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Chapter Twenty ~You Found Me
Last time on Triue Love Never Dies:
Finally, when Rose didn't think she could take anymore, Valdis stood up. He dressed himself, and kicked her limp body.
"I hope you've learned your lesson," he sneered, and turned around to walk away. Instead he was met with a fist in his face.
"What the—" Valdis stammered, but he was cut off by another blow.
"Don't EVER touch her again!" Edmund bellowed, and after another blow Valdis scampered back to the castle.
"Did he hurt you?" Rose asked meekly. Edmund wanted to laugh and cry at the same time in response to this as he bent down next to Rose.
"I'm fine, you're the one I'm worried about. How far did he get?"
"How far do you think?" Edmund sighed and began to take off his nightshirt. Rose's eyes widened in fear.
"Don't worry, I'm just giving this to you…Valdis took your clothes."
"Oh," Rose said, and relaxed enough to allow Edmund to slip the shirt over her head.
"Alright love, where do you want me to take you?"
"My old room, I don't want to see anyone…but I can walk."
"Suit yourself," Edmund shrugged, and he helped her up. "But I'm staying with you so don't even bother protesting."
"Fine," Rose grunted. She shook her hair back in a dignified way and marched toward the castle.
"Why are you doing this?" Edmund sighed.
"Doing what?"
"Trying to prove you don't need help."
"I don't," she said shortly.
"Right," he said sarcastically. "I'll just go back to bed then."
"Fine." Edmund walked off, and, like he knew he would, heard Rose say in a small voice, "Edmund?"
"Yes?"
"Don't leave me alone," she whimpered, and Edmund came back over to her side. "I'm sorry, I'm just so…so tired. So violated."
"You don't have to apologize," Edmund said, giving the small red head half a smile. As they walked Edmund noticed how much slower the pace became, and when they were barely moving at all, he bent down and picked her up.
"I said I could walk."
"That may be so, but not very quickly."
"Edmund?"
"Hmm?"
"It er…my uh…I can't…you see, it uh…it hurts to have my legs together," Rose said, mumbling the last part and turning very red.
"Oh. Get on my back and wrap your arms around my neck."
"Er…ok." Surprisingly enough the position wasn't as awkward as Rose imagine it would be, and soon they were entered her old room. The only things present were a pile of blankets and a few towels next to the wall.
"You lived here?" he asked, very shocked indeed.
"Yes, for three years."
"By the Lion's mane…" Edmund muttered, and laid her down on the pile of blankets. He grabbed a towel and handed it to her. "Use this to stop the bleeding." Rose took the cloth and put it between her legs, turning a bit red when Edmund looked away.
"I can't believe I couldn't stop him," she muttered as Edmund sat down next to her.
"Don't blame yourself. Valdis is much stronger than you, as much as you would like to deny it. I should have gotten there sooner."
"You didn't know where I was."
"I saw him push you to the ground from his window. I could have ran faster."
"I'm fine," Rose lied.
"No you aren't."
"I know, I was just trying to reassure you," Rose sighed. After a few minutes had passed in silence she spoke again. "Ed, I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Of what could happen because of this. Now I know I'm not strong enough to stop this from happening, what if Valdis tries again? Or if anyone tries to do what he did? Or…I could be pregnant."
"Don't worry, Valdis is leaving tomorrow. I don't think anyone else would try to do what he did, and if you are pregnant, Lucy, Caspian, Peter, Rama and I will support you." Silence ensued for a few more moments until,
"It hurts so much," Rose choked. Edmund could tell she was trying not to cry. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her, and she rested her head on his bare chest. "Stay with me," she whispered, and fell unconscious.
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"What time is it?" Rose asked groggily. Edmund jumped at the sound of her voice.
"You're awake." She nodded. "You've been out for about two hours, so I'd imagine it to be around two in the morning. Are you ready to go back?"
"No, I just…I don't want to be around anyone. You're the only one who doesn't worry yourself sick over me, and I just don't need that at the moment."
'Maybe not to your face I don't,' Edmund thought.
"I think the bleeding has stopped."
"That's good," he said. He shivered and folded his arms tightly to try and keep himself warm. Edmund wasn't normally prone to being cold, but it was very chilly in the basement and he only had a pair of pants to wear.
"Would you like this back?" Rose asked.
"Er…I don't particularly want to see you undressed," he muttered, ignoring the screams of 'liar!' inside his head.
"Oh right, I'd forgotten…" Edmund could tell Rose grew very red as she lay back down. "Holy—your skin is like ice! Here." She rolled off the pile of blankets and took the second one from the bottom. "Drape it around yourself."
"I can't believe you. After all that's happened tonight, you still don't pay any attention to yourself." Another awkward silence consumed them until Rose said,
"What is your favorite colour?"
"What?"
"I'm trying to make conversation. Go on, answer the question."
"Er…red."
"Very Narnian."
"Indeed." Edmund looked at her strangely. "And yours?"
"Dark purple."
"Thank the Lion it isn't pink."
"Do you know me at all?" Rose snorted. "Favorite food?"
"Quail eggs. And you?"
"Truffle."
"Animal?"
"Dolphin."
"Dragon."
"Typical."
"How so?"
"I've seen your drawings."
"When?"
"Lucy showed me."
"Don't tell anyone."
"That you can do more than be a tough diplomat? I wouldn't dream of it."
"Good."
"Besides being artistic, what do you like to do?"
"Fight, debate things…read."
"No wonder we can bicker for hours. I'm not so fond of reading, however, I much prefer to write. Or sing."
"Sing? Are you good?"
"Dreadful, but I enjoy it."
"You'll love Narnia, then. You shall get along famously with the fauns and the satyrs."
"Do you think I'll fit in alright with your country?"
"Perfectly."
"Finally."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Well all my life I've never felt like I actually belong here…it will be nice to be in a place where I fit in."
"I understand. I've always felt outcasted myself."
"You? Why?"
"Because of Peter. Don't get me wrong, I love my brother dearly, but because both the elder and High King, I've always been overshadowed. Not to mention I'm not as socially gifted as he is, and before Narnia I was an absolute brute, so sometimes I still feel a bit of an outsider when with my family."
"Tell me about it," Rose sighed. "Atleast they love you now…you're lucky to have a family that loves you."
"I am, and I'm glad I realize it now."
"You have no idea how hard it was for those few months when Rama wasn't himself. It felt so…I can't even describe it."
"You had us."
"I know, but would you be content if you had Caspian but not Peter? Or Lucy?"
"I see what you mean. Will you be alright leaving him?"
"I will be fine. He loves the idea—he thinks it will be good for me to get away from father."
"I wonder why," Edmund said sarcastically.
"He hasn't been as bad since I met you lot—he doesn't beat me anymore."
"He shouldn't have been doing so in the first place. Do you think he will ever forgive Vera?"
"Most likely. But she will be leaving tomorrow."
"The Calormens are leaving tomorrow as well."
"If only I could have held out another day," Rose sighed.
"Rose…"
"I'm sorry, I just—nevermind. When do we leave for Narnia?"
"The day after tomorrow. Peter is ecstatic."
"As am I. I'm eager to meet your friends."
"They are eager to meet you."
"Who do you think I'll get along with best?"
"My guess would be Rhince. He's a lot like Rama."
"That means he's a lot like you, then."
"Rama and I aren't similar."
"In some ways you are."
"Whatever you say, love."
The two friends continued to talk for hours until the first, dim rays of sun filtered in through the tiny window. After Rose swore Edmund to secrecy about the night's events, he helped her up and they slowly made their way back to their own rooms.
"You're sure you'll be okay?" Edmund asked as he opened Rose's door for her.
"I'll be fine. And Edmund? Thankyou for being there. Aslan knows what I would have done if you weren't."
"I'll always be there, love, no matter what. So don't ever feel like you're alone." He kissed the top of her head and made his way to his own room.
"Rose?" Lucy asked groggily. "Is that you?"
"Yes, Lucy, it's me."
"Are you alright?"
'No,' Rose thought. 'I never will be, not now.' But the words that issued from her lips were, "I'm fine Lu, go back to sleep."
Chapter 21 and 22 should be up soon, since I've already started writing them. Review, please!!