Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia or any of its characters or fictional land/lands; I am not C.S. Lewis, sadly. I only own the plot and characters not featured in the original books.

A cool breeze was flowing into Ryder's bedroom from an ajar window, the sun just rising and setting a light of different hues across her floor. Cair Paravel was quiet with sleep; only the occasional snore from the sleeping guards outside her door disturbed that quietness.

Ryder also slept quietly and peacefully, stretched out across her bed with her pretty head lay upon dozens of pillows, her dark hair flowing around her to give the illusion that she was floating on water. Her face was set in a gentle, sweet expression, a slight smile played on her lips and his name escaping from them once again; though this time he wasn't around to hear it. Her dreams were of better things and not of the news she had received a day before.

That day had started off as one of Ryder's favourite days. She'd had a sword lesson with King Edmund just after noon that day, and some think had almost happened, it would have, if it weren't for the news that caused such dread to fall upon Cair Paravel and the monarchs of Narnia.

It was announced to King Edmund and Ryder, that Sergio, the Telmarine King, had written to King Peter announcing he would be coming to visit in three days time but though the Telmarine king wasn't a favourite of the Narnians, that wasn't what had worried the four monarchs. Sergio had also announced that his niece, by the name of Catherine, had been kidnapped by Telmarine rebels and he was sure she'd gotten lost in Lantern Waste, after she had escaped from her kidnappers.

It seemed possible that Ryder was Catherine, Sergio's niece, as she was the only person, only woman, to have been found lost in the Lantern Waste.

The only problem was that at the mention of King Sergio name, a deep hatred boiled up inside of Ryder, as if it was a dormant volcano that had just awoken, and when questioned on her knowledge of the Telmarine King, she exclaimed that she'd rip his throat out with her bare hands if he came near enough.

Once Galena had dosed Ryder with a sleeping drought and King Edmund had carried her back to her bedroom, it was decided by the two Kings that Ryder was to be kept locked away, in her room, for Sergio's visit and that she was not to be mentioned by anyone until Sergio had given enough evidence that she was his niece.

So, as the sun grew brighter and Cair Paravel awoke, so did Ryder. The sleeping drought had worn off and her eyes slowly fluttered open, they were still tired from her sleep that everything around her was slightly blurry. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked around the room in wonder.

At first the effects of her dreams were still fresh in her mind and the happiness of them still lingered but when she had truly awoken, the happiness wore off and was replaced by the dread of the news.

A sob escaped from the young woman's mouth and tears began to stream down her face. She sat, perched up in bed, her arms wrapped around her knees and her head placed in the crook of them, sobbing quietly, till she could produce now more tears.

She then clambered out of her bed, her feet hitting the cold wooden floor, and approached the wash room quickly. She doused her face in freezing cold water, sending shivers down her spine and then began to fill the large tub full of hot water.

After her bath, she got dressed into a simple purple dress, the under skirt was a lighter purple and the overskirt was cut down the middle and was a darker purple with patterns of yellow flowers and green vines, the corset was of the same design and had pearls embroidered on the edge. She then tied her damp, curling hair into a high ponytail and tucked her shorter hair behind her ear. Then grabbing the book off her bedside table she sat back on the armchair in the corner of the room and began to read.

It hadn't been ten minutes when someone knocked at her door. She didn't know why they knocked, her door was locked from the outside and she couldn't open it without someone unlocking it from that side. "Come in!" She shouted, resumed her reading.

She heard the door unlock and the door swing open. She waited for someone to speak but no one did, she glanced up and saw Edmund standing in the door way. He leant against the frame of the door casually; one leg crossed behind his other, looking at Ryder intensely, he was frowning slightly and his lips were in a pout, the sulky and moody expression he always wore, Ryder thought, but that's why you find him handsome.

"What do you want?" She asked closing her book and placing it back down on her bedside table.

"I'm to escort you to the gardens. Lucy doesn't want you stuck in all day and so she thought I could take you down this morning and evening, for the next three days, till Sergio comes." Edmund replied, still frowning slightly.

"Is Lucy going to be there?" Ryder asked hopefully.

Edmund stood straighter and his frown deepened. "No, she isn't, sadly. Lucy has things to prepare for Sergio visit, along with Susan."

"Haven't you? I mean wouldn't be better to just get one of your guards or knights?"

"I do but I can fit it all in. And anyway, my knights and guards are busy too, training."

"Fine whatever you say." Ryder got up and approached Edmund's side.

The walk to the gardens was a silent one. Ryder noticed she was surrounded by four guards and then Edmund at her side, so it was difficult to strike up a conversation. The amount of guards with her made her uncomfortable and angry. It was as if they were treating her like a criminal, like she was to break free at any moment. But she'd promised Lucy she wouldn't because she liked it at Cair Paravel and a promise is a promise.

Once they had gotten to the grand gardens, the four guards left Edmund and Ryder but positioned themselves quite near and in eyesight. A picnic was set out for Ryder as she hadn't had breakfast and so she approached it, Edmund lingering behind.

Ryder quickly sat down, starving with hunger, and Edmund reluctantly did too. She didn't look up when he sat down but when Edmund reached across for the jam and brushed her hand, Ryder bright eyes shot to his, wide with surprise, staring wildly at Edmund. She soon blushed and averted her eyes but the feeling didn't go away.

She forced the feeling away and concentrated on eating but then she saw the movement of a guard in the corner of her eye and looked up at Edmund, who was looking at her. "May I ask why there are four guards watching over me?"

Edmund swallowed what he was eating and said, "Well, in case you try to run off or something."

"That such a stupid reason, you know I wouldn't run off Edmund." Ryder shook her head and pushed her plate of food away. "I mean it's not like I'm a criminal."

Edmund laughed and Ryder raised her eyebrows at him. "Sorry but the way you have behaved previously shows that you should be treated like a criminal. You have attack the guards and knights, injured me and Peter. For any normal person, you wouldn't get this privilege."

"Don't bring that up now. That's in the past, I'm talking about now. All I said was I might kill King Sergio. I might, not that I will."

"You sounded pretty sure to me." Edmund pushed his plate away too and looked at Ryder. "And your past behaviour has everything to do with this Ryder. If Lucy would have said something like that, she wouldn't be treated like you because she isn't violent, unlike you."

"I am not violent!"

"Yes you are and aggressive, irrational and over reactive."

"That is not fair. I could say some bad things about you too!"

"Please elaborate."

"No I'm fed up with everyone treating me as if I might attack someone at any moment. Can't you understand that I'm happy now? Before I was confused and lost, that was the reason for my behaviour."

"Yes I understand but Ryder we can't be sure."

"Why ever not? Haven't I proved myself enough?" Ryder clambered to her feet and stared down at Edmund. He too got up off the floor.

"Maybe it's because we don't trust you."

"We? I'm pretty sure you are the only one who doesn't trust me Edmund."

"Well you haven't provided any evidence that you can be trusted." Edmund shouted at her.

"I shouldn't have to prove myself! I have no recollection of anything, how am I suppose to trust myself if no one else trusts me?!" Ryder cried.

"You have to gain trust Ryder, it isn't just given out freely. That's not how it works!"

"Well, fine then." Ryder said. "Don't bother coming for me this evening." And with that Ryder stormed off back towards the castle. Edmund waved to the guards to follow her and then he too left the gardens, anger still boiled up inside him.

Ryder was sulking on her bed, the curtains drawn and the covers pulled over her, with a pillow pulled over her head. She'd closed her eyes, meaning to go to sleep of the evening but her body wasn't tired, so she just lay there, trying not to think of the morning's events.

She hadn't meant to argue with Edmund, it was just a question. And he's given her the wrong answer. But she was over it now, being watched by four guards and a King wasn't that bad, it was what Edmund had said. He didn't trust her. After everything, he'd spent the most time with her unlike everyone else, except probably Lucy, and they all trusted her, they understood why she behave the way she did but Edmund didn't and she didn't know why he didn't.

What about all those times they been so close? They had been alone and things had almost happened. If he didn't trust her, why did he act that way? Why was he so attached to her?

Before she could think of an answer, a soft knocking caught her attention. Then it stopped and his voice came. "Ryder, can I come in?" She pulled the blanket more over her and buried her head in the pillows. "I'll take the silence as a yes then." She heard the door unlock and swing open, but she didn't move.

He moved along her room, his boots making a soft thud on her wooden floor, then she felt the mattress move slightly and then the covers were slowly pulled off of her. "Go away." She mumbled into her pillows, pulling the covers back over herself.

"Don't have a sulk." Edmund said, yanking the covers away. Ryder didn't move or look up. "Come on, I've come to apologise."

"I don't hear you grovelling." She said, turning over and looking at him. Her hair was loose and a mess, she's obviously been crying as her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, though Edmund didn't comment on it.

"I'm sorry, alright. I didn't mean to upset you." Edmund held her hand in his, caressing the back of her hand with his thumb.

"No not good enough." Ryder pulled her hand from his.

Edmund got up off her bed and knelt on his knees, grabbing hold of Ryder's hand again. "Lady Ryder, from the deepest part of my soul, I am truly and whole heartedly sorry if I caused any offence to you and I wish that you could forgive me as I cannot live when you are mad with me."

"Edmund, take this seriously!" She once again pulled her hand away and sat up. "I want a real apology from the deepest part of your heart."

Edmund pulled a straight face and got up off his knees, and sat next to Ryder. "You know how much I love my siblings? And don't want anything to harm them? Well I'm sorry that I accused you of being untrustworthy and for not trusting you. And all those horrible things I said weren't true; I think you are very patient and ladylike."

"Good. Though I'm not much convinced you think I'm patient and ladylike but I'll forgive you." She laughed.

"Now you have to apologise." He smiled.

"I have nothing to apologise for."

"Yes you have, for being irrational and having ago at me for trying to keep you safe." The smile faltered on his lips.

"I was not being irrational. You just completely contradict yourself. And from what you said earlier you weren't thinking of my safety at all, just that of your kingdom, family and King Sergio!"

"Let's not get into another argument. I just want a simple sorry."

"I have nothing to be sorry for."

"You are insufferable! Can't you say sorry or isn't it in your vocabulary?!" Edmund stood up and so did Ryder.

"That's rich coming from you. And I'm perfectly capable of saying sorry when I have done something wrong!" She shouted at him.

"I can't believe Lucy likes you, or Susan and Peter. You can't be trusted. You're Telmarine through and through, I'll be glad when Sergio takes you back."

Ryder raised her hand and slapped him. "I'll kill him before her gets a chance to come near me." She was breathing heavy, fuming at Edmund. "And I thought you were meant to be King Edmund the Just, not King Edmund the Hypocrite. You say you can't trust me but you haven't given me any evidence for me to trust you!"

"I think letting you stay here and be our guest, is evidence enough!"

"But you weren't the one who suggested I do, you just went along with it because it was 3 against 1!"

"You don't know anything Ryder."

"Maybe I don't but I do know one thing, I want you to get out right now!" Ryder grabbed Edmund by the front of his tunic and dragged him to her door and pushed him out. "And don't bother coming for me tomorrow or the day after that, if you still going to accompany me. I rather stay indoors all day." And she then slammed the door in his face.

Both their hearts were racing with adrenaline. Edmund stood staring at the closed door with a frown across his face while Ryder leant up against it, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling. Edmund reached to the door handle and was going to barge back in and confess everything but instead slipped the key in the lock and turned it, locking her in. Ryder didn't take notice of this and slid down onto the cold wooden floor, leaning her head lightly against the door she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Anger was still pulsing through Edmund when he unexpectedly barged into the grand dining room, in which Peter, Susan and Lucy were dining in. Lucy squealed with surprise and dropped her fork, while Peter rose from his seat, looking shocked at Edmund sudden arrival and the state he was in.

They stared at Edmund in silence as he stormed to his chair and threw himself onto it. A maid shuffled over and placed his meal down and a goblet of wine. Edmund didn't take notice of the plate in front of him and picked up the goblet and drained it off its content, then picked up the jug of wine that the maid had also placed on the table, and poured more into his goblet and drank it without breathing.

"Edmund, I think that's enough." Peter said calmly, motioning to the maid to take the wine away. Edmund held the jug tightly and waved the maid away. She then looked at Peter with a puzzled expression. "Gail, you can go now." She nodded and shuffled away, Peter then turning to Edmund who was just finishing his fourth glass. "May I ask what the hell is wrong with you?"

Edmund poured another glass and looked at his brother, a frown across his forehead. "I just felt like a drink."

"You just felt like a drink? Edmund you have had more than just a drink. What has caused this?" Peter made an attempt at grabbing the jug but Edmund was quick, and snatched the knife up off the table and stabbed it in between Peter's fingers. Peter withdrew his hand quickly and stared wildly at his brother.

"Edmund!" Lucy cried.

"Whatever is wrong with you Edmund? You are acting weird." Susan said.

Edmund once again drained another goblet and refilled it. "Some people can be so insufferable. I merely asked for an apology and they have the nerve to refuse and say I am untrustworthy! Ha, if they knew anything at all, if they had experience everything I have, they wouldn't dare speak to me that way. I'm King Edmund the Just, not a hypocrite. How dare she say that? If she were not a lady I would have strike her with my sword!" He then proceeded to drink the rest of his goblet but in anger threw it across the room with anger.

"Edmund!" Peter shouted, rising from his seat and grabbing his brother by his shirt. "Don't take your anger out on everyone else. Stop this now!"

"You can't tell me what to do!" Edmund shouted back, pushing off Peter's hand.

"I will tell you what to do when you act like a child!"

"I am not a child! You think because you are older than me, you are better than me but you're not!" Edmund shoved his brother way.

"Edmund stop it! You are being irrational." Lucy cried. Susan and Lucy were now on their feet staring scared at their brother and the scene before them.

"I see the way everyone acts around me. They can't trust me because of what happened with Jadis. But you know nothing, none of you!" Edmund drew his sword and pointed it at Peter. "You think because I made one mistake you can hold it against me forever!"

"Edmund I have never held what you did when you were ten years old against you. I thought you knew I'd forgiven you. Over these past 10 years, you think I don't trust you but I do Edmund. You have grown I have seen it. Don't say such stupid things!" Peter drew his sword but kept it lowered. "Put your sword down."

"That's what everyone thinks. That I'm stupid, that's why you are High King because even Aslan thinks you're better than me. No one has ever trusted me after what happened, though you all pretend it." Edmund lunged at his brother and their swords collided. Lucy and Susan shouted out to Edmund but he didn't listen.

"What are you doing Ed?! This isn't you, I'm your brother!" Peter shouted as he blocked Edmunds attack.

"Some brother you are when you can't even trust me!" Edmund swiped at his brother but Peter ducked.

"When did I ever say I didn't trust you?! Edmund whatever upset you shouldn't blind you. And I don't think that wine is helping either. Just stop fighting me Ed!"

Edmund continued to fight, all his bottled up anger boiling inside of him. Lucy ran from the room and called for the guards to get Galena but it would take too long for her to get here in time, Edmund or Peter could be harmed by then. Peter dodged another attack but Edmund lunged for his waist pushing him to the floor, both their swords flying out of their hands. Edmund had the advantage and threw a fist at his brother, it colliding with his nose. Peter was too worked up to notice it was his brother and his defence mode kicked in, he punched Edmund hard in the stomach and then clipped him on the chin. Edmund collapsed off of him in agony and just lay still. Peter got up to his feet and grabbed his sword but Edmund wasn't going to get up.

"Ed?" Peter said. His brother got up off his feet and turned to face his siblings. He looked fine just a bit dishevelled with his hair a mess and his clothes torn but tears were in his eyes. Peter stared at his brother with sympathy, and then Lucy ran into the arms of Edmund and hugged him tightly, sobbing into his chest. Susan too joined the two and his two sisters cried into his chest while Edmund silently cried into their mass of hair. Peter slowly put away his sword and walked over to his siblings. Lucy and Susan let go of Edmund and Edmund brushed the tears from his face, they didn't have to say anything as Peter pulled his brother into a tight hug, his sisters then hugging them around their middle.

That night Galena gave a sleeping drought to Edmund and he slept better than he had in days, forgetting about the incident with Peter or the argument with Ryder.

Ryder awoke the next day lying on the hard, cold wooden floor. She stretched the muscles in her neck and back aching. She then pulled herself up off the floor and stumbled to the washroom in where she ran herself a bath. It relaxed her muscles and relieved her of the aching pains in them. She'd quite forgotten the events of yesterday and so she lay peacefully floating on the water, until the water made her skin wrinkled and prune like.

As she was getting dressed she heard a knock on the door. She froze as she remembered yesterday's events then tugging the dress over her head and tying the corset, she slowly opened the door expecting to see Edmund but as she looked out, instead of Edmund towering dark figure Jason stood there, smiling happily at Ryder.

"Hello General Jason, what do I owe the pleasure?" Ryder asked.

"Just call me Jason, Lady Ryder. And King Edmund is very busy today and I have been assigned to escort you down to the gardens."

"Well, I don't find it comfortable with how many guards watch over me, I think I'd rather stay inside for today."

"But it is just to be us two. King Edmund insisted that you be left alone while you were in the garden, he even said you weren't a criminal and wasn't likely to run off. I do agree with him there."

The thought that Edmund had actually listened to Ryder, that he had heard every word she had shouted at him, and followed them through, made a strange, unusual feeling rise up inside of Ryder, like guilt.

"Well, if that is so, let me just grab my book." Ryder turned on her heel and grabbed the book from her bedside table and joined Jason.

It wasn't a silent walk down to the garden like it was yesterday; Ryder and Jason freely talked on their walk, through the courtyard where they spotted Edmund walking back towards the castle. Jason bowed as he passed but Ryder took no noticed of Edmund and a frown spread across his face when Ryder linked arms with Jason.

Once again, breakfast was laid out for Ryder like yesterday so their conversation grew quiet as Ryder ate. Jason kept sending glance at Ryder but Ryder was too busy enjoying her freedom to notice it. She was taking in the beauty of the garden, the colourful display of different flowers from roses and poppies to violets and lavender to daisies and primroses. When she has finally finished her breakfast, Ryder and Jason walked further into the gardens, Jason slightly behind Ryder admiring the way she walked, so elegantly.

"Ryder, can I tell you something?" Jason asked.

"Yes, Jason." Ryder said without turning around.

Jason paused, thinking, and then proceeded with what he was going to say. "I think you are the most beautiful woman, I have ever laid eyes on."

Ryder turned quickly and looked at Jason with wide eyes. "Well, thank you Jason." She drew her eyes away from Jason face, his kind chocolate eyes, his friendly face surrounded by long straw blond hair.

"That's not all Ryder." Jason paused, waiting for her to turn around but she stared ahead, dreading what he was to say next. "I think I'm in love with you."

"That is ridiculous Jason!" Ryder burst out, turning to face Jason. "You barely know me!"

"I know but I could get to know you, you could love me." Jason grabbed Ryder's hands. "I love you so much, that it has been hard to focus on my work, my duty, because you have been in the castle. I have memorised your laugh, your smile, everything. I've tried to control it, I wanted to get to know you better, be alone with you and today it happened, and I just had to tell you because it has been agony keeping all these feelings bottled up."

"Jason, stop. This is wrong. I don't want to fall in love. I don't need it." Ryder said pulling her hands from Jason's grasp.

"What do you want then?" Jason asked.

"I want who I am back. As everyone knows the only identity I have is my name, other than that I don't remember anything of my past, of who I am. I need to find that out before I find love. I don't want that right now, it confuses the situation, I will lose who I am even more if I fall in love."

Jason stared at her silently, taking in what she was saying; she wasn't rejecting him though she wasn't exactly saying she loved him back. He nodded. "I understand I'll take you back now then."

Ryder felt terrible as they walked back in silence. She'd never had to reject someone before, not that she could remember, and it was a horrible feeling. The look on Jason's face was branded into Ryder's mind, it was unemotional, unfeeling, he'd completely lost himself when she told him no. That she didn't want love, that it was not necessary, not need. She would just loose who she really was if she loved, though she had already fallen in love, with Edmund, that was over now; she couldn't imagine that Edmund would speak to her again or she would speak to him. It felt as if a great barrier had fallen between them that separated them.

Jason left Ryder at her door and she stared after him as he walked away. She entered her room feeling deflated and tired, it was only 11 'o'clock in the morning and it had been one of the most tiring days of her Narnian life.

Edmund was walking along to the throne room after dinner when he bumped into Jason. The usual happy, friendly Jason was not there instead a cold, emotionless man with the same features as Jason stood there.

"Whatever made you so gloomy Jason?" Edmund asked, frowning at the man.

"I think I have come down with the flu sire. I don't think I am able to look after Ryder this evening or tomorrow sire." Jason answered, almost robotic.

"Yes, well I'll assign Carlisle for tomorrow but this evening she'll have to stay in. Does she know?" Edmund asked. He didn't like the idea that Ryder was to spend another evening inside, he'd already defied his sister's orders once but twice, I'm sure she wouldn't mind.

"Yes sire."

"Very well, go see Galena. I'm sure she'll be able to sort you out." Jason nodded and left, while Edmund proceeded to the throne room.

The evenings events of yesterday were hazy, probably from all the wine he had drunk but from the injury his brother sustained, it wasn't pretty. Edmund kicked himself for letting Ryder get to him like that, what she had said had hit him hard and so much stored anger burst inside of Edmund that he took it out on the three people he loved the most in the world. But his siblings had forgiven him though they did not know what had caused Edmund outrage, they were glad that they finally knew what he had kept secret from everyone for the past 10 years.

Though now he had to speak to Ryder, he had put it off for today and next day as well but after Sergio visit, he may not ever she Ryder again and he couldn't let her leave while she was still angry with him and he was angry with her. He knew what she said was a spur of the moment and she didn't know the true meaning behind it, he knew he had to explain his past to her, even if it was irrelevant to her, maybe it would shed a different light on him.

Ryder spent another evening holed up in her bedroom, but she didn't mind, it just left her to her own thoughts. Though today that wasn't going to happen, it was the day before King Sergio visit and today Carlisle was to escort her to the gardens; Ryder was actually so happy about this that she awoke hours before he would come and was ready an hour before.

One thing Ryder knew was that she loved Carlisle like a father. He was much older than Ryder and he always treated Ryder like his daughter when he saw her, though a guard, tall and powerful, he had a gentle and kind heart. So, when he came to escort Ryder she literally threw herself at him with happiness.

"I am so happy to see you!" Ryder said, laughing slightly.

Carlisle chucked and hugged her back. "It's only been three days."

"Three days too long, I've missed you." Ryder continued to hug him.

"Come on now, let's go to the gardens then you can speak to me and tell me how much you missed me." Ryder grinned at him and linking arms, strolled along to the gardens for the last time in three days.

Ryder sat opposite Carlisle as she had breakfast, their conversation flowing as normal. They talked of Carlisle family, Ryder memory loss, the Telmarine visit, Lucy and Susan very secretive plans.

"I bet they are planning King Edmund's birthday, you know. It's in a week's time, he'll be turning 22, can't believe it has only been 12 years since they arrived here."

"I didn't know it was King Edmund's birthday this week."

"No, he was hoping everyone would forget and I think her think no one's planned anything but I bet, if I know Queen Susan, she'll throw him a surprise birthday ball. Though I don't know if he really deserves one after what he did."

Ryder looked at him in surprise. "What did he do?"

"He attacked High King Peter. Though I am not one to gossip, I heard from one of the fauns that he just went mad and duelled with Peter, and then broke his nose. Galena won't say anything but Gail said he was in a very foul mood and drunk the whole jug of wine. I wonder what caused that."

"When was this?" Ryder asked.

"It was the day before yesterday, why Ryder?"

"Oh my, I was the reason, I argued with him. I called him a hypocrite and may have suggested no one could trust him." Ryder stared wildly at Carlisle.

"Well, that was quite a horrible thing to say Ryder!"

"I know! But I was so angry with him for saying I was untrustworthy and saying I was irrational and violent and all these horrible things and I guess I just snapped."

"But you must have known how saying no one trusted him would hurt him or anger him?"

"I don't understand you Carlisle."

"Don't you know of the White Witch, Jadis?"

"Who is she?"

"More like who she was." Carlisle sighed. "I shouldn't be the one to tell you this but I guess I have to tell you know I've mentioned the White Witch. Twelve years ago, when the Kings and Queens first came to Narnia, long before they were Kings and Queens, Narnia was in a hundred year winter and was ruled by the White Witch, because she was the one who made it winter and never spring. And when Edmund first ventured into Narnia one his own following Lucy, he meet Jadis and learnt his was a son of Adam. You see there was a prophecy saying that two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve would take the throne of Narnia and defeat the White Witch. Well Edmund meet the White Witch and used his vulnerability and the arrogance of a ten year old and tricked him into trusting her. And she wasn't the one to trust and so, he has never really trust anyone after that, and he believes no one trusts him because he thinks we think he will betray us again, though I believe he merely was a vulnerable ten year old boy, who the Witch took advantage of. And that Ryder is why he doesn't trust you and why you shouldn't have said that no one trusts him, if you had of known then."

Everything suddenly became clear to Ryder; Edmund's distrust towards Ryder at the beginning and his distrust now. Why he was so hurt by her outburst. She understood Edmund now she knew about his past. She could see why he couldn't trust her. And now she wished she had opened her stupid mouth.

"I'm the biggest idiot in the entire world right now. I feel so stupid. Why didn't I know? Why did I have to say that? Of everything I could say, I said the worse thing possible." Ryder buried her face in her hands. "I've ruined everything we had now."

"Oh Ryder, you are not an idiot or at all stupid. You didn't know because Edmund didn't want you to know, though it would explain to you his behaviour and I'm sure if you apologies he will forgive you."

"But I don't care if he didn't tell me or not, it's his past. He can tell me any time he wants, when he wants, if he wants. What I care about is I ruined everything now. He was perfectly happy and I had to bring everything back up!"

"Ryder, I'm sure Edmund will understand."

"I hope he does otherwise I have no chance. Well I never had a chance before but I still hope there is always hope."

"What are you going on about Ryder?"

Ryder looked at Carlisle and bit her lip, tears springing into her eyes. "I love him Carlisle. I'm in love with him."

Ryder felt a huge weight off her shoulders as she finally spoke those words out loud. The look on Carlisle face also reassured her she had told the right person. A look of shock crossed his face but then it was replaced by a kind smile. "I didn't know Ryder."

"Well I hoped not because then everyone would now. And I'm still not sure what I feel. Some days all I can think of is him and us but then this revelation comes over me that he doesn't like Telmarines and I'm a Telmarine and I'm terrified of how I feel. There also the fact he is King of Narnia and I'm sure he's fallen in love with some Princess or Lady, not from Telmar." Carlisle began to laugh and Ryder looked at him frowning slightly. "What are you laughing at?"

"You don't know what impacts you've had on King Edmund do you? I mean he has changed from the moment you set foot in Cair Paravel. That time I caught you on the dungeon floor, I suspected something but the way I saw you argue after I thought otherwise. But now I know, it's all suddenly clear; the duel, the beach, everything. And if I'm right, which I always am, King Edmund shares what you feel too, thought on his better judgement."

Ryder blushed and hugged Carlisle. "I'm sure you're wrong but thank you anyway for trying to cheer me up."

"I'm sure I'm not wrong but whatever floats your boat Ryder." Carlisle chuckled and Ryder laughed with him.

That day turned out to be one of Ryder's best days, she finally allowed someone to know her secret and she knew Carlisle would keep it to his grave. She also knew of Edmund's past and that she now was wrong and had to apologise, she knew that now. After tomorrow, once Sergio was gone she'd be able to find Edmund and apologise but for now, she could get a good night's sleep.

Author's notes:I hated this chapter so much. Literally I had writers block during this and that why it's so crap. I had no clue what to do with it, I was like no you ain't getting no kissy kissy lovey dovey, you get that later, I promise but I had no clue how to stop them from kissing, damn Edmund for being so irresistible. Then I sort of got distracted yesterday and watched Prince Caspian (for inspiration) but I just watched all of the behind the scenes and for anyone who has the two disc you have to watch Skandar Keynes Blonde Cam, he is hilarious. Anyways where was I? Ah yes then I sort of got stung by a wasp, in my bedroom, and spent the rest of the night screaming, crying, in agony so no writing. Then today I finally got down to writing but then thought I'd watch Voyage of the Dawn Treader (sorry okay but Skandar and Ben are too irresistible and you know) and it was until 09:45pm today that I finished this chapter. My sister wanted me to watch the Yellow Handkerchief with Kristen Stew and Eddie Redmayne (who is another irresistible guy) but I was like noooooo I have to get this chapter so I can give it to my readers.

So that is why it is so crap. I knew what to write but writing it right was the hardest part and partially because I got kind of lazy. Now this means Chapter 10 might take longer than planned unless I actually don't have writers block or wasps stinging me, so look out next Saturday for Chapter 10 but if it doesn't arrive feel free to spam my inbox.

I'm so sorry for being a lazy person and delivering this so late at night that some may be asleep or just waking up (I don't know) but I hope you enjoy it more that I did writing it, it was torture for me.

Review if you like it, review it if you hate it.

I appreciate the criticism or praise.