The Queen's Tales

Chapter 17: The Agreement

Caspian needed some time to think, leaving Chloe alone with Edmund who was more than relieved knowing she was alive and well by his side, "You can't scare me like that," he whispered was he held her tightly in his arms.

"Well I wouldn't have had to if your idiot brother wasn't so proud to admit his idea was rubbish," she reminded.

He signed, "Being High King comes with a lot of pressure-"

"Well as Great Protector I've organized assaults and raids to the dozens and never did I ever loose a number of soldiers that high," she muttered. Edmund knew she was right, he also knew something else was bothering her, but he didn't want to push her. He knew that when she wanted to tell him, that she would. There was a small moment of silence before she whispered, "I just don't like being overlooked."

"You're not-?" He started.

She nodded, "I don't like Peter dismissing my idea, and not even apologizing after he was wrong. And ever since I got back it was as though the Narnians looked to me as Queen. Making the decisions and all that, and honestly it felt nice. It felt like I was getting proper recognition, but once Peter came he degraded me and discarded my input!" She vented.

Suddenly, the little velvet box in his pocket felt a hundred pounds heavier. Edmund had been holding onto the engagement ring ever since he found it in the treasury. If he'd proposed way back when....if they'd gotten married when they were adults in Narnia...she'd be a Queen. But he also knew that she didn't need him to be a Queen. She already was one in his eyes.

His hand grazed her chin, slowly lifting her head to look at him, "You're already a queen to me." He told her before planting a soft kiss on her lips.

Chloe's eyes fluttered closed as she returned the kiss. Being there, alone with Edmund was a much needed distraction. They were lost in each other, hands traveling from their hair down their arms and to their waist. For a split second, Chloe had forgotten to control herself, as actual steam was rising from their bodies. Until...a sinister chill shuddered down her spine.

She quickly detached herself from him, sitting up as she didn't recall laying on her back with him on top of her, "What's wrong?" Edmund asked, wondering why she stopped.

Chloe shushed him, looking around the empty room, straining to hear anything. Something was wrong. She felt....cold. Suddenly her eyes widened, "The Witch," she hissed running through the tombs to the stone table with Edmund by her side.

The sight horrified her. In the middle of the room was a wall of ice, signaled with the very wand that she'd thought Edmund had broken during their battle and within the ice stood Jadis. Her hand extended past the ice, reaching for Caspian. Beside him was Nikabrik, a werewolf and a hag. They wanted to bring back the White Witch.

Peter and Trumpkin, who had seen the look on Chloe's face when they ran past, followed them in and shouted, "Stop!" When he too saw the situation.

The boys all unsheathed their swords; Trumpkin and Nikabrik crossing blades while Peter handled the hag and Edmund handled the werewolf with Chloe.

Lucy had tried to help Trumpkin, but Nikabrik twisted her dagger from her hand. With his back turned to him, Trumpkin stabbed the traitor in the back. The werewolf flipped Edmund over his shoulder but with a scorching fireball thrown by Chloe, he was dropped instantaneously. Peter had killed the hag and meanwhile, Caspian appeared to be in some sort of trance, holding his hand out and slowly moving toward Jadis who was coaxing him closer.

"Caspian no!" Chloe screamed as Edmund slashed the werewolf's face, killing it.

Suddenly, Peter shoved Caspian out of the circle, brandishing his sword at Jadis, "Get away from him!"