20: This can't be the end

Part two


Everything happened in slow motion as Edmund fell, he squeezed his eyes shut, biting back a scream as he waited for the rope to tighten.

But it never did.

He never fell far enough for it to tighten, for someone caught him and wrapped their arms around his legs, holding him up enough so that he was out of danger.

Edmund hesitantly opened his eyes, taking a deep breath at what he saw.

Peter was the one who had caught him. He was stood below, a concentrated look on his face as he held Edmund up, obviously trying not to let him slip.

" 'ete." Edmund managed to choke past the gag.

Peter glanced upwards and gave Edmund a reassuring smile. "It's alright." He breathed. "I've got you, I won't let you fall."

" 'lease." He whispered, knowing that if Peter were to let go then the rope would tighten and-

"I promise." Peter broke through his thoughts, voice firm as he reajusted his grip on Edmund's legs. "I promise." He repeated, voice softer this time.

The two looked ahead when there was a cry of surprise. "King Peter." Was what it said, and whoever spoke it sounded shocked.

The man who's wife had died ran forward, but didn't come too close before he stopped. "Your majesty." He said, bowing his head. "What are you doing so far from Narnia?"

Edmund could tell Peter was trying to keep his anger hidden, but panicked when he swayed slightly, causing Peter to tighten his grip and steady himself. "I-" He swallowed hard, and after making sure Edmund was alright, he spoke. "I'm saving my brother."

The man was silent for an extremely long time, before he frowned. "Your brother?" He questioned quietly.

"Yes, my brother." Peter repeated, glancing at Edmund before looking back down again. "The boy you're about to kill."

"But-" The man took a deep breath. "You must be mistaken, that's not King Edmund."

Edmund took that chance to hastily nod his head, although not too hard because he didn't want the rope to tighten even a fraction.

"I think I know my own brother." Peter all but spat, once again having to readjust his grip on Edmund's legs to keep him up high enough. "Now you will cut that rope and let him down, or be done for treason."

The man looked slightly shocked, and stood there for a short while, but that short while was too long, for it seemed a few people there thought the idea of killing the Just King of Narnia was a lot better than killing a murderer.

Before he'd even realised what was happening, Peter was tackled to the floor, losing his grip on Edmund as he hit the hard ground.

Edmund's eyes went insanely wide as he fell and the rope tightened around his neck, leaving him choking and unable to breathe. He hadn't fallen far enough for the rope to do any damage to his neck, but if he didn't get help soon, he would die.

Peter swore under his breath, fear overtaking him as he dealt a hard punch to the man who'd tackled him.

It was enough to knock him out, and Peter wasted no time in standing up, only to see Edmund hanging there, kicking his legs and eyes wider than he'd ever seen them before.

He was about to rush over, before the rope was cut and Edmund fell to the ground, the rope loosening and allowing him to breathe once again.

Peter fell to his knees beside his brother, who was coughing through the gag, breath ragged and hoarse as he lay there.

Peter quickly untied the gag and threw it to the ground, allowing Edmund to cough properly, although Peter couldn't say the same about his breathing.

"Come on Ed." He choked, pulling Edmund upright and leaning him against his side. "Breathe, in and out, that's it. You're safe now, you're alright, I promise."

It took a rather long while, but eventually Edmund's breathing evened out enough for Peter to calm down, and he hesitantly glanced upwards, unable to hide a small smile when he spotted the man stood above on the platform, a dagger in his hand.

His attention was drawn back to his brother when Edmund began fumbling with the rope still around his neck, fear in his eyes and clearly needing it to be removed.

Peter fully understood, so didn't waste a second as he pulled it up and over his head, throwing it a fair distance away before pulling Edmund into a tight hug.

"I was hoping you'd come." Edmund choked out, his voice raspy and hoarse, but he managed to force the words out.

"Oh Ed." Peter choked, burying his face against his brothers hair. "I'm so sorry this happened."

"It - It's not your - your fault." Edmund whispered. "It's not - not their fault either."

"Except the one that pushed me to the ground." Peter muttered, glaring over at the one he'd knocked out, glad to see he was still unconscious. "Once he wakes and we find out why, he will pay."

Edmund nodded and buried his face against Peter's chest. "It hurts." He choked, tears in his eyes as he spoke.

"I know Ed, I know." Peter murmered. "But you'll be okay, we'll get you home, clean you up and you'll be fine."

Edmund nodded hesitantly and wrapped his arms weakly around his brothers waist. "Love you." He choked out, wincing slightly.

Peter smiled sadly and placed a kiss to the top of Edmund's head. "I love you too Eddy."


Peter sighed a little as he lay Edmund in his bed, pulling the covers tightly around him as he slept.

They'd just arrived home after two days, but Edmund was still absolutely exhausted, not to mention in a fair amount of pain.

The bruises on his face were almost black they were so dark, and Peter knew they'd take forever to heal. Obviously though the worst was his neck, which was also bruised and red, not as badly as his face, but bad enough seeming as it was his neck.

Sighing a little, Peter sat down at the edge of the bed, determined to sit with Edmund until the girls came up with dinner a little later. Of course he'd already said Hi to his sisters, and had explained what had happened, but he also needed to explain to Edmund how he'd been there, and he also needed Edmund to explain what an earth had happened.

Those men had claimed that they didn't realise it was the King of Narnia, and if it wasn't for Edmund's whispered, hoarse words of "Its true." Peter knew he would've killed them all on the spot.

One of them did lose his life though.

Peter had questioned the one who'd tackled him after he woke up, and after hearing that this random man still held a grudge against Edmund for what he'd done in his first week in Narnia, Peter had gotten so angry at that and what he'd done that he'd killed him right then and there, because no one could get away with attempting to kill his brother... no one.

The two had left shortly after Edmund had mostly recovered, but he had slept most of the way home, absolutely exhausted from his night in the cell and his near death experience.

But now they were home and Edmund had slept enough, Peter would very much like an explanation.

But he'd wait until Edmund woke up, he didn't have the heart to disturb him.

Peter swallowed hard as he sat there, reaching over and lightly tracing his fingers over the rope burn on Edmund's neck, feeling slightly nauseous at the sight of it.

To think it had been that close, to think Edmund had nearly died, and like that too, it broke his heart, made him want to wrap his brother in his arms and never ever let him go again, but he knew that he couldn't wrap Edmund in cotton wool, he was seventeen after all.

Peter had a hard time believing his brother was seventeen as he watched him sleep, he only looked perhaps thirteen. But if he was honest, he had a hard time believing he was seventeen at all.

He hated watching his siblings grow up, but at the same time loved it. He was so proud of the people they were growing into, but also upset because they were growing up, Lucy was fifteen already! Susan was nineteen, an adult, Edmund was seventeen, and it only felt like yesterday he was seven, running around the garden laughing without a care in the world.

He was snapped back from his thoughts when Edmund let out a loud sigh and turned his head towards Peter, his eyes flickering open.

Peter let his hand fall away from Edmund's neck and gave his brother a small smile when Edmund looked at him. "Hey." He whispered.

Edmund managed to return the smile and nodded a little. "Hey." He choked, but his voice was still hoarse and raspy, much to Peter's worry.

"How you feeling?" He couldn't help but ask, his blue eyes slightly wider than they usually were as he fought to tear his eyes from Edmund's neck.

"I'm okay I guess." Edmund said, voice not very loud at all, more along the lines of a whisper, but not quite.

"How - Hows your neck?" Peter sighed, having really meant that when he'd asked.

Edmund swallowed hard, wincing a little before sighing. "It still hurts." He murmered.

Peter took a deep breath. "What happened Ed?" He whispered, shaking his head a little.

Edmund stared at him for a very long while before eventually answering. "They thought I was - I was someone else," He mumbled. "There's not a lot else to tell really."

Peter hesitated. "You tried to tell them who you were?" He asked.

"Course I did." Edmund choked. "But the gag was too tight for them to even come close to understanding me."

"And of course they didn't recognize you because of all that mud on your face." Peter said with a nod.

Edmund nodded back. "Yeah." He whispered, before sighing. "I honestly thought that was the end."

Peter's face fell when Edmund's eyes filled with tears, and he immediately shuffled over and pulled his brother into his arms, still being extremely careful of his neck. "You're alright Ed, you're safe." He murmered into his ear. "I swear it."

Edmund nodded as he buried his face against Peter's chest. "I know." He choked out. "But I thought I'd never see any of you again. When that trap door opened, I honestly thought I was gonna die, and then when you let go of me-"

Peter swallowed hard.

"Which was not your fault." Edmund added quickly but still quietly. "The rope tightened, I - I couldn't breathe Peter, and it hurt so, so much."

Peter's heart shattered and he pulled Edmund even closer. "I - I'm so sorry." He whispered. "The second I knew you were gonna be home late I should've sent someone out to find you."

"Don't be silly Peter." Edmund sighed, forcing back his tears when he realised he was worrying his older brother. "I'm just glad you came when you did. I take it you got too worried and came to find me?"

Peter smiled softly. "You know me too well." He said.

Edmund smiled up at him for a second before sighing. "My neck really hurts." He whispered, his voice shaking. "It's almost like, burning from the rope."

Peter seemed to think for a moment before he lay Edmund down on the bed and disappeared into the bathroom, coming back thirty seconds later with a damp cloth.

He sat on the edge of the bed and placed it over Edmund's neck, the cold soothing his neck and allowing him to relax a little. "Thanks." Edmund murmered, giving his brother a grateful smile.

"No problem." Peter replied. "Do you want Lucy's cordial?" He asked a couple seconds later, even though he knew what the answer would be.

"I'll be alright Peter." Edmund said, voice still quiet and raspy. "Save that for more serious injuries."

"I was afraid you'd say something like that." Peter sighed, but he couldn't keep back a small smile. "It'll heal soon Ed, promise."

Edmund nodded carefully. "I know it will." He murmered.

"What - What about the bruises on your face?" Peter questioned.

"I was punched." Edmund said simply with a shrug.

Peter swallowed hard. "And judging by the state of your wrists you were tied up?" He mumbled.

"Yeah." Edmund breathed, heart breaking at the look of worry on Peter's face.

"That gag was too tight." Peter pointed out. "The marks are still around your mouth!"

"I'll be alright Peter." Edmund said quickly. "Like you said, I'll heal soon."

Peter stared at him for a moment or two before slowly nodding his head. "Of course you will."


Edmund was woken that night to Peter sitting bolt upright in the bed beside him.

The younger let out a quiet groan, still half asleep as he rolled over and forced his eyes open.

In the dark he could make out his brother, sat up in bed, breathing heavy and shaking rather hard.

"Pete?" Edmund choked, annoyed that his voice still sounded so hoarse.

Peter took a moment or two to calm himself down, before slowly laying back down.

He rolled over and pulled Edmund close, burying his face against his shoulder. "Oh Ed." He whispered.

Edmund felt his night shirt go wet and was surprised to find his brother crying, which was shocking because Peter hardly ever cried. "You had a nightmare?" He asked hesitantly, curling into his brothers arms.

Peter nodded and held Edmund closely to him, trying to still his shaking as best he could. "It was horrible."

Edmund sighed. He should've seen this coming, Peter always had a dream the night following whenever his siblings got this badly hurt, and he instantly felt guilty for not staying awake for him, but he knew if he mentioned it then Peter would argue, and neither of them could really handle that right now. "Can I ask what about?" Edmund choked out.

Peter took a deep breath. "I - I didn't catch you in time." He whispered. "You - You were killed, I didn't catch you Ed, I couldn't catch you!"

"Hey, shhh." Edmund soothed, before grabbing Peter's wrist and placing his palm over his heart. "Feel that?" He asked.

Peter hesitantly nodded as he pulled away from his brother enough to see his face.

"You caught me Peter." Edmund said firmly but still gently. "You caught me and I'm alive."

Peter stared at him for a few seconds before nodding his head slowly, pulling Edmund close once again and pressing a kiss to the top of his head, apologising when Edmund winced a little.

"Something tells me you aren't going to get anymore sleep tonight." Edmund sighed after half an hour.

Peter sighed back. "I don't think so." He breathed.

Edmund glanced at the clock and just about managed to see that it was 5am, and just settled against Peter. "You don't mind if I go back to sleep do you?" He asked hesitantly.

"Course not." Peter said softly. "Go back to sleep, I'm here."

Edmund smiled gently before resting his head against Peter's chest. "Love you Peter." He murmered. "And thank you."

Peter smiled. "Anytime Ed." He replied. "Anytime."


Yay, part two is up and I didn't kill off Edmund!! ahah, hope you enjoyed it!

I'm working on a more Peter based one shot next so that should be up soon xx