A New Beginning | Edmund Pevensie {1}

[10]

"The great thing about new friends, is that they bring new energy to your soul." - Shanna Rodriguez.

I found myself next to Caspian on the walk down to the Narnian's camp. I caught him glancing at me every few seconds, and waited for him to say something.

"Forgive me for sounding rude, but who are you?" he asked looking me up and down. Now it makes sense, I was new and he didn't recognise me from any of the Pevensie stories, for obvious reasons.

"Oh, I'm Arabella, I came here with the Kings and Queens, probably by accident, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time." I explained. He nodded taking in the new information.

"So you aren't a Queen?" he asked making sure he had it right.

"Nope, just plain old me." I replied smiling at him. He smiled lightly back.

"You seem very close to them." he observed. I nodded looking towards my friends.

"I met them about a year ago, back in our World and we've just sort of become a family." I knew Caspian was glad he had found someone to talk to easily, because he knew he wouldn't be able to handle them if they were all like Peter. "Sorry about Peter, by the way, he just likes being in charge, even if he's wrong." I continued. Caspian breathed out a laugh smiling widely.

"I'm not sure how you've managed to be near him and have not been executed yet." he joked. I laughed and turned to him walking backwards in front of him.

"Well anyone that's ever met me, either loves me or wants to murder me, usually both." I commented. Caspian laughed again, he seemed to enjoy my company, he started to feel like the older brother I always wanted, you know aside from my other three brothers, but I couldn't ask for better. I turned back around, and we continued laughing and talking all the way. 

When we came to a clearing, we saw a large rock face, with a hole at the bottom, opening up like a cave. Many Narnians were stood in front of it. As we walked closer, we saw it was lines of centaurs making a walkway for the Kings and Queens. The royals came to a stop, as the centaurs pulled out their swords, and angled them diagonally to make a sort of bridge. The four Pevensies walked confidently forwards, used to the grand welcoming. I had no clue where to stand, I wasn't a Queen, or even a princess. I felt so out of place. I saw Caspian had waited back, not walking with them. Caspian noticed my hesitation and pulled me with him into the cave, after the Pevensies. I smiled gratefully at him, as we walked at the front of the Narnians with us. It was unusually dark in the cave, with torches lit around the edges of the room. It took a second for my eyes to adjust to see the many Narnians making weapons. Edmund, Caspian, Peter and I stopped to look around.

"It may not be what you are used to, but it is defensible." Caspian commented. I was excited to get a sword, or a bow, or a weapon of any kind, I didn't want to rely on the Pevensies for everything. 

"Peter, you may want to see this." Susan called from the edge of the room. We walked down a corridor, with paintings of the Pevensies decorating the walls. Each picture told a story, that I matched with my knowledge, from what I have been taught. "It's us." Susan told us all. We all looked over the paintings again, slightly unnerved.

"What is this place?" Lucy asked Caspian. He looked at us with confusion written on his face. 

"You don't know?" Caspian asked, answering her question with a question. That is why she asked. We all stayed silent, waiting for him to explain, as he grabbed a torch off the wall. He lead us further down into the corridor, I walked next to Edmund, since he had a torch in his hand. It was incredibly dark down there. I grabbed his hand gently, so I didn't lose him somehow. I knew it was next to impossible, but me being me, I'd find a way. Edmund rubbed soothing circles on the back of my hand, which I deeply appreciated. 

Eventually, the corridor opened into a larger room. The Pevensies all looked around, squinting in the darkness. Caspian put his torch over a rock, the fire springing to life, spreading across the whole room. My eyes followed the line of fire, and beautiful carvings in the wall, entered my line of vision. A carving of Aslan himself sat behind a large stone table, with a crack down the middle. I knew the story of Aslan's sacrifice for Edmund, and squeezed his hand gently, knowing he still felt guilty for what he did. Lucy was the first one to approach the table, a grim look on her face. 

"He must know what he's doing." she stated turning back around to face us. 

"I think it's up to us now." Peter spoke with an authority in his voice. Lucy gave a defeated look, as we turned away from the mighty table before them. I wanted to disagree with him, and trust Aslan, but of course he had the final word. Peter wanted to hold a gathering, to discuss what was to happen to them at what was now known as Aslan's Howe. 

(A/N Hope you enjoyed the chapter don't forget to vote xx)