Back in the Wardrobe

Chapter 10: Why all this pain?

Caspian sat near the sleeping form of his fiancée. Well, she wasn't really sleeping. She was unconscious from lack of blood.

"I'm so sorry my love. I had promised nothing would harm you. I am so sorry," the king said, crying not only for Susan, but also for Marilyn who died killing the leader of rebels.

Caspian felt awful for Edmund. Edmund was blaming himself for not following her and although Caspian had tried to help him realize there wasn't anything he could have done Edmund was a mess. 

Caspian looked out of the window of the castle they had won back in the fight which took Marilyn's life and nearly took Susan's. He saw Edmund, weeping on a stone bench near where Marilyn's body was laid out for burial. 

He couldn't help but be relived that Susan hadn't suffered the same fate as Marilyn.It may seem rude of him to feel this way, but he honestly wouldn't know what to do if she had died. 

He held her hand and kissed it gently. A knock was heard on the door and the royal physician came in. He had a somewhat grave look on his face.

"What is it?" Caspian asked worriedly.

"Well, your majesty, it would seem the queen was injured worse than we thought."

"Why do you say that?" Caspian asked, now very worried.

"Well, while she will recover, thanks to Queen Lucy's vial, she, well, she..." the doctor said.

"She?" Caspian pushed.

The doctor sighed and took of his glasses. " Your majesty, as the king their are certain things that your people expect of you. One of them being able to produce an heir."

"Your point is?"

"Her majesty will never be able to do that."

Caspian's face grew shocked and pained. "Never?"

"It is very unlikely. Now, about your kingdom. You need something the gentle queen will never be able to give: a child. Your majesty, if I may be so bold, I believe the kingdom comes before love..."

"Are you suggesting I leave her because of her injuries?" Caspian became furious. 

"Your majesty," The doctor started.

"I love her! I would never leave her! Peter's child can be the heir for all I care! Get out of my sight!" Caspian shouted.

The doctor was on his way out as Peter, Elizabeth, and Lucy came running towards the room.

"What's the shouting about?" Peter panting from running.

Caspian, once his fury was calmed, sunk down on the bed next to Susan. 

"Caspian?" Lucy asked, putting her hand on his shoulder.

The king couldn't answer, another stream of tears falling down his face.

Peter stormed out of the room after the doctor.

"What did you tell him?" he growled.

"I mearly told him of his kingdom's need for an heir, and how her majesty would never be able to provide that," The doctor said.

"You did what? How dare you suggest he leave my sister! Go pack! I want you out of this castle and the kingdom before I return," Peter snarled.

The physician shrunk up against the wall then fled the king's wrath.

Peter was outraged at the doctor. How dare he ever suggest that? How dare he think his sister was useless now!

Peter stormed back into the room to see Elizabeth and Lucy hugging Caspian.

"It'll be alright Caspian," Lucy soothed.

"H-How dare he even suggest that?" The king hiccuped from his sobs. 

"Don't worry, he will never set foot in Narnia again. I made sure of it," Peter said firmly.

"Poor Susan," Elizabeth said, looking at her friend.

"We shouldn't tell her until she is well," Peter said, taking his sister's emotional well being in to mind.

Caspian nodded, already knowing it would be hard to keep this from her. 

The four sat on the bed, all their sadness increased by this.

Meanwhile, Edmund stared at the body of the woman he loved. He was numb. His heart felt broken in half, as if it would never heal. Caspian and everyone had tried to help him, but he had pushed them all aside. 

He carresed her face, his heart breaking more as he felt the coldness of her skin. She was to be buried that evening, a fact he couldn't bear. 

Never again would he see her teasing brown eyes, or feel her lips on his. Nor would he feel her soft hand in his or hear her voice say his name.

Edmund started crying again. He couldn't help but blame himself. If only he had gone with her,then maybe she could have been helped. 

Edmund felt a hand on his shoulder. Lucy had come out, still crying about Susan. 

"Lucy, whats wrong?" Edmund asked his younger sister. 

"It-its Susan," She said.

Edmund fearing the worst asked. "Is she.. you know.."

"No but..." Lucy told her brother what the doctor said.

Edmund felt responsible for that too. If he had had followed Marilyn instead of Susan, then she never would have been hurt. He would be the one injured, not his sweet older sister.

"Lucy, can you leave me alone for a while? I need to sort some things out," Edmund told his sister.

She nodded, and left the Just king to his thoughts.

Edmund leaned over and kissed Marilyn's hand. He then went and locked himself in his room, far away from the world. Why was he feeling all this pain?