An Unexpected Return (Edmund x Female Reader)

Chapter 5: Making a small friend but learning of an old enemy

"King Edmund?" A little voice says.

A little voice from the fox.

Y/N is taken back by this, her eyes widening in amazement.
"Yes, that is me." Edmund says, giving the young fox a smile. The fox's expression turns to one of hope as it quickly bows its head and says "I'm sorry your majesty i was just scared is all i-"

"It's alright my friend, calm yourself. Do you know what happened around here?" Edmund says, sitting down with his back against the wall of the fireplace as the fox sits and bows its head, trying to think of how to explain.
Y/N pushes the amazement aside and also sits down, crossing her legs as she sits on the stone floor like Edmund is doing.

"We were attacked your majesty." The fox says, beginning to shuffle on the spot a little with nervousness. Y/N notices this and wanting to comfort the young fox, she leans forward a bit and says "You look nervous. Would...would you like to sit in my lap?"
The fox looks over at Y/N, it's expression changing to one of thanks as it nods and walks over, climbing onto her lap.
A small smile reaches Edmund's lips as he sees the fox relax a bit.

Y/N certainly had a talent for this.

The fox immediately relaxed in the warmth, now feeling ready to explain what had gone on.

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The gate swings open. Footsteps follow.
Getting closer, louder.
They then stop before him, a cold aura hitting him in the face and his body.
Then he is grabbed by his shirt.
Pulled to his feet.
And a few words are spoken to him, an ounce of dread filling him.
He is then dragged out of the room.
He is going to see a close friend again. Though not in the way he had hoped...

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Edmund looks at the fox as it begins to speak.

"It was last night. I was in the gardens helping my mother with a flower basket when we had heard the alarm bell and shouting. We ran inside to find everyone grabbing their weapons and moving to the western gate."

"Only the Western gate?" Edmund asks, Y/N noticing some confusion on his face.

"Yes your majesty." The fox says, tilting its head a little as it adds politely "why do you ask?"

"Me and Y/N came through the Southern gate and came across a centaur's helmet, and blood."
Edmund explains. The fox's eyes widen as it looks down, its eyes darting side to side a little.

"That...that would explain how they got in without anyone noticing before the alarm bell was rung." The fox says.

Y/N looks at Edmund who's expression had changed in such a way that would resemble some confusion, and a little worry. She had overtime come to know when he was worried, being able to read him rather well, as much as he hated it sometimes.

"Who do you mean?" Edmund says, the fox now looking up at him once again.
"Well, umm..." The fox says but his hesitation grows.

The fox shifts in Y/N's lap a little as they are a nervous.
Edmund is not going to like this...

"Who is 'they'?, my friend." Edmund says leaning forward a little, his tone now changed to one of seriousness.

The fox pauses...

"A small group of Jadis's faithful your majesty. She has returned I am sorry to tell you." The fox says, looking at Edmund with worry.

Edmund swallowed. The sound almost audible with how quiet it had gotten in the room.
He sits back against the fireplace wall, looking down a little at the ground Infront of him.

His worries had been justified.

"Your majesty?" The fox says, breaking Edmund out of his thoughts.
"Yes, sorry....What did they do?" He asks, Y/N noticing his worry once again. Edmund had started fiddling with his sleeve a little, an action she knew all too well...

Edmund was anxious, deep down.

"They, they took King Caspian sire."

She then saw the fear disappear from Edmund. He stopped fiddling with his sleeve and his eyes had widened a little, completely pushing what the fox had said about Jadis previously aside.
His face to her now showed one of great concern.

"Where, Where did they take him?" Edmund says, his voice still serious but Y/N could hear that same concern that slightly showed on his face.

"We aren't sure your majesty. We presume he was taken before the alarm bell hand rung." The fox said, bowing his head.

Edmund pauses but then nods.

"So the attack at the Western gate was a distraction of sorts?" Edmund asks.

"Yes sire, seemingly so." The fox replies.

Edmund looks down, his eyes wondering.

Then he takes a breath and stands, the fox and Y/N looking up at him.
"Where are you going?" She asks, the fox quickly looking to her then turns their gaze back to Edmund.

"I want to see Caspian's room if possible, and grab my sword while I'm at it." Edmund says, moving to walk towards the arched entrance to the kitchen.
The fox gets up and out of Y/N's lap, grabbing Edmund's attention.
"What is it my friend?" Edmund says, looking down at him.

The fox then says nervously.
"Your sword was taken..."

Edmund tilts his head slightly.
"What?"

The fox's ears twitch as it says "When his majesty Caspian's room was checked we found him and your sword missing."

Edmund's brow furrows as he looks away.
Why would they need my sword?...

Pushing his questions aside for now, Edmund then turns his attention back to the fox and says with a small smile "thank you for telling us what happened, if you could let any other Narnians hiding know that it is safe to come out that would be wonderful."

The fox smiles back at him, giving Edmund a nod as it begins to run towards the arched entrance to the kitchen.

"Wait!" Edmund suddenly says, making the fox stop and look over to him.

"Yes your majesty?"

"What is your name?" Edmund asks.
The fox smiles and says "Piper, your majesty."
Edmund then smiles and nods to Piper, saying "thank you, Piper."
Piper nods and his smile grows as he turns and runs away and out of sight.

As soon as Piper is out of sight, Edmund's smile fades and he looks down.

Jadis has returned again it seems. By what means he didn't know.
All he knew was that she must be stopped. For good this time....

This was a long, long chapter compared to the previous ones but hope you enjoyed none the less :)