Metamorphosis || Edmund Pevensie

Chapter 14: Birdy

"Why can't you talk to me?" Edmund asked, agitated.

"You think that I don't want to?"

"That's what it feels like though, Ruvi! All that I know about you is from whatever you tell me. I trust you. I want to trust you, but every information that you have told me has more to it. You give me half answers; half truths. I'm trying my best to open up to you." He crossed his arms across his chest. "I have never talked about myself with anyone like I have with you. But I cannot let myself get hurt if you don't feel the same way."

"Ed...." She wanted to tell him everything. She wanted to talk about whatever had happened to her, about the Witches, about being captured, her nightmares....everything. But she couldn't! How could he look at her the same way he had been after finding out who she was? "I can't tell you."

"Why, Ruvi? Just give me one good reason." He held her arms hesitantly and when she didn't pull back, he moved a loose lock of hair behind her ear. "I don't know what to do feeling this way." 

The space between them was very less and Dhruvika was staring at his lips. Should she tell him? Should she not? She couldn't tell him that she didn't feel the same way because that would be the biggest lie to be told. Besides, he would figure it out and the truth would be out either way.

"I have feelings for you as well." She mumbled.

Edmund took a deep breath before placing his lips on hers. He held her face in his and was very well aware about the quicker pace that his heart took. Dhruvika was dumbstruck but she was enjoying the moment. She couldn't believe that she was kissing Edmund. She had thought about it many times but she always pushed the thought away. And being in that situation, she had no idea what to feel.

"Please just...." he whispered after he pulled away. "Tell me the truth. I will be here for you no matter what."

Both of them had their eyes closed, letting their hearts make their decision for them for once. Their mind could rest for a while from their overthinking burden. "I...." She shook her head and then walked backwards from him. "I want you to know that I haven't been lying to you." She started. "But I am going to take the leap and show you....who I really am."

Edmund stood silent. His mind was on the kiss because it was everything that he had imagined it to be. But whatever that Dhruvika was going to tell him, would it be possible for him to take it in? He was going to be there for her no matter what, but the way she was acting, he had so many theories in his mind. What could she possibly be keeping from him that had her so scared?

She took a deep breath. "Just know that....I am still me." 

She closed her eyes and willed for the metamorphosis to take place and once she felt her bones go hollow, she opened her eyes hesitantly. Edmund was staring at her wide-eyed. His mouth was open but he was still standing in the same place. At least he wasn't running in the opposite direction, she thought.

Robin flew around the room once and saw that he was looking keenly at her. Once she landed in the same place from where she took off, she willed for the reverse change and felt herself grow. Once again, she opened her eyes hesitantly but that time, she found herself staring into Edmund's tunic. He had pulled her into a hug. 

"How long?"

She couldn't believe her ears. He wasn't concerned that she was cursed to be a bird but he was worried about how long she had to keep that truth to herself. "Forever." She broke into tears and sobbed while he caressed her hair.

That was the first time she cried in front of anyone and though Edmund didn't know what to do, he let her cry while trying to comfort her. They sat down together by the fireplace and Dhruvika, for the first time in her life, trusted someone that wasn't Oreius with her story - her real story. She told him about her family and how she had been captured by three Witches, one of them being Jadis. She also told him about the time she had witnessed the Pevensies in Narnia for the first time and how she had escaped the icy prison just as he had become a victim.

"You were here all along?" Edmund couldn't take in the fact that he had never crossed paths with her during his visits to the woods because if he had, he wouldn't have left her alone. They could have spent more time together and maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't be facing Susan's naggings.

"I was the silent spectator. I am the silent spectator. And I am fine with it."

"I'm not." He shook his head. "I want to be there for you, Ruvi. Let me."

"I owe you a lot already, Ed and-"

He rolled his eyes. "You have been my greatest friend and hopefully, we can be more. But please. Let me in." He placed a hand on her cheek.

"Will you? Let me in?"

"Darling, you are already a part of all of my sleepless nights."

"Did you just call me 'darling'?" She asked, squinting her eyes.

"Would you prefer 'Birdy' instead?" He joked and she hit him playfully. "I'm joking!"

"Tree and Birdy." She smiled. "It has a nice ring to it." She admitted. "Oreius gave me the name Dhruvika once I got ahold of my vocal chords. But I was used to being called Robin that I didn't like anyone using my name....until you."

He smiled at her. "Ruvi it is, then." He said. "I understand why you didn't want me to find out how you were commuting now. I had so many bizarre theories about it and I cannot believe that this wasn't one of them."

"What were they?"

"Secret assassin who could climb walls." He started counting. "You had wings - which is close to the truth but not nearly." He told her about his other theories and was glad when she broke out laughing.

"If I was an assassin, I would kill whoever hired me and take the money either way. Win-win."

"I'm glad that you aren't." He revealed. "So, why didn't you want to approach us for help?"

"Because I liked you."