Notes from the Author: Hi, all! I know, I'm a horrible human being- in my defense, did you know school's started? And as I would very much like to graduate, I'm afraid that writer's block competed with school and school won out. But- many thanks to my English/Journalism teacher whose lessons have given me the means to continue to write this and the shared commiseration of my new classmates, who have given me a lot of support and helpful consideration (along with ample encouragement- I'm looking at you, Enz.)

Anyway, this isn't as long as the prologue, but I'm rather proud of it, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. And thanks so much for the feedback! I'm left amazed, and slightly embarrassed for my updating schedule. Okay, more than slightly.

Replies to Reviews:

Elecktrum: Thanks for the feedback, E! I hope you like this installment, though I'm afraid it's a tad more serious and with not as much humor. And many thanks once more for graciously allowing me to use your universe for this fic.

Alicia Olivia Mirza: I know, right? Time travel is always interesting to read, and as to Ed being the victim, I have a weakness for younger brother characters getting hurt. I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Narniagirl (guest): Thanks, though as for the originality I must bow in deference to the amazing writers from the Hobbit and LoTR fandoms, where I got the idea to write one for Narnia. Thanks for your support, hope you enjoy!

GreenHorn22: Definitely not! But my schedule is unfortunately very tight which leaves me less time than I'd like to write. But this will be a long, twisty tale to tell.

PaintingMusic14: Haha, here you go!

Yasgirl(guest): Woohoo, thanks so much!

Blue Teller: Thanks so much for the positive feedback! I wish I could rush this, but I wanted to give you as best a chapter as I could, so I hope you like this one.

FlyAway98: I updated as soon as I could! Haha, Edmund's role in this story will be drastically different, and yet similar to the original plotline. I hate to leave you hanging but here you go!

AlphaGuardianDelCieloWW: Here you go, enjoy! Thanks for reading!

JustValiant1717: I'm glad you loved it, and I'm sorry it took longer than expected. Scheds, you know, and needs must. But here you go! I hope it brings a little more light into your world.

Kiele M(guest): Thanks so much for thinking that! Here's the update you were waiting for!

sweetT1diabetic (guest): Here it is! Updated! (Originality again, credits to the multiple time travel fics of the LoTR) but I'm here and I hope you haven't left me yet!

General Disclaimer: I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia franchise, nor most of the characters mentioned/featured in this story, with the exceptions of shield-maiden Lhiere, Falcon Silverwing, Falcon Spotfletch, and the Mare Fleur. Many thanks to Professor Lewis for the beautiful world he created and to the lovely elecktrum who generously allowed me to use her characters for my stories. The overall plot of the story, however, are my intellectual property.


THERE, AND BACK AGAIN

CHAPTER 1 - REALITY DIVIDED

Narnia

32nd of Snowbrice, Year 1003

Cair Paravel

EDMUND FROWNED AT HIS REFLECTION as he studied the changes his body had undergone over the past several months in the mirror, carefully tracing the large, jagged scars that now crisscrossed his torso.

It had now been an entire month since Edmund had finally returned home to Cair Paravel from his up-close introduction to Calormen's slave trade, and suffice it to say that it was not an experience he recommended anyone else try.

The young king's scowl grew deeper as he traced a particularly noticeable scar that ran from his right shoulder blade to his left hip. The wound had been one of several inflicted after his first attempt to escape, before his newest friend and member of his and his siblings' court – Lhiere of Aisla – had helped him sneak out of Istfa Tarkaan's mansion at the expense of her own well-being.

To date, only Lhiere knew the true extent of the wounds Edmund had sustained during his time in Calormen. Edmund knew that this couldn't last forever- Peter had been growing suspicious by his sudden modesty when the two brothers had been perfectly comfortable changing in each other's presence before, and Lucy had already been suspicious when Edmund turned down her request to look over the wounds after she'd given him a drop of cordial. Lhiere looked more and more uneasy with each day that passed without him talking to his siblings, but he wasn't ready yet for them to know. Thankfully, the Galman maiden knew how to keep her lips sealed.

"Ed?"

Edmund looked up at the strangled sound of his name being called, paling dramatically as he caught sight of Susan behind him in the mirror's smooth glass. The Gentle Queen's eyes were trained on his back – equally marred with angry scars – and what she could see of his chest.

Edmund's mind blanked out in panic- he wasn't ready, she couldn't see, she'd tell they'd know nononononononono- when Susan moved in a blur of rose-colored fabric, stepping into the room and spinning to lock the door in the same breath, before crossing the distance between her and her brother to draw Edmund into a warm embrace.

"Oh, Eddie," the soft, lilting tones of her voice murmured into his hair as he froze, still adjusting to touches that weren't meant to harm or discipline. Three months on the run had left him unused to and wary of simple touches of affection that had meant the world to him before. Eventually, he managed to relax and lean into his sister's hug, tears brimming in his eyes as the simple action began to tear down the walls he'd managed to build around his heart.

"We suspected something like this must have happened to change you so, but- oh, Eddie, never like this," Susan sighed softly, voice strained. Had Edmund chosen to look up at that moment, he would have seen his older sister valiantly fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over her cheeks. Edmund stiffened again.

"What do you mean, you suspected?" he asked, voice tight. Susan drew back and looked him in the eye with a sad smile. "You avoid us now," she replied, brushing his bangs out of his eyes tenderly. "You flinch away from every touch offered and you wander off by yourself more times than what is healthy- for you and for my poor heart," she added with a smile.

"When?" she asked, voice tight but still caring, and Edmund was relieved that there was no trace of pity in Susan's eyes, only love and concern- and something else he couldn't quite identify. Edmund sighed, licking his lips and avoiding her soft gaze. Part of him wanted to try and redirect the situation, avoid talking about it altogether, but he knew that Susan wouldn't drop this. If he talked to her, however, maybe he could get her to keep it from Lucy and Peter.

He shrugged, keeping his gaze fixed on the wall behind Susan. "Calormen wasn't exactly a vacation, Su," he murmured softly. Susan shook her head. "I know that, but… you told us that you'd been left to die in the desert, that Lhiere had found you and helped you while she'd been on her way to her master's house, and after that you'd managed to find your way back to Archenland, which was where we found you," she accused. Edmund winced. "I… might have skipped over a few fundamental points in that summary, he admitted.

"Oh, Ed," Susan huffed softly, tugging her brother close to her chest. Edmund tensed up, still wary of physical contact after his encounter with the Calormen slave trade, but the reassuring motion of Susan stroking her calloused palm across his back and the gentleness of the embrace helped him relax into his older sister's arms. He only had a few inches left to go before he outgrew her altogether, he realized, and it had been a teasing point of banter between them, but for now, he was grateful that he was still shorter than her as she buried her nose in his hair.

"My strong, brave baby brother," she murmured, drawing back and looking over him, her thumb caressing his cheek. "I understand that you won't feel comfortable talking to us about all of it, Ed, I do," she said. "But I do hope and pray that you'll be able to trust us enough to tell us some of it, in time." Edmund nodded numbly, looking at his shoes.

"I'm not strong, you know," he said eventually. "I gave in to them eventually, when holding out became too hard. I gave in and compromised, even when I knew I shouldn't have. I broke and became someone I didn't even recognize anymore."

"But you're here, aren't you?" Susan replied. "You're here, and maybe you've changed a bit, but that's part and parcel of growing up, even if your circumstances were more extreme than most. But," she said, smiling and lifting Edmund's chin until he looked at her, "I can look at you, and I still see Ed, the selfless Just King of Narnia, the noble Knight of Aslan, and the loyal and amazing little brother I love. Maybe you can't see it yet, but I do. We all do, Ed." Her voice grew softer and her eyes glistened as she pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"You are so much stronger and braver than you realize, Edmund Pevensie," she murmured as tears traced their way down her cheeks. "And I am so proud of you."

Edmund's throat seemed to closed up as he closed his eyes and leaned into Susan's embrace once more.

"Thanks, Su."


England

September 20, 1940

Finchley

There was nothing there.

Edmund ran his hands over where he knew there should've been ridges and bumps and imperfections, where his nerves still numbed and the dark marks of where Jadis's wand had stabbed him through and through and left him paralyzed on the fields of Beruna what felt like an entire lifetime ago. Instead, his slender, uncalloused fingers simply traced invisible patterns and lines on pale, unmarred skin stretched across his frame slightly because of hard rations- nothing compared to after the White Witch's enchantment* or after Calormen.

Edmund closed his eyes. He had nothing- no proof or evidence to reassure him that Narnia was real and not a figment of his imagination. Nothing beyond vivid memories that could be passed off as severe hallucinations or intense dreams.

And wasn't that a terrifying thought- because he'd changed in Narnia. He'd seen the price of his treachery and felt the life-changing love of a Lion who'd laid His life down for a brat who didn't deserve it. But if Narnia was just a dream, then he wasn't Edmund the Just, he was just Edmund Pevensie.

Edmund Pevensie, who'd betrayed his siblings. Edmund Pevensie, conceited, selfish, self-absorbed brat. Edmund Pevensie, undeserving.

Edmund Pevensie, who Aslan had died for.

A chill ran down Edmund's spine as he remembered the warm golden glow of Aslan's eyes, the fullness of his love, everlasting and unconditional, the feeling of redemption that had filled him when Aslan had crested the rise above the fields of Beruna, and he shook his head. Maybe, by some small miracle, he was capable of dreaming up Cair Paravel, Jadis, the coronation, Calormen, Mister Tumnus, the Beavers, all of it. But there was no way his mind could have conjured up Aslan.

No one could've dreamed up Aslan.

"Edmund?"

Déjà vu swept over Edmund as his eyes rose to see Susan staring at him in the mirror. Unlike that day in Cair Paravel when his oldest sister had discovered the scars he'd gained in Calormen, Susan's expression was filled with annoyance and frustration. "What on earth are you doing?"

Edmund briefly thought to apologize for taking so long when his mind exploded with-

-painangerbetrayalabandonmentwhatdoyoucareanyway-

-lostconfusionregretshomehomeloveeverlasting-

-fathergonePeterSusanLucydontcareaboutmeIdontcareaboutthemgoodriddance-

-NarniaPeterbrotherSusanLucysisterslovecareKingsQueensNarniansloveloveAslanAslan-

-whoareyouwhoareyouwhatisthiswhyissheherewhydoesshecareGETOUTOFMYHEAD-

-ASLAN!

"Edmund!"

Edmund blinked, head pounding, gaping at an enraged Susan. "Honestly, I don't know what I expected from you anyway," she sneered. "Never mind that this day's hard enough for mum as it is, you have to go and make it harder! I've had it with you brattishness Edmund Pevensie! Hurry up and get downstairs!" she snapped.

Fireworks exploded behind Edmund's eyes, making him clench his fists. Susan noticed and scoffed at him. "Get your act together, Edmund- if you aren't ready to leave, we'll leave without you. Maybe a bomb dropping on your head will do that temper of yours some good." On that cold note, Susan spun on her heel and marched away. Edmund gasped in pain the second he was sure she couldn't hear, hands gripping the sides of his head as he crumpled on the cold floor of the bathroom. Then, suddenly as it came, the pain was gone, leaving him panting on the chilly tiles, gripping his temples. Edmund took in several deep breaths as his mind caught up to him from wherever it'd gone, and his conversation (if it could be called that) with Susan left him with a sinking feeling in his gut. Standing (and nearly falling again from nausea), Edmund gripped the side of the door for support and pushed himself into the hallway, chasing after his sister.

"Su, wait!"

Edmund drew short when he reached the top of the staircase, looking down at Susan, halfway out the door. The raven-haired girl didn't look up at him as she spoke. "What do you want, Ed?" She asked, voice icy. Edmund paused, biting his tongue as he realized that he had no idea how to explain anything, from Narnia to his actions in the bathroom. His head was starting to hurt again, and he pinched himself to keep from focusing on the throbbing in his temples. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry," he said finally.

Susan froze, looking back at him. "What?"

"I'm sorry." Edmund bit his lip, meeting his sister's stare. "I shouldn't have delayed- I know I'm not the only one having a hard time of it today. I'll try to do better."

Susan's brow furrowed as her eyes swept over him. "Are you okay, Ed? Did something happen?" she asked, wary. Edmund bit his lip, refusing to look elsewhere as he shook his head, a swell of nausea and heartache rising in an unpleasant combination. "Nothing happened, Su," he said firmly, even as a sense of -liarpretenderwhoareyouwhatareyouwhatishappeningGETOUT- filled his head, fighting back tears as the pain suddenly climaxed. "And I'm fine.

"Just fine."


Somewhere in the English Countryside

"Something's wrong with Edmund."

Susan's voice was firm, cold, and matter-of-fact as she stated her observation, her gaze not meeting Peter's, instead choosing to watch the countryside rolling away outside their compartment window.

It had been five hours since they'd departed the London train station and an hour and a half since the compartment had been all their own. Lucy had taken advantage of the solitude to cuddle up to her older sister and cry herself to sleep, and Edmund had followed her example (sans the cuddling and crying) and was huddled against the far corner of the space, forehead knotted as he slept fitfully.

Peter snorted sardonically, seated across from her and Lucy. "Isn't that the problem?" he replied, voice dry. Susan scowled, fighting off the protective wave that swept over her. Time was when Edmund had been close to them all, most especially to Peter. But when the money they received from their rich grand-aunt in France had reduced drastically, their mother had chosen to pull Edmund from boarding school and send him to a run-down public school near their home. Susan remembered well the spindly little figure that had tearfully hugged her and Peter good-bye at the train station, comparing him to the bitter, angry boy they'd come home to a few months later when the war had eventually drafted their father away from them and forced their schools to close in the middle of the term.

"It's not the normal kind of wrong that we have to deal with now," Susan objected, thinking to the veiled threats, the brattish temper, the bitter disregard and lack of care with which the younger of her brothers had chosen to display his 'affection' for his siblings. "But rather the lack of it

"How so?" Peter asked curiously.

"We had a spat this morning- the usual sort when Edmund's being his beastly self. He wasn't even talking to me, just clenching his fists and not looking me in the eye. I got cross, threatened to leave him behind, and then he runs after me and actually apologizes."

Peter straightened up, a strange expression on his face. "Apologized? Are you sure he simply wasn't being sarcastic like normal?"

Susan shook her head, mind going back to the scene with Edmund standing above her at the stop of the staircase and her all but out the door. When Edmund had looked her in the eye and apologized, her cold, factual, dark little world had crumbled just a little with the expression in her brother's eyes. She'd stared into his face and seen sincerity, longing, guilt, love, (and something else she couldn't quite name)- all emotions she'd lost hope of ever finding in Edmund since returning to Finchley. "No, Peter. The way he used to look when he apologized, before he went home- that's what he looked like."

Peter's eyes widened and he pursed his lips, staring out the window in disbelief. Susan knew the sudden attitude change in Edmund had hurt Peter most of all. Peter had doted on his baby brother every chance he'd had before their brief separation. He'd tried reaching out at first in an attempt to bring Edmund back to them, only to get hurt by Edmund's swift rebuttals. To defend himself from the sharp sting of rejection, Peter had lashed back out at Edmund, and the two had gone back and forth multiple times until the rift between them became seemingly impassable. By now, Peter had given as much hurt as he'd received, and if Edmund was truly trying to reach out, Susan feared Peter's pride wouldn't allow him to reciprocate.

Shaking her head at her older brother's stubbornness, Susan redirected her attention to Edmund in an attempt to give Peter the time he needed to process the information. He was still curled protectively on his side, facing away from them, though from what Susan could see of his expression, his sleep was nowhere near as peaceful as Lucy's was. He kept fidgeting and gripping his arm, shaking his head and muttering names that made no sense. One name in particular stood out- Asla or Aslan or something. Susan frowned in confusion, certain that Edmund had no friends or acquaintances with a name that exotic.

And who might this 'Aslan' be? Susan wondered to herself.

"It might have been just a one-time thing, you know," Peter mumbled softly. "No use getting in a fuss over such a small incident."

Susan's temper rose within her as the emotional baggage of the past several months tore her control apart at the seams. She'd been struggling to remain calm and stable in the midst of everything: when Edmund had first screamed in their parents' faces, when their father had been drafted to the army, when their mother had calmly told them that she would not be allowed to retreat with them to the safety of the country, and the near-nightly air raids that had threatened to destroy them and their home. Their uprooting and departure, combined with Lucy's withdrawal and Peter's desire to join an army of ill-prepared and likely-dead boys were an extra amount of pressure in her heart, and now, they had a chance that Edmund was trying to come back to them- but Peter was too stubborn and proud to let him!

"You're just scared," she hissed angrily. "Scared that I'm right and that Eddie is back, because you're just so used to being able to blame him! And you just don't want to have to deal with things the way you used to because he's just a convenient punching bag for you now, isn't he? He's not even your brother anymore- you just need someone to get your emotions out on, and if our brother is back then you don't have that anymore- well grow up, Peter! Because I want my brother back and in that moment, it was him."

"You're just desperate for someone to be on your side because Lucy's on mine!" Peter spit back.

"I don't want there to be sides! I want it to be the four of us again, like it was before the war!"

"Yeah, well tough luck there, the war exists and Dad's out there fighting it-"

"-and you're just so eager to join him, aren't you! You just want to leave and run off to war and be a hero, well news flash Peter!" Tears flooded Susan's eyes, and her throat tightened. "People die in wars and you probably would if you were there!"

"At least I'd feel needed, wouldn't I? Like I actually had a purpose!" Peter's eyes blazed, and Susan felt her own temper flare at the expression of righteous anger and justified indignation.

"You do!" Susan cried, lowering her voice and steadying when Lucy whimpered at her sharp movements and Edmund tensed. Their previous argument had been comprised of stiff movements, hissed retorts and sharp whispers, trying to keep from waking their younger siblings, and the two relaxed as Lucy curled further into Susan's side and Edmund simply muttered once more and slumped against the seat.

Susan sighed, relaxing, and looked Peter in the eye. "You do have a purpose Peter, and it's here, with us. We need you Peter- Edmund needs you. You didn't see the look in his eyes when he apologized."

"Exactly," Peter said, voice cold, turning away from her once more. "I didn't see it."

Susan tensed up once more, cold fury freezing her blood at her brother's dismissive attitude, only to jump slightly when the train conductor suddenly appeared at the door to their compartment, knocking loudly on the panels. Edmund started awake, skin pale and eyes wide, while Lucy yelped, nearly falling off the bench and Peter swore softly at the sudden sound, half rising with his hands balled into fists as the conductor stepped into the small space.

"Sorry to wake ye lad, missie," the conductor said with a tip of his hat towards a startled Edmund and a disoriented Lucy, "but your stop will be rollin' round here in about half an hour- best the four of you get yourselves prepared."

Peter hid his fists behind his back and sat down, evidently still trying to calm down, his face still red from their argument and from the sudden shock. Lucy was rubbing her eyes, trying to wake up faster, and Edmund looked miserable- near sick, even- so Susan was the one to smile gratefully at the old conductor, voice sweet and pleasant. "Thank you very much sir, we will," she said. The man looked pleased and tipped his hat in her direction as well before stepping out.

Lucy looked around her, small tears appearing in her eyes. "I had hoped it was all just a bad dream," she murmured softly. Susan felt the ice that had formed in her veins melt as she pulled her sister to her chest. "Don't cry, Lu," she sighed. "We'll be alright, won't we?" she asked with a pointed look at Peter. Peter returned her gaze evenly, softening his stare only when Lucy turned to look at him. "It could be a lot worse, Lu," he said softly.

"How?" Lucy asked miserably. Peter's suicidal dream could've been fulfilled and he'd be with Dad in the trenches, Susan thought bitterly as she glared harder at the oldest of them, who blanched slightly, at a loss as to what he should say.

"We're all still together, aren't we?" Edmund chipped in softly with a small smile at Lucy. Lucy glanced at him warily, her unspoken question of 'Is that really a good thing?' hanging in the air as Edmund's smile dropped suddenly and he turned away, skin paling further.

Susan released Lucy and traded wary side-glances with Peter as he stood up to help Lucy reach for her things on the compartments above her seat. As such, Susan was the only one to see a single tear trace its way down Edmund's cheek as the car rattled around them.


Narnia

18th of Frostmoon, Year 1004

Cair Paravel

Sir Peridan glanced sadly up at the lone figure standing firmly at the Cair's western battlements as he spoke softly with Sir Giles Fox and the Gentle Queen in the Northern Garden Pavilion.

Susan followed his gaze and sighed softly as she spotted her sister's fine pink skirts billowing like a sail in the crisp autumn winds. Since the storm over two weeks ago, the Valiant Queen had grown withdrawn and pensive, a fact that had caused worry to spread throughout the Cair and surrounding communities. In public appearances, it was hardly noticeable, and anyone who didn't know Lucy well wouldn't have been able to tell at all. But the youngest of the rulers had been less open and her smiles were belied by the growing darkness in her eyes, and every second of her spare time would be spent keeping silent sentinel over the western battlements, looking for any sign of their brothers.

"Peter was right of course to send Falcon Silverwing back to the Cair with news, but sometimes I wish he hadn't," Susan muttered unhappily, her violet skirt flowing to the ground as she rose, the two knights with her. "It's done nothing but make her worry more."

"The sooner the High King is able to return to the Cair with your royal brother, your Majesty, the better," Sir Giles agreed. "For both Narnia and your Majesties' sakes. I fear our Valiant Queen is not so particular about her own health as she is for your brothers."

"She'll feel better when Edmund is here, with us, and the cordial can finally be used to cure him," Susan replied, her gaze fixed on the slim figure.

It had been a matter of great discussion for the past weeks, accompanied by slamming doors, muted yells from the royal chambers, and a great deal of hidden tears as Lucy begged approval to race to the farthest corner of their kingdom to provide Edmund the help he needed, and any other time Susan would have been pushing her out the door- but Calormen had sent its Prime Ambassador to visit, and any perception of weakness could be taken advantage of, Susan feared. She was aware of her reputation across the kingdoms of being the least warlike of the four, with a preference for diplomacy. Though she was still the best shot in Narnia's armies, men did not fear her or respect her the way they did Lucy, who'd given a performance of her capability with the blade on the first day of the Ambassador's visit. While Susan was capable of defending the Cair and engaging in war, she wanted to avoid that and she had no doubt that if Lucy rode into the west while the Ambassador was still present, word would reach Tashbaan and her siblings would return to find the Cair under siege. As such, she'd dismissed each of her sister's petitions, despite the pain that stung her each time she did.

"I can only pray to Aslan that they get here soon," Susan murmured, leading her two advisors indoors.


The two queens were huddled in their private parlor, enduring an awkward silence as they worked at their separate desks. The tension between the two had been building since Susan had denied Lucy her request to ride out and meet their brothers on the way back from the battle. Susan was well-known for being the least warlike of the siblings and with the shifty-eyed Calormen Ambassador visiting so soon after Edmund's expedition to Calormen, Susan felt safer with her sister at her side. Lucy felt the same, not trusting the man who'd been slinking through their palace the past weeks, but she was also chafing at her helplessness, especially since the last message from the army had informed them that Edmund had yet to regain consciousness from his injuries and that the healers were getting worried. As such, the younger queen was torn between which of her siblings to stay with, and Susan's outright refusal to let her go to their brothers brought an equal amount of frustration at the situation and relief that it wasn't her choice to make.

Lucy was drawn out of her musing by a loud cry that reached their window on the chilly draft of evening air. Glancing at the window, her eyes widened at the column of torches approaching the walls and the cheers of the guards on the parapets. Trading an anxious glance with Susan, the two queens jumped to their feet, Lucy grabbing at her cordial as they fairly flew out of the room.

The queens cleared a path through the busy hallways of the Cair, laughing and sobbing simultaneously with tears shining in their eyes as relief and worry warred within them. They were nearly out of breath five levels down, until a Palomino mare by the name of Fleur offered to carry them the rest of the way.

A small crowd followed the queens out onto the fairgrounds before the Cair where the column of bobbing lights were slowing to a stop. Susan's keen eyesight picked out Oreius immediately and directed Fleur toward the Centaur General. Lucy's eyes met Oreius' and she begged silently for information about her brothers, her stomach dropping as Oreius' gaze dropped from hers. Barely registering Fleur slowing to a stop or Susan's harried thanks to the Horse, Lucy dismounted, sprinting past Oreius as the soldiers cleared a path to the center of the column.

By common practice, the injured were always in the centermost part of the army when they moved so that the wounded would be more protected by their comrades, and less of a liability in case of an ambush. It was both practical and demonstrated the loyalty and camaraderie within the Narnian armies, and it had been a tactical point that Lucy, as both healer and shield-maiden, had greatly appreciated in the past. But all she could think of now was how much more ground it meant she needed to cover before she could reach Edmund's side.

"Lucy! Over here!"

Lucy followed the sound of Peter's voice, pushing the last few meters as she caught sight of Peter. The young queen collapsed to her knees as she reached the stretcher that Edmund was laid on, fighting back the strained sobs that had risen in her throat at the sight of Edmund's wounds.

Most of them- the multiple lacerations and bruises that were commonplace after a battle- looked worse than they actually were, she knew. They were unpleasant at best, painful at worse, but unavoidable and these were usually the least life-threatening despite their appearance, so Lucy's eyes skirted over most of these, instead fixing her gaze on the bandages wrapped around Edmund's torso. Her eyes rose briefly to meet Peter's in an unspoken question.

"Broken," Peter murmured, voice strained. Lucy quickly looked him over, reassured by the lack of wounds her older brother seemed to have sustained. His hands were gripping Edmund's right, and she nodded at him shortly before slipping into 'healer mode,' distancing herself from the situation as she continued her examination. The heat emanating from Edmund's skin was troubling, especially given the chill of the Autumn night air, and he shivered under her touch. Her gaze narrowed as she glanced at the extensive bandaging on her brother's forearms, already with spots of blood showing through. There were several deep lacerations that appeared to have needed stitches, making Lucy wince, and some of the darker bruises would merit further attention, along with a cast on his left leg, which Lucy treated to careful examination.

"Fool actually walked on that, you know," Peter muttered unhappily, his hand brushing through Edmund's hair. Lucy swore under her breath, unknowingly eliciting a raised eyebrow from a hovering Susan. "If he wasn't already injured, he would be soon," she muttered darkly before she looked up at Peter. "And you?" she demanded. Peter waved her off. "Bruises and cuts, nothing more." He promised, before his gaze returned to the injured king "He also hasn't woken yet- not once. We managed to get some thin broth and water into him, but he's remained unresponsive, and we can't for the life of us figure out why."

Lucy scowled. "Well, it definitely merits the cordial," she announced as she finished probing her brother's body and reached for the diamond bottle at her side. There was a soft sigh of relief from her siblings -and the eavesdropping soldiers around them- as she produced the Fire-Flower Cordial from her belt and unplugged the golden stopper.

The three of them and all of their subjects within the vicinity held their breath as a small drop of the scarlet liquid dripped into Edmund's mouth. There was a brief pause where no-one moved, until the cordial began to take effect. Lucy breathed a sigh of relief as the heat emanating from the king faded underneath her touch, and his cuts began to close and heal on their own. Color returned to his skin, blood rushing to his cheeks and chasing away the pasty pale color that had previously inhabited them, and Lucy smiled grimly as the telltale sharp intake of breath marked the healing of his broken bones.

Cheering erupted across the camp as word spread by word of mouth, the trumpets sounding and the roars of the Beasts sending the air ringing. Peter slumped against his brother's cot, tears tracing their way down his face while Susan fell to her knees, pressing a limp hand to her lips as she thanked Aslan for Edmund's life. But Lucy blocked it all out, her eyes fixed on Edmund's unresponsive features. Dread rose in her veins as a minute passed, then two, and the raucous cheering faded into a background murmur and still she was stiffly watching Edmund's face, colored and healthy but still as death. Heart racing, she pinched his arm and slapped the back of his hand, desperate for a response, a sign, anything.

"Lucy?" The young queen looked up to see Peter looking at her worriedly. Susan had stopped praying, horror rising in her eyes as she realized what Lucy had been doing. "What's wrong?"

"He's not waking up," Lucy whispered, disbelief coloring her tone. "He's not waking up."


See "Into the West" and "They Also Serve" by elecktrum

Author's Notes: I know, I'm a horrible human being. Please review! In regards to the next update, to quote Aslan: "I call all times soon." Hahahaha until next time, folks.

-M