12: A crown doesn't make you a king - Part 2

"We need some way of getting Edmund back." Peter practically whispered as he sunk down to sit on the edge of his bed, Susan and Lucy already sat down.

"How?" Susan murmered. "Jadiel probably has guards outside the dungeons. The only reason he's getting away with this is because he has Edmund, and I doubt he's taking any chances."

Peter sighed. "I can't believe this has happened." He sighed. "They - they're going to torture him!"

Susan winced and placed a comforting hand on Lucy's shoulder. "But you saved his life don't forget. He's going to live." She said gently.

Peter swallowed hard. "I saved him by giving up my crown." He muttered. "What an earth would Aslan think?"

Susan sighed sadly. "You're still a King Peter." She told him. "Crown or not."

"We're all still Kings and Queens." Lucy stepped in. "And Aslan isn't going to be mad at you Peter... Edmund's our brother."

Peter swallowed hard. "We have to save him." He mumbled. "He's being held and tortured in his own castle!"

"We will Peter," Susan said. "We'll think of something."

And they did... but they would have to wait until night to carry out their plan.

"I'm going for a walk." Peter sighed once they'd covered everything. "I need some fresh air."

"Alright." Susan mumbled. "I'll go and let some of the Narnians know what's going on... we'll need their help if this is going to work, and Peter?"

Peter swung around from where he'd been walking towards the door, a questioning frown on his face.

Susan hesitated slightly before sighing. "Please don't do anything stupid." She mumbled. "We're rescuing him tonight."

Peter swallowed hard but nodded his head anyway. "I'll try." He whispered, before walking from the room.

He'd probably only gotten down two corridors when one of Jadiel's men walked up to him. "Where do you think you're going." He said, bringing Peter to a stop.

Peter nearly snorted. "You dare question me?" He snapped. "I am the High King."

The man laughed. "Not anymore you're not." He said. "As I understand you gave up your crown for that pathetic brother of yours."

Peter's hands balled into fists at his side, and it was taking everything he had to not just knock the man out. "I am still a King." He muttered. "Whether I have a crown or not, now move."

"Not until you tell me where you're going."

"Am I not allowed to go for a walk in my own gardens?" Peter snapped, getting angrier by the second.

The man stared at him for a moment before moving out the way and continuing down the corridor, Peter sighing and running a hand through his hair as he began walking again.

But instead of heading for the gardens, his feet took him towards the dungeons, and before he knew it, he was peering around the corner at two guards positioned at the top of the stairs leading down to the few cells Cair actually had.

He had no idea why he was there, and he knew he couldn't rescue his brother now, but he just wanted to know what was happening him.

Moving as close as he could without being spotted by the guards, he took a deep breath and listening, knowing he'd be able to hear practically everything that was going on from where he was stood.

He waited for a while, before a voice reached his ears. "What's it gonna take for you to scream you little traitor?"

Peter took a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut and willing himself to stay where he was, quietly banging his head against the wall.

There was a loud slap sound that followed the sentence, before Peter heard his brothers voice. "Is that the best you've got?"

Edmund's voice was weak, quiet and raspy, and it was clear that he'd already been through a lot in the short space he'd been captive, Peter could practically hear the tears in his eyes.

"That was nothing, compared to what's coming." Came a laugh, and Peter's heart skipped a beat.

The sound of a whip echoed from the cells, but still, Peter never heard his brother scream, perhaps the odd groan or whimper every now and then, but never a scream.

This continued for around five minutes, before Peter couldn't take it any longer.

He was just about to turn and leave, when there was a loud crack followed by Edmund's heart shattering scream.

Peter swallowed hard. That wasn't a whip

"I knew you'd scream eventually." Came the voice. "But if I'd know that was all it was gonna take, I would've broken your arm sooner."

Peter couldn't breathe, tears rolled down his cheeks as he slowly shook his head back and forth... and then he ran.

He ran all the way back to his room, where he found Lucy sat reading a book, although it didn't look like she was really interested in it.

"Peter?" She practically whispered when she saw Peter's tear stained face. "What's the matter?"

Peter swallowed hard and squeezed his eyes shut before walking over and all but collapsing onto his bed, burying his face against the pillows.

"Peter?" Lucy tried again, and Peter felt a gentle hand land on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Peter took a deep breath, forcing back his tears as best he could... he couldn't cry in front of Lucy, not now. After a moment or two, he sighed a little and sat up again, rubbing quickly at the tears of his cheeks and staring at Lucy. "Nothing Lu." He eventually muttered. "I'm alright."

Lucy stared at him for a moment before shaking her head. "You were crying." She pointed out.

Peter swallowed hard. "It's nothing for you to worry about." He said softly. "I'm alright, okay?"

Lucy clearly hesitated but eventually nodded, before turning back to her book.

Peter watched her for a while, before laying on his back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling... Edmund's scream ringing in his ears.

"Peter?"

Peter opened his eyes to come face to face with Susan, who was leaning over his bed, her bow and arrow clutched tightly in her hand and an apprehensive look on her face.

"I'm awake." Peter mumbled with a nod, slowly sitting up. "I haven't slept."

Susan gave him a sad smile. "What do you say we get Edmund back?" She said.

Peter nodded firmly and quietly climbed out of bed, grabbing his sword and attaching it to his belt, having not bothered to get changed when he climbed into bed only two hours before. "I say yes." He muttered, grabbing a cloak and flinging it around his shoulders just as Lucy snuck into the room. "Lu?" He questioned.

"I'm coming with you." Lucy whispered, and when Peter went to protest she cut him off. "I'm the one with the healing cordial Peter, and I'm quite capable of handling a dagger - I'm coming."

Peter and Susan shared a look, before Peter sighed and nodded his head. "Alright you can come." He breathed. "But promise me you'll just be careful?"

"I promise." Lucy replied, a small smile on her face.

"Are the Narnians all in their places?" Peter asked Susan, fiddling with his sword handle.

Susan nodded. "Yeah." She said. "Everyone's ready."

"Good." Peter muttered. "Now let's go and get our brother back."

Peter placed his fingers to his lips as he stopped just before a corner in the corridor, peering around and - despite it being dark with only a few lanterns lit - spotting two guards, just as he has expected.

The three siblings waited for a moment or two, before Peter saw two faun sneak up behind the guards, and two seconds later they were dead.

Nodding at Susan and Lucy, Peter ran over and nodded at the fauns, who nodded back and disappeared. "Come on." Peter whispered, rushing off down the corridor as quietly as he could, Susan and Lucy following quickly behind.

The next three guards they came across were already dead, and Peter didn't spare them a thought as he rushed through the castle, his heart pounding.

The next guard though spotted the three of them, and Peter had to quickly run at him before he made any sort of noise and ruined their whole plan.

Once he was dead, Peter took a deep breath and stood up straight again, raising an eyebrow in Susan's direction.

"That was too close." Susan mouthed, fear in her eyes.

Peter nodded in agreement, but quickly continued towards the dungeons, determined to find his brother before anything else happened to him.

They walked for around five minutes, in which a further 15 guards lost their lives, before they finally reached the entrance that led down to the cells.

Quickly pushing his siblings behind the corner and out of sight, Peter listened until he heard two loud thuds, and peering around the corner again saw that instead of the guards (that were now on the floor) stood two centaurs, who glanced over in Peter's direction and nodded their heads.

"Hurry." Peter whispered to his sisters before rushing over and all but running down the steps, hoping there wasn't another guard.

Reaching the three cells, he stopped and took a quick look around, breathing a sigh of relief at the fact that they were alone, and instantly began looking for his brother. "Get the keys." He hissed, and watched as Susan ran to the bottom of the stairs and grabbed the keys from the hook they were hanging on.

Finally finding the cell his brother was in, Peter swallowed hard, staring at him in horror. "Quickly!" He whispered, grabbing the keys from his sister the second she came close enough.

He wasted no time in unlocking the cell, and ran inside, falling to his knees beside his brother. "Ed?" He whispered, wondering if Edmund was unconscious seeming as his eyes were closed.

Therefore he was kind of shocked when Edmund's eyes flickered open half way and he groaned.

"Ed it's me." Peter murmured, brushing the sweat soaked hair from his brothers forehead. "Its Peter, you're safe now. I promise."

Edmund swallowed hard and finally looked up at Peter, before smiling gently. "I knew you'd come." He choked out, his voice so quiet and raspy that Peter almost didn't hear what he said.

"Of course." Peter whispered gently.

"But - But how?" Edmund murmured, wincing when Peter set about checking him over for injuries.

"It's a long story." Peter mumbled, anger setting in when he rolled Edmund onto his side and spotted the whip lashes covering his back. "We - we'll explain once we get you out of here."

Edmund swallowed hard and nodded. "Alright." He whispered.

"But first," Peter muttered, before turning to his sisters. "Lu?"

Lucy immediately nodded and ran over, falling to her knees by Edmund's head and taking the top off her cordial. "Open your mouth Ed." She said.

"Do - do I really need it?" Edmund asked, not sounding too pleased.

Peter glared at him. "Open your mouth." He snapped.

Edmund stared at him for a second before sighing and doing as he was told, relaxing considerable when Lucy let one drop of her cordial drop into his mouth, and when his injuries healed and disappeared.

"You arm?" Peter asked before he could stop himself.

"What?" Edmund whispered, sounding shocked.

Peter swallowed hard but shook his head. "Again, long story." He muttered. "But the cordial doesn't heal broken bones."

"What?" Susan whispered from behind where she was keeping watch, and she sounded horrified.

"How did you know." Edmund murmured, flinching when Peter helped him to sit up, keeping his arm across his chest.

Peter sighed. "I'll tell you later." He mumbled. "Let's just concentrate on getting you out of here, before someone finds out what's going on."

"That's probably a good idea." Susan whispered from behind.

Edmund nodded, and with Peter's help managed to climb to his feet, keeping his arm as still as he possibly could.

"Come on." Peter sighed, removing his cloak and flinging it over Edmund's shoulders, keeping an arm around his waist as he led his siblings back up the stairs.

Once there he turned to one of the centaurs. "I want you to find Jadiel and tell him that I want a meeting with him in the throne room." He snapped.

One of the centaurs immediately nodded and headed off down the corridor, before Peter began leading his siblings towards the throne room.

"Shouldn't we get Edmund's arms treated before we do this?" Susan questioned quietly.

Peter stopped dead and turned to his brother, a questioning look on his face.

But Edmund shook his head. "I'll be alright for a moment." He said, adding: "I promise." When Peter went to argue.

Peter sighed but nodded his head anyway. "Alright." He breathed. "Come on then."

Within two minutes they'd reached the throne room, and Peter immediately sat Edmund in his throne, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving him a questioning look.

"I'm alright Peter." Edmund reassured him with a small smile, reaching up and giving Peter's hand a quick squeeze.

Peter smiled at him but swung around when he heard one of the side doors burst open and hit the wall with a loud bang.

"I demand you to let go of me!" Jadiel shouted as he was pushed into the room. "Or I swear King Edmund will pay!"

"Actually-" Peter interrupted. "King Edmund is quiet safe."

Jadiel went pale when he spotted Edmund, and his eyes quickly shot to Peter, who looked so angry it even scared Lucy.

"How?" Jadiel whispered, horrified.

"You underestimate us." Peter snapped. "You underestimate me. You must understand that if anyone hurts my family, then they will pay."

Jadiel was speechless... literally.

"Sir." One of the fauns that had brought Jadiel spoke up.

"Yes?" Peter answered.

"We found this." The faun said, holding out Peter's crown to him with a bow.

Peter took it with an angry glare directed at Jadiel, before placing the crown back on his head, where it belonged. "Now," He said slowly. "Usually it's King Edmund that decides everyone's sentences, but seeming as you've tortured him, I'm afraid he is too weak to be able to do anything right now, so unfortunately, I have to decide your sentence."

Jadiel looked terrified by now, and he instantly tried to run, but was easily stopped.

"Peter wait."

Peter turned his head and frowned at his brother. "Ed?" He questioned.

"I - I can do this." Edmund told him.

Peter looked unsure. "Ed you're exhausted." He mumbled.

Edmund shook his head. "I can do this Peter." He said. "Trust me."

Peter sighed but nodded anyway, but made sure that Edmund still stayed sat down.

There was silence for a long while, in which Edmund seemed to be thinking, before he eventually spoke. "I want you and all your men to leave and return to your own country." He said quietly. "But if you ever return, then I promise I will let Peter deal with you."

Peter couldn't help but smirk at this, even though he was slightly confused on why Edmund was letting them go.

"I can assure you I will not be returning." Jadiel answered quickly, staring at Peter and looking rather worried.

"Escort him and his men from the castle." Peter demanded, before sighing and turning back to his brother. "You let him go?" He questioned.

Edmund smiled and nodded. "Yes I did." He answered.

"After what he did to you?" Lucy asked, walking over with a frown on her face.

"Forgivness is always needed Lucy." Edmund replied. "I mean, I guess I haven't completely forgiven him yet, I might never forgive him, but mercy is always needed, trust me, I've learnt that."

Peter smiled at his brother, feeling prouder than he'd felt in a long time, before pulling Edmund to his feet and wrapping him in his arms, burying his face against his hair whilst of course being careful of his arm. "Oh Ed." He whispered, voice choked.

Edmund swallowed hard and buried his face against Peter's chest. "I - I'm alright." He whispered.

"Well-" Peter went to say, but Edmund cut him off. "I'm fine Peter." He mumbled. "I mean it."

Peter took a deep breath and placed a kiss to the side of his head. "I'm glad." He breathed.

There was silence for a whole minute following this, in which Susan and Lucy joined the hug, until Edmund spoke. "Peter?" He asked hesitantly.

Peter glanced down at him. "Yeah?" He whispered, reaching up and running a hand through his brothers hair.

"Why - why would you give up your crown, for me?" Edmund choked, looking anywhere but Peter.

Peter was shocked, and he immediately pulled away, gripping Edmund's shoulders as carefully as he could. "Ed look at me." He said firmly, but when Edmund didn't look up, he sighed. "Edmund Pevensie look at me right now."

Edmund sighed, defeated as he slowly and hesitantly looked up, an apprehensive look on his face.

"Listen." Peter said firmly. "You are my brother. my only brother. You mean a lot more to me than any crown, or kingdom for that matter. I would happily give up my crown, my kingdom if your life was in danger and it would save you."

Edmund swallowed hard. "You mean that?" He choked. "After everything I've done in the past?"

Peter sighed sadly, knowing that being called a traitor plenty of times in the last day had gotten to Edmund. "I mean it." He said firmly. "I don't care what's happened in the past, we all forgave you for that. You're my brother Ed, and I love you so, so much, and no matter what, family comes first."

Edmunds face fell as he finally let the tears fall, wrapping one arm around his brother and burying his face against his neck. "I love you too Peter." He sobbed. "I love you so much."

Sorry it's taken so long to write this and upload it!! But now I'm in Lockdown again I'll probably have a lot more time write :)

Hope you liked this!

Also, if anyone has any Peter Edmund (brotherly) one shot ideas, feel free to request/suggest them in the comments! xx