𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇
⸻ Cordelia Winterbourne's ordinary life with her mother was shattered by the onset of war, prompting Cordelia's mother to make a gut-wrenching decision by sending her daughter away for a while to keep her safe.
However, fate had a di...
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"Edmund, I assure you, I'm perfectly fine," I reassured the brunette Pevensie walking beside me as we made our way to the Telmarines' base, aiming to pilfer some of their weaponry.
Edmund, concerned and repeatedly checking on me after the encounter with the Narnian earlier, persisted in his inquiries about my well-being.
"Sorry, it's just... I worry," Edmund admitted, his concern evident in his furrowed brow. "That dwarf caught us off guard. I can't help but be cautious."
I chuckled softly at his protectiveness, prompting him to furrow his brows in response. "What's amusing after an arrow nearly went through your head?" he questioned a mix of worry and slight exasperation in his voice.
Shaking my head, I continued to giggle. "Nothing. It's just... you look rather endearing when you're concerned." My attempt to ease the tension with a compliment only seemed to deepen Edmund's bewildered expression.
Edmund's expression shifted into a smug smile. "So, Queen Cordelia finds me endearing?" he teased, his playful tone causing my smile to vanish instantly, cheeks flushing with warmth.
Caught off guard by his teasing, I stammered, "I... well, that's not exactly what I meant... though, I suppose you did look rather endearing." My cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and amusement coloring my expression.
As Edmund's grin widened, enjoying the brief moment of playful banter, he replied in jest, "Well, I'll take that as a compliment, Your Majesty," before the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
The transition was swift; our playful interaction dissolved into an air of solemn determination. Each step now echoed our collective resolve, faces etched with seriousness as we prepared for the mission ahead. The playful exchanges gave way to an intense focus, a shared determination that overshadowed any remaining trace of lightheartedness.
Peter decided for Lucy and the Narnians to remain behind while our smaller group took on the task of procuring the weapons. It was a strategic move to ensure a quieter, more covert operation as we ventured deeper into the Telmarine base, aiming to retrieve what we needed without unnecessary attention or confrontation. Lucy and the Narnians, though eager to assist, understood the importance of this division of tasks for the success of our mission.
Crouching low against the carriages, we kept ourselves concealed from the vigilant eyes of the Telmarine soldiers. The shadows embraced us, shielding our presence as we carefully surveyed our surroundings, ensuring our covert position remained undetected.
Caspian, taking the lead, approached the designated carriage and expertly opened it, revealing the array of weapons we sought.
"Should we take them all?" I murmured softly, glancing at Peter for confirmation. His nod affirmed our decision.
Silently and efficiently, we secured the necessary weapons, each of us carrying our share as we prepared to depart. However, Caspian paused abruptly.
"Wait a second..." he murmured, turning back and swiftly etching something onto the door of the carriage before rejoining our departure. His actions hinted at a mischievous plan, adding an unexpected twist to our stealthy exit from the Telmarine base.
As we made our way out, we passed the retrieved weapons to the waiting Narnians, entrusting them with transporting the load. Caspian, flanked by the blond Pevensie, took the lead, guiding us toward a tomb he had mentioned earlier.
Walking alongside Lucy as we left the Telmarine base, I felt a sense of camaraderie between us. The day was clear, the sun casting a warm glow around us as we moved forward. Ahead, Susan and Edmund conversed quietly, their steps mirroring ours.
Suddenly, Lucy's voice broke the tranquility, her question catching me off guard. "Do you... fancy my brother?" she asked, her tone curious yet playful.
"What makes you ask that, Lu?" I whispered, my voice barely audible, as I subtly glanced ahead to ensure our conversation remained private. I intended to prevent any potential embarrassment for Edmund, carefully avoiding the chance of him overhearing our discussion.
Her casual shrug and mischievous smirk caught me off guard. "Come on, Cora," Lucy continued, her tone teasing, "everybody knows you have feelings for my brother, and he has feelings for you as well."
I felt my cheeks redden even further at Lucy's bold statement. Surprised by her straightforwardness, I struggled to find a response. The idea of others noticing something I hadn't even fully acknowledged to myself left me momentarily speechless.
"It's the way you two looked at each other, gave it away," Lucy finished with a knowing smile before moving ahead to engage Susan in conversation. As she left, Edmund turned around and quietly joined me.
I felt a mix of emotions swirl within me, Lucy's words lingering in my mind. Edmund's presence beside me now felt more significant, the weight of unspoken sentiments hanging in the air between us. The realization that others might have noticed our unspoken connection left me both surprised and introspective.
"Are you alright?" Ed's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "You looked flustered."
Caught off guard by Edmund's observation, I blinked and stammered, "Oh, um, yeah, I'm fine. Just lost in thought." I tried to brush off the moment, but his perceptive gaze made me wonder if he sensed more than I was willing to admit.
Reflecting on our shared history, I realized how long I'd known Edmund. We had grown up together, our lives intertwined through the years, and here in Narnia, we'd matured side by side. As we ruled Narnia together, his presence was a constant, and amidst it all, I found myself falling in love with him.
Despite this deep connection, the possibility of Edmund reciprocating my feelings hadn't dared to cross my mind. I vividly remembered his words back at Cair Paravel before we departed Narnia: "I'm not into that kind of thing yet."
His statement had settled into my memory, shaping my understanding of where we stood, and creating a barrier to exploring anything beyond our friendship.
I was pulled from my reverie once more as the tomb appeared in the distance, framed by the breathtaking landscape that stretched out before us. Its silhouette against the Narnian horizon drew my attention, capturing the essence of both intrigue and beauty that defined this land.
The six of us stood shoulder to shoulder, forming a tight-knit group. I found myself between Susan and Caspian, our steps purposeful as we approached the tomb. Flanking the entrance were the centaurs, their majestic presence emphasized by their swords raised high in a show of respect, a ceremonial welcome that bestowed honor upon our arrival.
We stood in silent acknowledgment of the centaurs' gesture before collectively moving towards the tomb's entrance. I found myself flanked by the elder Pevensies, a subtle yet reassuring sense of unity prevailing among us. As we proceeded, I noticed Caspian choosing to stay back, assuming a position behind us as we ventured closer to the tomb's entrance.
There was a distinct air of solemnity and anticipation as we approached the threshold, a shared resolve evident in our synchronized movements. The gravity of the moment hung in the air, each step marking our progression into the mysterious depths of the tomb.
