Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Authoresses Note: I know two chapters in a row! But I had it finished and since fanfiction wouldn't let me in until today, I decided to give you two chapters. The one that would have been put up Sunday, and this one! And the end of this one is a real tear jerker! Please review!

Christopher The Lost

Chapter 13

Warm. Nothing but warm. Soft golden light radiated of his skin and he breathed in the cool clear morning. Yet all he could feel... was warm. Heat. Soft, comfortable heat. No cold. No pain. No...

Edmund was brought out of his dream by the sound of a quickly unsheathed sword. His eyes shot open as he realized the sound came from towards Peters hammock. He looked towards Peter as flowers swirled around the room and then into the form of a woman.

"Be still my princes-" Edmund glanced worriedly at Peter "-I bring grave news from your sisters."

Both Peter and Edmund were up in an instant. "What's wrong with them?!" Peter demanded.

"Where are they?!" was Edmunds question.

"They are safe. But Aslan is dead."

"WHAT?!" Peter and Edmund exclaimed.

"It is true. But now I must go. My tree is far from here and I grow weary. Good luck in the following battle, your majestys, and stay safe." the dryad said, as she floated through the tent, her figure losing shape as she went.

When the boys looked at each other, they found that each of them had tears in their eyes.

"It can't be true? Can it?" Edmund asked, his voice cracking.

"I don't know." Peter said, pulling his jerkin on, and strapping his sword around his waist. Edmund followed his example and they walked from the tent.

"I'll check the girls tent. You go look for Orieus." Edmund said, walking towards the girls tent.

"Yes sir." Peter mumbled, walking towards the army. "Orieus!" Peter called, once he finally found the general centaur.

"Your majesty? What are you doing awake so early? You need your rest." Orieus asked.

"I could ask you the same of you, general, but I do not have the time. Edmund and I were awoken by a dryad. She sent a message from Susan and Lucy... Aslan is gone." Peter replied.

Orieus looked shaken, if only for a moment. "Dead?" he asked.

"It has not been confirmed yet. It could be a tree on her side. But I highly doubt it." Peter said as calmly as he could.

Edmund then walked towards them. "Susan and Lucy aren't in the tent. Their cloaks, shoes, and weapons are also not there." he stated, with a sad nod.

"Then all that's left is to check Aslans tent. If He is gone... then we know it to be true." Peter said.

"Lead on, your majesty." Orieus said, with a nod of his head.

Peter took a deep breathe and stepped towards Aslans tent. He glanced behind at Edmund, but he was already scowering over the map, muttering things under his breathe that not even Orieus, the closest one to him, could determine. Peter turned back to the tent and entered. Not a sound filled the tent, and he knew then that it was true... Aslan is dead.

He held back a choked sob and re-exited the tent. Edmund was now looking at him. "She's right-" Peter stated, looking at the map, and propping himself up on the table "-He's gone."

Edmund looked up at Orieus, who gave him a breif nod. He looked back at Peter. "Then you'll have to lead us." he said. Peter looked up at him, a look of doubt and disbelief on his face. "Peter, there's an army out there. And it's ready to follow you." Edmund said.

"But I can't!" Peter objected.

"Aslan believed you could." Edmund said, raising his voice to match Peters. Peter only looked down and shook his head. Edmund lowered his voice. "And so do I." Peter looked back up at him only to find that Edmund was giving him a reassuring smile.

"The witchs army is nearing, sire. What are your orders?" Orieus asked. Peter took a deep breathe and looked at the map.

"If I might be of some help-" Edmund said, gathering both Orieus and Peters attention "-I think I have an idea that might help."

"Edmund! Get out of here! Get the girls, and get them home!" Peter called to Edmund.

"But..."

"You heard him! Let's go!" Mr. Beaver exclaimed, pulling Edmund along before he could even respond. But as they reached the top of the hill, Mr. Beaver allowed him to stop. But this was a mistake. Because then Edmund saw the witch making her way towards Peter... and this was something Edmund wouldn't let pass. An instant rage filled him as he pulled his sword from it's sheath.

"Peter said get out of here!" Mr. Beaver exclaimed.

"Peter's not king yet!" Edmund snapped, running towards the witch. He knew certain death awaited him once he reached her, but he knew what he had to do. He hurled himself from a rock, towards her wand. His first attempt missed as she pulled her wand out of the way. She looked pale for a moment, but quickly composed herself as she thrust her wand towards him. Edmund turned out of the way and took the opportunity to bring his sword down upon her wand. Little shards of icy cold glass went everywhere until they evaperated. The witch shook with rage as she disarmed him and thrust the broken end of her wand into Edmund stomach. For a moment, Edmund felt completely ice cold, but it was instantly gone. And then Aslans voice rang clear through his mind, though it was a growl. "He is mine, witch. You gave him to me, and he accepted me willingly. Therefore he is no longer yours."

Peter completed his swipe at a minotaur and looked towards the momentary flash of light. He was horrified to see the witch wrenching her broken wand from Edmunds lower torso. Instead of seeing his 12 year old little brother, Peter saw his 3 year old little brother. His still uncut dark hair flopping into his dark eyes. He wasn't wearing armor, but blue striped pajamas. And coming from his open mouth that was gasping for breathe were the screams he heard the night Edmund had been kidnapped.

But instead of screaming Edmund, 'Christopher' was Peters heart-wrenchingly desperate cry. For a moment it was just Peter and Chris. Not Edmund, but Chris. Their eyes met for the briefest of moments, but Peter understood the silent message.

'Finish her, Peter. Finish what Aslan and I cannot because of her.'

This filled Peter with rage he had never known. He wrenched his sword from a minotaur and charged at the witch. With one fatal swipe at a minotaur that dared get in his way, he then attacked the witch. And the dual was on. The entire time, Peters mind fell to his little brother... Christopher.