JUST and MAGNIFICENT
Volume 2 - Through the Fire

2.9 - Through the Fire

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: The truth is revealed. The battle against Dalzell comes to a bloody climax.
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
A/N: Warning, this chapter is LONG. Bring snacks. This is the conclusion of Volume 2: Through the Fire.

THE TRUTH REVEALED

"Son of Adam …"

Edmund heard the voice but did not open his eyes. Having dueled the one who is many before, he knew it was best to close his eyes, lest they deceive him again. Still he could not believe it was truly him. He did not know where he stood, and did not wish to, for he dared not grant the evil more power over himself.

"I destroyed you!" Edmund yelled, brandishing his sword, "I saw you die!"

"You saw what you wanted to see. Did you not heed the warnings of the keeper? You trusted your eyes and they were your undoing. Because of you, the Shian are dead. Because of you …"

Edmund felt his mind inundated with images. Images he did not understand. Images he tried to force from his mind. He could see himself standing in a void, far beyond the veil. He remembered it like it was yesterday. He remembered learning the name of the one who is many, so he could speak it and summon the evil in order to fight and destroy it. He remembered the keeper guiding him to the very edge of Salei Barion and warning him to trust his heart.

He remembered the one who is many emerging from the darkness to challenge him. Emerging like a menacing dark knight. Edmund could have sworn it really was a man beneath the armor.

He remembered dueling like he had never dueled before. He remembered blindfolding himself so as not to be blinded by the powerful attacks of the one who is many. He remembered opening his eyes at the very end, when he used every skill he knew, to finally cut the evil being in half.

"I saw you die." Edmund said as the image sat in his mind, "I saw you die. I destroyed you!"

"I am the one who is many. You know nothing. What makes you so sure you were even fighting me?"

Like a revelation, Edmund realized what he'd done wrong. Indeed, he had not even been fighting the one who is many. The one whose name had learned, and only now he realized what he'd done wrong.

"You deceived me." Edmund gasped, "You made me believe I was fighting you."

"You did not summon me." boomed the ominous voice, "You did not summon anyone."

"I did not speak your name."

It was then that Edmund realized what he had done wrong. The challenger had appeared before had a chance to speak the name of the one who is many. He had assumed it was him. Only now did he realize, he'd been deceived and fooled all along.

"You had come so far to hunt me, only to turn and leave. You fought one of the many, but not the one who is many. Have you not learned the difference? And because you left, I was free to claim my right. Free to claim the fallen just as Aslan claimed his!"

"And yet they do not come." Edmund taunted, still closing his eyes as his instincts guided him, "And here you are. What makes you think I will not destroy you now?"

"They will come. I have patience. I am free now. It is because of you that I am free. I followed you back. I ventured beyond the veil and waited for my strength to return. Waited till you had falsely challenged me. Waited till I could enter Salei Barion and claim the fallen that is entitled to the darkness. To claim the darkness that was owed to us because of what he did. He knew the balance would have to be paid. I waited till I was strong enough to venture back into Narnia. I followed you back to your little city by the sea. I was there …"

And now Edmund's mind was inundated with something even more sinister. A memory that was not his. He was seeing through the eyes of the one who is many. The one whose name he had not called.

He could see himself and Peter at the Golden Ball, kissing amidst a chorus of cheers. And yet the images shifted quickly to another couple. A couple whose love, unlike his and Peter's, would never know fruition. A couple whose love he did not even know of, until it was too late. The couple he was now looking at, was none other than Eris and Jesahn.

"I am grateful Peter has his Edmund." Eris said with a smile, "At least now I will not have to pretend. Although I am certain father will be very disappointed that I did not win his affections earlier. If only he knew I wasn't trying. I think then he would be even more disappointed."

"He would have been good to you." Jesahn said with a sad, but sincere smile, "He could have given you things that … others … cannot."

"Perhaps. But my heart is already taken. He could give me the world and it would not make me whole."

Eris's eyes met Jesahn's, and they shared a glimpse of understanding. For though they had never spoken openly of their love, they had not denied its existence to each other.

"It is not safe for you to remain here, Majesty." Jesahn said with concern, "We must go."

"Perhaps I could ask Peter to offer me asylum. Surely he would not let Secson's assassins reach me."

"He would not see them coming. It is better for us to be away from such numbers. It is better for us to be alone. So that I may protect you."

"As you always have. I fear the day I die, will be a day when you are not by my side." Eris said smiling up at Jesahn, "For you have watched over me my whole life."

"Pretty Eyes …" Edmund gasped, frustrated at the images he was seeing, "You had no idea, did you? It is because of me that you will never know love."

It pained Edmund to see these images in his mind. It pained him to see Eris again. Had she any idea of the fate she was about to endure? And even worse, if she had, would she and Jesahn have spoken freely of their love for once?

"Jesahn … do you think … do you believe that love is more important than … what others think of you? Do you think it is more important than … rank or caste or laws?"

"It is not for me to say, Majesty." Jesahn said with a bow, "I am simply a warrior. I am not one whose opinion you should seek."

"We may not speak of some things, Jesahn, but I will speak of this. Your opinion is the only one I seek."

"Then in my opinion, I suggest we leave this place as swiftly as possible."

The images became blurred for a moment, but soon Edmund could see Eris and Jesahn running through the woods near Beaversdam. He could see the hag, Dalzell, approaching them from behind with a horde of boggles. Jesahn fought the boggles off with ease, before lunging for Dalzell. It was then that the one who is many made his presence known, blinding both Jesahn and Eris.

Dalzell stood over Eris, chanting a spell that Edmund did not understand. With the power of the one who is many aiding her, she shifted into the form of Eris. With a wicked smile she cackled at the real Eris.

"Take them away." Dalzell ordered, "Dispose of the bodyguard. I have work to do. I have love to break. Love to taint."

Edmund saw Dalzell kneeling before the shadow of the one who is many. Again the images formed a blur. Now he realized he was standing inside the city of SharShian. He could see Secson's scavenger army marching onto the city. He could see the Shian readying their defenses to repel the army. In an instant, every citizen of SharShian fell screaming to their knees. No man, woman, or child was spared.

Secson entered the city with his army and found the sight horrifying. He cast his brilliant blue eyes upon the one who is many and galloped to his side. With a look of anger, he yelled;

"What is the meaning of this?"

"This is what you wanted. This is the deal you made. You wanted the city …"

The one who is many was still a shadow in Secson's eyes. And yet Secson feared the evil being. Even more so when he looked across his city to see the entirety of its citizens screaming in agony, blood seeping from their mouths and eyes.

"Enough!" Secson yelled, "I wanted to rule the Shian, not see them suffer!"

"Then you are a fool. You asked me for the city, in exchange for your loyalty. You should have chosen your words more carefully, Secson."

"Secson! Brother!" King Firson screamed as he crawled along the stone road, "You are killing us all! Stop him and I will surrender! Spare our people and I will abdicate to you! Please, brother! Save our people!"

Secson's eyes were suddenly filled with remorse and anguish as he watched his brother crawl helplessly along the ground. The city was filled with horrifying screams and shrieks of agony as every Shian begged for their pain to stop. Begged for the lives of their children. Though he was a traitor and even a despot in his own eyes, his twisted motives were that he could lead his people better than his brother. The battle was simply a means to that end. The suffering however, was too much for him to bear. To see his brother in such agony had quickly driven the traitorous intent from his soul. To see every man, woman, and especially child, being tormented so horrifically was something he could not be a part of.

"Enough!" Secson cried, "This was not part of our agreement!"

"You asked for the city …"

In an instant, the city was filled with a foul wind. The Shian cried out in unison, reaching to the skies for salvation that would not come. The wind became so strong it turned stone to dust. Yet it did not affect Secson or his army. He screamed out for his brother, but when the dust settled, his brother was gone. In fact, every Shian in the city was gone. They were no more. The city itself had no sign of the lives that once filled it. The foul wind had cast them into a fate that Secson did not know. Now the city seemed as if it had been dead for years. His eyes filled with angry tears, and he suddenly realized the one who is many was no longer a shadow. Now he had form. Now he was a dark knight.

"You asked for the city. It is yours." said the evil being, whose name was unknown to Secson, "Their sacrifice was for my benefit, as you can see. I am the one who is many. Now you may understand why. Now you will march for me or suffer their fate with them."

"You have destroyed my people!" Secson cried as he drew his sword, "You have killed them all!"

"You said nothing of the people inside the city. You should have chosen your words more carefully."

"I will kill you for this!"

Secson charged forward with his sword and in a second was suffering the same fate as his people. His scavenger army of boggles and foul beasts were spared however. Secson was soon no more, just as his people were.

"You will all serve me or suffer the same fate."

Finally, the images in Edmund's mind stopped, but he found himself overwhelmed with emotion. At last the Shian's fate was revealed. He felt himself tempted to open his eyes and face the one who is many in retaliation. Yet he did not trust his eyes. He feared they would deceive him again.

"Why? Why desolate their city? Why destroy their people?" Edmund cried out angrily, "Why?"

"I need no reason. I do what I choose to do. You seek a motive where none is needed. I can, therefore I shall. Does it hurt you, Son of Adam? Does it hurt you to know all of this is your doing? All of this is because of you. Their deaths are on your hands."

Edmund could bear no more. He charged at the being with his sword. All his training, all his skill at fighting blind was now put to use. Instinct drove his every move. He ducked and weaved, using his heart and his hearing to guide him.

"So while your precious love battles the hag, you will dare to challenge me? You would challenge me even before I give you the answers that he denies you?"

"I need no answers." Edmund said steadfast, "I need only know that you are dead and returned to the hell from whence you came!"

"I can spare you. I can give you a lifetime that he would deny you of. A life with him. I can break the bond that keeps you here and replace it with something far more powerful. One where you will dictate your own fate. One where you are not bound by love. But with this power you will have the chance to love him for as long as he lives. You can follow him back into your own world. Only I can give you this power. You can save yourself from a fate worse than death, and spare him the suffering of a life without you by his side. Is this a gift you would give up so easily?"

And though he knew once more that he was being tempted. Tempted to betray all that was good and pure. Tempted by an evil greater than even Jadis. He knew all this, and still he considered it. Temptation would weave its way through his soul, and though he vowed he would never do so again, he considered it. For his greatest weakness was Peter's love, and it was the one thing in this world he would sell his soul for.

DALZELL THE MERCILESS

"I suppose he is rather magnificent. Pity, pity, pity. He could've had the world."

The hag shifter known as Dalzell stood proudly behind her frontlines. The battle with the Narnian army had been fierce, but she was pleased with her forces so far. She continued watching as Peter the Magnificent fought his way through her frontlines. Yet she felt no fear. She taunted him with her arrogance. She snickered at him every time he struck down one of her army and made it that much closer to her.

"What is the matter, Peter? Do I know longer please you now that I have shed myself of that dead princess's image?" Dalzell cried, her voice carrying along the wind, "You are a fool!"

Yet there were others who suddenly caught her attention. She turned her eyes from Peter to a group who fought with Narnians, but were not of their colors. They were led by a tall, striking figure that was undeniably familiar to her. Her lips curled up in a sinister smile.

"General Stian." Dalzell said as she turned to the incubus beside her, "I do believe that is Prince Orrin and the last of the Shian. Including that fool of a bodyguard, who managed to ruin my shot at being queen by informing that wretched Susan the Gentle of my plans. Am I correct?"

"You are, Dalzell."

"Wonderful. Kill them now. All of them. Save Orrin for last. Let him be the last of his race to draw breath. Make sure Jesahn suffers before he dies. I wish for him to know how displeased I am with him ruining my time with Peter."

"It shall be done."

LAST OF THE SHIAN

Orrin fought with a rage he had never known in his life. His eyes were constantly on the hag who seemed to taunt all her foes with her complacent demeanor. She had an entire army bearing down on her and did not seem to care in the slightest. All he wanted was to see her pay for the death of his sister and her part in his people's destruction.

"Rhinos charge through!" Orrin yelled, "Break their lines!"

No sooner had he ordered the command, three rhinos charged past him and into the ogres ahead. Orrin was swiftly behind them, joined by a dozen centaur and the last six members of his race.

Before he realized what was happening, dark dryad were forming a line behind him, separating his group from the rest of the Narnian army. Still, he charged with the Rhino while the centaur charged behind, hacking away at boggles and ogres. His Shian brothers soon ran through the centaurs line and past the rhinos to begin decimating the boggles ahead. There may have only been seven living Shian in the world, but they were some of the best fighters their race had ever known. At this moment, they were showing why, as ogre and boggle was cut aside.

And yet their valor was their undoing, for even now he realized that he and his comrades were being separated from even the centaur and the rhino. All too late he realized what was happening. Dark dryad blocked their path back into the bulk of their own forces. Suddenly, one horrific scream triggered a chain of events that he was powerless to stop.

An incubus had run through two of Orrin's entourage with his sword. Before Orrin could react, two giants and a swarm of dark dryad were savagely attacking the rest of his entourage. Yet they seemed to show him no attention.

Jesahn was faring somewhat better, cutting through one of the giant's legs with a series of swift jumps and attacks that are typical of the Shian. Orrin ran in to aid him, and it was obvious the Shian were being targeted. The last of the Shian had gone from seven to two in a matter of minutes.

Finally, Orrin found himself in the grasp of a four armed ettin that he had not seen coming. As his armor struggled to resist the ettin's huge hand, Jesahn leaped to his aid. His sister's lifelong bodyguard thrust his two long swords into the ettin's hand holding Orrin. Orrin fell to the ground as Jesahn threw his sword into the temple of the ettin. The ettin fell backwards to its death with a groan that shook the earth. Yet before Orrin could be grateful that Jesahn had saved him, the incubus flew into the air and crashed onto Jesahn's back.

Jesahn spun around on the ground as the incubus flew off him. Before he could leap to his feet, a giant stamped on his legs, crushing them. The cry of agony was piercing and inspired Orrin to fight his way through the boggles that tried to stop him.

Orrin cut his sword with all his might. Tears ravaged his face, for he knew now that his race was truly about to be extinguished. He screamed out as Jesahn was beaten and thrown about like a rag doll. He used all his rage to finally cut through the boggles and ran for the giant. Just as Jesahn had done previously, he sliced through the giant's ankle and it crashed to the ground. He leaped onto the giant's leg and ran up it till he stood over the evil creature's chest. With a mighty cry, he plunged his long sword into the giant's heart and twisted it till it screamed no more.

He ran to Jesahn's side, but he knew it was too late. Jesahn looked up as Orrin pulled him into his arms. His body was smashed, but his smile still broke through and drew Orrin to despair.

"You must live. I cannot stay here alone." Orrin cried, "Do not let me be the last, my brother."

"Do not grieve for me. If there is a fate for us beyond this life, then perhaps I will see her again. Perhaps then I can tell her … what I could not in this life." Jesahn gasped, blood seeping from his mouth.

"She knew. She always knew."

"You are the last of us, Orrin. You are the last Shian."

Those words heralded the death of Jesahn. Orrin kissed his friend's temple and closed his eyes, tears overwhelming as he gently laid his friend down. With an air of resignation he stood to his feet. He held his long sword in one hand and picked up Jesahn's with the other.

"Dalzell ordered us to save you for last, so that you would bear witness to the final demise of your race. Just as she ordered that bodyguard to suffer before he died." The incubus general taunted, "Now it is your turn, Shian."

"I am Prince Orrin!" Orrin yelled with a ferocity that shook the air, "Last of the Shian! If your hag desires my head, let her do it herself!"

With those words spitting from his mouth, Orrin stepped toward the incubus. The incubus leaped into the air and landed behind Orrin. Yet before the incubus general could strike, Orrin had cut the creature's wings from its body with a swipe of each sword.

"Are you suffering now, servant of evil?" Orrin spat, before he sliced the creature in two, "Unlike your master, I have some mercy in me."

With a look of determined anger, Orrin turned his eyes to the hag, Dalzell. Their eyes met and he held his sword in her direction. And though there were a hundred boggles between him and the hag, he marched unwavering toward her.

"You want my head, you filthy hag? I dare you to take it yourself!"

A QUEEN, TWO KINGS, A PRINCE, AND A HAG

Susan found herself squirming awkwardly as she stood atop a cliff face looking down at the plains below. She no longer enjoyed being at the rear of the battle. She did not enjoy leading the archers while others fought and died on the frontlines. She could see Peter far ahead in the thick of battle fighting valiantly as only he could. She felt a swell of pride at that moment, for she knew no man as great or magnificent as her brother, Peter.

Yet she did know one man who she loved as much, but in a much different fashion. Prince Orrin of the Shian. Yet when her eyes sought him out, she realized in horror that he was much further into the battle. He was alone, and she could just barely make out the colors of the Shian lying dead some distance behind him.

"Mr. Beaver, you have the archers! Roan!" Susan called, before the gryphon pierced the air with his cry.

He landed beside her and she rushed onto his back. No sooner had they launched into the air that she could see Peter waving a banner in the sky. It was the signal she had been waiting for. She pulled out her horn and blew, filling the sky with its sound.

Now it was time for Narnia to reveal its ace card. Now it was time for the good dryad to emerge from the forests and swarm the hag's forces from behind. The dryad took the hag's army by complete surprise and their arrival gave the battle a rise in intensity.

As Susan and Roan soared down towards the frontlines of the battleground, they were inundated by a barrage of arrows. Susan knew it was too dangerous this close to the frontlines. She ordered Roan to the ground before the loyal beast could be struck down. She found herself on a perch that still allowed her some vantage of the battle, and gave her closer range to track Peter and Orrin's movements. She sighed anxiously as Orrin fought his way toward the hag. He limped along, with a spear snapped in his thigh. Boggles rushed him, and she pulled out her bow in a flash.

"Arrows, fly swift and true. Save my love for me." Susan whispered as she let loose a volley of arrows.

One by one she struck dead the boggles that blocked Orrin's path. She even tried to get a clear shot at the hag, but dark dryad blocked her firing line. This close to the battle, Susan's arrows were a boon for the Narnian. She fired at any and all who fought for the hag. She also found this vantage point better to orchestrate the battle. She shot a lit arrow into a sky, signaling the phoenix to fly in low and set the dark dryad protecting the hag alight. By doing this, she cleared a path for Peter to finally charge at the hag, while Prince Orrin also struggled toward her.

"Wait for me, I am coming." Susan called as she jumped down from her perch and ran headlong into battle.

The gentle queen immediately found herself flanked by General Lero and his centaur. Unlike Peter, she had light armor, if any, which left her vulnerable. At least her enemies thought so. It was often the last thought they had before she struck them dead with her sword or an arrow. So effortless was her ability to switch between the two, that it often seemed she did not need her centaur protectors.

"Su!" Peter yelled, when she reached his side, "What the blazes are you doing?"

"Being gentle!" Susan yelled back amidst the cries of battle around them, "Get the hag, Peter! We will protect you! Hurry!"

Peter looked up just as Orrin matched swords with the hag. His eyes grew narrow with intent as he gazed upon the source of his despair. The source of his love's taint. He kicked his steed into action and charged forward, with Oerius by his side. The loyal duo charged through a dark dryad and through the legs of a giant, all while cutting down the odd ogre.

As they ran, they heard the whiz of Susan's arrows shooting past them and striking enemies down before they could strike. Oerius was swept aside by a rush of dark dryad, but he urged Peter to continue. Peter did so and finally found himself in range of the hag.

"Your time has come, Hag!" Peter yelled thrusting his sword down as he ran toward her.

Before he could connect, the hag leaped aside and cut his steed down from the legs. Peter fell forward and rolled onto the ground. His shoulder cracked, but he pushed himself to his feet. Thankfully his best arm was undamaged and he picked his sword up.

Prince Orrin was dueling with the hag, but his speared left leg had left him vulnerable. Peter rushed into the duel and soon the hag was fighting both men. Yet she did not seem fazed in the slightest.

"Peter, you wound me with your hatred. Do you not think often of me?"

"I think of you often, Hag." Peter grimaced as he parried the witch's double bladed spear, "I think of how many ways I can rid the world of you!"

"As have I!" Orrin yelled as the fought the witch on her left side, "You killed my sister!"

"And I did greatly enjoy it, Prince of the … what are your people again? Extinct?" Dalzell taunted, before she stepped around Orrin and grabbed him by the neck, "Your turn."

Before she could snap his neck with her putrid hands, Peter charged into her. He knocked her off her feet, but not before she could toss Orrin into the air. She burst her wings out and flew into the air, before a volley of Susan's arrows ripped her left wing apart.

"You can't fly away this time, Hag!" Orrin growled as he pulled himself to his feet.

Still the hag knew no fear. She rose to her feet and smashed Peter's injured shoulder with a sickening jab of her spear. Peter cried out, but swung his sword up and pierced the hag's midsection. Orrin joined in, running his sword through the hag's chest.

Dalzell threw her head back and her eyes turned black as night. She let out a mighty howl before she grabbed both Orrin and Peter in each arm and threw them back. She pulled the swords from her body and let out a fierce scream. She raised one hand to the sky as she chanted words in a language that neither Peter nor Orrin could understand.

Peter grimaced in pain as he pulled himself to his feet. He turned his head to see Susan and her soldiers were pushing Narnia's frontlines deeper into the hag's army. Soon, Susan would be within sparring distance with the hag. Orrin was on the opposite side of the hag, and Peter could see he was having a hard time standing up.

The hag finally stopped chanting, and the purpose of her spell was now clear. She had shifted again. She had shifted into the shape of a creature the likes of which Peter had never seen before. It was a cross between a hag, a witch, a human, and a horror. Her nails were more like claws, and her entire body was a fearsome black. Her muscles were more like those of a human male, than female. Yet still she had the slender form of a witch, however, her hag facial features still remained the same. Even to the point where her blinded eye, courtesy of Susan, was still very much blinded.

"I see your power does not extend to your lost sight!" Peter taunted, as he marched courageously toward her, sword in hand, intent in his eyes, "You will still die this day!"

Dalzell was soon rushed by a mob of loyal Narnian leopards. They bit and clawed at her, but she slashed back at them with her claws. When all was over, not one still lived. Next it was two centaur who challenged her. They fared a little better, but only prolonged the time before she too struck them dead.

Finally Peter reached her side again, just as General Lero charged at her. She grabbed Lero by the throat, and the centaur swung his sword at her arm. She snatched the sword from him, just before he could connect. His distraction however, had given Peter enough time to strike her head with the butt of his sword.

"Peter, it's not too late." Dalzell taunted, "I can still be your queen."

Peter did not dignify her taunt with a response, except for that of his sword slicing at her. Now she used her double ended spear to combat him. He fought hard and furious, but could not make the clean strike he sought. Even when Orrin had rejoined the duel, they were still no match for her.

All while their duel continued, a battle as fierce as the one at Cair Paravel raged on around them. Dark dryad fought the good dryad, centaur fought ogre, leopard fought boggles and dwarfs, rhino charged giant, and so the battle raged on. Susan had unwittingly assumed command of the Narnian Army as Peter was occupied with the hag.

Still, Peter fought hard against the hag. Between himself and Orrin, they managed to land some solid blows. Yet she would always fight them off before they could capitalize. More often then not, it would be them who were on the backfoot. Finally, Orrin scored a blow that sliced through Dalzell's upper arm. She cried out, and responded by smashing his sword from his hand and grabbing him.

"I have tired of this! This battle is mine!" Dalzell yelled as she ran her spear through Orrin's stomach, "I do believe that's exactly where I stabbed your sister. She died slow. So will you. In your last moments, remember that it was I who wiped the last Shian from this world. It is just reward for your filthy race and their incessant defiance against the dark power. Die, Prince. Die."

Susan screamed out and with a snicker, Dalzell threw the prince in Susan's direction. He hit the ground with a sickening crack, almost at Susan's feet. The hag did take too long to revel in her work, for Peter had thrown his sword at her. As she turned to face him, his sword smashed through her sternum. He marched toward her with a steely look in his eye and a rage in his voice;

"That sword through your wretched body is for killing Eris." Peter said as he smashed his fist in the hag's face.

She fell to her knees with the sword still embedded in her body. Before she could get up, he backhanded her again with the force of rage he'd shown only Jadis in their battle at Beruna. The hag lurched, before Peter gripped the sword and tore it out of her.

"And this is for tainting the only love I will ever know."

And with a mighty cry, Peter swung the sword up and around, before bringing it down at the hag's neck. The sword did not reach it's destination. Before it had swung, Dalzell had lunged up at Peter and sent him flying backwards with a mighty thrust of her hands.

Peter could barely breathe, as the wind had been knocked out of him. With one shoulder crushed, and feeling as though his chest was not far behind, he gasped for breath. He could see Susan and Oerius both trying to duel the hag in combat. He tried to cry out, but could not form the words, for his breath evaded him.

He struggled to crawl along the ground and pull himself to his feet. Susan and Oerius had both been struck down, and now the hag was fixed firmly on himself. He looked up as the hag now stood over him. She stood on his right leg, forcing him down as she gripped his chest armor and tore it away with her claws. Peter let out a painful cry as his chest was exposed to her, claw marks scratched into his pectoral muscles. Finally, with her spear raised in the air, she cackled at Peter and he knew she meant to kill him.

"Have you not yet realized that you cannot defeat me?" Dalzell laughed, as she pressed the tip against his chest, drawing blood, "You have all tried, but you have failed. I have the dark power to call on. What do you have?"

"Faith." Peter gasped.

And in that moment, the entire battlefield was filled with a brilliant explosion of light. For a brief moment, the battle stopped. Just as quickly, the battle was on again with thousands of the hag's army still battling just as many Narnian. For a moment the hag seemed amused by the distraction, until she realized what the source of the disruption was.

"No!" Dalzell cried in anger, "No!"

King Edmund the Just stood in the exact spot he'd vanished from before the battle had begun. He was down on one knee, breathing ragged and heavy, with his helmet nowhere to be seen. Yet in his hands he held one helmet that was not his own. He stood up and glared at Dalzell, before he tossed the black helmet to the ground just behind Peter's head.

"Brought you back a souvenir, Hag. Look familiar?" Edmund said with a tired, but clearly sincere smile, "I'm tired. I don't suppose you'd just like to surrender?"

With a snarl as ugly as it was loud, Dalzell clenched her fists and cried out. Edmund stood to his feet, with his sword firmly in hand. He smiled at Peter, before he turned to the witch.

"I thought not."

Thinking quickly, Peter grabbed the helmet beside him and smashed it across the hag's face. It was enough distraction for him to roll out from under her. She glared at him, but turned her attention back to Edmund.

They ran at each other, and sword met spear in a clash that drew sparks. With a volley of strikes the likes of which Peter had not seen before, Edmund fought the hag backwards. Peter watched with his mouth agape as Edmund fought like he'd never seen him fight before. Where he and Orrin and all who challenged the hag, had struggled with numbers, Edmund seemed to strive on his own. It was both awesome and terrifying.

Yet somehow they both managed to wrest the other's weapon from its owner's grasp. Now they fought claw to hand. Edmund used the same technique he'd used against Peter when they were play dueling. He would deflect her strikes with deft steps and subtle blocks before kicking her back and thrusting his elbow at her jaw.

"You fight well, Hag!" Edmund gasped, "Did you really think you could keep me away? Did you really think he could tempt me and I would not see what you were both planning?"

"And if you refused, you are a fool!" Dalzell yelled before knocking Edmund off his feet.

The hag picked up her spear and forced Edmund back with a series of strikes. He deflected many and managed to roll under one of her blows, before kicking out her knee. When he rolled up, he jammed his elbow beneath hers and smashed it. Now the hag was beginning to falter.

"Edmund!" Peter yelled as he threw his sword in Edmund's direction.

With a scowl of fury, Dalzell glared at Peter, who still struggled for breath, but was slowly rising to his feet. Just as Edmund had jumped to catch Peter's sword, Dalzell threw her spear at Peter. He gasped in surprise as the spear shot through his chest. It was almost slow motion for Edmund as Peter's eyes faltered and he fell to his knees. Now, Edmund finally knew how Peter felt when he'd seen Jadis stab him at Beruna. It was perhaps the most horrifying moment of his life.

"Peter!" Edmund screamed, his attention focused only on Peter.

He was about to run for Peter, when he felt the hag's claws around his neck. She squeezed and choked him, but he simply glared back at her in disgust. With an angry, tear filled cry, he flicked his sword up and cut the hag's arms off, while using the same motion to slice through her thigh. She screamed in horror and staggered back as he tossed the claws from his neck.

"You best hope he lives, or I will not be so just when I return."

Edmund ran to Peter's side as Dalzell fell to the ground, glaring at the stumps where her arms once were. She did not even sense Orrin limping toward her, with one hand gripped on the wound in his stomach, and the other holding Edmund's fallen sword. She sat up, babbling incoherently, screaming a chant that Orrin could not decipher. She soon realized that he was standing next to her. He looked as sorry a sight as she, with a spear in his thigh and his stomach spilling blood. He breathed heavily, and his eyes dilated, but his intent was obvious.

"He may have spared your life. But I will not. And if my sword will not strike you dead, then perhaps his will." Orrin gasped, raising Edmund's sword into the air, "Your chants will not save you now."

"Wait!" Dalzell begged, "I will give you anything you ask! I have power you cannot imagine! Spare my life and I will give you anything!"

"Can you bring my people back? Can you bring Eris back?"

For the first time, her eyes were filled with fear. She looked up at Orrin and scowled. It was the last thing she did before he sliced her head off. Finally, the hag was dead. Her head rolled along the ground and landed next to the helmet Edmund had reappeared with.

"It's over, Eris. It's over." Orrin cried, tears of release finally escaping, before he slumped to the ground and let exhaustion overtake him.

Edmund looked back to see that Orrin had finished the hag off with his sword. He was grateful, for he had slain his share of evil today. And perhaps Orrin would have a small modicum of justice for Princess Pretty Eyes. He quickly turned his attention back to the body in his arms. He never imagined he would be in this position, but as the horns of victory began sounding across the battlefield, he knew Peter would be ok. He knew would Lucy would come.

"Ed …" Peter gasped, fumbling for Edmund's hand, "Ed …"

"I'm right here, Peter. I'm right here." cried a shaken Edmund, "Do not scare me so. Lucy will come."

"So cold …"

"Then I will be warm enough for the both of us. Just like you were for me. Don't you remember?"

"I do." smiled a weary and disoriented Peter, "I remember."

"Will you hold on for me? I know you are weak, but if I can somehow give you strength, then let it be yours, my love."

"Ed …" Peter gasped, his breath failing him, "Do … do you think … in another lifetime … we could … we could … be together … again?"

"We will not have another lifetime." Edmund cried, kissing Peter's hand, "Of that I am certain. And so you must live. So we can be together in this one. Please, Peter. Narnia needs you. I need you."

"I … I don't suppose … you could … ask Lucy … to hurry then … could you?"

Edmund surprised himself with a laugh and kissed Peter's cheek, mixing his tears with those of Peter's. Though Edmund still felt fear, for he knew the fates were not set in stone, he knew Peter would hold on. He knew Lucy would come.

"I think I like it better when I'm the one doing the dying. I cannot imagine how it was for you at Beruna." Edmund said with a small shiver in his voice, "The world cannot lose someone as magnificent as you, Peter."

"I am not so magnificent." Peter smiled weakly, "Unless you are by my side."

"Then you will be magnificent for a long time."

"Forever?"

"Forever … is perhaps too long." Edmund cried through a smile, "But for now, we must be grateful. We have won this day."

Much to Edmund's relief, Lucy soon approached them on the back of Roan. She rushed to Peter's side, quickly tipping a drop of her cordial in his mouth. Though still incredibly weak, his color began to return and the cold was forced to give way to warmth. He would not die this day.

"Lucy, help the others. Quickly, please." Peter begged, still held in Edmund's arms.

Though there were still skirmishes going on, most of the hag's army had retreated or surrendered. Edmund continued holding Peter as his eyes became a little brighter, his breaths a little more steady. Yet still Peter held as fast to Edmund, as Edmund held fast to him. For a time, the two kings simply held one another. The battle had been won, the hag was no more, and yet in Edmund's mind, the war had only just begun. Perhaps it would not continue today. Perhaps not even tomorrow, or a week from tomorrow. One day however, it would come. But for now, they had earned their victory, and their peace.

FAREWELL FRIENDS OF NARNIA

Although Lucy's cordial had done much to improve Peter's condition, Susan had insisted he be flown back with the gryphon wing to Cair Paravel and made to rest. It was not a decision that Peter accepted readily, but he was in little condition to argue. For most of the Narnian army, they carried their dead and wounded, and marched back to Narnia. They had one stop on the way, at the dead city of SharShian.

"I am uncertain whether or not I will see this place again." Orrin said as he stood at the main gates to the great city.

He was still forced to use a wooden crutch to support his injured leg, and his midsection was still heavily bandaged. Lucy's cordial had saved his life, but he would still need time to fully heal. His heart was still laden with grief, but he now felt a sense of closure for his people.

"They will not be forgotten." Susan reassured as Orrin slipped his free hand in hers.

Edmund wanted to speak. He wanted to tell Orrin what had truly taken place here. Yet he did not believe it would serve any good. It would not wake the dead. It would not heal his wounds.

"Susan, I must take my leave." Edmund said with a nod, "This is where we part company."

"Must you be the one to go? Can you not send one of the generals?"

"This is a task I must see completed myself. It is for Narnia's safety that we set up an outpost in the north. We must be alerted the minute any … armies appear. And they will appear."

"You fear this is not the end of our war against him?"

"It may not be today, but one day, the balance will be paid. When that day comes, we will want to know sooner, rather than later. And so I go, to woo an ally and to forge an outpost. Tell Peter I will see him when I return."

"Who are you taking with you?"

"General Lero, Roan, and a battalion of the former fallen. They will follow me without hesitation. I would take Orrin, since he is my first liege … but he'd only slow us down." Edmund said with a wry smirk, "You'd best get back to Cair Paravel so Susan can be gentle with you."

"Edmund …" Susan blushed, before resuming her regal demeanor, "Are you certain this cannot wait? We have just fought a mighty battle. Our soldiers are weary, as we should all be. Including you."

"Yes, well … some things cannot wait. Do not fear, I will take care of our soldiers."

"Well you take care of yourself too, ok?"

"I will, Su. Give my love to Lucy. Tell Peter I will think of him without respite. Goodbye, Su."

Before Susan could say another word, Edmund was kissing her cheek and patting Orrin on the back. Then as he had so many times before, he disappeared into the sunset. Susan let out a disappointed sigh, before she turned back to Orrin.

"He is always leaving. Even though he has returned to us, his heart is unsettled." sighed a downcast Susan, "I hope this time when he returns, he returns to stay. He is always the first to put his hand up when something must be done. Almost as if he is still trying to make amends or earn our respect for betraying us to Jadis. If only he knew. Oh, Edmund. Peter will miss him so."

"Speaking of King Peter. I … spoke to him before you sent him back to Cair Paravel to mend."

"Of something that concerns me?"

"Susan … I know I am no longer a man of wealth or a kingdom, but I do have loyalty. I have honor. I have love. I have a lifetime's worth."

Susan's stomach began feeling light, as did her head. She composed herself as gracefully as everyone had come to expect her to be. She smiled, stood calm and cool, and listened as Prince Orrin asked her a question she did not believe she would ever hear.

"I offer all these things to you, and ask …" Orrin began to say before knelt painfully on his right leg, before holding up a ring made of the Shian's brilliant jadestone, "If you would do me the honor of sharing your life with me. I ask for your hand in marriage. In return, I will pledge my love only to you, and swear to honor and cherish you for the rest of my days. Susan, will you be my que…"

"Yes!" Susan yelled, before Orrin had a chance to finish, "Yes!"

"But I hav…"

"I said yes!"

"I …" Orrin began to say, with that rare blush once again filling his cheeks, "I …"

"Orrin, are you ok?" Susan asked, her cheeks equally as flushed as Orrin's, "I'm sorry I interrupted you."

"I have practiced this speech in my mind for so long. When I asked King Peter for permission to ask for your hand … I imagined what this moment would be like. I never quite made it to the part where you said … yes. Now I am uncertain what to do."

"Thank you." Susan gushed, as Orrin softly slid the ring on her finger, "You have no idea how happy this makes me."

"Thank you for giving me … a new life. Thank you for your patience, and for your compassion. Most of all, thank you for your love. You are the brightest star in my sky, and with you, I am never lost."

"I already said yes." Susan cried with laugh.

She pulled Orrin to his feet, eliciting a small groan from the injured prince. She quickly fixed that by pressing her lips softly against his, before she slipped her arms around his neck. Finally, she had a prince of her own.

As the newly engaged couple embraced one another, Orrin raised his head to look one last time at his city. For a moment, he could've sworn he saw his sister. He could've sworn he saw her standing next to Jesahn, waving goodbye. A silent tear escaped him and he smiled back. Then just as quickly as he imagined he'd seen them, they were gone. He knew then, it was time to say goodbye. Time to let go of the past. Time to embrace a new future. A future with his queen. A future with Susan.

A KING ALONE

By the time Susan and the Narnian Armies returned to Cair Paravel, the city had prepared a parade in their honor. Respects were paid to the Shian. Families were reunited. However, it was with surprise and some initial resentment, that Peter had learned of Edmund's mission to the far north of the world. At first he was angry at Susan, but then realized this was not a mission that could have been avoided. And as Susan pointed out, the task did fall under Edmund's domain.

When Peter learned of Susan's acceptance to Orrin's marriage proposal, he ordered a week long celebration. After a heavy time of war, the citizens of Narnia were grateful for a reason to celebrate. The fog of war began to dissipate, to be replaced by a renewed sense of joy and anticipation for the future.

It seemed that in no time at all, the business of battle was far behind Peter. The hag had been wiped from the world, as had her taint and her evil. In some ways, he missed the call of battle and adventure, for now he was bound again to duty and matters of diplomacy and politics.

All too quickly for his liking, days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. Always at his daily briefings, he would ask;

"Any news from the north yet?"

"None, Sire." Mr. Tumnus would reply.

Each day Peter would ask the same question. Each day he would receive the same answer. Each day he sunk more and more into his own world. At night he would stand on his balcony. He could see Susan and Orrin holding one another in the moonlight, as they stood on the queen's balcony. Peter's heart would ache for Edmund and he would wonder when they would finally get to live the life they were due. He did not begrudge Susan's joy. He welcomed it. It gave him reason to smile and be joyous for her. He simply longed to share in such joy himself.

Yet still at night, when the castle was eerily quiet, only one sound could be heard. The soft, gentle sobs of Peter alone in his chambers. Though no one would speak of it, all were aware of the high king's melancholy. One of these evenings however, Peter found his time of despair interrupted.

"Peter?" Lucy asked as she entered Peter's chambers, "Why are you so sad? Do you not think Edmund will come home?"

"I know he will come home. I just miss him, Luce." Peter said with a sad smile, "What are you doing up?"

"Well, a special letter came this evening. I thought it might cheer you up. I think it might be from Edmund."

Peter took the letter and recognized the seal right away. It was the seal of Narnia. He opened the letter and sure enough, it was a letter from Edmund. Peter quickly skipped past the pleasantries and the formal salutations. He did not wish to hear from King Edmund, he wished to hear from his Ed. He wished to hear from his doubt-bucket.

'And so the task goes well, Peter. Do not ask me how Lucy managed to track us, for we are in the dark ends of the north near the Failing Sea. I have heard news of Susan's coming marriage to Prince Orrin. Please give her my best. I am afraid we will not be done here in time for me to attend. I am sorry, but as you know, this is a matter of the utmost importance. I will send news when there is news to send. Our forces are high in morale, but anxious to return home. It is with great satisfaction that I report no casualties or any untoward events on our travels. I trust you are well and I am certain you are quite busy with matters of state, so I will end this correspondence. Until we meet again,

Edmund the Just, King of Narnia'

"That's it?" Peter asked in surprise, "My first word from him in months, and that's it!"

"Would you like to write him a letter back? I can get it to him in … a month, I think. I shall have to double check with Mr. Tumnus."

"Oh you can be certain that I wish to send a reply, Lucy."

And so Peter did just that. He wrote a strongly worded, informal, and direct letter indicating his utter frustration at Edmund's indifference. As far as Peter knew, they'd forgiven each other. As far as he knew, they had overcome the taint on their love.

Part of the reason Peter was so desperate for marriage to Edmund, was so he would be able to state without reservation, that Edmund was his one and only love. Right now he still feared that Edmund could very well reject him, for reasons he did not know. He would not rest easy until Edmund was finally his, and their love was sealed.

He felt as raw with emotion now as at any time in the last few months without Edmund. And yet after he'd written every single thought down on paper and realized it was much too long a letter, he shortened it. As confused and angry as he was with Edmund, he had no heart to further isolate or drive away the younger king. He shortened all his thoughts to two sentences.

'I love you, Doubt-bucket. Please come home.'

JUST IN TIME

Time passed on and still Peter had heard no reply. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into a month. By now Susan's wedding was less than a week away. The entire city was alive with activity, preparing for the coming wedding between Queen Susan, and the last son of Shian. Yet still there was no word from the north. Still no word from Edmund.

"I never should have let him go." Susan said with a heavy frown, "Why couldn't one of the generals have handled it?"

"Because it is a king's duty to handle matters such as this. To be specific, it is Edmund's duty." Peter sighed, "But I jolly well still feel like throttling him. He barely settled into his throne before we were wrapped up in the awful business with that hag, and then he was off again."

"His heart is unsettled, Peter. He is always … apart. Always doubting. He has never truly returned to us, you know."

"It is that business with the hag, I am sure. He never truly came back to me after that. He does not return because he no longer wishes to be with me. He no longer wishes for marriage. When I asked him, before the battle with the hag, he never did give me an answer."

Peter sat alone with his thoughts. He covered his head in his hands. He had speculated so often. He had filled himself with doubts. He had done his best to be positive and optimistic, but with each month that passed, he began to fear that Edmund had never really forgiven him after all. Edmund no longer wished to be married.

Peter's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of trumpets. At first he shook them off as more celebrations for Susan's coming wedding. Until finally, he heard the words he'd been longing for;

"All hail! King Edmund the Just returns!"

Peter leaped to his feet and ran to the window. He looked down at the main gates to the castle. With a disbelieving sigh of relief, he saw Edmund leading his battalion into Cair Paravel. Trumpets and showers of confetti greeted the weary soldiers of Narnia. He noticed however that Edmund seemed particularly drawn and tired. Nothing that some well deserved rest wouldn't fix, Peter thought to himself.

Peter was anxious to run down and greet Edmund like a returning hero. Yet he made sure he was dressed in his very best first. He quickly made his way to the throne room, with Lucy quickly skipping along beside him.

"Isn't it wonderful? Edmund's home!" Lucy smiled as she took Peter's hand, "Oh I do hope he tells me all about his adventures."

By the time Peter entered the throne room, Edmund was already waiting. He was flanked by General Lero and Roan. Susan stood before her throne, and Peter quickly stood before his. Yet Edmund had not taken his place in front of his throne. Instead he kneeled with his head down, as if waiting to be greeted like a visiting subject. Peter believed that perhaps Edmund was simply following protocol.

"King Peter, we have successfully secured an ally in the far north. Our outpost is secure. I bring a declaration of allegiance and gifts from our new friends." Edmund said before he stepped forward and handed a signed declaration to Peter.

The younger king stood back and stepped aside so Peter could see the gifts of strange materials and rare delicacies. Peter studied the document before handing it back to Edmund with a grateful smile. Edmund responded in turn with a respectful nod.

"Good work, Ed." Peter said patting Edmund on the shoulder, a gesture that the younger king seemed to shy from.

"Thank you, Sire."

"Please, dismiss your battalion with my thanks. Be sure they are treated to a spectacular feast. They deserve a great deal of rest. As do you, Ed."

"Thank you, Sire." Edmund said with a bow, "Do you require anything else of me?"

Peter frowned with an uneasy sensation building inside him. Indifference was always the weapon Edmund used when he did not desire informal discussion or anything that required emotion. Had time changed Edmund's feelings? Had the hag's taint turned Edmund away from him? Confused, Peter finally responded, hoping to draw some kind of personal response from his long absent love.

"No. You are free to do as you wish. Including speaking freely and plainly, as you always should. As a King of Narnia should."

"It has been a long and difficult journey. I would like to speak to my battalion before I dismiss them for rest."

"I will go and organize a grand banquet for everyone!" Lucy yelled excitedly before she ran forward and hugged Edmund.

For the first time since his return, Peter saw Edmund smile. He could not refuse Lucy when she wrapped her arms around his neck and smothered his cheek with a wet kiss. With a small laugh, Edmund hugged her before she carried on her way.

Edmund bowed again to Peter and Susan, acting more like a subject than a fellow king. As he turned to leave, Peter was about to run after him until Susan held him back. He looked at her in surprise, but she simply stared back with a calm expression.

"He is tired, Peter. Let him rest."

"He is indifferent. How can he be so indifferent? He acts as though he is nothing to us."

"It is perfectly fine, Peter. When he has rested …" Susan said with a smile, "I will throttle him. He will never be indifferent again."

"Thank you, Su. But I imagine this has more to do with me, than with you. I cannot wait. I have waited long enough."

And so Peter sought Edmund out. He finally found the younger king on his way back to his chambers, having dismissed his battalion. He felt anger and confusion welling up within him at the sight of the younger king.

"Edmund!"

Before Peter could grab Edmund and throttle him back from indifference, the younger king grabbed him. In a flash, they were in Edmund's chambers. At first Peter was just a little fearful that Edmund was angry with him for something, and was about to force them into a physical fight. Something he swore they would never do again. Yet on the contrary, Edmund had other plans.

Edmund slammed his chamber doors shut and locked eyes with Peter. Peter stared back at him in confusion, even anxiety. Absence had done much to increase the doubt between them, and now it was almost as if one were waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Hello." said a shy, self conscious Edmund, "Hello, Peter."

"Ed? Doubt-bucket?" Peter asked in a gentle, almost pleading voice, "Did you not miss me? Are you angry with me?"

"Did … did you miss me?" Edmund replied, looking as equally unsure as Peter, "It has been … a while. Did … did you miss me, Peter?"

"Oh sod this!" Peter yelled before he rushed Edmund.

In an instant, Peter's mouth was smashing against Edmund's so hard he pushed the younger king back against the wall. Months of tension knew no bounds now as lips devoured lips with a passion. An open mouthed kiss did little to quell the ache in Peter's heart. Soon Edmund's armor was tossed aside by Peter as his lips devoured the younger king's neck.

"By the stars, I missed you." Peter moaned as he bit Edmund's shoulder, "Must you always be so bloody doubting?"

"Less talking!" Edmund yelled, shoving Peter back onto the bed.

He fumbled with his boots, and stripped down to his undergarments. Peter seemed a little surprised by Edmund's forwardness, but was quickly imitating his actions. In a minute, they were back on each other again in a mess of mouths and fumbling hands, anxious cries and desperate kisses.

"Is everything alright in there?" called Mr. Tumnus.

"Sod off!" Peter screeched, his voice almost needy, "We're busy!"

"It's just that Queen Lucy says she needs your help, King Peter. Some guests have arrived from Calormen for Queen Susan's wedding."

"It's not for a week!"

"Well, yes. But they did tell us they would be arriving early. They were hoping to discuss matters of trade with you. Queen Lucy would like you to greet them with her."

"Duty calls, Peter." Edmund sighed, kissing his way down Peter's chest, "Perhaps his timing could not have been better. I do think we would've … been unable to stop had he been a minute later."

"Tell her I'm coming." Peter droned, before he pulled Edmund up for a long and tender kiss.

Unable to help himself, he rolled on top of Edmund and continued making out with the younger king. There was a decidedly more tender tone in their intimacy now. Edmund's fingers traced the lines in Peter's back. Peter ran his fingers down the soft curves of Edmund's neck. All the while their lips caressed and tasted, while tongues darted and explored.

"Must you always be so doubting, Ed?"

"Time does things, Peter. And it has been some time."

"Time may change some things, Ed. But it does not change this." Peter said pressing Edmund's hand to his heart, "It does not change me."

"Peter …"

"What is it, Ed?"

It was then that Peter saw questions in Edmund's eyes. Questions that longed for answers. Fears that gave rise to doubt. Yet just as he felt Edmund was about to ask him those questions, he raised a small smile instead.

"Another time." Edmund said closing his eyes, "You have duties to tend to."

"They can wait. I have not seen you for months. And I still … fear that you have … changed. I fear that perhaps you have not truly forgiven me. Or perhaps you do not think our love can survive."

"And you call me doubt-bucket?" Edmund said with a small laugh, but said nothing else to quell Peter's fears.

It was Edmund who made the move to break their coupling. He stood up and crossed the floor silently, before holding open his chamber doors. He flashed a shy, thoughtful, but somewhat sad smile as Peter begrudgingly adorned his tunic and his crown.

"Your crown is … perfect upon your head, Peter. You are magnificent, do you know that?"

"As I keep telling you, I am only ever anything, when you are by my side." Peter said extending his hand to Edmund.

For a time, Peter held the younger king in his arms. They spoke no words, but their gentle breathing and the presence of one another, spoke enough. Though Peter could feel Edmund's fears, he did not press the younger king to speak of them. It was not the reunion that Peter had longed for, yet he was grateful they were at least acknowledging their love.

A WEDDING FIT FOR NARNIA

The week flew swiftly by and did nothing to allay Peter's concern with Edmund's return. Though the younger king had been open with his affection, Peter could not help but feel Edmund was shying from him. It was the little things Peter noticed. It was in the way that Edmund would ever so slightly turn his face so a kiss would be lip to cheek, instead of one that two lovers should share. It was in the way Edmund would lock his chambers at night, preventing Peter from even sitting next to his bed. It was in the way that Edmund's eyes would never fix themselves to Peter's.

For Edmund, there was always something that needed tending to. Something that could not wait. Something that would not let them have more than a few moments with one another.

It helped that the week leading up to Susan's wedding was a week filled with ceremony and celebrations, meetings and matters of state. Edmund buried himself in the business of being a king. This had been the longest period of time he'd been in Cair Paravel, and he was finally learning the duties that were required of him. Though Peter saw him only fleetingly, he could not help but laugh when he overheard Edmund speaking to Susan.

"I much prefer being a rogue warrior to a paper knight." Edmund said rolling his eyes, "This business is so horrid. Isn't there some quest that requires my attention? Some dragon to slay?"

Without pausing to interrupt their conversation, Peter walked away with a smile. He knew Edmund had become so attuned to being a man of action that the much less exciting aspects of being a king were lost on him.

As the day arrived for the wedding that had brought Narnia to fever pitch celebrations, Peter sought out Prince Orrin. He was about to give Susan away to a man who had quickly become a citizen of Narnia. Peter had no fears or apprehension over the impending marriage, but still thought it necessary to speak to the prince beforehand.

"How are you feeling, Chap?" Peter asked as he patted Orrin's shoulder.

"Surprisingly calm. As if perhaps my whole life has been a prelude to this moment. I have not seen Susan for three days, as is customary in my culture. Do … you think she is still anticipating this moment as much as I am?"

"Well, King Edmund has borne the brunt of her erratic behavior. I would say she is incredibly nervous. It is to be expected. I have never had the chance to ask you since you came to live here with us. Is this place a home for you? Do you feel one of us?"

"It has been a time of adjustment, but I am grateful for my role here. I feel somewhat guilty about leaving on our honeymoon before I have had a time to brief King Edmund about the Order of Justice's business over the last few months."

"I must say, you took your role on rather splendidly."

"It was not unlike the position I held in the Shian Kingdom."

"So … after today, you will be truly one of us. You will be family." Peter smiled, "I am grateful for your presence. And I will be even more grateful once this wedding business is over and Susan becomes a little more bearable to deal with."

And with that, Peter offered more words to help Orrin before his wedding. Though Peter had hoped that he and Edmund would be married by now, he knew today was for Susan.

The ceremony was nothing less than magical. Peter could not help the swell of pride or the tears that threatened to escape him. He led Susan up the aisle toward her future husband, and in a moment that would remain in his memory, he gave her away. He had been her protector for all of his life, and now that duty was passed on to another. He would always watch over her, but he knew he would step back and let her husband take on the role of her protector. It was the natural order of things.

He stepped back and stood between Edmund and Lucy, while Susan and Orrin exchanged their vows. The ceremony itself was held in the outer pavilion that had once been the site of the northern tower. The number in attendance was too great to hold the ceremony indoors. And as if Aslan himself had graced the event, the sun shone down brilliantly, illuminating the warm sparkle in Susan's eyes.

There was a look exchanged between Peter and Edmund, and it gave no hint to the uncertain footing of their relationship. Instead it was a look of joy for their sister, and a deep appreciation of the moment that passed in front of them. And perhaps, it was even a longing for a wedding of their own.

Peter felt surprised however when Edmund took his hand and locked their fingers together. It was unexpected, but the small gesture made the moment perfect for Peter. Edmund smiled lovingly at the high king, before their gazes returned once more to their sister.

By the time the vows were complete, there was barely a dry eye in sight. Peter found his face awash with tears of emotion and joy. This was a moment of reflection on so many levels. He had given Susan away. He had witnessed a moment in her life that would linger for as long as she lived. It almost felt like the end of an era for him. An ascendancy into adulthood had taken place, and in a bittersweet way, they could never go back to the way things were. Such was the order of life.

And so Queen Susan the Gentle became the bride of Prince Orrin, last of the Shian. She cried tears of joy as she hugged her family. Peter was first to congratulate Orrin and welcome him into their family. Lucy clapped her hands together and signaled the celebrations to begin in earnest. A feast and banquet followed, with speeches and toasts. The very first of which was made by Peter himself.

"Prince Orrin, thank you for taking Su away. Perhaps now she will stop yelling at me and start yelling at you." Peter said with a smirk, before he continued, "Love … is perhaps the most wonderful gift we can ever have. To see it sealed today is perhaps one of the most amazing experiences I have been witness to. To my sister and her new husband, I give nothing but the best hopes for your future. May your life be graced with as much joy as we have shared today. You are as wise as you are gentle, Susan, and I am proud to have you as my sister and friend. Let us all toast to the marriage of Queen Susan the Gentle, and Prince Orrin. May you both know endless joy and most of all, a love that will endure beyond all things. For that … is truly the greatest gift of all."

Once again Peter's eyes caught Edmund's and they shared an awkward, but sincere smile. The reception moved along much faster than Peter expected. He knew this was not the time to think of such things, but he felt a sense of loss today. He wondered how his role in Susan's life would change. Would she still come to him for advice, and in turn end up giving her own. Would she still think highly of him, even though he was no longer her protector?

Still, beyond all that, he was overjoyed at the marriage and the ceremony. He did not think he would ever witness something so wonderful again. And yet when he looked at Edmund, he hoped he might. When the newly married couple shared the first dance, Peter sat beside Edmund and for the first time in days, realized they were finally free to speak with one another. There was nothing else that needed tending to. There were no engagements that could be used to separate them. Yet they sat in silence, both relieved that they day had gone smoothly, and still proud and overjoyed at their sister's marriage.

"This is a good day, Peter." Edmund reassured, "This does not change the way we support each other. Susan will still need you. She will still love you."

"When are you two getting married?" Lucy asked, surprising the two kings as she approached them with goblets, "Haven't you been engaged forever now?"

"Well … Lucy, it's …" Peter began to say, "It's hard to say."

"But don't you love each other? Isn't that why Edmund is here in the first place?"

For someone that everyone treated so young, Lucy seemed to be incredibly adept at making observations. Her statement seemed to disorient Edmund, who subtly shifted away from the other two. Peter's heart sank and he did not know why. He did not know why Edmund had returned and given glimpses of their love, but always held back. He could see now that Edmund was in deep thought, but Lucy would have none of it.

"Well?" Lucy asked, tapping her feet, "Edmund?"

"I'm going to get some punch. Would you like some, Peter?"

"No thank you, Edmund." Peter sighed, before Edmund disappeared into the crowd.

"I don't know what's gotten into him. He's been queer since he came back."

"Perhaps the hag was right." Peter said with a shake in his voice, "Perhaps her taint was successful after all."

"Rubbish." Lucy said shaking her head, "I'm going to go give him a piece of my mind! I love weddings. And I can't wait to start planning yours."

"Yes, well, I wouldn't get your hopes up, Lu."

"May I have this dance?" Orrin asked as he took Lucy's hand.

"Oh, certainly!" Lucy said blushing, her anger quickly dissipating.

As Lucy disappeared, Peter was alone with his melancholy thoughts. Alone until Susan surprised him with her presence. Her smile was radiant and her eyes were glowing. It was enough to bring Peter from his frown and raise a smile. Before he could say anything, she took his hand and led him to the dancefloor.

"Oh, Peter. I cannot tell you how special this day has been." Susan said as he leaned her head on Peter's shoulder, "Thank you so much."

"For what, Su?"

"For everything, Peter. For everything I should thank you for. I love you, Peter. I will always love you."

Peter smiled gratefully and kissed Susan's temple as they danced. He held her and in that moment, he knew that although she had entered a new phase of her life, she would always need him. He could always protect her.

"Su, aren't you married now?" Edmund interrupted with a smirk, "Would you mind giving me my man back?"

"So he is your man now?"

"Most definitely." Edmund smiled, as Susan broke away with a smile of her own, "Thank you. And … congratulations. It was a perfect day."

Susan disappeared into the crowd and Edmund silently took Peter's hand. He looked up at Peter and smiled, this time without reserve or the hint of a secret that must be kept. They danced in unison, with Peter taking the lead and Edmund following. They were surrounded by hundreds, and yet they were the only two people in the world. There was nothing else, except them. And for a while, Peter thought perhaps Edmund would give him more than just a glimpse of their love.

"I do love you." Edmund said as he tilted his head up and kissed Peter softly, "And I am sorry that I have been queer with you this week."

"I do not know what to say, Ed. I am uncertain where I stand with you. I long for more, but when I look at you, I see doubt in your eyes. Today has been both wonderful and horrible. Wonderful for Su, of that I am certain. And I do not wish to bring drudgery upon her day. But by jove, it should have been us getting married first. Why aren't we married, Ed?"

"I …"

"Edmund, why aren't we married?"

And there it was. The question that Peter had been dying to ask since Edmund's return. Not once had they spoken of marriage. They had barely spoken of love. They had barely spoken at all.

"I have kept you waiting long enough. I do not have the heart to make you wait any longer. It is time, Peter."

"Time for what?"

Before Peter could answer, Edmund was leading him away by the hand. Edmund led Peter until they were in a secluded courtyard with no one else in sight. The only light they had was from the moon shining upon Edmund's pale skin and Peter's golden hair.

Edmund's breathing was ragged and nervous. He did his best to compose himself while Peter waited anxiously for him to speak. The younger king turned to Peter with a look of apprehension, before finally breathing out.

"I … was tempted, Peter. I was tempted again. The day we battled the hag. He made me an offer … an offer that would keep me with you for as long as you lived. An offer that would let me love you until the end of us both."

"Why do you need him to make an offer like that to begin with?" Peter asked in surprise, "That is what will already be. How could you even consider dealing with him?"

"Because I am a fool. A fool whose biggest weakness is your love. I considered it because … I did not wish to be left behind. He used my biggest weakness to tempt me away from everything good and pure. He tried to turn me from Aslan with promises of you. Aslan had told me this day would come. And I did for a moment consider it, Peter. But only for a moment. Aslan believed I would overcome his temptation, and I did. Though I do believe I have only incurred a greater wrath from him."

"I don't understand, Ed."

"I am about to tell you what I should have when I first returned to you." Edmund said with a deep breath, gazing longingly at Peter, "If you could choose to love me … to be in love with me, or to love me as you love Lucy and Susan, what would you choose? I had my own reasons for traveling north, Peter. I have searched for an answer these last few months. An answer that could keep me with you. An answer of my own, that did not require selling my soul to him. I could not accept his offer, but I still wanted an answer for myself. I wanted to find a way to … to stay with you. To stay by your side until the end of our days. I found an answer, Peter. But it means you have to choose. We both have to choose."

Edmund slid his hand under his tunic and revealed a small vial. It seemed simple and innocuous enough. Yet the way Edmund's hand shook as he held it, made Peter realize just how important it was.

"What is it, Ed?"

"It is an opportunity, Peter. Once we make this choice, there is no turning back. This is the last time we will ever speak of this, Peter. Whatever choice we make here, will be the choice we live with. You need not know what it is, but only what it will do. It is magic, Peter. It is a magic that will keep me with you until the day you die. But to do so, it will break the bond we share and replace it with something … different. I will be like Susan or Lucy to you. It will keep me alive, but it will change our love. It will mean I can follow you wherever you go. It means I can stay by your side."

Peter was obviously confused by Edmund's words. He did not understand any of this. In fact, the more he heard, the more he thought Edmund had caught some sickness on his travels and come back delirious.

"Give it to me." Peter said snatching the vial away from Edmund, "I don't know what this is. I don't care."

In a flash he threw the vial to the ground and it smashed into a flurry of shards. Edmund's mouth seemed to fall in slow motion as he looked down at the smashed vial. His eyes looked up at Peter in horror, and he gasped in disbelief.

"You don't know what you've done. That was the only way to keep me with you. I will not be able to follow you!"

"Shut up, Ed." Peter said grabbing Edmund.

Peter kissed Edmund with an anxious fervor. He kissed eagerly and hungrily. He kissed as though he had been denied for a lifetime. He wrapped his arms around Edmund and kissed the younger king until he stopped resisting in his arms. His tongue slid through Edmund's lips as they shared a deep and all encompassing kiss.

"I don't know what that was, Ed. But the gist of it seemed to be that it would change my love for you. The minute you said that, I knew it had to go. Could you even contemplate giving us up? Giving this up? Do you think a love that could summon you from death is just something we can change with a vial? The hag couldn't do it with her magic. What makes you think this could? What makes you think I would even let you try? My love for you is not open for negotiation, Edmund. I would die before I gave it up. I will not give you up. I will not deny my love for you. That is an absolute that you will simply have to deal with."

It was then that Edmund burst into tears, but they were tears of gratitude and relief. He smothered Peter's face with kisses and held onto the taller king. Still, Peter did not understand what was going on, but he still believed he had done the right thing.

"Our fates are set, Peter." Edmund smiled, "You will have my love for the rest of my life. But I will not be able to follow you. One day you will leave me and Narnia, and I will not be able to follow."

"There you are being my little doubt-bucket again. What in the world makes you think that I will ever leave you?"

"It does not matter. I do not care. I am as happy today as the day you asked me to marry you. You have made the choice that I could not. I accept my fate, Peter. And my fate is to love you and to walk with you until … until … the end of my life. It is the greatest fate I will ever know. And I will not cry or be melancholy for what is to come. I will be grateful that you loved me so much that we have this opportunity now. I will be grateful that you loved me enough that even death could not keep us apart. I will be grateful that you made the choices that I could not."

"I still do not understand, Ed."

"Only because you refuse to believe that you will ever leave me. And it is just another reason why I am in awe of you, Peter. As long as you live, so will the best part of me." Edmund smiled, tears in his eyes as he looked up at Peter, "It is done. Now we have a life to live. I say, why aren't we married yet, Peter?"

"What?" Peter laughed, gripping Edmund in a bear hug, "You have the cheek to ask me that? Does this mean that perhaps you might finally stop entertaining all your bloody doubts and finally marry me?"

"Yes, but could you possibly hurry it up? You do keep me waiting so."

"You're impossible, Ed. If I didn't love you so much, I'd bloody well throttle you."

"We will never speak of this again. But when the day comes … remember, that I loved you with all my heart. And I do not regret this. I do not regret a thing. Promise me you will never forget that I loved you. Promise me, Peter."

Peter smiled, looking at Edmund as though he were mad, "I will not have to forget, because you will always be here to remind me. I love you so much, Ed. I do wish you could grasp just how much I mean that."

"I'm sorry, Peter. I'm sorry for making you wait. But this is the last time. From today, I am yours, completely and without any reservations. In fact, why don't you go on ahead and tell Lucy to start preparations for another wedding."

"You mean it?" Peter asked with excitement lacing his every word, "You mean it, Doubt-bucket? We're getting married? We're actually getting married?"

"We're getting married."

Edmund let out a gasp as Peter picked him up and spun him around. Peter's grip was so tight that Edmund thought he would soon pass out. Edmund believed he had never quite seen a sight so wonderful as the smile on Peter's face that radiated in the moonlight. In that one moment, he knew that no matter what their fate was, he could have never given up their love.

"I love you, I love you, I love you. I will make you so happy, I swear!" Peter yelled with utter joy in his face as he continued hugging Edmund with the strength of a bear, "You will never regret this, Ed! I will be the greatest husband you could ever dream of. I will make your ever dream a reali…"

"Peter … can't breathe …"

"Oh, right." Peter said letting Edmund down, "Come on! We must tell everyone!"

"No, no. Just Lucy. This is Susan's day. We'll tell everyone tomorrow, when she has left for her honeymoon."

"Oh, Ed. Always thinking of everyone else." said Peter as he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Edmund's.

Edmund began to laugh through the kiss as he pushed Peter off him, "Peter, must you always kiss me? Kiss, kiss, kiss, that's all you do!"

"Oh shut up. It's the only way to stop you talking. And besides, your lips taste better than the sweetest honey or the finest wine. And also yes, kissing shuts you up." Peter said as he resumed their kiss.

And though Edmund wanted to feign resistance, he did not. In fact, he doubted he ever would again. He knew from this night on, nothing else would ever come between their love. No hag, no magic, not even death. From this day forward, he would give himself completely to Peter and would never look back.

Finally, Peter relented and let Edmund's lips free, but only to try and drag him back to the wedding reception. Edmund urged Peter to go on without him, and after much protesting, Peter finally did. Though only so he could rush to tell Lucy the news that another wedding would soon be held.

"I guess that's it then, Peter." Edmund said to himself as he stood alone in the courtyard looking up at the moon, "There is no turning back."

For a time, Edmund stood alone with thoughts of the future playing in his mind. He thought of the test that he and Peter had endured. They had come through the fire that had tainted their love, and they would emerge victorious. Yet as much as he was grateful that he no longer had to dwell on what might be, he was also weary of what could be. For he, and only he, knew that the prophecy was not restored. Only he knew that war was not over. Only he knew that there were prices still to be paid, balances to be kept. Only he knew that he had not defeated the great evil, the one who is many. He had simply beaten him back and delayed the inevitable.

The day would come. Perhaps now, perhaps later, but it would come. That day when news from the north would herald the final stage of a war that had begun the moment he died at Beruna. A war the likes of which Narnia could not fully appreciate yet. A war between light and dark. A war between good and evil. A war that only Aslan himself could end.

That day however, was not today. Today was the lull between chaos. Today was the peace between battles. Today he could simply be, Peter's Edmund. And for that, he could do nothing but smile. The war would come, but not today. Today was for love.

Though Edmund felt some sadness at knowing his eventual fate, he couldn't help but feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity he now had. An opportunity to love and be loved. An opportunity to marry and to inspire the life of the only person his heart would ever belong to. Everything else paled in comparison, even the knowledge of what would come. The price would be paid for love. But it would not be paid today. Just as the war that would change all their lives, would not continue today. War could wait a little longer. Today was for love, and tomorrow was for marriage. But that … is another story.

- THE END -

Just and Magnificent V2: Through the Fire

That was the final chapter of Volume 2: Through the Fire. I hope you enjoyed it. Coming next -

- THE FINAL VOLUME -

Just and Magnificent V3: The Price we Pay for Love


A/N: Ok so that chapter was WAY long. I did warn you. I do apologize if it interrupted studies or work or what not lol. It was also the end of Volume 2. I needed it this long to wrap up all the storylines from this volume. There is one more volume left in this story. And as you can probably imagine, it does tie in to this volume. The first half of this chapter was the revelation of what set the events of this volume in motion, particularly with the Shian. And also the battle with the hag, which I hope you enjoyed. Everyone got their piece of the action. And I did promise a wedding, but probably not the one you expected, or maybe you did. Peter and Edmund's wedding will be either the opening chapter of the final volume, or a special chapter I do that bridges them. I'm not sure yet. Anyway there was so much that happened in this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. And I hope it served as a fitting end to this volume and to the major arcs that were born out of it, particularly with the Shian. Pretty Eyes was avenged. Edmund and Peter have come through the fire and will never again be tested. I guess that means lots of fluff. But you know, I promise that the final volume of this story will hopefully be the best one yet, though each volume has its own theme. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has given me feedback.Thanks to theQueen of the Buckets, Capegio, for giving me the bucket. I think Peter wants to keep it. Please read and review if you liked this chapter and/or this volume! Reviews make me feel loved and fuzzy.