hey guys thank you again for your reviews. damn flue, i'm running a fever as i'm writing this. so please Review more. tell me what do you think about this chapter.
Chapter VI
A week later, Annabelle was left reading by herself in the library. She and Edmund almost kissed; it felt so surreal yet none of them acknowledged what happened few days earlier . He was a great king after all and she was just…her. She admitted liking him a lot but she built walls around her so no one could read her emotions, if they did she'll break apart again. So she hid her feelings from him in hope he'll never know.
She sighed and went to search for another book; she picked "The just king", which would certainly not help the turmoil of emotions inside of her, but her inner fan girl couldn't resist, damn that giggling brat! As she went through the pages, her admiration for him grew even stronger, she couldn't find a reference of him after they entered Narnia the first time, she began to research but Lucy came in.
"Anne, come and greet my brothers and Caspian before they go. A village was attacked near the south borders, how they got there, no one knows, and this time they didn't run. The troops are ready to march as we speak."
Annabelle froze, she always hated war; it stole everything she held precious to her heart. She followed Lucy to the gates. She found Susan hugging her oldest brother. Then suddenly without thinking, Anne threw herself in Edmund's embrace who was surprised at first but soon returned it:
"Please be safe." She whispered, tears threatening to escape.
"Always I'm, always will." He assured while wiping her tears. She gave him a teary smile.
"There, much better."
Only then did she come to her senses to see everyone, except Caspian who was glaring at the ground, grinning. She lowered her head in embarrassment and Edmund just chuckled at her cuteness.
"Promise me you'll come back." Lucy looked straight in Caspian's burning eyes. His gaze softened as he answered:
"Don't worry Lu, I will"
She sighed and hugged him tight.
"Lucy, I can't breathe."
"Oh, sorry."
"Where do you get this strength from?"
"What can I say? I'm gifted"
"I'll miss you Lu, be careful too, and don't set the castle on fire."
"I never did that!"
"Not the castle but the kitchens, thank god you learned cooking in a short time or else we could have been in our graves by now."
They laughed together before Caspian kissed her cheeks and mounted his horse. She hugged both her brothers and wished them good luck before they set off.
Annabelle couldn't find sleep that night so she decided to go for a walk down the beach. There she saw Lucy gazing at the sea with a look beyond her years. Sorrow was apparent on her face as silent tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Lucy?"
"Oh Annabelle, sorry I didn't see you" she said while wiping her cheeks.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, don't worry. Why did you come here so late?"
"Couldn't sleep, you?"
"I wanted to think." Lucy answered with a soft smile.
"I'm really worried about them."
"Especially Edmund." Lucy teased.
"N-Not really" Anne muttered.
"You can't fool me; even a blind man could see that you like him."
"I-I don't."
"Why are you not accepting the truth Annabelle?"
"That i like him, yes i do, something more? no thanks."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"The fact that i turn into a lost babbling child when i'm with him is proof enough that i have to stay away."
"And yet you didn't"
"Can't help it." she shrugged "Look, Lu, I know you want to see us together, but i fear that i would come to love him someday, and if i had a say in that matter, i would completely ignore it."
"Why?" Lucy asked simply.
"My poor heart wouldn't take it." she said dramatically, as if rehearsing a play.
"Why?" Lucy asked again, so Anne finally gave her an honest answer.
"Because it hurts." She stated emotionless "I've met so many men in my life and fell in love so many times I lost count but they all treated me as no more than a jewel, something they could dispose of whenever they grew tired of it."
"Edmund is not like that"
"How do you know?"
"He's my brother." She said while raising her voice "I know him, he has deep feelings for you Anne, more than you can imagine. It might sound crazy as you just met but time doesn't matter, what matters is for you to follow your heart."
"I can't take that risk." the raven haired lady said curtly.
The valiant queen's eyes turned sad again as she sighed.
"No one said Love was easy. True love can break your heart, it makes you want to scream, but it's also unpredictable, you can't control it. It can make you feel so happy, it can make your life complete, but it needs sacrifice and sorrow is only one of many difficulties that you'll have to go through to achieve the happiness that you seek. Trust me Anne, what you felt until now was nothing compared to true love."
"Have you ever loved someone?"
"You can't imagine how lucky you are Annabelle; I've been in love with someone that doesn't see me as more than a sister. I always hope that he'll turn and look at me but instead I'm just invisible. He always finds himself another and I always am the first one he introduces her to. So I fake a smile and pretend everything is okay. All I want is his happiness, why would I burden him with my feelings? You have a great chance to find true love Anne, don't let it slip away." She spoke with so much pain that left Annabelle speechless.
"Wow Lucy, you're so…..wise"
"Well I've been an adult twice" she joked.
"Thank you, and can I ask? Is it Caspian?"
She just looked at her with a soft smile. The valiant queen appeared to be such a mystery sometimes. They both went to bed after that; Anne thinking about what Lucy told her.
"Nothing is here, just burned houses." Peter said irritated.
"Don't jump to conclusions Pete; it might lead to a trap."
"Edmund's right let me go with a few men and try to help the injured. Surround the area completely and be aware in case of an attack."
Both kings agreed with Caspian as he went on with his plan.
"Stand still Peter" scolded Edmund.
"But there's nothing here!" complained the oldest brother. As he spoke the words, an arrow flew past him.
"Narnia, prepare yourselves!" commanded Peter then to nodded to his brother.
"Hold" as an army came into view Edmund shouted "Now!"
Both armies slashed and killed every enemy that stood their way, each advancing in a pool of blood, slash, duck, the pattern was too familiar for the trained warriors, yet the fight still continued pushing their limits, each under the guidance of their leader., Edmund, noticing the fight was far from over, asked a griffin to alert Caspian who soon joined the battle with his troops resulting in Narnia getting the upper hand. The high king lowered his guard only a second before he heard Edmund's cry.
"PETER NO!" the just king, fearing for the high king's life, pushed him to the side taking the blow instead of his older brother. He was stabbed severely to the side; but didn't lose focus until he finished his opponent. Peter's mind took a long while before snapping into action, kneeling down to Edmund, who was clutching his side, sprawled on the grass.
"How many times do I have to tell you to be cautious?" groaned Ed.
"Hang on Ed!" his brother shouted after the latter began slipping into unconsciousness.
Peter, seeing that Narnia won the battle, carried his wounded brother to the horse and hoped they'll get to Lucy in time.
Lucy was watching the narnian army crossing the gates of Cair Paravel. She began to search for her brothers and Caspian. Spotting them immediately, she went to get Susan and Annabelle.
"Su, Anne, come quick Edmund's injured."
They ran to the infirmary where Ed was lying on a bed. Peter and Caspian looked so worried but in Peter's eyes was guilt? Annabelle knew instantly who to demand answers while Lucy gave the cordial to her brother.
"He got hurt protecting me again! Why am I always the cause of his wounds?" peter's voice cracked at the last sentence.
"Stop it Pete, you're giving me a headache."
Everyone turned to see the just king half sitting while rubbing his head.
"Edmund!" Anne jumped on him crying "Damn, you pull that stunt on us one more time, i swear you'll regret the day you left your mother's womb" he just chuckled, returning her embrace, while their entourage were shocked by the feisty side they didn't know Anne possessed.
"You don't get rid of me that easily."
"Idiot be more careful"
His eyes softened "i'll bear that in mind next time". she still didn't know what came upon her that moment, but no matter how many times she thought about, she still didn't feel an ounce of regret. Forgetting all the ifs,she smiled and kissed him fully on the lips and he returned it gladly. Their lips moved in perfect synchronization, and it was by far the best kiss she experienced, from the tenderness pouring from Ed, to the tingling feeling under her skin, to the relief of having him alive. but of course someone had to break their moment by clearing their throat.
"Shut up Pete." He said not breaking the kiss. Then Annabelle suddenly remembered where she was and pulled away from him; her cheeks crimson red as she saw the grinning faces surrounding her.
"Finally! But please next time do it privately."
"Sorry Lu"
"No it's okay; I just don't want to see my brother showing his affections to my friend."
Everyone laughed at the youngest queen's discomfort.
"Where's Caspian?" peter asked.
"He went out a while ago." Lucy faked a smile knowing exactly why.
"What really happened?" asked Susan.
They counted their story and Peter had his fair amount of reprimanding. When they finished the young people went to rest. Edmund escorted Annabelle to her chambers and after bidding her goodnight, he pulled her to the corner and kissed her softly.
"Goodnight." He whispered, she cupped his cheeks and answered:
"Goodnight." She gave him a peck and went to her bed smiling not believing what just happened to her.
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