Finding the Queen of Old

His Lesson

Edmund pulled back quickly, eyes wide. "Wha-why did you kiss me?"

"Edmund I-"

He stepped back. "No.. Isabela... I can't. I'm sorry."

"You have yet to learn your lesson," Isabela said with a sigh. She turned, leaving quickly. "I'll be where I always am, kitten...just probably less sober."

He could hear the pain in her voice, but Leah...

He just wasn't ready to move on.

--

A week later, Susan sat at home, cradling Alistair. He was a healthy baby, abeit fussy at times. She hummed a quiet tune to lull him to sleep. 

"He does look like you," A voice said quietly placing a hand on her shoulder. 

Susan smiled and rested her hand against it. "You're back earlier than I thought... Peter had said you'd be out till three."

Caspian played with her hair. "Well, there was a change of plans... We ran into Isabela, you see. She told us Aslan can't bring us back yet."

"What?" Susan's voice raised, startling Alistair. His large blue eyes gazed up at her, and she instantly began to soothe him. 

"Edmund has to learn a lesson still, supposedly. It seemed to make Isabela upset when I asked what, so I didn't press her." He held out his arms to take the baby from Susan. "You go rest, you were up with him most of the night.."

Susan kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

-

"So what do you think she meant, he hasn't learn his lesson yet?" Lucy asked her older brother as she prepared lunch.

Peter sighed, crossing his arms. "I have no idea... What sort of lesson would he have to learn anyways? He's been to Aslan's country already, I do not see what he still has to learn."

"Maybe it has something to do with Leah?" Lucy offered, mixing together a salad. "Maybe he needs to move on?"

"That could be," He looked thoughtful for a moment. "If so...wait...do you think...?"

"That Isabela likes him? Of course I do, anyone with eyes can see that."

-

Tumnus, finding himself with little to do but run errands and help around the house, had taken to reading up on nearly everything this strange other world had to offer.  For one thing, he was amazed by the basic engine. How anything could power something and make it move was simply mind blowing!

"So, Edmund, is this truly the world you left when you joined us?" For as long as Tumnus had been here, she still couldn't believe the Pevensies would give this up for Narnia. 

"For the hundreth time, yes. This is that world. Spare Oom, as you once called it," The raven haired king smirked at that. 

Tumnus let his eyes travel around. Nearly a year... a year in this strange place. Yet somehow it was not so strange anymore. 

"Say, Edmund," Tumnus changed topics quickly. "You haven't gone to see Isabela at all this week. Why?"

Edmund didn't let his expression change. "I haven't felt the need to visit her. She's probably busy anyways. Perhaps I'll go next week,"

"Alright," the faun raised an eyebrow and turned back to his book. Just what was going on there?

-

"I've tried just about everything I can think of," Isabela sighed, leaning against the bar. "I figured he'd realize it sooner, that we have been destined forever. I mean, he has to, you know? He has to learn his lesson!"

The man sitting next to her gave her an odd look. "Hey, missy. You had best get home and sober up. Drinking won't help you win your man."

Isabela slammed her fist on the bar. "I don't have to win him. He's predetermined mine. Aslan said so... I know it. He's just blind over his love who wasn't his love as she was in love with another."

"I think you had best get home," the man's voice was concerned.

Isabela nodded slowly. "Maybe... yes, that would be a good idea."

She staggered the few steps to the staircase, and only then did the man realize she lived above the bar at the inn.

"Such a strange girl.." he thought with a shake of his head. "Pretty, but a bit out there."

----

AN: Wow it's been a while. Lots of school work has been getting in the way. Sorry! I promise it won't be this long again!