The Path of the Brave [Edmund Pevensie]

Chapter XVII: A Fine Leader

"You will be a fine leader. If you get enough sleep."

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They took the castle in minutes, receiving little to no resistance. Even Telmarines knew Miraz' kingdom would've been a reign of terror. After all, the man was a total tyrant. So they accepted Aslan's help as soon as they realized he was different.

Food, housing and medical aid were given at the castle. All of the Kings and Queens, even the new ones, were helping those in need. Women who had lost their sons and husbands, children who had lost their fathers and friends...

Alex couldn't forget how the Telmarines had killed Narnian soldiers, but she still felt sorry for them. In war, it was kill or be killed; she thought about that man she stabbed. There were no winning sides, especially when you knew and cared for people on both sides.

The guilt was probably why Alex was the last one of the six to leave her post. She bandaged one of the soldier's head, her eyes flickering, fighting to shut down.

"You should get some sleep, girl." General Glozelle spoke. He sounded wounded, which he was, but like something inside him was broken.

"You need help..."

"It's two in the morning, help someone who actually needs it or go to bed."

She furrowed her brows. "Someone who needs it?" His hairline was bleeding, and a massive, purplish bump had appeared on his forehead. The concussion was probably his least serious issue. "You haven't seen yourself." He didn't laugh. Which was probably a good sign, because he normally didn't. She kept putting the bandages on.

"We almost killed your friends." He murmured, looking in the distance. "And you help us?"

"You spared Caspian." She shot back quickly. "And most of your men were being forced into battle. They can't be held accountable for Miraz' orders. I've known Telmar long enough to know how this stuff works." Alex tied his bandages in a final knot, him wincing lightly at the act. "It's always the soldiers who pay, and never the leaders. This time it's different... I hope."

Silence took the room. She stood up, gathering her things to walk to the next injured person.

"You will be a fine leader." He said suddenly, making her stop. "If you get enough sleep."

The girl turned to him, pulling her curls back. She snickered. "Good night."

Alex wished she had taken Glozelle's advice about going to sleep sooner. Her eyebags showed, and she was pretty sure she was dehydrated because of how much she had drooled during the night. 

All of those factors made her mind wander. She couldn't think about how loud people cheered for her and Caspian, or how tight her corset was around her waist. The weight of the crown on her head was reminder enough of the doubts rumbling in the corners of her mind.

Would people respect her? Would she be able to fulfill her promise of ruling differently? Or would tradition run over everything?

A fine leader, Glozelle had said... she really, really hoped so. 

How she would achieve that, she didn't know. It came so natural for Caspian, he waved to the crowds and smiled fully from his horse. He was trained. Her? Not so much... Which was probably why she was still staring at the furry side of her ride, lost in her own world.

"Does Your Majesty need help getting on the horse?" The boy said, startling her and snapping her out of her thoughts. The title was still something she had yet to get used to. "We don't want our new Queen being late to her own parade..."

She pulled her eyes from the brown horse and looked at him. "You know damn well I can get on a horse by myself, Ed." Alex said, a tiny bit offended. It was not like a cute, tight dress, and a crown could just wipe out who she was. She was still the same old Alex, just with a little difficulty moving.

"But.."

Her eyes rolled back, almost like a reflex. "But... " She was reluctant to continue. He would never shut up about being right. "I could use some help." She turned back to her horse, avoiding his victorious glance. "Come on." She grabbed onto the reins and got her foot inside the stirrup, waiting for him to give her a little nudge. But he didn't. She sighed. "Please, Edmund... "

The boy in question smiled widely. "Just had to ask nicely." He laughed, and before she could have any chance at responding, he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her up. The boy settled her in the horse, without much difficulty, making sure she wouldn't fall. "There you go."

Alex readjusted her position on the leather saddle, clearing her throat. "Thank you." She held her chin up and her back straight. In part, trying to seem more royal-like, and in part because she was trying to hide her blush. She fixed her clothing. "This dress was not designed for riding a horse..." She muttered.

"I think it looks rather--"

"I swear, if you say practical I will punch you in the face." The girl laughed, remembering his reaction the first day they met.

He bit the inside of his cheek, knowing how embarrassing that was. "I was going to say it looks rather pretty." Edmund found the courage to say, looking at his own boots.

Her laugh was cut short suddenly, giving the blush on her cheeks a chance to reappear. Who was the one embarrassed now? Not a single word came out of her open mouth.

"Alex, they're waiting for us." Caspian stopped parallel to her horse, pulling softly at his reins to do so. "Everything alright?" Her eyes Edmund, then his best friend.

"Yeah... Yeah, we better get going." She shook her head and furrowed her brows, forcing herself back to reality. "See you there." Alex told the boy, shaking the reins and urging the horse forward. She didn't want to stay for another awkward silence.