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Post by Annabelle Moonhart on Feb 26, 2009 20:52:08 GMT -4
"Please, my King." Anna begged of him. She couldn't show him yet. Not even if he was the greatest warrior in history would he ever be strong enough to see what she had to show him. It was a sad answer to his question, and would leave him without appetite for dinner. Or meals for perhaps days, even in his starved state. They didn't need that. When the color returned to his face and the straightness returned to his posture, she would take him.
Anna smiled when Alehan looked at her. She spread her wings to show him what she was: a lion-bird. A griffin. She let out a roar, and then an eagle's cry, to show the range in her voice. Laughing still, obviously amused with his confusion, Anna took to the air, flying a lap around the barn and back. She knew perfectly well what he was, but decided to grant him the same pleasure of showing off. So she sniffed at him with the same interest that he had shown towards her. "Can he speak?" she asked Edmund.
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Post by Edmund on Feb 26, 2009 21:00:13 GMT -4
She had to understand. He needed to see what she had to show him, or he would lose his appetite anyway. Edmund knew that he had to be strong, and he needed to know what was being kept from him, what was being hidden from his knowledge. As she begged him not to push her to show him, he couldn't give in to her request. His eyes filled with a new sense of urgency, a new sense of pleading. She had to show him. Or at least tell him where he needed to go to see what she had to show him. "Annabelle, I'm sorry. I am. But I can't live another day not knowing an answer to my questions. If it concerns my family, I'm better off knowing now. Please, Anna. Please understand that I need to know now. I promise you I will be as fine as I possibly can be. I need to know. It's killing me inside Anna. Please show me, or at least tell me where I can find the answer." He questioned once more, doing his best to make her realize he wasn't going to let this drop. He needed to know the answer to his questions.
He needed to know what was happening with his family, and with Narnia. He needed to understand what they were really facing and up against. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he exhaled slowly, and then looked over his shoulder for a moment. Just a stablehand, going through to check on the horses. The man's eyes widened when they saw Edmund, and he went through the normal bow until Ed just waved him off. This wasn't the time for that. Looking to Annabelle, he watched as she showed Alehan what she was. The stallion stood quietly, watching with a quiet interest, as was his usual method. As she spread her wings, he stretched his neck out forward, trying to smell her as best as he could. Snorting when she cried out in a roar and then an eagle's cry, he tilted his head in question. What in the world? But then she had disappeared, for she was out for a lap around the stable. Alehan had no idea what to think, and as she landed and reached out to him. He touched noses with her, and then Edmund answered her question. "Unfortunately no, but he can understand the things you say to him."
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Post by Annabelle Moonhart on Feb 26, 2009 21:12:19 GMT -4
Anna frowned at Edmund. He wasn't going to give up. She had to give him credit, though. He was a stubborn boy, and that was a good quality in her mind. But still, it wasn't right for him to see just yet. And yet...
"Edmund. What I have to show you could kill you more inside than you are already hurting. You have to understand that. I don't want you to go ill on my fault. If I show you, you must eat everything that those nurses give to you. And you have to get stronger. I'm not going to let you sit in a dark corner and sob afterward. Is that understood?" she asked. Her tone wasn't mean or agressive, but more so concerned and worried. Narnia wouldn't do well if their newly found King was melloncholly.
She turned back to Alehan and smiled again. She touched his nose with her beak, and touched her forehead to his muzzle, meaning that she would be his friend. Her face peered over the stall to look at him. "Why is such a magnificent creature so cooped up?" she asked. He should be out running on such a crisp and wonderful night. Not standing in one place. Anna knew the feeling. It was sheer boredom.
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Post by Edmund on Feb 26, 2009 21:22:18 GMT -4
He studied Anna's face as she studied his own, and he never broke eye contact. Edmund had changed so much since his first adventure in Narnia, and that much was ovbious to anyone who knew him. He watched the griffin in front of him for another moment, feeling Alehan nudge his shoulder once more. His hand went to the stallion's nose, and he gently stroked him there for a moment, before scratching beneath his chin like his usually liked. Alehan moved his lips in his happiness, and yet knew that something serious was going on. In another moment he quieted himself down, and rested on three legs while the two conversed outside his stall door. Edmund was glad that the stallion possessed patience, and patted his strong neck in another moment. As Anna spoke, worry and fear filled Ed after her first sentence. But he didn't care what it would do to him. He needed to see. Looking to her, he set his jaw in his determination and nodded solemnly. "I'm finished betraying Narnia. I need to see this Annabelle, I need to." He finished quietly, looking to her rather hopefully. She was going to bring him. That was all that he needed her to say and do.
As he stood quietly, Alehan let out a small nicker in Anna's direction, and then squealed happily when she touched her beak to his nose. He nipped playfully in her direction, not aiming for her in the least. Edmund smiled slightly, and then watched as Anna rested her forehead on his muzzle, which the stallion seemed to understand. He bobbed his dial up and down in response, and then stood quietly as Ed stepped forward to follow Annabelle. But then the griffin's words reached his ears, and he looked to the rather patient Alehan. How long had it been since he had been out and stretching his legs. Edmund looked to Alehan, and then to Anna. "You know, you're right." He said and reached for the bolt on the stallion's door. Alehan would come back to his side, so he wasn't worried about that. Opening the stall door wide, he watched as the rather handsome horse thundered forward, his tail high and streaming behind him. He whinnied his thanks to Anna, and was soon galloping his heart out around the stable, wanting to get his energy out for the time being. Once he seemed content and settled, he trotted back towards Edmund and Anna, not even breathing heavily. Prancing to Ed's side, he wiated patiently, wondering where they were going now.
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Post by Annabelle Moonhart on Feb 26, 2009 21:32:58 GMT -4
Anna sighed sadly. She couldn't believe that she was actually going to do this. The King Edmund's heart would surely be shattered. "This way." she said, her voice somber. She watched Alehan, and smiled at his pleasure. It was obvious he hadn't been out of those four walls in a while. Anna wondered if Ed might ride the stallion. It would be faster, and less work on the small King. Or he could ride on her back, it didn't matter to Anna. Her golden eyes looked to the east, where the castle Cair Paravel lay. To Narnia was their journey. And after that, most likely to the forest, where Edmund could spend his tears before returning to the throne.
The creature looked back at them. "Come on, boys." she said, walking in the direction to lead them. She wondered what Edmund's first words would be after he saw.
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Post by Edmund on Feb 26, 2009 22:07:14 GMT -4
Edmund was hesitant about seeing what she was going to show him, but at the same time, he knew that it needed to be done. He wouldn't be able to love his life until Annabelle showed him what she was trying so hard not to show him in the first place. He felt badly that he was pressuring her in this manner, but he had to make her understand. He wouldn't be able to function without knowing what happened to Narnia, and to his family. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled softly and wondered back to his stay in the prison. There had been a time when he had felt that something was extremely wrong. Actually, there had been a lot of times. But there was one moment when he felt like a part of him had died inside, and that worried him. He prayed it wasn't the passing of one of his siblings, but he was preparing himself for the worst right now. What else could it be? Why would Annabelle so hesitant to show him what was happening in the world around him since he had been gone? Edmund just looked down to the ground for a moment, and glanced to Anna as she finally agreed to take him. "Thank you."
His words were honest and true, and it was obvious he meant what he said. As she directed them in the direction of Cair Paravel and Narnia, he wondered what he was going to see exactly. He didn't care, and he certainly didn't want to think about it now. He had to do this. Biting his cracked lower lip, he exhaled softly to calm himself, and then looked to Alehan. "Ready Ale?" He questioned the stallion, and watched as the black equine bobbed his dial up and down in response. He went to the stallion's side instantly, and pushed up off the ground rather painfully. His body still wasn't ready for all of this action, but he wasn't going to complain now when she was finally taking him. His wrist hurt sharply as he used his arms to pull himself up onto the tall stallion's bare back, and he was soon sitting upright, where he belonged, upon Alehan's back. He stroked the stallion's neck with his good hand and then urged him forward after Anna at an easy jog. If she sped up the pace he'd be fine with that.
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Post by Annabelle Moonhart on Feb 26, 2009 22:16:07 GMT -4
Anna nipped at Alehan's mane kindly, but slowing him. "Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast." she whispered in his ear. She knew how badly the stallion wanted to run. It was an old saying from some famous person back in the Four Pevensie's world. The pirates that formed Telmar had come from the same world, and so they had brought they're sayings, which then traveled into Narnia when the two Kingdoms were joined.
Her pace was steady. Not quite a jog. More a fast walk. She did want to get this over with. But at the same time, she didn't want to start it. Didn't want to pass the border into Narnia, her home. Didn't want to take them to Cair Paravel. But his words smothered her. Were still smothering her. Thank you, he had said. She couldn't possibly tell him that he was welcome, because she didn't welcome him doing that. It was awful, being split two ways like she was.
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Post by Edmund on Feb 27, 2009 19:30:37 GMT -4
Edmund felt so right on the back of his black stallion once more, and Alehan's new found exuberance gave him a second wind at life. The horse tossed his head in his own excitement at having his rider returned to him, and his prancing pace gave proof to that. Edmund let him go, knowing that if he held him in, it could only grow worse. Ale tossed his head once more, whickering in his contentment. But then the stallion felt a tug at his mane, and he squealed in response, figuring at first that it was in play. But it was to get his attention, to slow him down. He had a weakened Edmund riding him, and he needed to be careful so he wouldn't endanger him. They didn't need to worry about stumbling too much because Alehan was probably one of the most sure footed horses in the stable, but he noted her concern. It was obvious as to why she was like that, and quite understandable. Alehan slowed his dancing limbs, looking to her in a knowing way. Nudging her softly as she walked forward beside him, he matched his step with hers, waiting for her signal.
Edmund laid a thankful hand on Alehan's neck, knowing that Anna had something to do with the slower pace of his horse. He wanted to thank her. For that and so much more. Edmund stayed quiet for a little while longer, and finally worked up his courage to speak to her. "Thank you, Lady Annabelle. And I'm sorry that it seems as if I am forcing you to do this. If you do not want to go, just tell me where I need to head, and that will be fine." He finished honestly, and then let his fingers twist into Alehan's long, wavy mane. The stallion was gorgeous, and obviously a hand full, but what stallion wasn't? He was doing well for himself right now though, and listening to the warnings and the wants of the others gathered around him. Edmund had him settle down a bit more, and then the two were pretty silent for the remainder of the ride. Ed just wanted to get there, and was doing his best to prepare himself now for what was to come.
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Post by Annabelle Moonhart on Feb 27, 2009 19:39:18 GMT -4
Anna grineed and nudged Alehan back playfully when she felt his nose on her. "I won't be letting you go alone. It would be improper." Anna told him. She would take him to the place in Cair Paravel. She looked up at the dark sky. Things could be much faster if they flew, but the ground was nice too. She liked the pace. Not rushed or slow. Just simple.
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Post by Edmund on Feb 27, 2009 22:43:58 GMT -4
Ed wanted to get to Narnia, and he wanted to get there faster than this. His patience was thinning, and that much was obvious as he sat easily upon his stallion's back. Alehan could feel his rider tensing, and that usually meant that they were about to run. But the horse wasn't going to run...not now. Not with Ed being so weak, and probably unable to hold on. Ale wouldn't be responsible for causing his rider to fall simply because he wasn't ready for a full out gallop. That would come soon enough, and when it did, Alehan and Edmund would both know when they were ready. The young King just did his best for now, urging Alehan into a prancing gait that was a bit quicker than before. He knew that the journey would take time, but he just didn't have that time to waste at the moment. Edmund looked to Annabelle after she spoke and nodded his head in gratitude. He had found a loyal friend today, and he was glad that she had found him. As he looked up again, he was glad to see the castle looming just ahead. Thank goodness they were almost there.
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Post by Annabelle Moonhart on Feb 27, 2009 22:50:34 GMT -4
Anna jogged forward and nipped at Alehan's mane again. "Don't rush into sorrow, young King." she advised, and let her head hang in respect as they approached the castle. She would stay silent now, and only lead them. Words, at times, only added to the poison of mourning and grievance. Anna's pace slowed, and she lead them to the garden, where a statue of the Queen Lucy had been built as a memorial. Anna stood close to the stallion and the King, her body pressed nervously against them. She wondered what the King would do when he saw the statue.
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Post by Edmund on Feb 27, 2009 23:12:49 GMT -4
The young man's dark eyes looked at the castle that he and his three siblings had once lived in. That was before they had ventured back into the wardrobe, and back into the land of Earth. That day had been bad for them all, and Edmund had wished that they could go back and stop themselves from leaving. Maybe then, Lucy wouldn't be missing. Maybe then all of these bad things that were happening in Narnia and Telmar wouldn't be occurring. Edmund would never know, and neither would anyone else. But he wished that there would be a time when peace would befall them all once again. A time when all the members of his family would be together and happy again. But that was wishful thinking, and he knew that. Shaking his head slowly, he turned his head as he heard Anna's voice, and furrowed his brow at her words. What did she mean exactly? Sorrow? What sorrow? Looking at her in confusion, he turned forward once more, but let her take the lead, since he didn't know where he was supposed to be going. Alehan pranced quietly along, until he realized where they were going. He had been brought here the day it had been constructed. One of the guards had ridden him to exercise him, and he remembered it all well.
The tears and the cries of the people of Narnia and Telmar had combined to make one pitiful sound. Alehan was worried about approaching this place with Edmund upon his back. His pace and his step faltered, and he cast a sideways look in Anna's direction, wondering if this was such a good idea. He didn't know they had been coming to visit Lucy's memorial. And Edmund was an intelligent young man. He'd be able to figure it out rather easily. But Anna seemed intent on continuing forward, and with Ed's urging, the young horse hesitantly gave in. Walking forward once more, he snorted quietly in slight protest, and looked over as the movement beside him halted. He felt her warm form leaning against his own, and he nuzzled her gently for a moment before turning back to the statue. He felt Ed's form tense upon his back, and the young King looked at the statue in disbelief. His mouth fell slightly, and he wondered if what he was seeing was really true. She couldn't be dead. No...not after all of that. This was his fault. He should have tried harder to find her in Lamont's home. Why hadn't he? For a moment, he sat frozen, and then it seemed like he had all of a sudden slipped from Alehan's back. The stallion moved to try and catch him, but Ed had landed easily on his feet. The young man limped forward, his good hand reaching for his sister's statue. This couldn't be. "Lucy..." He whispered quietly to himself, and then instantly fell to his knees. He didn't cry, for he was too shocked. His sister couldn't be dead. He had so much to apologize for, so much to still do with her. The pair had recently grown close over this past year, and losing her felt like he was losing a piece of himself. "How could this have happened?" He said, more to himself than anyone else gathered. The pain he was feeling was overwhelming, but for some reason, the tears didn't come. He wasn't sobbing, and he wasn't closing in on himself like normally. He was going to live his life for Lucy, because that was what she would want. But his depression was going to be long and great, even if it was unseen by many. He was going to be strong. For Narnia. For Telmar. And for his family and friends. Rising to his feet, he set his jaw and clenched his good fist. Turning to face Anna, he looked at her, his eyes filled with heartbreak, but his spirit hardening. "I can't stay here." He finished and went to Alehan's back. Swinging up onto the black stallion, he turned him quickly, and pushed the horse forward into a ground eating gallop. Apparently now was the time for their run. Ed dashed him in the direction of the forest, wanting to lose himself for the time being.
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Post by Annabelle Moonhart on Feb 27, 2009 23:34:19 GMT -4
Anna pressed close against the horse as the King went to the statue, her lungs ceasing to move. Only when they bolted off did she take a deep breath and follow them through the air. She said nothing. He had every right to run. But his wrist worried her. She didn't want him to mess it up. But now wasn't the time to worry over such petty things. She landed and ran beside them, easily keeping pace. Letting Edmund mourn in a world of silence, Anna began to speak with Alehan. They were both animals, she was sure that they could understand a common language besides English. This way, Edmund wouldn't be disturbed, and she might actually hear Alehan's voice. "Do you think I made a mistake?" she asked him. Anna thought that she did. She knew that he wasn't ready for that. But when was one ever ready to know of a loved one's death?
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