JUST AND MAGNIFICENT
Volume 3: The Price We Pay For Love

3.7: When One is Many - Part 1

Most of Volume 3 of Just and Magnificent takes place in the 3-6years after the events of the movie. It is the last 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 is confronted by the One who is Many. Edmund speaks 'his' name and issues a challenge. Orrin and Susan prepare for parenthood. Part One of Two.
Warnings: Slash, Incest, Love, Romance, Adventure, Mystery, Action.
Disclaimer: Only characters that are mine are the Pretty Eyes People from Shian! And since they're all dead except Orrin, well I only own him now! All the rest belong to that master of awesomeness, C.S. Lewis
A/N: This chapter has been broken into two parts. This is, you guessed it, the first part!

JUST AND MAGNIFICENT 3.7: WHEN ONE IS MANY, VENGEANCE REIGNS - PART 1

A TIME TO BREATHE, FOR VICTORY IS OURS TODAY

At the great and revered castle in Cair Paravel, Queen Susan the Gentle made a triumphant return at the head of a victorious Narnian Army. An army which also happened to include, much to Lucy's relief and delight, her Fourth Battalion, led by Prince Orrin. Calormen's main infantry had been rebuffed, yet there was still the issue of the Calormen en route by sea to invade Narnia directly. Archenland had pledged support and sent five battalions and its elite guard to serve Susan, and now the waiting began for yet another phase in this war that consumed the world.

After many relieved tears and joyous hugs between Susan and Lucy, they sat in the throne room to hear the latest reports of the war. Susan was very distressed to learn that Edmund's fleet had been defeated and many of Galma and Terebinthia's civilians were en route to Narnia for sanctuary from a menacing Lone Islands invasion.

The subject messenger responsible for conveying this news to Susan was a fox who was somewhat familiar to her. She knew him in passing, but her main interest in the fox came from the fact that he was the son of one of her former aides, Rask. Rask had been a loyal fox who sacrificed his life trying to protect Susan from the nameless evil several years earlier. Susan had watched Rask's son, Brask, rise through the ranks and he seemed to possess many of the fine attributes that his father had. She had not paid him any special favors, as that would be unfair to himself and to others. She did however watch over him as she believed she owed it to her dead friend, Rask.

"King Edmund is coordinating a final stand at Galma. If Galma falls, then war will come to Cair Paravel from the east." said Brask, "His majesty is going to attempt to draw them within range of land so the gryphon will have a large base and launching point from which to perform dropping raids over the enemy fleet. He hopes this will counter the number deficiency that our side now suffers from."

"Very well." Susan said with a somber nod, "Thank you, Brask. And may I say, you do your father proud with your service."

"Thank you, Majesty. Thank you very much for saying that. I must also add that Galma and Terebinthia have both requested permission to evacuate their civilians to Narnia. Though King Edmund is confident Galma can be saved, Terebinthia is already lost. Galma also is in danger of falling to the enemy. Both ruling dukes of each island have expressed an interest in evacuating their civilians before the enemy arrives. They seek sanctuary."

"And they have it." said Susan emphatically, "They have fought with everything they have to aid us. Of course we will stand by them as they have stood by us. Please, tell the Captains Lamine and Kirb to prepare a transport fleet to travel with you to Galma and begin helping with the evacuation. We will hope for the best, but the civilians must be kept safe as a precaution."

"Understood, Queen Susan. I shall do as you ask at once."

"Thank you, loyal fox. Please convey our love to King Edmund and give our best to him and our allies." Susan said as she produced a scroll, "And please give this to King Edmund personally when you arrive in Galma."

As the fox left, Susan's face became anxious and worried. Lucy rubbed her arm affectionately and Susan feigned a smile back. Both queens knew the immensity of the war that raged in the seas as well as the north. Even though Calormen had been rebuffed, she was by no means defeated. Susan knew their second army would arrive within days by sea and Narnia did not have enough naval ships to resist them, as her entire fleet was either in or en route to Galma. They would have to fight the Calormen as soon as they reached land.

"Oh!" Susan said as she covered her mouth, "I forget to ask Brask to tell Edmund about the …"

"About the what, Susan?"

"Queen Susan!" yelled the royal herald at the throne room entrance, "Prince Orrin, Master Knight of the Order of Justice, First liege to King Edmund, and acting spymaster awaits the formal dictum of the s…"

"Oh tell him to bloody come in already." Susan snapped with a laugh, "We know who he is and why he's here. I don't know about my husband sometimes…"

The royal herald raised the Narnian signet as formal acceptance of Prince Orrin's entry. Orrin entered the throne room with Mr. Beaver walking proudly to his right, and General Capies the centaur to his left. Two heroes of the fourth battalion, and one hero of Susan's own army who fought at Archenland.

The centaur leaned forward, as everyone knew it was the closest a centaur could come to bowing in respect. Orrin fell to one knee with his head down, while Mr. Beaver sort of crouched while giving his two companions a puzzled look.

"My Queens." Orrin said with his head still down, "The Southern Armies have been given leave to return to their families until such time when they are needed to be reformed. Queen Lucy, your Fourth Battalion has returned. There were obviously casualties, but the majority of your battalion have come home."

"Too right we've come home!" Mr. Beaver said all too excitedly, "Cor blimey! We've been through the fire we have. It's all thanks to him you know. He wouldn't let us give up. He led us right through the desert and around Mt. Pire so those nasty Calormene wouldn't see us. It's a miracle we survived!"

"Mr. Beaver, please." Orrin said as if unsettled by Mr. Beaver's loose speech in such a formal setting, "We are in the presence of queens."

"Oh, right. You and your properness." Mr. Beaver laughed before he bowed, "It's so good to be home."

"The Fourth Battalion is yours again, Queen Lucy." Orrin said as he handed the traditional scepter of Lucy's battalion back to her.

Lucy stepped forward and took the scepter gratefully. Orrin bowed again before he rose to his feet and stepped back, much to Lucy's displeasure. Capies did the same as Orrin by stepping back gracefully. Only Mr. Beaver broke protocol and greeted Lucy with a warm hug.

"We will take our leave of you and return to our duties. Good day, Majesties." said Orrin with a small bow before he turned to leave with Capries, "Our duties, Mr. Beaver, that includes you."

"Righto!" Mr. Beaver laughed before he bounded along after Orrin, "Lead the way!"

Lucy was both amused and displeased with Orrin's formality. She knew it was simply how he believed he should show proper respect, but after such dreadful times she truly expected nothing less than a hug. After all, they were family now.

"He's so proper, isn't he?" Lucy asked with a smirk.

"That's my husband."

"I don't know how you put up with it." Lucy smiled mischievously, before she turned to an exiting Orrin, "Oh, Orrin?"

"Yes, Majesty?" said a dutiful Orrin as he turned back to face Lucy.

Orrin stood at the entryway of the throne room waiting for Lucy to address him again. His face was as solemn as usual, and one could almost believe he could both be ready to jump into battle or into a sandcastle. Such was the inability to often read his expression.

Yet once again he found his proper stature being shaken by these Pevensie royals who seemed to insist on informality at the most improper times. Case in point; Lucy running and embracing him in a fierce and loving hug. To make matters worse, she insisted on leaning up and kissing his cheek. How frightfully improper, he thought to himself.

"Welcome home, Orrin." smiled Lucy, "Thank for rescuing me from Tashbaan. And thank you for bringing my battalion and my sister home."

"Thank you, Majesty." Orrin said with the faintest hint of a smile, "For rescuing you and the battalion at least, but for Susan, I'm afraid she fought herself home. I simply offered support at … critical timing. Your thanks is not required, but appreciated. I live to serve, Queen Lucy."

"Just Lucy, remember?"

For the slightest instant, Lucy saw Orrin's face soften with a smile that was sincerely appreciative of her warmth. For a moment, she believed that was as close to informal as she was going to get from him. At least as long as they were standing in the throne room. Suddenly she detected the rare sight of mischief in his eyes before he picked her up by the waist and took three steps back. Officially they were no longer in the throne room. Protocol could be bent a little more here, at least in Orrin's eyes.

Orrin's face broke out with a smile before he greeted Lucy with an all encompassing hug. Lucy returned the gesture and she truly believed that he really cared for like family. She knew his duty had led him to her rescue, but she liked to think it was because he considered her as much his family as Susan now was. She for her part most definitely considered him a brother in law.

"It's good to be home, Lucy." Orrin smiled before he kissed her cheek and put her back down on the ground, "Thank you for welcoming me."

This time Orrin left with a smile on his face, before he turned to his wife in the throne room and nodded. A look of recognition and love passed between the eyes of the married couple before Orrin departed. Lucy ran back into the throne room and sat excitedly next to Susan.

"Isn't he wonderful?" Lucy smiled, "He's always so proper but I know better."

"He is traditional, Lucy. But do not doubt that my husband is very much capable of love and warmth."

"Oh, I'm so happy you're here Susan. What are we going to do now? We must prepare to fight!"

"You will do no such thing." said a stern Susan, "You are one who heals, not one who maims. Leave that unfortunate business to the rest of us. You are not fighting, Lucy."

"But I must do something. Look at you, you're still hurt from battle. You fight for Narnia all the time. And when the Calormen come, I know you will be the first one out there with your sword."

"Not this time, Lucy." Susan smiled, "I'm afraid my husband and General Lero will have that task. My … situation does not allow me to be frivolous with my life."

"What situation?"

"Well … I think it's time I told you my wonderful news."

"What is it?"

A RAY OF HOPE IN DARK TIMES?

"Susan is pregnant?"

Edmund couldn't believe his eyes. Sure enough, in Susan's own handwriting, he'd been told he was to be an uncle. His first reaction was to jump up and scream for joy. His second reaction was to pick up the bearer of the good news, Brask the fox, and spin him around into the air. His third reaction was to stare anxiously at the note, with little to none of the joy that he'd first expressed.

"Isn't this wonderful news, Sire?" asked the loyal fox.

Edmund felt a knot turning in his stomach. Prophecies had been broken before. He was proof of that. Yet he and Peter had discussed in length the issue of children. Edmund, like Susan had been to visit the seers and been informed that no Sons of Adam or Daughters of Eve who ruled on the throne would bear children. Those words haunted Susan at the time, and now they haunted Edmund. Though he was happy for Susan, he suddenly felt incredibly fearful. Did this mean the seers were wrong about any of them having children? Or were they still right and did this mean Susan would either lose her child or perhaps even her own life before the child would be born?

Edmund shuddered at the thought of either happening. All he wanted to do was lock Susan in a safe area of the castle and never let her out until she'd delivered her child. There were so many things for him to worry about, and this only added to that burden. He could only hope that Susan was being careful with her pregnancy. Surely she had not forgotten the seer's words. Edmund knew it was one of the reasons she had been trying so desperately to have a child now. Just to prove them wrong, and to provide Narnia with an heir since Peter and Edmund would not have one of their own. Yet still he couldn't help fearing for his sister.

"It is wonderful news." Edmund said finally, "It truly is. It is news that is worthy of inspiring a victory here at Galma. Has anyone been sent to inform King Peter?"

"No messengers have been sent north. A foul storm has covered Ettinsmoor and is keeping the gryphon from flying north to King Peter's army."

"Storm?" Edmund said with a somber face, "A storm that has prevented anyone from flying north?"

"Indeed, Sire. Roan himself tried to fly north but could not break the wind. It is as foul as he has ever seen."

Edmund's face hardened with anxiety. He had faced the one who is many in battle before, and he knew a great deal of what he was capable of. Just as Jadis could summon winter with her cold, despairing rule, so too could he call forth the dark nature of weather to aid him. Just as he had when the Salis Reas was first ambushed by the Lone Islanders with the aid of a foul storm.

What possible advantage could he have in blocking any flight between Narnia and the north? Did he wish to cut Peter off from the rest of Narnia? Did he wish to keep Edmund from trying to fly north to aid Peter?

'Love will fall'

Those words still echoed in Edmund's mind. He could not quell the sudden urge to fly north this very minute so that he could fight him, instead of Peter. Yet he knew that wasn't possible even if he wanted to. The north was blocked, and he still had his responsibilities to Narnia and the Eastern Seas.

Unbeknownst to Peter however, Edmund still had one ace card up his sleeve. An ace card that he hoped would save Peter. Yet he was so powerful now that perhaps his ace card would no longer be an ace card. Edmund was perhaps the only person in the world who knew his name. No one else knew, for fear that speaking his name would give him even more power. Though Edmund had no wish to give him more power, he heeded Aslan's warning that to speak his name would also summon him. That was however, a great deal of time ago. A time when he was not so powerful and would be forced to hold to the summon of his cursed name. Edmund was not so certain that speaking his name out loud would do anything now except give him power. Just as a rumor was only given power when people spoke of it, so too did he gain power when people spoke his name with fear.

"I do not fear you." Edmund said to himself, "Peter said I couldn't go north. He didn't say anything about summoning you south to me."

Edmund stood on the greater inlet of Galma's eastern harbor. He stood high on a clifftop that let him see almost to Terebinthia. If he turned west, he could almost spy Cair Paravel on a clear day. Galma was the closest island to Narnia, and it would serve as the last stand against the Lone Islanders. If Galma fell, Narnia would be invaded from the east. Somehow, he would have to make this stand victorious.

Yet he still found himself drawn to the troubles of the north. He still found himself drawn to Peter. He still found himself wanting to face him and perhaps end this war now. He did not fear facing him and failing. He did not fear summoning him either. He only feared that perhaps if he did choose to speak his name out loud, the result would be something completely unexpected. Aslan had warned him never to speak the name, and so far Edmund had abided. Yet as news from the north grew even more troubling, he found himself wanting to risk it all and summon him here. Peter could fight his army in the north, but he was for Edmund. Only the Rogue Warrior could face him and survive.

Edmund would not make such a rash move now, but the seed had been planted in his mind. As time wore on, he knew so too would his desire to face him and hopefully save Peter and perhaps even the world. The alternative was too dark a fate to contemplate.

REVEAL, TEMPT,CONFRONT

King Peter the Magnificent's army had successfully marched right through Ettinsmoor with little more than the odd giant to trouble them. A base camp had been established just north of the Ettinsmoor border, where much needed rest was being granted to all. The campaign had already taken much longer than they expected, but a growing sense of anticipation had grown within the Narnian camp. The further north they marched, the closer to their enemy they would come.

Peter and Oreius stood outside the formal receiving tent of the high king. Their attention was focused on the map laid out on a table before them. Each week trackers from the north would send news back of his army's whereabouts. Peter now waited for the latest update from the north so they could plot out their next course to march.

"King Peter, none of our gryphon have been able to cross Ettinsmoor south into Narnia. There is a foul storm covering the land. We cannot cross. We have no news on the defense of the Eastern Seas or the defense of Narnia."

Peter's tight lipped anger was accompanied by a slamming of his fist on the table. Already his mind began to spin with the possibilities of what was happening. He'd been a victim himself of a foul storm, that he knew was fueled by the dark power. Dark power that he seemed to wield with greater force than even Jadis.

"He wishes to isolate us from Narnia." said an angry Peter, "Where is our news from the north? It should have been here by now."

A messenger faun ran through the crowd of captains and leaders who helped Peter command this massive Narnian army. The largest army that Narnian had ever mustered in fact. Peter greeted the faun with a dutiful nod, before he accepted a parchment scroll.

As Peter read the contents of the scroll, his face shifted from anxious to angry to disbelieving to determined. As all who watched him waited for him to speak, he composed himself and turned to Oreius and the rest of his audience.

"Harfang has been destroyed. Those who did not join his army were killed. His army continues marching south to meet us. At this rate, we will meet them within a matter of weeks. Battle is almost upon us, my fel…" Peter said before he stopped himself.

He realized that Oreius wasn't blinking. In fact, he wasn't moving. No one was. Peter reached out to touch Oreius when he noticed a butterfly behind his general's head. The butterfly was not moving either. It was as if the entire world had stopped around him.

He looked out toward the mass of his war counsel who had gathered for this meeting, and found their stillness positively haunting. Time seemed to have slowed to the point where nothing moved, except for him. Peter felt unease growing within him as the sky overhead grew dark with thick clouds that did not seem natural at all.

"Son of Adam …"

Peter did not recognize the voice immediately. Yet he knew in a heartbeat just who it belonged to. The one who had lurked in the shadows for so long, since the battle at the north tower in Cair Paravel. The one his husband had hunted to the ends of the earth. The one who had haunted his husband's nightmares. The one responsible for the Shian's destruction. The one responsible for this war that had consumed the world. The one who is many.

He emerged through the motionless crowd of Peter's army like a shadow that blotted out the sun. Peter felt fear growing within him, but gripped his hand to his sword and mustered all the courage he had inside himself. Peter knew that even now he was being deceived. He wondered if this truly was his real form. The form of a dark knight as ominous as Peter had ever encountered. He looked not unlike Edmund had when he was King of the Fallen. Armor that was black as knight, foreboding in its appearance. A long black cape fell from both his shoulders and a helmet that was eerily like Peter's own adorned his head. Only his foul eyes could be seen through his helmet. Eyes that were red with anger and black with hate.

"Tell me your name, Demon." Peter said with a calm voice, stepping toward him, "So that I may know the name of the one who dares to threaten my Narnia."

"Your Narnia?"

"I am Peter the Magnificent, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, Du…"

"Silence!"

Peter did not falter. He stood proud and true. Had anyone around him been able to see him, they would've been in awe. Peter knew that he represented Narnia. He represented virtue and valor, goodness and light. He would not let this dark demon intimidate him.

Yet there was no arrogance in Peter's defiance. He did not need arrogance. He did not need defiance. He was magnificence without boast.

"I said, speak your name. I do not fear your name. Speak it, lest I call you coward." said a plain faced Peter.

"My name? You wish to know the name of the one who toys with you like a puppet? You wish to know the name of the one … who is … many?"

Peter realized that he was no longer being spoken to by one voice. The voice that spoke to him did not just emanate from the dark knight standing before him, but from his own Narnian around him. Peter turned his head in horror as his name was bounced around from faun to fox to centaur around him.

"Enough games!" Peter yelled, showing the first break in his hitherto impeccable demeanor, "You are still a coward! Speak your name!"

"I do not suffer fools well, Peter the Magnificent. Do you truly think your army can stop me? Do you still not understand the power I command? Your lion has already lost. Where is he now? He is afraid. He is cowering in fear. He chose his champion, and his champion failed. The Rogue Warrior indeed. Aslan should have known better than to send a mere Son of Adam to defeat me. Do you truly wish to know the name of the one who is many? To know my name is to know fear, Son of Adam."

"Tell me your name! Tell me your name so I will know who it is I defeat!"

"Very well, Son of Adam. I am the one who is many. I am the master of the dark power. I am …" roared the dark knight, before all who surrounded him spoke in unison, "Lejious!"

Finally, Peter knew the name of his enemy. The name of the one who is many. Though Peter was tempted to spit his name in disgust, he knew well the warnings of both Edmund and the seers. To speak his name, was to give him power. It was the very reason his name had been purged from record, so that no one would stumble across it and speak it with fear.

"I wanted to know your name. I did not say I would speak it." Peter said as he stepped forward, "You have no power here, do you? Are you really here or is this just a jester's trick?"

"Trick?" He goaded, before he pointed to the sky.

In a blinding flash, a bolt of lightning shot out of the sky and struck dead one of Peter's centaur. Peter stared in horror as Lejious stood above the dead centaur. Peter charged forward with his sword and swung at the one who is many. His sword swung straight through as if there was nothing but air.

"Would you like to see another trick, Peter Pevensie?"

"If you are here to kill me, why not kill me already?" said a frustrated Peter, "Why do you not face me? Do you fear me?"

"I fear nothing. I am here to remind you of what you face. Narnia is mine whenever I see fit to claim it. I have waited patiently for this moment. I have waited in exile beyond the veil. Now I offer you a chance to serve me."

"Serve you?" Peter laughed, "I would sooner serve an ant."

"Narnia will fall, Son of Adam. You can choose to be part of what I leave in my wake, or part of what is destroyed before it. I have orchestrated this war under your very noses. I say this with no malice or anger or boast, but you will not defeat me. That is simply a fact. You will fail. Think of all the lives you can save if you end this war now."

"End it now?" asked a confused Peter.

"Join me and this war will end. The lives of countless innocents rest in your hands, Peter the Magnificent. Do you dare allow them to suffer and die?"

"Is this how you win your battles? You tempt your enemies? That is how you defeated the Shian, is it not? You tempted Secson and we all know what happened there. You are a fool to think you could ever tempt me."

"I have power beyond any who have walked this world. Power that Aslan would deny himself and you. Your foolish husband has chosen his allegiance. He serves the lion. You will serve me. You will be my champion. You are the lion's prize, but he will despair when come to serve me. You will be my chosen one."

"I will never serve you." said a resolute Peter.

"Do you even know who I am? You know my name. You know the legend, but you do not know me. Edmund cannot be saved. I tried to help him, but he remains loyal to that lion. You need not suffer his fate. Perhaps … you can even reverse his. Do you know who I am, Son of Adam? Do you know why I wield such power?"

"You are deception given form. That is all you are. I have no interest in anything you have to say. And if you are so powerful, why do you not just take your victory now?"

"You think in such simple terms, Peter. Defeating you is easy. I have no wish to destroy you. You are as much my children as you are his. I am teaching you all a lesson that will make you stronger. Through suffering comes strength. Through trials comes resilience. Through fire comes victory for those who are worthy to attain it!" Lejious said as he raised his hand to the sky, "If I so desired, I could strike you dead now. Do you wish to know who I am?"

"You are evil. You are vile. You will be defeated."

"Am I truly evil?" Lejious said as he stepped toward Peter, "The Shian's time was over. They descended from the old ones. This world that you lead now, this world that you can continue to lead, it is a new world. It was not meant for them. I rid this world of them because their time was over. It was not for evil or malice. They simply did not belong here."

"That's not true. I don't presume to understand the nature of your power, but I know enough from what Edmund told me to know that you … you almost fed off them. Off their souls or their suffering or something utterly despicable. You feared them, didn't you? Why did you destroy them?"

"I need no reason. I chose to destroy them. Just as I choose to let you live this moment." Lejious said with a wave of his hand, "They are inconsequential. They are a long dead race."

Though Peter could not see the face of his enemy under his mask, he could sense the fear in his voice. He knew somehow, he'd stumbled across something that may prove useful in the battle to come. Why were the Shian destroyed?

"You were afraid of them. You say they descended from the old ones. Did they have some power over you that even they did not realize?"

"Do not ask questions for which you will never understand the answers."

"You know the Shian are not dead." said a happily defiant Peter, "Far from it."

"Ahh yes, one of them managed to elude me and that incompetent hag, Dalzell. He even managed to infiltrate the royal family by marrying your sister. Prince Orrin, last of the Shian. It is inconsequential. My loyal in Calormen will see to his end. The Shian cannot be allowed to continue, Peter. Not their prince … but if you join me, then perhaps his offspring will be allowed to continue. After all, half a Shian is somewhat tolerable. But only if you join me."

"What?" asked a confused Peter, "Offspring?"

"I have eyes in places you cannot imagine." Lejious said as he tapped his helmet, "Your sister carries his child."

"Susan is pregnant?"

"You do know that Aslan's prophecy of the four will not allow any of you to have children? You need not follow him, Peter. What has following him given you? If you follow me, I will give you the opportunity he would deny. I will allow Susan to give birth to her child. I will only allow this if you join me."

"Allow it?" Peter spat in disgust, "In case you're not attuned to the current state of the war, I believe Susan gave your Calormen Army a sound beating of gentle proportions. What in Aslan's name would make you think you can allow anything? Obviously you chose the wrong allies."

"We shall see."

"You're wasting your time here, Demon. Be gone from my sight, unless you wish to challenge me now. In Aslan's name, be gone!"

"Do not tempt my anger by speaking that fool's name, Son of Adam!" said a furious Lejious, "Do not mistake my offer for weakness. Join me or Queen Susan the Gentle will bear no child and I will see her husband suffer the same fate with my own hands."

"You are a fool. We do not yield to threats or blackmail. I will never serve you. If I do not stop you, then my Edmund surely will."

"Ahh yes … Edmund." Lejious said as he stared Peter in the eyes, "Would you like to see him? I think you do."

Before Peter knew what was happening, he was standing on a cliff top. He quickly ascertained that he was standing on the island of Galma. He did not immediately trust his eyes, for he had been warned and privy to his deception. He closed his eyes and realized the salty air was real. The wind that blew through his hair was real. Most of all, the scent that came from his husband who stood not ten feet in front of him, was very real. His heart told him that somehow, he was truly standing behind his love. When Peter opened his eyes, Edmund was still staring out at the ocean. With a smile that could barely be contained, Peter called out;

"Doubt-bucket?"

Edmund did not respond, and when Peter stepped toward him, he realized why. Edmund could neither see nor hear nor feel his presence. Though Peter could see and smell and hear, he could not feel. It was magic that teased him with the sight of his love, without allowing him to touch.

"Ed?" Peter called, hoping that somehow Edmund could hear, "Doubt-bucket, I'm right behind you. Can't you feel me?"

"I can give you what your heart desires. Serve me and I shall give it to you. Rule Narnia in my name and I will let him live."

Peter scowled at the voice inside his head. He blocked it out of his mind and instead concentrated on the sight before him. The sight of his only love, King Edmund the Just.

Peter stood behind Edmund, taking in every hair and freckle, every blemish and bruise that he had acquired in this battle. He longed to be with Edmund and wipe the war weariness from his face. He longed to see his love smile for him again.

"Doubt-bucket …" whispered Peter, hoping somehow Edmund would hear him or feel his presence, "I'm here. I'm beside you, Doubt-buicket. Can't you feel me?"

Peter sighed in disappointment as Edmund continued staring out at the ocean. Yet he soon noticed Edmund turning his head and looking over his shoulder, as if perhaps he detected something. When Peter heard the cry of a gryphon overhead, he realized that was what had gained Edmund's attention.

"Peter?"

Or not. Perhaps Edmund could still sense him after all. As Edmund turned around and looked in Peter's direction, Peter began to hope. Edmund stepped toward Peter, though his eyes still scanned up and down as if searching for what he felt, but could not see. When Edmund was barely a step in front of him, Peter's eyes began to well up with a mixture of angry and rejoicing tears.

"So close, Doubt-bucket." Peter whispered with pain in his eyes, "So close …"

Edmund closed his eyes suddenly, his face contorting with concentration. Finally a smile broke out on his face as he held his hand up towards Peter. Though they could not touch, Peter could feel Edmund's presence like a beacon in the dark.

"Even blind, I can find you …" Edmund smiled, "Haven't you figured that out yet, Peter? Benefits of being an ex fallen and the Rogue Warrior. Our love binds me to you, Peter. I feel you, my absent love. I cannot hear you, I cannot see you, but I can feel you."

Peter bit his lip as steady tears streamed down his face. Tears that soon became silent painful sobs that ached for his Edmund. Their hands hovered next to one another without being able to touch. Though it was a moment filled with despair, for Peter it was a reaffirmation of what he was fighting for.

"I will see you again, Doubt-bucket."

'Of course you will. You need only accept my offer.'

"No, Peter!" Edmund said as his eyes shot open, "What have you done?"

Much to Peter's horror, Lejious appeared behind Edmund. Edmund's sword was drawn in an instant and he spun around with a slice that should've cut Lejious's head from his body. However, Edmund's cut through him as if he were simply air.

"We meet again, Edmund. Champion of the lion. Rogue Warrior …" Lejious said with a foul laugh, "I made you an offer and you refused. Are you so certain that your husband will do the same?"

"Do you dare me to speak your name?" spat Edmund, "I will challenge you now!"

"No, Edmund!" Peter yelled, and found himself surprised when Edmund seemed to flinch.

"Peter?" Edmund asked, as if he could feel Peter's yell, but not actually hear it, "What have you done, Peter?"

"Look, Peter!" Lejious said as he pointed out toward the eastern seas beyond Galma, "My loyal come for your husband!"

Sure enough, in the distant horizon could be made out the faint sight of ships that grew ever ominously each moment. Edmund did not seem the slightest bit fazed, for he had anticipated it. For Peter however, it was a revelation of the dangers that Narnia still faced from the east. A danger that perhaps Peter could end.

"I can end this war, Peter! I can end their advance! I can spare Edmund the Just from suffering a defeat that would leave Cair Paravel ripe for invasion. I can stop the Calormen Army that advance via the sea to invade Narnia. I can disband my army in the north. You need only pledge yourself to me. Denounce the lion! Serve me, Peter the Magnificent! Serve me and I will end this war! Serve me and you shall have the peace you seek. You will rule for me, Peter."

"Peter!" Edmund yelled, closing his eyes as he struggled to feel Peter's presence, "Do not listen to him! We follow Aslan!"

Peter knew deep down that he could not turn his back on Aslan. He could not turn his back on all that he believed in. Yet he also knew that many lives rested on the offer being made to him. If he damned his own soul to save theirs, would it be worth the outcome?

Before Peter could even contemplate what was being offered to him, Edmund drew his sword and turned to Lejious. At first, Peter wondered what Edmund was thinking. Lejious was an apparition to Edmund, just as Peter was. They were here by magic, but it was a magic that did not give them form.

"I cannot allow you to tempt him. I challenge you …" Edmund began to say before Peter realized what he was doing, "I will speak your name and summon you here to face me."

"No, Ed!" Peter yelled, "He is for me to face!"

"Lejious!" yelled a fierce Edmund, "I challenge thee!"

Peter's mouth hung in anticipation for what would come next. The sky cracked with the sound of thunder as dark clouds rolled overhead. Lightning shot down from the clouds in front of Edmund, sending him flying backwards. Peter rushed to his side, but was still powerless to touch his love.

When the dust cleared from the deafening lightning strikes, Lejious stood just where he had previously. Only this time, he had form.

"Thank you, Son of Adam." Lejious said sounding almost pleased, "I have waited for you to summon me. I am bound by that old magic, but this time I have counted on it. You have saved me a great deal of travel."

"I have waited for this moment." said an Edmund with eyes that were rigid with intent.

Edmund stood to his feet with a look in his eye that Peter feared. It was a look of utter focus and determination. It was the look of the Rogue Warrior. Where others would have trembled, Edmund seemed to almost anticipate what was about to come.

"I am far stronger than the last time you faced me, Rogue Warrior. It is true, you summoned me, but only because I allowed it. After all, I need only kill you and join my Lone Islanders as they storm Cair Paravel. Need I offer you one last chance to join me?"

"My allegiance is not negotiable." Edmund said with a simmering anger, "Let's end this."

Peter could only watch helplessly as Edmund charged at Lejious. Their swords met in a flash of light that blinded Peter. He shielded his eyes instinctively, and when he opened them, he was greeted by the sight of a fearsome duel. He'd never seen Edmund fight so fierce in his life.

It was almost as if Edmund was possessed, for he met Lejious's strikes with more and more speed and ferocity than should've been possible. Though Lejious had the power advantage, Edmund had speed and sheer determination.

It almost appeared as though Edmund was actually gaining an advantage through his sheer rage alone. Yet where Edmund was the Rogue Warrior, Lejious was the one who is many. Peter soon learned the nature of that word.

Just as Edmund had forced Lejious back to the cliff face, the dark lord cried out and for a moment he seemed to blur. Peter did not believe his eyes when Lejious seemed to duplicate himself, not once, but five times.

Now Peter felt a rise of fear in his stomach and he ran into the fray, even though he could touch neither Edmund nor Lejious. With bitter frustration, Peter watched on as Edmund was forced to duck and weave between the one who was definitely many. All the while, the Lone Island Armada loomed ominously on the horizon.

"You can end this, Peter!" Lejious cried, all five of him, "You can save him!"

"Don't you dare, Peter!" Edmund yelled with a scream before he managed to thrust his sword through one of the knight's heads.

Now there were only four dark knights and Edmund fought like a man on fire, running to water. Peter felt his heart swelling up with pride as he began cheering Edmund on, even though Edmund could not hear him.

"Come on, Ed!" Peter yelled, "Finish him off! Show him that the Rogue Warrior is not to be trifled with!"

"Gladly, Peter." Edmund said with a smile, between dodging three sword swipes that were meant to decapitate his head.

It was then that Peter realized Edmund could hear him. Though he did not understand what was happening, he wondered if Edmund was somehow weakening Lejious's power. There was a fire in Edmund's eyes as he jumped and dived, parried and punched. There was almost an aura around him that Peter could not understand. He knew Edmund was unique due to being a former king of the fallen. He also knew Edmund had gained many skills in his journeys as the Rogue Warrior. Yet Peter still had no idea the nature or extent of those skills or unique abilities.

"For one who is many, you sure fight like half of something!" goaded Edmund, as he cut another dark knight in two, "You will not escape me this time!"

In no time at all, Edmund had cut down all of Lejious's doppelgangers. Only the true Lejious remained. Peter tried desperately to touch Edmund, to see if he had form yet, but to no avail. He was still forced to watch idly by as Edmund and the true Lejious fought on.

Lightning began to crack from the sky as Edmund forced Lejious backwards. With a look of horror, Peter watched on as Lejious raised his hand to the sky. Having seen the centaur being struck dead by Lejious's lightning summon earlier, he knew what was coming. However, he did not expect what he did see.

Lightning did indeed shoot down from the sky straight into Edmund. Unlike with the centaur however, Edmund was not struck dead. The lightning passed through him and into Lejious as Edmund had impaled him with his sword.

With a hope that would not quit, Peter began to believe that Edmund was about to defeat Lejious. The war would end and on their terms, not those of the one who is many. Yet more proof was given to Peter of why it should have been Edmund to face Lejious all along. Brave as he fancied himself, Peter simply did not have the unnatural gifts that Edmund still possessed.

Edmund screamed with a mighty roar as energy passed through him and into Lejious. When the lightning fully dissipated, Edmund pulled his sword out of Lejious's chest and spun on his feet. He swung his sword at Lejious's neck with full intent to deliver the death blow.

Lejious recovered quickly enough to thrust his palm at Edmund's chest, sending the just king flying backwards. Peter grimaced as Lejious roared with anger, this time raising both his hands to the sky.

"Don't you know those tricks won't work on me!" Edmund scowled as he kicked to his feet and charged back at Lejious, "I have journeyed beyond the veil like you. I have been to the abyss that you call home. I do not fear you."

"Then perhaps you should!"

Another lightning bolt shot down from the sky, this time directly into Lejious. He thrust his sword at Edmund, just as Edmund did the same. Lightning crackled through Lejious and into Edmund. Their swords sparked with electricity as they jockeyed for position. They pushed against each other, with Edmund refusing to budge.

"Your allegiance to the lion has given you many abilities, Son of Adam. You are indeed a worthy champion …" Lejious said as he pushed back against a defiant Edmund, "Now I am afraid I must insist you die presently."

Lejious let loose with all the energy he had in him. It was enough to shatter Edmund's sword into a mess of shards. Edmund was blasted backwards with his chest armor a scorched hulk of metal. Still Edmund stood to his feet, defiant as ever, but obviously weakened.

"I'm not dead, Idiot." taunted Edmund as he ran toward Lejious again.

Peter gasped as Edmund ran straight at Lejious before rolling to the side and spinning up to his feet. Just as Edmund had done to Peter in the past, he disarmed Lejious in a blazingly fast series of hand and elbow strikes. Lejious was once again forced on the backfoot as Edmund attacked him with his own sword.

The skies overhead billowed with dark clouds and thunder, as if a mirror to the battle on the ground. Once again Lejious raised his hands to the sky and sent down a series of strikes that Edmund deftly avoided. Peter cheered and jumped with raucous excitement.

"Go, Ed! Finish him!"

"Peter, I see you!" Edmund yelled, "He is getting weaker!"

Peter looked at his hands and wondered if this meant he was now able to join the fray. He ran forward with his sword drawn, but still it cut through the dark knight like air. Indeed, even Edmund could not touch him. Obviously, the magic was still strong enough to keep him from having form here.

Lejious was barely able to fend of Edmund's attacks. He called forth lightning from the sky with fearsome rapidity, smashing the ground with every strike. Not one connected with Edmund. Peter could see that each strike summoning was draining Lejious as his movements were becoming slower and Edmund was almost upon him.

"Fear me, Lejious!" cried Edmund as he launched himself into the air, "For I am your destruction!"

With an angry cry, Lejious disappeared in a flash of light. Edmund crashed through the space that he had previously occupied. Grimacing with fury, Edmund stood to his feet and looked around anxiously.

"Show yourself, Coward!" Edmund cried out, "I'm not done with you!"

Peter was about to run toward Edmund when he felt a pull in his stomach. He looked up at Edmund in confusion, and his husband came running toward him.

"Ed!" yelled Peter, reaching his hand, "What's happening?"

"Peter, where were you before you came here?" Edmund said as he reached for Peter's hand.

Nervously they reached toward one another, but to Peter's great despair they still could not touch one another. They could hear and see one another however, and that was still cause for much joy in Peter's heart.

"Doubt-bucket …" said a Peter whose lips shivered with emotion, "You can see me?"

"I can see you, Peter. But it will not be for long. He has cowered in fear, but he will only return stronger. His magic is weakening and soon you will return to wherever it was you were before he brought you here."

"North of Ettinsmoor."

"Then that is where you will return. He has great power, Peter, but I can fight him in ways others cannot. That is just a taste of what he can do, Peter. He has wasted his power in storms that attempt to block us. And in this battle. And in the magic that he used to bring you here. He is powerful, but he is not without limits. I would summon him again, but I fear next time he will resist my summon."

"You really showed him, Ed." gushed Peter, "You make me so proud. You were awesome."

"Peter, no matter what he offers you, you cannot accept it. You must not let him sway you. No matter what the consequences."

"He has threatened Susan's baby. He has threatened you."

"These are threats that he will no doubt carry out. Obviously …" Edmund said as he pointed to the horizon where the Lone Islanders continued toward them, "I must prepare to make our last stand here. Just as Susan will need to be mindful of his threat. I will try to get word back to her at once. I am certain Orrin will be mindful of her in these dangerous times."

"Ed, I am uncertain how I can face him after seeing what he can do. I am just a man. You are … well … special."

"Believe in yourself, Peter. I have lived and died and lived again, and I have been chosen by Aslan for this reason. There are things you do not understand. I will do my best to defend these seas so that I may find my way to you, but if I cannot, you will be forced to face him. You must believe in yourself. Somehow you have to find a way."

"Ed …" Peter said as he felt another tightening in his body, "I think this magic is breaking. I will be taken from you soon."

"Oh, Peter." said a tearful Edmund, as he held his hand up to Peter's face, "I would give anything to touch your face. You are the greatest sight I have ever seen since our last night together. Do you think of me often, Peter?"

"Endlessly." smiled Peter, "I breathe, I think of you. I ache for you. I long for you. Though I cannot touch your sweet face, I can carry the image of you in my heart. We must survive this, Ed. I will not be denied a life with you."

Edmund did not respond. He merely shook his head with tears streaking down his cheeks. Peter returned the gesture, and for a moment, the two kings shared a glance that spoke more for their love than words ever could. Peter reached his hand out, as if he could somehow wipe Edmund's tears away. Though he could not, Edmund found the mere sight of it to be both comforting and heartbreaking.

"I love you so much, Peter. I would do anything to protect you." cried Edmund, "Anything."

"I love you, Ed. Don't give up on us. We will see each other again. I promise you."

With a pull that caused Peter to close his eyes in pain, he was thrust from Edmund's side. When he opened his eyes, he was back where he started. He stood opposite Oreius surrounded by his loyal Narnian. Narnian who were all staring at him with slack jaws of disbelief.

"Sire, what happened?" asked Oreius with a raised eyebrow, "Something foul has taken place here. One of our own is dead and we have no memory of how it occured. It is foul and vile magic, of this I am sure."

"Foul indeed, Oreius." said a solemn and disappointed Peter, "Prepare to march."

A THREAT MADE REAL

"I do hope Peter is ok." Susan sighed with worry, "This war is nothing but dreadful."

Susan stood on her balcony looking up at the moon that lip up the night sky. In the morning, preparations would begin to reform her army to meet the Calormen invaders who came by sea. Tonight would be the last night she would share with her husband before he left to help lead the defense of Narnia.

Orrin stood behind her, smoothing out the last wrinkles in her night gown. About to retire for the evening, they were about to share their traditional moonlight dance. It was less of a dance, and more of the couple simply holding one another beneath the moonlight and moving gently.

"You must have faith in your brother. He is High King for a reason." said Orrin as Susan wrapped her arms around his neck, "He will not fall."

"And you? You will not fall against the Calormen?"

"I will not."

"I wish I were able to fight beside you."

"This is one time when I will insist as your husband that you shall not leave this castle." Orrin said as he kissed Susan's neck, "I will not let you or our child come to harm."

"I do believe this is one moment when I will have to let you be gentle for me, my love." Susan gushed before she stole a silent kiss from Orrin's lips.

"You look wonderful, my queen. Being with child suits you. I have never seen you glow as much as you have in the last month."

"I feel so terrible that in this time of war, I have never felt happier. Yet I do hope this war is over soon. And not just for the sake of our child, but for the sake of all."

"We fight not only for ourselves, but for those who cannot fight for themselves. For our child …" smiled Orrin as he inhaled Susan's familiar scent, "And for every child. Even those of our enemies. War benefits no one."

"I was thinking … if it's a girl, we could call her Eris?" Susan asked as she raised her eyes to meet Orrin's.

Orrin feigned a smile at the mention of his late sister's name, before he sighed gratefully, "Thank you. Thank you."

"And if it is a boy, what name would you choose?"

"Orrin is a marvelous name." Orrin said with a rare smirk, "Of course I jest, Promised One. I think perhaps … Peter, in honor of your brother. And since he and Edmund will not have children of their own, perhaps he will not mind his nephew inheriting his name. And to keep Edmund happy, we'll call him Peter Doubt-bucket."

"Where is my husband and what have done with him?" laughed Susan, before she buried her head in Orrin's chest as they swayed gently together, "Peter Doubt-bucket indeed. Peter Edmund perhaps? I'm not sure. How many children do you think we will have, Orrin?"

"As many as we are lucky enough to receive. Let us concentrate on the one we have at hand for the time being."

"It is perhaps the strangest feeling to know that I carry a life inside me. A life that is borne out of our love for one another. It is strange perhaps that I know I had a life before you, but I cannot imagine a life without you in it." Susan said with an emotional smile, "I love you, my husband. I love you so very much."

"As do I, my queen. As do I."

For a time the couple shared a silent dance. They moved as one in the moonlight, with reassuring hands and gentle kisses. Smiles that were sincere and without restraint. Caresses that were both noble and ambitious all at once. They shared one last kiss before Orrin picked Susan up into his arms and carried her into their bedroom. He laid her gently down on the bed, before kissing her temple and placing his hand affectionately over her stomach. He covered her with a cool sheet, as the night was warm and humid. For the briefest moment, he lay down beside her and held her close in his arms.

Though he wanted to retire with her, he had much preparation ahead for the next day's duties. He stood against their chamber doors as Susan smiled sweetly at him and drifted off to sleep. She mouthed that she loved him and begged him not to stay away for long. Only when she had finally drifted off, did he contemplate leaving. Yet he lingered longer, and continued to watch over his sleeping wife who carried their child inside her.

With resolve that was sorely tested, he walked to the side of their bed and leaned down again to kiss Susan's cheek. He followed this up with the briefest kiss on her lips, as his hands lingered gently on her shoulder.

"Dream well, my gentle queen, and you shall find me in the morning." whispered Orrin, "Until then, keep my heart with you."

His quiet words were greeted by the faintest moan from Susan as she slept. As if even in her sleep she still tried to get him to sleep. He smiled softly before he made a silent exit from the room. He adorned his two long swords, which he was rarely seen without. Though many found it odd, most had come to accept the Shian's disciplined sense of protocol and conduct. Even in casual situations, he still wore his dress armor and his swords, as was expected of a Shian Prince. This situation was no different.

He nodded at the two guards who stood outside their room. Susan despised the idea of guards having to stand outside their room all day, but Orrin had insisted that during war times, she be constantly under guard. He'd insisted on the same for Lucy. And as the Order of Justice mantle fell upon him in Edmund's absence, so did matters of security.

Though he had not told Susan, he had questions for the satyr, Garlo. He had actually become quite fond of the satyr and wanted desperately to break him free of his bonds to his dark master. Yet that was still one mystery he had not been able to solve. It was a mystery that if solved, he knew could help Peter in his coming battle against the one who is many.

As he made his way across the courtyard between the main castle and the northern pavilion, Orrin had the sudden sensation that he was being watched. Though it was night time, he was more than adept at sensing a threat. Long before his life in Narnia, he and his late friend, Jesahn, were masters of infiltration. As such, they knew when they in turn were being infiltrated. His eyes scanned through the darkness, surveying the trees that hugged the high walls and the walkways above them.

He continued walking as normal, so as not to give away that he detected anything amiss. Yet in the corner of his right eye, he had already spotted two shadows running across the high walls. To his left, he spotted two more shadows moving behind the courtyard trees. He still continued walking, as he did not want to make any attempts to confront his stalkers until he knew just how many he was facing.

Before he had a chance to make a move, he heard the faint whiz of an arrow. Instinctively, he spun on his feet and hand sprung away from the direction of the arrow. Though he was incredibly quick on his feet, the arrow still grazed his arm. It was merely cursory however, but the first arrow was quickly followed by three more. He quickly realized he was being targeted for assassination.

He found himself at a disadvantage as he was still in the middle of the courtyard and well exposed. He ran for the nearest high wall and kicked up off it as two more arrows flew by him. Another arrow managed to just connect with the side of his neck, but he shook it off and continued running. He evaded the continued arrow barrage by slipping into the shadows between the high wall and the conifer trees beside it.

He successfully evaded his assassins and managed to turn the tables and sneak up behind the two who were on the same level as him. With his swords drawn, he danced in and out of shadow until he pounced on his enemies with two precise strikes that had them dead on the ground before they knew what was happening. The men were dressed in all black and masked, and Orrin quickly pulled one of the masks off. He instantly recognized that the men were Calormene.

He heard the whiz of another arrow and realized he'd been spotted. He ran toward the high wall that his two attackers were shooting from. They continued firing but no arrows found their target. When he reached the wall he kicked up off it and onto a protruding ledge. In a series of jumps he was atop the high wall. His assassins ran toward him with their scimitars drawn.

Orrin met their attacks with his two swords. Though he never fought with a shield, he'd mastered the art of using his swords to deflect attacks. It was an art he used to great success right now as he was forced to fight two assassins at once.

In the shadow of the moonlight, Orrin fought the two assassins on the high wall. Clearly they were skilled swordsmen, but Orrin was still greater. He rolled under one of their attacks before he rolled up between them with his swords thrusting out and impaling both through their midsection. He slashed at their backs, before kicking one of the assassins off the high wall to a bone shattering fate. The last assassin he quickly dispatched with three strikes that knocked the assassin's scimitar from his hands and forced him onto his back.

When the assassin tried to get up, Orrin thrust one of his swords through the assassin's leg. The assassin screamed out until Orrin pressed his free sword against his neck. He ripped off the assassin's mask to find not so surprisingly, a heavily bearded Calormene beneath it.

"The Tisroc sent you?" Orrin demanded, pressing his sword against the Calormene's neck, "Speak or die, Assassin."

"Yes …" the Calormene gasped, "The new Tisroc ordered your death on behalf of his son, Prince Rabadash."

"Too cowardly to wait for battle and do it himself, is he? How many of you are there?"

"Twelve of the Tash Elite."

"Twelve? Where are the other eight?"

The assassin quickly broke out with a laugh that was quickly broken by the sensation of Orrin's sword drawing blood from his neck. He quickly shook his head as if to say he would answer Orrin's question.

"The other eight had orders to kidnap Queen Susan and take her to Prince Rabadash …"

- TO BE CONTINUED -
Part 2 'Vengeance Reigns'

Lucy prepares to defend Cair Paravel. Susan suffers under Rabadash's imprisonment. Edmund defends the Eastern Seas. Peter's battle begins. Orrin exacts a vengeful rage upon Prince Rabadash with huge ramifications in the war between Narnia and Calormen.


A/N: The first of two parts. Finally his name has been revealed. Edmund gave him somewhat of an ass whipping. Susan and Orrin spent some quality time before Susan was kidnapped. We now know his name, Lejiousand some of what he is capable of. Expect a whole lot of action in the next part. There's still a wee while to go in this volume. Thanks for reading. Reviews make me feel good, especially when you tell me what you liked, so please review if you enjoy this story!