WARNING: Over the next however many chapters, you may wish to have a tissue box and chocolate within easy reach. When I took on this challenge, I made a promise to myself that I would explore the various characters and their thoughts, feelings, and motivations in-depth. That means potential for much messiness ahead!

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this marvelous universe; it all belongs to C. S. Lewis and Walden Media.

Soundtrack Recommendations: "Opening Titles" and "The Calm Before the Storm"—Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie soundtrack.

Author's Note: Erm…because I can't write anything centered on Edmund without including Peter, too? ::sheepish grin:: After my third time watching Voyage of the Dawn Treader, I decided there were some things I really wanted to fix—namely, certain aspects of Edmund's character (he's jealous of Peter? Good grief—he was over that ages ago. And greed? So not how I pictured him.) This isn't to give the movie a bad rap (heck, if I've seen it three times…)—the movie itself was actually quite lovely. I wasn't even terribly happy with Edmund's temptation scene in the book. This is just my version of the events—and I figured, hey, why not pull from my Keeping the Faith universe while I'm at it? So here it is—I hope you enjoy it!

Dedication: To Berserker Nightwitch, because it was her suggestion to redo VoDT and fix Ed's character—many thanks and hours of inspiration here, I hope ::grins::.

Rating: T/M (for intense moments and possibly difficult issues)

Summary: Two years after their adventure with Caspian, Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia. There, they are tested in ways only their older siblings will understand…(AU. Voyage of the Dawn Treader) (Book and Moviebased) (Siblingfic) (NO Slash) (SEQUEL TO KEEPING THE FAITH)

"Speech"

/Personal Thoughts/

Excerpts/Quotes/Memories (Italics)

(1) Paraphrased quote from Prince Caspian, p. 284 in The Complete Chronicles of Narnia (Illustrated).

Honor Enough

By Sentimental Star

Prologue: Cambridge, 1943

"You might have been aware, King Caspian, that you could not be a true King of Narnia unless, like King Peter and King Edmund, you were a Son of Adam. That is honor enough to erect the head of the lowliest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor. Bear it well, and bravely, for it is by these merits that you shall judge and be judged."—Aslan, Chapter XXIII of Keeping the Faith(1).

"Come on, Ed, it won't be all bad…"

A soft, indignant "Hmph," answered the speaker. He was a handsome lad, tall and broadly built with golden hair that shone in the sun. Several young women cast him approving glances from underneath the brims of their white hats as he passed them by that afternoon, often passing right over his darker shadow.

Which suited Edmund just fine. He knew Peter and Susan were the lookers in their family and did not care to change that anytime soon.

(Actually, he received his own share of attention, but, unlike his brother who remained oblivious, he deliberately ignored it.)

Completely unaware of the glances he drew as they passed under the stone archway of a chapel and onto the busy street towards the other end of the market, Peter smirked warmly, lightly tousling his younger brother's hair. "So challenge him to a duel if he becomes too unbearable."

Edmund snorted quietly. "Peter…are you trying to get me in trouble with Aunt Alberta and Uncle Harold?"

Peter hitched his rucksack over one shoulder and hefted the bread box under the other. A slight frown furrowed his brow.

Edmund noticed, and lightly punched his arm. "Oh, dry up, you git. We'll probably be absolutely miserable, but I'm sure we'll find a way to cope with it. We always have."

"You know I'd stay if I could, Ed-"

Edmund rolled his eyes, hitching the sack of apples higher up over his shoulder. "You're very lucky apples are hard to come by, else I'd hit you with them. You ass…Lucy and I will be fine. You just focus on your studies with Professor Kirke."

Peter sighed. "I just don't like the fact that we're all split apart this summer. I know that Finchley still isn't safe, and that Susan would gladly have stayed, but-"

A sudden shout interrupted him: "You! You, there! Young man!"

Both brothers jerked around, terribly startled.

Initially, Edmund welcomed the distraction…until he located its origin.

An older man, dressed in the service uniform of the military, stood in front of the entrance to the University of Cambridge's Infirmary; Edmund's stomach curdled when he realized they had converted it into a temporary recruiting station, and it further knotted when he realized the sergeant had been the one flagging down Peter.

Swallowing against the lump in his throat, he cautiously glanced up at his brother, stiffening when he noticed the thoughtful look creasing Peter's face.

He knew what the older boy was thinking: Peter was nearly seventeen. If this war went on much longer then it was quite likely he would end up being conscripted. If he did not act now, wouldn't the war swallow them up, one by one? But war in this world was different and…Edmund wouldn't be with him this time around.

The thirteen-year-old's eyes burned: /Don't you dare!/ he thought fiercely at his brother, as his breathing hitched.

At that moment, Lucy's voice sang out over the crowd, "Peter! Edmund! You're supposed to be helping me with the groceries. Come on, if we don't head back now, we'll be late for supper!"

Their little sister's shout had never been more welcome than it was now.

/Oh, thank Aslan,/ Edmund thought, gratefully shutting his eyes. Beside him, Peter smiled diplomatically at the man and gave a 'What can you do?' sort of shrug, /She has impeccable timing./

Another young man had come up behind them in the meantime, and amicably ruffled Peter's hair. "Better luck next time, mate," he advised him with a warm laugh, heading inside.

Edmund opened his eyes long enough to lay a smoldering glare on the fellow's back as he entered the infirmary. Unfortunately, it did little except make the other young man grin at him and wave cheerfully as he stepped inside.

Peter's arm suddenly hooked around his neck: "Come on, Ed. The Lady doth call." His brother—completely unaware of the interaction that had just passed—was grinning.

Flushing, Edmund grabbed the bakery box before his brother dropped it. "Knock it off, you git. Let's go."

But the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach would not leave, and Edmund led his brother away from the recruiting station at a rapid clip, all but fleeing towards the road.

"Hold up, Ed!" Peter called, chasing after him.

IOIOIOIOIOI

That night, Edmund couldn't sleep. Rolling over onto his side, he quietly studied his brother's peaceful countenance in the wan light filtering in through the shutters from the street lamps outside.

Somehow, they had both ended up sleeping on the recliner tonight, and although Aunt Alberta might complain, she couldn't really do anything about it. Peter was leaving tomorrow, anyway, first thing in the morning, and Edmund already dreaded the separation.

/How many months? As Peter said, Finchley's hardly safe at the moment. The Professor certainly can't keep us, not like last time-/

"Did you know," Peter's voice offered blearily, "worrying too much will give you premature wrinkles?"

Edmund tensed, not expecting his brother's playful voice to come out of the darkness beside him.

Chuckling softly, Peter rolled over onto his back. "Didn't mean to startle you," he murmured.

His younger brother relaxed. "Aren't you supposed to be asleep?" Edmund whispered.

Peter smirked gently, folding his arms behind his head as he gazed up at the younger boy. "Kind of difficult when your baby brother's stare is burning a hole into your head. What's up, Ed? Can't sleep?"

Edmund snorted quietly. "I'd think that would be obvious, Peter."

Peter grinned and held out an arm. "Get over here, then."

Shifting, Edmund moved so he could curl up against Peter's side as his brother's hand rubbed lightly across his back. Resting his chin on the older boy's chest, Edmund shut his eyes.

As Peter's hand continued its steady circular motion across his shoulder blades, the sixteen-year-old murmured, "Is this about what happened today?"

Edmund opened his eyes and gazed quietly back at Peter, keeping his face carefully blank.

A moment later, he heard his brother sigh, but his hand never ceased its gentle motion. "Have it your way, then."

Edmund expected Peter to prod, perhaps even pry, but his older brother did nothing of the sort. After a long, slightly uncomfortable silence, Edmund slowly released his breath, "You're not going to push me?"

Another gentle smirk played across Peter's lips, "No. I figure you'll tell me eventually. It isn't important right now, Ed. I just want you to try and get some sleep."

Edmund watched him carefully a moment, before scooting up and curling lengthwise beside him, resting his head in the crook of Peter's neck; his eyes drifted shut again. "Good night, Peter," he murmured.

Kisses pattered his forehead. "G'night, Ed," Peter replied, just as quietly.

IOIOIOIOIOI

Breakfast the next morning was rather rushed. Although Peter, Edmund, and Lucy had been up with the dawn, Aunt Alberta had lain in bed long past the time she was due to get up, claiming a stomach ache.

Edmund wouldn't have minded so much, but a rushed breakfast meant Peter would be late for his train if they didn't hurry up. Therefore, the siblings' goodbyes were also rushed.

When Peter stood on the front doorstep, leaning his suitcase against his knee and waiting for Uncle Harold to start up the car, Edmund felt his stomach drop. All three of the siblings knew it could be months until they saw each other again, which had been bad enough in Narnia, but here…

"I promise I'll write as often as I can," Peter advised his younger siblings quietly. He smiled at Lucy, who had begun to look slightly teary-eyed, "And I'm sure Susan will, as well. You'll see—it will be as if we never left."

Edmund shook his head, biting his bottom lip. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lucy looked just as unconvinced.

Peter's face fell. "I know it doesn't seem that way, and I'd bundle you both off if I could, but-"

At that moment, Uncle Harold honked the car horn, causing Peter and both of his youngest siblings to start.

Casting a frustrated glower in the direction it had come from, the sixteen-year-old turned back to his brother and sister. "I have to go now. I'll call you tonight when I reach the Professor's, and again on Sunday." He tried a tentative smile, "I'm not all that far away, really."

A second blast from the car's horn sent Lucy hurtling forward to wrap her arms tightly around their elder brother's neck. Peter kissed her cheek and gave her waist a firm squeeze, before setting her gently back on her feet.

Turning to Edmund, he raised his head and held out his hand for the younger boy to take.

In spite of everything, Edmund snorted thickly. "Do you really think I'm going to let you go with merely a hand shake, Peter?" Gripping his brother's hand, Edmund yanked him forward.

Peter embraced him, so tightly that Edmund's feet left the ground.

Burying his head in Peter's golden hair, Edmund resolutely ignored Uncle Harold's increasingly impatient honking and whispered, "Promise me you won't be an idiot, Pete, or do anything stupid."

Peter nodded against his head. "I promise," he whispered.

Edmund slid back to his feet. "You'd better get going," he muttered at last, dropping his gaze and pressing his hands firmly against his brother's chest in order to gently extricate himself from Peter's arms.

His older brother did not let him go that easily. A firm kiss was pressed to his forehead, "Hope springs eternal, Brother," Peter murmured. "Remember that."

Tbc.