Chapter Thirty-One: Justified Suspicion

Brielle grinned, clasping her hands together in front of her. Her fingertips were bright red, as red as the tips of her nose. The underskirts of her dress weren't doing much to keep the chill from getting to her legs, but she grinned nevertheless, feeling nothing but the warmth of mirth as Peter tried to compose himself.

"Why, your majesty, you're blushing," Brielle teased. Her grin widened, seeing the flush on Peter's cheeks bloom even further. "I didn't think Kings could blush."

"I'm not!" He declared, voice catching as he did so. He cleared his throat, turning ever so slightly away from her. He kept moving forward, boots crunching over the fallen leaves on the path as they continued on their walk. A normal, daily occurrence that Brielle had managed to turn on its head.

He's lying, Brielle noted, watching as he pulled his scarf higher up his neck, working to hide his cheeks the best he could. A horrible reaction to someone who was to be so imposing to the other countries of Narnia. "Is that the scarf I gave you last year?" She saw his cheeks bloom even further. "Admit it!"

"I'm not!" Much less certain that time.

Undeterred, Brielle unclasped her hands and spread them in front of her, gestured toward the air with an airy flick of her wrists, as if her wand were still in her hand. As if she were conjuring up a spell that'd ensure the response she'd hoped for to her words. Though her tone was teasing, the smile frozen on her face with wind-burned cheeks, straining to hold back the trepidation that slowly worked to snuff out her flame of amusement.

Peter's jaw bulged just below his ears, teeth clenching and unclenching. A sure sign of his working to come to a decision. His feet, however, kept him moving forward despite the hunched shoulders, and gaze planted firmly on the dead leaves below his feet.

"I like you, Peter Pevensie," she declared. Peter kicked harder at the ground, a rock silently rolling forward. A rock at the side of the fracture that suddenly split between them, dark and bottomless hole lined with jagged rocks. And they were on either side, wondering which way to go.

"I've liked you from the moment I set eyes on you," Brielle continued. "I like that I know what you're like as Peter, not just our king. Even if you're almost one and the same. When you're Peter, you don't give a damn about what people think of you as Peter or as King."

"I like that you let me punch you on the arm as though you're a bloke, as though you're Ed or Caspian, but gently take my hand and squeeze it when I'm nervous. And I like that, despite your status as the High King, you're always there for me."

The gap, the fracture, between them grew smaller with each word, each confession that came from her lips. Brielle's smile faded, though the spirit behind her words continued to ring true. And then, magnificently, he leapt over the fracture and was beside her again.

His eyes transformed from a stormy sea of confused to the clearest blues of acceptance. Jaws slimmed from the rapid-fire bulge he worked through, setting his cheek bones high on a smile. A mischievous smile that reached his eyes as he said, "What is your game, then?"

"Excuse me?" Brielle replied. "I'm not playing games."

He folded his arms, taking a step toward her. "And is that any way to address your King?"

Her eyebrows rose, her own mischievous smile matching his. "Are you my King?" She didn't need to push the question even further.

They both knew her meaning. Was he the High King, who had to act a certain way in public, who was as highly sought after for his war strategies as he was for his looks, who allowed counsel with any woman of courting age to simply have them heard? Or was he Peter Pevensie, the boy who turned into a rough-housing brother the moment Edmund challenged him to something as mundane as building a sandcastle on the beach of Cair Paravel or a game of cricket, the overprotective brother the moment Susan and Lucy were courted, and loving to anyone who came to know him personally.

"My loyal subject would never question it." He lifted his chin in a faux-air of indignation. "They wouldn't dare to give me such lip."

Brielle tilted her head, hair falling out of her face so that she could smile wickedly at him. "Not that sort of lip, eh, your Majesty?"

There was no more talking after that, no more banter that could easily have them at each other's throats on one hand, or smiling warmly and melting like putty in the other, nothing as Peter placed the flat of his palm against the back of Brielle's head and angled her head, holding her firmly, as possessively as a King should when he kissed her.

A kiss bathed in the glow of the gleaming light post nearby…

..

.

Brielle frowned the second her eyes opened. The deepest frown she could muster. Maybe it would tap into her powers and kill Peter in his sleep. Just like she'd been trying before with her projected thoughts. But if Maugrim hadn't been able to kill him yet, even in his dreams, there had to be another way to do it.

So far, all her attempts had been unsuccessful. Silas and Vincent were starting to become impatient. Correspondence with them was becoming nastier as the days passed. She could avoid their messages the best she could, but there was only so many times she could do that until they showed up. And if they showed up, their familiars…it'd push their plan forward so fast her head would spin.

Not that she had much to worry about, they would never become too inconspicuous to want to have King Nain's wrath against them. It was the same for her. The longer she moved under King Nain's and Queen Aria's instruction, it'd be one step closer for her to get Maugrim back.

Taking a deep breath through her nose, Brielle sat up and ran her hands over her face. Then closed her eyes and mentally took herself back to the time she was at her strongest, where she didn't have to rely on other people. That was Jadis's downfall, Brielle thought. She relied on too many lackeys to get things done. It was no wonder Aslan's Army defeated her so easily. How we defeated her so easily.

With a whisk of her hand, Brielle's magic whisked her blankets off her lap, allowing her get out of bed. She walked across her room to her balcony and looked out it and over the courtyard, where the day was already getting to a busy start. The breakdown of the ball had come easily, especially once Magnus had been disgraced in front of all the partygoers.

It had been a good side-effect of what had been going on, Brielle realized later. Of seeing how strong Peter was, and then it'd question Caspian further. Question if he was the true ruler over Narnia or if it was the Pevensies, still. Then, once the engagement of Caspian and Susan hit the others…

Brielle's eyebrows came together as she looked over the courtyard, seeing Peter and Caspian speaking quietly to each other as they walked towards the front gates. Probably coming up with a plan of how to address the Telmarines and Narnians once and for all, to unite the people and relay the construction news of Cair Paravel, of the danger from Calmoren and Archenland. In the meantime, Susan and Lucy were coming up with plans of peace to bring towards other factions and to, once more, plead for a sort of treaty with Archenland. Lucy had brought up the idea of getting Aslan to aid them once more, but, so far, he hadn't been able to be reached.

Brielle reached up her hand to grasp her broach. Father Christmas had given it to her and yet Aslan had been completely against Jadis. Brielle didn't believe in what Jadis stood but…but they were related in both being witches. She had her own reasons for doing what she was doing…but did that make her as bad as Jadis?

Continuing to look down at the courtyard, Brielle caught Peter's eye as he turned back to the castle, parting ways with Caspian. He looked up at her, shielding his face with a raised palm, saw it was her and he smiled.

She smiled back.

Edmund adjusted the speed of his horse to a low gallop, looking at the tree line extended in front of him. The tree line that separated Narnia from Archenland. His eyebrows furrowed as he approached the tree line. He wasn't so impulsive he was going to get too close, move too far into the woods to eventually become easy pickings target for anyone of their opposers.

If the Calormens were able to get the upper hand on Peter that easily, it wouldn't be too out of the ordinary for Edmund to think the Archenlanders would do the same. Especially since the attack on Anvard from the Pevensies' mere presence at the castle as guests.

"What is it we're looking for again?" Brielle asked, her voice coming as annoyed drone from behind him. Edmund sighed heavily and looked behind him to see Brielle moving her horse along his path at a urgent yet slower pace.

Edmund twisted around in his saddle to watch her coming and tried not to laugh at loud when he saw the irritated look on her face. It didn't take much for her to realize something was going on when he asked her to accompany him that day. But he didn't realize how much it was going to affect him as well. They weren't in the middle of the battle anymore, to where she surprised him with her fortitude and sword wielding skills. They were riding horses for, to her, an unknown reason.

"Nothing in particular," Edmund replied. Not quite a lie. Not quite the truth. There was something he was looking for, but wasn't quite sure what he'd find when he found it. Wasn't even sure he actually wanted to get the answers he was looking for. Because, if he did…everything would be turned upside down. "I just wanted to see something. And I wanted the company."

"Ed, I don't need an escort," Brielle said with a light eyeroll.

She gathered her reins in her hands, dropping her hands to her lap in a very unladylike gesture. Though those would say her riding with legs spread across the horse and not sidesaddle wasn't ladylike either. There were some Archenland customs that were hard for her to completely let go. But the time she spent in Narnia, under the rule of her friends had managed to show her more of what she wanted out of life.

Had her truly feel something, feel alive, felt that she knew exactly what she wanted. She fell in love, watched her friends start their own lives and their own families, and didn't have her life in England hanging over her head. Or, maybe, it was always there. Constantly, like a shadow she couldn't shake. Part of her hated herself for trading one war for another. The reality, though, was it was the Narnian war that she actually had a hand in. Had a say in. Had some sort of control over.

The European war simply tore her life apart.

"It's not like Magnus is going to pop out the bushes with a bloody buck knife," She continued, hearing Edmund's light snort. "And it's not like I can't take care of myself, you know I can." Edmund conceded that with a light nod. "So why did you insist on taking me with you on the patrol today?"

Edmund glanced at her then shrugged. "Because it seems like you can't go anywhere without some sort of trouble following you." Brielle let out a piercing scoff. "We went to Archenland and there was a coup staged against our stay there. King Nain and Queen Aria wanted nothing more than for us to bow down to their power. Then we're chased back here and when we get back and try to do something fun to ensure the Telmarines and Narnians can live together under one rule, something else happens."

Brielle sniffed. "I can't help it that guys are attracted to me."

At that, Edmund laughed out loud.

From the outside, there wasn't much that would seem to have the two of them get along. Truth be told, Brielle was the kind of girl that Edmund loathed in school. The ones that cared more about their hair and looks and clothes and boys and popularity more than anything else. The ones who made his life a living hell because they teased him about his hand-me-down clothes from Peter and how they loosely fit, how he'd never grow into them, how he had an unflattering haircut. Not like everyone wasn't struggling to deal with rations, lack of materials, and lack of time with the consistent raids going on.

He hadn't met her until he had reunited with his brother and sisters before the battle with Jadis and even with a quick glance he wasn't sure what she could do to help the Pevensies in their fight. But he saw her wield a sword and take on everything that came her way and changed her mind. The time they spent in Narnia growing into the Golden Age helped their friendship grow as well. They both enjoyed and were skilled in strategy—even if it came up in different ways—and she did have more to talk about than parties and jewelry. It helped that she eventually became betrothed to Lord Peridan, who was his best friend and courtier, so the two grew closer.

Their shared loss over their friend once they returned to Narnia before understanding their call to help Caspian brought them closer as well. And, if Edmund were being honest, though he'd never truly said it out loud, he did like the idea of Peter and Brielle being together. Wanted nothing more than for Peter to actually admit that he may have feelings for the lady in waiting, anyone could see it. So, Edmund resigned himself to subtle remarks and sly smile exchanges with Susan and Lucy and the servants who whispered behind the scenes.

But that didn't mean he wasn't going to listen to listen to Peter and protect those Peter deemed important. As it was, he had his own reasons for wanting to have Brielle alone for a few minutes. It seemed to be harder to do in the past weeks since Susan and Caspian officially became engaged. It hadn't been announced to the public yet, but it seemed that the girls had a lot they needed to do and discuss since the engagement. If their near constant giggling didn't mean anything.

As it was, he, Caspian, and Peter spent most of their time in the board room, working on military strategies in case their peace efforts didn't come to fruition. The party had worked to decrease the mounting tensions between Narnians and Telmarines, but taking Caspian as their new king and presence of the Kings and Queens of Old were still things that needed to be assuaged. They still needed to finish drawing up their peace plan and present it to King Nain.

If that didn't work…

There's always Plan B, Edmund reminded himself. He took in a deep breath through his nose and released it once more. Stuffed down the anxious quiver the quickly flashed through his stomach. The wind picked up. Did he hear something? Was that a twig snap? Was something or someone coming toward them that they couldn't see? Edmund listened harder, birds were still chirping. So, danger must not have been near.

Or it is and you don't know what you're looking for, Edmund thought. He shook his head and turned back to Brielle. "There aren't many around here that I trust to do a patrol with me," Edmund explained. "There aren't many I trust in general. Right now I've got, Peter, Caspian, and the talking animals. We're still in uncharted territory, Bri. It's going to take time for things to work out."

"And you decided to bring me out here to talk about that?" Brielle slowed her horse to a casual stroll as they moved further toward the end of the Telmarine territory.

"I needed to do my rounds and…you know…" Edmund shrugged. He reached up and pulled at the collar of his tunic. He cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair. "I thought, maybe, I could ask you about something."

All at once, Brielle's head whipped around. She stared at Edmund, her eyes roving over him. Edmund pressed his lips together. Maybe he'd made a mistake. He had a feeling he knew what she was thinking, found himself correct when she moved close enough to reach out and grab her arm and say, "Is it about Vivienne? I saw her talking to you at the ball?"

"Vivienne?"

For a moment, Edmund was knocked off-kilter. He had a feeling she was going to ask about some girl, but not Vivienne in particular. They'd barely talked at the ball, there were plenty of other girls that had tried to get his attention. He hardly noticed, attention like that had never truly interested him more than the embarrassment of his siblings teasing him about it. More likely because he wasn't giving much attention to it.

"Yes, Vivienne, from Chippingford!" Brielle made an exasperated motion with her hand. "The one Peter bought the jewelry from." Her eyebrows tipped upwards in a quick movement, her voice lowering as she added, "The craftsmanship was okay."

"No, no." Edmund shook his head. Wiped the thought from his mind. "She's not…I wasn't….thinking about her." He cleared his throat, suddenly finding it cracking on the last word. "We barely even talked. Just about how balls aren't really our thing."

"A match made in heaven then!" Brielle's smile waned. "At least someone was having fun."

"King Magnus isn't going to do anything to you, Bri. His reputation has already been trashed simply from Pete embarrassing him as much as he did." Edmund watched Brielle's face as he spoke. Noticed the light roll of her eyes. "Can't say it didn't surprise me. Our enemies know you're close to us, and we invited a lot of them into our home." He dismounted from his horse, giving it silent warning to stay still. "It's part of why I didn't want the party at all, why I insisted on so many patrols."

"Paranoia."

"Or knowing how easily little events begat the biggest wars."

Edmund walked closer to the tree line. Closer and closer until he stood at the edge of it. He listened hard, heard the animals still moving around. The Dryads that still lived within the trees moved, swayed, and bent in the wind. Still, Edmund walked a little further into the trees, going from the sanctuary of Telmar into what would eventually turn into Archenland. Where he was sure word would get back to King Nain about his presence.

Edmund wasn't going to push things that far, but he needed to see for himself. And, a few more steps into the woods and things changed. The wind stopped blowing. The birds stopped chirping. It was like an invisible barrier had been put up and he'd crossed the threshold. As far as Edmund could see, fallen logs and trees were broken and pulled apart in strange directions. Burns on strange sides of the trees, blood splatters on others. In the distance, he was sure he could see the corpse of a minotaur in the distance, and he knew Archenland to not have minotaurs.

"Everything's destroyed," Edmund murmured. He stood up from his kneeling position and shook his head. "The vegetation's been picked clean. It's not seasonal. Something's going on."

"What does that mean?"

Edmund turned toward her, watched as she folded her arms. "It means there's a good chance Archenland is trying to invade," he said. His eyes shifted then focused on her once more. Brielle shifted her feet. "But I can't help but question their timing over this."

A/N: Uh-oh, Ed is starting to suspect her. That must a real hard thing for him to deal with as well, since she's so close to the Pevensies. I'm so glad to be back with this fic, I suddenly got hit with inspiration and here we are! I hope you all enjoyed it.

Cheers,

-Riles