𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 || Edmund Pevensie

XIII

"Turn your wounds into wisdom."
-Oprah Winfrey

Narnia, 1000

Edmund was soon dressed in Narnian clothes like the others. When he got out of his tent (after a perfect nap), Olivia was at the breakfast table with his siblings.

The boy sat on a cushion and stuffed himself with toast and eggs. Edmund didn't remember missing food so much; he had only realised he was famished when he saw that generous amount of food on the table.

Edmund filled his plate with toast and grapes and ate so much that Lucy called his attention: "Narnia's not going to run out of toast, Ed." She told her sibling. The boy chuckled but still kept eating.

"I'm sure they'll pack something up for the journey home." Peter replied, making the four children look over their shoulders. Instead of sitting on the table, Peter was leaning against the rocks in the back.

"We're going home?" Susan asked.

"You are." Peter replied, standing from the rocks and heading towards the table, a silver cup in his hands. "I promised Mum I'd keep you three safe. And I am sure your grandfather misses you, Olivia. But that doesn't mean I can't stay behind and help." Peter sipped his drink and sat down at the table.

"But they need us." Lucy told her brother sadly. "All five of us."

"Lucy, it's too dangerous. You almost drowned! Edmund was almost killed!"

"Which is why we have to stay." Edmund said, averting his gaze from the ground. His eyes scanned everyone at the table until they landed on Peter. "I've seen what the white witch can do. And I've helped her do it. We can't leave these people behind to suffer for it."

Peter had never felt so proud of his brother. He recognised his mistake, and he wanted to fix it. He and Susan shared a proud look, and Lucy grabbed her brother's hand. Edmund looked at Olivia timidly, who nodded in approval.

"I suppose that's it then." Susan stood up from the table and grabbed her bow and quiver.

"Where are you going?" Peter asked his sister.

"To get in some practice."

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As Susan and Lucy headed for the targets, Olivia and the boys went for the stables, where they mounted up horses (and Peter, a unicorn) and headed for the training field. Weapons unsheathed and belts firmly wrapped around their waists, the three betted a race.

Edmund was in the lead, with Olivia right behind him. "You're a natural, Ed!" She exclaimed, trying to near him. The boy stopped when they reached the field, and Olivia was about to congratulate him when Peter came up and clashed his sword with Edmund's.

"Come on, Ed! Sword pointed up, just like Oreius showed us!" The two initiated a duel, and Olivia rolled her eyes.

"En garde!" Edmund exclaimed excitedly.

"Now block!" Peter commanded, and his brother obeyed.

The girl headed for the hills behind Lucy and Susan, far away from the targets. "Watch out!" Olivia yelled at Lucy and Susan, who ducked their heads. She threw her spear at one of the targets while the horse was moving, hitting the bullseye.

The girl galloped for the target, grabbed her spear, and sheathed it back in her saddle. Susan was about to congratulate Olivia when Mr Beaver came running into the field.

"Edmund! Peter!" Mr Beaver called, and the horse Edmund was riding on neighed and stood on both his paws, making Edmund almost fall on the grass.

"Whoa, horsie!" Edmund exclaimed, holding on to the reigns.

"My name is Phillip." The horse replied, making Edmund widen his eyes.

"Oh, sorry." Edmund stammered, brushing the back of his neck. I'm never going to get used to this, he thought.

Peter approached his brother, and they stood side-by-side. "The witch has demanded a meeting with Aslan!" Mr Beaver exclaimed. "She's on her way here!"

"Right now?" Olivia asked, riding nearer the Beaver.

"Yes! Right now!"

━ ◦ ❖ ◦━

The five children joined the Narnians just in time to see the white witch enter Aslan's domain. While the Pevensies dismounted their horses, Olivia did not. She and Oreius stood on Aslan's side, conforming to his request. Oreius, though, had to stay with the other centaurs, meaning it was her and Aslan.

Olivia thought she had never looked so intimidating. Spear in hand, posture erect, and riding a noble horse. She had the look of a queen and a warrior. Olivia liked that feeling.

"Jadis! Jadis! Queen of Narnia! Empress of the lone islands!" The dwarf, Ginarrbrik, yelled out.

The Narnians would throw various insults at the woman while she passed. The witch was sitting on a throne carried by four Cyclops (one-eyed human-looking bald beasts). When the witch was in front of Aslan, the Cyclops stopped walking and brought the throne to meet the floor.

The witch stood up and carefully stepped forward. "You have a traitor in your midst, Aslan." The witch spoke. The crowd of Narnians started murmuring, making Edmund look to the ground.

"Her offence was not against you." Aslan told Edmund without averting his gaze.

"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?" Jadis questioned.

Aslan growled furiously. "Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch. I was there when it was written."

"Then you'll remember well that every traitor belongs to me. His blood is my property."

Peter rapidly unsheathed his sword and stood in front of his brother. "Try and take him then."

The witch seemed undisturbed. "Do you really think that mere force will deny me my right, little king?"

This time, Olivia stepped forward in her horse. "I told you to tread lightly, Jadis. "The girl spoke. She did not know where that confidence and bravery came from, for Olivia was secretly terrified. "Apparently, you haven't listened to my warning."

"Don't try to play Warrior, Olivia. Maybe your grandfather didn't fall to temptation, but Edmund did. Aslan knows that unless I have blood, as the law demands, all of Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water." The witch pointed at Edmund. "That boy will die on the Stone Table, as is tradition."

Edmund was panicking. He felt his insides turning and his legs about to give in. It was either his death or the entire kingdom dying. The witch averted her gaze to Aslan.

"You dare not refuse me."

"Enough." Aslan called. "I shall talk with you alone."

Olivia moved her horse to the side as Jadis and the lion entered the tent. An hour passed by, and nothing said inside the tent was audible. The Pevensies sat on the grass as Olivia and her horse wandered around the camp. Eventually, the horse got tired, and Olivia sat down on the grass with the siblings.

The loud murmur of the folk made Peter startle and immediately stand up when Jadis walked out of the tent. His siblings did the same. The white witch focused her gaze on Edmund as she walked to her throne, and when Aslan came out, she looked back to the great cat.

"She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam's blood." Aslan announced with a sad look. The people started cheering and clapping, hugging each other and some even cried.

"How do I know your promise will be kept?" The white witch asked. In response, Aslan roared and made her sit on her throne out of fear. The people laughed as Jadis and her court left the camp.

Everyone hugged Edmund, cheering and patting him on the back. Only Lucy and Olivia seemed to notice the sad look on the lion's face as he retreated to his tent.