Metamorphosis || Edmund Pevensie

No Way

Robin walked towards the castle stables with the reins of her horse in her hand. She was thinking about what it could have been that Oreius and Edmund talked to each other about. She let both the worlds collide and was now facing the consequences. When she entered the stables, she found a familiar tousled head brushing the mane of his horse, Philip. 

"Good afternoon." She greeted him with a smile.

A huge smile spread across his face. "Good afternoon." He walked over to where she stood and kissed her. "How was the ride out?"

"It was wonderful. Just what I needed." She whispered. "Good afternoon, Philip." She waved at him.

"Afternoon, Robin." He bowed his head at her in reply.

"Here." She threw something at him, which he caught promptly.

"How...." 

"You told me that they were your favourites. How could I leave them behind?" Robin had brought him his favourite type of oranges from the woods. She had to request a dryad to help her out but it was all worth it.

"Edmund!" A voice interrupted them. It was none other than the Soft Queen herself. She was gasping for air. "Susan....party....run.....save you....leave."

"Lu, are you alright?" He asked, moving towards her. But it was too late.

"Ah, there you are!" The three heard the voice of Susan Pevensie, who marched down the hill to meet them. "Okay, so all three of you are here. Thank you for making my life easier."

"What's happening?" Robin asked.

"I need all of your help."

"With what?" He asked. His sister was asking for help? Something was definitely up.

"With the Annual Ball, of course!"

Edmund turned to look at his younger sister and realised that she had been trying to warn them to leave just as they were. "And I came to tell you about that." Lucy told him.

"I think I'll spend some time with Oreius' daughters on that night then. They've been wanting me to visit them." Robin suggested.

"Aren't you going to attend?" Susan asked. "The orders I've sent include you as well."

"Me? No no no no way." Robin knew that she was a part of a bigger joke.

"I've already placed orders for our dresses." There was no denying Susan anything.

"But-"

"Come on, Robin." Edmund nudged her left arm with his elbow. "It would be fun." He couldn't lose another opportunity to dance with her, now could he? He had to put that teaching to some use and he was hoping that Robin would be his partner.

"But-"

"We could steal the cake just like you suggested." Lucy suggested.

"You will do no such thing!" Susan gasped. "I'm not even two sentences in and you are already talking about how to-"

"Shall we start with the helping then?" He interrupted her, receiving 'the stare' from his sister.

"Fine." She shook her head at her sibling's and handed them a couple of receipts. "I need all of you to try out your dresses, which you will find at Masha and Rhae's. If there are any alterations - there shouldn't be - but if there are, you have the receipt with you. Get it done."

"We'll go in the eveni-"

"Now, Ed."

"Dress?" Robin asked, scared of the possibility that she would definitely trip. She had seen Lucy and Susan's traditional ball gowns, which were entirely different from the ones that she was used to wearing. 

"Why, yes of course!" Susan exclaimed. "I have made it just to everyone's preferences. The Ball has to make everyone have the best time. We cannot let any Witch take away what it is to be in Narnia."

"I do get that but," Robin started. "I'm not used to wearing them. What if I fall?"

"Oh, you'll be fine! You will love it. Trust me." She assured her. "There are people coming into the castle with the royal arrangements, so I suggest that you use these exits to move about. You won't be disturbed and the guardsmen will provide you with company and protection. And for your love of Turkish Delight," She pointed to Ed. "Do not try to find the fireworks."

His eyes lit up. "There are fireworks?"

"Go!"

The entire day was spent in the celebrations. The castle was brightly lit and the floors were polished and repolished for Susan's satisfaction. The chandeliers were wiped clean and the dust-gathered paintings were replaced with new ones from the treasury. She had the help of a planner from town; the best one in all of Narnia, who guided her in certain flower arrangements and the placements for the dinner. She was forever grateful to him as things had gotten out of hand the previous year.

Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Robin made their way into town to meet the Royal Tailors. Lucy and Robin tried their dresses on in the shop across the street from the brothers. The two shops were run by a husband and a wife and they had their shops in such a manner so that they could work and yet make time for each other. The two found the story very heartwarming.

The brothers on the other side of the street were worried about Susan's anxiety. They knew that she could work too hard sometimes and let herself get the better of her health. They decided to check up on her before they went to bed. 

Peter remembered a time before Narnia where Susan was scared for a test and she had an anxiety attack. He had found her in tears and helped her to calm down. They never talked about it again because she didn't let anything else get to her. But that was one point in their lives that they were always grateful to each other for.

It must be true when people say that the greatest gift that a parent could give a child was a sibling, for they are the biggest part of their lives.

The four did not realise that they were given the easy part of the plan for the Ball because when they returned to the castle in the evening, they found a strange sight waiting for them. Everything was different from what it was when they left. 

They found Susan in the dining room, drinking tea while reading a book. She greeted them with a smile. "How were the outfits?"

"Absolutely beautiful!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Thank you for the details on mine." Robin said. "The dress is gorgeous!"

"Of course." Susan nodded. "I had seen a painting from the Platinum Age and I thought you might like one for yourself. It was my pleasure."

"What do you mean?" Edmund asked and immediately regretted it, for his siblings turned to look at him, amused by his sudden interest.

"You'll see." Lucy teased him, making Robin blush.

"How about you join us for a cuppa?" Susan beckoned to the table and everyone sat down without having to be told twice. It was going to be a magical time, for circumstances were going to change soon.