Blessed

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Chapter 5: Merciful

Peter and Susan had been trying, in the three weeks since the four of them had been crowned, to shield Edmund from the trials of the Witch's followers. Their actions were not what was currently bothering Edmund. What was bothering him was the fact that they did so without asking him how he felt about it first. Thus, when the kings and queens held court that day, he privately decided that they would not send him away for any reason. He had no reason to fear or to forever feel guilty; Aslan had forgiven him, so why should he do less for himself? The herald's voice shocked him out of his reverie. "Announcing Lady Diantha of Lantern Waste!"

A Dryad entered the courtroom. Edmund hadn't been living in Narnia long enough to be able to differentiate between the different kinds of Dryads, but he guessed that she was from a pine or fir tree, perhaps. She approached the thrones and bowed. "Your Majesties, I have come to confess my folly in serving the White Witch and to accept my due punishment for my errors."

Peter leaned over and whispered to his brother, "Ed, why don't you-"

"No. I'm not leaving, Pete. Not this time, nor will I ever again."

Peter gave him a strange look. Edmund, unsure if the look was because of his answer or courtly speech (he had recently become quite grateful for the large vocabulary that was a reaction from his love of reading), ignored it and turned to the Dryad. "Lady Diantha, do you renounce your former allegiance to the White Witch?"

"I do, Sire."

"And do you swear to serve Aslan above all and us as His representatives in Narnia?"

"I do so swear, Sire."

Edmund smiled kindly at her. "Then you are forgiven, Lady Diantha. Go in peace."

She cocked her head, confused. "But, Sire, I- I have betrayed my country, Aslan! Surely you cannot easily forgive such an offence without consequences."

"As did I, lady, and yet Aslan forgave me. But you are correct; forgiveness cannot come without consequences, and the law does state that treachery cannot be forgiven without shedding of blood, so blood has been shed to forgive your betrayal and mine. Aslan gave His own life so that we could live." He smiled again. "As I said, Lady Diantha, go in peace."

She bowed low. "Thank you, Sire! Oh, thank you, thank you!"

"Do not thank me, for I am not the one who has forgiven you. Give your thanks to Aslan."

Edmund noticed two different effects from that particular day and court case. One, the people began to truly call him the Just King with respect, not only because Aslan had named him so. Two, Peter and Susan stopped shielding him.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

A/N: I gotta say, I love this one. Slight reference to my story "A Tale of Books," even though this isn't part of that universe. Also, bonus points for anyone who can guess the Bible verse I pulled part of Edmund's (short) speech from.