Title: Were it Not for Love

Author: MooMoogle

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, but I love 'em.

Summary: What were to happen, had not Aslan sacrificed himself in Edmund's place? This is Edmund and Peter's story, unfolding the fate of the sweet country of Narnia...However terrible it may be.

A/N: When I sat down to write a Narnia FanFiction, this never crossed my mind...Yet, as I began seeking a subject to work on, it just struck me how different Narnia would have been, were it not for the love of Aslan...And how different we would be were it not for the crucifixion of Jesus. Well, here it goes...

Edmund had never been more miserable in his life.

Not when the air raids began, not when he was sent away from home, not when Peter took up his rightful role as leader…Not even when his father left for war.

He seemed to be misery itself as he was ushered along through the quiet, dark wood, silence pounding in his ears. His wrists stung with rope burns as the coils that bound them, tied tightly behind his back, cut deep into his flesh.

Ginnarbrik, who was contentedly walking along behind the boy, gave the rope a vicious jerk as Edmund stumbled on the path, causing him to wince in pain. "Get on," the dwarf growled; Edmund could not help but notice the twinge of amusement in the rough voice.

At least he was some what content by the White Witch's absence. She had left late last night, after exchanging words in an undertone with Ginnarbrik.

Edmund, for the moment, could care less where she was. She was gone, for now, and that was pleasant enough.

Soft moonlight scattered along the dirty ground, filtering through the forest's leaves. The innocent light seemed to mock him as Edmund struggled forward. He was tired, his breath heavy with exhaustion, and continually roots and rocks snared his foot, giving the dwarf a 'reason' to tug mercilessly at Edmund's raw wrists.

But why were they hurrying? Ginnarbrik, being a dwarf, was fairly easier to keep pace than with the tall Witch, but the he also never seemed to tire nor slow. The question continued to pound in the youth's head. He had only managed to catch a few words the Witch had said to her servant last night…

The most prominently used, much to Edmund's shame, had been traitor.

He knew he was- he could deny it no longer. After the harsh treatment from the Witch, he finally saw the true love his siblings had offered him. Yet, he chose the shallow copy, and now…now he was tasting the cruelty of his own actions.

'I suppose Peter and the others are with that Lion…Aslan, that was his name,' thought Edmund bitterly. 'Peter…he's always tried to lead us. No doubt he led Susan and Lucy safely. But…But he was just so…bossy! He was trying to take Dad's place.' A soft growl vibrated in the boy's throat.

'No one can replace Dad.'

Joseph Pevensie had dark, raven hair that curled softly at the edges and deep, brown, soulful eyes that sparkled with pride. Edmund had inherited his appearance from his father, which he had once bore proudly.

And now, Edmund loathed looking anything like his gentle Father…He did not deserve such an honour.

In spite of himself, he felt Peter did.

'Of course…Peter. He…I suppose…He did only want us to be safe.' Edmund choked on his very thoughts as tears slowly filled behind those brown eyes. 'He only wanted me to be safe. It…it must be hard. Being oldest. Watching over three younger siblings.' Edmund swallowed thickly.

'Dealing with a brat of a younger brother.'

He himself could remember, many, many years before, before Joseph had left for war, when he and his brother had played and laughed with each other…

"C' on, Peter, fas'er! You'll ne'er ca'ch me at tha' ra'e!"

Edmund laughed as he ran through the grass, just out of his older brother's reach. The elder boy simply grinned, redoubling his efforts. Edmund, at an age of six, dared a glance back, smirking. "Keep tryin'!"

Peter's china blue eyes flashed with determination, and with a yelp, lunged at his brother. The two fell, rolling through the soft heather in fits of laughter. "Aha! I've got you, my little devil," Peter announced in triumph, pinning his giggling brother to the ground. He reached one hand over to ruffle his brother's hair.

"Hey!" Edmund cried in protest, ducking in attempt to avoid the hand, but Peter managed to run his fingers through the dark locks, leaving it quite a mess. Edmund scowled, trying to fix his hair, then slowed, a smirk adorning his features. He jumped at Peter with a cry, and the two once more were lost in the romp, their laughter heard for a mile around…

A single, shining tear finally tumbled over onto Edmund's cheek, his face bearing utter sorrow and regret.

They could still have been that way…

He was torn out of his trance as he tripped, and, with a yelp, fell forward onto the cold, dirty ground. Pain again seemed to erupt within him, and a soft groan emitted from his throat.

Ginnarbrik also shared Edmund's displeasure. He, along with yanking at the rope, brought his whip down fiercely across Edmund's back. The youth restrained a cry of pain, blinking his tears back furiously.

He could have been with his family, with the three that truly loved him…

"Get up, Son of Adam! You really are a mess of pity…" the dwarf snapped. A malicious smirk crept across his lips. "You shan't want to keep them waiting…"

At these last words, the forest fell utterly silent…No, it wasn't silent. Edmund raised his head, slowly scrambling to his feet. He strained his ears, and finally caught a breath of sound.

Screeching, howling, braying voices reached his consciousness, though they were far off. He could not quite place the…things that were causing the noise. Even so, his pulse quickened, his breath filling with fear. Wide eyed, he glanced at Ginnarbrik, who only smirked, flicking the whip. "Go on."

Much to his resent, Edmund began to walk forward again. The dwarf seemed to have gotten enthusiasm from the wails, ushering the boy faster. With each step, the noises grew louder…closer…

A soft light glowed through the final row of trees. Edmund narrowed his eyes, squinting at it. It was firelight…torch light. Ginnarbrik snickered, and pushed the youth through.

Edmund's eyes widened in shock and utter fear, a soft cry even escaping his lips at the sight before them. Just beyond, set on a small hill, was a stone table; the Stone Table…But it was not alone in company. Beasts he recognized from the Witch's camp surrounded it, releasing a roar of triumph as the dwarf and boy emerged from the wood.

But it was not the creatures that held his attention…

Standing on the formation was, undoubtedly, the Witch herself. Malicious, cold eyes turned sharply towards Edmund, flaming with fierce joy at the sight of him. Her face was calm, most apparently undaunted by the shrieks of her minions. Slowly, Edmund let his gaze drop a little…

Clasped in her hands was a silver dagger, its sharp edges reflecting the firelight.

"Behold…The Traitor." Her voice rang out clearly, and Edmund winced; the very words stung him. Ginnarbrik dropped his whip, drawing his knife as Edmund trembled, raising his foot to retreat into the wood. Placing the blade against the boy's back, he hissed, "No going back."

With a cry, Edmund was forced forward, his face filled with terror he had never possessed. The monsters parted, leaving a clear passage to the Table. The jeers and taunts seemed to engulf him, filling him to the brim with despair and anguish.

He needed Peter.

But Peter was not here. Peter would never be here. He didn't deserve to be here.

And Edmund did.

"Bind him," was the Witch's next command, her voice cool and rich with contentment. Edmund found himself forced to his knees, the beasts milling around him, more ropes adding to the ones that already imprisoned his wrists; a gag preventing any cries of resentment and fear. With a groan, Edmund collapsed. He could do nothing…he was exhausted…he was helpless.

The Witch's eyes glinted with malice. "Bring him to me." Edmund found himself dragged forward, wincing as the ground jolted his wounds. The brays of the creatures increased as he finally reached the Stone Table. He was pulled up onto it, his eyes hazed with exhaustion and shock, looking absently over the crowds of beasts.

Jadis acknowledged the helpless boy with contained satisfaction. With a fierce movement, she straightened one arm, demanding for silence; the ranting beasts quieted, the atmosphere going noiseless.

Thud.

A steady, slow beat had begun, only breaking the silence briefly.

She crouched, placing a white, cold hand on Edmund's shoulder. He flicked his gaze at her, his eyes widening once more in fear.

"Do you, Son of Adam, know why you're here?" she asked, her voice quivering from restrained delight. Her lip curled in a sneer. "It is because you turned over your very siblings…For sweeties." His face filled revulsion and guilt, lowering his gaze.

"You are a traitor, Edmund…And every traitor's blood is my property," she continued. Tears brimmed his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.

Thud.

"Obviously, your selfish desires are much more important than the lives of others."

Edmund blinked, sorrow clutching his soul…The fox…Tumnus…And for all he knew, his siblings.

A rustle, ever so faint, yet ever so prominent, caught his attention. The bushes far beyond at the edge of the forest swayed slightly, a pair of eyes sparkling through the leaves. In his state of overwhelmed emotion, Edmund's vision seemed to sharpen…

Everything faded from view except those china blue eyes.

'Peter!' The realization surged through him.

But his brother's eyes were not filled with that starling determination or loving laughter…They were overflowing with horror.

Thud.

The deep browns locked with the hauntingly blue...Sorrow, fear, and horror mirrored from both.

'Peter...' Guilt lapsed into his eyes as well, bringing alarm into his brother's.

The Witch moved her hand up his shoulder...He shuddered from the touch. She smirked. "But I suppose you haven't done terrible damage, considering the favor you have done for me…" Edmund tore his gaze from Peter, staring at the Witch in alarm and self-disgust. She continued, "Your death is my passage to control over Narnia. By the simple act you've done, you have broken the long foretold prophecy which stated that you and your siblings were to become the Monarchs of Narnia."

Edmund lowered his eyes in both grief and disgrace, momentarily afraid to raise his gaze back to Peter. What had he done…?

"But I suppose that wouldn't be good enough for one such as you…You wouldn't have any servants," scoffed the Witch, withdrawing her hand and returning to her feet.

Edmund held back his tears, though it was a struggle now. He gazed into his brother's eyes once more, his breathing heavy with the weight of his emotions.

Thud.

"Tonight, the Deep Magic, will be appeased!" A roar of fierce joy rose from the creatures, though Edmund was no longer listening…

"Peter, where you goin'?"

A three year old Edmund stared, watching his brother quizzically as Peter bustled around their room. Edmund's deep brown eyes sparkled with interest and question as his brother answered without looking up,

"To school, silly! 'Member, its m' first day…"

Edmund idly swung his feet, which were a good foot above the ground, rocking slightly on his bed. He looked up sharply, a look of hope and sorrow on the youth's face.

"Petah come back?" he asked, his bottom lip quivering. Peter ceased his 'quest' for a pencil and looked up, grinning.

"Of course, Eddy, I'll be back later today. I don't live at school!" The younger broke into a wide smile, leaping off his bed. "Come on, you little devil," Peter teased, taking his brother's hand in his own. The two walked together out of their room and down the small hallway and into the kitchen.

"And tomorrow, we will take Narnia…Forever!" The Witch let the last note ring out clearly, yet Edmund still tuned her out…

Their mother stood, waiting patiently, as the boys emerged. "Mum, I can't find my pencil…Do you have one?" Peter asked hopefully. Helen smiled, handing one to her eldest.

Edmund looked at her. "Mum, can I go to sc…shool with Peter?" he asked, fumbling over the foreign word. Helen laughed quietly, crouching down to her sons' height. Gently, she stroked his raven hair lovingly.

"Not for a few more years, darling," she explained. His face fell. "Oh, Edmund, it'll be fine…Susan is staying, too. And your Father is coming home today." He grinned in anticipation, his mood lightened considerably.

She turned back to Peter, taking his small hand in her own. "Now, Peter…Be a good boy. Listen close and you'll do perfect."

She gave a start at the fiery determination that flamed in her son's china blue eyes. "I'll be fine, Mum," he promised. She smiled, satisfied.

No sooner had Peter began down the walk from his front door, Edmund burst after him, crying, "Petah, wait! Peter!"

Peter turned sharply to face his brother, whose cheeks were flushed. "Ed, go back inside; Mum said you're not allowed to come."

Edmund brushed off the retort, gazing up at his brother. "Petah promise to come home soon?"

Peter's expression softened at the hopeful, loving face. "I promise I'll be home later," he said gently, wrapping his arms around Edmund's shoulders, pulling him into an embrace. The younger sighed a breath of contentment, leaning his head into Peter's chest.

Peter smiled, resting his cheek on the ebon colored hair, his anxiety of the day ahead fading. "Alright, my little devil…You should go back." Resentfully, Edmund released his brother, watching as Peter made his way down the sidewalk…

Thud.

The Witch looked down at him, bearing her dagger over Edmund. "In that knowledge…"

Edmund trembled out of utter sorrow and terror. What had happened between him and his brother! What had happened between him and his family…The memories in his mind swirled, retracing what he had said only a few days past…

"Yeah, of course! Didn't I tell you about the football field in the bathroom cupboards?"

"Shut up! You think you're Dad, but you're NOT!"

"Some little children just don't know when to stop pretending…"

"You didn't believe her either!"

His tears threatened to spill over…Those deep, brown eyes once more sought out his brother's far beyond in the underbrush, locking onto them once more…

"Despair…"

'Oh, Peter…' Edmund slightly shook his head, his guilt and terror lapsing into one again. "I'm so, so sorry," he mouthed, barely moving his lips due to the gag…

Even through the creatures, the distance, he knew his brother had gotten the message.

Edmund had seen the tears well in Peter's eyes.

"And…"

'Oh, Peter…I love you…I'm so sorry…' Edmund's breathing grew fast and heavy as light reflected from the deadly blade above him. "I'm so sorry…"

"DIE!"

Edmund gasped, drawing a sharp breath of pain and shock as the blade drove into his side, as though piercing his very soul…His eyes widened as unbearable agony coursed through him, but his gaze remained fixed on his brother.

Peter's eyes filled with so many emotions Edmund had never thought possible for his brother to feel…Anguish…Loss…Terror…Horror…

The last flickers of energy began to fade rapidly, his spirit ebbing away. The noise, the sight, the pain…It all disappeared. Ever so slowly, a final breath escaped his lips, and his dark, soulful eyes closed forevermore.

'I am… so…so sorry…'

Note: Ahh, I can't believe I killed Ed! Well...Anyway, please review! This is NOT a one shot! There is still more to come! I hope you review...I need some...ah, what's the word...I guess 'inspiration' could work... grins