Thanks for the reviews y'all! This one is also kinda slow, but the end should be exciting-ish. :) It's kinda wordy, but important, I guess. Also, there are some religious aspects, but just look at the title. It's basically Edmund recapping what happened in LWW, so there's nothing too religious in here.
On a side note, I have finished this story! Would y'all rather me keep up with the current updating schedule, or post one a day everyday? It's up to y'all because I don't really care. The last chapter/epilogue is really short, but I couldn't think of anything else to put in and it ties everythign up, so I'm just gonna let it be. There are 20 chapters and the final word count is 65, 158 on Microsoft Word. Let me know how y'all want me to update! :)
Oh, and thanks to splattermusic for pointing out a typo in the last chapter, which I have just fixed.
Disclaimer: Seriously? At this point, I don't really know if I need to put this anymore...I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!
Chapter XV – The Stone Table
"You have to put on the under-dress first," Susan told Rapunzel. The Gentle Queen was helping the Princess dress in Narnian battle garb for her journey around Narnia. While Rapunzel was not going to wear chain mail, she needed to have some protection in case they were ambushed. Rapunzel pulled the grayish-blue dress over her head. Susan had had it adjusted to fit Rapunzel, as all of Rapunzel's battle clothing was Susan's. "And now the skirt." Rapunzel slid the purple over her head so it sat around her waist. The slit in the front showed the blue under-dress beneath. "Here's the cuirass." Rapunzel lifted her arms and Susan placed the breastplate and the back piece together around Rapunzel's body. The battle-experienced Queen laced up the sides so the pieces would stay together and protect Rapunzel's chest. "Now you're ready to go. I've placed a few other skirts and dresses in the bag and also some chain mail, so you'll be protected if you go into battle."
"Thank you, Susan," Rapunzel said. "Will you have protection if they come to Cair Paravel?"
Susan laughed. "Well, other than the fact that we have the armory here, I have more armor than just this. Oh, don't forget the bracer so you don't scratch your forearm when shooting." Susan helped Rapunzel place the brown leather around her wrist. "And here's your bow and quiver of arrows." Rapunzel slung the quiver around her back. "Now, I don't know if those are as trustworthy as mine, but I really can't part with mine. I'm sorry."
"I wouldn't expect you to, Susan," Rapunzel laughed.
"But you do need to take my horn," Susan said, handing the ivory horn over to the younger girl.
"Oh, I couldn't!"
"No, I've thought it over, and I've decided that it will be the easiest way to get help if you need it. I trust you. And this horn is trustworthy. If you blow it, help will come. But you can only use it in your darkest hour."
"I will," Rapunzel said. "And thank you."
"Don't be afraid to use it if you need to, Rapunzel," Susan said. "Now, let's go down to meet the army. I had your bag sent ahead of you so you wouldn't have to carry it. And don't let Edmund force you to carry it. Make him be chivalrous for once."
The girls laughed as they walked through the halls of Cair Paravel. "It's strange to be leaving," Rapunzel said. "I've been here for so many months. It's almost like being locked in my tower again, but I like it here. And I can go outside here, even if it's just onto the beach or the balcony or the fields. But I really do like Cair Paravel. You're so lucky to live here!"
"You live here, too, Rapunzel," Susan corrected.
"Yes, but when I get back from my adventures around Narnia, I'm going back to Corona with my parents," Rapunzel said quietly.
"Is that what you want?" Susan asked.
Rapunzel shrugged. "I think it's what they want."
"Your parents? Rapunzel, you're technically an adult. You don't have to do everything they say."
"They just found me. It took long enough to convince them that I'll be safe on this trip. I couldn't do that to them. And Corona's not that far. I'll be back to visit."
"But we'll miss you," Susan said. "All of us, but especially Ed and me. Let's not talk of sad things. Like you said, you are going to be gone for a while."
"You could come, too, Susan."
"No," the Queen said, "I'm ruling Narnia right now, remember? Someone has to stay here and take care of Cair Paravel."
"Oh, yes," Rapunzel said, a little downhearted because she had to leave one of her best friends. The two girls exited the castle and met up with the army. Edmund was already there, strategizing with the centaur general, Oreius. A little over half of the army present was dressed in Narnian battle clothing and Narnian armor. The rest were humans, and were dressed in the Coronan armor. Rapunzel saw Maximus and waved.
One of the Coronan men, the Captain of the Guard, approached Maximus. His eyes widened and he exclaimed, "Maximus!" Rapunzel was not surprised to see that the guard was surprised upon seeing his missing horse.
Rapunzel and Susan continued on toward Edmund and Oreius. "Here she is," Oreius said as the girls approached. "We were waiting for you, Princess Rapunzel."
"Oreius, must I tell you every time we speak? I'm just Rapunzel!"
"Sorry, Princess—Rapunzel."
"Oh, dear!" Queen Julia exclaimed as she and King Harold ran over. They had been speaking with their army. "Are you sure you'll be safe?"
"Of course!" Rapunzel exclaimed. "I'll be fine! Other than the fact that I'll be with the armies of both Narnia and Corona, I'll be with Edmund, and if that wasn't enough, I have my frying pan!" Queen Julia and King Harold looked at her, clearly confused, as Queen Susan and King Edmund snickered behind their hands. "Trust me," Rapunzel said, "I'll be fine."
"Alright," King Harold said, embracing his daughter tightly. He let her go and turned to Edmund, "Take care of my daughter."
"I will," Edmund said. Both Susan and Rapunzel realized that something had been said between Harold and Edmund that neither of them knew about.
Queen Julia pulled her daughter into a tight embrace. "Be safe," she whispered. "I love you."
"I love you more," Rapunzel said instinctively, expecting the next reply.
It never came. Queen Julia released her daughter and stepped back. King Harold helped his daughter climb up onto Maximus' back.
Rapunzel leaned over and whispered to Max, "Hi, Max! It's been so long!" He whinnied and she smiled, sitting up properly. King Harold wrapped his arm around Queen Julia's waist, and she wrapped her arm around his waist. They smiled as Edmund climbed his horse, Phillip.
Susan smiled and said, "Don't have too much fun without me!"
"We most certainly will!" Edmund laughed. The group laughed and smiled as Edmund and Oreius led the way off.
"Goodbye!" Rapunzel waved as Maximus followed the King and centaur. The others called their goodbyes and waved until they were out of sight. Rapunzel caught up to Edmund so she could ride next to him. "Would you believe that I'd never ridden a horse until I got to Narnia?"
"Well, you're riding one like a Queen," he said, smiling at her.
Why is he being so nice all of a sudden? Rapunzel asked herself. She shrugged the thought off and smiled and said, "It must be because I'm a princess. And because I trust Max."
"Max?"
"We go way back. Isn't that right, Max?" Rapunzel said as Maximus tossed his head back and neighed. She laughed. "So where are we going first?"
"The Stone Table," Edmund answered automatically. "I go there a few times a year, and it's been a while since I've been. Plus, I want to see if any of our mysterious enemy is there. It seems like a likely spot for them to be hiding. Hopefully, they won't be there. It's too sacred a spot for them to muck up."
"Why?" Rapunzel asked.
"You know the story," Edmund said.
"Yes, but—"
"I'll tell you when we get there," Edmund said, understanding that she still had questions and wanted to hear the story from him. After some time had passed, he turned to the blonde and asked, "How are you? Are you uncomfortable?"
"No," Rapunzel said. "Are you?"
Edmund laughed. "No, I spend a lot of time with Phillip."
"Yes, but not so much recently," Phillip said.
"He's a talking horse?" Rapunzel exclaimed. "I will never get used to that!"
"I thought I would never get used to it either," laughed the Just King, "but I did with time. You will, too."
"I should hope so," said Rapunzel. After a little more talking with Phillip, the group fell silent again. The only sounds audible were the crunching of leaves and the occasional chatter of the army behind them. The men from Corona were in awe of all of the 'mythological' creatures that were surrounding them. Soon, night was beginning to fall and the sky was growing dark.
Fortunately, the group had reached the fields where Aslan's army had made camp when Edmund and his siblings first came to Narnia. So they made camp in the same place they had when the Hundred-Year Winter was ending. Edmund felt extremely sentimental as he walked through the camp, despite the darkness. He always did, no matter how many times he came here. Unlike his siblings, Edmund made the pilgrimage to the stone table a few times a year. While his siblings loved Aslan, Edmund knew that he would be dead if not for Aslan. The Lion died for the boy's mistakes. Edmund knew he was not worthy to be King of Narnia.
The group built several fires and sat around, singing and telling stories. Rapunzel was having the time of her life, but soon, she was dozing off and fell asleep on Edmund's shoulder. He carefully picked her up and took her to her tent. The group planned to be at the Stone Table for several days, if not a week or more, so they had set up tents and semi-permanent residences. Edmund pushed the curtains of the tent open with his leg and ducked inside, trying not to wake the Princess up.
Carefully, he set her on the hammock that was filled with pillows. A slight breeze flowed through the dark tent, sending the hammock swaying slightly from left to right. She curled up and smiled in her sleep. Ever so carefully, Edmund removed the bracer from her left wrist and, even more carefully, the cuirass from around her torso. Once those pieces of armor were set aside, Edmund watched her sleep for a few moments, but then left the tent and retreated to the circle around the fire.
He bid the other men goodnight and retired to his own hammock. It took Edmund a long time to fall asleep. He lay there in the darkness for quite some time, but eventually, sleep claimed him and he entered dream land.
The following morning, Edmund left his tent and saw that most people were already awake and working, getting water, preparing food, and practicing with their weapons. The Just King was pleased to see that some of the men of the Coronan army were sparring with Narnians. It was good for them to get to know each other since they would be fighting together against a common enemy.
The Just King walked up to the hills until he was standing at the exact spot where he had first spoken with Aslan. Edmund still couldn't believe that Aslan loved Edmund and had forgiven him, despite the boy's betrayal, denial of Aslan, and other sins. How was that even fair for Aslan to have died to save Edmund's life? It was questions and thoughts like this that kept Edmund returning to the Stone Table.
Rapunzel woke up and was a little confused as to her whereabouts before she realized that someone must have carried her here. She left the tent and looked around. The place looked completely different in the sunlight. She looked to the hills and saw the Just King on the hillside. Rapunzel watched the Just King sit down upon the grass. At first, she considered climbing up the hill and joining him, but she knew that he probably needed to be alone for a while. She simply watched him, but looked away as a female faun and fellow archer, Christyn, approached her and gave her some food. Rapunzel thanked the faun and retreated to her tent.
She quickly ate her breakfast and set the bowl on a small table. Rapunzel grabbed her quiver and slung it around her back. She attached the horn to the belt around her waist and exited the tent. Looking to the hills once more, she saw Edmund look at her and beckon her. Smiling, Rapunzel climbed the hills, her long braid swinging behind her. She adjusted her bracer on her left wrist and approached the Just King.
"Are you up for a morning hike?" he asked, squinting in the sunlight.
"Of course!" she exclaimed. Referring to the camp, she asked, "Will they mind?"
Edmund shook his head, and led the way toward the forest. As they crossed the fields before the trees, Edmund couldn't help but notice how pretty she looked with the sun glinting off her golden hair. It was very possible that she had a drop of sunlight within her very body. The shade of the trees could not stop the sun from shining through the cloudless skies and into the forest. The two walked silently through the forest, watching animals bow as Edmund and Rapunzel passed. Edmund blushed and said, "I wish they wouldn't do that."
"You're too humble to be King," Rapunzel joked.
Edmund didn't see it as a joke, but as a truth. "I really shouldn't be King," he said softly, his dark eyes penetrating her very soul. Rapunzel sensed that there was much beneath Edmund's surface that she would never be able to scratch, no matter how hard she tried. "I shouldn't even be alive."
"Don't say that," Rapunzel said. The stillness of the woods seemed to mirror their attitudes.
"Even if it's true?" Edmund asked, meeting her eyes. "I wouldn't be here if not for Aslan."
They crossed the edge of the woods and saw a clearing. On the edge of the cliff was a huge stone table. It was cracked in the middle and had grass growing on it. Edmund hesitated a bit, but then crossed to the table and walked up the few steps. He sat on the cracked table and placed both hands on it, closing his eyes. Rapunzel didn't know what to do. Should she stay where she was or follow him? After much debate, Rapunzel slowly walked toward her friend. He didn't acknowledge her as she approached him. Ever so carefully, Rapunzel sat on the table. A few minutes passed before Edmund looked up at her. "Aslan died on this table. He died in my place."
"Edmund, you don't have—"
"Just let me talk, please," he said. "I was an idiot when I first came to Narnia. I was a brat. I was mean to my siblings and I handed them over to the White Witch because I wanted some Turkish Delight and I wanted to be a prince. It was stupid, but I did it anyway. I quickly realized that the only reason the White Witch was interested in me was to find my siblings and kill the four of us because of the prophecy. You know about that. Well, Jadis—that's the White Witch—took me to go find my brother and sisters. Some of Aslan's army, including Oreius, rescued me. They took me back to Aslan's camp and I spoke with Aslan on that hillside where I was sitting earlier this morning. Aslan assured me that I was one of His, and that He forgave me for what I did. I felt so awful. I still do. I was reunited with siblings and they took care of me, immediately forgiving me.
"Later that day, the Witch and her army arrived at Aslan's camp. She demanded my blood because I was a traitor and I was to die on the Stone Table that night. Aslan spoke with the White Witch alone. They talked for a long time. I remember feeling despair. I didn't want to die. And I felt even more and more guilty. Hours passed before the Lion and Witch came out. I remember His words perfectly: 'She has relinquished her claim on the Son of Adam's blood.' I remember feeling elated and relieved, but still a little guilty. At the time, I didn't understand what Aslan had done to stop her from killing me on the Stone Table.
"That night, Susan and Lucy saw Aslan leaving the camp. They followed Him through this very forest. It didn't take long for Aslan to realize that they were following Him, but I think He knew all along. My sisters walked with Him for a long time, but then He told them that they could go with Him no further. The girls hid and Aslan continued on to the Stone Table, where the Witch and her followers were waiting." Rapunzel could see that saying all this to her was painful for him, so she took his hands in hers and waited patiently for him to collect his words. "The Witch tortured Him first.
"She tied Him up and shaved His mane, keeping it as a trophy to wear into battle the following day. And finally, after He had been jeered at and laughed at by all of the Witch's army, she raised her knife. She was proud to be killing Aslan. Once He was gone, she could take complete control of Narnia. She raised her knife and thrust it into Aslan's chest. It wasn't long before He died.
"Aslan died on this very table. He died for me. He shouldn't have had to go through all of that. I was the one the Witch wanted. She wanted my blood. Not His. Not Aslan's. He shouldn't have had to die for me. He didn't have to die for me. It was His own choice. By taking my place on the Stone Table, the Witch couldn't kill me, and I could fulfill the prophecy with my siblings. When I found out what happened, I felt guiltier than I ever had in my life. Peter led the Narnians into battle, and Susan and Lucy were still missing. We were losing. All of us were going to die, but then Aslan, Susan, and Lucy appeared with reinforcements.
"According to the Deep Magic, when a person died in another person's place, death itself could be reversed. That's what happened. And so Aslan killed the White Witch, and my siblings and I were crowned Kings and Queens of Narnia. But to this day, I have never been able to get rid of the guilt that rests upon my heart for what Aslan did for me."
Tears flowed from Rapunzel's eyes. She had heard the story before, but never from Edmund, and she hadn't expected to feel this way about it. Rapunzel didn't know what to say. She looked down at the Stone Table. Rapunzel dropped Edmund's hands and pulled at some of the grass and weeds that were growing at the cracks in the Table. Edmund helped her. Soon, the table was devoid of anything that was growing in it.
The two sat back in their places, staring beyond the Table and into the sky. "Thank you for telling me that, Edmund," Rapunzel said softly. "I know it wasn't easy for you."
The Just King smiled weakly. "It felt good to tell somebody. And I feel like you were the right person to tell." Rapunzel smiled slightly and looked at her hands. Edmund took one of them. "You're one of my best friends, Rapunzel. You should know why I am the way I am and why I don't feel like I should be King."
"And yet you are," Rapunzel said. "I think you're a great King. You rule Narnia fairly and everyone is happy under your judgment."
"Everyone except me," Edmund said.
"Edmund…I think you just feel so guilty, you aren't allowing yourself to be grateful for what Aslan did for you. He died so that you could live with your siblings and rule over Narnia. It was part of His plan. And He didn't do it for only you. He died so that he could get help for the army so you wouldn't all die in battle. It all fits together. He died so Susan and Lucy would follow Him and would gather reinforcements to save your life and Peter's life, not to mention the lives of all the other Narnians that would have died because of the White Witch. You should be grateful."
"I am," Edmund said, "but it's just so hard to be completely grateful when you're completely guilty. It's all my fault."
"Don't think of it like that," Rapunzel told him. "Just be happy that Aslan knew that you were important to Narnia. Really, Edmund…Aslan loves you and He died for you. Be happy!"
"I know you're right," Edmund said. Rapunzel knew that he was trying, but not succeeding. Edmund decided to change the subject because that conversation was going nowhere. "Are you having a good time outside of Cair Paravel?"
"Yes," Rapunzel smiled. "I love the Cair, but it's nice to be outside in the open air. Narnia is so beautiful!"
"Yeah," Edmund said. "I love to be outdoors. I don't get to travel enough. Usually, if Susan goes somewhere, I'll go with her, but it's usually Peter and Lucy who do the travelling."
"You'll have to come visit me in Corona," Rapunzel said, staring at the sky.
"What do you mean?" Edmund asked, taken aback by her words. He thought that she was to stay in Narnia for a while longer.
"When this trip ends, my parents are taking me back to Corona so I can be a princess. My mother wanted to take me back as soon as possible because of the attacks on Narnia, but I convinced her to let me go on this trip. I promised her that I would be safe, and I never, ever break my promises. So as soon as we return to Cair Paravel, I'll be heading back to Corona. Back to what should be home…"
Was that longing in her voice? "What do you mean 'should be home'?" Edmund asked.
She looked at him. "I don't know. The only home I ever knew was my tower, but now I feel like Cair Paravel is home. I don't think that the castle in Corona could be home. At least, not without Eugene. You see, he took me there for the first time, and every time I walked around the village, I would be reminded of him. I don't think I'll stay in Corona for very long. I'll just travel around the world, acting as a diplomat until I'm forced to take the throne, if I ever have to. I'll travel the world until I find Eugene."
"What if you never find him?" Edmund asked carefully, not wanting to upset her.
"If I travel the entire known world and never find him…I guess I'll just return home then. Ah, but where is home? I don't know. I guess I'm just banking on the hope that I'll find Eugene. I'll cross that bridge if I ever have to. Hopefully, I'll find him, even if it takes me years."
"What if you marry someone else?"
"I can't really imagine marrying someone else," Rapunzel lied. She knew that Edmund knew she was lying. And yet Rapunzel felt some truth in her words. As much as she was attracted to and cared for Edmund, she couldn't really see her permanently with anyone other than Eugene Fitzherbert. Whenever she thought of herself as old, she always saw Eugene by her side and no one else.
"You do know that you and Peter are betrothed, right?"
Rapunzel hesitated before saying, "Yes. My mother told me about that. That's why I so readily agreed to go back to Corona upon returning. If Peter is still gone, then I won't have to marry him. And once I'm in Corona, I can sneak out and travel the world. I have it all planned out." She knew that there was something that Edmund was keeping from her. "What are you thinking about? What are you not telling me?"
"I don't think I can tell you," Edmund said.
"Why not?"
"I promised I wouldn't, and while I don't always keep my promises like you do, I feel like this is important enough that I should keep."
"I understand," Rapunzel said, though a little sad that he wouldn't tell her.
"We should probably get back to camp. It's nearly lunch time. We can come back here later, if you want."
"Alright," Rapunzel said. Edmund stood and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her up. He dropped her hand, not wanting things to be even more awkward between them. The couple walked toward the woods. The sun was high in the middle of the sky, and it shone brightly through the skies. The time passed quickly, even though they knew that it was actually a long while before they reached the camp.
Once they were a little ways out, Edmund held out his hand to stop Rapunzel. "Do you hear that?" he asked.
"No…" she said, her ears working to hear what he was.
"It sounds like people fighting." And then Rapunzel heard it. 'It' was the clang of metal upon metal, and a ferocious clang at that. "Come on," he said, and broke out into a run, drawing his sword. Rapunzel followed, pulling her bow and putting an arrow to it. They reached the edge of the forest and saw a skirmish commencing below. At first, Rapunzel thought that it was just the army sparring with each other, but then she saw that it was more than just practice—it was a battle.
Edmund was about to run into the fray, but then he remembered who was standing beside him. There was no way he could send her into battle, especially with only a bow and quiver of arrows to aid her.
"Go back to the Stone Table," the Just King commanded. "Wait there. I'll come get you when this is finished.
"But—"
"No buts! Wait there for me to come get you! Promise me that you'll go to the Stone Table and stay there." It was a low move. He knew that if she promised, she would keep it. Rapunzel nodded. And without a second glance, Edmund ran down the hills and into the middle of the battle.
Part of the Princess wanted to remain at the battle and help fight, but she knew that she couldn't break her promise, no matter how badly she wanted to. And so as she saw her best friend run into the middle of the clash, Rapunzel turned and entered the forest, praying that she remembered how to get to the Stone Table.