The ghost of winter
"Tell me we're done for the day?" Edmund muttered, placing the last piece of paper on the rather tall pile and dropping his quill, rubbing at his eyes until Peter pulled them away quickly.
Edmund frowned at his brother.
"Ink." Peter told him simply, nodding down at Edmund's hands.
Edmund looked down, seeing his fingers stained with ink, and he sighed. "Well that's just great." He grumbled.
Peter smiled gently. "But to answer your question," He said. "Yes, I'd say we were done."
"Good." Edmund breathed, licking his thumb and trying to rub the ink away.
"You should head to bed." Peter breathed, slowly standing. "It's getting late."
Edmund didn't argue, only nodded and stood beside his brother. "You want a hand clearing up?" He asked, noticing how much of a mess the table was, ink pots and paper with scribbles covering the surface.
But Peter shook his head. "You go wash your hands and go to bed." He told him. "This won't take me long."
Edmund nodded slowly. "Alright." He murmured. "Thanks."
Peter smiled again, before picking up the neat pile of now signed papers. "See you in the morning." He breathed.
Edmund nodded. "Night." He replied tiredly, leaving the room quietly.
Seeming as it was almost one in the morning, the castle was pretty much deserted, besides a few guards posted here and there, and Edmund took his time walking back towards his room, after all he did enjoy the castle like this.
He turned the corner to another corridor that led to a flight of stairs, before stopping dead when he heard a clatter of what sounded like pots and pans.
He frowned, glancing up and down the corridor... No guards... But the door to the kitchens.
Who would be in the kitchens this time of night?
Placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, he wondered slowly back down the corridor until he reached the door, hesitating just slightly before quietly opening it.
It was pitch black inside, not even a candle lit, which confused Edmund even more, if someone had snuck down for a midnight snack, they would've at least lit a candle.
After walking for a few seconds, his boots hit the pots and pans that seemed to of fallen off the shelf beside him, and he found himself staring down at them... literally every single pot and pan that had been on the shelf was now on the floor, and Edmund found this just slightly suspicious.
"Is anyone in here?" He asked, voice loud and clear in the hopes of finding out what was going on.
Nothing.
Edmund frowned deeply, looking around in the darkness, and gasping in shock when something fell to the ground right next to him.
He couldn't see what it was, but it had scared him, and now his heart was pounding. "Show yourself." He demanded, his newly perfected "King" voice coming through.
But still, nothing happened.
That is, until the fire in the corner of the room roared to life, lighting up the entire kitchen it was that big.
Edmund swung around, horrified when he saw that the fire was so big and tall that it had caught onto some of the tea-towels hanging close by.
"I said show yourself!" Edmund cried, aware of the fire now spreading.
After once again not getting any answer, he ran over to the barrell of water, determined to put the fire out before it got out of control and did any damage.
He'd just grabbed a bucket when he heard the kitchen door slam, and to his horror, lock.
Staring at the door for a moment, Edmund took a deep breath, trying to calm himself... What on earth was going on?
He didn't have any more time to wonder this though, for something suddenly came flying at him, hitting him straight over the head.
Edmund gasped, before collapsing, his eyes closing as he was knocked clean out.
He was left, unconscious, laying there with the fire slowly spreading.
Peter, after cleaning the table and putting everything back where it belonged, blew out the few candles lighting the room, before quietly leaving, shutting the door behind him.
He headed quietly down the corridor, nodding at the few guards he passed, before he stopped just before turning a corner.
Turning to his left he was more than slightly alarmed to see smoke coming out from under the kitchen door.
Rushing over, Peter hammered on the door. "Is anyone in there?!" He called, hoping beyond hope that nobody was.
He tried the handle, taking a deep breath when he found the door locked, which is when he quickly called a few guards over.
Between them, they managed to open the door, and Peter instantly had to shield his eyes against the brightness of the fire.
After a moment, he glanced inside, only for his heart to leap into his throat when he spotted none other than his fourteen year old, little brother, laying on the floor a little way away, very much unconscious.
"Ed!" He cried, and before the guards could stop him, he'd dashed into the room.
He covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve, coughing at the smoke, until be reached his brother, when he didn't even hesitate in grabbing him.
He flung him over his shoulder and made a dash for the corridor, coughing more harshly now that nothing was covering his nose.
He managed to take a deep breath when he was back out in the hallway, and quickly lay Edmund on the floor, all but screaming at the guards to go and find a healer.
One dashed off, and Peter quickly pressed his fingers to Edmunds neck. "He - He's still breathing." He murmured. "Come on Ed, please wake up."
"He's probably inhaled a lot of smoke, your majesty." One of the guards stepped in.
Peter took a deep breath. "Why was he even in the kitchens?" He whispered. "And how was the door locked?"
Of course no one knew the answer, but Peter did frown when, thanks to the light from the fire, he spotted a deep gash on the side of Edmunds head, blood rolling down to his ear and staining his dark hair even darker. "What the-"
"Did he hit his head when he collapsed?" One guard asked.
Peter bit his lip. "No," He murmured. "Somethings happened here."
After another few seconds, a healer and a group of people came running round the corner, Orious leading them.
The centaur turned to the healer. "Take King Edmund to the hospital wing." He demanded. "The rest of you are gonna help me put this fire out."
The Narnians sprang into action, and before Peter knew it, he was heading down the corridor with Edmund in his arms, hurrying to get to the healers wing.
On his way he was joined by both Susan and Lucy, who looked equally as worried as each other, wrapped in their dressing gowns and still blinking back sleep.
"What happened?" Susan asked.
Peter bit his lip. "There was a fire, Edmund was in the room..." Was all he managed to say before they reached the hospital wing and he had to hand his brother over to the healers.
"Peter?"
Peter tore his eyes from where Edmund was in a bed over the other side of the room, being poked and prodded and whatnot, and turned to Lucy, glancing down at her tear stained cheeks. "Is Ed gonna be alright?" She whispered.
Peter hesitated, before sighing and actually picking his sister up, balancing her on his hip and hugging her tightly. "He's gonna be just fine." He whispered...
And he really hoped he was right.
"How is he?" Peter asked quickly when a healer eventually walked over.
The healer took a deep breath. "He inhaled a lot of smoke." He said sadly. "And I wanna keep an eye on that gash on his head, but don't worry, he should be fine."
Peter took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Thank you." He whispered.
The healer nodded. "I would suggest finding out what happened as soon as he wakes." He told him. "The fire has been put out, but no one can seem to figure out how it started, why the door was locked, and why King Edmund was in there."
"There's no chance he just got hungry?" Susan stepped in.
"Yeah, but why would he lock the kitchen door?" Peter muttered.
Susan sighed. "We'll have to ask him." She breathed.
Peter nodded, before walking slowly over to his brother and sitting on the edge of the bed, taking a gentle hold of his hand. "Hey Ed." He whispered. "You gonna wake up for me?"
He sighed when Edmund didn't respond, and only nodded a little. "Alright." He whispered. "But please, wake up soon."
He sat with his brother for hours until he finally began to stir, which caught the attention of Lucy, who'd been sat on the next bed reading, and of Susan, who had been working on some sort of sewing at the end of the bed.
"Ed?" Peter mumbled, all but holding his breath as he waited for his brother to wake properly.
It took a few moments, but Edmunds eyes opened eventually, and he lay there, staring at his brother for a while before smiling weakly. "Pete." He choked out, before coughing harshly.
"Easy Ed," Peter murmured, rubbing his chest gently. "Easy, deep breaths."
Edmund soon got his breath back, and swallowed hard. "I - I thought I was done for." He whispered. "The - The second that thing - thing hit me-"
Susan sat up. "What happened Ed?" She asked. "No one knows how the fire started."
Edmund hesitated.
Peter, getting what was wrong, poured Edmund a glass of water so he could wet his throat and hopefully get through the whole tale without going into a coughing fit.
"Thanks." Edmund whispered, before taking a few sips and sighing. "I heard a noise in the kitchens," He said softly. "I went to check it out obviously, and found a bunch of pots and pans all over the floor. It was odd, because I didn't see anyone in there. Then the doors swung - swung closed, locked, and next thing I knew, the fire came out of nowhere. It started in the fireplace but just kept growing. I went to grab a bucket of water, but something flew at - at me and hit me over the head before I could, and I guess it knocked me - me out."
Peter placed a hand on his shoulder when he coughed a few times, before frowning. "The fire came out of nowhere?" He murmured.
Edmund nodded. "There was no one there to light it." He whispered. "And - And no one there to lock the door either."
Peter looked rather worried by this, and took a deep breath. "I'm going to get Orious to search the castle and surrounding areas." He said. "If there's anything funny going on, he'll find out."
Edmund nodded slowly. "It was really freaky." He whispered.
Peter bit his lip. "We'll find out what went on." He reassured him. "I promise."
- Four days later -
Four days later, and Edmund was up and about again, on the one condition that he took it extremely easy.
Peter was still worried about the wound on his head, and the healers were still a little worried about his breathing, but he'd promised them all that he was fine and couldn't stand any more time locked in the hospital wing, confined to his bed.
So he was currently sat outside, alone, on a small bench not far from the door he'd come out of.
He watched the leaves fall from the trees, staring at the bright reds and oranges of the leaves.
He adored autumn, and certainly made the most of it before his least favourite season arrived and he found himself inside most of the time.
He sighed a little as he lent back, watching the trees sway slightly in the light breeze, only to frown a little when the wind quickly picked up.
"Odd." He muttered, wrapping his cloak tightly around him as his hair was whipped around in the wind.
He glanced up at the sky when it got darker, seeing that it had suddenly clouded over, and he quickly found himself feeling extremely uncomfortable.
His feelings were totally justified though when to his absolute horror, five, large snowflakes fluttered down and landed on his knee, melting quickly into the material.
Edmund couldn't breathe for a good while, before he choked in a breath, staring, horrified at the tiny wet patches on his trousers.
Snow? In late October? No way...
He was sat, staring for ages, before a creaking sound reached his ears, and he suddenly realised how strong the wind had gotten.
When the creaking got worse, Edmund hesitantly glanced up, and only just had time to leap out of the way before a branch from the tree behind him snapped and fell, crushing the bench beneath it.
Edmund lay on the ground, gasping, staring at the broken bench and tree branch in terror...
What in the world was going on?
He licked his lips, taking a slow, deep breath as he slowly sat up, before swinging around when he heard footsteps.
"Edmund!"
Edmund swallowed hard as Peter came running over, falling to his knees beside him and helping him to sit up.
"Are you alright?" Peter asked, sounding beyond worried.
Edmund slowly glanced back at the tree branch, taking a deep, shaky breath before nodding a little. "Yeah..." He whispered, but he sounded far from certain.
Peter stared at him for a second or two, before tuning to the bench. "What happened?" He murmured, gripping Edmunds shoulder.
Edmund coughed a few times, before biting his lip. "The - The wind picked up." He mumbled. "And the branch just fell..."
"It just fell?" Peter said, not sounding convinced at all.
Edmund hesitated. "But Peter-" He choked out. "There - There was snow. There was snow Pete, only a little bit, but it snowed."
Peter stared at his brother, eyes slightly wider than before. "You're sure?" He breathed.
Edmund nodded. "It was snow." He choked. "Peter, what if-"
"Don't Ed." Peter cut him off quickly. "Don't even say it."
"But there was snow!" Edmund cried. "It's only October Peter! It didn't start snowing until December last year!"
Peter took a deep breath. "Come on," He said. "You need to get back inside, you're shivering."
"I'm shaking." Edmund corrected him, but let him pull him to his feet and lead him back inside.
He walked in silence until he reached their room, before sighing and collapsing onto his bed. "Something's out to kill me." He grumbled.
Peter frowned. "What?" He mumbled.
Edmund raised an eyebrow, sitting up at looking at his brother. "I got locked into a room that sets itself on fire, and then a branch nearly falls on me and kills me." He explained slowly.
Peter stared at him, slowly shaking his head. "Don't be silly Ed." He muttered. "It was just a - a bit of bad luck."
Edmund sighed. "And the snow?" He murmured.
Peter didn't know what to say.
"Somsthings going on Peter." Edmund told him. "There's no point being in denial about it, it won't help either of us."
Peter hesitated, but slowly nodded. "You - You want me to talk to someone?" He asked. "Get their opinion?"
Edmund nodded. "Thanks." He breathed.
Peter smiled weakly, and after placing a gentle kiss to Edmunds forehead, he stood. "Wait for me here." He mumbled. "I won't be long."
Edmund nodded, and once his brother was gone he lay back down, curling up under the covers and eventually, to his surprise, actually falling asleep.
Edmund didn't know how long later it was that he woke, but he did quickly realise that he was still alone.
Stretching and taking deep breaths, Edmund slowly sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing.
Trying to flatten his hair which had decided to stick up on end, he grabbed his cloak and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Rubbing at his eyes he made his way down the corridor, creeping around each corner and nodding and smiling at everyone that passed and wished him a good afternoon.
If he knew Peter, he had gone straight to the healers to ask, so that was his first stop, and if he wasn't there, then he was probably with Orious.
He rubbed at his eyes as he walked, but quickly realised this probably wasn't a good idea when he tripped.
In no time he found himself face down on the slippery, marble floor, gasping slightly in pain before groaning. "Idiot." He grumbled to himself.
He froze though when a cold draft passed over him, and he shivered for a second, before it completely disappeared.
"Maybe you're an idiot for wondering around the castle by yourself."
Edmund sighed at his own voide in his head... it was right he guessed, but at the same time he shouldn't have to fear his own home.
After a moment he decided he should probably get up and off the floor, but he didn't get very far before someone grabbed his arms and began dragging him across the floor.
At first he thought perhaps it was Peter, just having a laugh with him... before he looked up...
There was no one there...
He was being dragged across the floor, by no one.
His instincts kicked in, and he quickly began kicking and screaming, hoping beyond hope someone would hear him and rescue him from... nobody.
It was a horrid feeling, being dragged across the floor but what seemed like nobody, and he hated it, praying to Aslan that someone would hear him.
He was so releived when suddenly Peter and Orious burst from a nearby room, both looking beyond concerned.
And when Peter saw his brother, his eyes went wide. "Ed!" He screamed, before dashing off after him.
Once reaching him, he flung himself to the floor and all but on top of his brother, stopping him from going anywhere else until Edmunds arms dropped to the floor above of him, like someone had dropped them, and he took a deep breath.
"Ed?" He whispered, slowly looking up but not daring to move from where he was pinning Edmund to the ground.
Edmund was taking quick, sharp breaths, tears stinging his eyes which he was forcing back, but in all honesty he looked traumatised.
"Ed?" Peter tried again when his brother didn't answer him.
Edmund swallowed hard, and it looked like he pulled himself together, at least, he sat up slowly and glanced down at Peter, who eventually decided to let go and sit in front of him. "Someone - Someone grabbed me." Edmund choked. "Someone was dragging me."
Peter hesitated. "There was no one there..." He all but whispered.
"Someone had hold of my wrists Peter!" Edmund cried. "I felt it, someone grabbed me! And their grip was as cold as - as ice."
Peter stared deep into Edmunds eyes, spotting a worried look he'd only ever seen at one point in his little brother's life...
When the witch came to Aslans camp to claim his blood.
"Ed-" Peter murmured.
"She's grabbed my wrists before Peter." Edmund choked. "I know what it feels like... It was Her, I know it was."
Peter's heart was pounding. "But how?!" He cried. "It - It can't be, she's dead, I watched Aslan kill her Edmund."
Edmund swallowed hard, trying to still his sudden trembling. "I - I don't know how." He all but whispered, staring at anything but Peter now.
Peter stared at his brother for a moment, before sighing. "You okay?" He murmured.
Edmund was going to say yes, but in the end knew Peter wouldn't believe that so shook his head. "If it really is Her, in some sort of ghost form by the looks of it," He said slowly. "She's gonna kill me Pete."
Peter firmly shook his head at this. "No," He said. "She won't."
"Have you not seen what she's already done?!" Edmund choked. "She's tried killing me three times already."
"She won't kill you because I won't let her." Peter snapped. "I promise you."
Edmund gave Peter a weak smile, but it was gone as quick as it came, and he gently and hesitantly rested his head forward against Peter's shoulder.
Peter rested his head on Edmund's, wrapping an arm around his shoulder with a sigh. "You really think it's a ghost?" He mumbled.
Edmund hesitated. "Or along the lines of it, maybe She's come back as an evil spirit or something." He suggested, trying to think of every possibility.
Peter nodded a little. "Okay..." He said slowly. "How do you get rid of an evil spirit, it's not like we can see it to kill it."
Edmund was quiet for a moment. "We could ask someone?" He said. "I'm sure a healer would know the answer, or someone along those lines."
"Yeah." Peter breathed. "Alright then, come on."
"This potion..."
Peter took a deep breath, staring at the two vials the healer had placed on the table in front of them, eyeing the dark brown liquid warily.
"It's known to let people see ghosts and spirits." The healer explained. "And if you can see it, you can kill it."
"You can't kill a ghost." Edmund pointed out.
The healer shook his head. "If its an evil spirit though, I do believe Rhindon is enough to get rid of it." He said.
Peter slowly looked down at the sword he carried, taking a deep breath. "Really?" He murmured.
The healer nodded, before sighing. "Only thing is, no one's ever really tried this potion before..."
Peter's heart skipped a beat. "So there's a possibility it won't work?" He asked.
"There's that, yes." The healer said slowly. "But there's also a chance of side effects, painful side effects, as there is with any potion."
Edmund bit his lip, and noticed Peter's worried look. "We have to Peter." He said, almost desperately. "The witch is going to keep on trying, until we get rid of her, and only your sword can do that, if we can see her."
Peter hesitated. "Let me do it then." He said quickly. "Just me, there's no need for you to drink it and join me."
Edmund sighed. "I won't let you face her alone." He said firmly, despite how absolutely terrified this whole thing made him... seeing the witch again was enough to make him feel more than sick.
"I can't let you Ed-" Peter whispered.
"Peter please," Edmund sighed. "I can't let her hurt you."
Peter shook his head. "And I can't let her hurt you." He choked.
Edmund smiled weakly. "She's already done that Peter." He sighed, before: "Besides, two people have a much better chance at success than one..."
Peter swallowed hard, but he couldn't deny that Edmund was right about the two being better than one.
He glanced into Edmunds dark eyes, and saw the determination in them that he'd seen so many times, and which also told him he wasn't going to give up, that he was going to be doing whatever he'd set his mind to.
In the end, Peter really had no choice but to say yes, although he hated it so much. "But please, don't do anything stupid." He muttered. "I'm killing her, you're not to go near her."
Edmund nodded slowly, understanding Peter's concern and agreeing with what he wished, after all, refusing to do as Peter said would just make things a whole lot worse.
"So, we both drinking at the same time?" Edmund asked, taking one of the viles.
"I will leave you be." The healer stepped in. "And make sure the castle is clear."
"Could you not tell the Queens?" Peter asked quickly. "They don't need to know, not just yet anyway."
The healer bowed his head. "Of course." He replied, before leaving.
Edmund waited until the door was closed before opening his vial.
"Ed wait." Peter said quickly. "I'll take it first, just to be on the safe side."
"Not likely." Edmund snorted. "At the same time."
"Ed please?" Peter begged.
Edmund stared at him for a long minute, before slowly nodding. "Okay." He murmured.
Peter hesitated, before nodding and undoing his vial, staring down at it in disgust. "Looks awful." He grumbled.
"Bet it tastes awful too." Edmund added, staring at the horrible, brown stuff.
"Well," Peter said, taking a deep breath. "Bottoms up."
And with that, he lifted the vial to his lips and drank the contents, and to his horror, so did Edmund.
"Ed - Edmund!" Peter coughed and spluttered, choking on the foul taste in his mouth.
Edmund full on gagged at the taste, and nearly threw it straight back up again, but thankfully managed to hold it down. "We - We do things together, Peter. Never alone." He muttered. "I would've thought you'd know that by now."
Peter stared at him, and the two seemed to be waiting for something to happen... only, nothing did.
After a good five minutes, Peter took a deep breath. "How you feeling?" He asked.
Edmund frowned, shrugging. "I feel, normal." He replied.
Peter nodded. "Yeah, me too..." He breathed.
"So..." Edmund paused for a second. "If it was the Witch, we should now be able to see her, and kill her with your sword?"
"Yeah." Peter said slowly and quietly, nodding his head.
Edmund took a deep breath. "Alright then." He breathed. "Let's go hunt a Witch."
"Anything?" Edmund whispered from where Peter was cautiously checking around a corner, pushing Edmund behind him as he did.
A few seconds passed, before Peter shook his head. "Nothing." He mumbled, sighing.
Edmund sighed too and stepped out from around the corner, glancing down the corridor and indeed seeing it completely empty. "We've been searching for at least fifteen minutes now." He muttered. "And nothing."
"You reckon the potion actually worked?" Peter murmured as the two began working.
"I hope it did." Edmund said slowly. "After all, we can't let Jadis wonder the castle for the rest of eternity."
His voice wobbled a little on the last sentence, and Peter sighed. "If this is too much for you, you can go." He said gently. "I know - even though you won't admit it - that you're scared of her, and that's perfectly justified by the way, what she did to you was no small thing."
Edmund bit his lip, and he hesitated for a moment, before shaking his head. "No." He said firmly. "I won't leave you, I promised I wouldn't, so I won't."
Peter couldn't help but smile weakly at the determination in his little brother's voice. "Where did you get your bravery from Ed?" He breathed.
Edmund paused. "You." He murmured.
Peter snorted. "Not likely." He responded, staring at the windows as they walked.
Edmund sighed. "You're braver than you think Peter." He told him. "Everything you did from the second we left London, was brave."
Peter glanced at him, smiling gently, but he didn't say anything.
"I guess I got a bit from Dad as well." Edmund whispered. "If I'm as brave as you say I am..."
Peter nodded slowly. "You miss him..." He sighed.
"I've missed him from the second he left." Edmund replied. "Sometimes I wish he was here with us."
Peter took a deep breath, before smiling. "Probably not a good idea." He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "If he knew what we were doing right now it'd send him to an early grave."
Edmund smirked for a moment, before sighing. "He'd be so disappointed in me." He choked out, shaking his head.
Peter glanced down at Edmund, his heart breaking. "No he wouldn't." He reassured him. "He'd be proud of you."
Edmund looked like he didn't believe him. "Don't be stupid." He muttered.
"He'd be proud of you for all you did once you'd been rescued." Peter said firmly. "You changed so much, you've helped people, saved lives, helped run a country, Ed you're a great King. And I know this whole thing with Jadis is bringing up past guilt and doubt, but whatever I've told you in the last year or so, still stands, I promise you."
Edmund took a deep breath. "I - I know." He whispered. "It's just-"
He stopped dead though when a rather loud thud reached his ears, and he swung around, finding himself facing the main doors to the throne room.
Peter took a deep breath, gripping the handle of his sword and pulling it from his sheath. "Stay behind me." He whispered, before walking over to the door.
The two entered the throne room, walking slowly towards the centre, both on the look out for any signs of Jadis.
Edmunds heart pounded, staying close to Peter, and in all honesty he hated himself for it... not two seconds ago he'd been told he was brave, and now look at him.
They both looked to their left when they heard what sounded like a quiet gust of wind, and Peter stopped dead in the centre of the room, making sure Edmund stopped with him and pulling his brother behind him.
Edmund took a deep breath, scanning the room, feeling slightly sick but trying to ignore it, praying that they'd be able to get rid of the Witch quickly.
"Show yourself Jadis." Peter snapped. "We know you're in here."
Edmund jumped harshly when all the doors suddenly slammed shut, no doubt locking too, and his heart sunk at the thought that they were both now stuck, and he found himself gripping the sleeve of Peter's tunic.
He felt a wave of shame pass over him, but there was a voice in the back of his mind reminding him that he was only fourteen years old, and that they were about to face Jadis, the one person he feared more than anyone, the person who'd imprisoned, tortured and nearly killed him... Perhaps he had a right to be slightly scared.
Peter had his own arm behind him, gripping on to Edmund's arm, keeping him safe and protecting him, because he wouldn't ever forgive himself if something happened to his little brother again.
"She - She's definitely in here." Edmund whispered after a whole minute of silence.
"Yeah." Peter breathed in reply, gripping his sword.
Edmund shuddered when a cold breeze blew around the room, and he noticed Peter do the same and tighten his grip on his arm.
"I said show yourself!" Peter shouted.
Edmund slowly looked around, and his heart all but stopped when he spotted Her, standing in front of his own throne, smirking down at them.
For the most part she just looked normal, but her skin was blue and a white, icy glow surrounded her, if anything making her look even more threatening than she had been when she'd been alive.
Peter spotted her too, and took a deep breath. "Why are you here, Jadis?" He snapped, taking a few steps forward but making sure Edmund stayed behind him, out of danger... or at least, he hoped he was out of danger.
Jadis was quiet for a moment, before she smirked. "I should think that's obvious don't you think?" She laughed, glancing passed Peter and at Edmund, who faltered under her stare, stepping back a little.
Peter turned to Edmund for a sec before quickly turning back to the Witch. "I won't let you hurt him any more than you already have." He said firmly.
Jadis smiled, sitting down on Edmund's throne, knowing exactly what she was doing.
"Get. Off." Peter growled.
Jadis chuckled gently, before standing and taking a few steps forward, walking down the couple of stairs before stopping. "Well Edmund there certainly doesn't deserve it." She said casually.
"He deserves it a great deal more than you do." Peter spat. "Edmund has done so much for this country, which is more than I can say for you."
Edmund took a step forward, reaching out and placing a hand on Peter's shoulder, trying to get him to calm down.
Jadis smiled. "Oh yes, Betraying his country, what a great King that makes him." She mocked.
Peter looked about ready to charge at her, and to Edmunds shock... He did.
He raised his sword, determined to kill the Witch, but just before he reached her, she waved her hand and Peter went flying across the room, and hit the wall, knocking him out as he slid and slumped to the floor.
"Peter!" Edmund screamed, going to run over.
"Not so fast." Jadis muttered, waving her hand again.
Edmund flew through the air, hitting the wall at the back of the room with a thud, but definitely not hard enough to knock him out like Peter.
He coughed and groaned, and belatedly realised he was still against the wall, feet a few inches off the floor, unable to so much as move.
He recovered after a moment, and took a deep breath when he saw Jadis slowly walking over, an evil smirk spread across her face that sent shivers down his spine.
He glanced across the room, spotting Peter laying in a heap on the floor, still unconsciousness with his sword beside him on the floor.
He turned back to Jadis when she reached him, swallowing hard.
Jadis smiled, before reaching forward and taking Edmunds sword from his sheath, not taking her eyes off the young King the whole time.
Edmund stared at the witch, shuddering at the colour of her skin and the glow surrounding her, his heart pounding in his chest, dreading what was about to happen if Peter didn't wake up soon.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" The Witch said casually. "How've you been?"
Edmund didn't answer, and he was starting to feel really quite sick.
"Not answering?" Jadis murmured, before punching him in the stomach.
Edmund doubled over as much as the obvious magic would allow him, and he choked slightly, squeezing his eyes shut.
Jadis smiled, before grabbing his face and yanking his head up, making sure Edmund had opened his eyes before speaking. "I'm going to kill you Edmund," She spat. "That's what I've come here to do and I will do it, I've waited way too long for this, and I'm going to take great pleasure in shoving your own sword through your chest."
Edmund swallowed hard, forcing back a sob. "You're dead." He choked out.
Jadis smirked. "Do I look dead?" She said.
"You're not alive." Edmund corrected.
"No," Jadis murmured. "But I'm alive enough to make sure you won't be for much longer."
"You - You won't get away with this." Edmund whispered.
Jadis laughed. "What's everyone gonna do?" She said. "Kill me?"
Edmund swallowed hard, shaking as he tried to move, but it was no use, he was stuck.
"I will kill you." Jadis repeated. "And I will make sure you suffer through it, a slow death yes? Because Peter won't be getting up anytime soon."
Edmund swallowed hard, terrified when the Witch raised the sword, pressing it to Edmunds stomach, right where his scar was.
"Please." Edmund murmured. "Not - not again."
The Witch smirked. "Wasn't nice the first time was it?" She chuckled. "Don't worry, it won't hurt as much as last time, because it's not my wand."
Edmund's heart was pounding, and he wanted to scream, lowering his head and squeezing his eyes shut.
Jadis though grabbed a fistful of hair and yanked his head up, his eyes popping open as she smirked. "I want to see the light leave your eyes as you slowly bleed to death." She growled.
Edmunds eyes widened.
"Over my dead body."
Edmunds heart leapt at the weak voice, groaning when the witch swung around, only to be met with Peter, who didn't hesitate in shoving Rhindon straight through her chest.
He watched, so, so releived when Jadis' figure slowly faded until she was gone, leaving him staring at Peter, who had blood rolling down one side of his face, but other than that, he seemed uninjured.
A few seconds after the Witch was gone, Edmund dropped to the floor, having no warning, so he hit the marble ground with a slap, coughing a little.
Peter fell to his knees beside Edmund, rolling him over and pulling him close. "Ed?" He mumbled.
Edmund swallowed hard, taking a deep breath, his eyes squeezed shut.
"Ed say something." Peter choked.
Edmund hesitated, but eventually opened his eyes. "Are you okay?" He whispered, barely getting the words past his lips.
Peter couldn't help but let out a weak chuckle. "I'm okay yes." He breathed.
"How - How on earth did you get up after that?" Edmund sighed, looking beyond upset.
Peter looked shocked. "She was about to kill you Ed." He murmured. "That was enough to get me up."
"Were you actually unconscious?"
Peter frowned. "I don't think so." He said slowly. "Nearly though. But seriously, enough about me, are you okay?"
Edmund stared up at him, and after a while all he did was sit up, wrap his arms around Peter's waist and bury his face against his chest, trembling slightly.
Peter's heart shattered at this, and he quickly pulled Edmund in for a gentle hug, placing a kiss on the top of his head. "She's gone Eddy." He breathed. "It's over."
Edmund nodded slowly. "Good." He choked.
Peter squeezed his eyes shut. "Whatever she said to - to you, it wasn't true." He whispered. "You deserve to be on that throne, you are not a traitor, and you are the bravest person I've ever know."
Edmund was silent for a moment. "Do you really mean it?" He choked out.
Peter smiled gently, nodding. "Of course I do." He replied.
Edmund swallowed hard. "Thank you." He whispered.
Peter nodded, before taking a deep breath. "Did she hurt you?" He asked quietly.
Edmund sighed. "She punched me." He told him. "But nothing serious."
Peter didn't look too happy, and slowly pulled away from his brother.
"You should get your head looked at." Edmund said before Peter could say anything. "It looks nasty, could be serious."
Peter hesitated, but nodded eventually. "I'll get it looked at, don't worry." He told him.
"I'll hold you to that." Edmund warned, before leaning back in for a hug. "Thank you." He whispered.
Peter sighed. "There's no need to thank me." He replied.
"You dragged yourself to your feet and walked half way across a room after being thrown against a wall and all but knocked out, to save me." Edmund said firmly. "I think thanks are in order."
Peter buried his face in Edmund's hair. "You're my brother." He choked. "I had to."
Edmund sighed a little. "I love you." He murmured. "So much."
"I love you too Ed." Peter replied. "And I promise, you are the greatest King Narnia has ever seen, or will ever have."
- The End -
I'm back!
I'm sure most of my previous readers have forgotten this book actually exists aha, but here's another one shot, after so long