Author's note: Hey, back again for another chappie!. I know this one is a bit shorter, but this is suppose to show whats going on with the Pevensies since Susan's been captured. The next chapter will be whats happened to Susan. Ok. Thanks to all of you who reviwed, your really awsome, you rule. I do not own any of these characters, I only own the plotline. Thanks again, and I hope you like it. Enjoy!.
It was Edmund that came out to find Peter sitting on the swing out in the gardens around Cair Paravel. The very swing that Susan had sat upon to clear her head, when the Pevensies thought that Aslan was troubled. Edmund watched his older brother for a moment, taking all the emotion in around him. Peter had his head lowered, his golden bangs hidden his eyes like a golden curtain, he also slouched as he sat upon the swing, and slowly rocked back and forth, as if that would sooth the pain.
Edmund gave a sad sigh before slowly walking up to his troubled brother. However, Peter did not raise his head, or show any acknowledgement that he knew his brother was approaching. Seeing this, Edmund decided to address the situation carefully as to not to upset him. Edmund walked up to his brother, and leaned against the tree in which the swing was hung, crossed his arms, and tried to think of something to converse about.
"So, We were surprised to see you gone!" Edmund started slowly, trying not to press the issue. "Had to clear my head, too much going on right now!" Peter responded slowly, his voice croaked with sadness, and Edmund could tell he was close to tears. " The army should be arriving soon, to prepare for the battle against the White Witch" Edmund informed his brother. Although he got no acknowledgement in return. Edmund turned away from his brother, nothing seemed to be working!.
"I'm sure they all will bring up ideas they think would be best to battle the witch" Edmund said with a chuckle, knowing that Peter would get into several arguments on how to approach this. However, Edmund's attempts didn't seem to be working as he'd hoped. Maybe bringing up Lucy would help. "And then, Lucy had a good argument too on how to battle the witch" Edmund gave another chuckle. "She sure seems to be fired up for the fight, seeing as she…" he began but was suddenly thrown off.
"No!" Peter growled. "She shall not be joining us in this battle" Peter said bluntly. Edmund stood from the tree, startled from Peter's sudden change of mood and the sadness now replaced by anger in his voice. "Peter, Lucy wanted this. She wants to prove herself worthy of her own title" Edmund explained, however, he felt the confidence leaving him as Peter lifted his gaze and Edmund saw the anger now burn in his eyes.
"And, Aslan said…" Edmund tried again, but was once more interrupted. "I said no, I don't care what Aslan might have promised Lucy, I am still the High king, and I refuse to put my little sister in danger like that!" Peter growled, almost staring Edmund down. "But how is she to become a proper queen if she is always refused all the time?" Edmund said, standing against his brother now. "Peter, she is not so young anymore, it is about time to open your eyes and see" Edmund now growled back at Peter.
"You dare to stand up to me?. I am the eldest in this family, and you must listen to me!" Peter said, his anger radiating off of his being. It was obvious to Edmund that he was taking out all his anger, hurt, frustration and sadness out on others. " Peter, one day you'll see that we aren't so young, and you can't protect us forever!" Edmund yelled back in Peter's face. Edmund saw Peter try to come back with something, his anger getting the better of him.
"Just look what happened to Susan. Your anger should be taken out on The White Witch, that is what is to truly save our sister, your hatred, your anger, your pain should defeat what the White Witch has done, not to mention your love!" Edmund explained, this time, Peter seemed to have been listening to what his brother was saying. Peter's face seemed to calm back into his normal state, although also seemed to return to sadness. "It worked before, there is no reason it shouldn't now!. We just need to stay together, not apart" Edmund finished as he watched Peter retreat back to the swing.
"I'm sorry Ed. I just didn't want to lose Lucy as I did Susan. My anger got the better of me, and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I just couldn't bare to loose another to the witch, when I lost Susan, and then almost you the last time, I couldn't live if one of you were hurt!" Peter said, tears now flowing down his eyes, Peter pressed a hand to his face, trying to control them. Edmund came over and patted his brother's back comfortingly.
"I know Peter, it is hard, but we must be strong, for Susan's sake!" Edmund explained, in which Peter finally looked up, eyes glazed with tears, and hugged his younger brother.
It seemed that all the Pevensie siblings had gotten closer during their time in Narnia. Before, back in London, Peter and Edmund always spent their time feuding over something or other, but since allying against the White Witch the last time, the brothers were now closer than ever, and now instead of fighting constantly, they rely on each other, and help each other, and their sisters in time of need such as this. Although, they must admit, they do still have their disagreements.
They stayed in their embrace for a moment. "Thank you Ed, I know I can always count on you when I need you!" said Peter, smiling to his brother as he broke away. Edmund gave him a smile, and a pat on the shoulder. "Your welcome, but right now we better get back to the throne room, the troops will be wanting to plan this battle" said Edmund, getting up from where he knelt in front of Peter. However, Peter held back for a moment, seemed to be lost in thought. He only snapped out of it once Edmund called upon him.
"Sorry Ed, I just had to try and keep calm if I'm going to go in there and plan out our attack, surely Susan will be mentioned" Peter said, Edmund frowned as he saw tears start to brim his brother's eyes. "You must be strong Peter, you are the High King, everyone needs you. But you must be strong, for Susan!. That's the only way to save her!" Edmund reminded him, in which Peter nodded and made his way back into the castle with his brother.
Once they were back into the throne room, the brothers were surprised to see that it was completely crowded with troops, ready to fight for the rescue of their Gentle Queen. There was the centaurs and the fauns and the dryads, in which Peter noticed some of them eyeing him quite fondly as he passed, he just have them a wave and a nervous smile. Finally, Peter and Edmund had made their way towards the table, where Lucy, Aslan, some fauns and some centaurs crowding over a map of Narnia.
They seemed to be discussing among themselves on how to attack the Witch's army, Lucy suddenly noticed them from the corner of her eye and instantly ran over to them. "Peter, I know you must feel rotten for losing a sister, and I hate to beg you" Lucy began, in one of her cutesy voices, you instantly know she's going to beg for something. "And I know it's really dangerous, but Aslan said that I could…." Lucy explained quickly, but Peter shushed her.
"Yes Lucy, you may join us in this battle" he agreed, Lucy jumping for joy but Aslan and Edmund glanced at him strangely. "But you must be careful, and must do everything that we tell you to do" Peter said sternly. "And you must stay close at all times, but we shall discuss that later!" Peter said with a smile, patting his sister on the head gently, before joining the troops at the table, Lucy and Edmund followed. Once he joined them, Orius and all the centaurs and fauns bowed to him, in which he nodded.
"Now, what have we so far?" Peter asked, gazing at the map and all the little figures of the army and the Witch's that lay scattered across the map. He listened carefully as Orius and Aslan told him of the plan so far, in which Peter corrected them in some places and added in his own ideas. It was coming along nicely, the centaurs and the fauns joining in with some of their ideas, even some of the dryads. Peter smiled as the plan seemed to be coming along very nicely, very nicely in deed.
It was nearly sunset, when Aslan had decided that they all break for some dinner, and maybe come back tomorrow to discuss their plan further. They were all welcome to have a feast their at Cair Paravel that night seeing as it is usually only the four Pevensies. However, Peter could not enjoy the wonderful feast and the company of good friends, his mind kept to Susan, and how she was fairing in the Witch's company. He hoped with all his heart that she was alright.
As the creatures of Narnia now conversed happily, some of them rather drunkenly, with the high monarchs of Narnia, Peter had to escape to the balcony outside the dining hall.
He needed to clear his head of these terrible thoughts, but as he gazed out into the sky, painted with pink and orange of the setting sun, his thoughts never strayed from the black haired beauty that was his sister. Peter gave a sad sigh, wishing his heart didn't hurt so much, when he noticed some leaves circling beside him, and a woman of leaves suddenly appear.
It was one of the dryads who had their eyes on the High King, and came up to rest beside him on the balcony. It was silence between the two, only the light whistle of the wind as it blew past was heard. "Sorry about what happened to your sister!" she said sweetly, though Peter knew she was only trying to make conversation. Peter could tell that she didn't have one ounce of sympathy, and all she wanted was to court him.
"Yea, its pretty bad!' Peter said, playing along, sadness in his voice. "But thanks for coming to help!" Peter said, turning to look at her and smile politely. Her heart melted as he did so, but the moment was ruined once he turned back towards the horizon. She had to think of another way. "Yes, anything to help out in such a tragedy!" she started again, moving now a bit closer to Peter, which didn't go un noticed by him.
Peter just rolled his eyes as she continued. "Cause, we want what's best for Narnia of course!. And with one of our monarchs missing, whatever will we do?" she said, trying to play it sweet, but Peter would not take any of it. As the dryad tried to rest her head on his arm, Peter gave an annoyed grunt and suddenly pushed her off.
"I know what you want Flora, and it's not going to happen!" he said annoyed. "I just have too much on my mind right now and our country needs me, I can't be having a romance!" Peter said, frustrated. Flora stared at him sadly, but she wouldn't give up so easily. She went up to him once more, and wrapped her arms around his. "What if we do it secretly?" she asked seductively, and leaned in, her lips puckered, but once again Peter turned away.
"Sorry Flora, you're a wonderful girl and everything…." Peter began, looking at her sadly. "But like I said, I just can't do this right now!" Peter argued. This time, Flora became annoyed. She became angry, and placed her hands firmly on her hips. "Peter, I understand you have a lot on your mind now that Queen Susan went missing" Flora started. "And that you have a duty to go rescue her, and we shall help you, but…" she stopped for a moment.
"Peter, you are High King of Narnia. And sooner or later all of Narnia will be expecting you to marry. Soon enough, that will have to be your duty of finding a wife to take up the throne. I'm sorry Peter, but that's how its going to be!" Flora said seriously. Peter grinned for a moment. "And I suppose you put on that little act to be chosen?" Peter said, but Flora never perked a smile.
"I really like you, and I'd love to be the High Queen, but I'm just giving you a heads up." She stated simply. "You do seem like you have a lot to think about right now, but…" she stopped, coming up beside him once more. "At least start to consider it?" Flora said, wrapping her arms around his once more. Peter suddenly felt like his heart was going to drop into his stomach.
The very thought of marriage at a time like this never even crossed his mind. He considered this one of Flora's tricks. Peter curled his fingers tighter around the edge of the balcony as he felt Flora tighten her hold on his arm, she was making him sick with all her seductive pulls. He then noticed that Flora was leaning in for another attempt to kiss him, when he was saved by the presence of the other dryads.
"Come Flora, it is time to leave. We must prepare for battle, and there is still so much to do!" One of the dryads called to Flora, in which she loosened her grip and broke away from him to join her fellow dryads. To be kind, Peter turned as waved as they did before turning back into leaves and flower petals and disappearing with the wind.
Once the last of them were gone, Peter gave a sigh, thanking that his time with Flora was over. As he turned back towards the horizon, he couldn't help but think of the perky dryad. He'd admit she was somewhat annoying and determined to get her way like a common brat, but she was also smart, and very pretty. Peter's expression dropped into a frown as her words once more echoed in his mind. Would he really consider marriage?.