The Golden Age of the Pevensies

Repaid(Part 2)

Part 2

'It's a sort of tradition here for the kings to mark their own territories after winning wars. Since Aslan's Camp was in the East, we have that area covered. The Northern and Southern parts have also been taken care of. It's the West we've got to claim, Ed. And decide the boundaries.'

'Only the two of us? That sounds fun!'

'Meanwhile, I can do the rounds around the Kingdom! Thank you, Su!' Lucy exclaimed, hugging her elder sister.

Susan returned the hug with a smile before turning to her brothers.

'Do be careful, both of you. You are not allowed to explore the Woods or take matters into your own hands if danger strikes. Peter, don't try to take any short cut, just stick to the map Orious has given you. Ed, if I hear you were up to any mischief, I will make sure you do not get your duelling practice with the centaurs for a month,' she scolded. Both Peter and Edmund wore scowls on their faces, but neither tried to stop Susan's motherly behaviour - they missed home, even in the midst of their tremendous responsibilities as Kings now.

'They are far too dangerous for you, anyway. They are seasoned swordsmen and you've only just begun,' she muttered under her breath.

The next day, Peter and Edmund set off for the West at about ten in the morning, with provisions for food and water to last them for four days. They hoped to return by dinnertime on the third day, but Susan had insisted on taking the extra ration.

'Susan, you suppose they will be alright?' asked a worried Lucy as she saw her brothers ride away from the castle. 'Her supporters fled to the West...'

'Of course, Lu. Peter's the High King, remember? And Edmund also has the responsibilities of an entire kingdom on his shoulders. That's because everyone believes in them- the Narnians do, we do and...Aslan does. Nobody can harm our brothers.'

Susan had gone down on her knees and pulled Lucy into a bone-crushing hug. Lucy was smiling now, and she said, 'Especially not when we've got you to deal with them, and most of the complicated business in the Kingdom, along with Peter. You are the best Queen in the history of the World, Su!'

Edmund and Peter raced to the Western Woods and being the older and stronger of the two, Peter finished first. He was joined by Edmund at his side merely five seconds later. They entered the familiar forest, where all their adventures had first begun and navigated their way through the thick foliage. It seemed so completely different from the last time that both almost thought they had taken a wrong turn. Gone were the white-topped trees, still and lifeless. Gone were the little icicles hanging down from the leaves of coniferous trees, the white cloth covering the Woods had been lifted. The forest was a merry picture now, with flowers dotting the branches of every tree, the wind playing with the dryads and nymphs, every creature bending low to welcome their Kings. They met rabbits and squirrels, visited the dear old Beavers in Beaver's Dam, met the Badger, and though Mr Tumnus was back at Cair with Lucy, the young Kings thought it would be lovely if he came home to find his house just the way it had been when he had first treated Lucy to tea. And of course, the Badger and the Beavers helped them clean up the mess the Witch's secret "police" had made. All this was done on the first day. The next morning, the Kings set out early, wanting to finish their business quickly and go back home to Cair Paravel. They reached the lamppost. As Edmund paced up and down in front of it, everything came rushing back to his memory- not that he had ever forgotten, or could ever forget, though; and shuddered. This was the place where he had first met Her, joined Her side, betrayed his siblings-and he dreaded it, every single move he'd made afterwards, out of sheer jealousy, selfishness, and greed. Well, maybe insecurity too... but Peter and Susan had always tried to protect him. He was the one who hadn't let them. It brought back memories of the Witch's dungeons, her camp and her threateningly sweet fake smile that Edmund had always feared. He pushed all these unpleasant thoughts out of his mind when he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. He was the Duke of the Lantern Waste, if anybody dared walk these Woods in a kingly fashion anymore, it would be he, and Peter, Susan, and Lucy, not the White Witch.

'You alright, Ed?'

'Yes, just got a little carried away.'

'I know, but it's all over now, isn't it? Its spring again, and all of Narnia is happy and alive once more. Thanks to you.'

'Not me, to all of us,' Edmund smiled. And they continued their journey till the very end of the Western Woods. There was a little clearing all around at the end, and then the Woods stretched further. Both Peter and Edmund felt that the territory of Narnia should be till the clearing, beyond that would lie the rocky terrain of the West, filled with undergrowth and very possibly, unknown and unheard dangers. The young Kings would have loved to ride through the forests beyond, but Susan's warning voice played in their minds and neither mentioned anything about undertaking the adventure to the other because both felt quite sure that Susan would keep her promise if she got to know about any expeditions...or even their wish to go on an expedition! So, they marked the Narnian territory, rode halfway back the path they had covered that morning, set up their tent and decided to call it a day.