The Call To The Old - An Edmund Pevensie fanfiction

Chapter twenty-four

Talia sighed, still feeling the pressure of Miraz's weapon upon her throat, "Does that mean I have to stay here until it is done?" she complained.

"No." Edmund declared, "You'll come back with me." he stated, stepping towards the girl.

Miraz turned his sword from Talia to the boy, "She will stay here." he argued.

"Why? Do you enjoy my company that much?" the girl protested. Talia grabbed the arm of the older King, turning him away from the younger, so she could whisper, "I know you will win," she lied, speaking in a hushed tone, "and I don't know why you are so set on keeping me if you do so, but you can at least let me say goodbye to them over the next coming hours or so. And if you win- when you win, I will gladly return to the comfort of your palace, with no protest. All I ask is to spend some time with them, and afterwards, think, I can inform you of all their plans, all of their hiding places. Use me as your weapon Miraz, I will be your spy- when you win, you will win all of the knowledge also. I promise. I will always, and have always been, loyal to your cause." she proposed, the catch being when Miraz won, she would tell him everything- she knew the King stood no chance.

"So that's what you've been doing this whole time, getting information to eventually pass on to me?" Miraz spoke, just as hushed.

"You are my King, Miraz- even while living here, that never changed."

"How do I know I can trust you? You killed your own brother."

"Didn't you do the same? Don't we all do things for our own personal benefit? You know just as well as I, that if I had not killed Clidis, he and my father would have come for your throne; their province was failing- they had plans to take over yours. I killed him for you, and I will gladly do it again- just give me the chance."

"If you are lying, I will kill you and everyone you have ever cared for." he threatened.

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

The pair turned back around, after their quiet negotiations, all in the tent watched them with apprehension. Miraz looked directly at Edmund, "you can have your Princess." all of his generals were plastered with a shocked look, which they attempted to hide.

Talia's chains were removed, and she rushed to Edmund's side. The pair began to walk away, but Talia turned her head to send a sneaky wink Miraz's way, reminding him that she was on his side. Well, she wasn't really- she hated the man, and all she had said earlier was a complete lie, but she had to keep the act up somehow. In all honesty she was surprised Miraz had even fell for it.

Talia and Edmund walked in silence, until they were out of earshot of the Telmarines.

"Thank you." Talia muttered, with a smile.

"What did you say to him?" he questioned, sharply.

"...I told him that I would spy for him. Said something along the lines of if he wins, he wins the knowledge of the Narnians, as well. I can't believe he fell for it." she laughed, but Edmund didn't return the favour.

"So, you bargained away all of our secrets, all of our military plans? What is wrong with you?" there was anger in his voice now.

"I haven't told him yet, Edmund- I have faith that Peter will win, and if he does so then those secrets stay with us! And besides, would you rather me just stay in that camp, with my life under constant threat?" she argued back.

He was silent for a second, "Of course not... But that doesn't mean you put everything on the line!"

"Can you trust that I have done the right thing here? Peter will win. Miraz isn't the best at face-to-face combat, and the Narnians secrets will stay secret. Just trust me!" she huffed, walking ahead of the boy.

She heard his footsteps running up to catch up with her, "I do trust you Talia. I trust you the most out of everyone." he mumbled, eyes on the floor- he regretted what he had said already.

"Speak up, Ed." she replied.

The boy grabbed her arm, forcing them both to stop walking, "I do trust you, Talia."

"I'm glad." Talia spoke in return, expecting there to be something more to his words- an apology or something.

"And I..." he trailed off, to a stop.

Talia looked at him, sighed, and then grabbed his hand, "Come on." The boy was shocked at her sudden display of affection, but did not complain, he was glad that he had been forgiven. Talia decided that she would not tell him about her father just yet.

The pair walked up to the grand entrance of the tomb, that the Narnians were situated within. They were still holding hands, although I'm not sure either were really aware of it, it just felt so natural-they didn't even remember. Quite some distance away, in the entryway stood Peter, Susan, Caspian and Lucy, as well as some other Narnians, who were awaiting their arrival- they did notice Talia and Edmund's hand holding, and Lucy couldn't contain her giggles.

"Oh." Talia murmured upon realising, looking down at their intertwined hands, "We should probably..." the pair quickly pulled away from each other.

Edmund returned with a clear of his throat to diffuse the awkwardness, and he stood to watch his friend run off into the arms of Caspian to greet him. He couldn't help but stare, even if he didn't mean too, she looked so happy with him.

Talia fell into the arms of her longest friend and felt ever so safe within them- she couldn't help but break out into the largest of smiles. The girl made her way down the line greeting each of her friends individually, hugging both Lucy and Susan. When she got to Peter, she froze, the pair still were not really on the best of terms, but he extended a hand towards her, with a soft smile upon his face, Talia ignored his formality and rushed to hug him also- to which the boy stiffened too, but eventually relaxed into, happy that the pair were finally good again.

Talia smiled at the elder boy before her, equally happy about being on good terms with him again. She began to explain to him how the plan had been a total success and Miraz had completely fallen for her lies. He and his sisters returned her story with the same excitement. Everyone was nervous, but everyone was at least happy.

Talia eyes wandered to notice Edmund storm off into the tomb by himself, she looked on at him curiously and excused herself from the conversation, following him indoors.