It seemed that the stars held more significance to Edmund Pevensie and Aramis Eleazer than either realised. All of their most important conversations seemed to happen at night beneath them. The very moments which they bared their souls to one another were when the light burned brightest. Even the world was on their side.
Although, Caspian seemed to be ignorant to their situation. That being, Aramis was refusing to talk to Edmund, unless he was the one to converse first. It wasn't like him to be so petty, however, he felt like he had a right this time. He was not accustomed to being pushed to the side, especially not when it was someone who was supposed to love him.
"I've never seen these constellations before." Edmund muttered, staring at the sky. He couldn't bare to look to his left and see Aramis. He was far too guilty.
"Me neither." Caspian admitted. "We're a long way from home. When I was a boy, I used to imagine sailing to the end of the world... finding my father there."
There was a soft reply from the freckled King. "Maybe you will."
Caspian went to sleep not too long after that, although he did talk of the stars again. He loved the night sky, as did everyone, and he could appreciate it. And when he was finally asleep, it left only Aramis and Edmund awake enough to stay in each others company. Never once had they been awkward, but now, it was.
Again, Aramis refused to say anything, or in fact look at the King. There was a certain amount of distain building in his chest, and whilst his guilt was riddled through his bones, he did not give in. For once, he was taking a stand. He would not be the first to cave.
"I'm sorry." Edmund said, eventually, finally breaking the silence. It was hard to know how long it had lasted for, but Aramis could hardly be surprised that was the first thing he said. "I shouldn't have acted like that."
"No." Aramis replied, swiftly. "You should not have."
"But I am really sorry." He continued, sorrow filling his eyes. "You didn't deserve to see me like that."
"No." The spirit shook his head. "I did not. It was frightening. It is not who you are."
He dragged the words out, nervously. "I know."
Edmund had never, as long as Aramis had known him, been the one to cause problems on purpose. Even now, he believed it. There was something about him that was unable to deal with all of the real issues in life. He couldn't get angry, and he could deal with it. That was why he and Aramis had always gotten along so well. They shared the same sort of guilt.
"It was never your fault." Aramis whispered, softly, resting his head on Edmund's shoulder. "You were never in control."
"It's not an excuse." He sniffled. "You need better than that."
"I need you." The spirit replied, looking up fondly at the King. There was no one better. Not in his eyes. Not ever. "And I will always need you."
"I need you too." Edmund smiled softly, kissing the top of his forehead, resting his cheek there. "Always."
They fell asleep in each others arms, as they were supposed to. Whilst everything was not completely resolved, they felt like they could move on without any real problems. They could be themselves: just Aramis and Edmund. The people they were supposed to be.
It didn't feel like enough sleep at all, actually, because when they awoke to Lucy shouting at the sky, it was barely daylight. It would be difficult to function, but they would have to anyway. There wasn't a choice in the matter.
"Everybody!" She screamed, her voice loud enough to raise an army of the dead. "Everybody wake up! It's the blue star!"
Sure enough, she was right, and in the sky was a cyan glowing. It was the star. Though Aramis didn't know who was behind it, he saw family in it. They were the same, in a sort of way, they were both spirits. If they found it, then maybe he could see his family again. This was supposed to be a good day, and with that prospect, it became even better.
Then, like Vikings, they followed the star in the Dawn Treader. It was far in the distance, and maybe they would never reach it, but it was beautiful. And it was a moment, just for them. It was cathartic, and it was solitary, and it was public. It was a possible everything, and a momentary nothing.
After a few days, their luck changed, however. Their journey had been rather smooth in the beginning, but nothing could stay that way forever, they all knew that by now.
"The wind has left us." Drinian informed them all, eventually.
Edmund sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, his thoughts racing. "So how do we get to Ramandu's Island now then?"
"My guess is that something doesn't want us to get there." Aramis was becoming increasingly nervous about their situation. It wasn't what they wanted, or needed, at all. "If we don't find land by tonight we may well eat that dragon."
Whether Eustace heard what Drinian said or not was something they never found the answer to. It might have just been brilliant timing. Whatever the reason, the boat then started to move, quickly. Men were being knocked side to side.
"What did we hit?" Caspian asked, panicked, looking overboard.
"Eustace..." Edmund sighed, looking up, with relief. "That's brilliant."
There the dragon was, when they followed his gaze upwards, pulling the masthead forwards. He propelled the ship like the wind, faster even. And they cheered for him, louder than Aramis had ever heard them. Finally, Eustace had somewhere that he could fit in. He knew what he could do now.
And then, finally, they reached the Island, all with the help of Eustace. The star had not lead them wrongly, which was a rather brilliant surprise. But there was only one thing on the spirits mind as he looked to Ramandu's Island. It was the most beautiful place he had ever seen.
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Disclaimer!!!!
I do not own these characters. I do not own the Narnia series. I do not own the actors, or the characters. The only thing I own is my adaptation of the story, and my original character.