The sound of hooves and the clattering of armor could be heard in the distance…
Immediately, Clare awoke looking towards the woods, and sure enough, Edmund was coming alongside Orieus and a group of Narnian's.
-"I have to talk with him, but Aslan can do it." She whispered before shaking Peter from his sleep. "Pete, wake up." She said stroking his hair. All he did was wrap his arm around her and gave off a groan.
-"Go back to sleep, please?" he mumbled. She looked towards the boulders to see Aslan talking with Edmund. This time she shifted her weight causing him to roll over.
-"I'm awake!" he said startled. Claire only shook her head before getting up.
-"Peter, please go get dressed… This is going to be a very busy day…" she said calmly and with a small smile before walking away leaving him dumbstruck.
BBB
Claire walked up the hill coming into range with Aslan and Edmund…
-"…You must understand the behavior you have done has only led to pain and suffering on your family and loved ones…" Aslan said looking at him. Edmund only gave a small nod,
-"Yes, sir." He said very low, his face with humiliation. Reaching them, Claire gave a deep breath before speaking,
-"Excuse me Aslan, but could I talk with Edmund alone please?" she asked hoping he would say 'yes'. He looked towards and gave a nod, before leaving… Edmund only looked towards the ground…
-"Edmund," Claire spoke, but he only looked away, not daring to look at her. "Edmund, I only wish to talk, I have not the heart to relive what's been done." She said placing her hand on the boys shoulder… He looked up and gave a soft smile. "Come with me..." she said leading him down the hill towards the stream.
After a long moment of silence, she decided now would be the time 'seal' everything…
-"Edmund, after today…" she said gaining his attention "I don't know what will happen… For you see, after today, I will no longer be able to help you and your family." She said looking down at the grass. Edmund only stopped and looked shocked.
-"What?! Why?!" he asked, she only gave a sigh before walking again.
-"None of us choose our paths really, but mine was set many years ago…" she said re-telling her past and curse. He only nodded and listened until his time came to speak.
-"And there's nothing we can do?" he asked determined to help. She only smiled and shook her head,
-"No, but you must lead Peter on, he must not know about my curse, Ed. It's complicated to explain why, but trust me on this… Your family loves you Edmund..." he only scoffed,
-"But not Peter, he'll kill me when he sees me at the camp an-"
-"That is not true!" she said cutting him off. "He was determined to find you; this is why we arrived here…To rescue you."
-"but he'll never forgive me!" Edmund said with sorrow,
-"Yes he will…" she said before picking a flower from the grass. "Edmund, the reason I cannot help you all anymore is because the prophecy clearly states that two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve shall appear to defeat the White-Witch… Edmund, you and your siblings have the power to defeat her…the power I do not have…" He only tilted his head in misunderstanding…
-"What power is that? I'm not a magician!" Claire only shook her head and smiled,
-"No…Edmund the power you have is love, and courage… that is something my sister does not have… She has no love for her own blood and kin, and she is frightened by you four, all though she may not show it…Deep down the very heart of Jadis is shivering with fear. With this power, you will rule Narnia well." Edmund only nodded before asking,
-"And you? Why don't you have that power?" Claire only let her head hang in shame,
-"I don't have the courage to tell Peter I will die, and I don't have the love of a mortal, and only Aslan has the greatest love, and I dare not try to surpass his power and abilities… that would only lead to corruption…"
-"And the battle?" He asked hoping she would say 'yes'…
-"I will not take part in it." She said calmly. He only nodded. "I believe Aslan wishes to talk to you…" He only nodded before walking back to the lion with shoulders sagging with depression. She called out to him causing him to turn around,
-"Edmund, I know you are sad, but you must understand, I can no longer help, I'm truly sorry, but I give you all the support I hold in my heart." She said before walking to the woods…
BBB
-"Edmund!" Lucy cried out causing Aslan and Edmund to turn their heads in her direction. Looking back towards Aslan, he gave Edmund a nod of reinsurance. Understanding, Edmund walked down the hill with his hands in his pockets…
-"Hello." He mumbled quietly with a frightened tone. Peter only looked at him, but Lucy ran up to him giving him a hug. Feeling relived, he returned her hug as Susan joined in smiling. Peter was the only one, who stayed away from the hug,
-"How are you feeling?" Susan asked holding his arm, he only shrugged,
-"I'm a bit tired."
-"Get some sleep." Peter ordered, gesturing to their tent. Susan's smile disappeared as she was afraid what would happen. Edmund only nodded and obeyed. Right behind Edmund, Claire stood watching from a distance. Seeing her with a saddened expression and turning away to leave, guilt washed over him.
-"Edmund," he asked turning to his brother, "try not to wander off." He said with a smile. Taking this as a joke, (The first time since a long time) Edmund smiled before walking up to the tent…
Throughout the day the Pevensie children stayed in the camp practicing with their gifts. Susan and Lucy took to the fields for a little bit of shooting, as Peter and Edmund stayed with Orieus practicing on their swords. Throughout the practice Peter realized practicing the blocking routine was nowhere near fun as he and Claire had did the previous day…
"Where is she?" Peter thought looking over at the camp every chance he could get. "Edmund, have you seen Claire?" he asked as he sat on the grass, since Orieus went to get some mounts for them. Edmund only took a bite of his apple,
-"Not since this morning. Pete, she seemed upset." Edmund stated quirking an eyebrow at him,
-"Upset? How come?" Edmund only shrugged,
-"I don't know, has she seemed upset lately." Edmund asked sitting down next to him.
Peter thought for a few seconds, "Well, now that you mention it, she hasn't been herself lately… Last night she was crying, but I don't know why." Edmund only stayed silent… The curse…
-"Pete, do you love her?" Edmund asked looking up at him. Peter only went red,
-"I...Well you know…We're good friends…and I have feelings…but, well maybe…" he mumbled only for Edmund to stare at him… Peter, knowing his own brother knew gave a sigh, "Yes...but I don't want to tell her for she could think I was weird, I mean we kissed but every time we did something bad happened… and I don't want to ruin our friendship… but I think she feels the same way an-"…
-"Well then Peter, you have to tell her before the end of today!" Edmund said startling him, Peter only looked confused,
-"Wha-"
-"here you go your majesties." Orieus said coming to them with mounts.
BBB
-"Jadis, the queen of Narnia demands council with Aslan and her sister Claire." Ginarrbrik said talking to Aslan and Claire. Both looked to each other before nodding,
-"Very well son of earth, tell Jadis we will accept, but under one condition," Claire spoke rising from her seat, "She must leave her wand at the old stump outside of camp. No one will harm her, you have my word." Aslan nodded in approval. Agreeing, Ginarrbrik went off to get Jadis… Claire gave a sigh of frustration before collapsing in her chair.
-"This is going to be a long day isn't it?" she asked, the lion only chuckled,
-"That depends on how much time one has in a day." She only chuckled,
-"What do you think she wants?" but Aslan remained quiet…Edmund, was the only answer that popped into her head. "I need to warn Peter..." she quickly walked into the heart of the camp and found Mr. Beaver,
-"Beaver, Thank goodness, I need you to find Peter and his siblings… warn them, Jadis is coming, she's demanded a meeting with Aslan and I! Make haste, please!" she said stressing the importance. Nodding Beaver took off into the crowd and disappeared….
A/N: Hello again! Hope you had a good Christmas!! I know some were expecting this to be a sad chapter, but sorry, that's in the next chapter… I'm still deciding whether or not the next chapter will be Claire's final appearance until the end of the story… So your thoughts are strongly recommended there!! The Next chapter will be called "The Triumph of the Witch" borrowing it from LWW, next chapter a lot of fluff and sadness for the girls and guys, and the Battle scene might be in there or the intro to it…. Ideas thoughts and opinions welcomed, Profile has poll for sequel, so you the reader gets a chance to help build the sequel….I'm also looking for a Beta that can help me with ideas, grammar and Character stuff… Much thanks if you can help!!! Hope to hear ideas and Reviews!!