An Unexpected Return (Edmund x Female Reader)

Chapter 4: An underlying threat

The rest of the journey was quiet. Neither Edmund nor Y/N said very much until they reached a clearing in the trees, a smile growing on Edmund's face.
"So, it seems he wasn't lying." He says, putting his hands on his hips as he looks at the grand and all too familiar structure before him.
Y/N's eyes at this point had already widened in amazement, the structure being of such magnificence.
"Y/N, that is Cair Paraval. Or i should say a reconstruction of the original." Edmund explains.

She looks at him and then back to the structure, saying "Why what happened to the original?"

Edmund looks at her then back out at Cair.
"Remember when i told you of the second time me and my siblings came here? Cair Paraval was attacked. It was nearly completely destroyed by Telmarine forces."

Y/N nods and a small smile comes to her face as she says "Well, it certainly looks very grand."

Edmund smiles again and says "indeed, i shall have to tell Caspian what good of a job he and the other Narnians did."

After a pause, Edmund looks at Y/N and says with a smile "let's go and see if anyone is home."
She smiles and then they both begin to walk towards Cair Paraval, that once again stood as proud as ever.

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As Edmund and Y/N looked in awe at Cair standing proud, an unknown figure was behind a tree, watching and listening from the shadows.
Their eyes glistened and their smile grew, knowing they were being valuable by finding them both.
Her majesty will be pleased...

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Cair looked even grander as they got closer, though still not a soul in sight.
Edmund's concern rises again as he and Y/N find themselves stood before the Southern entrance to the castle.

"Something isn't right here." Edmund says, his tone turning more serious.
"The doors are wide open, look." Y/N says, pointing to them.

Edmund scans the area around with his eyes, concern truly filling him now.

"Let's go inside, i fear someone may be hurt in there and it is getting late. I would rather not be out after nightfall." Edmund says, beginning to walk up the steps towards the wide open doors as Y/N follows...

*Clunk*

She flinches as she accidentally kicks something that was lying on the floor. Edmund turns around and looks down, his brow furrowing a little.
"What is that?" Y/N says, tilting her head a little.
Edmund walks over and picks it up, turning it around.
"This is a helmet. From a centaur i imagine from the shape and style of it."

"Why would it be on the floor?" Y/N asks, moving a bit closer to look at the helmet.

Edmund looks at the ground where the helmet was and then notices a small splatter of blood lightly stretched across the floor. He puts the helmet under one arm and kneels down, looking at the blood.
"Looks like it was knocked off, by force." Edmund says, his gaze wondering as he thinks.

After a moment of silence he stands up and turns to Y/N, saying "let's get inside."

They both then walk up the last few stairs and into Cair...

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A cold chill runs up his spine as he is lying on his side. The shackle around his ankle cold and rough against his skin.
He felt like an idiot. How could he have been so careless? And what does it mean for the other Narnians? His friends?
He lay there wondering.
Waiting.
Then the sound of the iron gate slamming open broke his thoughts as he braced himself for whatever was to come....

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"You weren't lying Edmund, this place truly is grand." Y/N says as she takes in the architecture and decor of Cair, her voice echoing a little in the room.

Edmund would have responded, if he wasn't focused on something.

"Edmund? Why are you staring at that wall torch?" Y/N asks, now standing next to him looking at it.

"Strange how no one is around yet the torch still flickers with firelight." Edmund says, the helmet still under his arm.

"Strange, how?" Y/N asks, not really catching on to what Edmund is getting at.

"It looks like it was lit fairly recently. This must have been a sudden attack, from what i can gather from this." He says nodding to the torch on the wall.
"And this." He adds, lifting the helmet a little.

Y/N then has a thought.
"Wait, that should mean some people will still be around yes?" She suggests.
Edmund nods and says "i should think so. We should take a look around."

Y/N nods and then they both begin to move further in to Cair....

Hope you who are reading this enjoyed it and is enjoying the story so far :)
And yes, i had an idea to bring Cair Paraval back lol.
I just think it is a nice thought that after the events of the invasion, Cair getting destroyed and staying a ruin for so long that Caspian would, while the Pevensies were gone, rebuild Cair Paraval to what it once was out of respect for Narnia's history :)