ˢᴸᵁᵀ! - edmund pevensie

ᴄᴀʀᴅɪɢᴀɴ

you drew stars around my scars, but now im bleeding

⋆ ★

INSIDE THE Stone Table room, Peter addresses the gathered Narnians. Ed and Ivory sit together on a rock, close enough that their shoulders touch.

Peter announces, "It's only a matter of time. Miraz's men and war machines are on their way. That means those same men aren't protecting his castle."

Reepicheep, always eager for a fight, asks, "What do you propose we do, Sire?"

Caspian and Peter both begin to speak at the same time, but Caspian concedes with a nod.

Ivory leans over and mutters to Edmund, "Maybe we should let them arm wrestle for it." Edmund chuckles softly.

Peter says, "Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us."

Caspian interjects, "But that's crazy, no one has ever taken that castle."

Peter retorts, "There's always a first time."

Trumpkin adds, "We'll have the element of surprise."

Caspian counters, "But we have the advantage here."

Susan, practical as always, interjects, "If we dig in, we could probably hold them off indefinitely."

Trufflehunter admits, "I, for one, feel safer underground."

Peter turns to Caspian, "Look, I appreciate what you've done, but this isn't a fortress, it's a tomb."

Edmund voices his agreement, "Yes, and if the Telmarines are smart, they'll just starve us out."

Ivory nods, adding, "Exactly. It's a classic siege tactic. They won't need to fight us if we're too weak to fight back."

Pattertwig, the squirrel, pipes up, "We could collect nuts!"

Reepicheep, with sarcasm, responds, "Oh yes, and throw them at the Telmarines! ... Shut up!" He turns to Peter, "I think you know where I stand on this, Sire."

Peter asks Glenstorm, "If I can get your troops in, can you handle the guards?"

Glenstorm, with a grim resolve, answers, "Or die trying, my liege."

Lucy, worried, exclaims, "That's what I'm worried about."

Peter, puzzled, says, "Sorry?"

Lucy explains, "Well, you're all acting like there are only two options: dying here, or dying there."

Peter answers, "I'm not sure you've really been listening, Lu."

Lucy fights back, "No, you're not listening. Or have you forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?"

Peter, dismissively, says, "I think we've waited for Aslan long enough."

With that, everyone begins to disperse to prepare for the coming battle. Ed and Ivory stay behind, talking and joking to lighten the mood.

Ivory looks at Edmund, "So, ready to be a hero again? You know, like old times."

Edmund grins, "Only if I get to show off in front of you. Gotta make up for lost time."

Ivory laughs, "Oh please, you're already insufferable."

Edmund raises an eyebrow, "Insufferable? Really? You love it."

Ivory smirks, "Maybe just a little."

They share a quiet moment, both remembering their past and feeling the weight of the present. Ivory leans in slightly, her voice softer, "You know, Ed, I've missed this. Us."