I would like to thank electrum for catching me every time I fainted during the making of this story.

All mistakes are my own.

This story takes place between LWW and PC, book and movie verse.

NO SLASH WHAT SO EVER only family tenderness

Disclaimer: I was poor yesterday, today and probably will be tomorrow. So please don't sue because the works of C.S. Lewis belongs to him and any affiliate that makes that claim.

Chapter Four: A Promise Is A Promise

Mid-term of the school season I lay here watching Edmund sleeping, praying he won't become a prisoner of Jadis tonight. Since we had to leave Narnia then why couldn't he have left the sordid, vivid memories of his experience with her there? It hurts to see the fear in his eyes when I wake him, when he believes he's still in his dream world. Why can't he ever dream that I'm with him, fighting along side him victoriously? Instead, I have to rescue him from the outside, to pull him from her cold dead hands. Sometimes it's hard to wake him, and I wonder if they are nightmares-- or if on some level-- if Jadis' spirit is alive and tortures him when he's most vulnerable. So I keep watch. Hmph, Doing so started long before Jadis. When I look back I see that I was in training. It was the beginning of what I would endure in the future for my brother, to not only love, but to protect him with my very life.

(Flashback- Peter's POV)

Peter's eyes danced as he sat with his friends and family laughing, eating cake and drinking his favorite drink, lemonade. He was excited as he glanced over by the cold fireplace where a pile of presents lay unopened for his tenth birthday. It was grand to be ten and so many people were there at his party to help him celebrate the occasion. The house was filled with tempting aromas as his mother and grandmother made an abundance of food. There was ice cream, actual ice cream at his birthday party, with decorations and exhilarating toe-taping music to make it all complete. He deemed it the best birthday he ever had.

As Peter and everyone in the room laughed at the silly antics of his cousin, he suddenly paused as he thought he heard a faint cry. He almost dismissed it because there was so much noise, but then he thought he heard it again. His brows slightly creased as he looked around the room and saw his sisters giggling with cousins he couldn't quite remember, and Edmund was . . . Edmund was . . . he didn't see Edmund. As a matter of fact, the more he thought about it, he had not seen Edmund for quite sometime. Curiously he walked around following that faint cry and wondered why no one else heard it. He looked at his parents who were having a wonderful time, laughing and talking with the adults in the kitchen. He saw his sisters both pause and tilt their heads as if listening to something in particular, but their attention was snatched away as one of the aunts gave them each a bowl of ice cream full of cherries.

Peter continued to follow that faint cry and looked for Edmund in the process. He never found his brother, but the cry led him to the bottom of the stairs. "Dark, dark, dark!" he heard the muffled scream as he climbed three or four steps. "Dark, daaaark," followed small pounding fist on wood. Peter rushed up the remaining stairs and burst into his room to find two wayward boys holding the closet door shut, trapping his baby brother inside. Pure rage, unlike Peter has ever felt before, sent him charging in with his fists flying. The painful attack was so sudden it took a second for the boys to register what was happening to them. The encounter with an enraged Peter inspired the boys to run for they felt their very lives were in mortal danger. Blinded with tears they managed to run to their mothers with swollen eyes and loose teeth, to terrified to answer a barrage of questions. Peter wrenched the door open to find seven-year-old Edmund wide-eyed and seized with fear.

Relieved that he found him, Peter crawled in under the hanging clothes and sat on the floor next to Edmund. He pulled him onto his lap and said, "I'm here, Eddy, hold on to me, it's all right. I have you. You're not alone, not any more." Tightly he hugged his little brother's shaking form and let him cry out his fears and hurt.

"Will they come back?" cried Edmund from where Peter placed him in the crook of his neck. Feeling completely surrounded in protection he found comfort in that spot, just the result Peter was hoping for, which later became a life long habit for the two.

"Come back? I promise you they wouldn't dream of it. Do you hear all that crying and commotion downstairs?" Edmund only shook his head, not wanting to leave his new sanctuary. "Well it's that bad rubbish making all that noise. I taught them a lesson they'll never forget, trust me."

Peter tried to keep his anger in check as he thought of the horror Edmund experienced being locked away from his family. And in a dark place too. With his eyes shining with unshed tears, Peter fervently vowed to watch over his baby brother forever, no matter what. He squeezed Edmund after his trembling subsided and kissed his soft cheek.

"Thank you, Peter," whispered Edmund as he reached his arms up and around his neck to hug his very big brother, his hero.

Peter often thought about his secret pledge after numerous incidents occurred. He often wondered if God wanted to see if he would keep his word, because after that he felt he was put through a multitude of tests.

Three months after the closet incident Edmund was almost hit by an automobile, and two months later, he almost drowned in the lake. Each time Peter was there to rescue him and ended his lectures with, "Why can't you just do as you're told?" Two Christmases after his vow, he and Edmund went with their father to cut down the perfect Christmas tree. Of course Edmund wasn't where he was supposed to be and the tree almost fell on him. Peter sighed as he lay on his back in the snow with Edmund on top of him; he rescued his brother once again, just in time.

"I'll save you the trouble, Peter. 'Why can't I do as I'm told? Sorry,' he said as he buried his face into Peter's neck and trembling arms hugged him tight.

Spring had come and the earth was shedding its blanket of white and waking up with a burst of variety of colors. Dad was away helping Uncle Steven repair his boat for summer, which they will all get to sail in once summer vacation begins. Mother had planted young flowers in the garden, the birds welcomed the new season and Peter enjoyed the warm breeze that played in his hair as he sat in his room reading.

Without warning, Peter's reading came to an abrupt halt. He had a strange and unsettling feeling. Being only twelve he didn't have the experience to evaluate such an emotion, so he shrugged it off and returned to the exciting pages of sword fights and the heroics of noble knights.

But the feeling came back, accompanied by a chill.

Confused at the sensation, Peter felt the core of his being spiraling down an abyss as he placed the book beside him. Slowly he rose to his feet as the chill spread throughout his body.

He left the room nervous and restless, where a moment before he was happy and content with the day. Walking down the hall he stopped and peeked into Lucy's room and found her having tea with her dolls. Further on he found Susan in their parents' room with their mother's high heel shoes on, strolling about. The only one missing was . . .

"Edmund!" he whispered.

"Su, keep an eye on Lucy, she's in her room. I'm stepping outside," said Peter, wishing his mother would hurry back from the market.

Peter decided to search outside the premises when he couldn't find Edmund anywhere in the house. Growing more concerned as he ran out the door, Peter's steps increased as he searched everywhere Edmund wasn't suppose to be.

Why am I the only one around when Edmund gets into trouble? Is this how Dad feels when something dreadful happens to one of us? I hope he doesn't take that long trip with Uncle Steven in his new boat, because I could never take care of Ed and the girls without him. Ed alone is too much work. When I grow up I'm never having children.

"Peter!" shouted Susan as she stood outside on the front porch.

"Yes, yes, what is it?" he said in near panic as he ran to the front of the house and saw the eldest of his sisters growing pale.

"Peter, where is Edmund?"

Before Peter could answer, they were interrupted by five-year-old Lucy who ran out and clung to her sister, wide-eyed and trembling. She looked across the yard and shouted, "Peter, Eddy . . . something is, something, I don't know . . ." and she turned into Susan and started to cry.

"I know, I know, I'm trying!" he said in frustration and fear as he looked around helplessly. "If only Dad were here . . ."

"Peter!" cried Susan, as she drew her brother's attention to a boy who ran desperately towards them.

Peter recognized him as one of the new neighbors, Desmond. He was about Edmund's age and he lived a few houses down and across the street. Peter ran to meet him, his sense of foreboding intensified.

"Edmund . . . Edmund . . . hurry, the old bridge . . ."

Immediately Peter felt himself grow pale as he knew exactly what bridge the boy struggled to warn him about.

Despite Peter's warnings against taking dares, Edmund decides to accept, just this once . . . for the last time.

It's not as if Peter would find out anyway.

Edmund chanced a glance back nevertheless; just to be sure his brother wasn't in the vicinity. Most of the time Peter showed up at what Edmund considered the most inopportune time, just when he was about to have fun.

But when Edmund found out exactly what the dare involved, he sneered at the neighborhood bully and heatedly declined. But when the cheeky bugger skipped the double dare and went straight to the triple and quadruple dare . . . well, what was a chap to do but accept; especially in front of all his friends?

Due to the rumors of war, the abandoned wooden bridge was blocked off instead of repaired to the status of its glory days. It was missing planks in some places and creaked on a mildly windy day sounding as if it was possessed by spirits.

Edmund was to walk to the other side of the small bridge and back again . . . in three minutes. That last bit was thrown in to wipe the smug look off his face.

The melting snow of spring raised the cold river below, contributing to the roar as it rushed past to get to its unknown destination. Edmund looked down at the water after he studied the best way across the overpass, and willed the butterflies in his stomach to go away.

For the first time in a long time he wished that Peter was there to tell him to 'do as he was told' and go home. He would have gladly obeyed his big brother by running, without stopping, the entire way until he reached his bedroom. Grateful, he would have said absolutely nothing as Peter lectured him about accepting dares from nitwits.

Anxiously, Peter neared the bridge as a multitude of boys ran towards and past him with fright and terror written across their faces. His heart raced as he looked for Edmund amongst them. He wasn't in the crowd or along the remaining stretch of road leading to the bridge. When he arrived and didn't see his brother, he knew for a fact that his heart stopped beating as he broke out into a cold sweat. The birds had stopped singing and he suddenly felt the icy fingers of impending doom creep up his spine.

"Edmund!" he screamed as he looked around. His brother was nowhere to be seen. "Dear God, no!" he said as he raced to the bridge to peer over the side down into the rushing waters. "Edmund!" he screamed again, but there was only silence.

Peter turned to look back the way he came when he heard a faint whimper from behind. He looked across the bridge but there was no sign of Edmund. Wait! On the floor of the bridge, he barely saw the top of eight pale little fingers gripping the plank.

"Ed, hold on!"

With his heart pounding in his ears, Peter eased his way across the beaten bridge listening to every creak and snap warning him that he weighed much more than his brother. Stinging tears began to cloud his vision as he rapidly blinked them away. He reminded himself there was no one to help him and only he can help Edmund.

So shake it off, Pevensie.

He knew time was against him because of the latest use of the bridge, but he dared not move too fast across the unsteady structure. Precariously he inched his way towards Edmund, praying that God would help him, not only to grab his brother in time, but to get back safely. The rushing water below was hard to ignore as its song of terrifying power continued to intrude on his thoughts, making him more anxious. He decided to direct his thoughts elsewhere.

When I rescue him this time I'm going to wring his neck.

Another step . . .

I'm going to shake a world of sense into him until his teeth rattle. Then I'll shake him again, just for good measure.

A few more steps . . .

If Dad won't do it, I'll spank him myself until he learns to listen.

As he took his last step, Peter could see the top of Edmund's head. When he moved a little closer Edmund looked up, and Peter's vision was filled with his brother's big, beautiful, terrified brown eyes. All thoughts of reprimand abandoned him as his arms ached to hold his little shadow.

"Eddy, you must be brave, all right? Don't let go until I tell you to," he said as he ever so gently lowered his knees, which gathered a few splinters, onto the bridge.

"I'll do as I'm told, Peter, I promise," the tremor in his voice gripped Peter's heart.

Leaning further over as he grasped both wrists, Peter saw that Edmund never took his eyes off of him. "Don't be afraid, Eddy, I have you. Do you trust me?"

There was so much fear in his brother's eyes, but he saw unfailing confidence as he nodded his head in acknowledgment. "When I count to three, you let go."

For the first time in his life, Peter was particularly grateful for Edmund's smaller size, something he and his parents have been concerned about since his birth. On three Edmund let go of the bridge and Peter slowly pulled him up towards him. But suddenly the board beneath protested loudly. Deciding a quick retreat was their best option- Peter pulled Edmund up- but his right hand slipped causing both boys to scream as Edmund dangled, straining Peter's muscles as he held on to the remaining arm. Panting heavily and blinking the sweat out of his eyes, Peter used both hands to pull Edmund completely up and they ran as the plank he was just on gave way and fell into the icy waters below.

"Run, Eddy, run!" Peter screamed as he held Edmund's hand in a vise-like grip. He was afraid to look back as he heard -and most alarmingly- felt more planks give way. Fear twisted the boy's faces' as muscles strained and lungs screamed for precious air. Peter's longer strides forced him to practically drag Edmund -who kept stumbling- with him as they race for their lives across a dead, crumbling bridge.

With another three feet to go, Peter shouted with authority, "Jump Eddy NOW!" as they felt the entire bridge violently shudder. The overwhelming strain proved to be too much of a challenge and the bridge lurched forward before it began to shake apart. Conscious of Edmund's slight frame, Peter pulled him into his chest and turned to cushion his fall when they made impact with the ground. When their bodies slid to a stop in the mud, Peter looked up in time to see the entire bridge give way, filling the air with shock waves of horrific deafening cries of its death.

White as the previous snow, Peter looked over at Edmund, who managed to bounce out of his arms when they made impact. His brother was lying on his back as he tried to retrieve the air that was unfortunately forced out of his lungs. When he could breathe again and with his hand still gripped in Peter's, he cried. "I'm sorry, Peter."

Relieved and shaken beyond words, Peter dragged himself over by his elbows, not trusting himself to walk, and pressed his lips on the top of Edmund's muddy black head, allowing them to linger before he moved on to his soft, wet cheeks. He sighed as he lay shaking next to his younger brother, looking at the sky.

"That's all right, Eddy."

He squeezed the little hand as a bee flew past. "I think I'm getting the hang of this. I wonder what next year will bring?" he said with a hint of sarcasm at the clouds.

Swiping at his tears, Edmund looked directly at his hero, "If this doesn't make you magnificent, Peter, what will?"

Smiling faintly, Peter rolled onto his side pulling his brother tight against him. Ever so blessed to be able to hold him again, Peter whispered, "I don't know, but please don't try to top this."

(End Flashback)

"And of course you did, Eddy, a thousand times over," Peter whispered as he kept his vigil beside his brother, his fellow king.