Author's note: I watched iTerebithia's Narnia video, "Time To Go To War" over and over as I wrote this. The song was just perfect and her video editing is amazing, so I suggest that you watch it! It's on youtube. So…this is the chapter you have been anxiously awaiting! Yay! If you recognize the pendant, it is from my short story, "The Proof of His Love" and is a reference to WillowDryad's story, "Refined by Fire."
Edit 2/5/13: I rearranged events in this chapter to fit with edits made to Chapter 5. There are also a few minor dialogue changes.
Chapter 6 – Call to Arms
Edmund returned his quill pen to the ink bottle and sprinkled sand across the wet ink so it would dry. He poured the extra sand off and folded it carefully. He rose to his feet and carried the letter out of the room.
"Have you seen my sister?" Edmund asked the leopard on guard outside the door to his study.
"I believe that she is in the garden, your majesty," he answered.
"Thank you." Edmund flashed a smile before continuing on his way down the bright hallway. He walked quickly, scarcely taking in the rich tapestries decorating the hall. He barely spared a glance at the one portraying King Gale slaying a dragon in the Lone Islands. However, he did stop to stare at the rich embroidery depicting the Wolf Maugrim leaping at Peter's throat as the young boy thrust his sword into the vicious Wolf's heart.
Edmund hadn't been there. He wished he could have seen Peter's first battle. But he had only heard the stories. After a moment's reflection, he continued on his way. Soon he pushed open the doors and stepped into the sunny garden. He could hear laughter coming from the direction of the fountain.
Edmund hurried along the little rocky path to the sparkling fountain where Susan was surrounded by her friends and ladies in waiting. He hated to disturb them. It was one of the rare times in the last few days that he had heard his sister's laugher echoing through the garden. But the declaration in his hand was important enough for him to shatter the peace.
"Susan."
She looked up and smiled. "Edmund! Have you met Sir Rolf and Lady Emilia's youngest?"
Edmund gave his sister a friendly smile. "I think not." He looked down at the fur ball attacking the laces of his boot.
"Jamin!" Lady Emilia scolded her son. "Don't eat King Edmund's boot laces!" The small kitten stopped chewing on the leather to stare up at Edmund with large, unblinking eyes.
"Hello, little fellow," Edmund greeted as he extended his hand. The kitten darted away in fear and clung to Susan's long skirt.
"Edmund, you scared him!" she laughed. "Jamin, my brother won't hurt you." She bent down to scoop the kitten up but Edmund caught her hand first.
"Susan, I must speak with you," he whispered.
"Very well," she answered as she reseated herself and stroked Jamin's soft fur.
"Alone."
Her eyes pleaded for him to leave her in peace. She didn't want him to be the bearer of more disrupting news. Today she had refused to let all the sadness ruin her preciously few joyful moments. But Edmund only continued to wait for her response. He offered his arm, which she took, even though her touch was hesitant. He led her away from the others and into another section of the garden. He brought her to a little stone bench which she seated herself upon. He handed her the parchment that had been in his hand and turned away as she scanned the contents.
"So it has begun at last," she whispered. "Our forces are to be gathered at Beruna. When do you depart?"
"I ride for Beruna by the end of the week. We leave for the Pass of Telmar within the fortnight, if all is ready," Edmund announced.
"You will not consider the ambassador's offer of surrender?" Susan questioned.
"Of course not." His voice was confident, hiding whatever doubts he had, and she knew better than to try to dissuade him from his plans.
Sadness filled Susan's eyes and she went to him, taking his hand and silently pleading for him to stay. But she knew where his duty lay so she did not press him. Instead she simply nodded and forced a brave smile.
"Susan-" Edmund began.
She cut him off with a shadow of a smile. "I understand, Edmund." Her tone was sincere and it surprised Edmund. "Narnia needs you."
"Narnia needs you too, Susan," Edmund reminded. "I need you, Susan. Should anything happen to me, you will be the one they look to. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Susan answered slowly. "I am neither brave enough nor strong enough to lead them, but I will try my hardest."
"May the Lion guide and protect us," Edmund prayed.
"Yes," whispered Susan, echoing his words silently. Edmund squeezed her hand reassuringly and they began their short walk back to the fountain and their waiting companions. Susan smiled at them, hiding the sadness away. She would miss her brother terribly but she knew that it was a small price to pay for the privilege of freedom.
Edmund excused himself and returned to his study where he finished writing the details of the letter. He sealed it and stamped his signet ring into the hot wax. He called a courtier into the room and handed him the document.
"Have this duplicated. Then let riders take copies to every town throughout Narnia. This is a call to arms. It is time to muster for war." Edmund turned away and whispered, "It has begun."
Hiding under her long crimson skirt, Susan's bare feet made no noise on the marble steps as she slowly descended into darkness. She carried a torch in her unsteady hand. The other hand clutched a small, cloth bag with golden embroidery. The light of the torch flickered on the walls and she slowly moved forward. Her skirt trailed behind her and she watched her steps with caution. When she reached the bottom, she held her torch up to the wrought iron gates before her. She gently pushed them open and stepped inside. She quickly lit two torches on either side of the archway. She placed her torch in an empty bracket on the wall before making her way to the center of the illuminated room. Along the far wall were four alcoves where four statues stood looking out into the room. In front of the statues were four trunks marked with the initials of each of the four Pevensie siblings. Susan slowly stepped forward and made her way towards the far right to Lucy's chest.
She knelt in front of it and lifted the heavy lid. Susan leaned in and could smell the familiar rose fragrance of her sister. Resting on top of the contents inside was Lucy's healing cordial. Susan traced her finger around the designs on the diamond vial. She set it aside on a small pillow, beside Lucy's first sampler, and pulled out one of the smaller dresses that Lucy had set aside when she outgrew it. Susan held it against her and felt tears coming to her eyes.
"Where are you, Lucy?" she whispered. "I miss you so much." She folded the lilac satin and returned it to the trunk. She reached for the cloth bag sitting beside her. She extracted a crown made of delicate silver leaves and gently set it on the pillow surrounding the healing cordial. "Farewell, Lucy," she whispered and closed the lid. She turned her gaze to the statue of her valiant younger sister. Susan said nothing for a moment and hardly moved as she stared at the familiar likeness.
Wiping away a few stray tears, she rose to her feet. She passed her own chest marked with 'S. P.' and continued to the left to Peter's trunk. Her scarlet skirt pooled out around her as she knelt in front of the golden chest. She stared up at the frozen, marble face gazing out into the room and a tear slowly traced its way down her cheek. She wondered if she would ever see her magnificent older brother again.
She opened the trunk lid and peered into the dark depths that smelled earthy. She was reminded of all the times Peter and Edmund had returned home with grass stained knees and dusty tunics after a rigorous run that Oreius the Centaur had arranged for them. Susan smiled at the memory and brought her thoughts back to the present.
Peter's truck held a considerable less amount of objects than Lucy's had. There was his first suit of armor that he had worn during the Battle of Beruna along with some letters his siblings had sent him when he was away on his first campaign. There were a couple books and important documents, but Susan barely spared these a glance. On a dark blue, velvet cushion rested a golden pendant with the face of a Lion on one side and as Susan turned it over, she noticed three engraved symbols. She remembered that Peter often wore this, but she couldn't remember what the symbols meant. Eventually, Susan gave up and moved the pendant gently aside.
She reached into the cloth satchel at her side and her fingers wrapped around the golden crown that held so much authority. She pulled it out and gazed longingly at the familiar object. Hundreds of moments with her brother floated back to her and overwhelmed her.
"Be brave, Peter," she whispered as she set it with the golden pendant. "Remember the Lion and remember the siblings you left behind." She could say no more and buried her face in her hands as her shoulders rose and fell.
She hadn't noticed any footsteps until they stopped beside her. A warm hand rested on her shoulder in comfort. She lifted her tear-streaked face to gaze at the newcomer and discovered that it was her younger brother.
"I understand," was all that Edmund said as he knelt beside her. And she knew that he meant it.
"Do you miss them?" Susan asked softly.
"Every second of every day," Edmund answered as he stared at the marble likeness of his brother. "There has always been four and now-" He broke off as he blinked rapidly, trying to chase the tears away.
"Why did Aslan let this happen?" Susan asked as she looked up at him.
"I do not know, Susan," Edmund replied slowly. "But I have learned that shaking your fist at Him brings nothing but harm. The best solution is quietly asking for help and trusting that He has a reason for this. And perhaps it is a reason that you will never understand."
"I wish I could have the faith that you have, Ed," Susan said wistfully. "You and Peter and Lucy always seem so sure of Aslan even when you can't see Him."
"Faith without sight doesn't come naturally to all." He gave a half laugh. "I didn't always believe, Susan. It wasn't until I saw the Table and understood what He had sacrificed for me that I truly believed. I still doubt, Susan. I'm not perfect. Neither are Lucy and Peter. You mustn't think for a moment that we always believe. There have been many times when we have ignored His help. But nothing goes right without Him."
"I'm sorry," Susan whispered as she took his hand. "I'm sorry that I called you a traitor and said hurtful things when we were at the Beavers'. Can you forgive me?"
"Susan, you forgave me once for an offense that was far greater," Edmund replied, gently squeezing her hand. "I think I can forgive you for something less trivial."
"Thank you, Ed," Susan answered.
"And now, I have a little surprise for you." Edmund smiled.
"A surprise?" Susan looked wary.
"It's one that you will like," Edmund answered quickly. "Do you remember how before – before things changed, that you wanted Cor, Corin and Aravis to come for a visit?"
"Yes," Susan replied. "But I never sent the invitation because we were busy searching for-" She broke off and the moment passed in silence.
"Well," Edmund explained. "I sent the invitation."
"Edmund!" exclaimed Susan loudly. "When do they arrive?"
"In three days' time."
"Three days? But – but I can't have everything ready by then!" Susan protested.
"I'm sure they won't mind," Edmund replied.
"But, Edmund!" Susan cut herself off. "Alright." She gave a smile. "I won't worry about it too much."
"That's my Su," laughed Edmund. Susan laughed and a smile graced her face. "I've missed that smile," Edmund announced.
"I've missed your laughter," Susan replied. "But Edmund, do you really think it is good for our visitors to come during this time of unrest?"
"I believe that there is some wisdom in what you say," Edmund agreed. "But I don't want you to be here alone."
Susan was silent. At last she said, "I wish that you didn't have to go."
"Freedom often comes at a high price, Susan," Edmund answered. "As king I often must make sacrifices for my country. Being away from home is only one of them." He gave a small smile. "Now, as much as I love being in this room, do you not think it is time for us to return to the world of light?" Edmund asked.
"I believe that you are right," agreed Susan.
"I'm always right," Edmund teased.
"Peter used to say that," Susan remarked and her smile vanished.
"I'm sorry, Su." He put his arm around her shoulders in comfort. "If Aslan wills it, we will see them again. I promise."
"I know we will," Susan answered.
Author's note: So war has begun. Are you happy that Edmund and Susan made up? See if you can guess what will happen next!