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

3.10: Gentle Vs. the Just
Part 2

Most of Volume 3 of Just and Magnificent takes place in the 3-6 years 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's recovery continues. Relations continue to strain between Edmund and Susan. Lucy recieves an urgent message.
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! Well actually, he's dead now so now I own no one! sniff All the rest belong to that master of awesomeness, C.S. Lewis.

JUST AND MAGNIFICENT 3.10 – GENTLE VS. THE JUST, Part 2

REAFFIRMING LOVE

"What do you mean she's gone?" asked a surprised Peter, as a herald messenger stood before him.

"She took the Dusk Raider and set sail less than an hour ago. She asked me to give this to you."

The messenger handed a small note to Peter that undoubtedly carried Lucy's handwriting on it. Puzzled, he studied the contents before turning the note over as if to hope there might be more. There was alas, only one small note from her;

'You will have to trust me, Peter. I have taken a fine crew and much of my Fourth Battalion. I will return as soon as I can, and hopefully for all our sakes, I will not return alone. Love you all,

Lucy.'

Confused, Peter shook his head. It wasn't like Lucy to run off without coming to say goodbye. He would not have been so concerned were it not for the fact that these were war times. He wished to keep his entire family safe at Cair Paravel, even though he was not sure how much longer that would be the case. With invasion looming from the Lone Islanders and still the threat of Lejious growing ever present from the north, Peter could not help but think perhaps Lucy would be better off somewhere else.

The evening dinner Lucy planned to host was still held, with Peter doing his best to fill in for her. Much to his dismay, Susan did not attend. She did not give notice for her absence, and Peter could not help but feel disappointed. Even more so when he learned of a rather 'friendly' duel that had taken place between them earlier on in the day. He had enough to worry about with the war without having to concern himself with sibling tension. However, if the matter persisted he would be forced to step in, though he truly hoped they could settle the issue without the need for his heavy handedness.

Spending time with the refugee children did much to improve Peter's spirits and toward the end of the evening he found himself laughing and smiling more than he had in months. He spent most of the evening sitting on his throne or standing due to his injuries preventing him from doing more. The enthusiasm of the youngsters was enough to make him feel as though he was doing a lot more however.

The absence of his husband was also noted, and Peter found himself increasingly pining for the presence of him. An emergency session of the Order of Justice was still in session, preventing Edmund from attending the evening. Yet when Peter did finally spy the sight of his husband, looking a little weary from doing battle with a quill rather than a sword, he could not help but break out in a bright smile.

"There you are." Peter gushed, rising to his feet, hand outstretched, "Come, Husband. Join us."

Peter's wide smile was caught by all as he stepped down off his throne with his crutch, as though Edmund couldn't get to him any faster unless he did. Edmund smiled at the eagerness in his husband, and quickly closed the distance across the throne room between them. As if they'd been apart for far longer than the better part of a day, they greeted each other with a warm kiss and lazy embrace. Of course even in the embrace Edmund was careful not to apply too much pressure to Peter's torso for fear it would hurt him.

"You look tired, my love." Peter smiled, his eyes locked onto those of his love.

"Weary." Edmund said, feigning a smile, "It has been … an exhausting day, but we will not speak of it now and lessen the mood before our young guests. Forgive my late arrival."

"Nonsense." said Peter, unable to resist lean in and taste the sweet lips of his husband, "You are here and it is all I care for. Now, must you leave or shall I be graced with your presence?"

"I am to stay if that is what you ask. Whether you are graced … well …" blushed Edmund, lacing his fingers between Peter's, "You are a welcome sight, Peter."

Though Edmund had not spoken of the strains of his day. From his Rogue Warrior training to War Room deliberations. From dueling with Susan to spending the better part of the day in session with the Order of Justice. Peter felt positively untested in comparison. Although this was Peter's first real day out of confinement to chambers, he still wished he could do more to aid his weary love. Though Edmund did not speak openly of his weariness, Peter could see in his eyes that his love was tired. Not just physically either. Perhaps the burden of war did much to bring him down, or the politics involved in his duties. Peter believed it was most certainly to do with the constant degrading of relations between his husband and their sister. Yet he could see that Edmund did not wish to burden him with his troubles as he cast a content smile. It was a small smile from Edmund, but it made Peter's heart light to know that he could cast some weariness from his husband simply by being there. As Edmund had done much to assuage Peter of his war weariness the night before, Peter wished to do the same. A smile passed across Peter's lips as he contemplated the surprise he would soon reveal to his selfless husband. A surprise he believed should soon be revealed.

As the children grew weary of faun renditions of ancient lullabies and tall tales of doom from Mr. Beaver, Peter signaled the escorts to prepare their departure. He could not help but feel a responsibility to these Galma and Teribinthia refugees. As he looked at his husband, he could see not just responsibility, but guilt in his eyes. For it was he who was charged with defending the Eastern Seas and he had failed. Because of that, these children were just some of thousands of who had been forced to seek refuge in Narnia. Peter did not wish for his husband to carry this guilt, he only wished for these children's homes to be retaken and handed back to them. That was the responsibility which he carried in his heart, and as he bid the children farewell, with gifts and a warm smile, he placed his faith in Susan to repel the Lone Islanders so that responsibility could be fulfilled.

Almost as soon as the guests had left, Peter raised his hand to signal the musicians. A slow serenade of pipes and flutes, string instruments and dryad hymns began as Peter led Edmund into the center of the throne room. It was soon apparent to Edmund that this was all part of some spectacular plan by Peter to remind him of his love. The throne room was soon filled with flowers, from the Southern Desert Tulip, to the rare Neros that carried a scent that Edmund was exceptionally fond of.

"May I have this dance, my sweet and selfless love?" asked Peter as he kissed Edmund's cheek, "Though it will be less of a dance and more of you moving around me in my current state."

Indeed it was, for Peter simply stood still, held up on his crutch while Edmund gently led him in a painfully slow dance. Peter couldn't help but feel a swell of joy when the weariness in Edmund's eyes began to dissipate. Soon there seemed to be no cares in the world between them. No scent of impending war and invasion. No pain of a sibling tension that was quickly spinning into something greater than either could imagine. There was nothing between them except the look of love that flowed freely from one to the other. There was a sense of gratitude from Edmund to Peter, for providing this moment and the feeling of relief it provided him. There was a sense of awe from Peter to Edmund, taking in the unbelievable beauty of his husband and the mate with whom he shared his soul. Beauty that blinded him not merely for its outer attributes, but because of the radiance that seemed to emanate from within.

As the two shared their uneven dance that seemed perfection in their own eyes, they were approached by Mrs. Beaver. She held up a small box that Peter took from her with a smile. The music continued to play as Peter propped himself up on his crutch while placing the other around Edmund's shoulder for support. He led his husband out onto the balcony, allowing them to see the night sky and the moon reflecting off the glistening sea.

"I have something for you, my love." said Peter with a smile.

For reasons he could not explain, Edmund felt incredibly nervous. The look on Peter's face made him feel that something rather special was on the tip of his tongue. Edmund expected he would thoroughly appreciate whatever Peter would give him, whether it was a simple petal or a handwritten sonnet. Yet he could not help but be anxious with excitement to simply know that Peter thought of him enough to surprise him with a gift.

With a deep breath, Peter took one of Edmund's hands and kissed it while closing his eyes. He held his lips to the hand of his younger husband, savoring in the touch of that seemingly delicate skin. Finally, he opened his eyes and mustered the courage to speak with frankness and sincerity;

"Might you realize that even if every star shone in the sky and turned night into day, that it would still be darkness without you by my side? When I was alone in the north and entertained my worst fears, it was not of dying, but of being away from you that I feared most. Might you understand that I am a shadow without you?"

Though Peter declared his thoughts and feelings with utter sincerity, Edmund could not help but blush at the fact that he was the object of them. Even though they had been married now for some time, he still would have to pinch himself to remember that Peter was his. Golden Peter. High King Peter. The magnificent one. Peter was indeed his and unflinchingly so, as proven even more by Peter's continuing words;

"I adore you, Edmund. It brings me so much pleasure to know that I am yours. There are times when I can barely believe we are married and that you are truly mine. Mine and mine alone …" said Peter, catching his breath as though he would pass out at any moment from sheer anxiety.

Though they had been married for sometime, Peter felt goose bumps trailing up his arm and butterflies of nervousness threatening to make him seem anything but a high king. Indeed, he felt like someone who intended to court another and plead for their affection, rather than the husband of that person. Perhaps their time apart had increased his anxiety, but for whatever reason, his lips trembled and his eyes closed in an effort to steady his nerves.

"By the goddesses you are beautiful." said Peter, his hand brushing against his husband's cheek, "Our marriage has brought me more joy than you can ever imagine, Edmund. You … bring me more joy than you can ever imagine. If I simply stand here and look at you, I am taken aback. Edmund …" continued Peter, feeling as though he would stop breathing at any minute because his love was so consuming, "If ever you feel as though I take your love and grace for granted, please understand that I never take you for granted. I fear every day that you might wake up and realize I'm not quite as magnificent as my title proclaims. I fear you might wake up and realize that I am sometimes the biggest buffoon in the world and seek greener pastures. I fear that my duty will come between us and I will lose you, and I cannot bear the thought of that. I despise having to say things to you in regards to our duty that could hurt you, because I fear that you will feel I no longer love you. I fear you will seek an end to our marriage for so many reasons, and so I must ensure that though I often stand at fault, I must do all in my power to remind you of how precious you are to me. I must not give you a reason to doubt my dedication to you. You do know this, don't you? You do appreciate how desperately I adore you?"

Peter's tears were free and constant as he sought allayment to his fears. His ravaged chest heaved as he waited for Edmund to speak. His lips continued to tremble with the salty taste of his own tears lingering upon them. His hands shook as his insecurities ran rampant. Insecurities that threatened to drive him mad if his husband did not speak soon.

"Peter …" cried a smiling Edmund, "I know. I know very much. Come, hold me."

Without waiting for Peter to respond, Edmund pressed their lips together. He licked the salt from Peter's lips and wrapped his arms around his husband. For once, he put aside the discomfort that Peter felt as he made a slight moan of pain. Instead, he held him tight and kissed him as though it might be the last time they would know such pleasure. Open mouth and unyielding their kiss was. It did not end until Edmund truly felt some of the anxiety ebb out of his husband, and finally he rested their heads together.

"Thank you, Peter. For reminding me … of things that though deep down I know, I always long to hear."

"Then I swear you will hear them for the rest of my life." sobbed Peter as he held his hands to the side of Edmund's neck, "I am nothing without you, and you must always know this for I cannot give you reason to ever leave me."

"I won't, Peter, I wo…"

"And don't you bloody start on me leaving you either, because I will not. Do you hear me? I will never leave you."

"Peter …"

"Look at me, I've made a complete mess of things. I did not mean to fall apart, but these feelings within me will not seek rest. In such desperate times as these, you are what I are cling to most. Oh, Edmund, if there is something I can do to make you truly understand what you mean to me, then tell me now so I may do it."

"I think you have covered it already, Peter." said Edmund with a reassuring voice, "And believe, I understand."

"Good." Peter said taking a deep breath, "Then perhaps I shall do what I intended before I became a blubbering molly on you. My love, I know we have had trials in our marriage. I know we have had moments we would rather forget, but I must ask, are you happy? Is there more I can do to make you happy? To remind you of how very much … I am … in love … in awe … and how grateful I am for you?"

Edmund could not help the blush that marked his face. Peter seemed positively intent on making sure he knew just how much he was loved. His intent was not without reward, for Edmund felt truly loved and appreciated.

"All you need do is hold me when we sleep and be there when I wake in the morning. Allow me that, and I will be content."

"You will have those. But I will not settle for you being content. You will be happy and nothing less will do." Peter smiled as he could not help but steal yet another kiss, "If we were not already married, I would be on my knees and begging for your hand. I do however, have something for you, my love. Something to remind you of our love."

"Remind me?"

"Poor choice of words?"

"Very poor, Peter. Very poor. I need no reminding."

"Then you might have no use for this?"

No sooner had those words left his mouth that he revealed Edmund's surprise. It was in fact a ring. An exact replica of Edmund's missing wedding ring. Edmund's response was instant and direct. He began to cry tears of disbelieving joy and gushing love for his husband who had given him a gift he thought could not be replaced.

"For my, Doubt-bucket, my world, my love, my husband." Peter said as he gently slipped the ring upon Edmund's wedding finger, "So that no one will think you are unmarried and so that you will look upon this and perhaps think of me and of us. To replace the one you … lost."

"I did not lose it, Peter. One day you will find it for me, but because I will not be there when you find it, I will take this one instead." cried a heartsick Edmund, "Oh, Peter. I do not know what to say. What did I do to deserve this night of declaration on my behalf?"

"You did everything, Ed. Everything. More than you ever realize. As for this ring, I arranged for it upon my return for I could not bear to see your hand without my ring on it."

"I still wear my engagement ring in place of it."

"We are not engaged, we are married. I do not wish for people to think otherwise, nor for them to believe our marriage is troubled. This ring though, is not for them, it is for us. The ring is unending, like my love for you. Promise me, that you will never ever doubt my love for you. I swear to you on my heart and my life, that it will never ever waver. Even in times when I … seem cross, it changes nothing. You are my heart, and that will never change, for as long as I breathe, I breathe for you."

As those words left Peter's lips he signaled fire show to begin in the courtyard below. The courtyard that was viewable from the balcony, was filled with fauns and all manner of Narnian dancing to the growing sound of music that emanated from the throne room. Soon the musicians ventured out onto the balcony as Peter beamed with a smile so bright it lit up the night. Once again he kissed his husband, open mouthed and freely as their hands interlaced.

Peter only broke the kiss because he wished for his love to witness the show being put on in the courtyard. He stood behind Edmund and somewhat painfully wrapped his arms around his waist. They stood back to chest with Peter inhaling the heavenly scent of his doubt-bucket as he pressed his nose to the side of his neck.

"Not sore, Peter?" said Edmund, his hands clasped over the top of Peter, which lay snugly under his tunic, resting against the bare skin of his stomach, "It's not uncomfortable to hold me this close?"

"If it is, I have not noticed. Do not move from me, my love."

Edmund obliged by sinking in a little more to Peter's embrace. It was still somewhat awkward, as Edmund still had to provide the base for which Peter could rest his injured legs upon so he could stand.

"I love you so very much." gushed Peter, squeezing Edmund tight, "Please do not lose this ring. It would break my heart to see your hand without it."

"I will not lose it. And Peter?" said Edmund, tilting his head back to look at his husband, "I love you too. Thank you so much for tonight. You have no idea what it means to me. Would you like to have me tonight? I could … make it easy for you again?"

"Is that a trick question, Doubt-bucket?" smiled Peter with a hint of mischief in his eyes, "If this is what I must do to have you, then I will gladly do so every night. You treat me far better than I deserve, Ed. Far better. I will not have you tonight, for I still feel shame about my actions and demanding to have you as though you were my property."

"I will not lie …" sighed Edmund, tears forming in his eyes, "It did me no pleasure to have you be so forceful in that fashion, but you were not yourself. But if it happens again, you will be sorry, and I will leave it at that. I will never divorce you, Peter, but that doesn't mean I will let you mistreat me. Please let this be the end of it and do not be hurt by my words. I do not wish to mar this night."

"I am sorry. And I will not have you tonight."

"Now you are punishing me."

"I am punishing myself."

"Then refrain from doing so. When it pleases you … it pleases me, Peter. So by denying yourself, you deny me. Again, I ask. Would my adoring husband to whom I feel completely grateful for this wonderful evening, would he like to have me?" smiled Edmund, "Because I would very much like him to. If you do not want me t…"

"Enough." said Peter a little hurriedly, "Might we retire now then? Have I mentioned that your beauty outshines all the stars in the heavens tonight?"

"Peter, I already said you could have me."

"Have I also mentioned that the very scent of you drives me wild with thoughts that a king dare not speak out loud?" Peter said sliding his fingers beneath Edmund's tunic, the sensual nature not in the least bit subtle.

"Peter! You're making me blush."

"Good." Peter said with a lump of anxiety and desire in his throat, "Might we retire now?"

"But the evening isn't over."

"Of that I am certain." Peter said as he took Edmund's hand and held his crutch with his free hand, "If we wish to see this show again tomorrow night, I will make it so. Might we please retire now?"

"Peter, you're incorrigible." smiled Edmund, "But yes, if it pleases you, we will retire."

"Would it please you too, Ed? Only if it pleases you too."

"Like I said, Peter. When it pleases you, it pleases me. And if it pleases me, might it please you too?"

"I am only ever pleased when you are, and often only because you allow me to be pleased." smirked Peter, "For I dare say that no one else in Narnia will ever know the pleasures of being married to you. Let's retire, my love."

Edmund smiled as Peter led him back in through the throne room. Their trip was painfully slow, as Peter could only muster a hobble. Growing tired of such a slow journey and beginning to feel the stirrings of love equal to that of his husband, Edmund could take no more. Particularly when Peter would innocently flash that bright smile of adoration that made his heart melt.

"Sorry, Peter." Edmund said pulling his husband over the threshold, garnering a small moan of discomfort, "I'll make that up to you, but dare I say, you're too slow. This will be much faster."

"Edmund?"

"Yes, Peter?" asked Edmund as he rushed his husband through the halls of Cair Paravel in desperate seeking of their chambers.

"I love you. Thank you for marrying me."

"Peter … not now. Though I am grateful for your words, they will only distract me." Edmund said shaking his head as if tears would spring up any minute, but continuing to carry Peter as fast as he could, before he finally paused and looked down at his husband, "I love you too. Thank you for asking me to marry you. Now, you have wooed me enough and I demand the physical reward of loving you as no one else is ever allowed to know. Might you hush your mouth and allow us to retire now?"

"Consider myself hushed." smirked Peter, allowing himself to be carried on, "At least until we have retired to our chambers. After that, I cannot be held responsible for the lack of hushing from my lips. You do know what you do to me, Doubt-bucket."

"You're insatiable, Peter. And just for that, I will be certain you make the most unseemly noises possible in your state."

"Is that a promise, Doubt-bucket?"

"Peter!"

"We have only made love once in months. Can you blame me for wishing to have you now that we are together and able again? I am insatiable." grinned Peter, "But only when it comes to you, my love. Only ever when it comes to you."

MANIPULATED TO APPEASE THE ONE

"Lucy?" called Susan, knocking gently on Lucy's chambers, "Lu?"

Though many believed her to be the aggressor in her feud with King Edmund, she was not devoid of wanting warmth from family. Though Peter would clearly side with Edmund, she knew Lucy would always offer a friendly ear and wise counsel. Though she was just as guilty as her two brothers for underestimating Lucy, she understood that Lucy was wise beyond her years and usually saw the truth for what it was. Susan feared what Lucy's counsel would be, but she knew she needed it. Her encounter with Edmund had left her shaken and confused. Never before had she harbored such anger toward one of her siblings. The closest was Peter, when she blamed him for letting Edmund go at the Battle for Cair Paravel. Yet even that feud of silence, which lasted months, seemed to pale in comparison to this moment. She was known for her fire, and for her ability to hold that anger, yet her heart seemed to be pulling her toward a peace with her brother. Though she hurt for what Edmund had done to her husband, the more she stood before him, the more she could see the blatant lack of malice in his eyes. The more she could see remorse and apology. It was hard for her to remain so embittered when he made no efforts to feign innocence, instead begging for reconciliation.

When Lucy did not answer her, she returned empty hearted to her chambers. She found her faun aide, Tilers, waiting inside with hot tea ready for her. She took the tea and smiled gratefully, her mind playing on the impending meeting of the War Council in the Order of Justice's hall. A public meeting that Susan had no desire to attend, and yet it was the only opportunity for common Narnian to voice their opinions on the war and state their fears and wants, grievances and hopes.

"This tea tastes bitter." said Susan, her lips forming a slight scowl at the taste.

"Yes, but it is a very special recipe. An old recipe too. It is said to help with anxiety and frustration."

"Forgive me, I do not mean to seem ungrateful." smiled Susan, "I do appreciate you being so attentive since Orrin's death. You are one of the few, and I appreciate your kindness."

"Majesty, it is my pleasure to serve you. Please, drink your tea and relax before the coming meeting of the War Council. You must be fully alert and rested."

Susan nodded as the faun placed her tea tray beside her chair and left with a bow. For some time Susan sat and sipped silently on her tea. She contemplated changing into a dress that would be more fitting of a public engagement, but she found she had grown far too comfortable in her Shian inspired armor. Even more so as it had been a gift from his husband. And just as he wore his formal dress armor on a daily basis, so too had she continued this trait since his death. It seemed to give her strength, as though she constantly felt she needed to be ready to defend herself or go to battle.

The more she sat, the more she felt a strange well of confusion welling up inside her. Confusion mixed with anger and bitterness. Bitterness toward a brother no less. She stood to her feet and stepped toward one of the rare mirrors that had been gifted to her for her wedding. She stared at her reflection, seeing how her eyes were hollow with grief and bitterness. Yet her reflection did not seem to mirror her. Where she herself stood attired in her armor, her reflection seemed an echo of her former self. An echo adorned in a white dress and crown and looking more like Susan the Gentle, rather than the current Susan the Gentle. Her reflection seemed to taunt her. Seemed to show displeasure and disappointment. It only seemed to infuriate Susan, for she despised anyone having the power to make her feel inferior, and right now that's exactly what her reflection seemed to have.

"What are you doing Susan?" her reflection asked with forlorn eyes, "Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" asked a defiant Susan, "Talking to my reflection?"

"Why haven't you forgiven him?" asked her echo, "Why do you continue to do this? You're ruining our family. Don't you see?"

"Get out of my head. Would you rather I were more like you? Weak and demure? Someone who hides behind logic and reasoning? Is that what you want from me? You want a reason for my actions? I am nothing like you. War has forged me. Death has changed me. If I were anything like you, this world would have destroyed me long ago."

"You are me, Susan. Don't you see what you are doing to yourself? What you are doing to them?"

"Get out of my head!" yelled Susan, closing her eyes and opening them, only to find her reflection still staring back at her.

"Why are you doing this?" her reflection seemed to taunt, "You hold your anger like a badge that keeps his memory alive. It does nothing of the sort, Susan!"

"He killed my husband!"

"He did no such thing!"

"He hurt my husband! He hurt me!"

"And he is sorry …" her echo replied with sadness in her voice.

"Sorry doesn't change anything! Sorry doesn't bring my Shian back to me! Edmund gets his Peter because my husband died for him and allowed him to come home. It's always Peter and Edmund. We all fight and die so they can love each other. Everyone else suffers for them while they get their miracles and glory. For all I knew Edmund knew this would happen and sacrificed my husband knowingly to save his!"

"That's a lie!" her reflection yelled back, for the first time equaling her ferocity, "Edmund would never do such a thing!"

"Oh really? Because he isn't capable of betrayal?"

"Please …" her echo begged, "Susan … you must stop this, before it's too late to undo the damage."

Susan responded by throwing her tea table into the mirror, sending it smashing into a flurry of shards. Shards that seemed to shatter like the broken pieces of her life. With a hardening resolve, Susan arched her eyebrow and stood over the shattered mirror.

"The damage is already done."

LINES IN THE SAND

The Hall of Justice had been outfitted to allow many Narnian to speak freely and air their grievances, fears, and hopes over the war. Many had taken this opportunity that had been afforded by King Peter, for he did not wish for his loyal subjects to feel as though they had no say in a war that had already claimed so many. With invasion looming from both the Lone Islanders who now had Galma as a platform to base their operations, and with Lejious marching ever closer from the north, it was only a matter of time before war returned with a fury.

At the head of the hall sat King Peter and King Edmund, with the two queens conspicuously absent. In the side gallery where many of the ruling council and higher ranking members of the Order of Justice sat, Likatrik stood beside his two escorts.

"Is it done?" Likatrik asked.

"Everything has gone according to plan, Likatrik." replied his satyr escort, Ious, "He should be very pleased."

"Well then … let's just sit back and watch it all unfold. Do not make the next move until I give the signal."

Ious replied with a nod, before leaving the gallery to serve as one of King Edmund's royal guards. A snigger escaped Likatrik as he finally took his seat in preparation for the proceedings to begin. There was a low murmur from all in attendance with many anxious Narnian waiting to say their piece. With a raise of his hand, Peter silenced all.

"My fellow Narnian, these are troubling times. I understand that many of you have fears and this is your chance to air them freely. We face invasion from two sides. Queen Susan the Gentle will defend the east alongside an alliance from Calormen and Archenland. King Edmund and I will lead the greater Narnian Army in defense against him. Neither of these facts can be avoided, for they will be thrust upon us whether we choose them to be or not. We have faced danger before and we have prevailed. Never on so large a scale as this, but there is always hope as long as we stand with one cause and mind, we will prevail." he spoke with an iron voice of surety that as always, did much to ease many of his Narnian's anxieties, "I understand that many of you have questions or simply need to state your grievances. Please do so now and remember to respect others as you do so."

Peter sat down again before the floor was opened for questions. No sooner had he sat down that the barrage of questions began. The first of which came from a centaur no less. A common soldier who had today been given the chance to speak freely to those who held his life in their hands. He paid his respects before proffering his question.

"How can we expect to defend ourselves on two fronts? Can Calormen be trusted to fight alongside the queen and Archenland who defeated them? How do we know they will not turn on us? Calormen has never been trustworthy."

"I understand your fears." Peter reassured, "However, the Tisroc Lash has proven to be a far different leader to any of his predecessors. We have little choice but to simply hope their cause is the same as ours."

"Where is Queen Susan?" asked another soldier satyr from the Southern Armies, "Why does she not attend this meeting? Is it true the rumors that King Edmund and Queen Susan are at odds? I witnessed the confrontation between King Edmund and Queen Susan in the courtyard and it troubled me greatly. Is Queen Susan being forced out of the monarchy? Some even say that she is being sent alone to the east in the hopes she will be disposed of so that your highnesses will be able to rule without her as she seems to be causing some trouble for you all."

"Who dares to say such things?" Peter roared with surprising anger, standing to his feet, "Give me their names!"

Smiling smugly to himself in the gallery, Likatrik observed the proceedings with a confident sigh. Peter on the other hand found these rumors to be incredibly unsettling. He cast a somewhat nervous glance at Edmund before furrowing his brow at Susan's empty throne. Leaning aside to General Oreius, Peter whispered;

"Have someone find Queen Susan. Tell her that her presence is required now."

Oreius nodded and motioned for one of his aides to rush off in search of the gentle queen. He barely had time to reach the main doors before they smashed open with a fearsome looking Queen Susan the Gentle standing in the center. Behind her stood her most loyal commanders, General Lero and Captain Capies. The expression on her face was one of determination and intent. She strode into the hall, dressed in her formal armor, her eyes fixed on Edmund.

"Susan, where have you been?" Peter asked in surprise, with a small amount of unease at the expression on Susan's face, "Take your place beside us so that this meeting can continue."

"No." Susan said defiantly, standing in the center of the floor rather than taking her seat, "I have come to speak, not to sit."

"Su …" Peter said with worry, "What are you doing?"

"Queen Susan, do you believe the rumors that you are being sent to the eastern front to die, so that the two kings can rule without you?" asked Ious the satyr, "Are tensions between you and King Edmund so fractured?"

"Lies!" yelled Peter, "Tell me where these rumors come from!"

"What? I have not heard such rumors." asked a surprised Susan as she stared confused at Ious, before her eyes caught Likatrik, "I warned you not to show your face before me, Dwarf!"

"I am just a humble servant, Majesty." said Likatrik innocently, "Like you, I am horrified at such dreadful rumors that the kings would try to rid themselves of you."

"You are a vertically challenged swine!" glared Susan, marching toward him with her hands fisted, "Do not think me such a fool that I would forget your accusations against my husband. As far as I am concerned, you and King Edmund are no better than each other!"

The gallery fell silent with Susan's words. Her attack on King Edmund did not go unnoticed and an almost ominous sense of anticipation filled the hall. Yet instead of retracting her words, she turned to Edmund with a cold stare in her eyes. Yet her cold stare was returned with a stare of hurt and utter sadness. A stare from a child whose mother had left them in the cold, alone and lost without any idea how to get home. She despised the fact that he could still dare to look at her with those eyes. Those perilously deep brown eyes that conveyed so much without words. How could he try to manipulate her so? It wasn't fair. It was a weapon he could wield to pull at a part of her that she tried desperately to lock away.

"I don't blame you for hating me, Su." said Edmund softly, speaking to her as though she were the only person in the room, "But I miss you."

Biting her lip with bitter tears, Susan glared at him but found she had lost her heart for a public challenge. She had intended to come into this meeting and launch an attack on the Order of Justice as well as Edmund, but found herself now lacking the heart to do so.

"Damn you and your order, Edmund." was all Susan could whisper, a far cry from her planned tirade on Edmund's character, "Damn you both."

"Su …" said Peter, "Don't do this. Please. You're hurting me."

"I don't want to hurt you, Peter."

"Don't you get it?" Peter said as he reached over to cover Edmund's hand with his own, "When you're hurting him, you're hurting me."

Though Peter meant this as a plea for Susan to end her feud with Edmund, it seemed to have the opposite effect. She looked at Peter with confused hurt, looking lost and uncertain.

"And when he hurts me, does he also hurt you?" asked a broken Susan.

Peter's initial glance of confusion was all the inspiration Susan needed. She raised her chin defiantly and bit back her tears.

"I thought as much." she said with a gasp, "Very well then. You've chosen your side."

"Susan, this isn't about choosing sides."

"It is now." Susan said narrowing her eyes at Peter, "But then what else would I expect from you? He's not only your brother, but your husband. How in Aslan's name could I ever compete with that?"

"Susan, my marriage does not change the way I feel about you." said Peter, "When you hurt, I hurt for you. You're pulling away from us and I cannot allow it. This has gone on long enough. I had hoped that you would see reason. This is not like you, Su. I know it has been hard for you …"

"Hard?" interrupted Susan with a sharp yell, "You know nothing! You have not lost a child. You have not lost a husband. Edmund came back to you because your love is 'special'. What makes you any more special than the rest of us? The crown on your head? Is that what affords you miracles that the rest of us are denied?"

Peter's face quickly swelled from hurt to anger. He stood tight lipped, his fists clenched as he glared at Susan. Edmund's attention seemed to flit from Peter to Susan, like a child who feared their parent's arguing. Finally he rose to his feet, desperate to intervene as he stood alongside Peter.

"Your quarrel is with me, Su. Do not bring Peter into this." begged Edmund, "Please."

"My quarrel is with the Order of Justice. You are the Order of Justice. Therefore, you are correct, my quarrel is with you." said a steadfast Susan, "I'm going to give you a chance, Edmund. A chance to redeem yourself and your order."

"How, Su?"

"Su, you must let this rest." insisted Peter, "We are at war. We cannot have our own monarchy at war with each other when we have enough war with our enemies!"

Without blinking Susan marched up to the table and glared at Peter. He glared back at her with a hint of anxiety in his eyes that was hidden by anger. The gallery fell silent with anticipation, as if fearing what the next moment would bring in such a public fallout between their monarchs. Little did they notice a certain dwarf smiling smugly to himself, or the satyr who stood aside King Edmund. Their attention was fully on Queen Susan and King Peter.

"You're not fit to rule, Peter!" yelled Susan without flinching, so only Peter and Edmund could hear her "We stand on invasion because you failed in the north. You're not fit to be king. I'm going to destroy the Order of Justice and take both your crowns for creating it!"

"Susan, this is treason!" Peter said completely shellshocked by Susan's attack on him.

"Then let it be treason!" Susan said, punctuating her words by slapping Peter hard.

The gallery erupted into a chorus of disbelief and jeers, with even a few cheers. Shouting from all manner of Narnian filled the hall as Likatrik clapped his hands together in glee. With a small nod, Likatrik nodded across the hall to Ious, who moved between Edmund and Susan while drawing his sword.

"You dare challenge the kings!" Ious yelled, drawing immediate gasps of shock from all.

"You dare draw your sword against me!" Susan yelled back, drawing her two long swords, "Do not commit such an act unless you plan to use it!"

Immediately all of Peter and Edmund's guards drew their swords for their kings, as did General Lero and Captain Capies for Susan. Susan immediately assumed a fighting stance as she found herself quickly surrounded. Yet before either could move, Peter jumped over the table, joined quickly by Edmund. Susan, on instinct stepped back in surprised fear, holding her sword to defend herself.

"So the rumors are true?" Susan said, eyes wide with fear, realizing she and her two loyalists were clearly outnumbered, "You wish me dead? Then rid yourselves of me with your own blades and do not let your henchmen do it for you!"

Peter stepped up to Susan without hesitating and slapped her hard across the face, "That is for slapping me. It is for challenging my crown. And it is for believing that I come to harm you when instead I came to end this stupidity! Lower your swords, all of you!"

Susan held her cheek and glared at Peter defiantly, before returning his slap with a stinging one of her own, "Well, Edmund. He said it himself. I challenged him for his crown. I have laid my hands upon the king and threatened him! Tell me, Narnia! What is the crime for this act!"

"Treason!" yelled Likatrik, "She has committed treason in plain sight of all! The punishment is death as stated by law!"

"For once, Dwarf, you speak the truth. Perhaps I will add to my crimes by removing your head." Susan said as she marched toward him with her swords outstretched, "If I am to go down, let it be for doing the world a favor and ridding it of you!"

Likatrik's eyes were wide with surprise and he staggered back into the gallery trying to hide. Susan had nothing but intent in her eyes as she broke into a sprint and chased him down. Before she could reach the gallery, Edmund was on her. He grabbed her arms and held her back.

"Susan!" Edmund yelled, now frustrated with her beyond his guilt, "What in Aslan's name is wrong with you?"

Susan faltered for a moment, shaking her head as if in a daze. She closed her eyes and grabbed her head as Edmund held onto her. Feeling her head throb in pain, she shook and gagged as though she would throw up.

"Treason!" cried a Narnian, shaking Susan from her confusion.

She broke free of Edmund's grasp and pushed him away. Taking a few moments to compose herself, she staggered back toward General Lero and grabbed him for support. She felt light headed but would not relent her intentions. She stared back at Edmund, pointing at him accusingly, even as she was leveled with cries of 'treason'. Most of which suspiciously came from Likatrik's personal escorts.

"Treason!" the cries continued.

"It is treason!" yelled Susan in response, "What would you do now, Edmund? I have committed a crime. You are the just king. You lead the Order of Justice. You cannot be seen to be lenient, can you? Isn't that what you said to me? You are not above the law? One law for all. That law must be upheld! Isn't that what you said to me, Edmund? Isn't it?"

Finally, Edmund understood just what Susan had entered these chambers for. It was not to challenge Peter, but to challenge him in the most spectacular and public fashion. He could do little but stare back at her in disbelief.

"I have committed treason! The vilest act in our nation's laws!" Susan said to the still stunned gallery, "I have struck the high king in clear sight of you all! I have threatened him and with you all as my witnesses I would see that threat fulfilled! You have seen it yourself. You have no choice but to arrest me now! What is the penalty for treason against our nation and high king?"

"Death!"

"Silence!" Petered yelled to the gallery, anger fueling his eyes, "Susan, what in the world are you trying to prove?"

"You stay out of this, Peter. I want nothing from you." spat Susan as she turned back to Edmund, "Don't you dare stand there and look at me and tell you can do nothing. You told me yourself, one rule for all. One law for all. My husband committed no crime and you murdered his character and slandered his name. You stole his honor from him! You knew what would happen." cried Susan, her voice breaking with every word she spoke, "You said you had no choice. You said you had to follow the letter of the law. You said you weren't above the law. Don't you dare stand there and tell me different today. Don't you dare say a word, Peter, and don't you dare intervene. Edmund, this is between you and me. You show me right now that the Order of Justice is indeed one rule for all. You prove to me right now that you pay no favor to anyone. You show me you are not above the law. I have committed my crime against the high king. I have committed treason. The only way I will ever forgive you is if you arrest me right now and sentence me to the letter of the law. If you do not … I will never forgive you. I will disown you. My brother will have died at Beruna and stayed dead for all I care! Your death at Beruna will be your death in my heart! You decide right now, Edmund!"

Edmund stood completely horrified with what was happening. Susan was putting him to task in ways he never thought possible. She was prepared to throw her life away just to prove a point. Just to get back at him for sentencing Orrin. All eyes were on him, waiting for him to do as she requested and seal her fate. Yet as he stood staring at her, he could see her heart breaking with each moment. She wanted him to have her arrested. She wanted him to suffer her to a fate her husband shared.

"Su …" begged Edmund, "You don't understand. I thought it would be ok. I thought Peter would fix it. But I made a mistake. I failed, Su. I failed you, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Please. Don't do this to me. I can't do what you're asking me. I just can't."

"Damn it, Edmund." cried Susan, shaking her tears away, her increasing state of grief clearly evident, "Don't you hesitate now. Don't you treat me any different. You treat me the same way you treated me husband. You arrest me now! We are not above the law! That's what you told me!"

"I can't, Su." Edmund cried, tears of despair etching his cheeks, "I'm sorry. I can't."

"No." Susan sobbed, shaking her head as she cried against General Lero's arm, "No! Don't, Ed. Please don't. I don't want to be different. I'm not special. Don't treat me any different to my husband. You said one rule for all. Don't you make my husband less important than me. Please, Ed."

And to all who witnessed, it was indeed a sorry sight. The gentle queen breaking down for all to see. It was as if finally her anger was being revealed for what it really was; grief. Grief and despair. Guilt. To most who witnessed, they felt nothing but sympathy for a queen whose actions had been driven by despair and grief. But for a certain dwarf who stood in the gallery, he could do nothing but shake his head as his plans fell asunder.

"Change of plans." Likatrik whispered to his faun companion, "How much did you give her?"

"What you told me to give her. I thought you said she wouldn't be able to resist it. Where's our civil war, Likatrik?" demanded the faun, "Don't tell me that all our plans with the Shian and positioning the queen have been for nothing. I thought you said she would declare war on King Edmund now."

"Perhaps you did not give her enough." snarled the dwarf, "We need to rectify this situation before it gets away from us. He will not be pleased,"

In the middle of the floor, Susan clung to her centaur general, her face a broken mess of buried grief. Her brothers looked on, waiting for an opportunity to step in and take Lero's place to finally comfort their sister in a way she had denied them both since her husband's death.

"Su …" Edmund pleaded, stepping slowly toward her even as she shook her head for him to go, "Please don't be angry anymore."

"I'm too tired to be angry anymore." Susan cried, her sobs empty and hollow, "I don't care. I don't care."

"I do." Edmund said stepping ever closer, "I care."

"I'm not angry, Ed. I'm not." Susan said sobbing with tears, defeated as she stood slowly to her feet, "I just want my husband back. Are you going to charge me now?"

"No, Su. I can't. I'm sorry. I know why you did this, and I'm sorry. I can't do it. I made a mistake and I need you to forgive me." said Edmund as he extended his hand to her.

Susan looked at him with eyes that were filled with confused hurt. This time it was she who seemed like a lost child who wasn't sure which way to go home. She stumbled backwards with General Lero catching her by the arm. She looked up at him confused, dazed and unsteady. Again Edmund stepped toward her, but she backed away, shaking her head, even as Peter trailed Edmund.

"Susan, all is forgiven." soothed Peter, "I understand. It's alright."

"Lero?" gasped a defeated Susan, turning to her general, "Will you take me somewhere else please?"

Her eyes pleaded desperately with him, but before he could answer or Peter or Edmund could intervene, the hall was entered by a messenger. The fox messenger bounded into the hall with heavy and anxious breaths. Though Peter and Edmund desperately wanted to get through to Su in her shattered state, that opportunity did not come for the sake of a messenger that brought terrifying news.

"King Peter! King Edmund! Queen Susan!" yelled a messenger as he burst into the hall, "I have urgent news!"

"What is it?" asked Peter anxiously.

"The Lone Islanders have left Galma for Narnia. The invasion has begun!"

- To Be Continued -
3.10 - Gentle vs. the Just, Part 3

Susan is forced to confront her anger towards Edmund. She defends Narnia from the Eastern invasion, only to learn the truth behind Likatrik's attempts to manipulate her. Peter and Edmund prepare for their own battle. A gentle queen falls.