Title: Were it N- Okay, why do I keep typing this? You know the story (I'd hope), you know I don't own any of the characters or anything (that would be ole C. S.), and the rating...Well, FINE. -laughs-

Rating: Okay, just for your protection, we'll say PG. -laughs-

A/N: Whew! Sorry, I'm really hyper. Anyway, I am working my fingers trying to get this up before we move. This is, basically, the end, but I'm writing an epilogue for the sake of it before I move on to my next Fan Fic, and work on my current, neglected one. -laughs- Warning, again, it goes so incredible fast that it's ridiculous, but R&R anyway...?


Chapter Six: The Deep Magic

A bright flash of blue caught the youth's attention, whirling around in shock to see what had caused the strange irruption. Peter's lips parted in a scream; his brother stood, doubled over the Witch's wand, which the Witch herself had embedded in Edmund's middle.

"Edmund!" he screamed, but his brother did not seem to hear him. Frozen in shock, he watched as Edmund crumpled upon the ground, motionless.

All in a whirl, memories of the Stone Table entered his mind…'The dagger bared over his brother…the blade descending…it's edges shining as if almost with delight…His brother's ebon eyes closing…'

'No…not again…NOT AGAIN!' Fierce rage boiled within Peter, his cerulean eyes flaming with hate. With a cry, he plunged his sword into his attacker, bringing the evil beast's life to an end, and just as quickly, pulled it out, whirling to face the Witch, who had dropped her severed wand, and now held Edmund's abandoned sword. She already had begun to advance upon him, both swords held taut.

With all the strength he could muster, he swung his sword at his brother's torturer, intending for her to feel all the pain she had brought to his brother.

His weapons path was brought to an abrupt end as Jadis deflected the blow with mock ease. All too fast, Peter found her sword coming towards him- he blocked it, turning sharp to attack again.

The two were lost in a flurry of twists and turns, aiming blow after blow at each other. The fact that one false move would prove fatal did not daunt Peter- he was lost in a storm of fury, tears of rage streaming down his face- 'She killed him…She killed him once…!'

And only once, he tried to convince himself…But there was no time to dwell upon that. He raised his sword frantically, again aiming another blow at her-

A deafening roar split the shrieks and clangs of metal against metal, and a pause entered the two's duel…Peter turned his wide eyes to the cliffs…And a joyous sight met his eyes.

Aslan stood, sharp, long ivories bared- but he was far from alone. He had brought what seemed a whole new army to the rescue. Lucy stood beside the Lion, her eyes wide terrified but grim-

Clash. The Witch had managed to afflict a sharp blow on his shoulder, bringing him back from his daze. A dull throbbing began, but he did not dwell upon it; he couldn't. He released another blow, only to have it stopped, finding himself lost in a fierce, frantic fight:

Turn, dodge, attack, block;

Turn, dodge, attack, block;

Turn, dodge, attack, block;

Turn, dodge, attack, block;

Turn, fall, fall, fall…

And fall Peter did, sprawled upon his back, staring up at the livid eyes of the Witch, his sword falling from his grip slack with shock. With a sharp jab, Jadis sank one sword through his mail, catching his shoulder. Peter grimaced, subconsciously releasing a yelp of pain; but there was no time to hesitate. Frantically, he raised his shield, only to have it knocked aside.

Wide eyed in hate and terror, he watched as she raised her sword, knowing what was soon to follow-

All in a rush, a blur of gold leapt over him, knocking the Witch from the fallen boy. With a scramble, he pulled the sword pinning him down free, getting to his feet. Aslan stood, teeth bared over the Witch…And all at once, her life was ended.

'It's over…She's gone…she's gone…Narnia is free…' he convinced himself…And not a moment later, Aslan slowly padded from the lifeless frame of the Witch, setting amber eyes upon Peter. "It is done," the Lion stated quietly.

"Peter!" Hearing his name, he turned to see a joyous Lucy and a red-faced Susan running towards him. His sisters…He was so glad to see his sisters…

"Oh, Peter!" cried Lucy, wrapping her arms around him; tiredly, he returned the embrace. "Oh, Peter, is it true? Aslan said Edmund is alive! I've told Susan!"

"I saw him! Oh, I thought I was dreaming, Peter! His horse's whinny; it sounded so beautiful!" the older girl exclaimed in a rush; "Oh Peter, where is he?"

Their smiles faded at Peter's expression- it was, all at once, bewildered, terrified, and filled with grief. He suddenly broke away from his sisters, running…No, Aslan, no, save him, save my little brother…

He found Edmund lying still on the ground, his lips parting in horror- dark streams of crimson blood were visible on the grass around the felled boy.

But before he could even reach his brother, Ginnarbrik had managed to hobble near Edmund, weakly raising his axe with a final stand. With a quick, fluid motion, Susan pulled an arrow from her quiver, drawing it taut on the string of her upraised bow. "Edmund!" Her cry was released with an accurate arrow, and with a gasp, the dwarf fell dead.

As soon as the dwarf was felled, Peter continued forward, diving on his knees beside his brother, barely relieved through his shaken terror at the shuddering, shallow gasps coming from the youth. The boy's face was contorted with pure agony; it was so clear he was suffering…

And Edmund was suffering. Though he tried to wish away the pain, it would not leave him…He was barely aware of Peter cradling him close in those same, protective arms…

Peter looked up pleadingly at his sisters as Lucy and Susan fell beside him, their feelings mutual. Already, tears were streaming down Lucy's face as the girl softly cried…But wait- "As if a flame had alit within her, she jammed her hand to her belt, fumbling over the clasp that held her cordial…" All at once, she gripped the bottle at her side, fumbling with the clasp in her state of terror before managing to toss it aside. With trembling hands, she tipped the bottle, letting a single, shimmering drop of liquid fall from the lip of the glass and on Edmund's open lips, silent cries coming from the dying boy.

Peter could not believe his very eyes- he could feel the strong, vibrant spirit ebbing away much to quickly; his brother's body beginning to fall limp in his arms; the drumming of Edmund's heart slowing; the boy's strained gasps growing fainter…

The drumming slowing…slowing…slowing…

Stopping.

All at once, the shuddering gasps faded, a soft look of tranquility passing over his brother's face. Peter's breath caught in his throat. 'No…no…NO!" His brother wasn't dead; not again; no, no; it couldn't be; he can't, he can't-

Cough.

Peter blinked.

Cough.

Once more, Edmund released a soft, spluttering cough, followed by a gasp of air. The elder boy faltered, stunned for a moment, now feeling the soft thrum of his brother's heartbeat start anew as dark, sparkling brown eyes fluttered open drearily, another cough escaping Edmund.

With a slurred moment, the boy's vision returned, sliding thickly into view- Susan, covered in archer's leather armor, smiling relieved down at him, Lucy beside her, the girl's face stained with tears, though she was laughing. Edmund blinked blearily again, a soft smile curving his lips, now turning to look up at his brother.

Peter was frozen, thick tears still streaming down the youth's face. Then all at once, Edmund found himself collected in his brother's arms, pulled into a fierce embrace. His brother's breath's came in soft shudders, his whole frame trembling with shock. Edmund's eyes widened with a shock of his own, alarmed to find himself in his brother's arms; but after a moment, his smile returned, and he sighed with contentment.

Peter softly pulled away, his hands still clasping Edmund's shoulders, giving him a soft shake. Peter blinked, taking a good, long look at his brother. How could it be…? Why did Edmund have to do so much when it was him who needed so much…A smile shone through the tears streaming down the elder's face.

And again, Edmund found himself amidst a loving embrace; with a laugh, Susan and Lucy joined in as well, putting everyone at equal levels of happiness. They were, at long last, together again…They had made through the devastation, the tears, the yelling (though perhaps not at each other)…

Then the moment passed as Edmund tensed suddenly beneath their arms, causing them to draw away, sending quizzical looks at their brother. The boy was staring, somewhat soberly, forward, past Peter. Peter turned to meet what Edmund was transfixed upon, and found himself gazing at Aslan, casting a soft breath across a stone satyr, which soon stumbled forward back into its life. The lion turned from the revived creature after a pause, locking his gaze with Edmund's.

Peter sensed there was something he did not know between his brother and Aslan as he let his gaze wander from soul to soul; his gaze finally locked on his brother. Two tears tumbled from the deep browns, causing a bout of alarm to course through Peter. 'No…not more bad news…not now…'

"Ed…Edmund?" Lucy tentatively asked, a slight tremor running through her voice.

The boy blinked, seeming to come back from a daze; at the same time, another tear streamed down his face. Edmund glanced at Lucy, who now looked stricken, and offered a small, broken smile; though it was meant to be a friendly gesture, everyone could easily see the sorrow behind it.

A knot was quickly forming in Edmund's throat, keeping him a loss for words, though his mouth opened to speak. "Oh…Lucy….you shouldn't have healed me," he finally managed in a soft, strangled whisper.

"Ed, don't be silly," the girl replied much too quickly, a touch of fright betraying her voice.

A soft, spluttering laugh broke from her brother; it was humorless. "No, Lucy…You shouldn't have," he persisted in that same, strained whisper. By now, there was a small stream flowing from his eyes. "It's…it's too hard to say goodbye."

Now Peter took a stand. "Quit talking nonsense, Ed," he snapped, terrified now. When Edmund made no sign of speaking again, he turned to Aslan. "Aslan, what's going on?"

The Lion sighed. "Peter, I am not one who can work against the Emperor's magic; I did have the power to bring your brother back for a short while-"

"During the war?" Peter demanded angrily.

"Son of Adam, understand; had Edmund not proven himself an innocent soul, he would have been condemned for eternity." Edmund averted his eyes away from his siblings, a small drift of guilt catching him. "He has proven and saved himself from a terrible fate."

Then there was silence; terrible, torturing silence. Peter's hand, still on Edmund's shoulder, fell away in numbness as the elder boy slowly let the Lion's word seep through his mind, though he simply could not bear them. His little brother…his only brother…

"Aslan, there has to be a way." Edmund's trembling voice split the quiet. His gaze pressed the Lion, searching for any notion- a thread of alarm and annoyance ran through his consciousness; he caught the faintest hint of a smile in Aslan's face. Then, slowly, the terrified sorrow began to seep from his face. "There is a way," he whispered.

"Dear heart, as I have said, I cannot work against the Deep Magic. It is impossible. But even if I could before, I couldn't now." All eyes were upon the golden Lion, who shook his mane slightly, flicking one ear, letting his secret smile show. "That is because you already have."

Now Peter, Susan, and Lucy gazed at their brother, the faintest hints of relief and joy crossing through their faces; Edmund, however, contorted in question. "Aslan…I…What?" he stuttered, bewildered.

"Son of Adam, you fulfilled the Deep Magic already; When you died, you died according to the law- you were a traitor. When I sent you back, you were already blessed; and during the war, you heeded my words. Selflessly, you defended Peter with your life under your decision." Edmund blinked. "The traitor's blood had been spilled; as far as I'm concerned, you are no longer that Traitor."

The boy blinked again, twice, understanding…Slowly, a soft smile of hope crossed through his face. "So…" He was almost breathless; "I can stay?"

Aslan nodded, softly padding away to revive a nymph entrapped within stone, leaving the siblings to themselves.

Again, the four were left in silence, but it was no longer tense with hostility; grins were already curving through their lips.

Then, all at once, Edmund burst out laughing; not necessarily for humor…It was just so…relieving, so wonderful. He was back…He was, even more so, saved. Perhaps it would be a while before he could entirely feel at ease with himself. But for the moment, he was sitting, well and alive, next to his siblings.

Lucy, ever present to show her bright, bubbling attitude, was soon to follow, clear wonderful laughter mixing with her brother's as she threw her arms around his neck. Soft laughter came from both Peter and Susan as they exchanged looks of relief and joy, watching as their younger siblings embraced.

And though no one saw them, Edmund shed soft, blissful tears; he was back with three of the people he loved most.


A/N: So there you have it. Oh, by the way- if I don't gets more reviews, I'll put off that Epilogue...-blink cough blink- Please review, y'all, seriously. I need the inspiration. Especially with all the tensness of this move...There's, like, tense-mist all around...-glances around computer room; shudders; sinks down-

My goodness, this is the third time I've had to edit this since I turned it in... -laughs- Tell me if you see any errors, while you review...-blinks-