After the End (Narnia)

Chapter XIV - Fingerprints of Evil

The castle had become the epicentre of chaos, even as cool-headed Eustace commanded the operation of locking the castle. Footsteps echoed around the building as the Narnians ran up stairs and through corridors to close windows and find their families. Dark clouds had settled on the castle. Eustace and Jill looked at each other as they directed the frazzled Narnians. They had known evil, and it was evident here in every breath of oxygen they took. Susan and Lucy were shaking as they clung to each other in the stairwell. Their brother had been lost to them too many times already. The castle had become cold as the clouds closed in, and blankets were fetched as the Narnians completed the arduous but urgent task of making the castle secure.

Diggory and Polly sat in the library together, researching types of dark magic. They themselves had known a few types during their times in Narnia, but any little clue to Edmund's predicament, and addition to their knowledge, would be incredibly useful. The automatic lamps in the room illuminated as the light disappeared in Narnia. Polly was searching the shelves for useful books as Diggory read and summarised the useful information. We're still a great team after all this time, Polly thought, smiling slightly. There was always good in the world, no matter what evil lurked in dark corners.

Peter and Caspian had moved Edmund to the shelter of the parlour. The double doors had opened for them and them alone since the castle had moved into lockdown. Caspian struggled with the helmet as Peter laid his brother down on one of the chaises spread out in the spacious room. Finally, the safety catch gave way and the helmet split into two, revealing an unconscious Edmund. Caspian quickly opened a window and tossed the parts of the helmet outside, not wanting any dark magic to stay inside the castle.

Peter examined the red ring around his brother's neck while Caspian checked Edmund's pulse. The mark seemed to cut deep into Edmund's pale flesh. Suddenly Caspian cried out. "He's alive! His pulse is slow, but he's alive!" Tears gathered in both men's eyes as they hugged each other in a sudden moment of joy. The two carried the still boy up to the men's wing of the castle. The others didn't need to see him like this.

Now their only question was whether Edmund would wake up.

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The news spread throughout the castle like wildfire - Edmund Pevensie was alive, but unconscious. The Friends of Narnia and Susan were beyond worried. Here is Aslan's Country there was said to be no sickness or death, but how the influence of dark magic effected the lore of the land was entirely unknown. All they could do was watch, and pray.

Susan, Lucy, Polly and Jill soon planned to visit Edmund's room and make sure he was cared for. "I think I know Peter and Caspian," Susan joked with a sad smile. "They probably just dumped him into bed!"

The women were preparing numerous items to take to the other side of the castle when Harriet piped up. "Can I come too?" her voice was small as she made her request. "I know I haven't known him long at all in real life, but I really do care about him."

Susan smiled at the younger girl, remembering when she, too, had felt that way about Caspian. "Feel free to. Carry some of this, will you?" she said, handing Harriet a basket of first aid supplies. Harriet accepted them with an internal sigh of relief.

The walk to the men's wing seemed to last days, but finally Edmund's blue door gleamed into view like a beacon. It was strange how everything seemed almost normal. The sound of Eustace and Cor playing cards loudly floated down the hall, and all the portraits on the walls were exactly as they usually were. However, upon entering Edmund's room it was clear that something had changed. Edmund's usual wit and joy had been consumed in a matter of minutes by dark magic.

The black-haired boy looked so small in the large four-poster bed, the thick tapestry-like blanket covering his form. He usually looks small, Lucy thought. But he looks so sickly. Steady breaths from the bed's occupant cleared up one thing at least - he was still alive. Susan quickly peered under the bedsheets to make sure Edmund had been changed out of his tunic, before inspecting the wound on her brother's shoulder, which had been forgotten about in the helmet incident. "Get some water, will you Lucy?" Susan delegated. Lucy rushed to the washstand to fulfil Susan's wish. Susan gently washed the wound, motioning for some of the medicinal herbs in one of the baskets.

The women worked silently under Susan's command, making sure the room was equipped to alarm them if Edmund woke up. Finally, the work was finished, and they sat staring dumbly at the sleeping boy. Slowly, Lucy began to sing a familiar hymn, her sweet voice filling the silent room.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul...

The song floated around the room, filling its occupants with hope. Soon the song increased in volume, and nearby Narnians joined the chorus. A song of hope and of life was declared in that dead room. They now knew surely that Edmund would wake up.

The women began to file out of the room as the song died down, the tune coming to a peaceful end. Harriet lingered, hesitating before pressing a kiss to Edmund's forehead. She scurried out of the room, embarrassed that she would do such a silly thing. Caspian smiled as she ran past him to catch up with the others. The thought ticked in his mind: Edmund and Harriet, how interesting.

Harriet returned to her newly appointed chamber with a reddened face. She didn't think she had ever been so bold in her life! Hopefully he would wake up and not remember the kiss. Settling down, she bowed her head and whispered a prayer to Aslan. He had never let her down, and he wasn't going to now.

Edmund swum in a dreamland, mind foggy and full of strange images from other realms. And then, an angel from the future kissing his forehead. Edmund smiled in his sleep.

[Author's Note]

Hey Readers!
Sorry it's been a while - the first two weeks of school have been pretty hectic. I'm still trying to fit writing into my schedule but I'll try and update as much as possible. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,
The Author