Disclaimer: I'm not sure why I bother; does anyone even read this? But just to clear it up: no, I DON'T own any of this. Nothing except the storyline that is.
Chapter 6- Susan and Edmund
The waves crashed against the rocks on the beach. The calm blue of the ocean contrasted strongly against the dark clouds looming overhead, threatening to break into storm any second. Despite this, a figure was perched on a wall overlooking the beach, their face concentrating on nothing visible. Their dark, dark hair whipped across their face as the wind began to blow stronger, but the figure remained still, doing nothing.
From behind the figure, another person was visible at the door to the balcony. This person was King Edmund the Just, and as he gazed at the incoming storm, he noticed his sister was sitting with a slouched posture, something she never did, and would usually reprimand her sibling about. Queen Susan the Gentle was staring at the ocean, but at the same time her eyes saw nothing. Edmund approached Susan cautiously, not sure what her reaction would be.
"Susan?" he asked softly, not wanting to frighten her when she was sitting on the edge of the balcony wall. Susan tilted her head towards him, her blank eyes turning to face him. It was then he noticed the tear tracks down her face, and the fresh tears welling in her eyes. He exclaimed softly before rushing over to her.
"Su? What's wrong, what happened?" But her received no reply. As he wrapped a supporting arm around her shoulder however, she began to cry harder, burrowing her face into Edmund's shoulder. Edmund, who was not the best at dealing with crying sisters, awkwardly rubbed her back for a while, hoping it gave her comfort. It seemed to work, as not long after that her tears subsided, and all he could hear from her was light breathing.
Edmund pulled back, his hands still resting on her shoulders, and looked into her eyes.
"Susan, why were you crying?" Susan turned her head away, and looked out at the now turbulent waves. Edmund waited patiently, and before long she turned back to face him.
"It's just something that happened today. It's nothing big, I just wasn't expecting it, and it was such a shock, I just couldn't handle it…" her ramblings stopped when her voice hitched suddenly and her eyes began to grow wet again. She sniffed in a rather un-ladylike fashion before reaching for her handkerchief. However, before she could reach it, a fresh one was hanging in front of her, curtesy of Edmund. She gave him a watery smile before wiping her eyes with it. She then took a deep breath, and recounted her source if misery to him.
"It was just this morning. I was planning for a ball"-here Edmund cringed slightly-"but was interrupted by a young maid who had come to tell me that Adela, my faun-in-waiting, was about to give birth to a baby, and had requested me to be there. Obviously I was overjoyed, and I rushed out, eager to see her and her child. But when I got there"- and here Susan's voice cracked slightly- "they said there were some complications with the birth, and that it might take a little while. So I waited, and waited. And then a badger came out, and said that she… that Adela… and her baby…" Susan couldn't go on any longer, and started sobbing into Edmund's handkerchief. Edmund felt his heart go out to both Susan and Adela, who was one of Susan's closest friends, as well as her faun-in-waiting.
Susan blew her nose before continuing.
"Anyway, I couldn't bear to wait there, I ran out, and came here, and I've been here ever since." Edmund gripped Susan's shoulder supportively, unsure of what to say.
"But why, Edmund?" Susan suddenly asked. Edmund started, surprised, and confused about what Susan meant.
"Why did they both die? Why was it their time? Why… what did they do to deserve that?" Susan's voice sounded so young and confused. It transported Edmund back to a time many, many years ago, back in England, when he had overheard a crying Susan ask Peter why her cat would not be coming back from the vet. He remembered Peter explaining to Susan that sometimes bad things happened, and that it wasn't up to them to question the nature of things, but to follow in its path and live enjoying life. Edmund decided then and there that Peter probably knew how to handle emotional sisters better, and knew what to say, but Edmund also decided to give it a shot.
"Susan," he began, "It is not up to us to question why someone has died. Instead, we must cherish the joy that person brought to us when they were living, and remember that person as we live on. We have to accept what happens in life, and take what life brings head on. And for those that don't make it to the next day, well, we just have to live for them."
Susan looked up at Edmund for a minute, pondering his words. Then she began to smile.
"You were eavesdropping that time my cat died, weren't you," she asked. Edmund blushed furiously. His response was enough for Susan to know the truth.
"Well, you're right. And so was Peter. I shouldn't question why we are here, and why someone else isn't, but instead be grateful that I am, and remember Adela and her baby, who aren't." Susan took in a deep breath, then released it.
"By the way, Ed. I think you changed the speech around a bit. But it's alright. It was just as good." She added with a small smile. Before Edmund could come up with a smart reply (which he obviously could have), the ominous clouds above them finally gave way, showering them with small drops of water. They both cried out in surprise as the first drops hit them, followed by the sound of thunder, and a streak of lightning across the sky. The two siblings raced indoors for cover against the storm, the beckoning dry room looking extremely attractive. As they stood in the room, both staring out at the sky, the two siblings shared a smile, and a similar thought: that they were so lucky to be part of such a close, loving family.
A/N- ok, I have 2 requests from you guys. One: please review and tell me if you liked it. And two: tell me if I should continue to write more, or should I stop at that?