to. But running away, making all of them insane with worry, was something that their mature High King would never do.
The doors of the Throne Room opened and in came Hermione and Sybill Trelawney. The latter had this restless look on her face, which Edmund did not seem to understand. Hermione, though, had her eyes on him the moment she stepped inside the room. Edmund, strangely, could not meet her eyes.
He had not properly talked to her ever since Peter's birthday and Edmund strangely dreaded it. He blamed himself for everything that was happening to them, but not Hermione. He could not bring himself to blame her, too, and yet, he did not really have the heart to really talk to her about Peter's sudden absence.
"Any news?" Sybill asked, her voice resounding in the whole room.
Lucy sadly shook her head and Edmund's eyes hardened.
Silence settled then. Hermione still intently stared at him while Edmund tried his very best not to meet her eyes. Soon, the brunette started to walk towards him and the just king stiffened. Her eyes were unreadable, yet strangely determined. And then, much to his surprise, she bent down and kissed the top of his head.
Her simple gesture had made his heart jump into his throat. He closed his eyes tightly and allowed her to pull him against her, his forehead heavily leaning against her stomach. His breath was starting to turn ragged and he bit his bottom lip, afraid of what sound he would make if he did not do so.
"Would you both leave us?" she softly requested. Edmund was not able to see Lucy and Sybill's nod. All he heard were their footsteps and once the doors closed behind them, the just king took a sharp, painful breath.
"It's my fault," he grumbled, desperately clinging onto her.
"It's both of our fault," she corrected.
"No," he interjected. "Don't blame yourself."
To his surprise, Hermione released a soft, sad chuckle and slightly pulled him away from her. Edmund lifted his eyes to stare up at her, his eyes strangely bright and glossy. "Can you hear yourself, Edmund?" she asked, disbelief thick in her voice. "You're telling me not to blame myself."
"And?"
Hermione sighed and squatted in front of him so that her eyes would level with his. She gingerly placed a hand against his cheek and involuntarily, he snuggled against her palm. "Don't blame yourself," she quietly told him. "For the love of Merlin or Aslan or whoever can hear us right now, do not blame yourself, Edmund. It's not your fault… I-I - " She paused to take a deep, shaky breath, her eyes already watering. "We do not like the result of our secret relationship but we must stop wallowing in self-pity and find Peter instead, yes?"
Edmund sighed and leaned his forehead against hers. He closed his eyes and was silent for a while, before leaning closer to give her a small kiss on her lips. "We will find Peter," he determinedly said, staring intently into her eyes. "And then, we will freely accept his outburst without uttering a single word of defense."
Hermione ruefully smiled and fondly ran a hand through his hair. "Yes, we will do that," she said. She then slowly stood up and clutched Edmund's hand, forcing him to get up on his feet. "Come on, let's go to the garden. It's time for afternoon tea and I'm sure the others are already worrying."
The just king nodded and interlaced his fingers with hers, thinking that despite Peter's sudden disappearance, he was glad that Hermione was by his side.
He was awakened by a strange voice, brushing against his ear.
"Peter," was uttered by her, since judging by the tone of the voice, he could detect its femininity. "Peter."
A sudden chill ran down his spine and he hugged himself, feeling cold. He frowned in confusion, realizing that the air that was surrounding him had turned biting cold.
Peter stood up, grimacing upon feeling the pain of his body. He found himself suddenly shivering and he looked around, wanting to find a small shelter that would protect him from this odd cold.
His eyes then landed on a small entrance, a cave, and without any second thoughts, he ran inside. To his dismay, the inside was colder but he chose to stay inside.
"Peter."
"Who's there?" he hollered, whipping his head around. There was a lit torch attached to one of the walls. He grabbed and moved it around, trying to locate the sound of that eerie voice that kept on calling for his name.
Slowly, the High King walked deeper into the cave, his left hand brushing against the wall. As he walked deeper, though, he noticed that the feel on his fingers grew colder and colder. Peter waved the torch around and noticed some things written on the walls. Upon closer inspection, he was able to understand that the strange forms on the walls consisted of him and his siblings, fighting the White Witch during the Battle in Beruna. Amazed, he deduced that it was the prophecy regarding them, unfolding on the wall.
The torch was suddenly extinguished by a cold breeze that brushed past him, instantly dousing him into darkness.
"Peter."
There it was again and unwanted fear gripped Peter's heart. He looked back behind him and was frustrated to discover that the exit was too dark to see. Looking ahead, a small light awaited him.
Peter forced himself to walk deeper into the cave, both of his hands now groping against the wall to stop him from tripping. A large stone had stubbed the biggest toe on his right foot and he had to bite his tongue to stifle a sound of pain. God knows who had been calling for his name for a while now and after years and years of being in the battlefield, being subtle could be one's best weapon.
"Peter."
Strangely, he noted that the voice was getting louder, perhaps nearer. Although fear was bursting in his heart, his curiosity was eating him whole. There was something familiar with the voice, something tempting and he couldn't help but to follow it.
Finally, he reached the light and coldness instantly greeted him. Everything was frozen, up from the ceiling down to the floor. What caught his attention, though, was a big block of ice right at the very middle of the room.
And the creature inside.
His eyes widened and he backpedalled, the unmistakable face of the White Witch staring right at him. She was frozen inside the ice… imprisoned, if Peter were to describe it more accurately. She was immobile, save from her eyes. They were blinking.
"Peter."
He gasped in surprise, realizing that the voice was coming from her. Her mouth had moved, as so were her eyes. No wonder it was familiar, seeing that it had haunted him from the very first time he had stepped foot in Narnia.
Suddenly, two creatures appeared from behind – one was a Minotaur and another was a Wolf. Peter could tell from their posture and their facial expressions that they were Talking Animals and not merely wild ones.
"A drop of your blood, Son of Adam," she hissed, her gaze intensifying. "And I will be free."
Peter's face screwed into disgust. "Never," he cried. Jadis' minions growled at him and he took a step back, his heart thumping wildly in his chest. He also noticed with fear that he did not have his sword with him.
The Wolf pulled out a stick, Jadis' wand, from the cloak he was currently wearing. With his eyes firmly glued onto Peter, he drew a circle. He bared his fangs, forcing Peter to walk at the very middle of the circle. The Minotaur, on the other hand, brandished a pointed dagger.
"Release me, and I will give you the girl," Jadis' continued. Her words made Peter stiffen on his spot, her words slowly sinking down into him. "Release me, and I will punish your brother for stealing away the girl you love the most. Release me, and Peter Pevensie, I will make sure that Hermione Granger will be your queen."
She released an eerie cackle from behind the prison. "Betrayal by your brother, oh how painful that must be, Son of Adam," she continued. The Minotaur took a few steps toward Peter, the Wolf now joining his side. Peter took a few steps back, his eyes narrowed at the creatures.
Unwillingly, her words had pierced through his freshly broken heart. The image of them kissing in the gazebo flashed through his mind again and he clenched his fists in anger.
"The girl, such beauty she possesses," the White Witch added. "Her intelligence is immeasurable. She is, without a doubt, one of a kind, High King Peter. Release me, and I will help you gain her."
With great difficulty, Jadis shifted her right arm to extend it towards Peter's direction. "A drop of blood," she cried, her voice growing desperate. "A drop of blood, Son of Adam, and I will ease you from the pain of your brother's betrayal."
Blindly, Peter took a few steps forward. His mind swirled with all of the negative emotions he was feeling, combined with the image of Edmund's betrayal in his mind, and the possibility of having a wonderful future with Hermione as his queen.
"Hermione," he muttered, his voice thick with want and longing. "Hermione."
"Yes, Son of Adam," Jadis cooed, her voice sweet and tempting. "Release me and she will be yours."
Peter took a few more steps until his right hand was pressed against the ice prison. His eyes connected with the witch's, his mind clouded with his desire to make Hermione his own. He was starting to grow delirious due to hunger, exhaustion, pain, and Hermione's beautiful smile in his mind.
"Hermione," he said once again, unbeknownst that the Minotaur had now raised his dagger and pointed it towards Peter's hand. The High King drew his hand into a fist, staring imploringly at the White Witch. "Make her mine. Just mine and nobody's."
The White Witch vigorously nodded, her eyes already dark with anticipation as the Minotaur now pressed the cold blade against Peter's flesh. Peter looked at the creature, intoxicated by the spell of the moment, and watched as slowly, the Minotaur made a small cut. A huge drop of blood was produced and with an agonizingly slow speed, all of them watched as it touched the ice prison.
The effect was sudden. The ice prison suddenly glowed, the sound of ice breaking now filling the whole cave. Peter took a step back, dumbfounded with what was happening. He had finally snapped off from his stupor and watched with utter horror as the White Witch now stood right in front of him, unbounded and free.
A wicked smile grew on the White Witch's face as she stared at Peter fondly. "Betrayal by the most unlikely," she uttered, placing a gentle hand against Peter's cheek. The High King flinched at the touch of her cold hand and the weight of her words. "Caused by a selfish desire."
She cackled coldly and Peter felt a shiver run down his spine. The free witch now sauntered towards the Wolf and grabbed her beloved wand and pointed it towards the defenseless Peter. "Your job is done, Son of Adam, and I thank you for your cooperation," she said. "Because of this, I decided to spare your life. Now, go to sleep."
She waved her wand and Peter suddenly felt sleepy. He was fighting unconsciousness but the White Witch pushed him until he toppled on the ground. The High King tried to get up, but he could not.
"Sleep, dear Peter," she hissed sweetly. "And perhaps you will dream of Hermione Granger."
Finally, he succumbed to darkness, the graveness of what he had done finally crossing his mind.
Afternoon tea seemed so much solemn that day. All of the royalties, plus Hermione and Sybill, were all gathered around a small table, drinking some tea and eating some snacks. Funny how through times of distress, they were still able to do something ordinary like following a British custom.
Hermione sipped her tea and sighed, instantly calming down. She took a quick look at the just king sitting beside her, relieved that he was actually touching his tea and food.
The moment she entered inside the Throne Room a while ago, she knew that Edmund needed to be alone. Even if he did not voice it out loud, he wanted to be left alone and perhaps release the building emotions inside his system. The bags under his eyes were darkening and his eyes were starting to grow wearier. She was afraid that if Edmund did not snap out from his guilt, he would start neglecting his health.
A warm hand suddenly enclosed hers under the table and she smiled behind her tea cup. Edmund must have sensed her gaze for he had held her hand to squeeze it reassuringly. At the corner of her eyes, she could see how he was sporting a small smile, too. Hermione couldn't help but squeeze his hand back.
As she looked at the table, now absentmindedly interlacing her fingers with Edmund's, she could see the worry on all the others' faces. Caspian seemed to be the most stressful of all, having to assume the temporary position as High King of Narnia, seeing that Edmund seemed to be a little incapable of doing so for that time. Susan was playing with her son and it made Hermione smile, thinking that amidst the dangerous times, the baby could still bring a smile on his mother's face. Lucy was frowning, a strange facial expression on her face. And then Sybill, who was sitting right beside her, was peacefully sipping her tea, void of any emotion.
Her heart warmed, just staring at them, knowing that even if it was technically her and Edmund's fault, they did not blame them. Perhaps it was because there so many things going on in Narnia and for them to start fighting with each other would not help this beautiful country at all.
Hermione absentmindedly rubbed her thumb across Edmund's knuckles, unknowing that this simple action was calming him down. She was happy that he had been surrounded with great people like them. No wonder Narnia was still prospering despite the fact that the war against the Telmarines had just ended.
Now, Hermione's thought strayed to Peter and she softly sighed. She took another sip from her tea and wondered what he was doing right now. 'Perhaps coming up with imaginative ways of killing his brother?' she thought with a wry smile. Peter had always been kind, nice, and charming to her but she knew that even though he never showed this side in him, he could be vengeful. Edmund seemed to have this trait, too, and Hermione was afraid that this specific characteristic was running in their family.
She just hoped that wherever Peter was, he was safe. Hermione could imagine how much pain he was feeling now after discovering her relationship with Edmund. She just fervently wished that once he came back to Cair Paravel, he would still forgive her. Most especially, Edmund. She hated the idea of being the sole reason why he and Edmund had drifted apart.
Hermione slightly flinched upon feeling something cold and wet landing on her nose. Curiously, she wiped her nose and looked at her hand, the drop of snow now slowly melting on her palm.
'Wait,' she said, frowning. 'Snow?'
The brunette slowly lifted her face up to the sky and noticed the dark, ominous clouds hovering above Cair Paravel and Narnia, generally. Fluffy, white snow was slowly drifting down the clouds, landing all over the country.
Hermione looked back at her companions and saw the extreme horror on their faces. Edmund's hold on her hand became slack as he, too, looked at the surroundings, dumbfounded.
Suddenly, a shrill cry from Sybill attracted their attention. To their terror, Sybill's eyes turned eerily white, her face a picture of unadulterated fear.
"It's time! It's time! Betrayal by the most unlikely! Turmoil will reign. Darkness will obscure Light. It's time! It's time! Beware!" Sybill cried, her voice grave and shrill as opposed to her normal voice. She chanted, again and again, for them to beware, until finally she slumped back on her seat, unconscious.
Nobody moved for a while, their eyes still intently glued on the unconscious prophetess. And then, slowly, they looked at each other, grave realization clearly etched on their faces.
The White Witch was back.
A/N: So, end of chapter! Was it good? Bad? Eh? Meh? Tell me in your reviews!
Please excuse Peter Pevensie; he is heartbroken, all right. I know for a fact that some people commit much more extreme stuff when their heart was broken.
By the way, kudos to all who have suspected Peter in the first place :) I mean, it was a betrayal by the most unlikely. What is more unlikely than a betrayal committed by the highest king of Narnia? I had fun reading your other theories, though. Oh well, at least you now know.
So yeah, the plot is really building up here now. The White Witch is back, so what the hell XD Things will be quite interesting now in Narnia.
That's all for now! I'm quite rushing today. Oh, and I want to thank all those who bid me good luck. I've already met my classmates for the following semester and do know that I am already excited for college! Wee, pre-medicine, here I come!
With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe