Floating ||Edmund Pevensie FanFiction||

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Charlotte noticed his gestures, allowing some silence to fill in the gaps in their conversation. She saw truth in his opinion, and could not deny the lack of fairness shown towards the Just King himself. Edmund evidently had a lot to get off his chest and he needed to translate these thoughts.

"I just don't get it, you know?" He threw his hands up. "I trained so hard, I even rose to be a better fighter than Peter, Caspian's just caught up to my skills because he had help from you."

"Edmund..."

"And I thought, without Peter here, everyone would finally treat me with respect. I feel pathetic," he said in frustration, concealing his rage within his fists that fiddled with the ropes, "you heard Drinian's recount. Am I doomed to be remembered as the boy who betrayed everyone to the White Witch? Didn't even know what I was getting into at the time."

"Of course not, Edmund!" Charlotte exclaimed, before suddenly realising the intensity in her tone, then softening her volume. "We both know you came a long way from then."

"So why can't I join the army on Earth, then?" He challenged her thoughts. "If I'm as you describe me to be, why wouldn't they let me go?"

"Edmund, you don't meet their age requirements yet, it's illegal!" Charlotte's tone wavered between whispers and shouts, and she paused to regain her composure. "What are you trying to prove so badly? I remember you telling me, wars on Earth are nothing like wars in Narnia. The combat skills my father built here were redundant there."

"I want to prove that I'm worthy of respect, is that so hard?" He gazed into her eyes softly.

"You are respected, High King Edmund," she reminded him as she pulled him into a hug, "I promise you, I see your worth."

Edmund's hands snaked around her waist, seeking solace in her embrace. They stayed that way in silence, sensing their worries disintegrating. With their eyes closed, they could feel each other's heartbeats slowing down, synchronised as one.

"Oh, there you are— Oh."

Both of their eyes shot open in horror and they sprang apart instantly. They turned their heads towards the source of the intrusive male voice.

"I awoke to see an empty hammock," Caspian raised a hand as an apologetic gesture, "I'm terribly sorry, was I interrupting something?"

"No, No—"

"—No, not at all."

Edmund and Charlotte silently stared at each other. Some more footsteps were heard and Lucy's head appeared.

"Having a party without me, it seems?" She suggested sourly.

"It's not just you, Lucy," Caspian played along in taking umbrage as he crossed his arms, "seems that Edmund and Charlotte were having a secret rendezvous."

Charlotte raised her eyebrows, prompting Edmund to speak.

"We just couldn't sleep," Edmund scratched the back of his neck, "I uh, meant to talk to Charlotte about the legend."

Charlotte and Lucy glanced at each other, trying to recall any conversation with him regarding a legend.

"Legend?"