It was pointed out to me that this was very OOC. The person was precisely right so I figure I'll try to do better (even though this is for me). We can chalk his earlier enthusiasm to the heat of the best day of his life, and go from there.
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"Were you surprised?" Lucy's hushed voice whispered in the great hall sometime around breakfast the next day.
"I'd never seen him act like that in all my life." Peter replied, also whispering. Last night had been a festive time for everyone in the palace but there had been sides of Edmund that he witnessed that reminded him, well, more of himself.
"I know!" Susan agreed. "It was as if he was drunk! Or what I assume to be drunken behavior…" she corrected, never one to be wrong.
"I haven't seen him yet today but whatever you do, don't mention it. He probably feels like a fool and won't talk for a week if we do." Advised Peter sagely, looking his younger siblings directly in the eye as he said this. The importance of their good relationship with Tholyn was already heavily stressed by Aslan but since he wasn't there to help them sort out the questions, the four Pevensies were left to their own devices. Luckily enough, they knew each other better than anyone and all three of them agreed that writing their brother's out-of-character behavior as a fluke was the best way to assure that he didn't feel foolish.
Edmund eyed the clock as it struck midday and cast a fleeting glance at the stairs. Somehow in all the excitement of the day before, Edmund felt as if he'd completely misrepresented himself. It wasn't as if the joy had left him but the playfulness he'd harbored was much better suited to Peter, whom he was trying to emulate. He couldn't help it that he admired Tholyn but he certainly could help being a total nit. Besides, if she thought that he was like that all the time then she'd soon find out that she was sorely mistaken.
Despite his nightly promise to wake her for lunch, Edmund ignored it and went about his business. There was much to do around Cair Paravel and even though he'd spotted Blane around eleven o'clock Ed did not so much as say a word to him. He nodded in acknowledgement and then continued down the hall.
On such a beautiful day, Edmund decided to play chess in the courtyard, and hauled a table and chairs outside. His chess set was gorgeous, made completely of iridescent marble pieces with bits of velvet on the undercarriage so that they wouldn't slip from the board.
"Bother girls," he muttered to himself as he set the board up appropriately. If Tholyn had been a boy there would be no awkwardness. Edmund could still pursue the company of his new friend without the entire castle whispering behind his back about how charming it was that the new king had taken a fancy to someone. Couldn't a chap simply make a friend and treat her like a lady?
Apparently not.
After he set himself up, Edmund began to challenge himself to a duel. He didn't feel like finding another player and was much enjoying the idea of being alone for a while. A pawn, then a knight, then another pawn to free the bishop. He sat forward, leaning intently so that he could view all areas of opposition. With his hand on his chin and his nose to the grindstone, Edmund was too enraptured in his own contest to notice that Idlebeek had glided into the courtyard. The bird walked casually up to the foot of the king's chair and then flapped a bit to sit on the edge of the empty, opposing chair, startling Edmund enough to make him knock over his rook.
"Oh, its you." he said simply, then returning to his game.
Idlebeek fluffed up his feathers a little at the acknowledgement and turned a sharp eye to the game. Seeing the furrow in Edmund's brow and noting the way his fingers clenched and unclenched while he was waiting to decide upon a move set off signals in the wise bird's brain.
"Um, begging your pardon your majesty, but is there something bothering you?" he asked bravely. The difference in Edmund was like night and day, hot and cold. Yesterday he'd been practically bubbling but today he was set to a slow simmer.
Edmund scoffed and shook his head. Only that I acted like a dolt, nothing huge. He remarked sarcastically in his head. Tholyn was supposed to be his friend but since she was a girl and he tried to treat her like a lady, Edmund felt like he'd given the impression that he fancied her the entire time.
"No. I'm fine." He lied effortlessly, the words rolling off his tongue with practiced ease.
Idlebeek, sensing otherwise, was intelligent enough to play his cards right and preened himself in silence while Edmund continued about his game.
"I want to play the winner, that's all." The bird said absently, plucking out a tuft of needless feathers from beneath his wing.
Edmund looked up to the bird slowly, his eyes narrowed as he sized up the opponent. He was getting used to the idea of talking, intelligent beasts but he had to question how much experience Idlebeek had with chess. However, it had to be better than playing himself – learning new ways to win was always on Edmund's to do list.
"Fair enough."
The game went on for a while, neither party speaking or bothering the other as they went about their tasks.
Soon enough, Edmund had cornered a king and kept him in check with a rook and bishop. When he glanced up to Idlebeek he was somewhat startled to see the stern yellow eyes already prepared to play. The determination behind Idlebeek's calm gaze compelled the young king to stare for a moment, returning the pieces to their proper places while he judged his opponent.
Using a claw to grasp a pawn and move it two spaces, Idlebeek mulled over the game as well as what words of advice to offer the disgruntled boy before him. As all his senses were sharp, Idlebeek figured that Edmund's sulking had something to do with Tholyn, though he couldn't tell anything more than that. However, it was easy enough to tell that the somber boy across from him was about as opposite from the cheery faced one Idlebeek had introduced himself to just the day before.
White knight forward.
Black pawn forward two – free the bishop again.
"Aslan tells me you've come from another world. Do you miss your friends there?" Idlebeek asked simply, his tone neither pressing nor aloof.
Edmund shrugged his shoulder, his eyes never moving from the game.
"Don't have many, I guess. There's nothing to miss." He replied dismissively.
The hawk was secretly happy at how easy it had been to get Edmund to open just a little bit and to reward him, offered Edmund several moments of consecutive silence. Idlebeek needed time to think of another well phrased question in order to continue with his successful conversation.
White bishop across.
Black bishop takes white bishop.
Edmund's face did not read like the face of someone who'd just conquered the clergy. He remained stoic and lined the white captive directly against the board, as if in a chain gang.
White queen takes black bishop.
Idlebeek loved the art of luring people into his strategy in the game of chess. Edmund surprised him by properly defending his lonely king and both players continued accruing white and black pieces as the game progressed.
"Tholyn doesn't have any human friends either. She could probably understand." Idlebeek said with confidence as he moved his rook into position to put Edmund's king in check. Meanwhile, Edmund was busy moving one little pawn across the board, hoping to gain another queen to attack Idlebeek with. Once he heard what Idlebeek had said though, the king broke his game concentration and stared at the hawk. It did make sense that Idlebeek should know about Tholyn since she was his new captain but the coincidence sent red flares up in his mind.
Idlebeek had an angle.
"Yes…she probably could." He agreed slowly, pausing from the game to fix his challenger with what he hoped was an impressive stare. However, when those radiant golden eyes looked back at him, Edmund was completely at a loss. He couldn't read this bird. Up until a few days ago he wouldn't have imagined trying to match wits with a bird of prey.
With a cock of his feathered head, Idlebeek feigned puzzlement. "Are you going to move?" he asked, nudging his head toward the chess board. "You're in check."
Hearing that made Edmund snap to attention and sure enough, when he looked down at the board he noticed that his king was definitely in danger. He made to move it one square to the left but then noticed the white knight challenging him from that position. In fact, every square he had available was covered by one of Idlebeek's ominous white figures. Upon further scrutiny, Edmund noticed his rook, unmoved, and was relieved to have the option of rooking – switching the places of the king and the rook to avoid checkmate.
Idlebeek's ochre eyes twinkled as he noted his opponent's thorough knowledge of the game. Alas, with one large sweep of the white queen, she came in and put Edmund into check again. This time, the black king was able to move one square around him but all no matter what, he could not escape check.
It was a stalemate.
"That was a good game." Edmund said, extending his hand to shake with Idlebeek, who just looked at the hand and touched the tip of his wing to it. Birds were not big on handshakes.
"You should consider playing with someone else who could challenge you. Winning against yourself teaches nothing." Idlebeek suggested sagely, smiling with his eyes to the stunned king.
"You're a wise bird." Edmund praised with a calculating look. He couldn't tell whether or not he'd been deliberately set up or if he was reading too much into Idlebeek's conversation because it was fresh on his mind. Either way, Edmund was left with much to think about.
Idlebeek preened himself for a moment, straightening his feathers and making sure that they all lay comfortably. He seemed oblivious to the boy across the table, which was still consumed in thought about what had just happened.
A few noiseless minutes later, Idlebeek lifted his head and studied Edmund, the both of them studying each other. To onlookers it must have looked like the grandest stare-down in history, neither party faltering or dodging the gaze of the other.
"Did you have purpose in playing me?" Edmund asked carefully, putting his hand on his chin and leaning towards the table as he waited for his answer.
The bird chuckled and paused for a moment before saying, "Only to corner the king." He gestured to the chess set and winked to the boy. "Besides, you looked as if you needed a friend. That seems to be a common theme as of late. As a servant of Narnia, it is my pleasure to provide company," replied Idlebeek, bowing in a gesture too elaborate to be anything but comical.
The stoicism melted for a moment and Edmund laughed at the sight before him.
Rapid footsteps echoed across the cobblestone pathway leading to the courtyard and soon Edmund and Idlebeek were joined by a servant deer, who bowed quickly to show the proper respect (Ed was pretty sure he'd never get tired of that).
"Your majesty, your grace," the young buck added, looking to Idlebeek as he straightened from his bow. "A meeting with your family and the Charges will soon be held in the library." He informed militarily. Ed was certain that if he could manage it, the wee deer would have saluted. It was amusing to hear such stern words come from possibly one of the kindest looking animals imaginable.
Idlebeek fluffed his feathers in excitement, creating a sort of mane around his neck and he glanced to Edmund. "Better get a move on! This will decide what Tholyn does as her first duty for Narnia!"
Ed nodded and quickly stood from the chair, assuming that someone else would move or at least keep an eye on his prized chess set while he was away.
This is perfect! He thought excitedly as he and Idlebeek trekked back up the slight hill to one of the many mouths of Cair Paravel. She'll get to see that I just want to be friends now that I have to see her! No bloody use beating around the bush, Ed. He found himself scolding in a know-it-all fashion and rolled his eyes at the notion.
No matter what he thought, Edmund was not about to let this opportunity to push the past behind him and start fresh with a new sort of interaction with Tholyn – business.
Idlebeek eyed Edmund intermittently as they both entered the marble castle. He was fairly certain that his cryptic pep talk had helped and couldn't wait to see how the young king handled negotiations with the Charges with his newfound optimism.