Mercy

XVI: Try and take him then

Evelyn's POV

I walked out of the tent with Peter to see Oreius. He turned towards a hill. Edmund and Aslan were having a discussion. I set my hand on Peter's shoulder. "Wait for them to finish." He nodded to me.

Lucy and Susan walked out of another tent and smiled at us. When they saw our serious faces they turned to look at what we were looking at. "Edmund!" Lucy shouted. Peter grabbed her to stop her from running over. Aslan and Edmund turned towards us. I nodded to the lion and he nodded back. I moved back into a tent to grab some clothes for my brother.

Aslan nodded to Edmund and Edmund walked over to us solemnly. Aslan followed soon after and they stood in front of us. "What's done is done. There is no need to speak to Edmund about what is past." Aslan walked away from them.

"Hello." Edmund mumbled and Lucy sighed. I watched her hug Edmund and he hugged her back. Susan hugged Edmund next and she looked him over.

"Are you alright?" He shrugged.

"I'm a little tired." I watched Peter nod towards the tent we came out of.

"Get some sleep. And Edmund..." he turned towards them and Peter smiled. "Try not to wander off." They all laughed and Edmund walked away.

"I'll bring this to him. Go hang out. Breakfast will be served soon." I mentioned to my siblings.

I walked over to the tent Edmund just walked into and smiled. "I brought a change of clothes. They might be a bit more comfortable." Edmund turned to me and smiled brightly.

"Eve!" He hugged me tightly and I hugged back.

"What did I tell you about the Witch?" He looked down in shame, but I lifted his head up with my finger. I gave him a comforting smile knowing I could never be mad at him. "Get dressed, rest a bit, and I'll come get you when food is ready. Okay dear?" I ruffled his hair and walked out.

~

I watched as Edmund slowly munched down on the toast on his plate. He seemed to be savoring each crumb. "Narnia isn't going to run out of toast, Ed." Lucy and Edmund laughed as I smiled.

"I'm sure they'll pack something up for the journey back." Peter told us.

I wiped my hands on a napkin and turned to him. "We're going home?" Susan asked.

"You are." Peter told her as he walked over from the boulder he was standing at. "I promised mum I'd keep you three safe, but that doesn't mean I can't stay behind and help." Peter turned to me hoping I would say yes and I rolled my eyes.

"And I promised mum I'd keep you four safe. The safest place is with Aslan and I. I mean, would you rather go back with the Macready?" All of my siblings laughed at my joke, but Peter gave me a look.

Lucy nodded. "They need us. All five of us."

"Eve, it's too dangerous. Lucy almost drowned. Edmund was almost killed!" He told me and I raised an eyebrow.

"Did you expect a walk in the park? This is war, my dear, it gets bloody." Peter glared at me, but I only gave him a challenging look.

"Which is why we have to stay. I've seen what the White Witch can do. And I've helped her do it. And we can't leave these people behind to suffer for it." Edmund told Peter.

"I suppose that's it then." Susan stood up causing us to look at her.

"Where are you going?" Peter asked her.

"To get some practice." I motioned for them to follow me and they smiled.

We walked to the range for the girls to practice. I watched Susan aim her bow. The arrow hit close to the bullseye but not on it. Lucy smiled and aimed her dagger. She threw it and it landed right in the bullseye.

I laughed and my sisters joined in. "She got you there." I heard horses and I looked up. Our brothers were riding horses and practicing with their swords.

"Come on, Ed. Sword point up, Like Oreius showed us." I watched as Peter trained or brother in the swords.

"Peter! Edmund!" Mr Beaver came running over.

"Whoa, horsie!" Edmund said to his horse.

"My name is Phillip." He responded and I smiled.

"Oh. Sorry."

I turned to Beaver. "What's wrong Beaver?" He took a breath then proceeded.

"The Witch has demanded a meeting with Aslan. She's on her way here."

I glared at the thought and called up my horse. "You girls ride with them." I called over my shoulder and I rode off to Aslan.

"Jadis, Queen of Narnia! Empress of the Lone Islands!" Ginarrbrik called out. I glared and stood next to Oreius. I heard Aslan's growl as Jadis came in with four Cyclopses carrying her.

Aslan stood as she walked over to us. My siblings looked frightened and I only could only feel hatred towards the Witch. It wasn't my first meeting with her.

"You have a traitor in your mist, Aslan." Jadis looked over at Edmund and I stood protectively in front of him. The crowd murmured at the news.

"His offense was not against you." Aslan stated to her.

"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?"

Aslan growled as he responded. "Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch. I was there when it was written." Aslan narrowed his eyes and she only gave him a challenged look.

"Then you'll remember well that every traitor belongs to me. His blood is my property."

I snarled lowly and unsheathed my sword. "Try and take him then." I stepped forward. Oreius unsheathed his own sword and Peter did the same.

"Do you really think that mere force will deny me my right...little queen?" She then turned to Aslan. "Aslan knows that unless I have blood, as the law demands, all of Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water." Jadis turned to the crowd then pointed to Edmund. "That boy will die on the Stone Table...as is tradition."

Edmund turned to me and I pulled him in for a hug. "She won't get you. She'll have to kill me first." I whispered to my brother.

"You dare not refuse me." She turned back to Aslan.

"Enough." He commanded. "I shall talk with you alone." Aslan said as he walked to the tent. Jadis followed and I glared at her as she did.