The Cold and the Just | E. Pevensie

VII

My stomach was turning with anxiety as we rode back to Aslan's How. Peter's grip on my waist was uncomfortably tight. If he wasn't so strong, I probably would have ran away - no one would trust me anymore.

We slowed to a stop and Peter shoved me off the horse. I glared at him, but kept my mouth shut in fear of being rejected by the Pevensies and Caspian.

Gulping, I walked ahead of the group, my head held high. I could feel their angry and confused stares on my back.

The centaur that carried Trumpkin laid the dwarf on the ground gently.  Lucy rushed over to the dwarf's side and pulled out her cordial, dropping a speck of it onto Trumpkin's tongue. Queen Lucy backed away and a centaur carries Trump away.

"Leave us," growls Caspian.  Solemnly, the rest of the Narnian soldiers leave, leaving myself, the Pevensies, and Caspian alone. 

Caspian looks at me and grits his teeth.  "Y/N...What was that?" he asks angrily.  "Back at the castle. That- that ice." 

I can't help but look away. My brother had never spoken to me like this before. He was furious, and I didn't know what to do. I look at the ground. 

"Well?" Caspian demands an answer. 

I bite my lip and breath shakily.  "Caspian...I swear, I wanted to tell you.  But I- I didn't know how."  I pause.

"I'm not your real sister."

Caspian gasped and narrowed his eyes. "Explain."

I nodded sadly and did as he asked. "Our- Your father adopted me.  I was given to him by my mother, who wanted me to become queen." 

Edmund speaks up suddenly. His tone is much nicer than my brother's.  "And who was your mother?" 

I squeezed my eyes such and told the secret I'd been keeping since I was born.​​​​

"Jadis. The White Witch."​​​​​​​​​​​​

Edmund's eyes widen. Peter's hand goes to his sword and he pulls out the blade.

Susan reaches for her bow, but doesn't notch an arrow.

Lucy sucks in a bunch of air.

Caspian becomes two shades paler. 

"Not possible," Caspian says, his voice shaking. 

I bit my lip and nodded. "Sadly, it is. My mother is still alive in spirit.  She created me with her last bit of magic so I could take Narnia back for her.  I swear, I'd never do anything she wanted.  I only use my powers for good, Caspian, you've got to believe me!"

For a moment Caspian doesn't say anything.  "You– you...you've lied to me our entire lives.  I don't even know who you are!"

I take a step towards him. "Caspian, wait-"

Next my brother does something he's never done. It chills me to the bone.

Caspian pulls out his sword and puts the tip dangerously near my neck. "Leave. I never want to see you again."

He glares at me for a moment longer then stomps into the cave.  Susan follows, shaking her head towards me. 

Edmund starts walking after them, and I put my hand out, hoping to stop him.  "Edmund...I'm not my mother.  You understand that, right?" 

He glares at me then opens his mouth to say something. "I really thought we- I thought..." Edmund doesn't finish. Instead he just storms inside Aslan's How.

"You should have told us.  We could have used you," Peter mutters as he passed me. 

I narrow my eyes in disbelief.  "I am not a weapon!" I call after him. 

I stand facing the wall of Aslan's How for a while, my eyes squeezed shut.​​​​ I start sobbing quietly.  My bottom lip quivers as I realize what had happened.

I've lost everyone. My brother, my friends, my kingdom...

"We can still be friends." 

It was Lucy's voice soft voice that had spoken the kind words. 

I didn't even realize she was still outside with me. 

I take a deep breath, tears running down my cheeks.  "Lucy, I- I need a moment."

I needed to be alone.​​

"But I can talk to them if you want-"​​​​​​​​ Lucy started. I shook my head and stopped her from saying anymore. "Lucy, stop. I'm fine."​ 

I still don't face her.​​​​​​​​

"But you didn't do anything wrong-"​​​​​​​​

"Lucy.  Stop!" My volume increases with every word.​​​​​

"But they don't understand-"​​​​​​​​​

"Enough, Lucy." By this time her words had turned from helpful to annoying.  I just wanted her to leave me be.

​​​​​​​​​​​​My chest felt heavy and I couldn't take it.  One more word from her would push me over the edge.

Unfortunately, Lucy spoke one last time. "Y/N-"

"I SAID ENOUGH!" I shout, turning to face her, frost shooting out of my hands, surrounding the small Queen with wickedly sharp spikes of ice. 

Lucy screams as the spikes grow taller.

I stopped myself and the ice ceased from growing.

My eyes widen as I look at my hands in panic.

What have I done?​​​​​​​​​​​

Peter, Susan, and Edmund come running out of Aslan's How, their weapons raised and ready to strike.

I stare at them in fear, my hands shaking. 

"What did you do?!" shrieked Susan. 

"I didn't- I didn't mean to-" I back towards the rock wall. 

Peter nears me, his sharp blade raised. "You're dangerous," he chastises. "You could of killed her!"

"Peter, pleased I- I didn't-"
My back bumps into the wall and my hands press against the rough rock surface.  Ice flows out of my hands and onto the cliff. 

I take one last look at the Pevensies, seeing the fear in their eyes.

I didn't know what to do.

I did the only thing I could think of.

I ran.

As far and fast as my legs could take me.