A/N: Blame my sister for the chapter title. :P I feel like such a drama queen after this chapter. And it only gets worse...

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, not mine.

Beta: Her majesty, The Salt Lake Queen. :P

Chapter 10: 'Ow'

"Watch it!"

Edmund laughed warmly, grinning back at the agitated Lucy. He parried a fierce blow, striking back with his own sword. He twisted in the saddle to dodge a stab at his side, hitting again with the flat of his blade, grinning as the sword hit metal arm plates, much to the annoyance of his foe.

"Come on, Destrier," the other man urged, backing the horse up and circling Edmund.

"That the best you've got?" Edmund taunted. Caspian kicked Destrier in the side, causing the horse to charge. He swung his blade fiercely, nearly striking Edmund, and the Just King quickly parried. Caspian continued his assault, slashing at Edmund, adrenaline rising as Edmund fought back, striking and blocking.

With a loud clang, Caspian's sword struck Edmund across his armoured stomach, winding him. Edmund doubled, surprised and struggling for breath, and Caspian did not notice until he had already moved in. He swung his sword again, hitting Edmund hard on the arm. Without a sound, Edmund fell from his horse, hitting the ground with a final clang of metal.

"Ed!"

Edmund stared dazedly up at the sky, attempting to regain control of his breathing. His arm throbbed and his head pounded, confusion only adding to the throbbing of his head. His sword slipped from his grasp, hitting the cold stone as a dark head suddenly blocked his vision. He felt hands gently tugging him upright, feeling the back of his head, and sending pain lancing through his skull. His vision flickered slightly and he heard someone say something, unable to make out the words. He found himself beginning to fall asleep, his vision darkening.

A sharp slap sent him reeling, bringing him back into consciousness in an instant. He gazed up again, his vision clearer, straight into the worried, guilty eyes of King Caspian. He found that he was resting against the other king's firm chest, tanned hands pressed to the back of his head. The movement of Caspian's chest was comforting, and it began lulling him to sleep. Up and down, up and down, up… his eyes drifted shut again.

"Edmund!" Lucy said loudly, shaking his shoulders with a considerable amount of force. Noticing his attention, she lowered her voice, "You need to stay awake, Ed. I know it's tempting, but you probably have a concussion." In that moment, Edmund saw the young woman that had lived all those years ago in Narnia, rather than the little girl that stood before him.

"All right," he said groggily. Lucy knelt and gently lifted his head from Caspian's chest, checking it carefully. Pain shot through Edmund's head once more and his vision swam. He heard someone call his name, felt himself being shaken, but his vision slowly faded into darkness.

- - - - - - -

Slowly coming to, Edmund discovered that he was lying in something. It was warm and soft, he was pleased to note, and he burrowed further into it, trying to get rid of the throbbing in his head. He was surprised to feel something warm touch his face.

"Edmund," a voice said quietly. Edmund groaned slightly in reply, still refusing to open his eyes.

"Edmund, wake up."

Reluctantly, Edmund's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself in the bedchamber that he had been allocated. His head was bandaged, and his armour had been removed.

"Caspian," Edmund greeted sleepily, turning his attention towards him.

"How do you feel?"

"My head hurts," Edmund muttered, unable to think of anything witty to say. His head was too sore.

"Anything else?"

"Hmm… no."

They both fell silent as Edmund gathered his bearings, the dizziness and confusion slowly receding, though his head still ached. He looked over at Caspian again, taking in the furrow of his brow and the anxiety in his eyes.

"You have been unconscious for hours," Caspian murmured, not meeting his gaze.

"Oh," Edmund said, staring at the top of Caspian's head.

"Edmund, I am sorry," Caspian said, wringing his hands anxiously.

"That's all right. People often get hurt when they spar."

"But I hurt you!"

"I'll be fine."

"I am so, so sorry," Caspian continued, placing his head in his hands. He looked wracked with guilt, gripping his hair tightly. Edmund sighed slightly; Caspian seemed to have the same protective issues as Peter did.

"It was an accident," Edmund said firmly. "I forgive you."

Caspian dared to look up at him, turbulent emotions in his eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

In a moment, Caspian was seated beside him on the bed, taking his hands and pressing a kiss to each one. He stared into Edmund's eyes, regret still shining through.

"I really am sorry, Edmund. I never meant to hurt you."

"I know. Stop worrying about it."

Caspian kissed him softly on the lips, still apologetic. Sighing, Edmund pulled him straight back down and kissed him fiercely and, after a moment's hesitation, Caspian returned the kiss with equal passion, stroking the back of Edmund's hands.

The door to the ward opened, but Edmund found himself pleasantly surprised when Caspian did not pull away immediately, savouring the taste of his lips before breaking the kiss and turning to the intruders.

"What do you think you're doing?" Peter snarled, storming over to them. He towered over the seated Caspian, his fists clenched at his sides.

"What do you think you are doing?" was Caspian's reply.

"You knocked Ed out this afternoon! Stay away from him!" Peter yelled. Edmund winced as his head throbbed painfully.

"Ssh, his head hurts. Keep the noise down," Caspian said.

With a final glare at him, Peter sat at Edmund's bedside, staring at him worriedly. "How are you?" he asked.

"My head's sore, but otherwise I'm fine," Edmund assured him. "No harm done."

"No harm? You have a concussion!" Peter said, his volume steadily rising, much to Edmund's dismay.

"It'll pass. It was an accident. Anyway, you've sent me off my horse many times in the past."

Folding his arms across his chest, Peter leaned back into the chair, settling for simply glaring at Caspian. Caspian ignored him, turning instead to greet Lucy and Susan, who had also come to check on their brother.

Susan stepped forward, kissing Edmund on the forehead and checking that his bandages were still in place. Satisfied, she sat down on the other side of Edmund's bed, folding her skirts underneath her.

A knock on the door was heard, and a servant peeked his head in, only to be dismissed by an already agitated Caspian.

"That wasn't very nice, you should have heard what they had to say," Peter snapped.

"I have more important things to take care of at the moment," Caspian replied.

"Stop bickering, both of you," Susan scolded, seeing Edmund tired expression. "You can go to sleep, Ed. We'll have some food brought up here in case you get hungry."

"Thanks, Su," Edmund murmured. He smiled warmly as Caspian pecked his lips before getting up.

"Have a good sleep," he said. Susan ushered them all out of the room, giving Edmund one last smile before shutting the door, leaving him in peace. He smiled, feeling drowsy, and was more than happy to allow sleep to take him.