Haunting - Edmund Pevensie

Part 22

Standing there. Staring face to face with Arkin was horrible. A mixture of emotions ran through Sasha: pain, anger, confusion, sadness, relief and disappointment.

Despite the negative emotions she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He looked extremely weak and vulnerable as he lay on the dungeon floors, he even looked dead.

"Why does he look so terrible?" Sasha whimpered out as she rushed to the cell bars gripping them tightly.

"He's a prisoner, Sasha. We can't make exceptions on how we treat them." Edmund replied softly, not wanted to anger her more.

"But.. but" she stuttered. Just by the tone of her voice, Edmund knew she was on the edge of crying. "Hasn't he been fed? He looks so malnourished. Can't he get some water or something?"

Edmund went to order the guards to bring Arkin some food and drink while Sasha stayed behind and crouched on the ground, softly calling out the wolves name. He slowly drifted out of consciousness, his over-weighing feelings of fatigue caused him to not process who was right in front of him straightaway.

Once he noticed who it was he quickly got to his feet in an attempt to get closer to Sasha. However, he fell back down abruptly, hitting his mouth off of the concrete floor. A pained whimper escaped his mouth as he sighed, feeling weak and pathetic.

"Don't stress yourself, Arkin. I've sent Edmund to go get you some food and water." Sasha spoke softly.

Arkin tried to speak but his throat was so dry that only raspy incoherent sounds came out. Sasha quickly stopped him from speaking and as she did Edmund returned with food and water for Arkin. He slid the tray of food and bowl of water under the bars towards Arkin who weakly nodded before devouring the food in front of him then gulping down the water.

Sasha was disgusted at how starved he was but he is also here as a prisoner so she does understand, it just hurts her that it's Arkin.

Both Edmund and Sasha had seating themselves on the floor in front of the cell waiting for Arkin to finish. As soon as he licked the tray clean he immediately bowed and thanked his King and Sasha for their kindness.

"Miss Sasha," Arkin breathed as he found the new strength to stand. "I'm relived you are okay. I understand why you would be angry and scared but please believe me, I was forced to do that to you." Arkin pleaded.

Sasha shushed Arkin softly before speaking. "Thats why we are here, Arkin." she began.

"We need to know what happened, Arkin. We need to know why you did what you did. You need to tell us." Edmund spoke softly but a serious tone also evident in his voice.

Arkin didn't waste any time as he stumbled closer to the cell bars. "It was Lady Annabella. Everything was her." Arkin explained everything. Right from the moment she ordered him to kill Sasha up until now. Edmund and Sasha listened carefully to every word Arkin spoke.

"I'm sorry that it only took her to threaten to kill me to convince me to obey her. But I never ever was going to kill you Sasha. I needed to injure you severely for her to believe me and I knew Queen Lucy's cordial was there to save you." Arkin gulped slightly before continuing. "But once I discovered that the cordial wasn't working.. Oh, the guilt and worry ate at me constantly." Arkin shook his head in embarrassment as he apologised to Sasha.

Sasha's expression softened as she shook her head slowly. "It is fine, Arkin. I'm alive and I didn't believe that you would ever intentionally do that to me." Sasha made sure to reassure Arkin before she turned her head to Edmund. "I knew Annabella was behind it."

Edmund nodded before looking at Arkin. "We'll be sure to make her pay for this, both to what she's done to you and Sasha. Don't worry, Arkin. We will get you out of this cell immediately." Edmund said before rising to his feet but Arkin stopped him before he could.

"King Edmund, wait! There is something else." Arkin barked and continued once Edmund had settled back down again. "After she found out Sasha was alive she came down here to confront me. Before she left she said something about making sure no one finds out about what she has done. She said anything or anyone she destroys will be because of me." Arkin explained and worry washed over Edmund's face.

"Why do you look so worried, Edmund? We got to Arkin before she could do anything." Sasha questioned but Edmund only got more worried.

He stood up hurriedly and began to pace anxiously. "Sasha, before we came down here we talked to Annabella. She did nothing to properly convince us of staying away from Arkin. She just told us to stay away and that was it."

The realisation caused Sasha to also panic as she began to think of ways why Annabella would do this. "What do we do? From what you are saying, then this is very concerning." Arkin spoke as even he didn't know what to do.

"She has distracted us. She has made us come down here so we are out of the way." Edmund panicked as he began to make his way out of the dungeon before stopping as he noticed Sasha was following him.

"No. stay here with Arkin." Edmund said quickly before handing her keys to unlock the cell. "You are the one who she is after, it won't be safe for you. Just please stay here." Edmund spoke hurriedly.

"Ed-"

He kissed Sasha's forehead before she could even attempt to protest against his choice. "please stay, you'll be safe with Arkin. I'll send down guards once i get to them." and with that he had dashed out of the dungeon.

Leaving Sasha alone with Arkin.