Chapter 16
"Stay back." Edmund said, drawing his sword.
"Was that to me? Or to them?" Jadis said, stepping down from the stone dais, pointing a cruel finger in the Pevensie's direction. Edmund raised his head proudly and gently pushed Lucy back behind him.
"Ah. I see. My own son is-"
"I'm not your son!" Edmund exploded and Jadis stopped where she was, the power of his voice shocking her to silence.
"My darling, what are you saying!" Jadis said and stepped closer to him, close enough to put a hand on Edmund's shoulder. Lucy stepped back as Edmund seemed to soften under his false mother's grip.
"Not my son? Don't be ridiculous!" she said and Edmund nodded, closing his eyes. Jadis' eyes softened and brushed Edmund's hair back from his face.
"Oh my dear. It is so hurtful to hear of you running around the country, saying terrible things about your father."
"I'm sorry." Edmund whispered hoarsely.
"That's all right my darling." Jadis said and stroked the top of Edmund's head, burying him into her hug. She pulled apart and held him.
"Now, you know your father was so proud of you and loved you and I love you very much? Right?" she said. Edmund looked up into Jadis' eyes.
"Wrong." he whispered and Jadis' eyes and mouth flew open in shock as she felt Edmund push his sword through her heart. She slumped onto him and he shoved her off him, a look of distaste on his face. He turned to the Pevensies and Lucy noticed unbidden tears in his eyes.
"I loved her once." he said and looked at the woman he had once called mother. Susan swallowed.
"I'm sorry Edmund." she said and she came up and looked at Jadis.
"We better move her." Edmund said, his voice dry. Susan nodded and the pair moved the body outside. They came back in and Edmund forced a smile
"Come on. I was promised a coronation!"
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Ladine looked at the stars as all around her Edmund's army and Archenland's army set up camp. Hearing footsteps she turned to see Caspian walking towards her. She pointed to the sequinned, sparkling sky.
"The stars are beautiful, aren't they?"
"Not as beautiful as you, princess." Caspian said and in the darkness he slipped an arm around her slim waist. She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Don't you feel jealous?" she asked. She felt Caspian turn to her.
"Jealous? Who of?" he asked.
"Edmund. Anyone."
"No."
"You're too perfect. That's my fault. I'm jealous of everyone. I was jealous of Lucy before I met you. Now I'm jealous at everyone whose known you before me." she said and Caspian pulled her into a hug. She looked up into his perfect face.
"Why can't I be like you?" she said and put her finger up to trace his face. He took her finger and looked at it.
"Why would you want to be me? Look at you! You're perfect. Everything about you is perfect. You do what you want, say what you. You're not going to listen to anyone!" he cried and kissed her finger. She giggled.
"Not many people would say they were qualities. But that's what makes you so special." and she leaned up and her lips touched his.
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Lucy pulled out the crown and looked down the hallway.
"I wish it was more special for Edmund." she whispered. Suddenly, the hall filled with soft golden light and rich tapestries hung themselves from walls. She gasped as ribbons seemed to float across the air. She peered closer and saw air nymphs dancing through air. She smiled and one winked cheekily at her, then Lucy turned as she heard a door slam. Susan walked in and her jaw dropped.
"Luce..." she started then shook her head. Wood nymphs floated through the air, filling it with the smell of soft blossoms. Water nymphs sprung up out of the fountains, making the water splash and play. From the open windows, thousands of talking birds flew through and one large eagle flew in and wrestled open a door. Thousands of talking beasts swarmed through and Lucy could see dwarfs and fawns and, at the back, walking with all the majesty of such a beast, came a white unicorn. Lucy and Susan looked at each other, speechless with delight. They watched as they all seemed to take their places and after a bit, the happy chattering stopped and all the mice and dogs and cats and fawns and dwarfs and water nymphs looked expectantly up at the throne. Susan took her place behind it and whispered to Lucy.
"I think we're ready now." and Lucy nodded and ran down the middle and threw open the door. Edmund gasped as he saw how many eyes were watching him. There was a brief rustle and all the Narnians stood. Edmund bit his lip then walked down the middle. He got to the throne and sat down, staring at the change in the throne room.
"Narnians!" Lucy cried "The reign of Miraz and Jadis is over, both of them are dead. I give to you the one boy fit for the duty of King. He has suffered under Miraz, for he was brought up to believe he was Miraz's son." the Narnians gasped and Lucy threw her head high and continued "But he was brave and set out to find the Narnians and he did so and he brought Aslan to Narnia."
"Narnians, I give you King Edmund of Narnia!" Susan yelled and the hall erupted into cheers and shouts of joy as she lowered the crown onto Edmund's head. Edmund looked up and stood up, causing a hush to fall over the hall. He raised his fist and yelled
"For Narnia! And for Aslan!" and the Narnians took up the cry yelling "For Narnia! For King Edmund! And for Aslan!"