The Path of the Brave [Edmund Pevensie]

Chapter I: It's a Boy

"Be brave."

◇ • ◇ << -------- • ◇ • -------- >> ◇ • ◇ 

Her cloak did thousands of strange stunts as she ran. The light breeze pulled her curls back every time she turned a corner. The girl sprinted up the staircase, hearing the eco of a baby's cry just some doors behind; she turned her head, fearing the sound was following. At some point between the last steps of the stairs and the end of the hall she realized she was crazy. How could she fear a baby? Or, most importantly, how could a baby be so scary?

She gave the last strides, pulling at the handle of a fancy door. The girl quickly approached the huge bed that rested in the middle of the room. "Caspian!" She shouted in a whisper. She pulled down the hood of her cloak, making her face seen thanks to the little moonlight that shone through the window. "Caspian wake the hell up, you idiot!" She shook him repeatedly. Although the moment was more than serious, she couldn't help but grin in mockery as the prince rolled and muttered nonsense in his sleep. She remembered her father's words 'Bring Caspian, quick. It is a boy'. That phrase brought a shiver down her spine that erased her smile instantly. "Your Highness, you need to wake up. It's urgent."

The words "Your Highness" slid down her throat in an uncomfortable way. It could have been the seriousness of her tone, or the sourness of her words, but he woke up with a blink, sitting up straight. After all, she had never called him that in their whole childhood. "Alex... what's wrong?"

Her eyes softened. "It's your aunt. She gave birth... to a son." She explained, only gaining a confused glance from the prince. "Come," She grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him out of bed. His feet were cold at the touch with the floor, but they couldn't stop to get some slippers. Not with the sound of heavy, metal boots getting closer.

Alex opened the doors of his wardrobe, pulling all of the coats aside. The darkness kept her from seeing anything, so she had to use her touch to identify the doorknob in the wood. "Quick, Caspian," She pushed him in, keeping his head low and following straight after closing the doors. Shortly after they had immersed themselves in the dark passage, Caspian stopped abruptly. The distinctive sound of arrows being shot could be heard clearly in the silence; he let out a gasp, finally understanding the hurry his friend had.

A hand grabbed his in the dark. "I am so sorry, Caspian." Alex murmured, trying to be as comforting as she could. "But we have to go." Although she couldn't see him, he nodded, and they ran and ran till they encountered yet another secret entrance.

They found themselves at the stables. Coincidentally, the place where they had first met was now the place were they had to say goodbye. Alex had disobeyed her father's orders and had gone to see the horses; she didn't know how to ride, but she was eager to have any contact with such beautiful creatures. So she had the fantastic idea to get on one. She didn't know it was the prince's at the time, but she was sure she wouldn't have done anything differently if she had known; she couldn't care less about titles. Caspian found her not long after and taught her how to grab the reins.