Edmund Pevensie carefully removed the silver crown from his head and placed it on the stand in his new bedroom. It had been a long day-a long week, but he was thankful everything seemed as it should be. The Witch was defeated, Aslan had come to Narnia, and the four thrones of Cair Paravel were claimed. Now, all he wanted to do was lie down in bed and sleep; sleep until he was rested, but of course, Edmund knew that wasn't going to happen. Tomorrow, the real work began- running a kingdom and looking after each and every Narnian.
As he got ready for bed, he wondered what his siblings were doing, but it didn't really matter to him. Not because Edmund didn't care, but because he knew he could guess correctly. Peter was most likely wandering through the Cair to see what all was there. Susan was fixing up her room and would sleep after completing her task. Lucy wouldn't sleep and spend the night talking with Mr. Tumnus. As for Edmund, he knew all too happy to go to sleep. He had gotten so little in the last week, he didn't want to miss the chance to rest.
Once he removed the crown from his head, he opened the doors of the oak wardrobe at the foot of his bed to change into his sleeping clothes. Halfway through, he gasped as a stabbing pain cut through his left side where the Witch had stabbed him. He took a deep breath and after a moment, finished changing. Before closing the wardrobe doors, he could not help but check the container for another world; but all Edmund found was a solid wooden back
He laughed at his foolishness a moment, then crawled into bed.
What would he have done if there had been another world in another world? Edmund wasn't sure, but he swore he would not repeat the same mistakes. He would speak with no one and after looking around, leave. Just as he should have when his whole adventure began- but knowing Lucy, all four of them would have ended up in Narnia eventually.
So maybe, Edmund thought as he drifted off to sleep, everything was as it was meant to be. As Asian intended.
The next morning, Edmund woke to the sound of birds chirping at his windowsill and the sunlight of Narnia flooding into the room. He yawned and carefully sat up so as to not irritate his injury. For a moment, he wondered if the day before was a dream, but as Edmund looked around the room, he knew the truth. It was real. All of it. He was now a king of Narnia and it felt amazing. Not just because Peter would respect him- no, it felt amazing because Edmund realized could sleep as long as he wished. He was king and there was nothing more he wanted to do than absolutely nothing. So, he snuggled back under the covers and was about to close his eyes when Lucy threw open the doors of his room.
"Edmund! What are you doing in bed? We're going to be late for breakfast!"
"Lu," he tried to crawl completely under the blankets. "Leave me alone. I want to sleep."
"Not today!" Lucy said, jumping on the bed to try and pull her brother from the sea of blankets. "We must get up and eat, then hold counsel for all the Narnia. So many have come to see us."
"Do they need all four of us to be there?"
"Well, it's our first day and I wouldn't miss it if I were you."
Edmund groaned and poked his head out of the blankets. "Fine. Just go away and let me get ready."
"Okay, but don't complain if your tea is cold!" Lucy quickly left and once she was gone, Edmund crawled slowly out of bed, careful not to cause himself any pain.
It was odd to him that Lucy's Cordial seemed to have healed the wound, the scar proof of it, but some pain still remained. He almost brought it up with Lucy last night as his side had begun to hurt after dinner, but he didn't want to ruin the coronation party-or hurt his sister's feelings- Not after all he had done. He decided it was best if he said nothing for the time being. After all, the pain would most likely fade in the next few days; not to mention that Edmund did not want to insult her healing skills.
He was about to get dressed when a faun entered the room, by the hairbrush and other tools in his hands, he was an assigned lord in waiting. "Good morning, my king. Sleep well?"
"I guess?" Edmund wasn't sure what to say. The last thing he wanted was for everyone to worry. "But don't- I mean, I can dress myself."
"Nonsense, you are a king and as such, must look proper. "
There was no arguing with that. "All right, Mr.…"
"Daelar. That's my name, your majesty."
Edmund was about to tell the faun it was nice to meet him but was swiftly ushered over to the wardrobe with all his garments. Before he knew it, he had been changed into a royal blue robe and black trousers.
"If you didn't mind my saying," Daelar adjusted the silver crown on the young king's head. "You should say something about your bothersome injury to the healers when you have time today. It does no good to let it fester if you ask me."
"Yes," Edmund agreed, realizing Daelar was right. "I shall." He did not know when he would get the chance, but if he could find a way to speak with Lucy, he would. But first, he had to figure out h to tell her in a way that wasn't insulting. It was honestly harder than one might think. Especially for Edmund. Somehow, in the past week and half- everything that had come out of his mouth, came out wrong. How, he didn't know, but he seemed to have a talent for making everyone around him irate. Which, he swore, was something he would end. So, while he was led to the breakfast table in the dining hall by another servant of the Cair, Edmund began to think of what to say to Lucy.
"Morning," he greeted his siblings who were already settled into the morning meal.
"How did you sleep?" Peter asked as Edmund slowly moved to sit across from him. "I couldn't rest. I was too excited. So, I had a look around the palace. Did you know we have our own dungeon?"
"And why would we need that?" Edmund asked next, a scowl crossing his face. "it's not like we're going to toss anyone down there, are we?"
"N-no. But I think it's swell. It's a real castle and- "
"Oh, Peter," Susan cut him off before he could say more. "Of course, it's a real castle! Now, aren't you going to tell us what we're supposed to do? How to rule, I mean? I honestly know nothing of the sort and have been nervous about it all night."
I suppose it's best that we just fix the problems that occur when they do," Peter said, making his sister roll her eyes.
'That's not very helpful."
"I am new to this as well, Su. I don't know everything."
"But you act like you do," Edmund muttered before he could stop himself. He felt Peter scowl at him, and the High King continued:
"None of us know a lick about running a country, but we won't know until we try."
"And if we fail?" Edmund hated to be the one without a hint of optimism, but someone had to say it.
"We'll…" Peter paused with a spoon of oatmeal half-in his mouth, "Fix it. If we're doing poorly, that is."
"Don't worry!" Lucy told the three of them, a bright smile on her face. "We can't fail. We have Aslan's blessing!"
"I suppose you're right," Susan began nervously stirring her oatmeal. "But still. We must be prepared for everything. Who knows what could happen. As I was reorganizing my room last night, I came across books about the many other countries surrounding Narnia and I have growing concern that they may desire to invade."
"On what grounds?" Peter asked next, suddenly sounding serious.
"Well," Susan reached for the nearest jar of jam on the table. "We are a small country. It is true we have Aslan's blessing, but when leadership changes, turbulence is likely to occur. The White Witch has been ruling these lands for ages and now she is gone. In her place… there is us."
Edmund hated to admit it, but Susan was correct. They were not much of a force against whatever lie beyond their lands. "And what should we do?"
"I am unsure," Susan said, "but allow me some time to think it over and I shall let you know."
"Sounds perfect," Peter said and returned to his food and so did the others. For the rest of the meal, there was no more discussion of politics or anything of the sort. Following, the new Kings and Queens were summoned to the throne room for the daily audiences.
Edmund didn't think the throne room would look so grand as dreams had a way of becoming dull; but the four thrones glistened in the morning sunlight with an almost heavenly glow.
"Didn't think it was real for a minute there," Peter admitted under his breath as the four of them walked across the throne room.
"Same," Edmund heard Susan agree. "I was half-expecting to wake up in the Professor's mansion."
Edmund was about to agree, but at that moment, Mr. Tumnus came into the throne room.
He bowed deeply to all of them, making Lucy laugh.
"You don't have to do that, you know." She told him as she ran to hug him.
"Well," the faun began, only to relent. "Thank you, Lucy."
"You're welcome." She smiled up at him, then ran off to sit on her throne.
"Now, my dear Kings and Queens," Mr. Tumnus began, "we have quite a few people here who wish to see you. But first I have decided it is best to solve problems on a full stomach. So, I shall bring you grievances and followed by praise."
"Fair enough," Peter chuckled, a hand coming to check his golden crown was still on his head. Edmund almost did the same but resisted at the last moment. The other thing he discovered last night was the most important rule of crown-wearing: Never look down. It will fall right to the floor. "Bring them in Mr. Tumnus."
Their Narnian friend nodded and disappeared through the large double doors of the throne room. He returned a few moments later with a pair of birds- robins- to be exact. The couple swooped over to the thrones and bowed low before Peter.
"Rise," the High King commanded, and the female robin began to share her story.
"It has been many years, many years of winter and it's been a miracle my family survived so long. However, I am here to ask that the winter fallen are remembered as they should be. The Witch took many things from us. The trees turned against our feathered kind- threw our young from their nests. I hope in your heart, you can make this right."
"Yes," Peter agreed with a gentle nod," I will think on this matter for you are correct. There is much we must do to make Narnia right once again. In the meantime, is there anything we can do to assist you at this moment?"
"Perhaps you have some worms or nuts I can take to my family and kin."
"Of course," Peter turned to another faun whom Edmund had not met yet, "Garon, please bundle these provisions."
"Will do, sire." Garon bowed and did as commanded.
Next, Mr. Tumnus ushered in a black panther who greeted each ruler with a gentle bow. "My Kings and Queens, I am pleased winter has been driven from our land. However, I have been captive within the Witch's Garden for years. How many, I do not know. Now free, I have no home to which to return."
"I understand," Peter said after a moment, turning to Susan and Edmund. "Any thoughts on the matter?"
"Yes," Susan announced, "I believe for the time being, all those who were freed from the Witch's Garden can use the old camp at Beruna for the time being while we find new places for them to live."
"Thank you, my Queen."
"You are quite welcome. Please see it is done," Susan ordered to those present in court. "I know you may not be able to return to the place you once lived, but I will do all I can to ensure your new life is comfortable."
The panther bowed again, and Mr. Tumnus escorted another group of Narnians into the throne room. This group was unlike the others as they were a rowdy bunch; all of them were yelling and arguing with one another.
"It's all your fault! I told you to cut that damn tree down!"
"Oh, shut it, Mabel. It has been on the property since I was a youngin'!"
"It was clearly spying on-"
"Well, if you hadn't been sleeping, the secret police wouldn't have- "
"Silence!" Peter demanded of them, making the whole group freeze. None had counted on the High King yelling at them. "What is the problem?"
"The tree next to our home told on us to the White Witch!" the Mabel the Doe told him. "We were minding our own business and the Witch's secret police broke into our home! I told Fenx to cut it down ages ago, but he refused! And now, we haven't seen our son since! And I have been- "
"You don't think I haven't been worried, too?!" the grand buck snapped. "I went looking for him, but I couldn't find him and- "
"Do you think he was turned to stone?" Peter asked of them next.
"I suppose he- "
"He wasn't," Edmund hated to say this, but he wanted to calm their anxieties. "I never saw a young deer among the statues."
"That's good to-" Mabel began, only to realize something. "How would you know?"
"I- I just know I never saw a calf at the battle. Aslan asked all of those freed from the Witch's Garden to fight alongside him-" a gasp escaped him as the lingering, throbbing pain he felt following dinner, returned.
"Edmund, are you all right?" Susan asked and before he could respond, Peter was kneeling in front of his throne with concern in his eyes.
"Ed, what's wrong?" he asked, reaching up to place a hand on his brother's arm. "I promise I won't be mad."
"It…" Edmund didn't want to say this. Not with Lucy there, but he had no choice. "It didn't work." The cordial seemed to have healed his injuries, but something was still wrong. "My side. I am sorry, Lucy."
He hated disappointing her- telling her she had failed to heal his pain.
Edmund wanted her to say something in the silence that followed his words, but Lucy only stared down at the floor of the throne room.
"But he said it would work," she muttered to herself. "He said the cordial would-"
"Lucy," Peter turned his attention to her for a moment. "It's all right. We'll figure it out."
She nodded a little and hopped off her throne. For a moment Edmund thought she was going to come over to the others, but she instead ran out of the throne room, leaving through the door next to the row of thrones.
Lucy. He didn't want her to leave, not like this, but Edmund knew it was impossible for him to go after her.
"Peter," Susan nodded in the direction of Lucy's departure. "Please-"
"Of course," he stood and made his way after the youngest, leaving his sister to take over.
Susan came around to the front of Edmund's throne and bent down to his level. After a moment, she gestured for the guards to clear the throne room. Once that had been done, she began by asking when the pain started.
"Um, last night," Edmund didn't know exactly what time, he tried his best. "After we ate. I think."
No, it was before then.
"After the battle," Edmund corrected himself, "…I thought it was a lingering feeling, you know, after Lucy healed me- but it hasn't gone away."
"I know," Susan nodded a bit and rested her hand on his shoulder. "And we'll make it right. Now, is it a sharp pain? Dull?"
"Sometimes sharp, perhaps," he hadn't had much time to think about the exact type of pain. "Then aching."
"For now, I think you should rest in your room," Susan assured him that the daily audiences would continue just fine without him. "Are you able to walk?"
"I-I'm not sure," Edmund said, trying to figure out if the pain in his side would fade any time soon.
"Well then," Susan wrapped an arm around her brother's shoulders and a moment later, scooped him into her arms. She felt him flinch, but once she had a proper hold, made her way out of the throne room. "Now, you are to remain in bed, and I will bring the healers to you. But I must insist that I take a look at your injuries myself as I am unsure what Narnian doctors know of modern medicine."
"Su," Edmund really did not want that. "Please, don't-"
"Fine. Then I will instruct Peter to look you over."
"Agreed," he knew that was his only other option- even if he didn't like it. He honestly hated the idea, but part of him knew that protesting further would make things worse.
When they got to Edmund's room in his quarters of the castle, Susan gently set him down on the canopy bed. She pulled the covers over him and told him to rest while she got Peter.
"I'm sorry," Edmund said as she began to leave, wishing he felt less guilty. "For Lucy, that is. I didn't wish to hurt her feelings."
"I know," Susan told him with a sad smile. "It's not your fault magic here is fickle."
"Thanks, Su."
"Just rest," she ordered and after a moment, left his room to find her other siblings.
A/N: Okay, so I hit the Narnia bottle really, really hard recently and I'm not sorry. (My friend Morgan the Fae will speak to my sudden need for all things Narnia as mentioned in another author's note.) So, welcome to my longer Narnia fic. If you are wondering, this one does tie in with 'Lingering Magic'. Anyway, for those who are wondering why we need another, 'Edmund is cursed' fic, bear with me. I promise this will be a very fun ride. Besides, you can't write a Narnia story without making Edmund suffer, haha. On another note, I really love ALL the headcanons the fandom has for him collectively. So, I am using some of them. Thanks for all your awesome stories that I have greatly enjoyed. Anyway, please buckle up and enjoy.