Summary: I was about to drop off again when a low whimper roused my consciousness again. Looking around, my eyes quickly discovered the source of the whimper and my muscles relaxed, my heart pained. Companion-fic to 'Scream' set before Prince Caspian, Peter's POV and Lucy's POV, two-shot.

Author's Note: This idea came to my friend while she was reading 'Scream', and she asked about Peter's thoughts and feelings during the first part of the story. She also wanted a bit of background as to what Lucy had been doing before she came to wake the boys. So, wonderful friend of mine, this one's for you! Oh, by the way, I did change some of the dialogue from the original story so it wouldn't seem too boring for you all.

Disclaimer: If I said I was related to C.S. Lewis, why would I be writing a fan fiction? NOT MINE!

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Peter's dream

Ages:

Peter – 17

Susan – 16

Edmund – 14

Lucy – 12

Pained – Chapter 1: Peter

(Peter's POV)

The cool water laps my ankles as I stand on the beach at Cair Paravel, the castle glimmering in the late afternoon sun.

Looking around, I can see the familiar Narnian star formations start to appear in the black blanket of a night sky.

As I start to walk along the beach, my foot suddenly collides with something hard with a small 'ding'.

I uncover the sand to find a bottle there. Curious, I pick it up and see that inside is a letter of sorts.

I open the cork at the top of the bottle and I reach inside – for the hole is rather large – and take out the parchment.

Opening it out, I read the message on it, it reads;

All that you know, is about to change.

Puzzled, I glance back at the bottle, only to see an empty hand, I look up at the castle, only to find old ruins, and yet the message is still there, clear as day.

My puzzlement woke me up to find myself, not on the sandy beach of Narnia, but in my bed in Finchley. I was about to drop off again, when a low whimper roused my consciousness again. Looking around, my eyes quickly discovered the source of the whimper and my muscles relaxed, my heart pained.

Edmund had always had nightmares since leaving the White Witch and tonight was no different. Tangled in a strangling vine of blankets, sweating and occasionally whimpering, he tossed and turned.

Concerned, I threw back my own covers and hastily strode over to his bed, just as the nightmare appeared to take a darker turn and Edmund let out a closed mouth scream.

Alarmed, I walked more quickly and sat on his bedside, my hand reaching up to rest somewhat reassuringly on his trembling shoulder.

"Come on Ed, its okay, just wake up" I pleaded softly, shaking his shoulder, determined to end this as quickly as possible. No avail.

I sighed; obviously the only thing that would awaken him now was when the nightmare itself ended. I prayed to Aslan that that would be soon.

A warm spring breeze drifted through the open window, and I could smell the Lion's mane on the air. I know He heard my prayer.

I continued to sit there – alternatively stroking the dark locks out of eyes so tightly shut with tears clinging to the lashes, and letting my thoughts wander back to my own strange dream. What was with that odd message? Why was the Cair in ruins? What had happened to our once beautiful kingdom?

"NO!! PETER!!"

The frantic scream made me jump in fright. I faced Edmund again, to find more tears on his freckled cheeks and he was almost writhing in anguish.

My mind seemed to wake up to itself, as I gripped his shoulder harder than I intended and yelled

"Ed! You're dreaming! Wake up!"

His dark chocolate eyes flashed open and he screamed an ear-shattering anguished scream and he flew smack into my chest.

My arms instinctively came to wrap around his trembling form as he buried his sweat-soaked head into my shoulder, shaking with fright and repressed sobs.

As Edmund's breathing began to settle down, I asked shakily

"By Aslan Ed, what was that? What kind of a dream would be so bad that it took me –" here, I glanced at his bedside clock "– ten minutes to wake you up?"

He was trembling again, so I waited patiently. Five minutes later, I felt him move against me. Looking down, I saw pained eyes that showed fear, horror and loss all at the same time.

"It was during the Battle of Beruna" he whispered hoarsely "and the Witch was coming towards you, I couldn't move, and then she started taunting you and teasing you. Then she stabbed you, right in the chest."

I gasped softly. Edmund often had dreams of this kind, but they were never like this.

"I ran towards you, and you looked at me and said that it was all my fault that you were hurt, then my last words were wishing you wouldn't die, but then you did just that" Here, Edmund whimpered again, burying his head back into my chest. He didn't want me to see him cry.

I said nothing; I only gently stroked his hair as I began to hum an old Narnian lullaby – just like I used to do in Narnia.

This time though, it obviously wasn't working. His muscles remained tense and his trembling hadn't eased that much.

I glanced down at him, puzzled. This always used to work; in fact, it used to send both of us to sleep at once. Something else was wrong.

Before I could ask however, there was a knock on our door.

"Enter" Edmund called out hoarsely.

Our door opened, and in came Mum, Su, and Lucy. Taking in the sight before them, Lucy visibly understood. She strode over to us and knelt down opposite Edmund, looking at him with scared, but genuine concern.

"What happened?" Mum asked.

"We could hear someone screaming" Susan put in.

"It's alright Mum, Ed was just having a nightmare" I told her.

Without warning, Mum came and took Edmund into her arms and whispered to him something I couldn't hear.

A slightly annoyed look came across Edmund's face, but he nodded.

After a few minutes, she stood, and left our room, obviously satisfied that I could take care of my brother, even though I had failed to do so once –

'Stop it' I thought to myself 'You've been through this with yourself more than enough times'

Distantly, I heard Edmund sigh and suddenly the weight on my lap returned. Smiling slightly, I began to hum again.

He snuggled further into my lap and my smile grew wider. Seconds later, his breathing was slow and even, his eyes were closed and his trembling was non existent.

My smile was an outright grin now, as I allowed my own eyelids to droop, and before I could say "Monkey's Uncle" I was sound asleep too.

Ok, maybe not one of my best, but I thought it was ok. Did anyone notice that the letter that Peter receives in his dream was a line from the 'Prince Caspian' trailer? I hope so, that's one reason I added it in. Anyway, Chapter 2 will be about Lucy, so keep your eyes peeled!

Oh, I know I said that 'Not So Leisurely After All' was complete, but a certain wonderful author by the penname of skgirl8621 gave me a simply marvellous idea that I decided to use, so look out for that one too!

Also look out for Chapter 3 of 'Amber's Prince Caspian Story' which will be up sometime before Christmas I hope!

Yours in writing,

Fan of the Just King.

Merry Christmas to all!