I was going to post this earlier, as in late last night (it's currently early morning), but I didn't. I don't really have a good excuse...just got distracted and didn't finish the chapter in time. Sorry :( Anyway, Peter is still being rather beastly, sorry about that as well, he'll come to his senses eventually, maybe...
"Edmund? Are you awake?" Edmund growled and turned crossly away from the voice. He still didn't understand why Peter had insisted on taking the bed next to him when there were plenty of other beds and even other rooms to sleep in. "Ed?"
"No, I'm not awake; leave me alone," he growled back and pulled the blankets over his head.
"Edmund, I'm sorry." Peter's voice was pleading now and Edmund reluctantly turned towards him.
"Look here Peter, it is well within your authority to ignore my council, but have you not yet learned to trust me?" He tried to keep the hurt out of his voice, but knew that Peter, at least in his right mind, would recognise it anyway.
"I do." He was silent for long enough Edmund wondered if that was all he planned to say and had nearly fallen asleep. "But don't you think you might be mistaken this time?'
Edmund gritted his teeth to keep from cursing in annoyance. "No, I don't, and I'm not. Think about it Pete, you start sleepwalking, or whatever you want to call it, the day after we meet this woman. You've been snapping at Lucy, losing your temper with the guards, and now you won't trust my judgement on something you obviously cannot remain objective about. Does that not seem remotely suspicious to you?"
"It does." He did not seem particularly enthusiastic in his response. "But it can't be because she is a witch! How could she be? She isn't evil! Besides, everyone is cross; it's the cold and the weariness. You have no proof that she is a witch or even that I have been enchanted, and every reason to believe she is precisely what she appears to be."
"Peter-"
"No; I'm sorry for how I spoke to you before, it was ill mannered of me. I do not distrust your judgement, only your state of mind in this instance. That is all, accept my apology or don't." Any trace of contrition or pleading was gone from his voice now, leaving it cold and harsh.
"I'm sorry too; I'm sorry I ever advised you to come here. It may be my fault that we're here now, but it certainly isn't my fault that you are making a fool of yourself!" He immediately regretted the snappish words, however well-deserved they were on Peter's part, but he wasn't about to take them back. It seemed Peter too was done with the conversation and a moment later Edmund heard him mutter a curse as he stood and stormed away to find a different place to sleep.
Edmund growled into his pillow and silently vowed not to lose his temper again no matter how much he wanted to punch Peter. It isn't his fault, although he might at least try believing me. Lucy at least will be on my side.
Lucy frowned when Edmund explained Peter's behaviour and his own suspicions. "Oh, Edmund, that's dreadful! But really, you should have told me sooner, you shouldn't have to bear it alone." They had managed to find an empty room, far enough away from the silent servants to run no risk of being overheard. Lucy had found a book somewhere and it was open on the little table next to her, just in case someone came in and wondered what they were doing so far from their companions.
"I know I should have, but I thought I could reason with him and not have to involve you. I'm sorry Lu."
She smiled, instantly forgiving him, before her expression darkened with worry. "Do you think these giants are in on whatever plot this witch is hatching? Edmund! Surely you don't think they could be, they all seemed so kind last night?"
He looked towards the door quickly, almost certain he had heard a step in the hallway outside, but when he went to investigate no one was there. Frowning he resumed his seat and shrugged. "I don't know; they may be the ones behind the plot, whatever it actually is, or they may know nothing about it. But, it does seem far more likely that this Lady is acting under their approval, or even direction. I don't want to frighten you, but if we are in danger it's better that you know it."
Lucy's forehead wrinkled in thought and she was silent for a long moment, obviously puzzling through some problem. "Ed, why do you think you and I aren't effected by her enchantment? I don't find her particularly charming as Peter does, and you don't fall asleep, even when everyone else is enchanted to."
Edmund frowned and wished she hadn't asked. "I've already been enchanted by a witch," he reminded her quietly. "I don't think I can be again, at least not without eating her food. By the way Lu, you didn't eat anything at dinner, did you?"
"No," she said mournfully. "And I'm terribly hungry now. Do you suppose it's safe to eat if she isn't here?"
Edmund's own stomach cramped painfully at the thought of food, and he realised his last meal must have been the previous morning before they broke camp. "I don't know, Lu, I'm sorry but we probably shouldn't risk it. I'm sure one of the guards has something left from home."
"Shouldn't we warn them? What if they are enchanted too? And you never said why I'm not enchanted too."
"One question at a time, dear sister." He smiled at her fondly and despite the seriousness of the situation he could not help feeling better knowing Lucy was there to help him. "There isn't much we can do about the guards except hope she doesn't bother with them. Our supplies from Cair Paravel have almost run out and if it comes to a fight we can't risk them being half starved. And as for your not being enchanted," he paused to consider carefully. "I think perhaps she's only interested in Peter. After all, he is the High King, and what better way to strike at Narnia than through one of her kings." It seems to be a favourite trick of witches.
"It does make sense," Lucy said slowly, frowning. "But Edmund, what if she really doesn't mean any harm? Can we really risk offending her and the giants if they are all they seem to be? I'm not doubting your judgement," she added quickly when she saw his expression. "Just, are you certain?"
Am I? he wondered. Is it just that I'm suspicious of strange, beautiful women because of the Witch? Why shouldn't she be everything she seems to be? But Peter, Peter wouldn't act like this ordinarily. "'Not all enchantments are magical'," he said quietly.
"What was that?"
"Just something Metelus told me once." He frowned at the tapestry on the wall with a vague feeling of disgust that had nothing to do with the bright forest scene depicted there. But really, why shouldn't it be that simple? "I may be making a fool of myself," he admitted at last. "But in case I'm not, please promise me you'll be careful? Just until I can be sure?"
"Of course!" She smiled and Edmund tried to smile in return but knew he failed miserably.
"Let's find Peter, I suppose I might at least try to be civil to our host. Regardless of her intentions, I behaved rather foolishly yesterday." If she is a witch I shouldn't have shown my suspicion and if she isn't I have offended her without cause.
When they found Peter, he was eating breakfast in the dining room, the Green Lady beside him. They both smiled and Edmund was once more certain he had not been mistaken; there was something evil in the Lady's smile, though it appeared kind enough. Peter seemed to be in excellent spirits, though his expression darkened somewhat when he saw Edmund; he obviously had not forgotten their quarrel the night before.
"King Edmund, Queen Lucy, welcome! Please eat, you must be very hungry." She knows, thought Edmund helplessly, she knows we ate nothing at supper. He directed a warning glance in Lucy's direction and saw her sigh, but, in the end, she nodded almost imperceptibly.
"If you will forgive us, my lady, my royal sister and I have already eaten our breakfast." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Peter scowl, and hastened to add; "Indeed, I feel I must beg your pardon also for my behaviour last night. I was not myself and spoke rudely." The words tasted bitter as he said them, but what was the use of being a diplomat if his skill failed him when he needed it most?
Their ever gracious hostess smiled, it seemed she never stopped smiling, and inclined her head to him. "Not at all, dear king; there is no need for such apologies between friends. We may be friends, mayn't we?"
Edmund gritted his teeth and forced a smile. "Indeed, my lady, I would be most honoured to call you friend."
Peter smiled, though Lucy's expression darkened and she looked questioningly at Edmund, as if to say; "Is it safe?". Edmund shook his head slightly.
"My lady was just about to tell me how she came to live in the company of giants," Peter said cheerfully. "Perhaps you two would like to hear her tale as well?"
My Lady? Peter, please don't be that much of a fool. "Of course, we would be most interested." He took his seat across from Peter and the Lady while Lucy sat on the other side of Peter, frowning slightly when he barely seemed to notice her presence.
"Many years ago," the Lady began in her musical voice; "I was abandoned upon the moors by my parents and found by one who became as a mother to me. She had long been a friend of this most generous king, whose halls you are in now-"
"Does the king have a name?" Lucy interrupted with such a sweet smile that it would have been impossible for even Peter to be cross with her.
"No, dear one, no one here is called by any name; names have power here, little queen, quite unlike in your own land of Narnia. To speak someone's name gives you power over their very soul." Her eyes glittered greedily as she smiled sweetly at Peter; he seemed not to notice. "As I was saying, she was long a friend of this most gracious king, giants here live for hundreds of years you see, and so brought me to his halls to be raised as befits a great lady. My mother, for she was more a mother to me than my own, soon had to leave this great city on her own affairs, though she visited me often. When I had come of age the dear king named me his heir, should he and the queen remain childless, and here I have lived in these rooms he had constructed long ago for my mother. Whenever some visiting dignitary comes to seek counsel or aid from their majesties it is with me that they stay." For the first time, her expression was grave rather than merry, and she seemed to be remembering some sad occurrence. "Not long since I received news that my mother was killed in her own land by a band of foreign invaders." A single tear slid from one brilliant green eye and splashed across her folded hands. "Forgive me friends, I am yet overcome by my grief."
Peter hastened to offer her his handkerchief, and Edmund, who did not believe for a moment the Lady's grief was genuine wanted nothing so much as to kick his leg under the table.
"It grieves me to think what might have happened had not so gracious a lady found you. I am deeply sorry that you have lost her and if it be in my power to punish those responsible, rest assured I will." The lady smiled again at Peter's declaration and her face flushed.
"Yes, quite right Peter," said Edmund through gritted teeth. "Perhaps the Lady might tell us the name of this land so we might seek justice?"
She laughed, grief seemingly forgotten. "Dear king, it is very far from here, you will not have heard of it. Your royal brother's kind offer alone is far too generous, and I would not trouble any of you further with my woes. Perhaps your majesties will excuse me? I have other matters to attend to, but if you should want for anything simply tell one of the servants. They cannot speak, but will hasten to obey your every wish."
"None of them?" Lucy exclaimed in amazement, her expression appearing innocent, but Edmund saw the suspicion in her eyes and knew she would not now question his doubts.
"It is a dull tale and rather disturbing for one of your majesty's tender years," said the Lady smoothly. "Suffice it to say that I saved them from a terrible fate and they owe their loyalty to me and me alone." She rose and curtsied beautifully before sweeping from the room, her green dress swirling around her feet.
"Well," said Lucy, watching her go. "Edmund, I do believe you're right."
Peter growled in annoyance and pushed his chair away from the table forcefully. "Don't tell me our fool of a brother has been spinning his wild tales of her being a witch to you too Lucy! Really Edmund, this is too much!"
"Peter!" gasped Lucy in shock.
"I'm sorry," he said reluctantly. "That was rather harsh of me."
Edmund clenched his fists until he felt his fingernails cut into his palms. Fool of a brother; oh Peter, how can you let her trick you so? "It's alright," he said aloud, forcing the words out through clenched teeth. "Perhaps your majesty would excuse me?" He turned stiffly and did not look back even when Lucy called his name. He stumbled through the maze of passages, wanting nothing more than to escape into the sunlight which came streaming through the windows. He nearly collided with one of the servants, the same girl who had smiled at Lucy the night before.
She nearly dropped her armload of books and stared at him with wide, terrified eyes. "I beg your pardon," he said rather shortly, remembering what the lady had said about the servants owing their loyalty to her and her alone. "Perhaps you could show me the way to the stables?" She nodded, shakily and hurried back the way she had come. Sighing Edmund followed, half expecting to find himself in the kitchens, but in a few moments, he found she had led him to a door which opened upon a courtyard. He nodded his thanks when he saw a long low building that could only have been a stable.
Phillip nuzzled his hair in greeting as he approached and Edmund threw his arms around the Horse's neck, suddenly unable to hold back his tears. Phillip whinnied softly in alarm. "Edmund? What's wrong lad?" Edmund shook his head and buried his face in Phillip's mane, not yet trusting himself to speak. "Who has hurt you, my king? Take me to them and the last thing they see in this world will be the flash of my hooves!" He pawed at the straw covered floor as if to emphasis his point.
"I fear you would then be guilty of killing the High King," said Edmund shakily and stepped away to sit against the nearest wall. Phillip stood over him protectively, with his head almost resting on Edmund's shoulder, while Edmund told him the whole tale.
At the end of it Phillip huffed out a great sigh and stamped his hooves. "Well," he said, tossing his mane. "Perhaps a good kick will break the enchantment and do your brother no end of good."
Edmund nearly laughed and started to speak when the unmistakable sound of alarm bells ringing cut through the peaceful morning. Voices, too loud to be any other than those of giants could be heard shouting angrily, and above it all rose a thunderous, murderous cry of rage.
What's happening? Who is shouting and why are there alarm bells ringing? I wish I could tell you, I really do, but the chapter isn't quite ready to be posted yet. If you kill me for the cliffhanger you will never find out! Also, the not naming any of the giants or the Lady may seem a bit lazy...I promise that's not actually the reason; names really do have power in the giant's country...More on that later! Leave me a review? Pretty Please? And thank you so much to everyone who has already reviewed! Oh, before I forget, any ideas on who the Lady's "mother" is?
Cheers,
A
P.S. I'm adding this note as I write the next chapter. Fair warning; this next chapter is dark...incredibly so. That being said it does not qualify as gore and has no sexual content, duh, this is me writing it. Anyway, you have been warned and the chapter will be up roughly twenty hours after this post. :-)