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lvnleah · 2 months ago

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— christmas list | our little love series 🎄

find the twelve days of Christmas masterlist here!

The kitchen smelled of fresh cookies, the scent lingering from the batch you had baked earlier with Beth and Viv. You sat at the kitchen island, swinging your legs back and forth, a piece of paper spread out in front of you. Your pink crayon was poised in your tiny hand, your tongue poking out in concentration as you focused on writing your name at the top of the page.

“R… O… R… What’s next, Mamma?” you asked, glancing at Viv with wide eyes.

“The letter Y, mijn meisje,” Viv said from her spot across the island, sipping her tea. She leaned forward slightly to watch you, her soft smile filled with pride. “You’re doing great.”

“Thanks, Mamma!” you grinned, carefully adding the Y and then squinting at the paper. “I think it’s done.”

Beth came up behind you, peering over your shoulder. “Let’s see, then. Rory… and what’s this?” she teased, pointing to the backwards Y you’d scrawled at the end. “A new type of letter, is it, monster?”

You gasped, twisting to face her, holding the crayon tightly in your hand. “It’s not wrong, Mummy! It’s just special!”

Beth laughed, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of your head. “Of course it is, munchkin. My mistake. What are we writing next?”

“My Christmas list!” you exclaimed, bouncing in your chair, your pigtails bobbing with the movement. You turned back to the paper, your excitement bubbling over as you looked at Viv for confirmation. “Right, Mamma?”

Viv nodded. “That’s right, Roo. But remember, it’s not just about asking for things. You have to be very polite to Santa, too.”

You nodded, “Okay, I’ll be polite. I promise.”

Beth smirked. “Shall we start with ‘Dear Santa,’ then? Or are we going straight to ‘Gimme all the toys’?”

You giggled, shaking your head. “No, Mummy! That’s not polite!” You picked up your red crayon again and began carefully writing out “Dear Santa” in big, uneven letters. Viv reached over and gently steadied the paper for you, her other hand brushing against your back.

“Perfect,” Viv said as you finished. “And what’s next? Want to tell him you’ve been good this year?”

You paused, tilting your head. “I think so… but maybe you should write that bit for me, Mamma, so he knows I really mean it.”

Beth snorted, hiding her laugh behind her hand. “Cheeky monkey. I think Santa knows you’re good… most of the time.”

“I am good!” you insisted, crossing your arms with a pout. “I help with the dogs and clean my room! Mostly.”

“Mostly,” Viv echoed with a teasing smile. “Go on, mijn meisje. Tell Santa what you’d like.”

You uncrossed your arms and picked up a green crayon this time, switching colours because, as you explained, “It has to look pretty for Santa.” Then, in your best wobbly handwriting, you began to list out your wishes, saying them aloud as you wrote:

“Colouring book,” you said first, your tongue sticking out in concentration as you struggled to form the letters. “With lots of crayons!” You underlined it twice for emphasis.

“Good choice,” Beth said, leaning on the counter. “What’s next? World domination? A pony?”

You giggled again, shaking your head. “Nooo, Mummy. Mamma says no pony, it’s smelly!”

Beth gasped, “But I thought you wanted your very own pony to ride to school?!”

“Nooo! Silly, Mummy,” you giggled, “Twix needs more friends! Like a bunny family!”

“Friends for Twix, got it,” Viv said, her lips twitching into a smile as she wrote that one down for you. “What else, mijn meisje?”

“Ummm… princess dresses!” You clapped your hands, your excitement bubbling over. “And… Barbie! A fairy one! And—oh, and something for Myle and Rona! Like a new ball or treats!”

Beth grinned. “Well, Santa’s got his work cut out for him this year.”

You paused, “Maybe some sweets, too?” you added. “For me…oh and some uhhh sweets for you and Mamma!”

Beth gave Viv a look. “What a generous little monster we’ve got, Vivi.”

Viv nodded in agreement, ruffling your curls gently. “Even if she’s already had enough sweets today.”

“Not enough!” you argued, turning to flash her a cheeky grin. “Never enough!”

Viv shook her head. “Back to work, mijn meisje. Make sure it’s pretty for Santa.”

You nodded seriously, returning your focus to your letter. After writing out a few more items with Viv’s help, you grabbed your box of crayons and began drawing little pictures around the edges—a Christmas tree in one corner, a stick-figure Santa in another, and, of course, a lopsided drawing of Twix.

Beth leaned down to look. “Is that me?” she asked, pointing to a stick figure with wild hair next to the tree.

“No,” you said, giggling. “That’s Santa. You don’t have a beard, Mummy.”

Beth laughed. “Fair enough. What about this one?” She pointed to another stick figure with longer hair holding a bunny.

“That’s me and Twix!” you declared proudly. “And that’s you, Mamma and Myle over there.”

Viv smiled softly, watching you colour. “Santa will love it, Roo!”

When you were finally finished, you held the paper up for both of them to see. It was full of scribbled words, mismatched colours, and wobbly drawings, but your face shone with pride. “Oh! Wait, it needs glitter!”

Viv raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile. “Glitter? Oh no, not the glitter.”

You nodded eagerly. “Yes! Glitter makes everything prettier!” Without waiting for a response, you grabbed the glitter shaker from the side, the colourful sparkles catching the light.

“Roo, wait, we need to—” Viv began, but it was too late. You shook the glitter shaker with all your might, and in an instant, the kitchen counter was covered in a shimmering rainbow of glitter. Some of it landed on your paper, but most of it flew into the air, settling on the counter, your clothes, and even the dogs, who were now sniffing curiously at the glitter on the floor.

“Mamma, look!” you giggled, holding up your glitter-covered hands, “It’s so sparkly!”

Beth couldn’t help but laugh, “I think Santa might get a little extra sparkle with this letter.” She gave Viv a playful look. “What do you think, Vivi? Will Santa be able to read it with all the glitter?”

Viv sighed but smiled fondly. “He’ll get the message, and I’m sure he’ll appreciate the effort, Roo. But we might need to clean up some of this glitter before we track it everywhere.”

You giggled, “But Mamma, it’s just a little sparkle!”

Beth shook her head, grabbing a cloth. “A lot of sparkle, you mean. Come on, let’s try to keep it under control while we finish.”

You, however, were already back to shaking more glitter onto the page, and before either of them could stop you, the letter was a glittery masterpiece of chaotic sparkle, just as you had imagined it.

“Mamma! Mummy!” you exclaimed, holding up the letter triumphantly. “Santa’s going to love it! I made it special!”

Beth and Viv exchanged a look, both fighting off laughs “It’s perfect, Roo,” Beth said. “Santa’s going to think you’re very creative.”

“Creative and very…sparkly,” Viv added, brushing more glitter off her own lap.

You beamed at them, already planning the next step. “Now, we just need to send it!”

Viv and Beth exchanged another amused look as you carefully folded the glitter-covered letter in half, holding it up to them with a proud grin.

“Alright, Roo,” Viv said, “but you’re not sending it like that, are you? We need to put it in an envelope.”

You scrunched your nose. “But… the glitter is the best part!” you protested, looking at the sparkling chaos in your hands. “Santa will love it!”

Beth chuckled. “I think Santa’s got a sparkle overload now. But don’t worry, we’ll figure out a way to make it look nice and send it off. Maybe a little less glitter next time?”

“Never!” you declared, shaking your head. “Glitter makes everything better!”

Viv sighed dramatically, but her eyes twinkled with affection. “If you say so, mijn meisje. Let’s just get the envelope, so Santa can see all your hard work.”

“Looks like we’re going to be vacuuming glitter until Christmas,” Beth muttered with a grin as you slipped the letter into the envelope.

#lvnleah #woso #keira walsh #lvnleah: 12 days of christmas

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sticker-star4 · 2 months ago

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Here’s some Hoshi no kaabii inspired KANDI I made for fun

This is my first time making bracelets and I’m already obsessed with it ❤️

Making Kandi is now one of my favorite diy hobbies other than pin making (I created LOTS of pins 😳)

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im-a-wonderling · 7 days ago

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White Moves First, Part 9 ~ Edmund Pevensie

I had to take a quick break from studying for my Microbiology exam to put the final touches on this and post it. Hope y'all enjoy!

Summary: Despite the distance between their two lands, Y/N, princess of Archenland, is close friends with King Edmund the Just. But when push comes to shove, will friendship turn to more?

Warnings: unhealthy paternal relationship

Word count: 5k

White Moves First masterlist | Main masterlist

The next morning arrived too soon. I blinked at the bright sun shining in my face. Why had Rona forgotten to draw the drapes last night?

I pressed my face further into my pillow, searching with my hand for a blanket to pull over my head. My exploring hands, however, didn’t find a blanket to serve as a haven from the blinding sun, but brushed something soft and warm. Groggy, I cracked open my left eye to see a blurry face. With a blink or two, my view cleared enough for me to realize it was Edmund.

Both eyes were wide open now as I stared dumbly at the face of my best friend.

Oh.

Wedding.

Edmund lay on his stomach, his head pressed so deep into the pillow, I could only see half of his face. His features looked exactly the same as they did when he was awake, smooth and relaxed. Did Edmund really express himself with his face so little?

My heartrate kicked up, pulling me to sit bolt upright. Edmund was asleep in my bed. Or was I awake in his bed? Technically, we weren't in his bedchamber or mine, so this was just...a bed?

I’d never slept in the same bed as anyone before.

Funny, I would've thought having company while I slept would've affected said sleep somehow, yet...I’d slept much the same as I had every other night. How could such a large change be so seamlessly integrated?

Huh.

Wide awake now, I slowly rolled onto my side to stand from the bed as silently as possible. Gripping the heavy curtains, I pulled them closed. A glance over my shoulder confirmed that Edmund still slept, and I then made up my mind that he should sleep as long as he could. The last few days had been full of challenge and strife. Rest was paramount. I quickly changed into a light dress that Rona had left in the room for me yesterday morning.

“Ring the bell for me,” she’d told me as she laid it down, “and I’ll bring you and your husband breakfast.”

But why would we need to take breakfast in the bedchamber? I’d spent my whole life eating breakfast with my family in our private dining room; I saw no reason to stop now.

After rinsing my face in the wash bowl, I crossed to the bedchamber door and pushed down on the heavy handle. The worn metal let out a horrid, loud creak. Frozen, I listened to the sounds of Edmund shifting in the bed, then breathed out a soft sigh of relief when they stopped.

Slipping out of the chamber, I walked to the family dining room.

The corridors were full of servants running this way and that, carrying garments, bowls, buckets, rags, baskets, flowers from the chapel, everything imaginable. Every one of them seemed surprised to see me, their eyes widening and their pace increasing so they passed me sooner.

I ignored them. The novelty of their princess being a married woman would wear off for them soon.

Brushing into the room, I saw both Cor and Corin were seated. Slouching horribly, Corin shoved his eggs into his mouth as fast as his fork would allow while Cor was cutting his bacon into neat bites. From the way they behaved, one would think that Cor grew up in the castle while Corin was off in south Calormen. But no, Cor doubled down on the rules to make up for the years spent without manners and Corin disregarded them entirely out of spite.

They both paused as I started dishing up my plate, looking at me with expressions similar to the servants’.

“Good morning,” I said pointedly.

“We, er…didn’t expect to see you this early,” Cor said, with a strange twist to his lips.

“I don’t have much time left with my family before we leave for Narnia,” I replied. “I want to enjoy it while I can.” My brothers exchanged a look I could not understand before returning to their food.

We ate in silence for a few minutes, allowing me to get halfway through my sausage before the door to the dining room swung open. The way my father rubbed his head as he walked gingerly told me that wine was indeed part of his jubilance the day before.

“Good morning,” I said.

He quirked a brow. “Good morning,” he said slowly. “Is King Edmund joining us?”

I finished chewing my bite of biscuit. “He may. I didn’t wake him before leaving.” My father looked at the twins the same way they’d looked at each other. “What?” I demanded.

“Nothing, my dear.” My father patted my shoulder before taking his place at the head of the table. “Nothing at all.”

Somehow I doubted that, just as much as I doubted my ability to pry the answers out of them.

The only sounds filling the room were the clinking of cutlery and the soft sounds of chewing. Many a breakfast had been spent this way…so why did the silence bother me so? Why did I so long for my father or one of my brothers to say something? It wasn’t as if this morning was like every other morning we’d ever spent together. I was a married woman now.

“When will you and King Edmund be returning to Narnia?” Cor asked finally.

I smiled at him. “I’m not sure. We haven’t discussed it yet.”

“I imagine he’ll inform us when he wakes.” My father’s tone was careless, his eyes focused solely on his plate.

“Well, if–” I began to say, but the opening of the door made me stop.

“Good morning, all.” Edmund swept inside and took a seat beside me without any hesitation, as if it was natural. As if we’d been doing it all our lives.

“Good morning, King Edmund!” my father boomed. “I trust you slept well?”

Edmund dished a healthy helping of scrambled eggs onto his plate. “I did indeed.”

My brothers glanced at each other, Corin with his mouth agape and Cor looking like he’d just swallowed his boiled egg whole. I paused in my chewing to give them a strange look, but upon noticing my attention, they quickly lowered their gaze to their food, their cheeks a deep shade of pink.

How odd.

“The banquet went on for hours last night.” My father’s satisfaction rang off his every word. “The nobles and council all send their compliments on a wonderful celebration.” I wiped my mouth with my napkin to hide my frown. King Loon was only addressing Edmund, as if the compliments from those on the guest list was some private victory to be shared between the two of them.

Edmund inclined his head with an admirable grace. “That is very kind of them. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the special day."

King Loon’s enthusiastic head bobbing was hard to watch. I lowered my gaze to my plate, trying to tune out the rest of the conversation and numb the hurt wrapping around my insides.

A hand touched my arm, causing me to look up at Edmund. “Did you sleep well?” he asked softly.

I smiled back at him. “I could not–”

My father laid down his goblet, making a loud clunk that drew all eyes to him. “So.” He leaned forward towards Edmund, bracing his arms on the table. “It's time to discuss Y/N’s coronation.”

Edmund didn’t look away from my father, but his hand, previously resting lightly on my forearm, slid lightly down until it could lace with mine. He squeezed quickly, and I somehow knew that he was waiting for a signal. If I squeezed back, he’d take the lead.

I looked across the table at my brothers, trying to warn them with my eyes. They in turn glanced at each other, concern on their faces. They didn’t know what the eruption would be, only that it was about to occur. “Father,” I said lightly, “there isn’t going to be a coronation.”

King Loon let out some sort of laugh that sounded uncannily like that of a temperamental mare. “I know you don’t like having all the attention on you, but you have married a king. There’s going to be a coronation at some point, so it might as well be as soon as possible.”

Edmund let go of my hand, his jaw clenching. My hand shot out to rest on his thigh, making him look over at me. I shook my head minutely, begging him to remain silent. This was my choice. It was only fair that I should break the news and receive the brunt of his displeasure. “There isn’t going to be a coronation, Father,” I repeated gently, “because I’m not going to be a queen.”

Cor and Corin exchanged another look, communicating in the way that twins could. “Perhaps we should leave,” Cor suggested as they both stood.

“Nonsense! You will stay,” my father commanded. Once my twin brothers were reluctantly but silently seated once more, my father turned to me, a smile breaking out on his face once more. “Y/N, you’re in such good spirits from the wedding that you jest!”

The muscle underneath my hand tensed, and I knew I was losing my opening before Edmund jumped in. “I’m not cracking jokes,” I said quickly. “I’m being serious.”

King Loon gave a short laugh. From the way Edmund’s fingers curled into a fist around his fork and the dark expression on his face, he seemed prepared to use the fork to eviscerate my father. “She speaks the truth, Your Majesty.” Even his voice seemed ready to cause damage. Edmund had seen my father’s arrogant stubbornness before; why was it affecting him so much more now?

Finally seeming to realize it wasn’t a practical joke, my father’s figure seemed to swell with indignance, but not at me. King Loon glared at my husband. “I did not let her marry you simply so she could remain what she already was.”

My mouth dropped in utter disbelief, and I wouldn’t have been able to muster a response. Edmund however, glowered with such menace, I could hardly find similarities between his face and the face of the man I'd woken up next to. “And I did not marry her simply so you could have all you wanted!” I stared at Edmund, dumbfounded by the volume of his words.

“It’s not what I want, it’s what she wants,” King Loon protested.

“And how would you know that?” Edmund dropped his fork onto his plate, making a loud clang that made me jump. “You have not asked her what she wants!”

“That’s not true!”

But Edmund was just getting started. “You did not ask her if she wants to be crowned! You did not ask her if she was willing to marry Prince Rabadash! You did not even ask her if she wanted to marry me, and if she hadn’t already agreed to marry me, I would not have asked you for her hand!”

My brothers glanced at me with a mixture of guilt and horror, and it was then I remembered that they didn’t know I’d known about the potential arrangement with Rabadash. My father, however, had recovered himself and did not look at all abashed. He slammed his hands on the table as he stood, all pretenses of courtesy gone. “You tricked me! Convinced me to marry off my only daughter only to throw away any chance of her becoming a queen!”

“Father!” I said sharply.

“Stay out of this!” King Loon snapped, without even looking away from Edmund.

Edmund rose to his feet with a lethal speed I’d never before seen. I was surprised the very foundations of the castle weren't shaking from the pure strength of his fury. “If you must raise your voice with anyone, you will raise it at me.”

The two kings stared at each other, an exhibitionistic stubbornness on one side and a quiet, steely resolve on the other.

I got to my feet, laying a hand on Edmund’s arm. “King Edmund.” Edmund tore his eyes away from my father, allowing me to see the depths of rage in his eyes. I tried to exude gratitude for his willingness to face my father’s unhappiness. “You needn’t strain yourself. This is a conversation between my father and I.”

For a long moment, the room was still. “What is the meaning of this?” my father asked me, his anger a pale monument beside Edmund’s. He turned his baleful gaze on my husband. “King Edmund, talk some sense into your bride.”

Edmund’s posture straightened, bringing him to his full, towering height. “She is not my bride, she is my wife.” He stepped away from the table, pushing his chair in before fixing my father with an exceedingly stony stare. “We are allies, Your Majesty. You do not command Narnia.”

King Loon went abruptly still, his shoulders finally sagging in the face of Edmund’s anger. He turned towards me for the first time, looking more uncertain than I’d ever seen. “Y/N,” said my father beseechingly, his voice suddenly small, “you should be queen. Surely you see that. You wed a king, that’s…” he gestured loosely, “that’s how these things go. You’re going to advocate to be queen, yes? Because you’re a good daughter.”

“Let me be more clear.” Edmund grasped my hand, so tight it bordered on painful. “I said you do not command Narnia. As of yesterday, Y/N now belongs to Narnia.”

My heart contracted harshly, though at what aspect of that truth, I wasn’t sure.

My father huffed and puffed, clearly trying to cover the hole my husband just poked in his authority. “I…I…you still haven’t received her dowry!” he spluttered.

“You can keep it,” Edmund replied roughly. Without waiting for my father’s response, he tugged me out of the room.

Tongue-tied by what just happened, I numbly followed Edmund through the castle, holding up my skirt to keep up with my husband’s furious pace without tripping. I didn’t realize where he was going until he turned the corner leading to my drawing room. As soon as we crossed the threshold, Edmund let go of me. I slowed to a stop as he marched to the windows and braced his hands on the window sill, staring out.

We stood in silence.

What was I supposed to do? I’d never seen Edmund like this. Did he want space and silence to calm down? Did he need someone to talk to in order to ease his anger? I’d never talked someone through their anger before. I’d never even been allowed to show it to any degree close to how Edmund was showing it.

Cautiously, I approached him. He must’ve heard me coming, but his stare didn’t waver.

“Ed?”

No response.

I rested a light hand on Edmund’s shoulder, light enough that he could shake it off. He didn’t. I almost withdrew, my instincts on what was appropriate telling me to pull away. But Edmund and I weren’t merely friends anymore. We were allowed to do whatever felt natural, and in this moment, I wanted to help him more.

Encouraged, I slid my hand to Edmund’s face, nudging it over to me so that I could see his expression. When I finally did see it, I almost shrunk away from him.

The contortion of his face around his dark eyes was startling. A vein stood out in his forehead, pulsing in a way that felt like his anger had replaced his blood and was now coursing through his system.

Moving slowly, I stepped closer, using my thumbs to smooth out the wrinkled skin between his eyebrows. “Breathe,” I instructed. Edmund’s inhale caught in his chest multiple times before he had enough air to exhale. As he did, my hands slid gently down the sides of his face, pausing on his jaw. “Again,” I whispered, and he obeyed.

My hands moved to his shoulders, trying to draw the anger out of him with gentle touches.

Edmund’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, one of his hands leaving the window sill to rest on my waist. “Are you okay?”

Is that what he was angry about?

Cupping his jaw to keep him in place, I pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. “I’m okay. You don’t need to be worried.”

His shoulders slouched, the final bit of tension leaving them. Both hands were on my waist now, using me to hold him up instead of the window.

I bit my lip, the next issue presenting itself. “We need to make things right with my father.”

Edmund twisted, whipping his face out of my hands as both hands left me. “Why?” he spat. “He’s trying to take advantage of you.”

Me? Wasn’t he really trying to take advantage of Edmund?

Not important.

“We won’t let that happen. We can smooth things over without a coronation.”

“He’s in the wrong,” Edmund grumbled.

“I know he is, just like I know that you’re trying to protect me. But…you don’t have to prove yourself to me. I know who you are, just like I know who my father is. I don’t expect him to change because of a marriage, and I don’t want you to change because of a marriage.”

“But who I am is someone who will protect you,” Edmund argued. “I made a vow.”

“You won’t be breaking it by making sure that Narnia and Archenland still have good relations.”

Edmund scoffed, his eyes moving to stare out the window again. “Relations,” he muttered under his breath. “As if I care about relations.”

A little chuckle escaped me. “You do care about relations. Maybe not at the moment, but you do.”

His eyes took on a dazed glint. “How are you able to think rationally right now?” he whispered. “How is the anger not eating you up inside?”

“I’m not more rational than you are.” I sighed, brushing my hand against his chin again, and a little knot in my chest eased when he let me. “I simply gave up on him a long time ago.”

Edmund pursed his lips. “I want us to leave for Narnia today.”

I hesitated.

I’d known we would leave eventually, but that eventuality seemed much farther away before the wedding. As much as I’d longed for Narnia, I’d never left this castle, nor known any other home than the one I’d been born in.

But if this disastrous fallout with my father told us anything, it was that it was time for change. Time for my best friend and I to call the same place home.

“Alright, we can leave today.” I started for the door, already thinking of where to look for Rona to pack my things when something tugged on my hand. I looked down to see Edmund’s fingers interlacing with mine. Gently, he pulled me back to my spot beside him, not saying anything until I looked up at his face.

I could still see the residual anger in the worried skin between his eyebrows, but his eyes were remorseful. “I’m not trying to make a deal. Regardless of when we leave for Narnia…if you want me to apologize, I will.”

I felt as though my heart had fallen through the floor, only to spread wings and flutter off towards the sun. “How did I end up with a husband as good as you?” I murmured.

Edmund’s mouth spread into a small smirk. “You said yes.”

That I had, in almost the exact spot in which we were standing. He’d poured his heart out to me, all the while his pleading eyes tugged at every part of me, stealing away any possible resistance. He had no idea how tightly my heart squeezed in my chest when he first said the words: ‘marry me’. Not the slightest idea that all my protests hadn’t been for my sake, but for his.

How many sacrifices had he made for me since then? And what had I ever done to deserve such loyalty?

“Edmund?” I said quietly.

“Yeah?” came the immediate response.

“I’ll go smooth things over with my father.” I squeezed his hand. “While I do that, you can make the arrangements for us to go home.”

“Home.” Edmund’s eyes sparkled. It seemed he liked the sound of that as much as I did.

Edmund had far more success than I.

I went to my father’s study, the library, the gardens, and the throne room before one of the stewards said my father had retreated to his bedchamber. When I knocked upon the closed door and entreated my father to open it so that we might talk, I received no response. I paced back and forth for what felt likes ages before I lost patience and tried the handle.

It was locked.

My father did not want to speak to me.

Feeling down, I went to find Edmund, a task that proved much easier.

Somehow, he’d almost finished working with Rona to pack all of my things, directing her away from the things which would be supplied to me upon reaching Cair Paravel. I stood awkwardly in my bedchamber as Edmund and Rona flitted back and forth.

Rona left the room to grab a set of combs that she’d been polishing for me, and Edmund pulled a dress from my wardrobe and began folding it himself.

Cheeks burning, I whisked forward and plucked it from his hands. “You shouldn’t be doing that,” I muttered, quickly folding it and stashing it in one of my trunks. Edmund’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “You have so many more important things to do than help me pack.”

At that, Edmund’s face stretched into a grin, and he laughed. My flush deepened as I closed the trunk, and I knew Edmund noticed it.

“I’m not laughing at you,” he told me, still chuckling.

“No?” I arched a brow. “Because it feels like you are.”

That seemed to sober him. “I’m sorry.” He reached for me, sliding his arms around my back to pull his reluctant wife into a hug. “But when are you going to learn that my most important things involve helping you however I can?”

I let out a humph on principle, even though his response made my knees soften like butter in the sun. Rona returned, and Edmund respectfully released me before resuming his task with my lady-in-waiting.

Within an hour, our things were all packed and being loaded onto the carriages and wagons the Narnian monarchs had brought with them.

Dressed in my favorite riding habit, I walked with Edmund through the Great Hall, glancing around at it as we walked. There was history in this room. The corner I always liked in the wintertime because the meager sunshine would pass through the nearby window. The stairs on which I’d fallen and skinned my knees countless times. I’d never given much thought until now. When was the next time I’d see that window or those stairs?

“The carriages are ready, your majesty,” said one of the Narnian soldiers, a faun who fell into step beside us “We must leave soon if we wish to be back in Narnia before sundown.”

Edmund nodded and thanked him, before leaning closer to me. “Time to say our goodbyes.”

“We ought to wait for my father,” I said.

A flash of the earlier anger settled on Edmund’s face. “If we wait too much longer, we won’t make it before dark.”

I gave a quick nod before approaching my brothers, who’d been watching the process of packing up the procession with great interest. As I walked closer to them with goodbye on my lips, my eyes started welling up with tears. I’d been separated from them before. Cor lived in Calormen for years, and Corin grew up attending events in Narnia and Calormen. But this time was different, because for the first time, I was the one leaving them behind.

“You’ll write us, right?” Cor asked. His transition from peasant to prince hadn’t been easy, and he’d needed much help from me in the past few years, which must’ve been why he looked so worried. “And stay out of trouble, won’t you?”

“Of course. On both counts.”��

Corin placed his hands on my shoulders, looking me directly in the eye. “Get in as much trouble as you possibly can.”

I laughed, pulling them both into a bone-crushing hug. “I’m going to miss you guys.” The twins held me just as tightly as I did them, and it seemed none of us wanted to be the first to let go.

“Now, now, don’t make a scene,” said my father’s voice.

Reluctantly, we separated, my brothers stepping away to allow my father forward.

He was clearly still upset from the conversation at breakfast, I could see it in his face. But I was reservedly glad he’d come to see us off. Leaving at all was strange, but leaving without saying goodbye would’ve been far worse.

“Thank you,” I said softly, hoping my softness would soften him. I didn’t dare give him a hug, so I curtsied. A sign of respect, a gesture of my allegiance to the king of Archenland before all who watched. But the words I spoke were quiet because they weren’t performative. “I love you.”

My father nodded. Say it back, I silently pleaded. I’m leaving. Please tell me you love me. King Loon opened his mouth, and my hopes rose. “I will see you in a few months.”

My hopes fell like doves stricken from the sky, and the winces on my brothers’ faces did not stop the free fall.

He could never love me in the way daughters ought to be loved by their fathers, if he even loved me at all. Something inside of him was so broken, so warped that he couldn’t give me what I needed from him.

But I didn’t need him anymore. I folded my hands in front of me, staring into my father’s eyes. I will never curtsey to him again, I promised myself. “I left Mother’s crown in my bedchamber,” I told him. “It means more to you than to me.”

And with that, I turned to rejoin my husband.

My father would most certainly retake my mother’s crown, holding onto what was quite possibly the last remnants of love in him.

If I were ever to die, would Edmund break in the same way my father had broken? Would he shut himself off from those who loved him best, hiding behind locked doors? Sinking deeper into titles and formalities and pretension, all of which isolated him?

I hoped not.

Edmund inclined his head to my father and brothers before leading me to two horses in the middle of the procession.

One I recognized: my grey mare. The other must’ve been Edmund’s, a stallion of a deep reddish-brown with a white star on his forehead.

“Your stallion is beautiful,” I said.

The horse lifted his head and stared directly at me. “Thank you, your highness.”

My mouth fell open, and Edmund started chuckling at my gawking. “Y/N, this is Philip. Philip, Y/N.”

“You’re Philip?” I asked. “Oh, Edmund’s told me all about you!” Particularly their adventures that more often than not ended with Philip saving Edmund’s life. Of course, Edmund hadn’t mentioned that Philip was a horse. “I didn’t know you were staying with us.”

Philip tossed his head. “I wish I could’ve attended the nuptials, but I’m afraid your father declared the chapel for people only.”

“What?” I blurted. He hadn’t mentioned that, let alone asked. Edmund’s face soured. He already knew this, I realized. I knew how hard it was not to have his older brother at his wedding, but my father hadn’t even allowed one of Edmund’s dear friends to attend? How was it possible that Edmund’s sacrifice for me kept growing?

Conflicted, I hadn’t even noticed Edmund had guided me to my mare until one of the Archenland soldiers stepped forward with the customary step to allow me to get up on horseback. But before the soldier could even set the step down, Edmund’s hands found my hips. “Jump,” he said.

I jumped.

With the added momentum, Edmund easily got me up into the saddle. “It’s handy having a husband,” I said, smiling down at him as he guided my foot into the stirrup.

Edmund grinned. “Well, I could hardly trust anyone else to take such good care of you.”

My cheeks warmed, and I ducked my head as Edmund checked that my other foot was securely in its position. He got onto Philip with a fluid ease that made me flush and avert my eyes.

“Forward!” the faun from earlier called, and slowly the whole procession stirred into motion. I glanced around, trying to locate where all my possessions were, but all I could see was how large the procession seemed. It hadn’t felt so grand when I’d watched Edmund arrive. I counted nearly a hundred Narnians, none of which I had seen in the castle.

Where had my father told them to stay? I dearly hoped he hadn’t condemned them all to stay in the stables; there was no way they could all fit.

I turned to wave at my brothers, but we were far enough away from the castle that I noticed a figure on the topmost balcony, watching us depart. Proximity wasn’t needed; even if I couldn’t see the face, only one person at the castle would wear robes of such outrageous orange.

My lips curved up in a smile.

Checkmate, I silently told Prince Rabadash.

But when my eyes lowered to see my brothers, standing right where I’d left them, my chest ached in a way it never did during victory. As if feeling the ache as well, my brothers lifted their hands, waving me off into my new life.

I sat forward again, brushing away a quick tear, my heart heavy. “At least I don’t have to say goodbye to you,” I whispered to my lady’s maid, who was riding behind me.

Rona smiled. “No, you don’t, your highness.”

“Nor you,” I said, turning to look at Edmund, feeling suddenly shy.

“Never again,” Edmund said back, his hand leaving the reins to lace through mine.

Overall tag list:

@thelastpyle @valiantlytransparentwhispers

White Moves First tag list:

@thesecretlifeofpenguins @read-just-cant @chesh-ire-cat @emotionallyattachedteen @cassini-among-the-stars @uncontainedsmiles @mastermasterlist1p1 @goldfishinpainttubes @silverowl102 @daisyslife @ajwild220

#narnia #chronicles of narnia #narnia fanfic #narnia fanfiction #edmund #king edmund #king edmund the just #edmund fanfic #edmund fanfiction #arranged marriage #friends to lovers #chess #marriage of convenience #royal marriage #edmund pevensie

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allkordelia · 1 month ago

Text

Keep Me Near Your Heart XXV

The silence between us was thick with tension, I look around the table at the half pale faces of my cousins and uncomfortable looks. Even Alicent look highly upset. I mean, I couldn't blame her, everything rhaelle said was true, wasn't it?

I didn't know much about my auntie past with my grandfather, no one really talked about how Baelor came to be. It was this unspoken deed that happen many years ago that no one talk about unless to start an argument (Corwyn, of course) and that's it, I was never one to pry into the past like some of my kin, who would make ridiculous stories up on how or what happen between our families the rumors didn't help, of course.

My eyes went over to the chair rhaelle knocked over feeling a ping in my chest, I thought back on her words just moments ago in a daze.

'Do you think you could have lived another day if you celebrated your fifteen nameday locked in a room for the sole purpose of producing a heir.'

It brought me back to the time I was locked in the solar, my sole of giving Aemond's heirs. I remember the lonely nights, the pain between my legs, the days that follow where only dread controlled my body as I stand around in fear of losing another child, it all was so draining and dreadful that even thought about...

I let out an audible sigh, I turn my eyes away, as if swioing the memory away with it, and glance at Aemond. He stare down at the table, looking deep in thought, it makes me wonder what was going through his head.

"I think I'm bout to be sick." Baelor mutters low but not that low not to hear it.

My head turn to Baelor at the end of the table looking like he just seen a ghost, he sat beside Valaena, who was patting his hand in comfort, my eyes flick at the movement across from him to Corwyn, who picked up his drink with a subtle eyeroll.

"You live." The older man brush off.

Baelor glare at his brother across the way and his once pale face turn red, he got from out of his chair making the wood make a screeching sound that had everyone look at him.

"Fuck you, Corwyn." Baelor snapped, Corwyn smirk his little brother with a drunkeness to him.

"Baelor, please calm down," Valaena says getting to rest her hand on his shoulder and squeeze.

"No, Val, let him go." Valaena and Baelor look at Corwyn as the man finish his drink and stood up as well with a cocking smile, "Let him say his peice, it looks like he got a lot on his chest. So, gone on, princess. Let me have it." He mocked, I could see the anger in Baelor's face as he only glare at him before his face relax.

"I have nothing to say to you, Corwyn, I already said my peice over the years. " Baelor retorted calmly, "I'm just feel bad for your sons having to have a father like you to raise them." Corwyn smile crumbled into a sneer.

"You know nothing about my family–"

"I know they prefer me over you." Baelor pipe quickly as a smug smile grew on his lips, "I know they feel more at home in my stronghold than yours." Ronas and Romarn look at each other before looking away quickly.

"Eat shit–" Corwyn says with hint of doubt in his voice.

"Ask them yourself." Baelor smile darkly.

Corwyn turn his eyes to his sons, Ronas looked annoyed while Romarn looked gulity.

"...you didn't make it easy, father." Romarn started after few seconds of his father's hard stare.

"Shut up, Rom." Ronas snapped quickly, "This is why I should have never let you talk me into going with you, I knew he was going to do this–"

"Oh, stop. It was going to come out eventually." Romarn huff tired, he look at his father after gathering his courage, "We know you never loved mother, or us. We knew you could only love one person, we knew since we went to her funeral. You show more love to her daughters than you ever did us." Corwyn's face crumbled again before he look down, but his features change back to anger and shook his head.

"If that how you feel than so be it," He snapped before snatching up a bottle of wine of the table.

We watch as he grumble and stalk out of the room while take a swing out of the bottle before shutting the door behind him loudly, I frown at the lack of maturity of her cousin, it sorta reminded her if Aegon.

"I'm sorry, boys." I flick my eyes back to Baelor as he look at his nephews regretfully.

"Yeah, right," Ronas push away from the table and got up throwing down his napkin, "Now, I must make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, like kick us out or worst disinherit us." He glare pointly at his brother.

"Did you want me to lie–?"

"Yes!" Ronas snapped, "You know how he get–"

"Exactly why I said it, he was never going change. No matter how much we tried or beg, he was never going to see us like he sees them." Romarn pointed at Baela and Rhaena before dropping his arm, "I refuse to play along with his ridiculous high standards, I will not marry out of duty because he was foolish enough to do so by his father. I want to have a say who I marry, and I want...to be in love with that person." His glance down the table at someone before looking away.

My eyes follow soon after to see Alyaena looking at him surprise manner and in a way I never seen her look at anyone before, a harsh laugh brought me back as I look back to Ronas to see him giving Ronas a sneer.

"And what makes you think that she would or even want to marry you? She can't even stand being around you, hell, she was embarrassed when everyone found out she sleep with you." His tone dripped with mockery and venom, Ronas look down abashed at his brother's words.

"Speak for yourself." Alyaena got up from her chair, catching everyone by surprise, she look around uncertain before looking at Romarn with cold look, "You know nothing about me or your brother, because unlike him his not self centered or selfish, he cares and actually listen to me...unlike some people."

I raise a questionable brow before looking at Alyaena, she gives me a look that said she tell me later before going back to staring down Romarn.

"Does that mean you marry me someday."

"We're not talking about that right now." Alyaena quickly says.

Romarn look between his brother and Alyaena before shrugging his shoulder with a scowl on his face, he moves his chair out of his way as he walk away.

"Have my sloppy seconds, see if I care, I rather have a woman who doesn't talk back than one that don't know when to shut her mouth."

He hiss throwing daggers at Alyaena before walking out of the room, just as childish as his father, Romarn slams the door behind in his stead.

"Well..." After a moment of silence, "That was rather entertaining, who's next?" Aegon says giddy, leaning forward with his hand clasp together in a stupid grin.

"Shut up, Aegon." I say, he look over at me with a wink.

"You know you love me." He says, I roll my eyes in disgust before hearing a snort.

"Something funny, jace." I snap my head at the oldest son of rhaenyra, making him look over at you with sneer.

"Do not talk to me, you done enough for–"

"Remove that tone from your voice, nephew." Aemond spoke up from beside me as he gets up from out his chair to glare at Jacerys, "Not if you want to be picking up your teeth from the floor."

"Aemond, my love, there's no need–"

"I want to see you try, one-eye." Jacerys hiss, getting up as well, lucerys look between the two nervous sinking into his seat, "You can try to play the white knight all you want, but we all know she still thinks about Ser Krey."

I shot jacerys a dirty look before glancing at my husband, Aemond glare at jacerys but I could still see the hurt in his eyes. My heart felt heavy and I turn back to jacerys with fed up look, before saying something I know I would regret.

"Just like how your mother still thinks about Ser Harwin?" I ask, causing jacerys to snap his head at me taken aback but dumbfounded, "What ever happened to him, I always forget, it been so long–" I said with a look of thoughtfulness.

"Shut your mouth." Jacerys glares at me with a mist in his eyes.

"Stop it. " Rhaenyra whispered sorrowfully.

"Oh, yes, I forgot he burn to death in Harrenhal with his lord father." I finish with a mocking pout as I stare at jace, "Such a shame, he was so young and so full of life. It's such a pity he never had any sons." I out my hand over my belly and the other over my heart, jace's eyes glance down with a curl of his lip before looking back at me.

"You are cruel." My eyes look over at my mother as she stare down with tears running down her face with an heartbroken look.

"And you are a miserable excuse for a mother, who couldn't take care of her own child because of some long drawn jealousy for a woman who couldn't give two fucks about you." I remark with a callous tone.

"You are evil bitch you know that." Jacerys says.

The sound of a sword unsheathed made me turn to Aemond with wide eyes as he held the sword in his hand tightly until his knuckles were white, and pointed it at Jacerys threatening causing Lucerys look at me terrified and afraid.

"I warn you. Blood or not. I'll will spill your blood if you say another harsh word towards her." Aemond warn darkly as jacerys raise his head trying to look not afraid.

"You don't have the balls."

"Then, come around this table and see if I do." Aemond smirk, before backing up from the table, "Or would you rather me meet you halfway." His sword is by his side as he slowly make his way towards Jace.

Rhaenyra jump up from her seat and grabbed Lucerys putting him and Lucerys behind her in fear as she glance around at me and aemond.

"Call off your husband, Jaenara." Rhaenyra pleaded.

I make my way over to Aemond as he stands a couple feet away from with them with a look she haven't seen in a while, she grab her husband arm stopping him from getting any closer to her brothers.

"My love, he is not worth getting your pretty sword bloody." I squeeze his arm in comfort, but his eyes still remain on jace.

"I'm gonna cut out his tongue, and fed it to him." He fumed, I blink up at him for a second, before I let out giggle I didn't know where it came from.

Aemond look down at me, his eye shining with confusion at what I thought was funny.

"Oh, my sweet husband, how I love your dark mind and protectiveness. " I hand reach up to caress his cheek, "One of the things I pray our child will inherent." Aemond hmm leaning into my touch like kitty wanting to be pet, we stood there together in such a intimate embrace forgetting about everybody until Jacerys had to ruin it.

It all happened to fast, one moment I was holding aemond's face, next the world turn on its axis and I felt my back colladed with the side of the table. A sharp pain shot up my spine making me fall against the table onto the ground, I hug my stomach as I turn on my side to see Jacerys wrestling Aemond on the ground.

"Jace, stop it!" Lucerys shouted.

I move to sit up but throb in my back made me cry out softly for no one to hear, everyone was so focus trying to pry Jace and Aemond apart, I groan in distress as I feel someone leak down my leg. I let out a whimper as I will myself to grab the edge of the table to sit myself up, once I was sitting up straight I hurriedly pull up my skirt to see wet thighs.

Suddenly, I hands went to my belly as I felt my first contraction, I squeeze my eyes shut letting out a groan that sounded more like a growl.

"Oh, my gods, jaenara." My eyes flick open as Rhaenyra came to my side, making me recoil away from her.

"Do not touch me." I mutter as I bite lip to keep from screaming.

"Jaenara, you need help–" Rhaenyra's hand went to my shoulder, but I shook it off.

"I said DO NOT TOUCH ME!" I cry out as another contraction ripe through me.

"Jaenara." I heard Aemond call my head, "Jaenara! My love, what is happening, tell me what is happening." His panicked voice, made me want to smile but instead grab his collar clenching my teeth at the pain from my back and stomach made it unbearable.

"His coming, Aemond." I look at him in the eye, "Our baby's coming." I groan throwing my head back.

"Oh, gods, okay, okay. Wrap your arms around my neck."

I did what he said and wrap my arms around his neck as he put his arm under my legs to scoop me up off the ground, I held on to Aemond's shoulders for dare life as he turns to our family.

"Someone need to fetch the healer and rhaelle."

"Ill go get, mother." Alyssa says looking at everyone before scurry out the hall.

"And I'll get the healer." Alyaena says before going over to her cousin touching her arm, "Hold on, Jae." She give a quick kiss before being follow out of the hall with Romarn.

"Mother would you come with." Aemond ask, sounding afriad, I peek up at him to see him looking at his mother with frantic look.

"Of course, my son." Alicent agreed immediately, moving to stand to stand next to her boy.

"I'll come too–" Rhaenyra started.

"No!" Aemond snapped angrily, "This is your fault, you and your little bastard, she isn't due for another week."

"I can help–"

"You done enough, which is nothing."

I felt aemond turn facing someone, I couldn't turn my head to see who as one movement could paralyze me in pain.

"If anything happens to my child, I'll burn you all in your sleep." With one last threat, Aemond turn on his soles and marches away with his queen mother following behind.

I look over Aemond's shoulder to look to see Rhaenyra staring after me with regret written all over her face as Lucerys stare angrily at Jace who had his gaze turn to the ground with a look dismay.

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