Ehards29: Holy lack of updates, Batman! Wow, how freakin' long has it been, I've lost count. Sorry guys, I've had major writer's block/buttloads of homework. I'm a senior, I don't have time for boring school work, I have Narnia fanfics to write! Jeez, teachers, get with it.

I would also like to take the chance to address a grievance that was stated by one reviewer who stated that the line from my last chapter "His begging, his growling, his desperate need for her" was a bit, risqué, let's say. I laughed when I read that, because my original intention was to describe the scene in the movie where Edmund comes to Jadis's castle was like "But I came to see you!" It may have been a bit of an extreme description, so I'm sorry for the confusion! I don't want anyone thinking that this fic belongs on adult fanfiction. LOL.

Anywho, you know the deal: Read, enjoy, review.

Thoughts/song lyrics

For a Window in Paradise

By: Ehards29

Chapter 3: Sacrfice

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Like a mother's morning dress

Like a father to impress

I'll do anything for you

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"Peter!" Edmund shouted as he lunged toward his elder brother. The boy winced as the Cyclopes pulled hard on his chains, cruelly restraining him.

"Edmund, stop, you'll only hurt yourself. Stay calm." Peter commanded.

It took every once of strength Peter had in his soul to utter these words with as much confidence as he did. Inside, his soul was screaming with a combination of guilt and hatred, the likes of which he had never felt in his life. His baby brother, the boy he had sworn to his mother to protect was bound and shackled, his skin bruised, his body frail and thin from lack of food. All because of him.

Jadis smiled at the unfortunate scene before her. She slowly paced over to Edmund, placing a thin, cruel hand on the boy's shoulder, squeezing it hard. Edmund winced with the weight of the witch's grasp. Jadis knelt down to Edmund's level, her eyes never leaving Peter's sky blue orbs.

"You know Edmund, I do believe you're right, your brother is indeed not very intelligent. Foolishness must run in the family."

Peter lunged forward, but Maugrim bit him on his bad ankle, sending the boy to his knees once more.

Jadis laughed.

"Peter, Son of Adam, I am attempting to understand the logic that brought you to my castle, but for the life of me, I just can't wrap my mind around it. You come here, injured, unarmed, and very much alone, and believe that you can make hostage demands with me. I now have two of Aslan's prized humans in my possession, and you expect me to give one of them up. My word, truly you have proven that bravery and foolishness do in fact go hand in hand."

Peter glared at the witch. Truly he was fighting a losing battle, but for his brother, he had to try, to believe that it was a battle he could win. Nothing else mattered now, nothing but getting Edmund home safe.

"Just hear me out." He stated stoically

Jadis cocked an eyebrow. Releasing her hand from Edmund's shoulder, she seated herself coolly on her ice thrown.

"Very well, speak."

"For the prophesy you so fear to be fulfilled, all four humans must be seated at Cair Paravel." Peter began.

"What's your point?" Jadis snapped.

"My point is that only having one of us in your possession is enough to stop the prophesy from coming true, there is no need for two of us. Edmund is no longer of use to you, I am the eldest of the family, the one Aslan is has picked to lead his army. I am your greatest threat; imprison me in exchange for Edmund and you will not only have stopped the prophesy, but you will have greatly handicapped Aslan's army." Peter's heart was beating hard in his chest.

This has to work, please let this work.

Jadis studied the passionate boy before her. The fire in his eyes was unmistakable. It burned bright and hotly. Even she, the Imperial Queen of Narnia was impressed with the boy's speech. She rose from her throne, and began to pace. She really owed the Son of Adam nothing; and she found it strange that she was even considering his proposal. Then suddenly it hit her like a ton of bricks. Her eyes glistened with pride, her plan unfolding in front of her very eyes. A way to make them all suffer. Aslan, the traitor and his foolish, overly noble brother. Now the cards really were all in her hand.

"I accept." Jadis calmly stated.

Both the Pevensies' heads shot up.

"What?" Peter asked.

"I said that I accept your proposal Son of Adam. I will free your brother in exchange for your imprisonment." "Mador", she motioned toward the Cyclopse holding Edmund's bounds, "Let him free."

Mador grunted, slowly loosening the chains around Edmund's ankles and wrists. As soon as he was free, Edmund ran as hard as he could toward his brother, his eyes blinded with tears.

"Peter!" Edmund cried as he flew into his brother's arms. "Please, please, Peter don't do this, please, please! This is my - this is my mistake. This isn't yours! Peter, please!"
Edmund began to sob; the tears streamed down his face without a second thought.

"Big boys don't cry" his father would always remind him, but now none of that mattered. Peter, his big brother, was going to suffer like he did, maybe even worse. Suffer for nothing; suffer for what he did wrong. It was all wrong! Not Peter, not Peter! His arms squeezed his brother's neck, utter and silent promise that he would never let go. Brave Peter, noble Peter was better than him in everyway, why should he suffer?

"No, no, no, Peter, you can't. No, no, NO!" Edmund's tears blurred his vision, his throat horse from his screaming.

"It's okay Edmund', Peter cooed, rubbing the boy's back, slowly and soothingly, the way his mother used to do when he was younger. The mother whose children he had promised to keep safe. All of them. Suddenly, the crushing weight of the situation fell upon him. What was to be his fate? And Edmund's? Susan, Lucy, Narnia. What would become of them? Would they die here, would he die in her hands? Peter desperately pushed the tears back. His father had always told him that big boys didn't cry.

"It's alright Edmund, I'm not going anywhere."

Peter didn't know if it was Edmund or himself he was talking to.

Jadis's voice cut like a knife through silence.

"How wonderful, it touches me deeply to see such love between two brothers. To see such, sacrifice." Her last word held a weight behind it that neither boy quite understood.

At least not yet.

"But I'm afraid that I am going to have to cut the family reunion short." "Mador!" She shouted. "Bind little Eddy's brother and take him to his cell, I will deal with him shortly."

Edmund's eyes grew wide as the giant monstrosity lumbered toward them.

"Wait." Peter's voice rang. Jadis looked up. "If we go through with this, I want a promise that Edmund will remain unharmed."

Jadis smiled. "Of course Peter, my word is my guarantee." That being said", she glanced coyly at the boy, "As Queen, I must adhere to the laws upon which Narnia was built."

Peter glared at her. "And what, pray tell, does that mean?" Edmund looked up at his brother, the anger painfully evident in his eyes.

"We had a deal witch, my brother is not to be harmed!"

"Of course, however, little Peter, as you will learn in time, there are things that are beyond even my control. Furthermore, as long as you are in my custody, you will address me with the respect I deserve, I am "Your Majesty", not "witch". Your brother knew his place; you would do well to learn yours."

Peter glared as Mador hoisted him up harshly by the shoulders and began working on his ankle binds.

"Get away from him, get back you monster!" Edmund began desperately pounding on the Cyclops's waist. The great beast swung his arm, knocking Edmund to the ground.

"Ed!" Peter cried. Edmund attempted to get to his feet, but Maugrim and his pack surrounded the boy, blocking him from his brother.

"Listen to me Edmund, I want to you to run." Peter shouted. "Run as fast as you can and don't look back! Run east past the river and find the girls. You hear me, you need to find them, you need to find Aslan."

Edmund's eyes stung as he watched his wounded brother roughed by the Cyclopes, and knew that he must do as Peter told him. He would find Lucy, Susan, Aslan and all of Narnia, and he would come back and fight the witch, he would save his brother. He would atone for his sin. He swore to God he would.

"Little Eddy seems a bit reluctant. Maybe he needs a bit of motivation." Jadis stated. "Maugrim."

The wolf snapped at Edmund's ankles, and suddenly he was on his feet. The boy took one last look at his big brother, and sprinted out of the witch's keep. Making himself a private vow as his took one last look into her vapid eyes.

This is far from over.

"God speed, Ed." Peter whispered.

The Cyclopes had finished his task; Peter was now completely bound by the cruel, cold chains that once held his brother.

"And now Son of Adam, you will learn your first lesson in showing proper respect. Mador, bring him here."

Peter was dragged to the Queen's front, her eyes devoid of all emotion.

"Bow to me little king." She commanded.

"No." Peter's eyes glowed with defiance; he would never bow to such an awful woman.

"Tsk, tsk, looks like you're a slow learner boy. Mador!"

The Cyclopes tugged on Peter's binds, they sharply cut into his bad ankle, bringing him to his knees in pain.

Jadis smiled. "There, now that's better. Maugrim, come to me." The wolf stalked to the witch's side.

"Yes, you're Highness?"

"Follow the boy, he will lead you to Aslan and the others, but don't let him know you are in tow."

"Yes, my lady." And with that, the Captain of the Secret Police and his company were off.

"What!" Peter shouted. "You promised that you wouldn't harm him!"

"True." Jadis stated, examining her nails. "And technically, I'm not. But I have to make sure my little Eddykins doesn't get himself into any trouble, no don't I?"

"You miserable liar!" Peter struggled against his binds.

"It seems you are a very slow learner, and my patience is wearing thin. Mador, take care of him."

That last thing Peter remembered was the great Cyclops's arm swinging toward his head, and the sound of a high, cold laugh. Then, everything went dark.


Ehards29: Well wasn't that fun? No? (Emits an Edmund-like scowl). Well, even if it wasn't the greatest piece of literature you have read, a review (but not flame) would be appreciated!

Until then, I'm off to count the days until April 4th, because I do not have enough Peter/Edmund fluff to fill my day!