Chronicles of Narnia

Edmund Healed

"And that's how the wardrobe was made," The professor finished and the Pevinsees were amazed by the story of his time in Narnia.
"So you were there at the beginning?"
"The very start."
"Wow."
"That's amazing."
"It's just a shame that Edmund wasn't really listening!" Peter called to Edmund, who was lying on his side by the fire. Halfway through the story, he had found a blanket and lay by the fire. He had been very cold.

First the Pevensies has told their story of becoming Kings and Queens of Narnia to the professor, then he had told them his own.

The cold had never left Edmund and since they had come back from Narnia, and he felt colder than ever before. Dizzy and tired, Edmund had fallen asleep, unaware of the danger that he was in.
"Ed!"
"Edmund!" Peter and Susan called.
"Are you asleep?" Lucy shouted.
"He better not be."
"Well, it's a warm fire and perhaps he is having a long night."
"Perhaps."
"Come on Edmund," Susan said as she stood up and went over to him. "Wake up."
"Is he asleep?"
"I think so."
"I'm going to kill him."
"I'm going to use the toilet. Can you remind me where it is professor?"
"2nd floor, 3rd door on the left."
"Thank you," Susan said before she left.
"Come on Ed. Get up. I can't believe that you fell asleep," Peter said as he went to his brother impatiently and the professor chuckled.
"Your family can be amusing."
"More like annoying," Lucy told him.
"Ed," Peter said as he knelt down and turned Edmund towards him. "Edmund."
"Is he asleep?"
"He is or he is pretending to be. Wake up Ed."
"Edmund!" Lucy shouted, but Edmund didn't move.
"Edmund. Ed!" Peter called before he touched Edmund's bare skin and he became worried. "Edmund?"
"Is something wrong?" The professor asked, seeing Peter's worry.
"He's cold. Freezing cold. Ed. Ed, wake up," Peter said as he gently shook his brother. The professor came over and so did Lucy.
"Is he alright?"
"He is very cold."
"Why isn't he waking up Peter?"
"I don't know. Professor?" Peter asked as the professor took Edmund's pulse.
"He's alive, which is a good start."
"Edmund's been cold for a long time."
"What do you mean Lucy?"
"Ever since the White Witch stabbed him, he's complained of feeling cold and he's been wrapped up in furs."
"Is Edmund still asleep? Peter, what's going on?" Susan asked as she returned and saw that everyone was worried.
"He's really cold and he isn't waking up."
"What?"
"Since the White Witch stabbed him?"
"Yes. But that was many years ago. For us at least," Lucy told the professor.
"The White Witch's dark magic can only truly be reversed by Aslan."
"What are you saying?" Peter asked as all their attention turned to the professor. "Lucy used the healing cordial and Edmund's been fine."
"He hasn't Peter," Susan said as she knelt down as well. "He's been suffering from a bitter cold for years."
"I don't know what you girls are on about. Edmund's been fine, helping me to run the kingdom."
"Peter..."
"Either way, Edmund is unconscious and we are unable to awake him."
"Yes."
"We need Aslan's help."
"Aslan is in Narnia."
"He here is also here. But in this world he his known under a different name. Lucy, can you gather some blankets, Susan, stoke the fire, and Peter, make Edmund comfortable."
"Ok," They agreed and set about their tasks as the professor went to fetch something.

~

"What are those?" Peter asked as all the siblings were gathered around Edmund and the professor was holding what appeared to be a necklace.
"These are prayer beads."
"Like the ones you use in church?"
"The church of Aslan, yes."
"Can they help Edmund?"
"I hope so," The professor said before he closed his eyes. "Aslan. Jadis is long dead, but her magic lives on. King Edmund was injured by her staff, and the cold has seeped into his bones. Many years he has suffered, and he needs your help. You alone can take the cold out of him. Hear my plea Aslan," The professor finished and Peter looked at him.
"You called Edmund a King."
"Once a king of Narnia, always a king of Narnia."
"What do we do now?"
"We wait. Aslan should heal Edmund, but we will only know in time."
"Will he get worse?"
"There is no telling how the Witch's cold will progress now that he is outside of Narnia."

The night was long and the Pevensie children took turns tending to Edmund. Hours passed, but he did not wake.
"Come on Ed," Peter said as he was looking after his brother.
"Any change?" Susan asked as she came in.
"No. He's still unconscious."
"Any improvement in his temperature?"
"A little," Peter said and Edmund took a breath in.
"Edmund?"
"He's been doing that for a few minutes now," Peter told Susan and Edmund relaxed.
"Oh."
"I wish we could more to help him."
"So do I."
"I'm scared that he might never wake up."
"Trust Aslan. He will heal Edmund."
"How can you be sure?"
"The White Witch failed to kill Edmund once."
"But it was Lucy's cordial that healed him then."
"And Aslan turned people back from stone. He will help Edmund Peter."
"I hope that you're right."

~

Slowly, Edmund started to come to. He was warm and safe, but then he suddenly felt cold. Ice pieced at his heart, and pain overtook him. He gasped and winced in great pain, before it was gone. Then, he heard voices.
"What was that?"
"I don't know."
"Edmund. Is he alright?" Lucy's voice was clear and gentle. Fingers moved at his neck and he felt Peter's hair on his face.
"He seems to be," Peter said after a moment. What was going on? "He's warmer as well."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Ed?"
"Edmund, can you hear us?"
"You're safe. It's Peter and Lucy."
"We're here," Lucy said and Edmund wanted to talk to them. He moved his fingers and Lucy noticed. "He's awake. Peter, his fingers moved!"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Edmund, move your fingers again," Peter said and Edmund did so. "Get Susan," Peter said and Edmund heard Lucy leave. "I'm here Ed. You've been unconscious for a few hours, but you're safe. We're back in England, in the professor's house."
"Pete..." Edmund whispered.
"I'm here," Peter said as he took Edmund's hand. "I'm right here Ed."
"Peter?" Susan asked as she came over.
"He's waking up."
"Edmund. Are you alright? Peter, Lucy said that there was a rushing wind."
"There was, around Edmund."
"Was it Aslan?"
"I think so. Edmund's warmer than he was."
"Hi," Edmund said as he opened his eyes and his siblings gathered around him.
"How are you feeling?" Susan asked gently.
"Tired."
"Are you cold?"
"No I'm... I'm warm."
"It must have been Aslan."
"What happened?"
"We'll tell you later on."
"You've been unconscious for quite a few hours."
"The professor's story..."
"We can catch you up on that later on."
"Why are you all worried? What happened?"
"You got cold Edmund."
"Very cold."
"You must have got hypothermia."
"The professor called to Aslan, and he healed you."
"Healed me from what?"
"Remains of the White Witch's power. You've been cold all these years because of her magic."
"Oh."
"Take it easy Ed. Are you hungry?"
"Hungry and thirsty."
"Ok. Stay here," Susan said before she left them.
"Argh," Edmund groaned as he started to sit up.
"Here," Peter said, and both he and Lucy gave him a hand.
"Is that ok?"
"It is. Thanks..."
"There you are, looking better already," The professor said with a smile as he came in. "Susan told me that you have woken up."
"I have. You called to Aslan for me?"
"I prayed to him."
"Like our mum does in church?"
"Yes. You will understand in time. But first, I hear there was a rushing wind?"
"There was."
"It was strong, and sudden. Centred around Edmund."
"Moments later, Edmund started to wake up."
"I see. It could well have been the Holy Spirit."
"You said that Aslan would heal him."
"I did, and I believe he has."
"But how..."
"I've got you some water and a sandwich Edmund," Susan said as she came back in.
"Thank you," Edmund said as she handed him the water.
"Slowly Ed," Peter said, and he gave his brother a hand to drink it.
"You're warm," The professor said as he touched Edmund's arm.
"I don't feel cold," Edmund told him.
"Then Aslan has done his work. You are free of Jadis."
"Jadis?"
"The White Witch."
"She has a name?"
"Everyone has a name."
"Eat."
"Thanks Susan," Edmund said before he eat the sandwich.
"How do you feel now?"
"I feel better than I have done in years."
"That is a great relief."
"I'm sorry that I didn't take your cold seriously Ed."
"Don't worry. I didn't take it seriously either Peter."
"I should have done more to help you."
"It's been sorted now," Susan told her brothers.
"What do you want to do Ed?"
"Hide and seek?" Edmund suggested and everyone smiled.
"Ok. Off you go and I'll search. 1, 2, 3..." The professor started counting and the Pevensies rushed off.
"No hiding in Narnia Lucy."
"Would I?" Lucy called as they left the room.

For the rest of the day, the Pevensies stayed together before eating dinner with the professor. Edmund went to bed early, and at 10pm Peter opened his door.
"Peter?" Edmund asked sleepily.
"I don't think you should sleep alone Ed. We're all still worried about you."
"Alright. But no funny stuff..."
"No funny stuff," Peter said before he got into the other side of Edmund's bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired. But otherwise I'm alright."
"Good. Get some rest," Peter said, and they both fell asleep.