Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't.
Summary: Love's sacrifice knew no bounds. Golden Age AU.
A Sacrifice of Love
A sob ripped free as he slid down the muddy embankment. No, no, no. He had to reach him. He had to.
Rocks and other debris tore into his hands, stinging as they did, but he was hardly aware of it. His whole being was focused on reaching him. Finally, he slid to the bottom and splashed through the churning waters. "Hang on. Hang on, I'm here. I'm here." He gulped down a sob even as bitter tears stung his eyes and coursed down his cheeks as he reached the battered and bloody body lying so terrifyingly still. No, oh Aslan, no. This wasn't right. This wasn't right.
Edmund dropped to his knees, ignoring the water as it soaked through his leggings, socks, and boots. He reached out a shaky hand and buried his fingers in matted hair. He sobbed. "Remus?"
The brave, foolish Wolf let out a long whine, opening one yellow eye to look at him. He whined again then gasped, "I did it, Alpha. I kept you safe."
Edmund bowed his head then forced himself to smile. "Yeah, you did. You did a good job, Remus. A really good job of taking care of me. Now, just hang on. We'll get you the cordial and you'll be fixed like that." He glanced around the rain-drenched forest and wished he knew where Lucy had gone. Surely he and Remus hadn't gone that far from camp.
The Wolf drew a shuddering breath. "Alpha, did I…do good?"
Swiping tears and rain from his cheeks, Edmund nodded. "You did. You did really good." His fingers curled in the Wolf's matted ruff. "Why didn't you just go for help? Why did you have to get in between me and a bloody Ogre?"
"Had to…protect you, Alpha." The Wolf huffed wearily as he lay his head back down in the mud and water as he whispered, "I love you, Alpha."
His yellow eye grew dull and then he let out a slow, raspy breath before his side stopped moving.
Edmund huddled over the Wolf, sobbing into his matted fur. Why did he have to sacrifice himself like that? His head knew that the Wolf's pain was forever gone and he no longer hurt, but Edmund's heart still constricted and he choked out, "I love you too, Remus. I love you too."