A/N: Ok, I've got to get this done…I keep putting the major chapter off. Gah! But I don't want to screw it up. This chapter is pretty much all the boy's centric. The girls are just sitting and waiting, really.

Edmund: (blinks) Uh…a reviewer gave us wood and a tinder box, and thanks, but…none of us know how to…um…use it…the dwarf keeps muttering about his beard catching fire…

Cifel: (snatches supplies away) Humans really are pathetic…

IMPORTANT: I understand some reviewers don't know what to say in their reviews anymore, but please carry on with your support! Perhaps add in a few bits and pieces you particularly liked, or didn't like. That way I can improve!

Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter!

ALSO IMPORTANT: REMEMBER THESE TWO DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY TO AVOID EXTREME CONFUSION:

This is Cifel, then later Peter after scene one

This is Edmund

Chapter thirty three

Silence.

"They've…gone."

And he was right. Where once a glorious, prosperous encampment stood on a lush green field, only a deserted stretch of hollow valley lay. Small patches of yellowed, parched grass outlined the mocking shadows of where tents once stood.

Edmund felt his heart sink as Peter lowered his head in disappointment and slumped against him. His momentary burst of strength at the prospect of seeing the girls had gone in the blink of an eye.

Cifel scowled, staring around at the landscape with an agitated expression. He seemed to be listening intently, his eyes roving over flattened patches of grass and chiseled rock features.

"They went northwest. By night, only a few hours ago."

The dwarf huffed, swinging his axe up over his shoulder as Cifel straightened up from his knelt position and folded his arms.

"And jus' ow do ye figure that, laddie?"

Edmund and Peter shared a somewhat weak amused smile as the banter broke out. Peter took a deep breath, and closed his eyes tightly. Edmund tightened his arm around his brother's waist, and they stood in silence, each drawing comfort from the other's waning strength.

"We'll see them soon."

Edmund's voice did not come out as strong as he had hoped. Peter drowsily opened his eyes, and looked at Edmund with clouded blue eyes filled with uncertainty. But Edmund understood.

For once, Peter wasn't trying to hide his fear. He was trusting Edmund with their fate, and expected Edmund to trust in him in return.

And he did.

Peter leant his head against Edmund's, an arm going around his little, or not so little, brother's shoulder and squeezing gently.

"We'll be alright. We all will."

"Not if we never get there, we won't…"

The quiet moment was broken, and the two brothers turned to regard Cifel with almost identical frowns of annoyance. The guardian blinked, smirked, and hoisted his pack over his shoulder.

"Forming a united front, are we, boys?"

Peter and Edmund looked at each other, and simultaneously raised an eyebrow and rolled their eyes, sighing. Cifel huffed at being shrugged off so, shifting uncomfortably and turning glimmering eyes to watch the skies.

"I must leave you now."

Peter and Edmund's heads both snapped up at that, but Cifel refused to look at them. Rabadash spoke the words which neither dared to speak.

"Why, in hells name!"

The wind picked up, as Cifel's eyes clouded over, and he gazed off into the distance. Peter got the distinct impression that he could see, or hear, something which neither he nor Edmund could.

Unless…

He channeled his strength, concentrating, and listened intently.

…but no, they shall not prevail…they are outnumbered, and I fear vulnerability from the east…they shall be slaughtered by morning if something is not done…

Peter schooled his features to impassive curiosity. Cifel knew where Susan and Lucy were, what they were doing. Were they preparing to engage with the witch's forces? Were they, as he and Edmund stood here, already facing bloody, hopeless carnage?

"The Lion's forces will not suffice. We need more strength, more creatures to fight. I believe I can bring them if I leave now."

Cifel lowered his gaze to stare at his three companions, who all stood silently, surveying him. He met all their eyes in turn, his gaze lingering on Edmund as he spoke.

"Do you trust me?"

For what reasons should they? I brought them all nothing but pain. My people, my land. I cannot even feel true to myself.

"You go the witch's castle?"

Edmund spoke softly, and Peter looked to him in surprise. It was the first time his brother had spoken of that…place…since they had left so many days ago. He shivered involuntarily as Edmund stared Cifel levelly in the eye.

"Yes, I do. You consent then?"

Edmund's shoulders slumped in defeat, and he lowered his head in weary exhaustion. Peter tightened his hold around his brother's shoulders, allowing Edmund to make his own way.

"What other choice do we have?"

Edmund straightened, squared his shoulders, and carefully withdrew from Peter's embrace to stand before the guardian, seeming suddenly far older and more regal than Peter had ever seen him.

He extended a steady hand, which the guardian looked at, then reluctantly took. They stood for a moment, and Edmund spoke again.

"Return swiftly; betray my trust, or endanger my family…then guardian or no…"

Edmund's grip around Cifel's hand grew tight, and the bones in both their hands creaked under the pressure. He leant forward, and whispered in a hushed, dangerous voice.

"…I shall resurrect your heart and rip the beating organ from your bleeding chest."

Edmund's eyes blazed with a passionate, smoldering energy.

"Have we reached an understanding?"

Peter glanced between them, confused. He had not been able to catch what Edmund had said, but a sinister, burning gleam had appeared in his brother's eyes as he spoke. He frowned, and resolved to wait.

Cifel's emerald eyes lightened in amusement, and he pulled back, his face showing a reluctant, grudging appraisal.

"Why, Son of Adam. It seems you have a backbone after all."

He smirked, and turned, and Peter drew in a sharp breath as two creamy coloured wings emerged from the guardian's back. Cifel crouched, then hesitated as he prepared to leap.

"Understand that we both strive to protect what is dear to us, Edmund. From here on, if those two desires should conflict…you shall render yourself my enemy."

And he was gone, in a powerful flex of his wings, soaring off over the darkening fields as the clouds lowered and the smell of burning electricity filled the air.

It seemed a storm was brewing.

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Peter and Edmund sat comfortably huddled below a small outcropping in the rock face of the valley, as the rain slapped viciously against the structure above them. They watched in silence as the rivulets of water formed trailing streams which fell down before them like a cascading waterfall.

The atmosphere was unbearably tense. Rabadash had wandered off, muttering something about getting a feel for the landscape. Soon after, a torrent of rain had begun to fall, and Edmund and Peter had been forced to take shelter in a small hollow in the hillside.

So here they sat, both stiff and aching from various pains, waiting for the storm to pass.

Edmund started as a clap of thunder sounded, and a flash of sudden light filled the valley. It sounded like the very sky above their heads was tearing itself apart.

"Do you think…we'll perhaps…see them tomorrow? When the storm has passed?"

Edmund asked of his brother, not turning to look at him. He made no attempt at hiding his own anticipation, and some trepidation, at the prospect of being united as a family once again.

Peter shifted uncomfortably, and Edmund looked up at him. His brother wrapped his arms around his knees, which he brought to his chest, and rested his chin on them. He breathed out slowly, and closed his eyes.

"I…don't know, Ed. I just don't know. I'm not sure of anything anymore."

Edmund turned to him, alarmed to hear that defeated tone creeping into Peter's voice once again. Weak. Despairing. Clinging to the frayed edges of sanity.

"How can you say that? We're almost there. And…"

Edmund bit his lip, his confidence in his brother's trust in him beginning to waver. How could Peter be unsure, now?

"We're together. You said…we'd be alright. As long as we're together."

He said it to encourage himself just as much as to reinforce his brother's belief. Peter still refused to look at him, staring out at the dismal tirade of rain with an utterly wretched expression on his face.

"When…when I was at the witch's castle…I…"

He turned to Edmund, confusion and questioning in his gaze. Edmund's heart leapt in sudden panic, as he realized what Peter was about to ask of him.

"Edmund…what did happen in that nightmare, in that place?"

Edmund's heart thudded painfully fast, as Peter turned away again, whispering something so quietly Edmund could barely hear it.

"Was it all a dream? It can't have been…"

Edmund stared at his brother's hunched shoulders, and watched as Peter shuddered, his lanky frame seeming to shatter and break even as Edmund watched, reflecting the turmoil within.

"Stop it!"

He grabbed his brother's shoulder and grasped it with a fist shaking with panic. He took a shuddering breath, calming himself.

"Tell me…please…what did you see?"

Peter bit his lip, and Edmund watched in fascination as it turned white then split, a well of blood seeping from the self inflicted wound.

"I…can't. I-"

Peter's voice was hushed, despairing.

"Can't? Or won't!"

Edmund felt his anger rise coupled with his fear, and his heart began to beat painfully fast. Peter closed his eyes tightly, bowing his head.

"You won't tell me what happened! I don't want to see you hurt…I…couldn't bear it…not again…"

"You'll hurt me more if you hurt yourself! Peter…please…tell me. What did you see, when…"

Peter raised his head and looked at Edmund, and Edmund started at the raw pain he could see in his brother's eyes. Fear and anger were flooded with concern, and he shifted closer.

"I…can't, Edmund….it hurts too much…"

Edmund's eyes narrowed, and he was struck with sudden inspiration. His father had always said 'a problem shared was a problem halved'. Peter couldn't possibly argue with their own father's logic.

"Then tell me! Daddy always said-"

"NO!"

Edmund jumped as a wild terror filled those wild blue eyes, and Peter's voice rose and broke. He was breathing heavily now, his face filling with a quiet desperation.

"Edmund…I…no…if you don't tell me what happened at the castle, I shan't tell you…well, it hardly matters…"

Edmund shook his brother, hard.

"HARDLY MATTERS! Peter, you're killing yourself over this. We're killing each other. But I can't tell you, no more than you believe you can tell me. But I…I'm stronger now. I can shoulder the weight. Please?"

Blood spilled from the cut and trickled down Peter's chin.

"I…"

Peter hesitated. Edmund felt a terrible pain fill his heart as disappointment filled his chest like lead.

"You still don't trust me? You still doubt…you…"

Had it all been a lie? Did Peter no more trust in him, than he seemed to trust in himself?

"You said you believed in me…"

His voice came out hoarse, broken, and he winced and turned his head sharply away. He didn't want to see the panic in those eyes again. He couldn't take it, not anymore.

They were both so close to breaking now…

"I do, Edmund! It's just…I…I don't want to hurt you…"

Peter was on the brink of tears now. Edmund could tell from his fluctuating voice. In his minds eye, he could see those china blue eyes filling with unshed moisture. He shuddered. Peter reached out a trembling hand to grasp his shoulder.

"I never wanted to hurt you…"

I would kill myself, if I thought it would relieve you of your pain…

"No more than I wish to hurt you!"

I would gladly die before I let any hurt befall you…

"I'm not some china doll, Ed! I won't shatter if you drop me!"

But I would. I feel so fragile, like a limp candle flickering in a high wind…as though any moment I may break…I'm pathetic…

"And I'm not the child you want me to be!"

I can do this…and yet I feel so helpless…no matter what I do, you always seem to suffer because of me…

"Terrible things are about to happen, Edmund! Were anything to happen to you, I…it's…all my fault…if only…"

I could die with every passing moment. And who would care for Edmund, for the others, when I am gone? Daddy can't. Not anymore.

"Can't you see? All the fault…the guilt…is mine alone to bear. Why can't you accept that?"

If only, if only, if only…there is no use in looking to the past…I can only change the future…

"Edmund, how can you say that! You don't understand!"

Why can't I ever understand?

"Because I'm a child? Grow up, Peter!"

Help me grow up, Peter. I don't know what to do.

"I…don't…I never wanted…to hurt you…"

I would never, if the world would live for countless, endless years, want to hurt you.

"Yeah? Well, here's a revelation!"

I don't want to say this. I don't mean this.

"You already have."

I've already destroyed us both. So completely and utterly, we cannot even begin to place the shattered shards within hope close around us.

"I HATE YOU!"

I love you so much it hurts.

And as two hearts broke in the dark chaos of the storm, the rain only fell harder, pounding upon the hard packed earth in seeming anguish.

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Edmund was running. So hard, so fast, he could feel cold fire fill his chest with agony as he struggled to breath. His stomach ached, his limbs stung with exhaustion, but still he ran.

But from what, he didn't know.

Sodden strands of limp, dark hair obscured his vision, and his feet were heavier than the largest weight. His lungs burnt with their desire for oxygen, but he ignored it, eyes welling up with furious tears.

He would be content to never draw another breath.

He sank down in the muddy slush at the crest of one of the hills, and rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet as he buried his face in his arms, blood roaring in his ears.

Black spots danced like mocking shadows before his eyes, and his head pounded so hard with adrenaline he felt it would explode. Still he refused to take a breath, his strength waning as he realized he hardly cared.

And then he took a choked, harsh, gasping breath.

As a blood curdling scream suddenly tore the chaos asunder, echoing about the valley from where Edmund had come with terrible finality.

And then, all was quiet.

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Peter screamed, by the way.

A/N: Edmund is so utterly desperate, he lost control. As his thoughts dictated, he doesn't want to say these things to Peter. He just doesn't know how to say those three simple words.

You know the ones I mean! I would suggest re-reading the poem, or curse, which was placed on Peter before reading the next chapter.

And yes, the cliffhanger was evil.

No, I don't care.

Oh, I found this. Thought it might be interesting:

"The character of Peter probably grows and develops the most of all during the course of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. At the beginning of the story, Peter is at home with his mother when London is being bombed. He is then handed the responsibility for his brothers and sisters.

'And he grows into that. He has to find his strength and his courage and ability to lead, and he has to watch over and protect the entire country of Narnia.'"

Walden Media Narnia site, Educator's Guide, Page 12

Cifel: (eager) Ooo, will there be fighting in the next one? And swords! And blood!

Uh…yes. But not for Cifel, unfortunately. His turn will come soon enough, however. Hmmm…interesting. With each chapter, there are approximately 100-200 hits. And usually, only about ten reviews.

Veeeeeeery interesting…well, don't feel obligated. Wait, do! No, seriously, I'm not being some stuffy whiner…I'm delighted with every reader, whether they like the story or not.

Cifel: Review, you people! She's losing confidence, here!

(smiles nervously) Yeah, I'm really nervous about the next chapter…some encouragement, or helpful advice, would be nice.