The Pevensies sat on the riverbanks with Hermione.
What did you mean the witch decided we were the children from the prophecy so it became true? Peter asked after a long moment of silence.
Well... my friend Harry is at the heart of a prophecy. It has been told that a boy, born at the end of the July, would be the chosen one to bring down the Dark Lord. It was said his parents would have resisted Voldemort three times, and the dark lord would mark him as his equal. Now, 17 years ago, Voldemort heard this prophecy, and just like the witch he decided to act against it. He came to Harry's house when he was no older than a year old, and he decided to kill him. He sent a killing curse, but it turned against him. But you see, there was another boy. His name was Neville Longbottom, and like Harry, he was borned at the end of July, and his parents were resistants. He could have picked him. But he picked harry, and... marked him as his equal."
"So the prophecy became true..." Peter said.
"Yes. For a prophecy to become true, someone has to hear it, and believe it will come true, or try to avoid it."
"I see... thank you."
And then they started silently waiting again. The kids were growing more and more nervous with each hour passing by. Until finally, by the end of the day, the group came back, and two silhouettes were seen getting out of the wood.
"Edmund!" Lucy shouted.
And she ran to hold her brother in her arms, followed immediately by Peter and Susan.
"I'm sorry, Lucy!" Edmund said. "I've acted like a total idiot with you."
"You're forgiven!"
She then turned to Ed, and a huge smile lit up her face.
"Hello, Lucy..." he said with a smile.
"I knew it was you!"
And she held him as well in her arms. Peter and Susan slowly understood what was going on.
"E... Edmund?" Susan finally asked hesitantly.
"Hi, Susan... Hi Peter."
"So... so you're my... little brother?" Peter asked.
"Yeah... your little brother who's older than you!"
"Well then, so... erm... thank you for taking care of Edmund. I mean of you. I mean... thank you."
Ed had a shy smile, and then hugged his brother.
"I've missed you." he admitted. "I'm really happy to see you here again."
He then noticed Hermione, who had politely stayed away.
"Hermione!" He called. "Are you alright?"
The young woman simply nodded.
"I'm sorry I let you go through this..." He said.
"We're both in the same boat, Ed. It's okay. Beside, compared to what's home, it's almost like a holiday."
"Thank you for looking after my family."
"I just did the right thing..."
Ed had a smile, and then his younger version gave an enormous yawn.
"I think it's time to have dinner." Peter declared. "And then, we'll all go to bed."
They all agreed to that. After dinner, it was time to rest for the night. Lucy and Susan shared a tent, while Peter and Edmund would sleep in another one. Hermione, as for her, had her own tent, which she had dried.
"Don't leave me alone, tonight..." Hermione asked Ed. "Please?"
He understood the message, and agreed. That first night in the camp was not really a good one, though. Indeed, in the middle of the night, while he was sleeping next to his brother, young Edmund started convulsing, which caused Peter to wake up.
"Edmund?" He asked, getting closer to him.
He shook him gently to try to wake him up, but didn't succeed.
"Edmund! EDMUND!"
Susan, who heard him, dashed into the tent.
"What's happening to him?" She panicked.
"Go get Hermione!" Peter ordered. "Now!"
So the young girl ran out, and soon come back with Hermione and Ed.
"Get him outside!" The witch ordered when she saw the boy.
And so Ed and Peter lifted him from the bed, got him out of the tent, and laid him in the grass. The camp was awakened by the noise, and a gathering formed around them. Hermione took her wand, and passed it about the young boy, reciting spells and charms, until suddenly, he opened his mouth, and let out a terrifying scream, as black smoke was escaping his body. The boy then stopped moving all together, unconscious, while the smoke was taking shape. It was the wicked being Ed had seen on Jadis throne.
"Enough, witch!" The dark Edmund said. "The boy is mine! A traitor he is, and a traitor he'll remain."
"You are the Shadow, aren't you?" Ed asked. "You are the thing that poisons the world I love so much. You will leave this world, never to return, now."
The dark Edmund had a sharp laugh.
"What will you do if I refuse? Puny human."
"If you refuse, then we will destroy you!" Oreius claimed.
"NO!" Ed said. "This is my fight. Someone, give me a sword!"
It was Peter who gave him his. His opponent, with a sadistic smile, drew his out. They squared of, and the fight started. The Dark Edmund was the first one to attack. The fight was a tight game, as both of them could read his opponent's primers, and hence was able to parry the attacks. Nevertheless, Ed's opponent ended up taking the advantage. The young king was starting to be exhausted. He made a mistake, got disarmed, and fell on his knees. He felt his pocket ripping apart. At first, he didn't understand. But then, he remembered. In his dream, it was in this pocket that he put the ginger girl's dagger. He discretely let his hand on his pocket, seized the dagger, and waited for the right window. As the other Edmund was about to give him the fatal blow, Ed grabbed his wrist, used it as a leverage to get on his feet, and stabbed his wicked double. The blade got in the stomach, deep and hard, and he choked out of surprise. His body then turned into smoke, and it disappeared for good.