Can't Take It In (Edmund Pevensie fanfic) *ON HOLD*

Chapter 8

My throat was dry. I couldn't believe that words.

"Cair Paravel is ruined".

I stormed out, not knowing where to go and what to do.

- Edmund! - I heard Sophia calling me, more than twice.

When, finally, I reached King Nain's castle I saw a man that I knew very well, but his face was disfigured by terrible sorrow.

- Caspian? - I said.

He was at the entrance, totally distracted. His eyes fixed at nowhere. He seemed lost.

Some centaurs, fauns and minotaurs was arriving at Anvard.

- Caspian, what happened? - I asked.

- I don't know. - he said, still looking to nothing. His eyes were tearing.

- Caspian? What happened to Cair Paravel? Why are you here? Why... - I was almost screaming because of the nervous and fear.

- Everything is lost.

At this moment, the Anvard people started to go out their homes to see what was happening.

Caspian spent a hand in his hair, and entered the castle.

- Ed, what is happening? - I heard Sophia behind me. She seemed very concerned.

- It's what I'm trying to know. Wait here, ok.

People were talking between themselves. Everybody not knowing what was going on.

I entered the castle and I saw Caspian entering a room with King Nair, which one closed the door.

I waited impatiently for them to show up again. Some minutes later, King Nair was opening the room's door. He came towards me, just making a sign that made me understand that it was my turn.I entered the room, and closed the door.

- Ed...

- Caspian, please!... What is happening?

He took a deep breath.

- Two days after you left Cair Paravel to come to Anvard, Calormans came from the north, with the Giants' company, and attached us. We were not expecting that, so we were not prepared. And now, the castle is ruined. We loose many narnians in the unexpected battle.... - he was making big effort so the words could come out. - Cair Paravel is destroyed! - he said.

- But Caspian, we knew it. We knew they could do this. The letters....

- I know, but not like this. Now the Giants are on their side again...

- Where is everybody?

- Like I said, we loose many... The ones that survived are outside.

I stopped. There was something missing.

- Wait. Where is Lilliandil? And Trumpkin?

He took a deeper breath now.

- I don't know... They took her.

- No... - my hands were at my head now.

- Trumpkin is searching for her with the company of two minotaurs and one centaurs.

I didn't know what to say anymore. Caspian was trying to hide his face, because he was about to cry and broke down anytime.

That was a though moment. A though afternoon.The castle environment was really strange. Everything was a little bit grey by night. Instead of going for dinner (because I was not hungry, I didn't want to eat anything), I went for a walk by the streets of Anvard, just to think (more than the usual). How could a place be full of life by morning and then everything fall a part by afternoon? It was my fourth day there... And I started to think that maybe it would need to be the last.

The streets were very quiet, when I decided to return to the castle. It was really late, and probably everybody was sleeping.

I was up to go upstairs when I saw Sophia going downstairs. She stopped, looking at me. Saying nothing. Both of us. I just moved toward, staying face to face with her.

We were looking into each others eyes, and she new exactly what I was up to ask her.

And she hugged me. Tightly.

- Now, I'm able to sleep well. - I said, with a forced smile.

- That was a smile? Looks like you're constipated! - she said.

I couldn't hold the laugh.

- Shhhh, you're going to wake everybody! - she said.

- But you're laughing too!! - I said, we both giggling.

We stopped for a moment.

And then, it came like a storm. I started to cry.

Sophia held me.

"This is ridiculous. How can I cry before her? I'm a king, I'm a man."

She didn't ask why I was crying if we were laughing seconds before. She knew what was going on... She knew me.

Nothing else was needed to say. That moment was enough.

After, I left Sophia at her room, and I went to mine. And I slept. Deeply.