Decided to turn this into a two shot :)
It should've been me - Part II
Peter sighed a little as he ran his hand continuously through his brothers damp hair, tears stinging his eyes as he glanced down at Edmund's back.
Despite having cleaned the lashes as best he could with the little water he had found in the tent, they were still bleeding and looked extremely painful, which is why Peter was hoping that Edmund would just continue sleeping until Lucy and Susan arrived.
For the last ten minutes he'd been trying to decided whether or not to move Edmund to one of the nearby hammocks, just so he'd be a little more comfortable. But at the same time he didn't want to hurt him, and definitely didn't want to wake him either.
Swallowing hard Peter placed the back of his hand to Edmund's forehead, almost wincing at how high his temperature was getting, and decided instantly that he just had to do something.
"I'm so sorry about this Ed." Peter murmered, letting out a sigh as he removed Edmund from his lap and lay him on the floor.
Just as Peter had expected, Edmund let out a pain filled groan as his eyes flickered open, looking extremely confused. "Pete?" He whispered.
"It's okay Ed." Peter reassured him, brushing the hair from his brothers eyes. "I'm right here. I just need to find some more water and another cloth, your temperatures rising."
Edmund stared up at him for a moment or two before slowly nodding his head. "Alright." He choked, trying his hardest to ignore the almost burn from his back.
Peter nodded a little before hesitantly standing and beginning to search the tent. He soon found his and his brothers sword, and quickly attached his back to his belt, before succeeding in finding a jug of cold water.
Walking over to a nearby table he grabbed a cloth before returning to his brother, who was shaking where he lay on the floor.
"Ed?" Peter asked gently, kneeling beside his brother. "Why - why don't we move you to one of these hammocks?"
Edmund blinked at him before eventually nodding his head. "Alright." He murmered, wincing slightly when he tried to sit up.
Placing the jug and cloth on the floor, Peter helped Edmund to his feet and practically carried him to one of the hammocks, sitting him down on the edge of it and frowning a little.
"What?" Edmund murmered, face partly buried against Peter's neck.
Peter sighed. "I need to lie you on you back." He murmered. "If I lie you on your stomach I don't think the cloth would stay on your forehead."
Edmund sighed and nodded again. "I can lay on my back." He answered slowly.
Peter didn't look too sure about this, glancing over Edmund's shoulder and down at his back. "I wonder if there are any bandages around here." He wondered aloud, taking a deep breath.
"Doubt it." Edmund replied. "Why an earth would they keep bandages around here?"
"Then - Then take my tunic at least." Peter said. "It'll keep you warm and kinda maybe work like a bandage?"
Edmund stared up at him. "You need it." He said.
"No I don't." Peter told him firmly. "I'll be just fine."
Edmund looked about to argue, but in the end just nodded his head a little. "Thanks." He mumbled.
Peter gave him a soft smile before slipping his tunic over his head, leaving him in just his shirt, and helping Edmund put it on. It was obviously a little too big, but Edmund didn't seem to care. "Um." Peter mumbled to himself after a moment, before walking across the tent to another of the hammocks and grabbing two blankets, returning and laying them on Edmund's hammock instead. "If you lay on the blankets it shouldn't hurt your back so much." He told him, helping him to lay down.
Edmund flinched slightly but eventually relaxed, his head sinking into the pillow. It caused quite a bit of pain to lay down, but he could deal with it. Plus Peter was right, they needed to bring his temperature down.
With a sigh Peter brought over a chair and placed it beside his brother, grabbing the jug and wetting the cloth before pressing it to Edmund's forehead, taking a deep breath when he flinched a little. "Alright?" Peter murmured, placing his hand on the top of his brothers head.
Edmund glanced up at him and nodded a little. "Thanks." He whispered, giving him a small attempt at a smile.
Peter's heart broke at this, and he slowly reached down to place a gentle kiss to the side of Edmund's head. "Get back to sleep." He sighed. "Hopefully you'll feel better when you wake."
Edmund stared at him for a moment, before nodding his head again and allowing his eyes to slip shut.
Peter just sat there and watched him sleep, unable to look away or move away, reluctant to let him out of his sight.
He'd probably been sat there for two hours, before the flaps of the tent parted and two other men walked in.
To say they looked shocked at the scene in front of them would be an understatement, and Peter almost laughed at the reactions on their faces.
Almost that is, because before he could, one of their shocked expressions turned into anger.
Peter quickly stood from his chair and drew his sword, pointing it directly at the two men. "Come one step closer and I won't hesitate to kill you both." He snapped, a scowl spread across his face.
One man turned to the other and hissed under his breath: "I had a feeling something was up, punishments never usually last this long." But Peter still heard every word.
The man nodded a little and turned back to Peter, frowning down at the sword he was holding, and odd expression on his face.
"I - I take it, um, he was punished?" The man who'd spoken before said, nodding at Edmund, who was still fast asleep.
Peter swallowed hard. "Yes he was." He muttered. "But the people that did it, well and truly paid."
At this both men glanced at the three men dead on the floor, and Peter saw one of them visibly gulp.
"How - how old is he?" The man continued.
Peter frowned a little, confused at the actual caring tone to his voice. "He's - He's sixteen." He said hesitantly.
The man nodded in response to the answer, before sighing. "I never agreed with punishing people just because they accidentally wondered on to this land." He mumbled. "It's happened more than once, trust me."
He paused for a moment before he glanced at his friend, who had once again returned his stare to the sword Peter held. "Of course," he continued with a small frown. "I don't think they've ever done it to anyone so young. sixteen? that's just evil."
Peter didn't know what to say, didn't know if he should believe what the man was saying. But actually now, he was beginning to realise that the man couldn't of been any older than him.
"My name's Asher by the way." He continued. "Who are you anyway?" He asked.
Peter swallowed hard, wondering if he should actually risk telling them, after all he still didn't know who they were.
"King Peter."
Both of them turned to the other man, who was still staring at the sword in Peter's hand.
"You're king Peter." He repeated, looking slightly worried.
Peter hesitated but eventually just nodded his head. "Yes I am." He said slowly.
Both men just stared, before Ashers eyes flicked to Edmund. "Then - Then who's that?" He choked.
Peter took a deep breath. "That is my brother." He said firmly. "King Edmund the Just."
Asher and the other man seemed to freeze for a moment. "They - They punished a King?" Asher suddenly choked out.
Peter didn't say anything for a while, but eventually opened his mouth. "They didn't know." He said. "But, The punishment for torturing a King I'm sure is bad." He paused and took a deep breath. "But the punishment for torturing a brother, well let's just say it's not nice."
Asher once again couldn't help but glance down at the three men, before turning back to Peter. "Is anyone on the way?" He asked.
Peter nodded. "My sisters should be on their way." He explained. "They'll heal Edmund and then we will be on our way."
"What - How did they punish him?" Asher asked, the other man completely silent from shock.
"Whip." Peter choked out.
"Have - Have you managed to treat the wounds?" Asher said slowly.
"In a way." Peter said with a sigh.
"I'll go and find something that should help them heal quicker." Asher said, going to turn to leave. "And remove these - these bodies." he added as an afterthought.
"Thank you." Peter said quickly, before turning back to his brother and taking his seat again.
"Are you definitely sure the lashes will heal quicker?" Peter asked Asher as he slowly lowered his tunic back over Edmund's back, placing a hand gently on the top of his brothers head.
"I've seen this medicine at work myself." Asher explained. "Give it a week and there'll be nothing there except maybe a few scars. But you said your sister will heal him, so this'll just keep away infection until she can get here."
"Thank you." Peter said with a small smile, before turning back to Edmund, who had tears rolling steadily down his cheeks. "Ed?" He choked.
Edmund's eyes flicked to him as he licked his lips quickly. "Yeah?" He whispered.
"You okay?" Peter asked hesitantly, a worried frown on his face.
Edmund sighed, shifting from where he was laying on his stomach. "I've been better." He murmered.
Peter swallowed hard before placing the back of his hand to Edmund's forehead. "Unfortunately your temperature's still the same." He explained. "But I'm sure with plenty of rest you could just sleep the fever off."
"Sounds good to me." Edmund whispered, his eyes already dropping again.
Peter began running his hand up and down the back of Edmund's neck, and this soon sent him into a deep sleep, much to Peter's relief.
After a while or two staring down at his brother, Peter glanced back up at Asher. "Thank you." He breathed. "For all your help."
Asher smiled at him and gave him a small nod. "Not at all." He breathed. "I'm just glad someone saw me for who I really am and actually trusted me enough to let me anywhere near them." The last part was said with a sigh, and Peter actually felt sorry for him.
"I take it you're not like the others?" He questioned.
Asher shook his head immediately. "No, not one bit." He said. "I hate seeing people hurt. I'm the type of person who wouldn't hurt a fly."
Peter smiled at the chuckle he let out. "Well I'm glad about that." He breathed.
"Me too to be honest." Asher mumbled, before frowning slightly. "Wait, how come they punished your brother but not you?"
Peter swallowed hard at the question, but still opened his mouth to answer. "He was first." He explained. "They gave him - Twenty lashes, then untied him and left to discuss my punishment. But Edmund being Edmund had a dagger hidden in his boot."
"Clever." Asher replied with a smirk.
"Oh yeah." Peter breathed out with a chuckle.
Asher was silent for a moment before standing from where he'd been sat. "I'll leave you two alone." He said gently. "And I'll inform you the second the Queens arrive."
"Thank you again Asher." Peter replied. "You've been a great help."
"It's been a pleasure your majesty." Asher said with a bow before ducking out of the tent.
Peter let out a loud yawn as he sat back down on the chair beside his brothers hammock, running a hand through his scruffy hair before placing the cloth back on Edmund's forehead, having just got up to wet it again.
Edmund frowned in his sleep but luckily didn't wake, only reaching over and placing a hand on Peter's knee with a content sigh.
Peter smiled a little at this, and rested his hand over his brothers, giving it a small squeeze before yawning again.
It was probably around 3am by this point, but Peter refused to sleep, refused to leave his brother. Just incase he needed him or Susan and Lucy arrived.
When Edmund let out a pain filled moan in his sleep, Peter couldn't help but sigh sadly before taking a deep breath. "Oh Ed." He murmered to his sleeping brother, gripping his hand tighter. "I'm so sorry. I know it hurts, but its gonna heal soon, I promise." He swallowed hard before opening his mouth again. "It should've been me." He choked, shaking his head, tears in his eyes.
His head snapped up though when the tent flaps opened and Asher walked in, bowing his head before speaking. "Sir." He said with a smile. "Your sisters are here."
Peter breathed a sigh of relief, smiling a little. "Send them in." He said. "And could you tell them to be quiet? Edmund's still sleeping."
"Certainly." Asher smiled, ducking back out of the tent.
Peter smiled wider and turned back to Edmund. "Hear that Ed?" He murmered. "You're gonna be alright, Lucy'll heal you."
He looked back up when Susan and Lucy walked in, Susan looking devastated and Lucy looking so worried it brought tears to Peter's eyes.
"Philip told us what happened." Susan said quickly, rushing over to the hammock. "What did the men do?"
Peter swallowed hard. "They - They accused us of trespassing." He said slowly.
"Trespassing?" Lucy questioned, also walking over. "Isn't this a dessert?"
Peter sighed. "That's what I said." He mumbled. "But they wouldn't listen. They - They were going to punish both of us."
"Punish?" Susan said hesitantly, drawing up a chair to sit beside Peter.
Peter nodded. "They punished Ed first." He whispered. "Whipped him twenty times."
"Twenty?" Lucy choked, sounding horrified.
Peter nodded slowly. "They then left to discuss my punishment, but Edmund had a dagger hidden in his boot, which I used to free myself and ki- defeat those men."
"But what about Asher?" Susan said. "He met us outside, he said-"
"He's nothing like the others." Peter interrupted her gently. "He's helped us so much. Helped treat Ed's wounds so they wouldn't get infected."
"I can use my cordial." Lucy said quickly, grabbing it from her belt.
Peter nodded. "He's also got a fever." He sighed as he sat up and leant over to wake his brother up. "Ed?" He murmered. "Ed wake up, Susan and Lucy are here."
Edmund groaned slightly, and after a little more coaxing, he finaly opened his eyes.
He stared at Peter for a moment before moving his stare to Susan and Lucy, a small smile making it's way onto his face. "Hey." He whispered.
Lucy went to hug him, but was stopped by Peter, who grabbed her arm gently. "Give him the cordial and then you can hug him." He told her gently. "You don't wanna hurt him."
Lucy nodded and immediately pulled the top off her cordial. "Open up Edmund." She said.
Edmund stared at her, hesitating slightly before finaly opening his mouth.
"In this much pain." Peter muttered. "And he still hesitates over taking the cordial."
Susan have him a sad look, her being the only one that had heard him.
Peter sighed in relief when Lucy let one drop of her cordial fall into Edmund's mouth, and as he watched him relax.
"How you feeling?" Peter asked gently, placing a hand on his brothers shoulder.
Edmund swallowed hard. "Feverish." He muttered with a small smile.
Peter smiled. "But you're not in any more pain?" He asked slowly.
Edmund shook his head. "No, the lashes are gone." He told his brother.
Peter smiled, trying his hardest to keep back the tears that were falling.
Before anybody had known what had happened, Peter was laying in the hammock beside his brother, his arms wrapped tightly around Edmund. "I'm glad you're alright now." He murmered into his hair.
Susan sighed and placed the back of her hand to Edmund's forehead. "Still got a fever though." She mumbled.
Lucy spoke up next. "The cordial only heals injuries." She said, giving her older brother a hug.
Edmund hugged her back, resting his head against Peter's chest as he did.
"I'm so sorry Edmund." Peter sighed.
Edmund frowned and glanced up at him, swallowing hard at the tears rolling down his cheeks. "Pete we went over this." He sighed. "It wasn't your fault, and I definitely wouldn't of wanted it to be you instead."
"I would've." Peter choked. "It should've been me."
"Peter no." Edmund argued. "Come on, it's over, I'm fine now, just a little ill. I'll get over it. I'm completely fine."
Peter stared at him before placing a kiss to the top of his brothers head. "I love you Eddy." He choked.
Edmund glanced at his sisters, who both had sad smiles on their faces, before he buried his face against Peter's neck. "I love you too Peter." He breathed, a small smile on his face.
But what neither of them knew, were the thoughts going through the others head.
I'm glad it was me Pete, I'm glad it was me and not you.
Oh Eddy, I'm so sorry... it should've been me
The end
Hope you all liked part two, and thank you for the reviews!! ly all xx
New updates soon
