𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 || Edmund Pevensie

XXIII

"The past has no power over the present moment."
- Eckhart Tolle

Narnia, 1012

The invitation was gladly accepted.

The Castle at Anvard was beautiful and cosy, charming in a delightful way. King Lune had provided them all with rooms and adequate clothing, allowing for the King and Queens of Narnia to rest.

As they had found out, Shasta, the boy identical to Corin, was his long-lost twin brother. They had been separated at birth but were now together again. Shasta's name was actually Cor, and he was the first in line for the throne.

Lucy had helped Aravis, the girl Cor/Shasta had come with on his adventures, to come and get properly installed on the castle at Anvard. The other two horses who had come with Shasta, Bree and Hwin, told their tale of how they were captured as just younglings and turned into slaves and had to pretend to be dumb beasts.

Night finally fell, and dinner came. King Lune hosted lovely dinners with delicious food and a spacious table. Prince Cole rushed to sit down next to Lucy, and they spent dinner in delightful giggles and small conversation. At the same time, Edmund and Olivia received many congratulations from different people about their bravery on the battlefield.

"Friends!" King Lune called, rising from his chair. "I thank you all for attending this feast tonight. It has been delightful to receive everyone, and I, once again, need to thank King Edmund, Queen Olivia and Queen Lucy for their courage and partnership for bringing their people to save us here at Anvard."

The table clapped, and King Lune returned to his speech. "But, I am afraid, we still have a problem on our hands: Rabadash."

"Your majesty has the right to do what he pleases." Said Peridan, the lord. "After all, he led an assault on your Castle and Kingdom."

"It is true." Edmund nodded. "But even a traitor may mend. I have known one who did."

Olivia reached for his hand under the table, squeezing it hard. Edmund gulped, and the girl kissed his cheek and whispered his good qualities on his ear. Edmund's face looked lighter, and he thought about how lucky he was to have Olivia as his wife.

"But, to kill Rabadash, would risk war with the Tisroc." Said Darrin, one of King Lune's sons.

"Let me him try." Olivia responded. "His numbers will not cross the desert easily. And we may easily outstand him, for I call on to the Kingdoms of Garnoff, Bellon, Calamari and Zartar for help. And the battle would be over for him."

"Wisely spoken, Queen Olivia." Noticed King Lune. "But I have no stomach for killing men in cold blood, traitors or not. One thing would have been to cut his throat in battle, another, is this."

"I suggest we let him free." Lucy suggested as Prince Cole stared at her dreamily. "On the promise that he turns into a better man, and he may keep his word."

"It is a risk we cannot take, Lu. If he breaks his promise, depending on the time, it may be bad enough so we will have no way on fighting him." Edmund pointed out.

"Send for the prisoner." King Lune commanded to one of his guards.

Rabadash came in the room in handcuffs, looking as horrible as a defeated prince could. His face was tight, anger radiating from his low steps. His eyes met Olivia's pleadingly, but the girl only raised her chin and glared at him, making the Calormene shiver under her gaze.

"You do not need to be told of the laws of the nations, Rabadash." Spoke King Lune. "For you are well aware of all of the international rules you have broken. Nevertheless, we are willing to allow this to pass by, agreed that you keep yourself an honest man and—"

"I do not need your mercy, barbarians!" Spat the prince, cutting the King mid-sentence. "Do you think I will even hear your conditions? You talk very largely of nurture, and I know not what. It's easy to put a man in chains. Take off these vile bonds, give me a sword, and let any of you who dares then debate with me."

Almost everyone on the table immediately sprung to their feet, even Corin, who begged his father so that he could teach that fool a lesson.

"Enough! Are we so easily taunted? Sit down, Corin, or leave the table. I ask Your Highness again to hear our conditions." King Lune commanded.

"I hear no conditions from your kind." He spat, and he gazed at Aravis angrily. The girl did not shiver under his gaze but, instead, looked at him fiercely. "Every insult you throw at me shall be paid with the Narnian and Archenlandish blood. Kill me, torture me, and face the wrath of the Tisroc! The tale will live for hundreds of years; villages will be burned, your blood will be on the ground. The bolt of Tash falls from above!"

"Does that decorated speech ever get caught halfway?" Corin said tiredly, earning a snort out of Olivia.

"Do not ever taunt the enemy who is stronger than you, Corin. But, it is not the case." King Lune told his son, rubbing his shoulder.

"You should have taken our mercy, you fool." Olivia sighed, and everyone understood.

Everyone on the table got up from their seats, standing upright and straight as they looked at the door.

Aslan walked inside the room, his majestic golden fur shining, despite having no light reflecting on him. He walked on light steps, almost invisible and inaudible. Rabadash gasped, his eyes wide, as he looked at the great lion walking towards him.

"Rabadash." He spoke in his grave voice. "Do not haste your decisions. Your doom is near, but you may still avoid it. Forget your pride and let your anger aside; accept the mercy of these good Kings and Queens."

The Calormene let out a dark grin and barked out a laugh. "Demon! I know you. You are the friend of Narnia. You are the enemy of the gods. Learn who I am, horrible creature. I am descended from Tash, the inexorable, the irresistible. The curse of Tash is upon you. Lightning in the shape of scorpions shall be rained on you. The mountains of Narnia shall be ground into dust. The—"

"Forget the speech for a moment, Rabadash." Aslan spoke, tiredly and quietly. "The doom is nearer now; it has opened the door, lifted its hatch."

"Let the sky fall, the earth gape! The lands perish in fire and water, but I will not give up until I have dragged Queen Susan by the hair to my kingdom and—"

"The hour has struck!" Aslan exclaimed.

Rabadash's ears started wagging, growing longer and greyer. While some pondered where they had seen such ears, his face changed, growing longer and with grey hair, his nose sinking deep into his skin. Rabadash turned into a donkey. The cuffs fell to the ground with a loud grunt, and the people at the table laughed.

His speech turned into grunts, and he was now forced to listen.

"You do not need always to be a donkey. Justice will be mixed with mercy. You have appealed to Tash, and in the temple of Tash, you shall be healed. You must stand before the altar of Tash in Tashbaan at the great Autumn Feast this year, and there, in the sight of all Tashbaan, your donkey's shape will fall from you, and all men will know you for Prince Rabadash. But as long as you live, if ever you go more than ten miles away from the great temple in Tashbaan, you shall instantly become again as you now are. And from that second change, there will be no return."

In a turn of golden mist, Aslan disappeared once again, leaving people confused. And there came an end to the foul tale of the Calormene fool.