AN I've realized that I made a mistake in editing. Tess is actually 16 in this story. But yeah, I think you'll enjoy this chapter. At least, those of you who like romance will. Also, my friend asked how old Edmund is. Here, he's 17. So, R&R, and enjoy!
It was late. Lucy, Tess, and Susan were all sleeping soundly in the tomb, while Peter, Trumpkin, and Caspian were planning. Edmund was supposed to be asleep, but was sitting, watching Tess sleep.
She's so beautiful, he thought. In looks and personality.
He leaned over and shook her gently.
"Tess," he whispered. "Wake up."
Her eyes fluttered open.
"Yeah, Ed?"
"C'mon. I want to show you something."
Nodding, Tess stood up. Edmund took her by the hand and walked with her out of the tomb. He took her through the forest, which was beautiful at night. Moonlight shone softly through the trees, illuminating everything with a silvery glow. They walked for a long time, until they reached the canyon of River Rush.
"Look at the waterfall." He said, and pointed.
"Ohh!" Tess gasped.
It was a moonbow (AN for those of you that don't know what a moonbow is, here's something that'll help en./wiki/Moonbow). Tess's jaw dropped at the sight of it. They kept walking, and saw several moonbows from different angles. It was a fantastic sight. As Tess was turning to Edmund to speak, the ground collapsed beneath her, she hurtled down the canyon, splashing into the freezing cold water (AN Yes, I know that it's improbable that she could possibly have survived, but it happens. People can actually survive that long a fall.)
"Hang on, Tess!" shouted Edmund. He nimbly climbed down the canyon wall, and reached the bank, just as Tess was grabbing hold of a large rock. He held out his hand to her, and pulled her out onto the sand. She was shivering madly, her hair and dress soaking wet, her skin pale, and her lips blue and trembling.
"Your lips are blue," said Edmund. Then he kissed her, full on the mouth. They broke apart after a few long moments.
"I think that warmed them up," Tess managed, holding Edmund tight to her body.
"No sense going back now, though," he said. "It's nearly four o'clock in the morning, and it'll take at least an hour to get back."
Tess nodded in agreement. Edmund started a fire and gave Tess his warm shirt to sleep in. As they lay down, he took her in his arms and kissed her again.
"I love you." he said.
"I love you, too," replied Tess. She kissed his cheek and lay down in his arms.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Daylight. Edmund awoke, with Tess still asleep in his arms. He let her sleep for a bit, then woke her up. Her dress was more or less dry now, so she handed him back his shirt. They set off, climbing up the canyon wall. Once they reached the top, they set off towards Aslan's How. There they found Susan and Lucy, sick with worry. Peter, Caspian, and Trumpkin were still asleep, since they had been up until maybe five thirty, planning and whatnot. When they saw Tess and Edmund, they raced forward to hug the two of them.
"Where have you two been?" asked Lucy, after releasing Edmund from a rib cracking hug (for a girl her age, Lucy was very strong).
Edmund glanced at Tess, worried that Susan would disapprove.
"He took me to see the moonbows last night, and I fell into the canyon of the River Rush. Ed rescued me, and by that time it was too late to start on our way back. It would take much too long to get here," she said, confidently.
"Oh. Alright. You're not hurt, are you?" said Susan.
Yes, Edmund thought. No suspicion! Or, at least, no disapproval.
"Nah," replied Tess. "Just a cut on my shin."
As Susan and Lucy left, Lucy shot them a quick wink and a thumbs up,
"She, uh, knows," explained Edmund.
So Lucy and Susan went about their business, and Edmund and Tess quietly snuck off towards the brush.
"Meet me again tonight?" asked Edmund.
"Yes. Yes, of course!" replied Tess. "Outside of the tomb."
They shared a quick kiss, and then went their separate ways. Love was in the morning air.