A/N: This chapter is quite deceiving…well, you'll see what I mean by the time we get to the end. I've judged that the story will go onto 40, 40 being the epilogue. After that…well. We'll have to see.

(Munches on bag of cookies from reviewer) Yes, one reviewer (you know who you are!) was kind enough to give us some much needed supplies. Unfortunately the low budget means we've all been a bit cold…so a BIG thanks!

And, as ever, much appreciation to my reviewers! The end is nigh!

Chapter thirty two

If Peter thought yesterday had been confusing; he took it back. Today, he was so completely and utterly befuddled, bemused and any other term which meant, plainly speaking, that his brain hurt.

Not to mention his heart.

When he had returned with Rabadash from the river, his ankle aching with an intense pain, Edmund had immediately rushed to him and placed an arm around his waist, hauling Peter's arm over his slim shoulders.

Peter had looked at him in confusion, and Edmund had given him a strange smile. It seemed fond, apologetic, sad, gentle and yet bitter all at the same time. Too tired to ponder anymore, Peter had leant his head against Edmund's forehead and let his little brother help him sit beside the fiercely burning fire.

Edmund had then proceeded to fuss over him all evening, wrapping an excessive amount of cloaks around him and hovering at his shoulder whenever he went to do even the smallest movement.

Peter had been so relieved Edmund was no longer ignoring him, however, he had not objected to the mollycoddling. They spent a brief, quiet evening talking in hushed tones of the journey ahead, and of possible plots the witch may have devised. Eventually, Rabadash offered to keep watch while they all got some sleep.

And so Peter lay wide awake, Edmund lying beside him, their arms touching comfortably. But Peter could not sleep. His body begged for rest, but deep with his chest, his heart stung still with a restless unease.

Why had Edmund ignored him so?

Edmund had seemed so distant; his eyes had held a silent scream which Peter could still hear resonating within his head. He shivered slightly, and Edmund made a soft sound of protest in his sleep.

The he shifted, and turned onto his side. Peter watched with curious eyes as Edmund flung an arm out which collided with Peter's chest. Edmund frowned, and rolled sideways slightly, sending him tumbling against Peter's side.

Peter blinked, and suddenly Edmund's arm was wrapped around his chest protectively, his dark head laying against Peter's collarbone. Edmund sighed, seemingly content, and smiled in his sleep as his breathing deepened once more.

Peter let out a shaky breath, the pain in his heart easing a little as he reached out an arm to wrap around his brother's shoulder, drawing him closer still. He closed his eyes tightly, and allowed his head to fall against his brother's hair.

"He was afraid, you know."

Peter's eyes flew open to meet a piercing, dark green gaze. He took in a sharp breath which jostled Edmund, and his younger brother groaned and turned his head to burrow into his brother's neck.

Peter winced, and repressed the urge to reach up and scratch his neck as Edmund's hair brushed against it.

There was one sensitive spot just below his left ear, the hollow where his skull ended and his neck began. Edmund had a terrible habit of cuddling up in such a way that whenever he breathed out, Peter had to suppress a shiver.

It tickled something awful

Cifel chuckled. It was a deep, soft but throaty sound which sounded uncannily like Peter's father's tone. He swallowed thickly, and pushed such thoughts to the back of his mind as he watched the other prod the dying embers of the fire with a pensive expression.

"He was afraid for you. Not of you."

Cifel snapped the stick he had been using to disassemble the fire with in half, and tossed the two halves into the bushes. He glanced round to where the dwarf sat, snoring softly, on a nearby log.

Cifel snorted.

"On guard, indeed. It would take more than the entirety of the witch's army to wake that bale of hair."

Peter couldn't suppress a small chuckle at that, but his smile soon fell. Afraid for him? What…

"For the eldest child, you seem a little…naïve."

Peter lowered his gaze, resolutely ignoring the veiled insult. He was not going to let this immature banter get to him. Just because you knew more than somebody else, it didn't necessarily mean you were more intelligent.

Look at Susan and Lucy.

"Your brother loves you, and wants to keep you safe. And he'll do anything to do so."

Peter looked up at him, his heart too exhausted to ponder this properly. He couldn't take anymore hurt, any more reflections of past wrongs. He could only change the future; so he would dwell no more on the past.

"Do you understand how dangerous that could be?"

Peter turned a resolute, determined gaze upon the other, who met his challenge with a level, neutral gaze of his own.

"I would die for him first. Before he had the chance to do so."

Cifel let out an exasperated breath, and Peter lowered his gaze to look at Edmund.

"That would just kill you both. You must comprehend, Son of Adam. You gave got to give a little leeway. How can either of you watch your own back, when you are both trying to look over your shoulder?"

Peter looked up, the answer coming naturally to him.

"Then I'll watch both our backs."

"Foolish boy!"

Peter jumped slightly, and Edmund tightened his grip around Peter's chest, turning his head so they were now cheek to cheek. Cifel watched his movement with a smoldering gaze.

"Don't you see! This is ridiculous! You're going to get all of us killed, unless you climb out of your little paradise and realize that we could so easily lose."

Peter felt a sudden pang of pity as he saw a wild despair which he was accustomed to feeling within his own heart. This boy may be a guardian, the fallen ruler of an entire country…but now he was just a lost soul, who had forgotten how to hope.

Not unlike Peter himself.

Cifel sighed, and turned away again to brush the ashes of the fire into a neat pile.

"You watch each other's backs. No more, no less."

There was a moment of silence, as Peter pondered these words. But…well, he supposed now he thought about it…he expected trust from Edmund, but never gave it return.

Well, now was a better time than ever.

He turned to Cifel, watching his slouched position with interest.

"You are more afraid than I am, I think."

Cifel's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing to slits, and Peter inexplicably felt a sudden stab of fear which was not his own. It seemed to almost…stem…from the other. Pulsate.

"Were you scared? When you died, I mean?"

Cifel opened his mouth, hesitated, and snapped it shut. Peter listened carefully, feeling a strange connection with the other.

He seems sincere…how could he possibly…? Perhaps…but no…that's impossible, my defenses are impenetrable…unless…

Can you hear me, little Prince?

Peter jolted suddenly as the echoing voice addressed him bluntly. Cifel chuckled lightly, his lips curling up into a smug grin as a wall suddenly seemed to slam up, and the connection flickered. Then it faded.

"My apologies. I must have let my defenses down for a moment."

Peter frowned. Connection? Defenses? Had he been listening to the other's thoughts, feelings? How was that possible?

"You are curious. Well, there is no point in concealing it now, I suppose."

The emerald eyes flickered with a brief, gentle sympathy.

"We, but most especially you, are cursed. At any moment, the witch could force you to snap your own neck simply by lifting her finger, and you would do so without a second thought. How does that feel?"

His voice was flat, blunt, and emotionless. Peter's eyes widened, as the words sunk in. somehow, he had known something wasn't quite right. A lingering sense of numbing cold in his heart, which ached continuously. But he hadn't quite been prepared…for such…well…

Finality.

Or for him to only feel a small, polite sense of surprise at this information. After everything he had been through…one more peril, though daunting, seemed less terrible than perhaps it would have to the Peter Pevensie who had boarded that train so many weeks ago.

He sometimes wondered if he had left that little boy behind on the planes of battle. He wished…hoped…that maybe he still wept beside his father's cold, unmoving corpse.

And then, he felt afraid.

"You are no fool, and are wise beyond your years. But tell me; are you scared now?"

Peter closed his eyes tightly, and rested his forehead against Edmund's dark hair. He shivered, despite the warmth which emanated from his brother.

"A…little."

Cifel wrapped his arms around himself as a chill wind swept across the forest, and the leaves in the trees rustled ominously. He tilted his head upwards to the sky to gaze at the full moon.

He sighed.

"Good. You have every reason to be."

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Susan stood tall, straight backed and as regal as she could. The cold, early morning breeze was fresh and exhilarating. She felt her fingers itch with a nervous energy, and she clutched her bow tighter. Flecks of dew clung to her eyelashes, and she blinked them away irritably.

"Susan?"

Susan turned to look at Lucy, who sat upon a boulder beside her. Her hair caught in the wind, and splayed about her head like a halo. The sheathed dagger lay in her little sister's lap, and both of Lucy's hands clutched it loosely.

Ready for battle. To fight.

But what on earth for?

"Yes, Lucy?"

Lucy sighed, and pulled her cloak tighter about herself, glancing down at the droves of creatures which stood or sat in formation. They were strategically placed for the battle, each with their own part to play.

And, whether they knew it or not, Lucy also was strategically placed. From here, she could see both ends of the valley they had chosen in which to engage the enemy.

"How much longer?"

From any other nine year old, it would sound like a whine while waiting at a bus stop, an impatient request from their mother. But Lucy's voice was perfectly mature and even, and Susan swallowed as she followed her sister's gaze to the far end of the valley.

"Not long now, Lucy."

She said, before murmuring more to herself than anyone:

"Not long at all."

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The dawn had broken cold, and both Peter and Edmund were damp with dew. The Dwarf had spoken at length of his long, hard watch over them all night, at which Cifel and Peter had shared a knowing glance and rolled their eyes.

The sky was clear, and although it was cloudy, the atmosphere was thin. They settled for some apples from a convenient tree in place of breakfast, and set off. They reached the edge of the forest some time ago, and were now following the great river to find a suitable place to cross.

"Aye, aye, aye…"

Rabadash halted to wipe his sweating brow, as they all halted, some amused, some exasperated. Edmund suppressed a chuckle as Peter smiled as the little creature huffed and puffed even as he stood still.

"Come, Son of Earth. Not far to go now."

The dwarf glared at Cifel's forest green tunic, and Cifel shook his head, exasperated, but seemingly amused.

"Honestly, Thistlekin. Don't you think it's about time you dropped the act?"

The dwarf seemed to stiffen, but not in anger. Cifel, however, smiled knowingly and turned, pausing as he observed the landscape about them. He frowned. The river had reached the shallowest and thinnest point, but it was not enough to be able to cross without aid.

Edmund moved unconsciously closer to Peter as he eyed the darkly shifting waters with trepidation.

"I thought we've already been through this! Not…again. I can't."

Peter put a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder, recalling Cifel's words. Return trust, with trust. He shook Edmund gently, forcing him to look him in the eye.

"You can do it, Ed."

His voice was soft and sincere. Edmund blinked, seemingly surprised. Peter felt a certain guilty unease. Had he truly never told Edmund he had faith in him? But Edmund had never really needed it…

Until now.

"I know you can. Although, I'm afraid you might have to help me."

He shifted more weight off his aching ankle for emphasis, trying not to lean on Edmund more than was necessary. He wasn't sure how well he could swim with only one leg, and while wearing a heavy traveling pack. And he had no block of ice or embedded sword to help him this time.

Edmund bit his lip, and looked back to the surface of the river with uncertainty.

"But what if-"

"Och, ye won' drop im, laddie. Ye stronger than ye look, and mayhap more than even ye yerself think."

The dwarf's gruff, respectful tones filled Edmund's chest with a small sense of pride. He looked back to meet Peter's warm, fond gaze which glimmered with something Edmund had never seen before.

"I trust you, Edmund."

Edmund felt a grin split his face, and nodded, though his mouth was very dry. He wrapped his arm once more around his older brother's waist and readied himself for yet another plunge into the dark perilous waters.

They halted as Cifel raised a hand, staring with narrowed eyes down at the surface of the water.

Quite suddenly, flumes of spray flew upwards, and a split in the river formed with a soft, muffled hiss. The waters parted, revealing the pebbled bottom of the riverbed. The waves tumbled and crashed at the edges of the newly formed path, but seemed to catch themselves before they fell.

Cifel turned to flash a lopsided smile at his three companions.

"Well, it seems we still have allies in this war."

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A/N: 'The parting of the red sea' was inspiration for the last scene. I do so like my bible references…and there are more to come! I'll explain each as we go, though, so don't worry.

Cifel: (crosses arms) What am I, Moses or something?

Nope. Lucifer, actually, but we won't get technical. And you're only a representation. Anyway…

I added one of my reviewers favourite words, 'flumes', in as a token of gratitude. Thanks to all who reviewed! If you review again, I may just refrain from causing too much pain for the boys when-

(Sticks tongue out) You'll have to wait and see!

Cifel: You're really evil. I think I'm beginning to like you.

Anyway, review, and receive just reward for it courtesy of me and CS Lewis' fabulous cast!

Cifel: And me!

(Sigh) Yes, and you. Review!