A/N: So, Hi! I would first like to apologize for how late this chapter is. I opted to update this two days ago, but I've had a very hectic week that ended tonight, so regular once-a-week updating will continue. Anyway…
I hope you all like the title change. I figured that "Undone" fit a lot more than "Chasing Shadows" for a number of reasons that you will probably see in later chapters.
Just a heads-up: this chapter sees the introduction to a new character. So if you see (or read, rather) an unfamiliar face – it's a character added in by me.
Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Courtesy
Edmund awoke with a start, his eyes sticky and red from the night previous. After Lucy had found him, shaking and disheveled on the training grounds after he and Peter had had that shouting match, he had spent the rest of his day in his chambers, claiming he had "Western work" he needed to look over, but ultimately wasted his evening laying in bed and refusing even the slightest bite of dinner (to Susan's chagrin).
He heard an unfamiliar crunch as he shifted to his side. A messily torn piece of spare parchment, effortlessly scrawled onto with handwriting he recognized as Lucy's, was pinned against his left pillow:
Council this morning. See you at lunch. – L
His eyes widened in sudden horror. In a trice, he bolted and slipped on the nearest pair of boots he had lying around near his bed. Then he flung on the nearest shirt unceremoniously while cursing under his breath. Finally, he grabbed his favorite leather belt and slipped it hastily around his hips.
He was King Edmund the Just. The Just. To miss a council, he would have to be dead.
o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o
"Sir Aldred Seethwell. It truly is a pleasure."
Peter smoothed his midnight blue tunic and took the older knight's arm in his, holding it firmly, his blue eyes set on the knight's tired ones. It had been five years, five long years since he had looked upon Sir his face; the old, nearing-retirement and citizen-favorite knight of Narnia who had fought alongside and even taught him in warfare. Sir Aldred Seethwell, who was kind-faced and jolly despite his feared reputation, knelt on his knee, his bearded face gleaming with complete deference.
"His most magnificent high Majesty, I come unto thee with the most utmost adherence."
"Please, Aldred, there will be no need for that," Susan said, rising from her throne as well, her eyes gleaming almost as much as her crown. "Rise, good sir."
Aldred did as he was told, and took Susan's hand in his, pressing his lips gently unto pale, moon-like skin. "Her most Gentle Highness. I see you have grown considerably since I last looked upon you. But of course, a desert flower blooms when one is not present to witness."
Aldred's words made Susan's skin flush deep pink, and she had to regain herself before throwing Lucy an expectant look. Almost at once, Lucy darted from her throne and ran into Aldred's arms, crushing him with a tight embrace, one that he eagerly returned. "Dear Lucy."
"Aldred, it has been too long," Lucy said, pulling away and brushing strands of hair from her face. "Far too long indeed. Do tell us of your adventures in Terebinthia – I awfully yearn to hear of them."
"Yes, dear child, of course," Aldred chuckled. "I would be most honored to. But alas, I wish to consort with all of your most gracious majesties. Where, may I ask, where is the fourth, my High King?"
Peter and Susan exchanged a glance, and then Peter heaved a sigh. "Edmund's – "
"I'm here," came a sudden voice from Peter's left.
Aldred looked over Peter's shoulder to see Edmund emerge from one of the smaller doors to Cair's throne room. The young king looked presentable at the very least, his crown tilted slightly to the left, his favorite coat hanging slightly off his slim shoulders. "My Just King!" Aldred exclaimed. "What an utmost pleasure."
"I apologize for my delay," Edmund said. "It seems I –"
"Edmund has been working rather agonizingly on Western conflict," Peter finished. "Perhaps too agonizingly. You are feeling well, aren't you, Edmund?"
"Just," Edmund replied, his eyes flashing dangerously dark into Peter's. "Well enough for council, I assure all of you. And to reunite with an old friend," he added, beaming at Aldred.
"Indeed," Susan cut in. "Oreius, do see to it that Sir Aldred sleeps in Cair's best chambers tonight," she held out her dainty hand for Aldred to kiss again. "It would be our pleasure to dine with you come evening, Sir Knight."
"And an honor with you," Aldred returned. He bowed in Peter and Edmund's direction. "I do hope you all will be able to dine with me tonight. Farewell, dear kings and gracious queens. Farewell indeed." Aldred disappeared behind the red velvet door that led to the throne room, guarded by Narnia's finest leopards.
Only the four siblings were left in the empty and deathly quiet throne room. Edmund turned to Lucy, whose delicate faced was slapped with guilt amongst everything else. "Edmund, I –"
"It's done," Edmund said flatly, glancing up at his baby sister. Her face was reddened and nearing tears now.
As Lucy's lips parted to from another apology, Peter interjected. "Ed, I'm sure that despite all that's happened, the last thing Lu meant was for you to miss council. She, or we, rather, were all worried about your welfare. It would have been for your own good."
Edmund regained himself. Anger was pointless. He could two things; he could light the fuse to another bellowing match between him and Peter for not alerting him of the early council meeting, or he could let the anger bubble underneath until it died down for the time being. Either way, there would be an undesirable outcome. "So I take it this morning's council was but a welcoming to our dear old friend?"
"Aldred's return, yes," Peter said. "Look, Ed. Are you feeling alright? I know yesterday's been rough –"
"I'm alright," Edmund said. "Not exactly bursting with joy, but I'll manage. What about you?"
Peter gave a faint shrug. "M'alright."
Edmund turned to Lucy. "I'm…I'm sorry Lu. I shouldn't be so hard on you. I should've woken up by own accord, I've got no right to get mad, especially after yesterday –" he was caught off guard. "I'm – I'm sorry."
"Oh, Ed," Lucy said, and she launched herself at her brother, an embrace that was abruptly returned. "I'm sorry I didn't wake you. I really, really am. But you need rest. Above everything else, you need rest."
Over Lucy's shoulder, Edmund spotted Peter, whose blue eyes bore into his dark ones. When Lucy released, Susan placed her hand gently onto her shoulder and cleared her throat. "Lucy, dear, I have the most alluring dresses for tonight with Aldred. Won't you come with me and select the best of the few?"
Lucy glanced at Peter, and then to Edmund, quickly understanding Susan's means. "But of course," she smiled up to Peter and gently lifted herself on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you tonight, my kings."
Susan swept down and kissed Edmund's forehead before leaving, and gave Peter's arm a slight squeeze. Once the dainty queens had exited the nearly empty throne room, Peter turned to Edmund. "Ed, I –"
"No," Edmund said, and he took a step closer to his magnificent brother. "I should apologize. I – I never fully got the chance to. Peter, I'm sorry I took Lucy to the Shuddering Woods without your permission. You're – you're right. These are difficult times, and the last thing needed was for me to be irresponsible. I'm sorry."
And it was Peter's turn to launch himself at his brother. He held him tight in his arms, safe from harm and safe from all the unkind words that he, too, had thrown in Edmund's direction. "And you're right, I suppose," he managed to say, as he pulled away to allow Edmund air. "I shouldn't have to monitor every step you take. And I certainly have no right to shove it down your throat. You're just a king as I am, Eddie. And I'm sorry."
Edmund smiled to his brother, then shrugged lightly.
Peter returned the sly smile. "Oh, no 'apology accepted,' then, I suppose, my Just King?"
Edmund shrugged again. "You may be High King of Narnia, but you're not High King of my mouth."
Peter swatted Edmund's arm, and then pulled his arm around the younger King's shoulders. "You heard the girls. Best prepare for dinner with good old Aldred, shouldn't we?"
Edmund threw Peter a knowing look. "It's half past ten, Pete. Almost in time for lunch."
"Yes, but rather prepare now than rush and show up with your tunic inside out, isn't it?" Peter said, rustling Edmund's hair. "Now go on. I'll see to the rest of the day's matters."
Throwing Peter one last look, Edmund disappeared behind the throne room's entrance door.
And Peter took the chance to throw his face in his hands.
o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o
"My High King."
"Good Sir Knight."
Aldred stood gleaming in the glistening sunlight, his bright red cape shining in Narnia's morning sun. Having previously been leaning casually against the marble that separated Cair's balcony from the salty sea air, he bolted upright once Peter had come into view. "And what felicity may I grant you this early morning, magnificent lord?"
"There will be no need for formality, Aldred, thank you," Peter interjected, now leaning against the marble as Aldred had done previously. "I merely ask a favor, although I am afraid to say it is not a minor one."
"Ask away, dear king, ask away," Aldred said. "To serve you is to serve Aslan, and to serve Aslan is to fulfill a life worth living for. What is it you wish, and how may I grant it?"
Peter took a deep breath. "You are a valuable ally to Narnia, Aldred, truly. Thus, there is no doubt in my mind that you have are not new to the Archenland conflict."
Aldred hung his head. "While not in Terebinthia, my lord, Narnia's southern borders are home to me. It is where I house my children and even my wife, good king. Of course, I am always delighted to return to Narnia, but with the exception of last week, when I agreed to return (under his High King's orders) only to witness the Archenland legion stationed but a mile from my quarters. I am no stranger to Archenland, and certainly not to the good King Lune (may Aslan be with him) so I ask, my king – what must I know of the conflict, and what must I do to assist?"
Peter needed the marble as support, clutching to it thrice as much as he had before. It was strange to him; with Edmund and Lucy nearly oblivious to the Archenland conflicts and Susan either refusing to speak about it or chastising him every time it was brought up, Aldred's immediate compliance meant the world to him.
"It is exactly the reason you are stationed and trusted at Narnia's southern borders that I ask for your affiliation," Peter continued. "The people know not of our intentions – at least, not yet. I ask only for you to deliver a message– or a treaty, rather – it's the best chance we have. At this point, it's the only thing I believe will prevent bloodshed between myself and Lune."
"Yes, my King," Aldred bowed most graciously. "I'll see it to it that my quarter of the army head as soon as new daylight hits Cair, my lord."
"And Aldred," Peter added, swiftly taking Aldred's arm before the knight could retreat to his chambers. "I would much, much prefer if you kept this from his most Just King and her most Valiant Majesty."
So that's chapter 4. Is Peter ever going to confide this in Edmund and Lucy?
Also, I know all these chapters have been just talking lately, but trust me; I've got a lot of action planned. And I promise there will be a much deeper confrontation for Peter and Edmund in the coming chapters.
Please review! And as a treat for updating late, I'll try to do it a bit early this week.
xx Izzy
