Let Go Brother

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Peter sat down alongside his sisters back at camp, who were already eating breakfast. He had finally decided to join them after spending the night down by the river. As Peter chewed on his toast Susan and Lucy stared at him, waiting for him to ask the question they both knew he wanted to ask: Where was Edmund? But Peter preferred to eat his breakfast in peace, and avoid the subject. Susan and Lucy decided to go on with their conversation about what might be going on with the war back home. Peter had about ten minutes of peace before Edmund finally appeared and sat down with them. It suddenly became quiet again, except for the sound of Peter crunching on his toast. After about another ten minutes Peter finally noticed Edmund now had a sword.

"No…"Peter protested in his head.

"You three pack up your things, you're going home." Peter said.

All three siblings looked up at their older brother in shock, not only because of the break in the awkward silence, but by what was said to break it.

"We're going home?" Susan finally said.

"I promised mom I'd keep you three safe. But that doesn't mean that I can't stay behind and help." Peter replied.

"But they need us, all four of us." Lucy protested.

"Lucy it's too dangerous. You almost drowned. Edmund was almost killed." Peter said.

"Don't you dare." Edmund said using the same monotone voice Peter had directed at him previously.

Peter looked over at Edmund and was almost scared by what he saw. Edmund's eyes were filled with anger and hate. Not the anger Peter was used to back home, when Edmund would be upset with him over silly trivial things like who got the bigger piece of cake. This was completely different, more severe and real, and it scarred him.

"What?" Peter finally managed to get out.

"Don't you dare use me as an excuse Peter Pevensie! Don't you dare pretend to care that I almost died just to send Lucy and Susan home where they'll be safe. I don't deserve to be forgiven and I know that, but don't risk Narnia's future on my account. All four of us are needed here and you know that." Edmund continued, as he glared at his older brother.

"Ed…" Peter began.

"No! You know it's true. All of this is my fault, because I willingly helped the White Witch. I don't care what you think of me by this point, or what anyone else thinks of€ me by this point, because I am not going to let that stop me from fighting! I will not leave these people behind to suffer for my mistakes!" Edmund said with great resolve.

Peter just stared at Edmund in disbelief. Edmund had yelled at him plenty of times before of course, but never about anything so serious and that he felt so passionately about. Lucy reached over to Edmund and held his hand. Edmund flinched at the sudden contact but when he looked and realized it was Lucy his icy glare grew soft. He knew Lucy had forgiven him, for which he was eternally grateful. He gave Lucy's hand a quick squeeze to show his appreciation before he stood up and walked away. Lucy watched as Edmund walked over to Oreius presumably to begin his training. Shortly thereafter Lucy and Susan stood up and headed off as well.

"Hey, where are you two going? Peter called after them.

"It's settled then Peter, three to one. We're staying here, and if I were you I'd follow our example and begin training. Susan replied over her shoulder, and she and Lucy continued walking. Peter couldn't help but smile in spite of himself.