A/N: WARNING: I am going back to school tomorrow, so the updates may become sparser. Have no fear, though! I intend to finish this story if it kills me…I'm already ignoring an essay on Liberal Reforms in order to write this (hmm…fanfiction or Liberal reforms? Now that's a toughie…)

Thanks to everyone who keeps answering all my prediction questions! It is very interesting for me as an author to see how my reader's minds work. And keep up the reviewing! You people are so good to me…(gets all emotional)

To Shauna: Wow, long review! Don't worry, Peter will get his turn to worry about Edmund…I have something VERY special planned for our much loved former traitor (grins) and yes, Edmund did wake Peter with a kiss, but it wasn't anything weird, it was just on his forehead. Like I've said before, this fic is neither slash nor incest. Brotherly love is just too cute!

To everyone: You people are way too smart! You keep picking up on my (supposedly) cunningly concealed foreboding hints…damn…I'm going to have to be more subtle next time…

This chapter is a little more easygoing than some of the others. Fluff, humour and a light tiny weeny sprinkle of angst. Enjoy!

Chapter fifteen

It was unnaturally still, and quiet. Even though the frost had thawed, and the castle was now surrounding by a glistening, peaceful lake, nothing moved. It seemed as though they were the only two living creatures in the world, in all the worlds, as they sat, and waited. The lake was so still it appeared to be made of glass, and shone like a mirror. Edmund and Peter sat just outside the side door, which was now closed and bolted behind them. On their left was a very steep, very narrow flight of steps leading down to the side of the small jut of land which connected the island to the mainland.

Edmund shivered despite the warm spring breeze, which rose high over the turrets of the castle and swirled about them, and pulled his traveling cloak closer around him. He could feel his back protesting from being leant against a hard stone wall for so long. Peter shifted slightly, turning to give him a questioning look, and Edmund shook his head in answer.

"It's nothing. This is just…unnatural."

Peter stared out, eyes following the jagged curves of the landscape to the East. He gave a small cough, wincing as his sore throat protested to the movement, and spoke without turning to look at Edmund.

"We have to…cross those mountains?"

He asked quietly, barely above a whisper. Edmund fumbled in his pocket and retrieved the small folded slip of paper Cifel had given him. He held it out to Peter, who took and glanced over the paper, smoothing it out as he did so.

"It's a long way."

It was more of a statement than anything else, and Edmund frowned. Something was very…wrong, with his older brother. Peter had never been overly cheerful, but he had always been at least enthusiastic about…well, everything. He was generally a positive person. Peter was pale, his eyes dulled, and he seemed…detached. He would stare off into the distance, and Edmund knew he was seeing something which he himself could not.

"Peter?"

Peter jerked slightly, as though waking from a deep sleep, and his eyes focused sluggishly on Edmund as though he was surprised to see him there.

"Yes?"

Edmund bit his lip, unsure how to put his concern into words without raising Peter's guard. His brother closed up if he ever thought someone perceived him as weak, or vulnerable. He always had to be the strong one, the one in control, and a few weeks ago Edmund would have hated him for it. Now, though…he felt he understood, just a little.

Peter was afraid. Afraid that if he wasn't always strong, in control, then…who knew what could happen? His brother had spent his whole life trying to be strong, but not for himself, as Edmund had once believed. For them. For his brother, and sisters. And Edmund could hardly blame him for that.

"Nothing…just…here, drink this."

Edmund handed Peter the small, cloudy liquid filled vial which Cifel had given him, slightly apprehensive of just what it would do. Could they really trust Cifel? But there was no reason to go to all the trouble of getting them this far only to re-capture them.

Sighing resignedly, Edmund also retrieved the lime green coloured vial, and the two brother's shared a glance before both taking a small sip in unison.

They waited.

Nothing.

"Did it work?"

Edmund shrugged, took both bottles back and placed them in one of the pockets of his traveling pack, wondering how long their supplies could last. If they could only get over the mountains quickly, then there would be plenty of food and water on the coast and in the woods.

Peter winced and rubbed his chest, a burning sensation filling his lungs. He coughed dryly, a shuddering wrench which penetrated deep within his chest. Edmund got up onto his knees and placed a hand on Peter's back, concerned.

"Peter? You alright?"

Peter smiled weakly, attempting to reassure Edmund, but then bent double, clutching his chest with a barely concealed grimace. He coughed again, clapping a hand over his mouth to stifle the noise, and then straightened carefully to give Edmund an apologetic look.

"M'okay, Ed. I'm alright."

Edmund's eyes narrowed, and he clutched his older brother's shoulder convulsively.

"Don't. Don't lie to me like a child. I'm stronger now. I can help you."

Edmund kneeled on the hard ground, both hands on Peter's shoulders. He had to get through to him. If this went on, they would only argue, break apart. And they couldn't afford to. Peter was not strong enough for that. Not yet.

"Please, Peter. Let me help."

Peter stared at him, still breathing deeply. Edmund had changed. He sounded so like his father, and he felt his heart clench. He had spent his whole life hidden behind a mask of strength; his need to protect his younger siblings had always been all he needed. And yet…now it seemed they didn't need protecting anymore. What was he then? Just something to be simply tolerated?

Or would Edmund simply return to him the strength he had given him, over the years? His father…his mother…his family…

He was so very tired of being strong…

He felt as though they were slipping away. Susan, and Lucy, and Edmund. They were growing up, moving away from him. He felt a sudden desperation, which he had suppressed ever since Edmund first betrayed them. They were leaving. He didn't want to be useless, didn't want to be left alone.

And suddenly, he was clutching Edmund to him like a child, and shaking violently. He tried to stop himself from dryly sobbing, and choked on his own breath, beginning to cough once more. Edmund embraced him around his back, breathing slowly and deeply, trying to calm his brother. Peter had always been strong, always been his protector. Now he was finally paying the price. And Edmund knew he had a debt to repay.

Is this what responsibility truly is, he wondered? To feel such strength, such fire, course through your veins? It was powerful. It was addicting…but all the fire went out as he felt his brother tremble and shake, his strength seemingly replaced only by an empty, cold despair.

"Edmund…"

Peter refused to allow the tears to fall, instead allowing the pain to tear at his insides, even though he felt if he had to endure any more pain he would die without the aid of a sword.

"It's so cold…"

He turned dull blue eyes on his brother.

"I'm so cold…"

Edmund tightened his arms around his older brother, and pulled him back to rest against his chest, rocking them both slightly; his forehead resting against his brother's hair. They were both so tired; they had no more strength left to give.

"I know, Peter." He murmured, recalling a small boy he had rocked once before, on a beach in a faraway dream.

"I know."

And as night fell, they simply sat there, drawing comfort from each other as they waited for the darkness to blanket the surrounding landscape, and provide a suitable façade under which they could execute their escape.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, as he had meticulously planned and predicted, Cifel was gleefully reaping the reward for his treacherous actions.

"How DARE you! How did you defy the deep magic, you celestial scum!"

Cifel smirked and lazily slapped the tip of her blade away, standing and brushing his clothes off idly, before answering.

"I was never under your control, fool. It was a necessary step I had to take to fulfill my orders."

"Orders! From whom? Speak, and I shall spare your life!"

"Sufficed to say it was not in my interest to allow the sons of Adam to escape."

The witch's face paled even further, and she raised the blade once again to rest against the exposed skin of Cifel's neck.

"Then why, pray tell…" she said, softly, scathingly "did you do such a thing?"

Cifel shrugged, and cocked his head to the side in an infuriatingly confident, carefree manner.

"Obviously to annoy you, my dearest witch."

The sound of flesh impacting on flesh resounded around the high ceiling of the hall, and Cifel reached up to his cheek to idly brush the blood away. He sucked his fingers while watching the witch seethe, repressing the urge to frown at the salty tang the liquid made as it sat on his tongue.

"GALGORUS!"

Cifel sighed exasperatedly. Evil people were always so predictable. Did she not think he had planned for that? Cunningly placed the two Son's of Adam under her very nose in the most unlikely place possible? Surely even he was not that good at acting as to have fooled her so completely.

"The humans have escaped, Galgorus. Take your hunters and track them down. Bring them back alive, but I care not in what condition if they are fixable. GO!"

The great wolf bent his hind legs in a respectful bow, let out a bloodcurdling howl, and bounded past Cifel, snarling and snapping his jaws threateningly as he did so. Cifel raised an eyebrow skeptically and rose to his feet once more, watching them go with his nose wrinkled in disgust.

"Honestly, don't you ever order your pets to take a bath once in a while?"

He leapt backwards, and her outstretched hand met with thin air with an ominous whistling sound.

"Thought not…"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The doors to the palace flew open with a resounding crash, and swung far out over the sides of the sheer cliff leading down to the surface of the lake. What seemed to be a swarm of shadows poured out, bounding down the wide flight of stairs and across the bridge of land. Then, the large party split into two groups, one heading East, the other West, and faded into the darkness, their howls and the pounding of their feet growing fainter.

Edmund and Peter crouched on the small parapet, peering round the corner of the castle wall to watch the proceedings. When all was quiet again, they still stood for a moment, unsure of how best to continue. Eventually, Peter sighed softly, and turned to begin gathering his things; adjusting the cloak around his shoulder and hoisting the pack onto his back. Edmund did the same.

They descended the stairs in silence, keeping as low to the ground as they could. Edmund went first, and several times he lost his footing and Peter had to grab him from behind. By the time they reached the bottom of the stairs, they were both breathing heavily, and night had fallen. They could vaguely make out the silhouette of the land bridge, and the dark, still surface of the lake beside it.

They shared a brief glance, then looked behind them, and up at the looming outline of the castle above them. It seemed strange to simply be walking away, without any resistance. Whatever 'distraction' Cifel had had planned, it must have worked well enough.

Peter turned determinedly around, grabbed Edmund's arm and took off, running at an erratic pace across the land bridge. Edmund stifled a yelp of surprise and increased his own speed, feeling suddenly glad for the vial Cifel had given him. His brother's longer legs were definitely an aggravating advantage.

They slowed as they reached the end of the land bridge, but put on an extra burst of speed as Edmund spotted a small cluster of hills. He grabbed Peter's hand and steered them both towards it, his heart pounding in his ears, his breaths coming in uneasy, shuddering gasps.

The two brothers threw themselves down in a small enclave in the side of the nearest hill. It was not unlike the one in which Peter, Susan, Lucy and the Beavers had hidden in so long ago, and although it wasn't very warm, it was the only suitable hiding spot they could see.

They leant against each other, both shaking slightly with adrenaline and fear, although neither would ever admit to the latter. Slowly, their breathing quieted, and they sat in uneasy silence as the night grew colder around them.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: FINALLY they've escaped, and I can write in context with something other than a creepy castle. Next chapter, we have an update on the Susan Lucy situation, Aslan reveals more of the back story, and Peter and Edmund get horribly lost.

Yes, I know I said all that would be in the last chapter. Sorry! This escape is taking far longer than I planned (sighs) like I've said before, I don't like rushing things.

Cifel: Review or I'll make a nasty sarcastic comment about you! (growls)

Galgorus: And I'll bite your head off…(manic eyes)

Me: (Pets them) Uh…sorry about them. (whispers) There's my good little OC's…