A Wardrobe to Another World

Chapter 18 - Rescue

⟢Edmund's POV⟣

The walk to where I am now in the Witch's camp was torture and I can still feel the pain in my legs from it. The moment we got here the witch threw me against this tree and tied me here. Her stupid dwarf just has to be the one guarding me. I swear this tree has to be the most painful one in this whole camp. I can feel the bark digging into my back and groan in pain though it's muffled by the gag The Witch tied on me. "... little prince quite comfortable? Does he want his pillow fluffed?" That annoying dwarf is back, this time stuffing his stinky scarf in my face and tormenting me with words. I try to keep him in my line of sight as he walks around the tree. "Special treatment for the special boy!" He appears on my other side and sticks his face in mine. His breath stinks even more than his scarf. "Is that what you wanted?" The dwarf continues to taunt me but I start to zone out thinking about my siblings and Hazel.

I zone back in quickly at feeling the dwarf press a dagger to my throat. Before he can do anything there is a commotion to the side and a bunch more creatures enter the camp weapons drawn. They make quick work of those around me. One grabs the dwarf by the collar stilling his movements with a knife to the back. A tall half man, half horse creature approaches me and I push myself further into the tree, feeling the bark breaking through the fabrics of my shirt and jumper. "Don't worry, your majesty. We're here to help you and return you to your siblings." The half horse states. I relax at the bit about returning me to my siblings. "May I use this dagger to cut the ropes and remove the gag?" The half horse asked. I nod slightly watching the knife closely. He cuts the ropes and my gag quickly without harming me. "The Witch will be on her way by now, Oreius. What should we do with this one?" A half goat man asks the half horse who I'm guessing is called Oreius, gesturing at the dwarf. I just see Oreius open his mouth to answer when everything goes black.

⟢Oreius' POV⟣

I'm just about to answer Elias when the boy passes out. I pull him away from the tree and into my arms to carry back to camp. "Tie him to the tree and make it quick. We don't want to get caught by The Witch." I answer Elias. The others quickly tie the dwarf to the tree and we head back to camp as fast as we can.

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We arrive at camp about an hour or so later. Entering camp I immediately head to the healers knowing that the Son of Adam needs medical attention and fast. I enter the head healer's tent to see Hazel sitting there, the head healer wrapping a bandage around her ankle. I shoot her a quick confused look to which she replies with an 'I'll tell you later' look. "Who's this boy and what happened to him?" The healer questions me, handing Hazel the bandage to finish wrapping her ankle herself. "This is Edmund, Son of Adam. He was captured by The Witch. Could you check if he's okay? I think Aslan would like to speak with him when he wakes." I give her all the information I know before being dismissed from the tent. I decide to go tell Aslan that we're back and the state of the Son of Adam.

⟢Hazel's POV⟣

I watch Oreius leave the tent before standing up to test out my bandage. It feels right so I head over to Emmaline, the head healer. "That ankle should be resting, Hazel." Wow, what a classic healer way to greet me. "I know. But I also know that you might need some help and waking others is a bad idea." I reply. She nods her head in defeat before sending me to go and collect some supplies for her.

Once Ed is healed as best we can I go to leave the tent. "Actually I think it might be better if you stayed." Emmaline stops me. I give her a confused glance. "Chances are he is going to panic when he wakes up. Seeing a familiar face will help calm him and help him adjust to his change of surroundings." I walk over to Ed's bed pulling up a chair and holding his hand. "You go get some sleep, I know what to do when he wakes." I order Emmaline. She walks over and slides an arm around my shoulders giving me a slight squeeze, her wings tickling my arm. "I missed you." She mumbles. "I missed you too. Now go get some sleep." I whisper back affectionately pushing her towards the tent opening. "I'm going. I'm going." She says leaving the tent. I sigh a little once she's gone and pull over a chair to rest my ankle on. "It's all going to be alright." I whisper to Ed, grabbing his hand again.

❀ ❀ ❀

I wake up to a squeeze of my hand. I look up to see Edmund awake and looking around his whole demeanor tense. "Hey Edmund. How are you feeling?" I whisper. His eyes shoot to me and I place a kind smile on my face. "Better than the past few days but not as good as I have been." His tense demeanor lessens as he speaks. "Understandable. Do you think you can stand? Aslan wants to speak with you." I ask, getting a glass of water. "Yeah" he mumbles, lifting the blanket off him. He swings his feet off the bed and tries to stand. I catch him when he wobbles a little. "Careful. You're doing a great job though." I guide him to regain his balance, kind of surprised he can do this after being stuck with The Witch for about two days. I grab his elbows once he's fully standing, placing the glass on the bedside table and guide him through the first few steps before letting him try it on his own. He walks around the tent once before sitting in one of the chairs beside the bed. I take the other, noticing the serious look coming over his face and give him the glass. "Are the others okay?" He asks the question that has been hanging over our heads since we both woke up. "Yes, they are. They're probably sleeping or at least in their tents right now. Drink, you need it." I reply, watching as his face practically melts in relief.

"We should probably get you to Aslan." I whisper once the message has sunk in and he's finished the glass of water. He nods his head and stands swaying a little but less than last time. I take his hand and lead him through camp to Aslan's tent, ready to catch him if need be.

When we reach Aslan's tent the Great Lion himself comes out. Edmund and I both bow to the best of our ability considering Ed was shying away towards me. "Welcome Edmund, Son of Adam." Aslan greets Edmund. I go to step back and leave but Edmund tightens his grip on my hand, Aslan nods his head. "Join me when you're ready." He requests before heading to the base of a small rise near camp.

Edmund turns to me. "Is he mad?" He mumbles. "I don't think so. He just wants to hear your side of the story and make sure you're okay. He'll probably give you some great life advice too." Once I'm finished talking Edmund nods, steeling himself. He turns around upon realizing I'm not following. "You're not coming?" "No, this should be between you and Aslan only unless you decide to share, Edmund." I reply. "Call me Ed please." I watch them up the hill making sure Ed doesn't get hurt. Once they're at the top I turn and head back to my tent. I can't believe I'm still in this dress from yesterday.

 - 1358 words