The Ways of a King

You must think I've officially flipped, coming up with yet another new story—and one that doesn't even focus on Tumnus this time!

Yes, Tumnus will definitely be featured in this one, no worries about that; but mostly this story will be about Edmund. I've always had mixed feelings about Edmund, both in the book and the movie. I didn't appreciate the fact that he was a screaming brat in the beginning, and that he sold out for a bunch of mere candy. But, I do have to admire the major change of heart he undergoes, and I have a great deal more love and respect for him in Prince Caspian—that, and the fact that Skandar Keynes has been getting pretty hunky lately!

Anyway, I wondered what it was like for Edmund at first as king of Narnia, especially with people like Peter and Susan and Oreius dominating him (yes, Oreius will get a fairly big role in this story), and I decided to try it. Oftentimes, I get my inspiration for my stories by asking myself: "What if…?" What would have happened if so-and-so did this, or so-and-so said that? What if this happened, or that happened, or that, or that? I imagine something that wasn't included in the original movie, that I personally feel ought to have been included…you get the picture.

As always, reviews will mean everything in the world to me! And if you can't say something nice in your review, don't bother reading at all.

Story © unicorn-skydancer08

All rights reserved.

It was the day of the royal coronation at Castle Cair Paravel. A great multitude of Narnians—fantastic creatures of all sizes and shapes, ranging from fauns to centaurs to Talking Animals—had assembled within the great marble hall to celebrate the inauguration of the Four Kings and Queens of their realm. Young Edmund Pevensie, along with his elder brother Peter, his elder sister Susan, and his younger sister Lucy, dutifully made way toward the Four Thrones that lay ahead, with the Great Lion Aslan accompanying them. On either side of them, a band of centaurs clad in full armor and draped in heavy, dark-colored sashes lifted their swords to them, as a symbol of respect and regard. Though Edmund held his head high with pride and did his best to walk with dignity, his legs felt like rubber, and his heart was pounding so hard that he was sure everyone else in the room must hear it.

When the time came for the crowning to begin, Tumnus the faun had the honor of bestowing the crowns upon the head of each King and Queen, while Aslan himself established the official titles for each young sovereign. Edmund was honored with the title of King Edmund the Just, meaning he would henceforth be recognized as a figure of fairness and truthfulness. It seemed a rather ironic title, at least to Edmund himself—considering the boy had never been the most truthful person in the world, not before this time. When Tumnus set the large silver crown in place atop Edmund's head, it truly was a crown of glory, and it was all Edmund could do to hold himself still and steady.

When all four monarchs had received their crowns and their designations, and Edmund was seated along with his siblings on the Four Thrones, Aslan stood directly before them and regarded each and every one of them with a look of deepest pride and love on his handsome, noble face. "Once a King or Queen of Narnia," the Great Lion declared unto them, in a voice that no one else in the room could hear, save only those who were stationed at the very front, "always a King or Queen. May your wisdom grace us, until the stars rain down from the heavens."

Edmund trembled slightly at these profound words. He would never have believed such words could sound so wonderful…and yet so frightening at the same time.

Looking all around, all of this seemed such an incredible responsibility. For just a brief moment, Edmund wondered whether Aslan knew what he was doing, putting someone like him in charge over these good people. After all, he was only a boy—only eleven years old; or, at least he would be, in six months. And up till recently, he was actually these people's enemy, having betrayed them by siding with the White Witch, Narnia's oldest and greatest foe. Though Edmund had redeemed himself at the Battle of Beruna, by shattering the White Witch's wand and distracting her in order to give Peter and the other Narnians somewhat of an advantage, and though Aslan had reassured Edmund that all was forgiven, the feeling of unworthiness and unreliability refused to go away completely. Even now, Edmund doubted that these Narnians truly trusted him, that they entirely accepted him as their ruler.

Given what he had done, he could understand that perfectly. But the notion still stung all the same.

Trying not to focus on these things, Edmund exerted his best efforts to center his thoughts upon the fact that this was a joyous occasion, a time for observance and celebration.

Off to the side, Tumnus, having done his duty, smiled at the Four Monarchs and wordlessly leaned forward at the waist in a formal bow, sweeping his arm grandly in front of him and dipping his head very low—enough to expose the nape of his fur-lined neck. One by one, everyone else in the court followed the faun's example. Some actually dropped to their knees on the cool floor, while others—like the centaurs, for instance—opted to remain standing, and showed their deference by the inclination of their heads.

Edmund felt a warm flush creep across his face and neck as he witnessed this.

Who would have thought, he wondered to himself, that it would all come to this? Sure, Edmund had always dreamed about being a king, about being in charge over everyone and having the perfect liberty to do as he wished; or, so he'd imagined, being the typical foolish child building foolish castles in the air, and all that.

He even once had the opportunity to be a king before (or so he had thought), when the White Witch inveigled him in the very beginning, with her promises of power and extra special treatment—and all the Turkish Delight Edmund could possibly eat.

In spite of himself, Edmund couldn't repress a shudder at the memory.

But the Witch, like her promises, and the Turkish Delight itself, proved to be false.

This was the real thing. Aslan, Cair Paravel, the young king and the young queens stationed at Edmund's side, all these strange yet charming characters bowing at their feet…they were the ones who were sincere and unfeigned, undimmed by shadows, untainted by deceit and deception. Edmund vowed to himself there and then that he would do his very best to never let any of them down. He had already made that mistake once—and that was one mistake he would never make again.