A/N: I was watching the old BBC version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Edmund looked…guilty. So, I got to thinking, what if he was trying to protect his family? Anyway that's how this one-shot was spawned. This is for all the Edmund fans in the world. Hope you like it. Ed's thoughts in italics.
Hesitation
"I say Edmund, you look awful!" Do I? I feel awful. To much Turkish delight, I suppose or perhaps something else: guilt, fear? Those seem to be the only things I feel now a days.
"What a lot we'll have to tell them, and what wonderful adventures we'll have!" She so excited…her eyes gleam with pleasure and expectation. Her tiny form turns to me, how would she look as stone? She thinks Narnia will be a wonderful adventure, but if Lucy's right, and the queen is really a witch, it will be deadly for her, for them. But, that Turkish delight. I think I'd do anything to get more…and they do deserve it most of the time. No!
"Go on, Edmund, tell them!" I can't look at her. I look to my brother. Will I be able to resist that candy and my own jealousy in Narnia? Somehow, I don't think so. She seems to intensify it.
"I'm sorry, Peter." I'm sorry Lucy. "I shouldn't have encouraged her." I can't trust myself. "We were pretending." I must lie to keep all of you out of Narnia. "I guess some kids don't know when to stop pretending." I give her a gloating smile. My pride refuses my impulse to go after her as her face crumples. I'm sorry Lucy. I have to protect all of you from her, and from me.