Alliance

Chapter 17- Solum

Solum

Latin

Alone

-

so,

all those who had never before tasted wine

fell into hating water

-

Edmund was writing in his journal.
It wasn't a diary, all he wrote it in was his account of the work he had done that day- he always sat up in bed, and wrote it in before sleep.
From the other side of the bed, where Sanya was lying down- like she always was- with Jem asleep between them, he heard her say quietly,  "I know we aren't on speaking terms-"

"You're right."

"But I need to know." She went on as if she hadn't heard what he'd said. "How long is Rabadash staying here? It's been two months."

"Up to Susan, and she likes him, so I don't think we'll be seeing the back of him anytime soon." Edmund didn't like the spoilt and foolish Prince at all, but it wasn't like his sister was going to marry him. Hopefully. If he made her happy- hopefully only as friends- so be it.

"Oh..."

He set his journal down on his bedside table and turned towards his wife, "Why? What's your problem with him?"

"Contrary to your belief, Your Majesty, I do not have a problem with everyone and everything. You're wrong about that." She told him, still quiet- Jem was sleeping- but with much more hostility. "I realise being told you're wrong is something wholly unfamiliar to you- but you should start getting used to it."

"Every word coming out of your-" beautiful "mouth is just making me surer and surer about my decision about our marriage."

"Good for you." She replied patronisingly, turning on her side and away from him. "Also, I'm glad you confirmed what I had suspected for years."

Edmund was unable to control his curiosity and, in spite of himself, asked, "And what's that?"

There was a short hesitant pause before her voice came again, softer, "That I'm not good enough. Never have been, never will be- for anyone or anything. And I'm glad you came to your senses on that. So thank you."

But that's not true, he wanted to say. You've been the most worthwhile thing to me, he wanted to say. You are good enough- actually, you're much more than just good enough to me, he wanted to say.
You're everything.

But he said nothing.

Instead all he said was, "You're welcome," before he turned around to the opposite side and fixed his gaze on the wall.

-

"The Gardens of Cair Paravel truly are exquisite." Rabadash commented as he and Susan strolled through there in the dim light of the moon. "Almost as much as you are."

Susan didn't know why- she had heard similar and better flattery lots of times- but there was something in his words, or his tone, that made her blush. "Oh, please, Your Highness, my beauty is nothing compared to the wonder of these flora."

"You might feel that way, but I do not. It really is quite fitting that you've been given to the Southern Sun- you are as radiant as it." He had memorised these compliments and had practised him beforehand, so the delivery was as smooth as possible. "And you are a woman of charm, and intelligence to boot! Narnia is most fortunate to have you as a Queen."