The Just and the Wise

Chapter 9

Edmund's POV

We make it back onto the ship, and I immediately take Y/n back to our room. I shut the door and pull Y/n into the strongest and most intense hug I have ever given her. Her usually sturdy frame is weak against me, and she makes herself very small as she presses into my body. 

"Y/n, I am so sorry, my love," I hold her tightly against me and feel her loosen her muscles completely as she collapses into my chest.

I pick her up in both of my arms, move back onto the bed, and sit down. She leans her head against my shoulder and breaths heavily, her hands gripping my shirt tightly.

"Love, are you ok?" I stroke her hair with one hand and hold her against me with the other. "What happened?"

Y/n starts crying in my arms, and she shakes and pulls me closer to her. I hold her as tightly as I possibly can and just let her fall apart. Y/n has only ever completely broken down in front of me a couple of times, this being one of them. She's strong, and she is unusually brave. Not much shakes Y/n, but this is different. I let her cry until she can't anymore, and when she relaxes a little, I move us to where we're both lying down on the bed. I help her undress and get into more comfortable clothing, and once she's in bed I do the same.

"Edmund?" Her voice sounds weak and shaky, a stark contrast to her usual confidence and determination.

"Yes, what is it?" I say softly, moving over to her side of the bed and putting my hand gently on her cheek.

"I had a bad day," she mumbles, starting to fall asleep, "and this man, he was touching me and throwing me around like a doll. It felt...awful."

I feel rage surging in my chest, but I keep myself relaxed so I don't interrupt Y/n or wake her from the sleep she's slipping into.

"I was scared," she sighs heavily and lets her head fall deeper into her pillow. "I don't get scared, but...I was scared today."

"I know, love," I rub my thumb in circles over her face. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you today, but thank you for protecting Lucy. You did everything you could, and I promise you won't leave my side again. Ok?"

"Ok," Y/n mumbles, "I'd like that."

I lean down and kiss her forehead, and I can tell from her breathing that she fell asleep. I get into bed next to her, and I lay in bed for hours thinking about how I let her and Lucy down today. I'm supposed to protect them, and I couldn't. Eustace, too, I suppose, but he seemed better off than the two of them.

Lucy.

I get up quietly, making sure not to wake Y/n from her sleep. I throw on a shirt and walk to my little sister's room. I lightly knock on her door, and I wait a few seconds with no answer.

Maybe she's asleep.

I turn to walk away, but the door squeaks open behind me.

"Ed?" A sleepy, quiet voice asks.

"Lu, how are you?" I ask her, hugging her tightly.

"I'm...ok," she says, carefully thinking over her answer.

"You don't have to pretend," I tell her. "Y/n said a man touched her; did anyone..."

I trail off, unable to finish the thought.

"No, no nobody wanted me," she said, "they said I was too ugly for that."

"Thank goodness," I say before realizing my words. "Lucy, you're not ugly at all. You're safe, and that's all that matters."

"I know," she sighs, pushing her hair behind her ear, "It still hurt to hear them say, though."

"Of course it did, but they're terrible people. What they say doesn't matter," I try to comfort her.

"Thanks," she says with a small smile, shifting her weight between her feet, "I should get to bed now. I didn't sleep last night."

"Goodnight, Lu," I hug her one last time and kiss her forehead, walk away from her door.

I walk back into my cabin and see Y/n is still asleep. I lightly slide into bed next to her and pull her tightly against me, as though my holding her can keep her safe from anything and everything. Eventually, I fall asleep as the Dawn Treader gently rocks us, and Y/n sleeps safely in my arms.