Disclaimer: Nothing but my computer is mine.

Author's Note: Another one because the other one was a little short and because I'm an attention whore. :) More angst, limp and sibling-protectiveness coming up. Ooh and you get to see Peter angry - as in P.I.S.S.E.D.!

Chapter 25 – Body of Armor

The remaining members of the Fellowship were in the hall with King Théoden and his men when Peter returned.

"So that was your brother?" Gimli asked with a serene look in the direction of Edmund's room.

Peter nodded and ran a hand over his face.

"You look exhausted," Legolas said in a calm voice. In truth that was not all he looked. There was a lingering sorrow in his eyes that the elf found surprisingly moving.

Peter waved away their concern. "I'm more worried about Aragorn," He met the ranger's eye.

"I'll be fine, Peter." He looked tired, but not as battered as Edmund. "Tell us, how goes it with your brother?"

Peter sighed and suddenly found it very hard to look any of the men in the eye. "He's been at Isengard for over a month – Tortured by orcs, Uruk-hai and Saruman." Gasps of fright and shock echoed through the gathered.

"But he's a boy. What could Saruman want from him?" Gimli asked.

Peter felt an overwhelming love for the dwarf for his sudden protectiveness. "Edmund's not just any boy," was all the answer he gave. It seemed to be enough, because they all nodded sagely. "How are the preparations coming along?" He looked up at Théoden and hoped the king would let their argument remain in the past.

"We will fight till the last man," The king seemed confident, but Peter knew enough to realize it was his way of burying personal feelings under the task set before him.

Peter was an expert on that subject and he knew that there would come a moment when Théoden King would break. When the loss of his son came crashing down and the overwhelming task of leading an army became too much. "I will follow your word, my lord." But he was done arguing. Taking a line from his brother, doing as Edmund would have done. He realized that the time for arguments had passed. He would act when things became dire and had no doubt that the Fellowship would follow him.

"Will your brother be fighting?" Théoden asked, almost as if he expected it. He was absently tightening his Vambraces.

Did he not hear me say 'torture'? Peter's rage simmered dangerously close to the surface. "No he will not."

That alarmed the king. He'd need every man available. Most of them were injured and tired. Most of them were boys as well. "Why not? Is he not capable with a sword?"

"He's the best swordsman you'll ever see, but not when he has just spent a month in enemy hands." The anger over what had been done to his brother was bleeding over onto Théoden because of his outrageous suggestion. Surely he was joking?

"Then why not let him fight?" The king felt secure on his throne after winning the argument with Peter and didn't recognize the early warning signs. The length one brother would go to for the other.

Suddenly Peter's entire demeanor changed. He now resembled his brother as he had looked upon arrival, and not the boy they had all gotten to know over time. "In many things I am wrong, Théoden King," His face darkened and an almost evil air came over him. "But not in this. You can order me and I will follow, but as his brother," Peter pointed in the direction of Edmund. "- and his king, I am telling you. . . No."

Théoden looked more than a little shocked. As did Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. All the soldiers who were listening to the conversation, for that matter.

But Peter wasn't finished. "I will fight in his place and I promise you, with every wound they have dealt him, I will deal a hundred more." His voice was a thunderclap in the quiet hall. A promise so dark it made shivers run down even Aragorn's spine. "Ask me again and that promise shall be directed at you." His grim tone left no room for argument or even anger. They were all being threatened and they knew it.

Aragorn was shocked to discover such fearsome fury resided in the bright boy. He was barely a quarter of his own age and yet acted like someone closer to a hundred. Someone who had seen more strife than most weathered warriors would in a lifetime. He also realized, this side of Peter was rearing its intimidating head because his brother had been hurt. He never had any brothers, but could relate to feeling like a protector for others. He imagined it went double between siblings and in particular older siblings. He made a silent vow with himself never to cross the youngest king, and even lay his own life on the line to protect him, in fear of his older brother. Suddenly it all made a little more sense and with that understanding came a strange calm. The four siblings really were more than they seemed. They really were kings and queens. Warriors and healers.

A new hope filled him. They were not fighting alone. Not only did they have a powerful monarch in their midst, but someone much more powerful had put him there, all four of them. Someone who wanted Middle-Earth free of Saruman's reign. As Peter left, the silence thickened.

The king did not see his fault, only the violent reaction. As a result his mood soured. He growled and left the hall. Aragorn figured he would return when he was ready to do battle and not mince words with men he could never hope to understand. At that moment Théoden held very little of his sympathy.

He gathered Legolas and Gimli to him and followed Peter into Edmund's room. Peter needed to put on his armor. When they arrived they saw that he was speaking to his brother in a quiet voice. "You need to sleep-"

"I have slept and now I'm awake. I know there's a war coming, Peter. I can't stay here for much longer if I'm going to be of any use."

Aragorn knocked on the door and both men stiffened.

It was Edmund who greeted them first. "Aragorn?"

Peter seemed angered by the interruption and Aragorn hurried to put him at ease. "I have not come to dispute your words about Edmund," He entered fully with Legolas and Gimli behind him. Neither the dwarf nor the elf knew exactly what was happening. "I have come to speak with Edmund." He waited for the invitation to sit and smiled when it was given by the youngest king.

"What's this about?" Peter asked, slightly frustrated that his brother was fighting him.

Edmund glanced at him and noticed that the sadness had not left his brother's eyes, but couldn't for the life of him understand why. Anger, sure. Worry, yes. But sadness? Edmund was back. He was safe. What would his brother have to be sad about?

"I believe your brother may have valuable information we could use," He looked at Edmund questioningly.

Edmund shrugged. "I heard a great many things while I was there, but I'm not sure I can help you unless you get a little more specific."

"You said Saruman's army was taking the long way from Isengard, through a gap in Fangorn?"

Edmund nodded. His brother had shifted closer to him and crossed his arms. "They've felled most of the trees along the southern border of the forest."

"How many did you see?"

"Uruks?"

Aragorn nodded.

Edmund's gaze went to the floor in thought. "I'd reckon about ten thousand." He felt sorry for them when he saw their shocked faces.

"So many," Legolas' eyes filled with worry, but was interrupted by Aragorn.

"What else did you see?"

"Slaves." Edmund said in a faraway voice. "Saruman has slaves working the forges."

"What?" Peter heard the flat tone his brother had used and turned to him, one hand gripping his shoulder. "You didn't tell me this."

Edmund shrugged. "I was one of them. So was Lucy. It was where we were held." He held out a hand when he thought his brother might interrupt. "Don't worry, she got out."

"I know. I spoke with Gandalf." Peter was standing, watching his brother as he sat on the bed.

"Who's Gandalf?"

"He's a friend." Peter shook his head and dismissed the question. "How did she get out?"

"I created a distraction." He smirked. "Why do you think Saruman took a personal interest in me?" He was hunched over, but looked oddly unshakable.

Peter's hand went to his mouth and he turned. Anger snuck into his posture. "Bloody hell, Edmund. . . Why didn't you run as well?"

"They would've killed us, Pete."

"So better you than her, is that it?" he accused.

"Yes!" Gimli gave a little flinch over his shout. Edmund drew a deep breath before he continued. "Always: Better I than you." He sounded so weary. As if it was an argument he had had too many times to count.

The high king sighed and knew it was a conversation – a line of thinking in his brother – that would never change. And despite the fear for his brother's severely twisted sense of self-worth he couldn't help a quick smile over his valor. Only you, Edmund. "You probably saved her life," he said with conviction.

"But not theirs." Edmund finished sullenly. He picked at a tear in the sheet and suddenly became very aware that his bruised chest was visible to everyone in the room. He pulled the sheet closer around him, which in turn worried Peter who thought his brother was cold.

He made to fetch a blanket, but Edmund pulled him back down with a thump. "Relax, Mr. Magnificent. I'm not cold." He smirked and tricked a little smile out of his brother as well.

But despite his protest, or perhaps because of it, Peter sat back and put his arm around his shoulders. "You shouldn't have had to save anyone at all." were his final words. He looked up as if daring anyone to argue with him, but none of them did.

"What you did, though I didn't see it, sounds very brave." Gimli said. "I can't imagine what it must've felt like to stand before Saruman unarmed." He nudged his favorite axe a little closer.

"There was a man there," Edmund suddenly said. "Grima?" He looked up at their faces in the hopes that the name was familiar.

They all frowned. Peter tensed and shifted his body a little closer to Edmund's. "Grima is the snake that helped bewitch Théoden King." Aragorn answered. "I'm not surprised he ran back to his master."

Edmund huffed without any real heat behind it. "I wouldn't be too sad about his escape. Saruman wasn't very pleased to see him either."

"He was tortured?" Legolas asked and instantly realized his mistake.

Edmund noticed that all their faces fell and they looked at him like he'd break. "Almost as bad as I was." And then he realized why their faces had fallen. He swallowed. His own expression fell as well when he wished he hadn't spoken those words out loud. He didn't dare look at his brother and decided to change the topic of conversation. "I want to fight."

"Oh, Edmund. . ." Peter was trying very desperately to keep from whimpering. It was not a conversation he wanted to have.

"I refuse to sit here and cower." Edmund tried the offensive to prove he was not as weak as he looked.

"You're not fighting." Peter didn't even seem like he was arguing any longer. Merely stating facts.

"I watch your back, you watch mine. That's the way it's always been, Peter." He swallowed again and tried to push down his fear of not being needed. "I think it's bad luck to change our routines on the eve of battle." He tried for a little lightheartedness, but failed.

"I'm afraid that very statement speaks against you, Edmund." Aragorn interrupted. "The army will be here by nightfall if what you said is true. It's only a few hours away and you're hardly ready to fight a war."

"Yes I am." Edmund defended. None of them noticed his slightly insecure tone.

Aragorn nodded. "It's only a personal observation."

All of them knew what was really being said. Aragorn was barely ready for war, certainly not Edmund. He could feel frustrations welling up inside him. "What do you expect me to do? Sit here and let you fight alone?" He looked at his brother and saw the same sadness as before. "It's not fair." He knew he doomed himself as he said it. Whenever he was tired or worn out, Edmund always resorted to childishness. It was a habit that had been hard to shake the first time around and one which insisted upon returning every time he felt grossly outmaneuvered. It was like a beacon for his brother that he was not yet one hundred percent and only strengthened Peter's beliefs.

He placed a hand on Edmund's cheek without lowering his eyes. "I know, Ed."

"Then let m-me help you," His voice cracked. He felt highly bothered that three people he barely knew were watching this interlude between himself and his brother. Actually, if he'd had it his way he'd be completely alone and getting ready for war at that moment.

But Peter seemed undaunted by his brother's, rather desperate, plea. "Not this time, Eddy. I need to know you're safe."

There was that sadness again as he looked deep into Edmund's brown eyes. The youngest king ripped free of his brother's embrace, but almost instantly regretted it when he saw the hurt look on Peter's face. "I don't need looking after. I'm not eleven years old anymore!" He stood up.

"No. You're seventeen years old and have just been through the trauma of a lifetime-"

"Ehr, perhaps we should leave-" Gimli suggested, but was interrupted.

"This was nothing compared to Jadis and I fought her the day after my release!"

"Those were vastly different circumstances." Peter said in a soft voice.

"How so?"

"For one, Aslan was there. We had an army of our own to run and a kingdom of our own to defend."

Edmund huffed and looked away.

But Peter wouldn't have it and rose to stand. "And you went out onto the field of battle against my wishes and nearly died. Now, by Aslan, I will not let you finish the job this time around!"

Edmund was forcefully turned when Peter gripped his arm. He glanced at Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas who had the decency to look uncomfortable. "They don't need to be here for this-"

"Yes they do," Peter turned to them. "What say you? Would you let him fight?" he challenged them all with a hard stare.

All gave their declines, much to Edmund's disappointment.

Peter turned back on his brother again. "You would've died that day had it not been for Aslan's grace and Lucy's cordial." He gripped his brother's face in both hands. "Please, try to understand."

Edmund didn't understand. "Why don't you just order me and get it over with?" He wouldn't look his brother in the eye. Peter didn't know how horrible these creatures were. He wasn't prepared for the destruction they would bring.

"I would if I thought it would do me any good. Hell, I would tie you to your bed if I didn't think you'd be out in a matter of minutes," He huffed and offered a consolatory smile which did nothing to make Edmund smile.

"It might. I am awfully weak, apparently." His voice was sullen and betrayed.

Peter could have cried out. Betrayal was the very last thing he wanted to make his brother feel. "I'll promise you what I did to Susan," The mention of his sister got his attention. "I promise not to rush headfirst into anything beyond my limits."

Edmund still wasn't convinced, but Peter, bless him, knew exactly what his little brother – his brother in spirit, and his brother in arms – needed to hear. "I promise I won't forget you're not there with me. I won't forget that you're not guarding my back."

Edmund's almond shaped eyes scanned every inch of his brother's face. His breaths were deep and rash. He felt exhausted and had only been standing for a few minutes. A testament to how worn he was.

"Please, Edmund. I'm begging you now." Peter's thumb rubbed in a little circle on his cheek. "Please. . ."

Reluctantly, and still feeling betrayed, Edmund nodded. He looked away and sat back down on the bed. "I'd like to get some rest now, if you don't mind."

"Ed. . ."

"Your majesty, let's go." Aragorn begged. The three men rose as one. "There are preparations to be made."

"Edmund?" Peter sounded heartbroken.

Edmund sat stiff as a stone and looked intently at the floor. With a last sigh, Peter turned and left the room along with Aragorn. As soon as they were out of sight Edmund let his shoulders drop. He was desperately tired, but not yet ready to sleep. He felt betrayed by the one person he hoped and begged never to feel that from. Ever since Jadis, there had been a nagging fear that maybe it was what he deserved.

He remembered the day he was returned to Aslan's camp and the fear he'd had that Peter would strike him. Instead his brother had cleaned his wounds and cried. Edmund had cried as well, but for very different reasons. Truth was, ever since that day, he had waited for that strike to fall. It never had until now. This was a blow that left him almost incapacitated.

He sat on his bed and lost track of time. If his brother didn't want him by his side, no matter the reasons, Edmund would find another way to make himself useful. He'd always have his brother's back and knew it was the very least he could do. Only now he wouldn't be offering assistance on the frontlines. He'd have to find another way.

In that knowledge he allowed himself a few more minutes of rest.

He had almost drifted back to sleep when a loud cry went through the keep. Edmund flinched and lunged to his feet. "Peter?" His weakened body protested the sudden movement. His head swam and his stiff muscles cramped painfully. With shaky steps he left his room. He ran into the hallway and into the main hall where Théoden and his soldiers were gathering. Peter, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas were there as well. "Peter, what happened?" He ran over to his brother who was strapping a sword to his waist.

"I need you to go with Eowyn and protect her." He was panicked, Edmund could tell.

"You! Boy!" It was king Théoden who called. "If you intend to fight, find some armor. If not, join the women in the caves." He was dismissed as the king went about ordering his troops to their stations.

Edmund's hackles would have raised, had he had any, and he glared at the king.

"Edmund, listen to him!" Peter interrupted. "I cannot protect you in this. I need you to go with Eowyn for me." The woman he spoke of was busy shooing people into large caverns at the bottom of the hall.

"There's an exit through the back tunnels. Make sure they're safe!" one of the king's men called a couple of his soldiers. Two men sped into the caves, past the frightened women and children.

Edmund suddenly got an idea. "What caves?"

"They're back exits, should the Uruk-hai breach the wall." Peter rambled, not noticing his brother's dangerously interested expression. "Edmund. Go with them. Help as many as you can as we bring in the wounded and wait for me."

Peter turned to leave, but Edmund stopped him. "Do you promise to come back?" He looked his brother in the eye.

Perhaps for the first time, Peter saw the level of fear his brother had over being left behind. He reached up and rested his forehead against Edmund's as he had earlier. "I Promise." He sighed and tried to reclaim some of his calm. His brother was there. Aslan was there. "Do I have your blessing?"

Edmund sighed as well and leaned up to kiss his brother's forehead. "Once for Aslan," He kissed again. "Twice for me."

Peter looked at him with round eyes. The Lion's blessing had been a standard since their second year in Narnia. The king's, or queen's, blessing had usually been reserved for when one of them faced insurmountable odds. Usually granted by Susan or Lucy, but now it was Edmund's turn.

"You come get me, you hear?" His voice was strong though his face was pale and dark circles surrounded his eyes.

Peter nodded and patted him once on the shoulder before leaving. As he made for his position on the outer wall, the king shouted his last order. "Seal the doors!"

To the sound of drums, the doors of Helms Deep slammed closed.

AN: The next chapter features Lucy. Hope you liked. Oh and chocolate-chip cookies to anyone who guesses what Edmund is gonna do while his brother is out fighting. Just don't spoil ;)