JUST and MAGNIFICENT
Volume 2 - Through the Fire
2.8 - One of the Many
Volume 2 of Just and Magnificent takes place about 2 years after the events of the movie. It is the second of three volumes. It is AU and if you haven't figured out, contains slash and incest. Hopefully you find it handled in a way that is as pure as possible.
Summary: Peter and Edmund struggle to find their way back to each other. The hag has one last deception up her sleeve. The battle is on!
Warnings: Slash, Incest, Love, Romance, Adventure, Mystery, and umm this chapter is another MONSTER
Disclaimer: Only characters that are mine are the Pretty Eyes People from Shian! All the rest belong to that master of awesomeness, C.S. Lewis
MEMORIES IN BALANCE
"How much farther?" Edmund asked, as the keeper guided him through Salei Barion.
Edmund's eyes were closed, and he was forced to use his instincts to track the keeper. He had already seen too much of Salei Barion. More than the living should be allowed to see. Yet he was no ordinary living, he had once been a fallen himself. And though his memory of that time had been wiped when his life was restored, these memories would stay.
His mind still filled with thoughts of what he had seen in the slab that bore his name. Hints of the future. This whole place somehow felt like a giant clue that he could not decipher.
"We will reach the end soon."
"Might I ask, what is the meaning of the two … well … I mean, half of this place seemed like a green field. Peaceful. The other was a dark, despairing place, like some void filled with the fallen. And then you, you appear as both a minotaur and a centaur. What is the nature of it all?"
"Once again, you are beginning to ask the right questions. Balance, Son of Adam. Balance must be kept. This place is neutral. I am neutral. I keep balance. You are a part of that balance. For now, all you need to know is for every action, there is a reaction. A check to every balance must be made. Your fallen army was not granted the gift of Salei Barion without a price. Balance must be kept. One day, you will understand. It is the way of things. I do not take sides. I simply keep balance until the day the stars rain down from the heavens. In this place, balance must be kept …"
GUILT
Even though Peter knew that Edmund did not wish to be touched. Even though Peter knew Edmund would not welcome his presence. Still, Peter could not bring himself to be anywhere else but beside his weary and wounded love. He sat, as he had done many times before, simply watching Edmund sleep.
Peter's eyes were raw and his heart heavy with grief. The day's events had not been welcoming. Eris's death had cast everyone in a somber mood. Particularly those who knew her. Her death coupled with the painful reunion with Edmund had set Peter into a melancholy that he wished would leave him.
He longed to reach out his hand and touch Edmund's cheek, but every time his fingers came close, he would pull them away in shame. He could not bring himself to touch the object of his tested, but unfailing love. For he knew that Edmund did not desire his touch, or his presence. These thoughts only fueled anguished tears that had plagued him relentlessly.
"Edmund, I have a confession to make. I no longer feel worthy of your love or your affection. But as much as I would like to be a dignified king and accept the fact that I have hurt you more than you could ever forgive, I am weak for you. As long as I live, that will never change. So I will glimpse what I can of your attention and affection, even if it is just a tiny speck compared to the love we once shared. The years I spent without you were the worst I have ever endured. And so I do believe that even as unworthy as I am … I cannot let you go. I cannot live without you, my love."
Peter's heart ached as he stretched his hand out to Edmund's. Yet he felt completely unworthy. Once again, he pulled his hand back before their skin touched. His eyes welled up with tears as he fell to his knees beside the bed. He laid his head down on the warm sheets and closed his eyes. With a tired gasp, he stretched out his hand along the bed and let it rest an inch from Edmund's. So close, and yet it might as well have been an ocean between them, for he still could not bring himself to touch Edmund.
Time passed on, and as both kings slept, they were soon joined by a queen. The youngest queen of Narnia, Lucy, found the sight curious and woe some. Though her older siblings believed her naïve to the nature of love, or things that seemed to concern only adults, she too had grown in the years since arriving in Narnia.
She knew the deception of the hag would bring a dark cloud over the love between her two brothers. A love she found curious at first, but had never denied. It would be unnatural to her now for them to be anything but in love. And so she found the sight before her distressing and chided herself for falling for the hag's deception. The hag had deceived her, almost killed Mr. Tumnus, killed Princess Eris, and driven her brothers to despair.
She looked down sympathetically at Peter who was in the most uncomfortable position of kneeling on the floor, yet still with his head resting on the bed. When she saw Edmund however, her eyes went wide with horror. His eyes were sunken with dark lines, while his chest was riddled with gashes, wounds, bruises and sights she found horrifying to behold.
Immediately she moved to Edmund's side and pulled out her vial of fireflower cordial. Even as he slept she hovered the vial above his mouth and let the tiniest drop fall in. For even the greatest ailment or injury would usually succumb to the cordial's healing properties. She watched in silence for a few moments for a sign the cordial was working. Though she had faith in its ability, she knew the nature of Edmund's injuries were magical, even mysterious in nature. She had heeded the warning that the cordial would cure almost any ailment, and she hoped Edmund's condition would not be the exception.
Gratefully she realized it was not. She could see her cordial working its way through his body and smiled in relief. With a smile that still held an air of innocence, she quietly left the room, hoping that the cordial would heal more than Edmund's physical wounds.
In mere moments, Edmund opened his eyes feeling almost like a new man. As he moved to sit up, his wounds were still present and his movements stunted, but to a degree far easier to handle than when he'd gone to sleep. He knew this healing was not of the natural kind and instantly realized that somehow Lucy had come to aid him in his sleep.
He took in a deep breath and felt a new clarity of mind. The rush of grief and anguish that pervaded him, now seemed to lessen. It still lingered in his heart, but he felt more capable to set it aside and not let it overwhelm him. There was work to do, and no time to waste.
"She must be stopped." Edmund whispered to himself, "I will come for you, Hag."
Feeling reinvigorated, he was ready to jump off his bed and suit up his armor. It was then that he saw the most sorrowful sight of Peter laying half on, half off his bed. Even in his sleep, Peter's brow was pained, and his face seemed almost tortured. He seemed strained with guilt. It was an expression that Edmund despised seeing. Though his heart still ached to think of what Peter had done with the witch, he could see Peter was equally heartbroken.
No matter what the state of their love was, he could not bear to see Peter so lost and upset. Yet he too could not bring himself to touch Peter. It was still hard enough even to look upon him, for his mind would inundate with images of Peter in lust with another. Such was the taint of the witch's deception.
"Peter." whispered Edmund, "Peter, wake up."
Peter gently stirred, his eyes opening blearily. He looked up at Edmund, and even now his eyes were filled with an anxious horror, even fear. As if he knew he was not supposed to be here. And yet Edmund had made no sign of anger toward him.
"I'm sorry." Peter said with a shake in his voice, "I was going to leave. I just …"
Edmund wanted nothing more than to reassure Peter that it was ok. He felt horrible for Peter, and yet he knew he wasn't ready for them to start healing their relationship. It wasn't time. It couldn't be done. Not until that hag was dead. And yet he wondered whether Peter could hold to keeping their love at bay. For even now, Peter was fraught and ragged with guilt and anguish. How long could they last without addressing the wounds that had tainted their love?
"I'll go." Peter said with eyes still wrought with hurt, standing to his feet, "I'm sorry."
"Peter?"
"Yes, my lo… I mean, yes, Ed?" Peter asked, doing his best to look reasonable.
"I'm sorry too."
It was a statement said with the smallest of smiles, and the simplest of words. Yet it said so much for both. It was a simple, yet important offering that was not lost on Peter. It forced a smile that was both grateful and sad, all at once. As if not wishing to tempt fate or push his luck anymore than he had already, Peter left with a smile that barely hid the tears that threatened to spill.
SHE COMES LIKE A GHOST IN THE NIGHT
"King Peter!" General Lero called as he cantered to Peter's side, "Seeko has reported the hag's army has surfaced to the west. They are marching for us."
"The nerve of that hag." Peter said as he felt his anger rise up, "Well she has spared us distance to march, of that we should be grateful. But she has only hastened her own seeing to."
"As per your orders, the army has been on standby to march. We await your command, Sire."
"Summon General Oerius to me. Tell Seeko to continue tracking her. I would also like you to summon Prince Orrin."
In one of the Shian's former cartography rooms, Peter waited anxiously for Oerius to join him. Though Peter was still lost in thoughts of Edmund, he had forced himself to focus on the task at hand. Nothing could stop the justice Dalzell would face at the hands of Narnia.
"King Peter, how may I be of service?" Prince Orrin asked as he entered the room, followed closely by the loyal centaur, Oerius.
"Prince Orrin, how are you holding up today, chap?"
"I am agreeable, Sire. Thank you for your concern."
"I know you are still burdened with grief, but I must ask you. What plans do you have for your kingdom?"
"None. Jesahn and my entourage are the only survivors of the Shian. There are no females. We have no way to further our kind. We have no way to defend our borders. No way to support our economy. But we have accepted our fate. There are many creatures who inhabit our lands with us, we would see that they are given title to whatever they desire before scavengers pick off the rest. I would have you divide the rest up as you see fit, King Peter."
Peter sighed in disappointment. As much as he wanted to offer up words of encouragement or ways to convince Orrin to retain the lands of the Shian, he knew there was no other way. He nodded in agreement, but did not grant Prince Orrin leave just yet.
"Please kneel." Peter said as he drew his sword.
Without understanding what was happening, Orrin knelt before Peter. For though he was a subject of the now dead Shian Kingdom, he felt humbled whenever in the presence of the magnificent king of Narnia. The dissolution of his kingdom made him feel less like the prince of old, and more like a lost warrior without a home. He felt somehow Peter was about to address this.
"You are hereby knighted into the Order of Justice, to serve as the newly returned King Edmund the Just's first liege, upon our return to Cair Paravel." Peter said as he touched his sword to Orrin's shoulders, "Rise, Sir Orrin of Shian, Knight of Narnia."
With a smile that was both grateful and somber, Orrin rose to his feet. For the first time since he had felt the despair of losing his people, Orrin truly felt he belonged somewhere again. He bowed respectfully and Peter returned the gesture with a warm smile.
"You did not think we would leave you behind once this was over, did you?"
"I assumed nothing, Sire." Orrin said with a nod, "But I am esteemed that you would afford such an honor to me. I would like to ask if those who remain of my people, Jesahn, and my entourage, would be welcome in Narnia? I cannot leave them alone."
"And I would not expect you to. Of course they will return with us and serve with you in whatever capacity you believe would suit them best. And besides, I do believe my sister would have my head if I let you slip away now, wouldn't she?"
And though it was a rare sight to see a male Shian blush, Orrin did just that. Oerius, being the proper noble centaur that he was, could see the Shian was almost squirming with discomfort. His proper demeanor afforded him only the opportunity to curl his lips ever so slightly.
"I will take that as a yes." Peter laughed, before motioning for Orrin and Oerius to join him beside the map table, "I have other matters I need to discuss with both of you. Prince Orrin, you know this land best. You have seen the hag's forces. She marches from the east to meet us. Where do you believe our best position would be to meet her army in battle?"
"Here, in the Zonal plains." Orrin said pointing to it's location on the old map, "If we march from the western side, you will have the higher ground and be able to provide vantage points for your archers. Her numbers are great so you would be wise to force her through the center stone pass, narrowing her army and giving your infantry more opportunity to meet them head on, while your archers provide cover."
"I think you're going to fit in just fine, Orrin." Peter smiled, "General Oerius, what strategy would you apply against an army of this nature?"
And so the three continued planning their military strategies. Oerius, the great battle strategist and trusted general of Peter's. Orrin, the newly knighted citizen of Narnia, whose knowledge of Shian territory made him an invaluable asset. Peter the Magnificent, whose steadfast leadership and wisdom beyond his years made him the greatest King that Narnia had ever known.
A WARNING OF THINGS TO COME
Edmund the Just, was not the greatest King that Narnia had ever known. On the contrary, he was a king still whispered as a traitor by some of Narnia's own citizens. With all his sacrifice, his initial betrayal was still hard for some to overlook. As the younger king walked through the army camp that had just been set up, he found himself feeling like a fish out of water.
The entire march from the city of SharShian to their current base in the Zonal plains had been awkward and uncomfortable for Edmund. He did not feel as though he truly had the army's respect enough to lead them in any capacity. He knew they would follow as their duty dictated, but he would never be their Peter the Magnificent. He would always be the shadow. The lesser king. Now more than ever, he felt like a shadow. Learning to find his straps again in a kingdom he should have been a part of for over two years.
The last time he led an army was in the battle for Cair Paravel over a year earlier. In the time since, he had become the rogue warrior. A wanderer, adventurer, with the great lion as his sometime companion. It was a title he found truer to life now than ever before. He felt alone, isolated, and apart. Especially now that Peter was respecting his request for space till the battle was over. Peter would make him feel like he belonged, and that he was protected. When he was with Peter, he did not care what others thought of him. When he was with Peter, he did not feel alone.
His former fallen army treated him with nothing but utter and sincere respect and gratitude. Most of the regular army did the same. But it was with the former fallen that he found himself gravitating towards. Perhaps they could at least understand how he was feeling. And with them, he felt truly respected. With them, he did not feel like a shadow of a great and magnificent king, or a being whose very life hung in the balance of another's love. It did little to increase his self worth to know how dependant he was on Peter's love. His fate did not truly feel as though it belonged to him. So much so that for the battle ahead, he chose to wear his fallen king armor instead of the traditional colors of Narnia.
"The hag sends a messenger!"
Edmund raised his head to see a dark knight approaching the camp. He approached alone on a dumb horse wearing armor that looked eerily familiar to Edmund's own. The closer he came into sight, the more Edmund had the distinct feeling that perhaps …
"King Edmund! King Peter has summoned you to join him!"
Edmund nodded in response to the herald messenger. He made his way to the center of the camp where the dark knight now stood surrounded by Narnian infantry. Peter stood opposite him, flanked by Susan, Oerius, and Prince Orrin.
Without saying a word, the dark knight stepped forward and handed a large scroll to Oerius. Oerius opened the scroll and scanned its contents before handing it to Peter. Edmund fell into line beside Susan, and waited for Peter to finish reading the scroll.
"Wait here, Messenger." Peter said gruffly, "Queen Susan, King Edmund, Oerius, please join me."
The group made their way into Peter's tent and waited for him to speak. He studied them all intently for a few moments, lingering on Edmund longer than the others. At first Edmund believed it was because of their damaged relationship, but he soon realized it was more likely related to the hag's message.
"She has issued a challenge." Peter said finally, "A challenge for the Shian lands. If she wins, we give her the former Shian territories without a battle. If we win, she will retreat without a battle. Either way, she is offering a challenge which offers the chance to avoid bloodshed."
"What is the nature of her challenge, Peter?" Susan asked with mistrust, "She cannot be trusted. Does she wish to challenge you personally?"
"No. She is offering her greatest champion to duel against our greatest champion." Peter said, once again his eyes fell on Edmund, "She challenges the Rogue Warrior. The one who defeated him."
"I think she means me, Su." Edmund sighed, "She wishes to challenge me. Does it say who I will be challenging? You do know she is deceiving you again?"
Edmund quickly realized he should have left 'again' out of his sentence. It was not an attack by any means, but the wounded look on Peter's face said otherwise.
"Of course I jolly well know she is deceiving me again." Peter snapped, before pressing his hand against his forehead in thought, "I do not know what her intent is, but obviously she will not hold her end of the bargain if we challenge her and win."
"We will beat her at her own game. Obviously she plans to use the challenge as a means to win the Shian lands without bloodshed. But if she fails in her challenge, she will no doubt have a strategy to take you by surprise."
"To take us by surprise, Edmund. Last I checked, you were a King of Narnia. Even if I see you have chosen not to dress the part." Peter said with a sigh, "Why you almost bloody well look like that blasted knight out there."
Edmund did not respond, but pondered over Peter's statement. Though Peter might not have intended, his statement rang truer than Edmund could deny. The knight waiting outside did indeed wear armor strikingly similar to Edmund's fallen armor. Was it purely coincidence?
"She has no honor, Sire." Oerius said with a raised eyebrow, "She is trying to dictate the manner in which this battle takes place."
"If we accept this challenge, we must position our army offensively, in order to move the instant we must." Susan with a cool, collected tone, "She is not aware that the good dryad have pledged their allegiance. We could use them to our advantage and bring them in from the rear of the hag's army."
"Who is her champion?" Edmund asked curiously, "Who does she wish me to fight?"
"Probably the chap who brought us this message in the first place." Peter said reading the scroll again, "Her champion is a dark knight named Serfiq."
Edmund froze with disbelief, his face becoming tense and serious. That name had lingered in his memory. Now it had resurfaced, both in his dreams and now in front of his very eyes. And though he still had questions, he began to piece together more of the clues that his memory held. Balance must be kept. Was balance about to be restored now? Was this a sign of things to come?
"I accept the challenge." Edmund said with a brief nod, "But I would advise that you prepare for battle regardless of the outcome. The hag cannot be allowed to escape."
Peter contemplated the challenge for a moment. His mind was heavy with unease, and his eyes would constantly cast themselves on Edmund. Finally he nodded in agreement, and handed the scroll to Oerius.
"Oerius, inform our army of the challenge and King Edmund's agreement to accept it. Ready our forces for battle. Susan, can I have a moment with Edmund alone?"
"Of course, Peter." Susan said with a nod before she followed Oerius out of the tent.
Edmund stood awkwardly, trying not to make eye contact with Peter. He could feel Peter's eyes on him, in a manner that was entirely unsettling. It was difficult for Edmund to decipher whether Peter was in high king mode, or had more personal intentions. Finally, unable to take any more of the silence between them.
"What is it, Sire?" Edmund asked, before receiving a stern look from Peter.
"Do not begin with that, Ed. I am not in the mood for your … indifference."
"Then what is it you require of me?"
"Ed!" said an annoyed Peter, "Will you at least give me the dignity of reminding you how much I bloody well love you before I send you off to challenge some fallen knight and before I go into battle and get my head chopped off?"
"You will not have your head chopped off." Edmund said before a smirk refused to hide itself and he grinned mischievously, "It looks far prettier attached to your neck."
Though he did his best to look cross, Peter soon broke into laughter. Edmund simply smiled warmly, almost blushing in response. It served to alleviate some of the tension between them.
"You have the most wonderful smile, Ed. I have missed it so." said Peter with a melancholy smile of his own.
Edmund suddenly felt himself blushing again. He smiled coy and shy, as only he could, which only served to make Peter smile even brighter. Then, as if not wanting to let himself succumb anymore to Peter's charm, his face became somber and serious.
"I will not fail you, my king." Edmund nodded, "Good luck, to both of us."
Edmund turned to leave, and immediately heard the sigh escape Peter's lips. It was quickly followed by Peter speaking again, using his high king tone to make sure he paid attention;
"Ed, we have to talk about this. We have to talk about us. I cannot bear this a moment longer."
"We can talk after the battle."
"No!" Peter yelled, furiously, "That's what you said at Beruna, and then look what happened? You died on me. And you were as melancholy then as you are now. I'm not letting you go into battle again without making sure you know how much you mean to me. We are having this conversation now, whether you like it or not."
With a look of resignation, Edmund slowly turned himself around. He looked Peter in the eye, surprising both himself and Peter. Edmund willed himself to hold the stare, as if inviting Peter to look into his soul. He wanted Peter to feel all his own self doubts and fears, without having to say them. He wanted Peter to know how lost and afraid he was, without having to say so with words.
Peter's eyes spoke volumes of their own. They were sad and mournful, and unfaltering in their contact with Edmund. Peter stepped forward with a sympathetic smile and tentatively raised his hand to Edmund's cheek. Edmund stepped away swiftly, drawing Peter's immediate look of hurt and disappointment.
"I am lost, Peter." Edmund said finally, "I do not know where I belong."
"Then let me find you." Peter begged, "You belong with me."
"Of that I am certain. It is obvious to me now that I have no choice in the matter. I belong to you or I die. But you … you are bound to nothing. I live and breathe depending on your love. I have no fate of my own. It is not that I am ungrateful to be alive … but, I … do feel as though … I only have a half life. The others, they got to have their life back. I did not. I do not belong. They do not trust me. They will not follow me. I am nothing without you. I am not alive, I am not loved, I am not whole, if you do not love me. That is the most terrifying thought. I am nothing without you, Peter." Edmund said looking as despondent as when he had first returned as a fallen king, "I am nothing. Nothing but a hero for hire. And a king for entertainment and comparison. I am your shadow. I am nothing without you. And though I knew in my heart that I would never be whole unless I was by your side, suffering in that dungeon and realizing just how fragile my own existence is … is not at all comforting. At least before I knew, I had the illusion of believing I controlled my own fate. Now I know better. I truly am nothing without you."
"And what makes you think I'm bloody something without you?" Peter snapped, his eyes filled with angry tears, "I understand your fears and your doubts. I cannot imagine how this must make you feel. I am sorry that you suffered. I am sorry that we had to learn this way. But I swear, you will never have to learn again. Come home. Come back to me, please. I will make you smile again, I promise."
Peter's attempts at composing himself had quickly failed. He stood before Edmund a broken and desperate man. His eyes were as desperate as the day he cried over a dying Edmund at Beruna. He pleaded with his tears and his cries, oblivious and uncaring of whether anyone outside the tent could hear.
"Please don't do this to me anymore. I want you to come home to me. Don't push me away." Peter sobbed anxiously, "I love you. Please come back to me."
Edmund felt his own resolve breaking and his eyes began to falter and fill with anxiety. He had no heart or desire to see his Peter so distraught, desperate, or anxious. He had no want to see Peter hurting, when clearly he was hurting more than Edmund could bear to see.
"If you are nothing without me, and I am nothing without you, then let us be something wonderful together. Don't fight it, Ed. Don't let her win. Don't let her break us."
Finally, Edmund could bear it no longer. To see Peter so upset and distraught was enough to break down the wall he'd put up between them. His face fell with uncertainty and he stepped forward toward Peter. Peter in turn raised his hand and held it an inch from Edmund's face. Though they were so close, there seemed to be an almost invisible barrier that prevented them from taking the last step.
The need in Peter's eyes was palpable. The begging and desperation, so unlike a king, but so reflective of Peter's love. He gazed longingly at Edmund, waiting for the sign that he could finally touch him again. Though Edmund still seemed conflicted, Peter could see he was slowly coming around.
Edmund finally succumbed, with more veracity than Peter expected. Where Peter would have been grateful for the privilege to just touch his fingers to Edmund's face, Edmund instead threw his arms around Peter with a wailing cry. It was as if a dam had been released. Edmund, the rogue warrior, now seemed like nothing more than a lost child who had finally found their way home.
Peter could barely believe that finally Edmund had come back to him. With a tormented and relieved cry, Peter sobbed as fiercely as Edmund. They gripped their arms around each other so tight they left bruises. Such was the need and desire in their hearts to finally come together. One cry could barely be distinguished from another.
"She never had me, Ed. She never had me. I am only for you, I swear, my love." Peter sobbed furiously, "I am only for you."
"I'm still falling without you, Peter." Edmund cried, burying his head in Peter's neck, "Don't let me fall."
For a time nothing could be heard except the sweet release of tears, born of a love that had been tainted, but never broken. Finally, the two kings could grieve for the suffering they had both endured, and the anguish they'd suffered because of it. Edmund held on like a child, refusing to break free from Peter. Peter in turn had buried his head in Edmund's shoulder, using it as a repository for his tears.
"Marry me. Please marry me." Peter begged into Edmund's shoulder, "Please, Ed."
Still overcome with emotion, Peter held his hands to the side of Edmund's neck and pressed their foreheads together. There were no smiles or joy in their eyes, but there was relief and an understanding that each had suffered. Though Edmund's body may have suffered as much as his soul, it was obvious that Peter's wounds were just as deep, perhaps even deeper. And though they had come together, it was obvious these wounds would take some time to fully heal.
"I'm so sorry, my love." Peter cried, "I'm so sorry. Please marry me. I promise you, I will never fail you again. I need us to be married, Ed. Protocol be damned, I want us married the minute we return to Cair Paravel. Please."
Finally, Edmund found a smile. It was small, but it was sincere. He gazed into Peter's eyes and found himself feeling loved, no longer alone, no longer isolated. If Peter truly was his world and the only reason for his life, perhaps that would not be so bad a thing.
"I still feel as though I have half a life. A life that is not truly mine. But when I look at you, I think how wonderful that life may be." said a contemplative Edmund.
As if to satiate a need that had long been denied, the two kings tilted their heads together. Edmund's mouth fell agape as he felt Peter's breath upon his. It seemed like an age since they had been so close. An age since they'd kissed. Unfortunately for them, they were interrupted before their lips came within an inch of each other's.
"I do hate to interrupt something I most definitely am grateful to see, but … there is the small matter of a hag to see to. I'd very much like her head by sundown." Susan said with a curt nod, "Come along."
"Of course." Edmund said with a sigh, before pulling away from Peter, "And of course, I have a challenge to see to."
"And I have a battle to lead." Peter sighed, his eyes smiling ever so slightly, "You will come back to me this time, won't you, Ed? This will not be another Beruna or Battle of Cair Paravel? My heart can only take so much."
"I will come back, Peter. It is not I who will ever leave you after all. It is you who will leave me." Edmund said with a small smile, "When this battle is over, before we even speak of marriage, there is something I will need to tell you. But for now, just know that I am grateful to have you, Peter. For whatever time I have, I will be grateful."
With a small nod, Edmund smiled at Peter before adorning his helmet. Peter wiped his eyes as best he could and followed Edmund out of the tent. Much to Edmund's surprise, the entire Narnian army cheered for him as he marched out.
"All hail King Edmund the Just! Champion of Narnia!"
Though Edmund was surprised to see such unanimous support, he was grateful for it. However, he noticed the slight raised eyebrow coming from Oerius. He realized the centaur must have spoken for him after informing the army of the challenge. He was grateful for the centaur's loyalty, and saluted him accordingly.
Peter stepped up beside Oerius as Edmund marched toward the center plains between the Narnian Army and the hag's. He gulped nervously and anxiously. For though he knew Edmund was a much greater fighter than anyone realized, he would always be his Edmund. Someone to watch out for. Someone to worry over. Someone he could not bear to lose again.
A DUEL OF A TIME
Edmund gripped his sword with two hands as he circled his opponent. There was indeed a connection between them. A connection Edmund was beginning to understand. As the crowd of onlookers cheered for their own champion, Edmund wondered just what the nature of this knight's appearance was.
"I know your name, Serfiq." Edmund taunted, keeping his distance, "I am not afraid of you. You are one of the fallen. Are you not? Are you my opposite? Is there an army out there who serves you? Where are they? Is this what the keeper meant? You are the price of the Fallen Army of Beruna? You serve the one who was many?"
"Was?" The dark knight responded, a snicker in his voice, "Do you truly believe a mere Son of Adam is capable of destroying the dark power? Do you place that much faith in your little lion?"
Edmund responded to the knight's taunt by charging forward. Their swords met in a deafening clash of metal. Edmund soon found that the knight wielded a strength that he too possessed when he was a fallen king. Now as a bound mortal, he no longer had the brute strength to match the knight, even though he was stronger than most.
Still, Edmund used the knight's lumbering power to his advantage. He used his speed, which was more than a match for the knight's. He parried the knight, but knew the longer the duel went on, the more it would turn to the knight's favor. The fallen do not tire as quickly as the living. As much as he fancied a sporting duel, it was time for this to end and show the knight just who he was dealing with.
As the knight swung his sword down at him, Edmund rolled to the side and charged up with his sword. He pierced through the knight's armor and right through his chest. Edmund pulled his sword out as the knight fell to his knees.
"Yield, and I will help you break the bonds that bind you to serve him."
"I served Aslan." The knight moaned, "I fought the witch before the winter and failed. Now he has forsaken us. Now we are bound to the one who is many, because of you. Finish this, Rogue Warrior. Lest your eyes deceive you again."
"What?"
Before Edmund could respond, he was blinded as the knight threw off his helmet. He covered his eyes but by now was too familiar with this sensation to forget its meaning. Instinctively, he closed his eyes and swung his sword at the knight's head, his heart rising with fear. Surely it could not be.
THE BATTLE IS ON
Peter covered his eyes, as did all who were watching the duel. A flash so blinding that no one could actually see what had happened. And yet when uncovered his eyes and looked to where Edmund was just fighting, his heart froze with fear.
"Where did they go?" Peter yelled, "What happened!"
"The hag's army is charging!" Seeko cried from the skies, "She has deceived us!"
"To arms!" Peter yelled on instinct, mounting his steed as Oerius galloped in beside him, "To arms, Narnia!"
And sure enough, as quickly as the duel had ended, the battle had begun. Peter had no inkling of where Edmund was, but he knew they would be together again soon. He feared Edmund's battle was no less significant than his own.
He rode hard and furious as Susan ordered the archers to shower down on Dalzell's army. The ranks of Narnia's fastest joined Peter in a line as they crashed through the hag's frontline. He spied the hag herself standing far behind the battle lines. The ominous sight of a sea of Dark Dryad stood behind her. She snickered at Peter as he battled furiously with a horde of boggles and ogres.
"You have been deceived for the last time, King Peter! Where is your great champion tohelp you now?" She cried, her voice piercing the thousands of battle cries between her and Peter, "It is time to meet your fate!"
- TO BE CONCLUDED -
2.9: Through the Fire
The battle is on against the hag. Will she finally be made to pay for her crimes? What mystery awaits Edmund? Will Peter and Edmund make it through the fire that has tainted their love and finally marry? The battle will end in the final chapter of Just and Magnificent V2: Through the Fire
A/N: Expect a bloody long ass chapter next. Volume 2 will come to an end, but fear not you fans of JAM, all 2 of you, for I will follow it up swiftly with the final volume of my little contribution to Narnia, with Just and Magnificent V3: The Price We Pay For Love. But I am getting ahead of myself. Peter and Edmund have come somewhat closer together, but there are still wounds to mend, and they will take some time. But it is a start, and it's obvious that Peter is completely mad with love for Ed, and so he should! The mystery only served to deepen for Edmund, but all shall be revealed. Come back for the final of this volume, expect it to be too bloody long for it's own good, and expect a mighty battle, a mighty wedding, and mighty umm smex? JUST KIDDING! About the smex that is. As for the wedding, well, yes, you'll see. Reviews make me feel good. So pretty please ...
