The elder man unfolded the tale of the green mist with solemn intensity, recounting its origins from the East, where tales of fishermen and sailors vanishing at sea first began. He delved into the saga of the seven lords, united by a solemn pact to unearth the source of the mist and obliterate it. Yet, fate was cruel for each lord, embarking on their quest, yet never to return to tell the tale.
It was now clear to Edmund- if he and Caspian weren't sold to the slave traders, it was likely that they would be fed to the mist. And this was a thought that certainly did not console him. The elder's tale was not just a history; it was a warning of what could lie ahead.
Yet, amid the dread of the green mist and the fate that might await them, larger, more personal fears gnawed at Edmund's heart. The discovery that had shaken him to his core- the sight of Talia's name etched in the book of the slave traders of this very island. The price written next to her name was a sum so staggering, it spoke of her value in terms beyond mere currency. But how? Why was she here, on an island so remote, so isolated? The coincidence of her name appearing here, of all places, at the same time of his own arrival, only added further confusion. Perhaps this was of Aslan's doing, he pondered. But where was she now? Had she been sold, and if so, to whom?
This dark twist of fate forced Edmund to confront a new, harrowing perspective of Narnia, a realm he had once known as a place of wonder and triumph. Now, it harboured shadows deeper, the light dimmer than he ever remembered. Narnia, with all its enchantment and glory, now seemed to veil a darkness he had never imagined.
"We have to find them," Edmund declared, shattering the heavy silence that hung between the three men. "Lucy, Eustace... and Talia. We must find them before it's too late."
At the mention of the name Talia, Lord Bern's demeanour shifted abruptly. His head snapped up, eyes narrowing with a mix of alarm and recognition. "Talia?" he echoed, his tone laden with a surprising urgency. A concerned smile flickered across his face, as he begun to shake of his head. "Who is this Talia you speak of?"
Propelled by a mix of hope and desperation, Edmund closed the distance between them in a few quick strides. "Do you know her? Talia Sunsei of Archenland," he implored, his voice thick with urgency and a barely concealed plea for help. "If you know anything, you must tell us." he demanded.
Lord Bern shook his head again, eyes darting to rest on the grimy floor of the cell. "I know nothing." he muttered.
Edmund's frustration boiled over, igniting a fiery anger within him. "I don't believe you," he spat, his words sharp as daggers, piercing the thick, stale air of the dungeon.
The man, Lord Bern, met Edmund's fiery gaze with a weary resignation, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know nothing," he repeated.
But Edmund was beyond reason, driven by a desperate urgency that clouded his judgment. He took a menacing step forward, his stance aggressive, his fists clenched at his sides. The air between them crackled with tension.
Caspian, witnessing the escalating situation, intervened swiftly. He placed a firm hand on Edmund's shoulder, a silent but powerful reminder of the strength that Edmund possessed and the frailty of the old man before them. "Edmund," Caspian said, his voice low but firm, "remember who you are, and the strength you wield. We cannot lose ourselves."
The reminder struck a chord within Edmund, halting the rage swirling within him. He exhaled a shaky breath, the anger dissipating as quickly as it had flared, leaving behind a hollow emptiness and a gnawing fear for those they sought to find. He stepped away from the two men, retiring to the other corner of the cell.
"You truly know nothing? As your King I implore you to think, even the smallest detail may be of use to us." Edmund heard Caspian pleading with the Lord.
The old man paused, "there may be something."
Edmund scoffed, of course he did.
"Talia Sunsei, you say," Lord Bern mused, his gaze turning distant as if he were piecing together a tale long forgotten. "You see, this island harbours a deep-seated fear of magic. It's not just fear; it's an outright dread. From a young age, children here are immersed in tales that paint magic as a cataclysm, a force capable of tearing apart the very fabric of our lands and peace. They grow up believing that no good can ever sprout from its seeds. This pervasive fear is manifested in their submission to the green mist. Rather than seeking its origins or understanding its purpose, they bow to it in terror, sacrificing hundreds of their own in a desperate plea for mercy."
He paused, noting the impatience on Edmund's face, but continued, undeterred. "The inhabitants are seafarers, adventurers who often stumble upon relics. However, one discovery stood out among the rest—a set of chains, shackles designed with a singular purpose. When clasped around the wrists of those blessed or cursed with magic, strip them of their power, rendering them as helpless as any mortal. To the people of this island, those chains were a revelation, a tool to battle their deepest fears."
Edmund's sigh cut through the air, sharp and laden with frustration. It was clear he found this diversion into the island's history and its peculiarities a frustrating detour from his urgent concerns.
Lord Bern, undeterred by Edmund's impatience, continued, "So, when Talia Sunsei arrived on this island, her unique abilities quickly drew attention. Her inexplicable powers to heal the sick and injured, combined with her tales of Narnian victories, caught the attention of those who fear and despise magic. Her arrival here, though the reasons remain a mystery, undoubtedly put her in grave danger. I fear she may still be on this island, trapped and powerless, her very essence bound by those chains as a symbol of their victory over what they do not understand or control: magic."
Upon hearing Lord Bern's words, Edmund felt a cold clutch of fear grip his heart. The thought of Talia, once so vibrant and full of life, now shackled and rendered powerless, was more than he could bear. His fists clenched at his sides, a tangible manifestation of the helplessness that threatened to overwhelm him. Yet, within that storm of emotions, a fierce determination took root.
He locked eyes with Lord Bern, his voice steady but edged with a raw intensity, "Then we must act swiftly. Every moment we waste could be a moment too late for her... for all of them." His gaze shifted briefly to Caspian, silently appealing for support. "We cannot let fear, theirs or ours, dictate the outcome. We have to find her, and we have to do it now."
Caspian nodded at the younger boy, but remained reserved, "I admire your passion, Ed, but you are missing just one thing." he pointed at the iron gates.
But Edmund had faith, it was now becoming clear to him. This must be the reason Aslan had sent him to specifically this moment. "We will have a chance. I am certain."
Caspian stepped over to the boy, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "We will find her. She must be here somewhere."
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The Return to the Old- An Edmund Pevensie Fanfiction
Fanfiction[Ongoing] Call to the Old SEQUEL. All hope had been lost between the both of them, they each clung to anything that reminded them of each other. Their bodies ached for each other, their skin yearned to feel held, they wished to laugh together, to sm...
