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TWENTY-SEVEN | THE PAINTING IN THE SPARE 'OOM

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Edmund Pevensie was dumb.

In fact, if word got out to his oldest siblings or his own father that he was attempting to enlist in the army without a valid ID, he would be the laughing stock of the family. Even though he had very recently turned eighteen, only a week ago at that, his Aunt Alberta had ensured that Edmund was unable to join the army for as long as physically possible. 

First it was that his identity card was misplaced, then it was that his ration card had got drenched and torn in the last major storm after she conveniently picked his up instead of hers. Perhaps she did it so that she still had someone to help out around the house because Aslan forbid Uncle Harold and Eustace would be no help; or maybe she did it so that she didn't have to care and look after Lucy more than the bare minimum.

All he knew was that it wasn't because she cared for his safety.

Maybe that's why he was so adamant to enlist, do that he could finally be back in the midst of danger and live a thrilling life once again. Not to sound like his brother Peter but two years was too long to wait to go back to Narnia. He had hoped it would be a year at most like last time and that she'd still be waiting for him when he got back but the more time passed, the less hope he had that he'd see her again.

His diary had become full of letters to his Angel telling her about his day, how much he missed the feeling of his lips on hers and even her so called 'compliments' that he loved so dearly. Pages and pages remained full of continuous drawings of her face, her beautiful smile, her frown and even that cute face she made when she laughed which Edmund loved so much - all things that had been printed into hid memory and he couldn't possibly forget.

Often he wondered if he'd just dreamt her up, for how could anyone be so perfectly imperfect yet still be made just for him?

And he equally was just as devoted to her.

Stupidly he hoped that putting himself in danger would hurry up the process of returning to Narnia. Foolishly he hoped by putting himself in danger Aslan would take him back to Narnia for their last hurrah before he died on the battlefield. I mean, the Great Lion had implied that Edmund would return to Narnia, for Aslan had never spoke to him like he had his siblings about how he had nothing left to learn. Of course that meant he could return right? If not then surely Aslan would have pushed him to say his final goodbyes.

Either way, Edmund was adamant he needed more action in his life, even if that meant risking it in another war.

"Are you sure you're 18?" The recruiter asked him, squinting his eyes at Edmund who despite legally being entitled too, did not look old enough to enlist.

"Yes." Edmund insisted with a forced smile, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the man as he focused his energies on being polite. "Why, do I look older?"

The recruiter narrowed his eyes at him again.

"Alberta Scrubb?" He questioned distrusting, Edmunds eyes widening slightly at being caught out before he cleared his throat and smiled reassuringly at the recruiter.

"That's a typographical error." He insisted, crossing him arms over his chest to stop him from fidgeting with his hands. "It's supposed to be Albert A. Scrubb."

For a moment it looked as if the recruiter was buying the story, once again checking the identification card for its authenticity stamp and finding it was in fact real. He had been prepared to approve Edmund and move forward with the recruitment, even if his greater judgement was telling him not too before a massive sign was heard across the room.

"Edmund..." Lucy called to her older brother as she struggled to hold all of the groceries in her arms. "you're supposed to be helping me with the groceries."

Mentally Edmund facepalmed.

He had been so close to succeeding; so close to doing something with his life in the real world and Lucy had interrupted it. Edmund had noticed that in the last couple of years Lucy had got really good at interrupting things, whether it be interrupting him when he was attempting to sneak out or even back in Narnia when he would always interrupt moments with his Angel.

His Angel.

A small smile hit his face as he once again thought of the golden haired beauty he left behind in Narnia. Often he thought back to the last minute he spent with her, the desire he had to kiss her in front of all the Narnians and feel the fireworks erupt in the pit of his stomach again as he pressed his lips to her. 

But he didn't!

The Just King would be lying if he said he didn't sometimes regret his decision for he would do anything to see her, to snake his hands around her waist and kiss her again. Nonetheless, he knew it was the right thing to do. He knew that if he kissed her, if he gave into the addiction and looked back at her before walking through the tree that he wouldn't have left Narnia. Instead he would have stayed at her side. He would have worshipped her every move and swooned at every smile.

He would have done anything for her.

But she had been right, he couldn't have stayed. As selfish as the Just King had wanted to be he had a responsibility, a commitment to his family and he couldn't just up and leave them again. As annoying as Lucy's interruptions were he had to be there for her, to protect her from all the danger going on in the world and especially protect her from their dreaded cousin Eustace. Lucy needed him, especially now that they no longer lived with Peter and Susan anymore.

Edmund needed to be there for Lucy, just as she had always been there for him.

Truthfully, he was indebted to his youngest sister!

"Squirt!" Edmund scoffed loudly as he followed his younger sister out of the recruitment office, taking one of the bag of groceries off her effortlessly as a scowl set on his face. "He had barely had two years on me. I'm a king! I've fought wars and I've led armies."

"Not in this world." Lucy reminded him, rolling her eyes at her older brother who once again didn't get his way.

"Yeah, instead I'm stuck here doing battle with Eustace Clarence Scrubb." Edmund kicked a pebble into the road, the scowl still prominent on his face.

"You didn't even have your identification card," Lucy reasoned with him as she shrugged her shoulders before rearranging her headband. "there was no way they'd think you were in your forties Edmund."

"Nonetheless I'm eighteen, it's my right." The Just King muttered, Lucy chuckling slightly before a frown fell onto her face.

"I don't think it was for you anyway."

"I live for the action of war Lu." Edmund sighed before the memories began to flood his brain, the boy nudging his sister playfully. "There's a reason I was the greatest swordsman in Narnia."

"Well there's a difference between guns and swords Edmund," Lucys tone was cold, scared and almost terrified at the concept of her brother fighting in the war. "one is a much swifter than the other."

"I had it sorted. I could handle it." 

The phrase had almost become Edmunds catchphrase at the point, Lucy wanting to scoff every time she heard the phrase. It had been the phrase he always used to mock Peter, who used to say it to refuse Edmunds help and yet now Edmund said it constantly. Not that there was necessarily anything wrong with the words themselves but Lucy had become so sick of her brothers both believing they were the best of the best and never needed help.

Because if their times in Narnia had taught them all anything, it was that they all needed each other. 

"That's what I'm afraid of." Lucy's voice fell to a whisper, looking away from her brother as she spoke. "I don't want to lose you to another war."

A pang of guilt hit Edmunds chest, the Just King not meaning to have upset his sister with his actions. It was true that he often acted before thinking things through first especially when it came to his sisters feelings. It had been hard on the two younger siblings to tackle this alone even if they were the closest of the four Pevensie siblings. 

He hadn't even really come to consider how Lucy was feeling after losing Peter and Susans company a few years ago and having to live vicariously through letters. She was only sixteen after all. She had only just turned thirteen when they last went to Narnia and time had hindered the two of them well. It was odd to say the least not having Peter and Susan with them and even Edmund admitted that he missed his older siblings often even if they were a royal pain in the arse. It was funny how life changed, how the tables turned and now he had to really be the responsible one.

He had to look after Lucy, no matter the cost!

"I'm sorry Lu," Edmund apologised sincerely, his eyes meeting hers before sighing. "I just want to feel alive again."

"Edmund, no amount of war will take us back." She told him, her eyes quickly moving to look behind Edmund as she spoke. "Aslan will take us back when we're needed."

"I wish it worked both ways." Edmund admitted as he readjusted his grip on the groceries. "So that they could come here when we need them most."

"Hmm?"

Edmund furrowed his eyebrows at his sister as she noted that she hadn't actually heard a word he had just said and instead she was fiddling with her hair in a trance. His eyes tracked her gaze, spotting a soldier and who Edmund only hoped was his partner showing affection to each other in the distance. Edmund grimaced at the very detailed public exchange, his eyes meeting Lucy's again who was staring dreamily at the two.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Lucy's face went crimson as she realised she had been caught by her brother, the girl quickly clearing her throat before she grabbed her bike and started towards home. "Come on then."

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I do wish you were here with us.
It's been such an adventure, but nothing like our times in Narnia.
America is very exciting... except we never see Father.
He works so very hard.

I was invited to the British Consul's tea party this week by a naval officer who happens to be very handsome. I think he fancies me."

It seems the Germans have made the crossing difficult right now.
Times are hard. Mother hopes you both won't mind another few months in Cambridge

"Another few months?" Lucy exasperated as she placed Susans letter onto her bed in the spare room and fell back in disarray. "How will we survive?"

"You're lucky at least you've got your own room." Edmund replied as he looked up from his journal briefly to look at his sister. "I'm stuck with mullet mouth."

"Susan and Peter are the lucky ones." Lucy corrected him as she sat up, brushing her hair behind her ear as a smile graced her face. "Off on adventures."

"Yeah, they're the eldest and we're the youngest." Edmund muttered as he bit his lip lightly, focusing on shading his latest drawing of Angelina in his journal and sighing as he realised he made a mistake. "We don't matter as much."

"Do you think I look anything like Susan?" Lucy questioned her brother as she stood up and studied herself in the mirror, waiting for an answer that never came. Sighing, Lucy turned around a crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Edmund unamused. "Edmund?"

"Sorry." 

Edmund jumped at his sisters words, a sheepish smile on his face as he placed his journal face down with the pages open on his bed. He supposed he really should have been paying more attention to her but his mind just couldn't stop thinking about Narnia. He found this happened quite often so he always kept his journal close, bound in its waterproof casing so that he could take it with him anywhere. Through his art he felt closer to Narnia, closer to the version of himself he wanted to be and sketching made him forget about what was going on in the world around him. His sketches were special, incredibly intimate and he never let another person look in his journal as they were his and his alone. Lucy understood this and would never once thought to pry into her brothers belongings because she knew he deserved to have his own privacy, especially as it helped him cope with their situation

She just hoped that one day Edmund would feel comfortable enough to share them with her.

"Lucy..." Edmund started as he stood up from his bed, his eyes drifting to a painting that laid before the fireplace with a smile. "have you seen this ship before?"

"Yes. It's very Narnian-looking, isn't it?" Lucy moved towards the painting as she smiled at her brother.

"Yeah." Edmund sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Just another reminder that we're here and not there."

There once were two orphans who wasted their time believing in Narnian nursery rhymes...

The room fell deadly silent, both Lucy and Edmund grimacing as their younger cousin Eustace entered the room, interrupting their conversation.

"Please let me hit him." Edmund muttered to his sister, Lucy merely shaking her head at him.

"No!"

"Don't you ever knock?" He asked incredulously, his mood darkening as all he thought about was how satisfying it would be to punch Eustace in the face.

"It's my house. I'll do as I please. You're just guests infiltrating my room and the spare room." Eustace argued with him as he sauntered further into the room, squinting his eyes at the painting. "What's so fascinating about that picture anyway? It's hideous." 

"You won't see it from the other side of the door." Edmund muttered, Eustace rolling his eyes at the comment.

"Edmund," Lucy interrupted them as she looked closer at the painting with awe. "it looks like the water is actually moving."

"What rubbish!" Eustace scoffed loudly, letting his thoughts be heard. "See? That's what happens when you read all those fanciful novels and fairy tales of yours."

"There once was a boy called Eustace who read books full of facts that were useless." Both Edmund and Lucy giggled at the line, Eustace only glaring at the tow as he stomped his left foot loudly onto the floor.

"People who read fairy tales are always the sort who become a hideous burden to people like me who read books with real information."

"It's not fiction and even if it were," Edmund muttered before a lovestruck look hit his face. "there's nothing wrong with a fictional book." 

"Edmund, the painting." Lucy muttered as her eyes began to widen in alarm. 

She had indeed been right and the waves in the painting were in fact moving as the ship got closer and closer to the edge. But her brother wasn't listening, instead opting to glare at their younger cousin who he was getting closer and closer to hitting by the second. Eustace was dong his best to ignore the glare, pivoting his way around Edmund until he spotted something laid down on the bed.

"What's this?" Eustace asked as he snatched Edmunds journal off the bed, his eyes widening at the contents before he began to laugh.

"Give that back!" The Pevensie boy demanded as he tried to reach forward and snatch his journal back, his cheeks flushing red as he tried to protect the contents from Eustace but the boy only ducked under his arm.

"You know how else I know your stories are pure poppycock?" Eustace questioned him as he continued to flip through the journal, laughing at its contents. "No lady in their right mind would ever be interested in you!"

"Why you little-"

The Just King lunged at Eustace, snatching his journal back from him and going to hit him across the head when suddenly a harsh wind swirled around the room, forcing everybody backwards as the smell of salt filled the air. Edmunds eyes widened in alarm, his eyes darting over to the Narnian looking painting where waves of sea water were beginning to pour out of it and fill the room.

Almost like magic!

"What's going on here? It's some kind of trick! Stop it or I'll tell mother." Eustace panicked as he eyed the water falling from the painting, trying his hardest not to get his shoes wet and pinching himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "Mother! Mother!"

"It's happening!" Edmund muttered as a huge smile framed his face, the Pevensie boy quickly closing his journal in its waterproof covering and shoved it into his pocket. "Lucy it's actually happening!"

But his sister didn't share the same sentiment.

There was an odd look in her eyes, as if she were afraid as the water began to pour up to her ankles and soak her feet. They had never travelled to Narnia this way before and it seemed almost odd that the room was filling with seawater. What worried her the most is that she knew Eustace couldn't swim and also the fact that this was happening with Eustace here in the first place.

Something didn't seem right!

"I'll just smash the rotten thing." Eustace shouted as he grabbed the painting off the way, both Lucy and Edmund wrestling him for it to stop him from destroying it. "Get off me! Get off!"

"Let go of it," Lucy struggled against him. "Eustace! Put it down!"

But then he dropped it!

Suddenly the room began to fill much quicker, the smell of salt becoming intoxicating as the floor became an abyss of water. The current soon became too strong, the water rate the water was beginning to capture the room become too much as soon there was no floor left. The three of them stood on top of furniture, unsure of what to do and how to escape. Eustace clung tighhly onto the bedpost with a look of fear on his face while Lucy was merely staring at the door and wondering why the water wasn't filtering out of it.

But Edmund, Edmund was smiling.

"Angel I'm coming!" He whispered before he cannonballed into the water, Lucy screaming at him before she slipped and fell in shortly followed by Eustace whose bed had turned on its side forcing him in.

Edmunds eyes stung as the salt water hit them but he didn't let that falter him. Kicking his feet against the water he began to swim upwards, the scene around him changing to the point where he knew he wasn't in the spare room anymore. The Just King didn't care that he couldn't breath, nor did he care that the clothes he wore were dragging him down or that he didn't know where they were. He just cared that they were here, that he wasn't in Cambridge anymore and that after years he would finally feel the Narnian sun on his face again.

And finally, after two long and painful years, he would find his Angel again!