A/N: Prepare for a very long chapter. Get some coffee (though I hate coffee), and a snack and just sit and read. Review right afterwards though.
Disclaimer: Peter, Edmund, Susan and all the other Narnia characters belong to C.S. Lewis.
Leaves crunched under their boots, occasionally lifting in the wind to brush against their ankles. Peter was walking with Susan, his head bowed in deep thought as they rounded the bend. Edmund was only a few feet behind them, walking with Trumpkin and Lucy, his head cocked to the side as he listened to his younger sister.
"Do you remember that, Edmund?" Lucy laughed. "Do you remember Susan's face when she discovered it?"
Susan turned around at that moment, choosing to walk backwards. "If you remember correctly, Lucy, I was only merely shocked that you had stooped to Edmund's level. The prank itself did not scare me, it was merely disbelief."
Edmund bent his head back in a joyous chuckle, dark hair falling to the side of his eyes. "And what exactly would you interpret as my level?"
Susan just snickered and reached over to punch him playfully in the arm. "I just never imagined that my joyous little sister would become like my mischievous prank-pulling brother that is all."
Edmund brought a hand to lie over his heart. "I'm hurt that you think I'm still mischievous. I think I've done quite a bit of change."
Susan chuckled and turned back around, bending to wink at him over her shoulder. "You have and I am pleased with your change, yet I know buried beneath all those layers that fiery Edmund is still. Plus, I know no matter what change you go through, you can't stay away from trouble."
"Yes, but trouble seems to find me more often than I find it." Edmund stumbled over a rock, cursing under his breath. "See? My luck is not as strong as it was before."
At that, Peter couldn't help but turn around his face twisting into a smile. "You never did have good luck, Ed."
Lucy laughed beside him, her hair tumbling over her back. "Oh yes, you do have to remember all the times you swore luck didn't exist."
"Yes, but he would only say that when his luck seemed to fall short." Peter snickered, reaching over to ruffle his younger brother's hair. "You know I love you, Ed. You unlucky prankster."
Edmund just gave him a fake scowl, his lips quivering as he tried to hide his smile. "Yes, but you were always the sore loser."
"Only because I never lost." He teased.
"Oh really? So all those times Edmund beat you at sword fighting were just my imagination?" Susan raised an eyebrow, moving towards a different path that wound up the steep hill.
"That's the only time he seems to be lucky. That and he's got less muscle mass to carry around. Not to mention, he's younger!"
Edmund laughed, flashing a brilliant smile. "You just can't admit to the fact that I'm faster and better than you."
"Maybe because it's not true." Peter waved his index finger towards his little brother, indicating his point.
"Then let's duel it out right now, Pete." His hand flew to his sheath, grabbing the hilt of his sword. "Just don't be too disappointed when you find yourself at my mercy."
Peter just shook his head, turning back around when Susan called his name. "Maybe later, Ed. Count on it, okay?" He turned to jog up to his sister, when he turned around and faced his brother. "Oh and I won't be disappointed, because you will be the one finding yourself at my mercy."
Edmund snickered and watched as his brother jogged to their sister, falling in step with her. He turned to Lucy and studied her momentarily.
She glanced up at him, eyes shining. "You know what you said earlier? About how you've changed?"
"Yes." Edmund glanced at her with an arched eyebrow.
"I like the new you better." Lucy reached up a hand to drag it along his arm until she came to his hand, interlacing her fingers with his own.
Edmund smiled and squeezed his sister's hand. "Why is that?"
"You let me hug and hold your hand now." She glanced down to their entwined hands. "You used to push me away before. Not to mention, mock me all the time and make sarcastic comments."
"Yeah, I agree that I was a jerk to you before. I didn't quite deserve the affection you showed me." Edmund pulled a hanging branch out of the way with his free hand, ducking and pulling Lucy through with him.
"Yes, but look at you now! You're like a younger version of Pete!"
Edmund laughed, glancing over to her. "I wouldn't go as far as Pete, but I'm working on getting there."
Lucy's smile faded and her hand tightened on his. "Just don't become like he is right now."
Edmund's eyebrows knit together as he turned to his little sister, stopping in his tracks. Apart of him had been in denial of Peter's change, like he had been the only one that thought his brother had changed. He had never guessed that his young, somewhat naive, sister would have ever noticed if it were (though now that he thought of it, it was impossible not to notice Peter's change, so he was only being stupid in asking himself questions like 'I wonder if they notice?' or 'has Pete really changed?').
"Whatever do you mean, Lu?"
Lucy stopped, letting Trumpkin past her and hanging back with Edmund. "Oh Edmund, he fights so much. It's just dreadful to come home to see him bruised and battered. And he acts as if we have done something to anger him."
"Lucy, you have to try and understand, he's been going through a very difficult time." Edmund began to slowly walk up the hill towards the group, pulling Lucy's hand along.
"But we don't fight as he does and we are going through the exact same thing as him." Lucy grabbed a hold of a tree and pulled herself up the hill, her grip tightening in Edmund's hand.
"Peter has it the worst, Lu."
"How do you suppose that?"
Edmund just shrugged and continued on to leveler ground, eyeing Peter and Susan in front of him. "Think about it, Lu. He was High King, while we were just kings and queens. People adored him and they showed deeper respect for him than they did for either of us."
Lucy nodded, glancing up at her oldest brother than to the other. "I guess."
"They don't treat him like a king in England, nor the man he truly is. He's a man stuck in a boy's body." Edmund ducked from another branch, bringing his hand around to brush a bur from his shirt.
"Yes, but so are you." Lucy mimicked his actions and readjusted her grip in Edmund's hand.
Edmund just laughed and shook his head. "No I'm afraid that my situation is very different and much easier to deal with. I was only a young man, barely in his twenties, when we left. I was the lower king and not treated as Peter was, which made it much easier to deal with how people treated me in England."
Lucy nodded, seeming to finally understand.
"Do try and understand, Lu. Even though none of us truly can, we have to try. For his sake."
Lucy just squeezed her brother's hand and hugged him around the waist. "Oh Ed, when did you get so old and wise?"
Edmund just smiled and bent down, gesturing his sister to jump on his back. She did so and held on around his neck, her chin resting in the dip of his shoulder. "It's almost like you're a completely different person from the Edmund that betrayed us."
"In a way I am." Edmund smiled and caught up with his other siblings, readjusting the young girl on his back.
"Yes, but for Lucy and Edm-" Susan suddenly broke off her sentence, seeing as how the subject of their discussion had just arrived and it would be inappropriate to continue a discussion about them.
Peter's face was downcast and Edmund could do nothing but send a questioning glance to Susan. She shook her head and continued walking forward. Peter trotted up front, while Edmund and Trumpkin stayed behind, waiting for the others to react. Peter peered down the steep cliff, observing the rushing river below him. Edmund allowed Lucy to slip off his back and jog up to where Peter was instead, Susan close behind.
"See? By the time we-" Susan began, her eyes turning to Peter's face, voice dripping with bitter sarcasm.
"Oh, shut up." Peter remarked with an annoyed tone.
"Is there a way down?" Edmund turned to the dwarf, trying his best to keep his voice calm and not annoyed by the fact that they had walked all this way for nothing.
"Yeah. Falling." Trumpkin mumbled bitterly, biting his tongue before he spit out any rude remarks towards the High King.
"Well we weren't lost." Peter pointed out, immediately jumping out to defend himself from any future remarks.
"There's a fort near Beruna." Trumpkin suggested, barely noticing it as Edmund trembled at the name. "How do you feel about swimming?"
"Rather that than walking." Susan spit out, purposefully glaring at Peter.
Edmund gave a panged smile towards his older brother, trying his best to keep the family at peace with each other. Peter started to walk towards him, his head bowed in embarrassment of the previous situation.
"Aslan?"
They froze and turned to Lucy's voice.
"It's Aslan! It's Aslan over there!" Lucy swung around, holding out a hand in the direction she'd been looking. Her voice was excited and high-pitched, more than usual at that point. Peter and Edmund exchanged glances, as did Susan and Trumpkin.
"Don't you see? He's right..." She swung around to show them, but her smile dropped and a confused look washed over her blank expression, "...there..."
"Do you see him now?" Trumpkin's voice was bitter and sarcastic, much like Susan's voice before him. Edmund just glanced at them, peering into the direction Lucy had pointed, but he saw nothing.
"I'm not crazy." Lucy narrowed her eyes, her voice calming from the previous excitement. "He was there. He wanted us to follow him."
Everyone glanced at Peter for his judgment. He just placed a hand upon Lucy's shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "I'm sure there are any number of lions in this wood. Just like that bear."
"I think I know Aslan when I see him." Lucy spit back, her voice much harsher than usual.
"Look, I'm not about to jump off a cliff for someone who doesn't exist." Trumpkin piped up, placing his hand over the hilt of his dagger and starting to walk away. Edmund watched as his sister's face washed over in hurt as Peter and Susan both shook their heads. They were family, they should believe each other, especially Lucy (she was the main reason they were in Narnia).
"The last time I didn't believe Lucy..." He began, catching Peter's eye and then wandering over to Lucy's gaze. "I ended up looking pretty stupid."
Lucy stared at her older brother, a silent thank you passing between stolen glances. She wanted to hug him, just run up and wrap her arms around his torso, whispering her thanks into his velvet shirt. Maybe it was the simple fact that someone believed her or maybe it was the fact that Edmund believed her. Edmund, of all people in the world, had chosen to believe. The same guy who hadn't believed her about Narnia, the same one who had ignored what she said about the White Witch, the one that betrayed her. But now, Edmund stood in front of her, eyes dark and trusting, standing up for her and what he believed in. He believed in her.
"Why wouldn't I have seen him?" Peter's own doubt cut into the thin air, taking on a rather depressed note.
"Maybe, you weren't looking."
Though that made no sense to anyone, it seemed to hit Peter in the spot. He stole a glance with his brother, before shaking his head and facing Lucy. He wanted to believe her, but he couldn't. He just couldn't believe in something he didn't see, it's something he had always struggled with.
"I'm sorry, Lu." He turned and walked away; ignoring the disapproving glare he received from his brother as he passed him.
Edmund stayed behind, waiting as Lucy stole one last glance in Aslan's supposed location. He gestured for her to go before bending down and whispering into her ear, "I believe you."
She smiled at him and took his hand, pulling him along with her. They walked in silence for several minutes, except for the occasional conversation that carried about between the dwarf and the youngest Pevensie. Peter's eyes were downcast, Susan following suit. Edmund just stayed in the very back, drowning in the memories of happier times.
"Peter!"
Lucy came jogging up, Edmund in tow as she dragged him along. Susan wasn't far behind, as she picked up the hem of her dress and walked across the field. Peter just gave them a tired smile, leaning against the stable door for support.
"Yes, Lu?"
Lucy dropped her brother's hand and flung her arms around Peter's neck (being older, she was much taller than she used to be). "You promised me you would take us to the beach."
"I'm awfully tired, Lu. Can't Susan and Edmund escort you there?" He glanced up at his two siblings. "Are both of you free?"
Edmund just shrugged and leaned over a stall door to run a hand through Philip's mane. "I've already attended to my duties earlier this morning. I even looked over the documents that you failed to, Pete, and still had time for my morning spar."
"Oh, sod off, Ed." Pete reached over to ruffle his brother's hair, but Edmund ducked and let out a childish laugh.
"Why can't you go with us, Peter? It's Edmund's last week with us until he leaves." Susan picked up her saddle blanket and walked towards her raven colored horse. She swung it over the horse's shoulders and pulled it down till the edge of the blanket reached its haunches. She gave him a loving pat on his muzzle before walking to where her siblings stood.
"I guess I could come." Peter turned to saddle his horse, smiling as Lucy let out a rather childish squeal for someone that was fifteen.
They saddled and rode out, Edmund galloping to the front before slowing to a canter. When they arrived on the beach, Edmund and Peter stripped of their shirts, leaving only their trousers and chased each other out to the water. Susan and Lucy stripped to their silk gowns (which cut off at the knee) and waded into the water. Edmund grabbed Lucy from behind, smiling as she let out a surprised yelp.
"Did I scare you, Lucy? Honestly, you must have known I was there? You can be so slow." Edmund teased and let out a muffled laugh as she tacked him into the water.
They played in the water for what seemed like eternity before they dug their toes in the sand and let the sun bake their skin.
"I wish this could go on forever." Lucy whispered, her fingers tracing a picture in the dirt.
Edmund pushed a wet strand out of his face and let out a forced laugh. "Everything has to come to end, Lu."
"I don't like it when you say things like that, Ed. Can't we just pretend that you don't have to leave for like a minute?" Lucy turned to glare at him, angry flashbacks ripping through her mind of the many times Edmund had come close to death.
Peter, who was propped up on his elbows, turned to glance at Edmund. Susan just blinked the salt water away from her eyes and listened to the conversation with mild interest.
"I'm sorry, Lu. You are going to have to accept that I'm leaving to fight and there is a chance I can die."
"Then let me come with you! Or at least take Peter! Don't go off into battle alone, please..." Lucy blinked the tears away, reaching a hand to lace it with Edmund's.
"They need you here." He glanced at Peter and then to Lucy. "Both of you. Having the High King here is the best solution. We can't send him off into a battle with the fear of losing him. Narnia can cope without me. It can't without Peter and you know it."
"That's not true, Edmund!" Peter suddenly sat up, glaring at Edmund. "Narnia needs you just as much as it needs me."
Edmund just smiled and turned his face away, letting a dry laugh escape his lips. "It will be okay."
"What if you die alone?" Lucy sobbed out, unable to control herself. "How dreadful will that be?"
Edmund just smiled and wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. It wasn't long before Susan and Peter joined into the hug, each silently praying for Edmund's safety. It was an embrace so much like the one they had shared on the battlefield all those years ago, when Edmund had come close to dying alone.
Obviously, Edmund had returned home safely, with only a few minor wounds. Edmund only smiled at the memory, because it was the one time when he hadn't gone off to fight some war, but to fight for himself. To fight so he could come home and see his sibling's faces once again, to see their smiles.
"Shhh..." Trumpkin whispered, crouching (even though he didn't really need to with his height) as he slid past the trees.
They ducked behind a stack of logs, watching the Telmarine soldiers build the large bridge over the rushing water. There was no way they could make it across without being caught and killed. Peter turned to Trumpkin in disbelief, a bitter look crossing his face. Susan just sighed and rested her forehead on the log, her face scrunching in disappointment. Lucy and Edmund only watched as the heavy wooden machine pounded into the trees, knocking them to the ground. Lucy let out a mangled cry and hid her face in Edmund's shirt.
"What has Narnia become of?" She gasped into Edmund's shirt, feeling his hand rest at the small of her back.
"Shh..." Edmund rubbed her back, glancing up to his other sibling's. Peter was staring in horror at the scene taking place in front of him, Susan's face reflecting his.
Color drained from Edmund's face as three men on horseback came riding up, extremely close to where they were. He slid his back down the logs, coming dangerously close to being spotted.
"Perhaps this wasn't the best way to come." Susan whispered.
Peter nodded and crawled back into the forest, away from the horrible scene behind him. Susan followed him with Trumpkin beside her, Lucy in tow. Edmund stayed behind watching as the bearded man dismounted from his horse and started barking off orders to the younger soldiers.
"Edmund, get away from there! What do you think you're doing?" Peter hissed, grabbing his brother's arm and pulling him into the forest.
"Mom said those exact words to me..." Edmund suddenly whispered, rubbing the corner of his eye with his index finger.
Peter just shook his head, and straightened his shirt out, letting out a quiet huff. "Probably because you were being stupid just like this instance."
"I wasn't in any danger, Pete." Edmund walked along side his brother, letting out a small yawn as a twig snapped beneath his feet.
Peter let out a sigh. "You didn't see the guy approaching the logs, did you?"
Edmund shook his head in a silent 'no'.
"That's what worries me. You're oblivious to your surroundings." Peter turned to his younger brother, a rather serious look displayed across his face. His lips were pressed firmly together, eyes hard. "I can't lose you again, Ed."
"You've never lost me, Pete." Edmund picked up a twig off the ground and carelessly through it towards a tree, his aim perfect.
"If I remember correctly, you are the one that said I did. Not to mention all the times you've looked death in the eye and tempted it." He wrapped his arms around himself, despite the heat that was already seeping through the cotton shirt and causing him to sweat uncontrollably. "You may think it's all fun and games to die and then be brought back. You've only done it...what? Five times? Maybe it was six, I don't know. Either way. You have a knack for dying."
"Dying doesn't scare me, Pete. Half of the times, I wish you would just let me die. The only reason I'm still around is I found something to fight for. Something to believe in."
Peter smiled at him and reached up to squeeze his shoulder, before a frown grazed over his features. "I feel so out of place right now."
"What do you mean?" Edmund grabbed the hilt of his sword, giving him something to do with his fidgety hands.
"I feel like I don't know Narnia anymore. I feel like a stranger here not a king." His head bowed in utter confusion.
"Things have changed, that's all. You're still a king." Edmund flashed him a reassuring smile, before trotting up ahead to where Lucy and Susan walked. The groups split up once again, Lucy hanging back with Edmund while Susan and Peter chatted at the front, Trumpkin in the very back.
They arrived at the top of the hill once again, Lucy coming to stand a few feet from the edge of the cliff. She peered across, trying to get a glimpse of the Great Lion. Edmund stifled yet another yawn, his lack of sleep taking its toll on him.
"So where exactly do you think saw Aslan?" Peter questioned.
Lucy turned to him, her eyes narrowing as she shook her head at them. "I wish you'd all stop trying to act like grownups. I don't think I saw him, I did see him." She turned to walk over to the spot where she had last seen him.
"I am a grownup." Trumpkin mumbled under his breath, earning a small laugh from Edmund.
"It was right over..." As soon as her foot touched the spot, the ground gave out beneath her and she fell. Susan let out a cry of panic and they rushed to look over the edge of the cliff, each dreading what they would see at the bottom. Lucy had only fallen five feet, before she had come to a stop on the side of the bank. She glanced up at them. "...here..."
Peter helped everyone down onto the soft ground, while Lucy picked her way down the backsides. Trumpkin followed closely behind, all the while looking out for his younger friend. No words were exchanged between the five as they climbed down the cliff, just occasional grunts of pain when one would slip. Peter stumbled once, sending him sliding down the bank but Edmund caught his hand, giving him a small smile. It was times like this, when they were together and depended on one another that made life worth living.
The trip was mostly silent; everyone was exhausted from walking and not in the mood for talking. Lucy's feet began to hurt and Edmund carried her on his back the rest of the way, occasionally switching off with Peter. Susan began to hum a Narnian lullaby about half way through their trip, then Lucy joined in and then Edmund. Peter and Trumpkin just kept silent and pressed forward, barely able to keep their eyes open.
"This looks good." Trumpkin dropped his things in the middle of the clearing and motioned for Edmund to follow him back into the woods. They returned a few minutes later with wood and kindling for a fire.
Peter helped start the fire, before settling back on his backside, heavy eyelids drifting closed. He made sure his siblings were comfortable before using his bag as a pillow as he lay on his side, breathing becoming deeper. Lucy lay out on her back with her hands folded behind her head, Susan doing a similar thing. Trumpkin curled onto his side and faced away from the fire, dagger laying close beside him. Edmund slept on his stomach, an arm folded beneath him as a pillow, the hilt of his sword laid closely beside him. They whispered their goodnights amongst each other before drifting off. Edmund was vaguely aware of the girls chatting before sleep overtook him.
The next thing he knew was Peter's hand shaking his shoulder. "Edmund, wake up!"
Edmund squinted into the light, glancing up at his older brother. "What is it, Pete?"
"Lucy's gone. Wake the others." He turned on his heel and jogged up the hill, disappearing between a few bushes.
Edmund laid there for a minute, his brain still registering all of what Peter had said. He was no good in the mornings and his thoughts were incredibly slow. He brushed a stray hair out of the way, wondering what exactly to do with himself at that moment. He groggily reached over to shake Susan awake and then Trumpkin, his eyes dark and uneasy.
Susan sat up, glancing over at her brother's groggily expression, pure panic flashing across her features as she noticed two of her siblings missing. "Where is Lucy and Peter?"
"Lucy's gone, Peter went looking for her." Edmund grabbed his sword, sheathing it and picking up Peter's bag as well as his.
"What!? Lucy's gone!?" Her voice picked up a rather worried and panicked tone, which was unusual from her usually calm tone. "Where did Peter go?"
Edmund gestured to the two bushes, throwing some water that Peter had collected last night on to the fire, just to make sure it didn't restart.
"How are you not worried, Ed!? Lucy could be in danger! She almost got killed yesterday!" Susan swung her bow and arrow over her chest and blew a stray hair out of her eyes.
"I'm just doing as I was told, Su. Being paranoid about this won't save her. Peter will have found her by now." He helped Trumpkin gather his things before setting off towards the direction Peter had went.
Meanwhile, Peter trailed behind Lucy, attempting to be quiet to see where she was going. It wasn't that he didn't want her to see him, he just wanted to be quiet, who knows what was lurking in these woods. Sure enough, a low growl rumbled through the woods, but Lucy only smiled and picked up her pace.
"Aslan?" Lucy whispered, rushing to greet what was ever coming this way.
Peter clasped a hand over her mouth from behind, pulling her down onto his lap. He motioned for her to be quiet for he had already seen the minatour trudging up the hill.
And it was carrying an ax. Not safe in Peter's book. Not trustworthy.
He motioned for her to be quiet as he crept up the hill, unsheathing his sword. Kill was the only thing on his mind. Kill and protect at all costs. He was just about to strike when a flash of black armor and white sleeves came into view. A sword clashed with his own and he was forced to block, staggering backwards. He caught a glimpse of black hair and dark skin as the man attempted a strike at his left. Peter parried his attack, before pushing the sword away and dropping his left hand, wielding the sword one handed (Edmund had taught him to wield with one hand back in the Golden Age and it had become very useful). The man faltered, leaving his right open. Peter took the chance and slammed his hilt into the man's face, which gave Peter some time. He raised the sword above his head for a heavy attack, slamming it down into the opponent's sword. They clashed, pressing together, neither breaking free. Peter strengthened his grip on the hilt before outdoing the man and pushing his sword away.
Peter had won now. The other man had lost his sword.
He swung widely at the man's neck, not even thinking clearly anymore. The man ducked and the blade met with the tree, now firmly stuck. The dark haired man stood to his feet, standing beside Peter and kicking out his left foot, meeting with Peter's right thigh. Peter fell backwards, while the other man attempted to pull the blade free of the tree.
Peter recognized that this was his last chance at survival and reached for a decently sized rock, hoisting it over his head and ready to chuck it at the man's head.
"No! Stop!" Lucy cried out, coming into the clearing.
The man stopped and gazed at them, pulling the sword free with one final tug. Peter glanced around at the approaching Narnians, all of which were looking at him accusingly. He turned to the young man, an odd look in his eye as if he was trying to figure out who he was. The man shifted under his gaze, eye's narrowing as he twisted the heavy sword in his hand.
Eyes suddenly flickered as a memory flashed in his mind. His voice was almost nervous when he spoke next. "Prince Caspian?"
The man narrowed his eyes even more, until they were slits. "Yes, and who are you?"
Peter opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off as his sister jogged up the hill. "Peter!"
Edmund was right behind her, his sword resting steadily in his hands. He pointed it the older man, as if daring him to attack his brother. Caspian gave a weary glance towards the younger boy, as if studying the black hair and dark eyes that so closely resembled him. Caspian did look like the older Edmund, just before they stepped out the wardrobe, but Edmund's jaw was much sharper and his skin much paler.
"High King Peter?" Caspian whispered as his eyes ran over the engraving in the blade.
"I believe you call it." Peter said sarcastically.
"Yes, but I thought you'd be older."
Edmund just shook his head, wanting to pound some sense into that boy. Stupid, stupid thing to say. Incredibly stupid beyond belief. Lucy and Susan both looked towards the ground, preparing themselves for the fireworks while Edmund just tried to catch Peter's eye to tell him to keep his emotions in check.
"Well if you like we can come back in a few years." Peter's eyes flashed dangerously as he turned to signify his departure.
"No! That's alright." He glanced around at the four Pevensies, his gaze stopping at Susan. She blushed and looked down, shifting awkwardly on her feet. "You're just not exactly what I expected."
"Neither are you." Edmund caught the prince's eye and smirked, a soft look in his eyes. The last thing he wanted to be was an enemy of the skilled prince, who they were supposed to be helping. Caspian just nodded back, before the badger caught his attention.
"A common enemy even unites the oldest of foes." His words were wise, though no one was sure what he was speaking of, but they took it to heart.
A small mouse suddenly emerged from the group, bowing low to the High King. "We have anxiously awaited your return, my liege. Our hearts and swords are at your service." He folded his hand in front of his chest, and bent at the waist.
"Oh my gosh. He is so cute." Lucy whispered to her sister, a smile gracing her features.
"Who said that!?" The mouse drew his sword and pointed it towards several Narnians, before Lucy let out an apology.
"Oh, uh, your Majesty. With the greatest respect," He bowed his head once again, "I do believe courageous, courteous or chivalrous might be more of a fight for a knight of Narnia."
Edmund hid his amused smirk, not before Caspian caught it and tried to hide his own amused chuckled. Susan glanced in Caspian's direction, biting her lower lip as he smiled at her, dark eyes twinkling. Peter hated it. He hated how his siblings seemed to automatically like the man that attacked him. He just turned to the mouse, eyes softening as the mouse sheathed his small sword.
"Well, at least we know some of you can handle a blade." It was low of him to say that and he knew it, especially since the young Prince seemed to understand that it was directed at him.
Susan met his eye and shook her head, a look of total disbelief upon her face. He glanced to Edmund, hoping to get at least some forgiveness from his younger brother, his right hand man, his best friend. Edmund just nodded, eyes lowering slightly before raising to meet his once again. A quiet exchange of apologies was made between the two.
The mouse seemed to take the words into thought but said nothing about them. "Yes indeed. And I have recently put it to good use, securing weapons for your army, sire."
Peter turned to Caspian, catching a glimpse of the hurt expression before it turned to stone. "Good because we're going to need every sword we can get."
Caspian met his eye, eyes challenging him as he shot back. "Well then, you will probably be wanting yours back."
Peter ripped the sword of his hands, sheathing it and turning away, not even bothering to hide the annoyed expression on his face. Caspian led the way there, Peter beside him, loosely discussing the changes in Narnia, with occasional questions concerning the Golden Age from Caspian. Edmund walked with Susan, while Lucy stayed back with the Narnians.
"I really don't know what's wrong with Peter. That was an incredibly rude remark he made back there." Susan hissed, watching as her brother and the prince made short conversations. It looked as if Caspian was actually trying to get along, while Peter just ended every question with a short answer and an icy look.
"I don't disagree with you, Susan, but we need to cut him some slack." Edmund felt at ease with the Narnians around him, just like the old times, when they would gather around his horse and celebrate his return from a dangerous quest.
"Why should I? I've been cutting him slack for a year now!" Susan exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips.
"Oh, sod it, Sue. Can't we just have one moment of total peace? I have a feeling it won't last very long, so why not embrace it while we can?"
Susan just nodded and her lips twisted into a smile as she leaned against her brother. "You're right, Ed. I'm sorry."
Edmund just smiled and threw his arm around her shoulders. "So what do you think of Caspian, sis?"
Susan just blushed and pulled out of his arm, playfully punching his arm. "There's that old Ed."
Edmund just laughed, his eyes twinkling with complete happiness and some denial, but no one knew about what it was towards. Susan gazed up at where Caspian was walking, her face flushed and she looked away quickly.
"Yeah, okay. I really shouldn't have asked that question. I already know the answer." Edmund chuckled. "He could be your Prince Charming. The prince part is already there, now all you need is the Charming part."
Susan just shook her head, hair gracefully tumbling down her back and curling at the ends. "So what about you? No damsel in distress to rescue? Or some girl to sweep off her feet?"
"I've been here two days, Susan. Not all of us are as fortunate as you."
Edmund and Susan joked around the entire way there, laughing at each other's jokes and chuckling at each other's embarrassment. Edmund confided in Susan whenever he had trouble in his love life, and Susan did the same with him. It was the one thing they bonded over and it always would be. Susan could tell when Edmund was attracted to a girl, and Edmund could tell when Susan was attracted to a boy. They would talk to that certain boy or girl for each other, trying to convince them to like the Pevensie's sibling. It was just a special bond that no one could break and no one could share, not even Peter and Lucy.
Caspian lead them into a field, stopping at the entrance of the woods, and waiting for the other's reaction. All four of them were silent as they gazed at Aslan's How. Different memories ran through each of their minds, stirring different emotions in each of them.
The centaurs marched forward, unsheathing their swords and holding them vertically towards the sky. The Kings and Queens of Old stopped at the entrance to the tunnel. Edmund found his heart beating widely with excitement and happiness, feeling as if he finally belonged. Peter felt similar, a smile gracing his features, the first sign of happiness since Caspian.
They walked forward, feeling at ease and in place. Caspian hung behind, feeling more awkward then at ease. Peter glanced over at his brother, noticing how Edmund walked with his head straight, dignified like a king. It felt like old times, too much of the old times. Edmund smiled at one of the young centaurs that Lucy had noticed, before turning back to the How's stone archway.
They were greeted by the sound of metal clashing and the smell of sweat and fire. Edmund breathed it in, a smile spreading across his features. He felt like he was in the basement of the Castle, designing his own sword from the fire.
"It may not be what you are use to but, it is defensible." Caspian turned to Peter, gesturing to the Narnians kneeling beside the machines.
"Peter?" Susan stood in the archway to a dark hallway; her expression was that of pure amazement. "You may want to see this."
Peter looked towards his younger brother once again, but Edmund was already jogging to where Susan was. He followed her blindly into the dark, Peter and Caspian not far behind. Peter grabbed a torch, reaching out to scrape his fingers against the wall. The torch lit the wall, exposing small paintings. Peter ran his hand over one of all four of them sitting in their thrones.
"It's us." Susan spoke quietly as if afraid the moment would ruin.
Edmund was standing beside Peter, glancing to the wall on his right. His eyes caught on a picture of him and the White Witch, her cloak flung lazily over his shoulders, Turkish Delight resting in his hands.
"What is this place?" Lucy murmured, glancing around the room once more.
"You don't know?" Caspian's accent was thick as his eyebrows raised in slight confusion.
Peter felt like snapping at him and saying, 'No stupid, that's why she asked', but he bit back his sudden anger. Caspian lifted a torch from its mantel and lead them down the hallway. Edmund grabbed as one as well, about to follow them when another painting caught his eye. It was of Peter, Lucy, and Susan. Peter had his sword facing horizontally about to strike the ice as the girls clung to him.
"We were running from Magrium."
Edmund jumped away from the painting, his heart pounding rapidly against his ribcage as he let out a stream of curses, earning a raised eyebrow on Peter's part. Peter just chuckled and held the torch to the wall for better lighting.
"Still oblivious to your surroundings as always." Peter ran a hand over a picture of Edmund tied to a tree, the dwarf holding a knife to his throat. "What happened here?"
Edmund bent closer and examined the drawing. "The dwarf, er, I forget his name. Anyway, he was mocking me about my dreams of becoming Prince of Narnia."
He closed his eyes momentarily just to think.
"Does he want his pillow fluffed?" The dwarf hissed into his ear, tightening the binds on his wrist. "Special treatment for the special boy!"
"He told me that I was of no use to the Witch anymore, that my life had come to an end."
"You've lied to many times about where they are. She wants nothing more to do with you, prince. She told me to end it." The dwarf gave a thick smile and unsheathed his dagger, slamming the hilt into the boy's temple. "Not so strong and confident now, are you?"
Every blink of his eye was pure agony as memories ripped through his mind. "He hit me and told me that your blood was on my hands."
"Just think about it, will you? You were a pawn in the witch's game; you played right into her trap. Now look what the special boy has done. Maugrim has found your brother by now. He's going to wipe out all your siblings. You will be responsible for the death of your own flesh and blood. How does that feel, boy? Does it feel good to finally have your brother die?"
"He placed the dagger to my throat and told me that I would be seeing you soon enough."
"Well now, thanks to you, your brother can't save you. Rest assured, you will see him soon enough...in the hereafter." He pressed the dagger firmly to the throat, drawing a droplet of blood.
"That's it. I was rescued after that." Edmund took a shaky breath before taking a step back, willing the memories to leave him.
"I'm so sorry, Edmund. I had no idea." Peter's eyes dropped, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. "I'm r-"
"Are you two coming or not?" Susan stood at the top of the winding steps, a hand planted lazily on her hip.
Edmund just nodded and jogged to catch up with the rest of the group. Peter followed before coming to stand in the front with Caspian, Edmund providing the light in the back. They made their way down the steps, hands brushing over the wall, eyes scanning the lit area. The stairs ended and they were left gazing into a room of complete darkness. Caspian made his way in, disappearing into the black. He gently lowered the torch to the stone's firewall. The fire lit the room and burned lazily as it danced with the shadows.
The flame lit up a carving of Aslan and everyone's breathing hitched. A moment of total peace overtook the five as they stared quietly on. Edmund and Susan exchanged a glance at the sight of the Stone Table in the middle. Lucy approached it, her siblings stepping forward as well. Lucy's fingers ran across the ancient words carved into the side of the table, then up over the rough surface of the top.
"He must know what he's doing." Lucy whispered, turning to face Peter.
Peter just stared at the carving of the Great Lion, doubt in his liquid blue eyes. "I think it's up to us now."
Edmund said nothing as the group turned to leave, just stepped forward and placed his hand along on the rough edge of the table. He must not have realized he was crying until he heard a concerned voice behind him.
"Are you okay, Your Majesty?"
Caspian.
"Yes, quite fine." He turned away, hiding his tear streaked face from the older man.
Caspian only gave a short nod before catching up to Peter, gesturing to Edmund. Peter raised an eyebrow but said nothing as he handed his torch to Susan and jogged back to Edmund. His brother sat on the Stone Table, his fingers tracing a pattern in it.
"What's wrong, Edmund?" Peter took a seat next to him, taking notice of the streaks on his dirty face.
"This is where Aslan died for me, you know? This is where I should have died." Edmund's voice cracked. "My blood should be a stain on this table."
"Aslan's alive, Ed. We should be happy."
"That doesn't change the fact that he died for me. I should have been the one killed here, not him. I should be dead right now!" Edmund brushed away angry tears, hating that his barrier had broken. "I didn't deserve it."
"Deserve what?"
"His love. I didn't deserve anything he gave me, but he gave it to me anyway. He loved me no matter what I did."
"That's the beauty of Aslan's love." Peter gave a small squeeze to his brother's shoulder. "None of us deserve it, but he gives it to us anyway."
Edmund smiled and nodded, before lying back on the stone table. It was a slightly awkward position, considering the way the sides dipped in towards the crack, but it would do. "This is the way I would have died."
Peter just shook his head and lay back so his cheek was pressed against the cold stone surface. "Stop being so depressing."
"Sorry, just saying my thoughts out loud." His eyes closed, his hand coming to rest on his stomach. "Do you remember when I was captured by those foreign mermen while I was riding towards the Western Woods?"
"Yeah, how could I forget? Philip came galloping back, a look of pure terror in his eyes. You were missing for weeks." He whispered.
"Do you remember the scar they gave me on my hip?"
"Yes. It said 'Traitor'." He mumbled, faintly remembering the bloody carving in his brother's left hip.
"Do you know why they did that?"
"No."
Edmund took a deep sigh as his finger ghosted over the area where the scar should be located; fortunately he had lost it when he stepped through the wardrobe. "They were a group of Narnians that thought I shouldn't be king because of what I had done. They didn't trust me. So they carved 'Traitor' into my skin so that I would never forget who I was. They told me I was an outcast, a failure, a rebel."
Peter shifted uncomfortably, listening to his brother's voice.
"What's so ironic is that the people in school called me the same thing. They would look at me and brush past me, as if they wouldn't be caught dead in my presence. You were the golden boy, the perfect one. I was the dark one, the failure."
"You're not a failure."
"No, not anymore, but I was." Edmund opened his eyes and propped himself on his elbow to face Peter. "How come I feel as if we're switching roles?"
Peter scoffed a look of hurt passing over his face. "So you're calling me a failure?"
"No, but you're losing yourself, Pete. I'm only giving you a warning. You're on the edge of falling into the darkness that once enveloped me. Stop fighting Caspian." Edmund's hand reached out to find Peter's. "Don't let yourself fall, okay? Let me always be the dark one and you always be the golden boy, alright?"
"Why can't we both be the golden boys?"
"We are night and day. I am the moon, you are the sun. You need both or there is no balance."
"I don't understand." Peter whispered almost mechanically. First of all, he didn't even know where this discussion had come from; Edmund was so random at times.
"Come on, let's go." Edmund was already to his feet and making his way down the hallway towards the main room.
They walked in silence, Peter contemplating the meaning of Edmund's words, but his brain fuzzed over in confusion. He glanced up into the main room, his eyes wandering over to where Caspian stood talking to a few Narnians. Edmund immediately departed from him and wandered over to where a Narnia was molding a sword in the fire. He bowed his head in recognition at the fawn before gently taking it from him and doing it himself. Peter walked over, leaning against the machine heavily.
"I've wanted a new sword for the longest time. I was going to get one when we got back from chasing that stag..." The younger brother turned the metal to the other side, leaning forward to observe his work so far.
"You have a decent one as it is. Why do you have a need for another?" Peter pushed a stray hair out of his face, wiping his heated face.
"I wield two swords now. You know that!" Edmund smirked as he reached down with his free hand to unsheathe his sword, holding it out for Peter to see. "See? It's dulling and the hilt is clipped in many places."
Peter just smirked and bended to study Edmund's work. "How do you do this anyway?"
"You don't know?"
Peter just laughed and leaned forward. "You are starting to sound like Caspian, Ed."
Edmund just laughed as well, his eyes straying back to his work. "Well, if you really want to know..."
"Oh, do explain. It's about time I learned anyway." Peter chuckled to himself, coming to stand beside Edmund instead of behind him.
"The grip, or the hilt, must be shaped to allow a good control of the blade and a secure purchase. It should have good proportions. You base the hilt off the style and type of sword. To make it look right, the hilt components need to capture the subtleties of volume and form that original hand-forged hilt components possess. Get it?"
"Kind of." Peter whispered. "But the hilts are made separately correct?"
"Yes. I believe they are making them over there. I always hated making the hilts; it's such a painstaking task."
"The blade. Tell me of the blade." Peter wrapped one arm over Edmund's shoulder, and rested his chin on the dip of his younger brother's shoulder.
"Hand me that hammer."
Peter did so, smiling at a young Narnian in the process, turning his head back to rest in the same spot. Edmund brought the hammer down, laying the metal against the stone and hammering into it.
"It isn't nearly as complicated as the hi-"
"Prince Caspian! King Peter!" A faun clambered over to them, breaking both of the men's current activity and drawing their attention to him. "They have seen us. The Telmarines have spotted us!"
All hammers froze in midair, the machine's stopped running, chatter coming to a silent end. Edmund froze, eyes widely searching the room, scanning the shocked and fearful faces. Peter took a deep breath, ignoring the nagging feeling in his heart. "We shall meet now. In the stone room. Two fauns go to keep guard. All children and women stay in here, except for the Queens themselves. Am I understood?"
The Narnians murmured among themselves as the parted into their separate groups. Edmund laid his sword down onto the stone wall surrounding the fire, making sure the tip was out of the fire. He caught up with Lucy and walked with her down the dark tunnel, his mind reeling in panic but he did not show it. When they arrived, Edmund took a seat in the far corner, Lucy on the Stone Table, Susan beside Caspian, and Peter stood in the middle, directing the Narnians into the room. It was awhile before anyone spoke, but the small mouse, Reepicheep, did.
"What do you suggest we do, your Majesty?"
Peter took a step forward, raising his voice to be heard clearly.
"We need to-" Caspian and Peter said in unison, an awkward silence following afterwards. Peter looked at Caspian with narrowed eyes, a slightly annoyed expression on his face. Caspian averted his eyes and gave a short nod. Edmund just shook his head and bit his lip in a silent prayer. A prayer that they would just work together, because it was sure to cause someone's downfall.
"Our only hope is to strike them before they strike us!" Peter's voice was loud and clear, the true voice of a leader.
"Yes, but that's crazy! No one has ever taken the castle!" Caspian took a step forward, his jaw setting firmly, a flash of white teeth behind red lips.
Peter held his hands up to his sides, eyes challenging the young prince. "There's always a first time."
"We'll have the element of surprise." Trumpkin spoke up, taking Peter's side almost immediately. Peter gave him a grateful look before turning to face Caspian again.
"But we have the advantage here." Caspian never looked as young as he did at that moment. His face scrunched in a desperate attempt for someone, anyone, to take his side. He didn't see why they couldn't see his logic...his reasoning behind his suggestion.
"If we dig in, we could probably hold them off indefinitely." Susan took her stance beside Caspian's side. Edmund felt like laughing and teasing her about her boyfriend, but it wasn't the time.
"I, for one, feel safer underground." Trumpkin's friend suddenly mumbled, taking up Caspian's side.
Peter was frustrated now. He was losing again. He caught Caspian's eye, the fire flaring to life in his eyes. "Listen, I appreciate what you've done here. But this isn't a fortress, it's a tomb."
'Please see my reasoning. Please side with me, Caspian. Please someone just agree with me.' Peter begged silently.
"Yes and if they're smart, the Telmarines can just wait and starve us out."
Peter silently thanked his brother. Leave it to Edmund to see the logic, to see all the possibilities, to think it through. His heart swelled with love for his little brother as Edmund nodded his head and smiled in his direction. He made a mental note to thank Edmund later for taking his side when no one else had.
"I could collect nuts!" A hyperactive squirrel suddenly piped up.
"Yes and throw them at the Telmarines! Shut up!" Reepicheep shot a glare towards the squirrel before redirecting it towards Peter. "I think you know where I stand, sire."
Peter smiled appreciatively towards the mouse, before turning to the great centaur standing in the entrance. "If I get your troops in, can you handle the guards?"
The centaur bowed his head in deep thought, weighing out the options. His eyelids flickered open and he caught Peter's eye. "Or die trying, my liege"
Both Caspian and Peter stared on with amazement at the bravery of the centaur.
"That's what I'm worried about." Lucy's quiet voice was a mere whisper in the cold room.
"I'm sorry?" Peter turned back, a rather confused look twisting on his face.
"Well, you're all acting like there's only two options. Dying here or dying there."
"I don't think you've really been listening, Lu." Peter turned away from the sad eyes. The sad almost disappointed eyes of his younger sister.
"No, you're not listening! Or have you forgotten who really defeated the White Witch, Peter?"
Peter glanced towards Edmund, who had diverted his eyes and hugged his knees to his chest, a shudder running through his body. Peter just shook his head and gave Lucy the best apologetic look he could muster. "I think we've waited for Aslan long enough."
Peter doubted, yes. He doubted that Aslan even cared for him anymore. If he had cared, why would he have let this happen to his precious Narnia? He knew doubting Aslan was sinful and unfaithful. How could Lucy trust him so easily? How did Edmund give up everything for him without any second thought? How did Susan call for him so blindly, with the hope that he would answer her? It wrenched his heart to know that he was the only one that doubted. Why couldn't he trust Aslan, or give up everything for him, or yearn for his return as he once had? Why was everything so different now?
Edmund stared after him as he left the room, his own thoughts clouding over at the sound of Peter's doubt. He prayed that Peter could trust Aslan again.
Peter, Susan, Caspian, Trumpkin, Reepicheep and the centaur met up in the main room, their necks bent as they craned to take a look at the plan.
"We must first take out the night guards, so they won't alert anyone else." Peter listened as Caspian explained the night guard's routes, and where they would be located.
"We must take the one out on the highest tower first." Caspian's finger drew a path in the dirt. "They will be the first to arrive."
"I will go." Edmund said confidently. "I will handle the guards on the upper level if anything should go wrong."
Peter closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and telling himself not to worry. Edmund was older now; he could take care of himself.
"You will be alone." Caspian just raised an eyebrow, questioning him if he wanted to go through with this. Edmund just nodded and listened to the rest of the battle plan.
When they had come to a conclusion, they parted from each other and went to suit up. Peter had just finished putting his armor over his shirt, and went to find his younger brother in hopes of thanking him.
He found him sitting outside, near his gryphon, legs hanging over the edge of the stone walls. Peter took a seat next to him, smiling in his direction. Edmund just smirked back and gazed off into the stars, his back coming to rest on the grass.
"Thanks." Peter finally whispered.
Edmund rolled his head to the side, catching his brother's worried glance. "For what, Pete?"
"Backing me up." Peter opened his mouth to elaborate on the subject, but closed it just as quickly. "Be careful out there, Ed."
"I'm not the one that you should be worried about. You're the one fighting the battle." Edmund squeezed his eyes closed, the familiar sting of a salt tears pricking in the back of his eyelids. "This is it."
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't want to say anything, but by Aslan, I have the worst feeling right now." Edmund's eyes opened and he brushed away the moisture in his eyes.
"I'm sure it's nothi-"
"Alright, we're ready." Caspian suddenly spoke behind him, his voice causing Edmund and Peter to both jump.
'Dang you, Caspian', Peter thought angrily. 'Can't you leave me to my brother for just a minute?'
Edmund was to his feet, his hand extended towards Peter. Peter accepted the polite gesture and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. Peter held to the arm and pulled Edmund into an awkward man hug, but it felt nice either way. Edmund just gave one final smirk towards his older brother and to the young prince before climbing on top of the gryphon. The gryphon let out a mighty battle cry before extending its wings and pushing off the ground with a powerful thrust of its back legs. It flew towards the moon, using it as a light to guide it toward the castle. One last battle cry sounded through the air, and then the gryphon vanished.
Peter just stood on the ground, his own gryphon crawling towards him. He bowed his head, letting one final whisper pass his lips. "Come back to me, Ed. Fight so you can come back to me."
A/N: K that was a really long chapter. My bad for all of you that fell asleep reading it. Please review. To say the least, I am disappointed with myself for this chapter. Maybe it's because of the way I'm displaying Peter's character. I think I make him too bipolar...Idk let me know what you think. Tell me what I could do better at and what I've been doing good at it as well.