The Call To The Old - An Edmund Pevensie fanfiction

Chapter forty-five

Talia's heart raced at Edmund's touch at her waist, the way his fingers gently rested at the curve of her body- and fit so perfectly in that position. She couldn't even try to contain a smile.

"What are you smiling at, Sunsei?" Edmund joked.

"Do you remember when we first met?" She returned, a dreamy look in her eye.

"When I saved you from drowning in the river?" the boy answered looking down into her eyes.

Talia moved her hand to his cheek, and whispered slowly, "You know I used to wish that you had just left me there to drown, or that you had come just five minutes later. I suppose that's why I never thanked you, but I've come to realise that what I wished and what I truly wanted were far different. Just the same as when I wished to marry Caspian and be rid of the eventual heartbreak that would come when you return to your homeland, but now I know, that what I truly want is you, no matter the context. To be by your side for however long I can, is my only, true desire, my only want."

Edmund looked the girl up and down, with admiration, continuing to dance with her. He spoke plainly, "I am glad you've come to this realisation," he paused, "although it would have been nice if it come sooner." he joked with a smirk, and looked to the floor, but not before Talia noticed the slight blush that decorated his cheeks upon his hearing of her affections.

Talia smiled at him, and Edmund could only smile back- he adored the way that she looked at him. To him the girl encapsulated all of the magic Narnia had to offer; to him she was the moon, the stars and all of the constellations- his heart burned for her and only her, and yet he failed to find the words to respond to her.

"Let me show you the gardens." Talia suggested.

As though in a dream, the pair ran through the gardens, with smiles almost as wide as their hearts. Happiness poured through them, infecting them in the veins. The teenagers chased each other into the castle maze, their laughter creating a beautiful music that paired kindly with the sounds of the birds, and the whistles of the wind through the trees.

"I hope you notice my running skills have improved!" Talia shouted in between breaths.

"For Aslan's sake, Talia, when I first met you I could run rings around you. Have you been training for the Olympics or something?" Edmund laughed, quickly becoming breathless.

Talia slowed slightly to ponder over this new word, "The Olympics? Do you need a sit down?" she mocked, "I'm not sure you're thinking straight."

But with her mocking, her pace slowed and the boy was able to catch up to her, "Ah! Gotcha!" he shouted as he grabbed the girl's shoulders, making her squeal in shock. Talia attempted to sneak away from his grip but he held on tightly, and it wasn't long before the pair had fallen to the floor- playfighting. "You forget my secret weapon!" he laughed, before tickling the girl causing her to break out in a plethora of giggles. "Surrender!" he ordered.

The girl shook her head. Edmund stopped for a second to let the girl breathe, but before he could continue she spoke, "And you forget mine!" and from her hair she pulled a small, concealed, dagger. Talia rolled over so that she now sat on top of him, and placed the dagger to his throat, "Did you forget our fight?"

"I did not forget my victory." he smirked.

"Ah, but now I have magic on my side." she smiled, and as she spoke green vines curled up from the ground to tie Edmund to the floor.

Edmund raised an eyebrow, "save it for the bedroom love." he winked.

"One more comment and I'll leave you here for good."

"You wouldn't." he smirked.

Talia pretended to think about the situation, "you're right... I wouldn't leave you before I..." she trailed off to place a tender kiss on the boy's lips. "But now, I am free to leave you here forever."

"Forever is an awfully long time, can I ask you to reschedule that to maybe a couple more seconds? I have this itch I am begging to scratch."

"Wow," Talia spoke sarcastically, with that convincing attempt you have won me over. My Prince you are free to relieve yourself." she winked.

Edmund sat up, sharply to look her in the eyes, and grabbed her cheeks, "It's King Edmund actually."

Talia laughed, "you're proud of that one aren't you?"

"Come here." he rolled his eyes.

"I suppose I have to obey my King." she joked.

"Yes, yes you do." he pulled Talia onto his lap and smashed his lips onto hers. She received the kiss with a smile, as she felt her heart flutter. Her hand trailed up his body to mingle with the curls of his hair, whilst his hands made their way to the small of her back. Edmund pulled away and began to trail a gentle line of kisses across the girl's jawline and down to her chest.

"Ed," Talia softly moaned, "not here. Not in public."

"Why not?" he said with a smirk.

"Because I am a Princess and you are a King."

"Yes," he paused to place another row of tender kisses on her collarbone, to which she couldn't help but embrace the feeling, he pulled away to continue, "and that is precisely why we should not care- because you are a Princess and I am a King."

Talia grabbed the boy's chin so that he looked her directly in the eyes, "not here, Ed." This was an order now.

Edmund bowed his head in acceptance, "Come on then, love, let's return to this ball of ours. Now that we have given all of them a show!" he jeered.

Talia laughed, "Ew yes, I bet they were all watching from the balconies. Probably the most action any of them have seen in years."

The pair broke out into a collection of giggles, spurring Edmund on to pick the squealing girl up and run her to the palace doors.

Their happiness something only seen in paintings.

But the paint was beginning to run out.