Floating ||Edmund Pevensie FanFiction||

||24||

"Thank you, High King Edmund," Drinian stood by the Just King with his hands behind his back.

Edmund did a dubious double take at the man beside him. His eyes darted sideways with a single raised eyebrow, appalled at the captain's sudden expression of gratitude, and usage of his new title. Of all times, entering a cave filled with a sinister darkness was a moment that Edmund least expected to receive a verbal token of appreciation, especially from an extremely misinformed individual that had been vilifying his legacy.

"What for?"

"King Caspian often struggles to guide the crew through the darkest times, but he draws his confidence from you." Drinian elaborated, his features fraught with gratitude, "He keeps looking at you for guidance. You're truly a leader in your own way, your Majesty."

Edmund observed the King before him and his newfound confidence. This truly was what Edmund lived for, guiding his fellow King and being recognised for his efforts. He was reminded of his reign with Peter, and the times when he would guide Peter towards keeping Narnians in high spirits. Though his contributions were silent, they were visible and appreciated.

"I appreciate that, Captain."

As the ship proceeded into the open mouth of the cave, the whole crew stood still silently, scanning the darkness around them. Whispers and echoes fluttered around their ears, taunting their deepest, darkest fears. No one dared to move, intimidated by the eeriness accompanying the dark. Mists surrounded them, obstructing their path ahead.

"Be on guard," Caspian advised everyone with a strict stance.

In the mist, Charlotte noticed some of the crewman in a daze, enthralled by the mists surrounding them. She tilted her head quizzically, with a confused frown sitting on her eyebrows. Then, a soft voice flowed through her ear.

"Charlotte..."

She whipped her head, finding herself staring straight into the eyes of Aunt Jill — or rather, Queen Jillian — among the green mists. She jolted, shocked by her predecessor's sudden appearance at a close proximity.

"I don't care if you spend an eternity here, you could never rid yourself of the memories," the mirage of Queen Jillian shook her head with disapproval, "it will never get better, wherever you escape to..."

"It's not real," Charlotte whispered softly, backing away from the entity. "You're an illusion... You're fake."

But the mists' voice only approached closer with each step, somehow revolving around her. "Am I? Or do I only speak the truth that you deny within..."

"No, no.."

All that she mentioned ran through Charlotte's mind like a tape recording, constantly attacking her darkest vulnerabilities.

"My sister is gone..." The mists whispered in anguish from behind her ear. "And this guilt will always haunt you for an eternity."

"Stop it!"

Charlotte buried her face in her hands, an influx of tears surging through her eyes. The guilt of a survivor had always followed her, and Narnia had always seemed the perfect place to escape to and rid herself of the scarring memories. Unfortunately, her guilt was bound to her like a shadow.