Always || Edmund Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia) [1]

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

POSTED 3/31/20

A/N: Not proofread again, but what's new? This took me so long to write because it felt like something was always off lmao. I'm only half awake at the moment so I'll edit this chapter and end it with another quick author's note at the bottom tomorrow! Watch out for that and maybe another update (not a chapter) because I'll be posting some important stuff here hehe

There was one sliver of grace that followed the wars that Narnia always seemed to be caught in the middle of: the peace that came after. It was always just so comforting and settling. It might sound strange knowing the land's history of cycles of war and peace and the struggle of picking up the pieces after a tragedy, but Mary liked to believe that it didn't make the aftermath of the war's worth any less. Yes, there were loads of challenges they were faced with, but there was still so much more to be thankful for, and more importantly, to learn from. She wished it would be the same case back home wherein the entire world was still plunged in a war.

Mary's three years alone in Narnia were truly eventful. They had defeated the Northern Giants when their rebellion was at its peak, successfully taking down yet another threat. Majority of the Narnians were finally living comfortably, having found their suitable sources of livelihood — whether it was farming, being in the army, working in the castle, or being self-employed in a business. It eased the anxiety Mary felt about being left alone by the Pevensies to make sure their people got back on their feet following the hundreds of years in hiding due to the Telmarine's cruel reign. Finally, Mary felt confident about who she was and what she was capable of — at least in Narnia. Back home, she always just went with the flow of things because everything was uncertain and unpredictable due to the war. At least in here, they were able to overcome their own war and she was able to take part in helping everyone get back on track.

Mary breathed in the salty ocean air that breezed through the balcony she was standing on. It overlooked the beach just as it had did before Cair Paravel was destroyed. The Pevensies, Reepicheep, and Aslan — they were all correct. This was a castle like no other. Mary was glad to have finally been able to move there and away from the Telmarine castle, which, though was still beautiful, didn't hold the same comfort and grandeur that Cair Paravel did.

"Are you going to get ready to head to Calormen or not?"

Mary whipped around to find Caspian standing just by the doors that led to the balcony.

"Do I have a choice?" she answered bitterly.

Caspian chuckled, walking over to stand next to her as he said, "Come on, they're not that bad."

"Yes, of course they aren't bad. They're just astonishingly dumb."

"You say the same thing about every man who tries to ask for your hand in marriage."

"Well, sorry for rejecting the Tisroc's twelve year old son, then."

Caspian couldn't help the large grin of amusement that fought its way to his face. It truly was entertaining during their last visit to Calormen to see a kid want to be romantically involved with Mary. Aside from the fact that there was a political motive behind it so that theirs and Narnia's kingdom would not break off their soon-to-be official alliance that easily, the young boy clearly had a crush on Mary and stupidly thought she felt the same just because she was polite to him.

"Is this what Edmund meant when he said loads of girls always fell for him back then?" Mary sighed dramatically.

"I suppose so. He was the most eligible bachelor, and now, you're the most eligible bachelorette. Well, sort of. I mean, you and Edmund are still..."