labour

hill

warning: this story contains details of domestic vïolence and emotional trauma, please look after yourself and do not read if any of this may affect you <3

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edmund's pov

I couldn't tell wether the ringing that vibrated my skull was real or a figment of my imagination. It coursed through my veins and rumbled the very surface I stood upon.

The chaos was palpable. The cacophony of metal and chain were to me like listening to your favourite song for the first time. I could tell Peter was enjoying the moment too, as a determined grin sat upon his face, a rare sight for my brother.

There was nothing quite like preparing for a battle, knowing that in a few hours, the evil you are faced with will be no more. Of course there is the nagging anxiety, likely the root cause of the dull ring, the lingering fear that maybe this will be the fight that you lose.

But even to try would be worth it. To possibly save an innocent soul from a life of constant torture. I shan't dwell on Peter's change of heart regarding the situation, for I still feel guilty for what I did. Though it had to be done, I had to.

Regardless, now he felt the same as I, betrayed, deceived, and scared for her.

We were to meet her on the famous Archen hill at dusk, meaning our journey began at dawn. I just hoped she read it.

A blend of nerves and cold nipped at my body, small bumps erupting from my arms. My sword sat firmly on my side, with Rhindon strapped to Pete like an extra limb.

The journey was nothing but long and mindless, time seeming to slow down and consume us entirely, barely a word was spoken and nobody would dare joke. I felt Peter's gaze on me numerous times but my eyes were set upon the road before me, refusing to back down from my decision.

The Archen hill was close. At this point, a silhouette should've been spotted stood proudly atop it, alas there was nothing. No movement, no sound, nothing living.

"She's not there, Ed." Peter spoke definitively.

"She will be."

"Maybe she didn't see the message?"

"She'll be there, Peter!" I desperately tried to disguise my worry as certainty.

Although, as the hill grew larger, no figure could be made out, even as we rode atop the mound. My eyes searched the surroundings frantically, analysing every tree, bush and footprint, maybe she was hiding? Maybe she was just late?

"Well, we can't just sit here all night!"

"Shut up!"

"Edmund?"

That voice.

"Pete, did you hear that?" I whispered over to him.

"Down there, Ed, Look!" I watched his hands as they pointed below us, and finally, a tall female figure stood at the foot of the hill.

"I knew she'd come." I spoke before dismounting my horse and jogging down the land, watching the person's face morph into one of relief as I approached.

"Ed, thank god you're here." Caroline said as she pulled my body into an embrace. I tried to ignore the twist of my stomach at her touch.

"Lune is sick again, they don't expect him to make another week." The way she spoke those words left me feeling that she wasn't surprised by this outcome.

"It's okay, C, we're here now." I said in my most reassuring tone.

"We?" She asked.

As if it was scripted, the Narnian's that stood behind us lit their torches and held their weapons high, creating an amber hue that painted the skies around us like an aura.

At Peter's word, they began to descend the hill, our signal to make our way to the castle and end this.

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