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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Miraz guided them to a tent bustling with Lords seated closely together. The centaur and the giant patiently waited outside as Edmund, the brunette Pevensie, stepped into the crowded tent, bracing himself for the impending discussion.
Upon entering, a figure immediately captured Edmund's attention. Sera stood on the side of the tent, mirroring Lord Glozelle's position but on the opposite side.
Their eyes locked, yet this time, the connection that once existed between them seemed to have vanished. Seraphina stared at him with vacant eyes, a stark contrast to the glint of happiness that used to fill her gaze. The emptiness in her stare weighed heavily on the atmosphere, signifying a profound change in the girl Edmund had known for so long.
The abrupt fake cough jolted Edmund from his reverie, reminding him that Miraz was awaiting his attention. Shaking off the distraction, he refocused and unrolled the parchment he held, preparing to address the matter at hand.
"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election, and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and emperor of the Lone Islands.
To prevent the abominable effusion of blood do hereby challenge the usurper Miraz to single combat upon the field of battle.
The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender."
Edmund concluded his statement before rolling up the parchment. Miraz then initiated the conversation.
"Tell me, Prince Edmund..." Miraz began, but he was promptly interrupted by Edmund, still occupied with the parchment.
"King," he corrected simply.
"Pardon me?" Miraz expressed a hint of offense in his tone.
"It's King Edmund, actually. Just 'King,' though. Peter's the high king," Edmund elaborated with a touch of humor. "I know, it's confusing."
"Why would we risk such a proposal when our armies could wipe you out by nightfall?" Miraz began dismissively, ignoring Edmund's correction. "Even Seraphina here alone by herself could decimate all of you."
Edmund nervously gulped in response to Miraz's last sentence, his uneasiness momentarily overlooked by the king of Telmarine. "Haven't you already underestimated our numbers? I mean, only a week ago Narnians were thought extinct."
"And so you will be again," Miraz retorted confidently.
"Well, then you should have a little to fear," Edmund asserted, prompting a laugh from Miraz.
"This is not a question of bravery," Miraz clarified, still chuckling.
"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?" Edmund challenged further, causing Miraz's smile and laughter to instantly fade away, replaced by a more serious demeanor.
He leaned forward on the table, a hint of irritation in his voice. "I didn't say I refused," Miraz clarified firmly.
One of the Lords intervened, offering their support. "You shall have our support, Your Majesty. Whatever your decision."
Lord Sopespian attempted to weigh in, "Sire, our military advantage alone provides the perfect excuse to avoid what might otherwise be—" but his words were abruptly cut off as Miraz stood up, his sword pointing towards the Lord.
"I'm not avoiding anything!" Miraz exclaimed, visibly agitated by the implication.
"I was merely pointing out," Lord Sopespian defended his statement, "that my lord is well within his rights to refuse."
"His Majesty would never refuse," Glozelle interjected, coming to Miraz's defense. "He relishes the chance to show the people the courage of their new king."
Miraz fell silent for a moment, then turned to look at the brunette Pevensie, pointing his sword in his direction. "You."
"You should hope your brother's sword is sharper than his pen," Miraz stated firmly, a veiled warning in his words.
A smirk played across Edmund's lips, a subtle sign that his ploy to manipulate the Telmarine king into accepting his brother's request had succeeded.
Edmund then pivoted and stepped out of the tent, taking note that the girl was no longer in her previous position. Miraz's dismissal was apparent as Edmund made his exit.
He was on the verge of leaving with the centaur and the giant when someone accidentally bumped into him, prompting him to turn around. His eyes widened slightly as he saw the girl standing before him.
Edmund whispered her name, "Cora..." but the girl stood before him, her gaze distant, almost as if he was a complete stranger.
It was as if the bond they once shared, growing up together, had dissolved entirely.
Silently, without uttering a word, she turned and departed, leaving Edmund behind without a backward glance.
Edmund let out a sigh tinged with sadness before turning away and leaving the place, his thoughts consumed by her, lingering in his mind.
"So, how did it go?" Peter questioned as soon as Edmund finally returned to Aslan's How with everyone gathering around.
"He accepted," Edmund replied to Peter, conveying that Miraz had indeed agreed to his proposal.
Peter nodded in acknowledgment but seemed apprehensive to ask the next question, though he went ahead anyway.
"Did you see her?" he whispered, a touch of concern in his voice.
The brunette Pevensie sighed softly before nodding, "Yes, she looks mostly the same, except for her eyes. There's something different about them."
Edmund's expression grew pensive as he continued, his voice laced with an unusual tinge of concern.
"It was as if she didn't recognize me anymore. Her gaze felt distant, almost like I was a stranger to her, and her eyes... They seemed empty, devoid of the spark I remember." His words hung in the air, a rare moment of vulnerability from the usually composed brunette Pevensie.
The room fell into a weighted silence, each member of the group processing Edmund's unsettling observation. The air was thick with unspoken worry, as the significance of the girl's change began to sink in.
Peter placed a reassuring hand on Edmund's shoulder, offering a gesture of support before speaking up, "We're going to get her back, Ed. I promise you that."
Edmund remained silent, his response conveyed solely through a nod, acknowledging his brother's heartfelt assurance.
