Chapter 15

Edmund gasped as Ladine smiled knowingly at him.

"Bet you didn't think you weren't the only one with the right to a crown?" she said and Edmund shook his head. He turned as he felt Lucy tug on his sleeve. She reached up and cupped her hands around his ear.

"Who is she?" she asked. Edmund looked down at her.

"Well, apparently she is the daughter of King Lune of Archenland. Oh, she was also a stable girl in Miraz's court and and the girl that took me to Cauldron's Pool to meet the Narnians." he said, in an intentionally loud whisper. Lucy nodded and turned back to Ladine and curtsied.

"Your highness." she said and Ladine laughed.

"Please don't. I'll never get used to that!" she cried and suddenly the wind blew back and displayed the terrible brand Miraz had inflicted on the girl. Edmund put his arm around Lucy as she winced. Ladine swallowed and for a moment she looked hurt, then her expression went back to normal.

"My father and I have come to pledge ourselves to fight with Narnia against the terrible foes from Calormen!" she said and Edmund looked puzzled.

"Foes from Calormen?" he repeated.

"You have not heard then?" Ladine said. The man behind her lifted his head and looked at Edmund.

"Then we are the bringers of bad news. Miraz's son has raised an army in Calormen."

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Lucy jumped back as Edmund hit the table in his fury.

"I know what I'm doing!" he roared and Ladine leaned across the table, her face alight with anger.

"Evidently not! Your suggestions are stupid! We need to have the element of surprise! We-"

"If we meet them somewhere in Calormen, we will be defeated like that!" and Edmund snapped his fingers. "We need to meet on home turf!"

"You stubborn fool!" Ladine screamed and she seemed about to strike Edmund, when a cool, clear voice cut through the argument.

"May I offer a sugestion?" Lucy turned to see Susan leaning against the wall. She stepped closer into the light and Lucy noticed she had her bow strung behind her.

"Ladine and Caspian go up the Great River towards Ettinsmoor and set up camp there, gaining high ground etc. King Lune will send out word to his generals in Archenland to get everyone to a safe place. The streets of Archenland must be empty, so when Peter passes through Archenland and finds he will not have the support of King Lune, much damage will not be felt. I trust there is such a place?" she said and the Archenland King nodded. "Meanwhile, Lucy and I will take Edmund to Cair Paravel and crown him King." she turned and looked at Edmund and Ladine.

"Happy?" Edmund nodded and, after a pause, Ladine did too.

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Caspian smiled at his beautiful companion.

"Why did you come to Narnia?" he asked, all thoughts of the beautiful Susan gone from his mind. Ladine turned her head.

"When I was younger? I don't know. I just- I had this crazy notion that the bird I got given for my ninth birthday kept on pointing towards Narnia. In my dreams it would speak to me, calling out 'Narnia! Narnia!' and telling me to save Narnia." Ladine smiled sadly "I guess the idea of saving Narnia was too exciting for little me. I didn't think to wonder how I would do it, I just packed my bags, took a horse and rode to Narnia. I was captured as soon as I crossed the border. I'd been clever enough to take off my crown, so it's good I wasn't killed, just branded and used a slave." she said, laughing slightly at her last words. Caspian looked across at her and took her hand.

"I'm sorry you had to bear so much pain." he said. Ladine looked at his hand on hers, and Caspian made to pull it away in embarrassment, but she laid her other hand upon his and looked up with sparkling eyes.

"It's not your fault. Don't apologise." she said, her voice low and husky. Caspian smiled, and Ladine winked as she took her hand away.

"I think I must like Narnian boys. I fell for Edmund too." she said. Caspian looked down.

"Oh. I think I've got to tell you something." he began but Ladine laughed.

"If you're going to tell me about Lucy, don't worry. I know. That's why I originally rode to Archenland, because I was jealous and was going to get my father to go to war against Edmund, but Aslan told me not too." she looked across at the handsome prince.

"And you didn't notice I said I fell for Edmund too." she said, putting a stress on the last word. Caspian turned his head and stared at her. She winked and he smiled at the beautiful princess.

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Edmund swallowed as he saw Cair Paravel open up before him. He noticed Lucy give him a sympathetic smile and he shook his head and strode forward.

"Come on. Can't be scared off the past." Edmund said bravely and Susan looked at Lucy. The two girls rolled their eyes, then set off towards the castle. They found Edmund staring at the door to the castle.

"In there I lived my life as I lie. I feel like I should hate it more." he said. Susan put her hand on his shoulder.

"But soon it will be yours. And then no one will hate it." she said and opened the door. Edmund strode in the trio walked through the halls that seemed to Edmund too dull. He laughed silently as he remembered one of the things he had said when he was younger.

"When I am King, Cair Paravel will be filled with light and tapestries and people." he murmured to himself, inaudibly. They entered the throne room, then pulled back as they saw, standing like the Queen she once was, Jadis in front of the throne.

"Hello Edmund." she said, smiling wickedly.