I'm so ashamed right now, I didn't update in 2 freaking months, I would totally understand your lust over my blood, but I can assure you I will not drop this story until the epilogue.
Summer's here, goodbye studies, hello writing, you'll have your next chapter really soon.
Will all the love I could muster, good reading. ( really dramatic right?)
Chapter XXII
Servants went down the hall to do their respective work, some chatted with each other, gossiping about the royal couples or Annabelle's abduction, but after passing by the former's chambers, a roar of laughter could be heard, scaring the poor maids.
Peter, in Annabelle's sitting room, was roaring with laughter, while the young lady glared at him.
"It's not funny."
"Oh yes it is." He said catching his breath.
His siblings and Caspian all nodded in agreement. She sighed exasperated:
"I'm supposed to be the victim here. I just went through a traumatizing experience and you guys are laughing at me!"
"Sorry but your traumatizing experience makes one hell of a victim."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Anne you know I love you, but seriously getting drunk and making your kidnappers crazy isn't really traumatizing." Edmund pointed.
"Says the man who almost killed all the kidnappers" muttered Caspian.
"I heard that."
"Guys you really aren't nice." Susan reprimanded.
"Yes true, I killed people for god's sake." Anne said in a panicked voice.
"They weren't good." Lucy said with a serious face but then softened her expression "Anne that's how cruel the world is, some are good others are not, it's either kill or get killed, I hate taking a life but it's my duty to protect my people, think of how many innocents they killed, and you had to at least resist them."
The room went quiet listening to the valiant queen's wise words. Annabelle understood that but still, the first time is never easy.
"Well now this is clear, tell us what you remember."
"After I entered my chambers, I had a bad feeling, and then I was attacked by bandits and I also remember a cloaked figure that appeared to be the master mind."
Edmund leaned towards her: "Describe him."
"Tall, his cloak was midnight blue, young voice that's all I can say. Anyway I tried to fight them off and managed to take down two before I blacked out" she winced at the second part.
"Strange, no prints, no sounds, no corpses, no blood, all vanishing in less than ten minutes."
"Yes I couldn't even scream it felt like magic."
Susan shook her head "Not magic, sorcery." She exchanged a look with Peter that was missed by everyone but Annabelle.
"Then I woke in a black room tied to a chair and got knocked out Again, The next thing I remember was me being dragged and then drinking something, everything from there I can't remember."
Caspian snorted "I surely can."
"Shut up."
"Okay guys cut it out. We have better things to discuss." Susan said.
"What is more important than Anne's abduction?" Caspian asked faking innocence
"Su is right, whoever did that, we can't let him distract us from our priorities. I don't like the war for example."Peter said.
"Says the man who was roaring with laughter a minute ago." Annabelle muttered.
"Okay now enough with the preppy talk, the aiding troops will arrive tomorrow from Archenland, Ettinsmoor are expected within 4 days, while the battle is expected in 7 days. Any questions?"Adam asked as he entered the room.
"Yes, how will you conceal them?" asked Lucy.
"They'll use tunnels, after they reach Narnian borders. No one knows apart general Glenstorm and Trumpkin."
"Better to stay that way" agreed Edmund.
Breakfast the next day was ended with Peter's statement:
"Okay folks, to the training grounds"
"I'll finally get my revenge on Lu." Caspian exclaimed.
"I strongly doubt it dear." She retorted.
"Oh my Lady, I'm pretty much certain of my claim."
"Do you take bets?" Adam asked.
The valiant queen rolled her eyes while Caspian put an arm around her shoulders, chuckling. They heard the rest taking sides for the bet.
The two began dueling soon after and Caspian, after seeing that the sparring was nowhere near finished, kissed his opponent, excelling at breaking Lucy's focus, and the light headed queen soon dropped her weapon letting him claim his victory.
"Not fair!" she protested.
"Losing is never fair dear."
"Oh please!" she humped.
"Admit it you liked It." the valiant queen smiled slyly while tucking him closer.
"Maybe." She said against his lips.
"You're such a tease. You're not fair." He whispered, his eyes staring hungrily on her lips.
"Life's not fair." She pecked him softly, and in the near second she was out of his grip.
"Uh-Uh, don't think so." As soon as the words left his mouth, he reached for her, trapping her with his arms, and kissed her passionately.
"Cut it out, you two!"
"He always chooses his moment." The telmarine king sighed.
"Peter's just being cranky after losing the bet." She stated.
The oldest Pevensie, not hearing their exchange, continued with his ranting:
"Caspian, I really don't want to see you flirting with my sister."
"Mate, It's not my fault your sister is a devil in disguise."
The high king looked at his sister, confused, before noticing her blush. He groaned, turned on his hills then joined Edmund and Annabelle.
"Anne, you okay?"
"Please, Pete, I'm not glass."
"That sounds like Ed complaining."
They were interrupted by Trumpkin who was carrying grave news.
"Gather the council." Ordered Susan.
Whispers filled the throne room as the royals took their seats while Adam stood by Lucy's left. Peter opened the session with his booming, powerful tone:
"We gathered here today to announce that we expected aiding troops to arrive this day, but to our great chagrin they were ambushed by Calormene troops before reaching Narnian borders. This information was kept under great secrecy, only me, my siblings, Caspian, Adam, Trumpkin and Glenstorm knew which leads us to think that we have a spy in our castle."
"Or a traitor." A telmarine lord named Gregorio, said.
"Are you assuming, sir, that we betrayed our own country?" Susan asked with cold authority.
"N-No your Highness, I-I was just thinking that some have not earned our trust yet."
"Oh do stop stammering like a coward, say directly what is on your mind or stop dancing around the pot." Lucy's eyes were raging with anger that could not be contained. The old lord swallowed; sweat breaking free on his forehead. Annabelle, who was standing all the while by Glenstorm, on Edmund's right, couldn't help but admire the queens' strength, one was as cold as a winter night, the other as hot as a raging fire.
"I have a suspect or two." Gregorio said shaking.
"Then state them so we could be done with it."
"Prince Adam your Majesty."
Queen Lucy let out a bitter laugh.
"That is ridiculous."
"He hasn't done anything to prove his loyalty."
"Oh and you did? All I remember is you being part of the council that exiled Prince Caspian, gave his throne to his uncle and stood against the narnians in a long lost battle. But let's forget the past now, do not feel guilty, I've forgiven you like Caspian did, and as Aslan once said, everyone is worthy of forgiveness, but let me tell you two good reasons as to why he could not be the traitor, one is that I've known him for many years, and he's been one of the most loyal friends I ever had, he left his own castle to help Narnia on a bloody battle, and the second, which I hope will freshen up your memory and make you shut up," the last statement earned chuckles " is that Archenland troupes, his own troupes were attacked, and that of course will benefit him as much as Narnia's, Archenland's greatest ally, defeat." She finished sarcastically.
A grateful smile tugged at Adam's mouth after hearing Lucy so strongly protecting with statements that left absolutely no arguments. Lord Gregorio looked paler than usual.
"And who is your next suspect, sir?" the high king asked the now white lord.
"K-king Edmund." That was when all hell broke loose. Accusing a prince of another country was one thing, but one of Narnia's own sovereigns was considered high betrayal. Guards scattered all around the poor man, shouts came from the council, the royals all began talking at the same time. The just king's patience wore thin and he couldn't bear all the commotion any longer.
"ENOUGH!" He roared, much to everyone's surprise. All went silence, not even a breath could be heard.
"Guards, let the poor man breath, we are not tyrants, we will give everyone the chance to speak their thoughts, with no interruption, now bring him forward and let him speak." No one dared contradict King Edmund, and did as he ordered, Gregorio looked more blue than white. He had such a gift at changing colors rapidly, but Edmund couldn't help but admire his bravery, he held his gaze until the lord lowered his eyes.
"Now may I know the cause of your accusation?"
"Sire, we all know that you betrayed Narnia once, who says you won't do it again?"
"I see, now may I ask you a question? What did I do these five past years? Well let me clear your mind, I fought alongside Narnians for their freedom, and struggled among side my fellow rulers to steady Narnia's fragile peace, wars keep threatening the country that I love dearly, and I would like to destroy what we always wanted?"
"But the books say…"
"No, I say, I was but a boy when it happened, not older than ten, I acted harshly, true, but I never wanted to harm them, they forgave even when I couldn't forgive myself, but someone made me see clearly" he looked at Annabelle "I was crowned king Edmund the Just, even the title was a heavy weight on my shoulders, and so many responsibilities were thrust into a young, guilty-feeling boy, but I shoved my fears aside and justly ruled the country I love, for fifteen years, when you weren't even born, I faced war, lost, disrespect but also witnessed things that only you would dream of seeing, and that forged me into the man I am today, so now I can stand proudly telling you that I'm not the traitor, and promise on Aslan's name that I would never ever betray my country, and a promise made by the just king is never broken. I will find the guilty, spy or traitor and bring him forward, the council is dismissed." Then he turned to his general. "Glenstorm, send word to king Nain, inform him of what happened, we'll compensate the soldier's families for their losses, it may not be much but at least it would keep them sheltered."
After the throne room was cleared, Peter hugged his brother firmly, the man that he could proudly his brother. And then did the same to Annabelle whispering a thank you in her ears, she looked at him confused but he only shook his head, she was the reason Edmund forgave himself. His sisters were beaming while the just king looked uncomfortable.
"Lucy, what you said back there was awesome thank you." Adam whispered while hugging her. She rolled her eyes at him.
"I swear people can be so stupid sometimes."
Right then she caught Caspian's stare, and didn't like all the jealousy hidden in his eyes, she sighed.
"Caspian, can I have a word?"
"Of course Lucy."
"In private."
"Oh then we'll give you some privacy." Susan said.
"No it's okay; we'll go to my room."
"No you won't." Peter ordered.
"What's the problem with my room?"
"Lu, I'm trying to protect something sacred here." She looked at him confused before he answered flatly.
"Your virtue, Duh."
"PETER! We are so not going to have this talk." She exclaimed.
"Trust me it's as embarrassing for me, but you have to-"
"Shut up, okay just shut up." She covered her bright red face and left the room, and the laughs behind, knowing that Caspian would soon follow.
"I trust you to be a gentleman." The oldest brother warned him.
"Of course." Before peter's face could relax he added "I'll try."
The look of horror on the high king's face carried the laughter into a whole new level. Caspian winked at him before leaving as well. Down the corridor he heard Lucy mumbling:
"Stupid perverted brother, as if I need his permission,"
The young king caught with her, chuckling, then squeezed her shoulders leading her to her chambers.
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