Hey! I'm sorry that I didn't update yesterday; I was literally about to post it - I had just opened the internet browser - but my dad came home, and I wasn't supposed to be on the computer, because I was supposed to be studying for finals. But finals ended today, and now I have the entire summer to finish this story and (hopefully) write some new stories. So yeah...anyway, I'm glad you guys liked the last chapter so much, and I hope you continue to enjoy the next few chapters.

Read and Review! Please and thank you!

Chapter 7

CLANG!

The two swords met in a mighty clash of steel, as the two brothers fought for dominance. Using his superior strength, Peter roughly pushed forward, causing the younger of the two to stumble back. Allowing Edmund no time to gather his bearings, he shoved his shield at him and swung his sword. He smiled playfully as poor Edmund struggled to hold him off.

"What, am I playing too rough?" he teased. Edmund grunted in response, stabbing his sword forward in retaliation. Peter parried and counterattacked, slashing downward. Edmund blocked the attack with his shield, and attempted to slash his side. Jumping back, Peter avoided his brother's sword and stepped a few feet back, distancing himself from Edmund. Giving his brother a mischievous grin, he tossed his shield aside, wielding his sword with two hands.

Charging forward, he leapt into the air, his sword raised above his head. As he landed, he brought his sword crashing down upon Edmund, who raised his shield in defense. Quickly spinning on his heel, he smashed the back of his hand into the rear of his brother's head. Crying out in pain, the younger boy twirled around to face Peter, swinging wildly with his sword.

"C'mon, Edmund! I know you can do better than this!" said Peter, ducking beneath his brother's sword. Using the broad side of his weapon, he swept Edmund off of his feet, and the younger king fell to the ground in an unceremonious heap. Pointing the tip of his blade at Edmund's neck, Peter gave his brother a triumphant grin. "I win…again."

Edmund let out an annoyed huff, and pushed his brother's sword aside. Standing up, he sheathed his sword and tossed his shield next to Peter's. Walking away, he sat down beneath the shade of a nearby large oak tree, tiredly wiping the sweat from his brow. Peter shook his head, and sheathed his own sword, coming up to sit beside him.

"Great job, Edmund," he said. "You're efforts were well appreciated. You've improved, and you're getting better as every day passes."

"It doesn't matter…you still beat me," Edmund pouted, crossing his arms.

Peter laughed and ruffled the younger boy's hair affectionately. "You've beaten me plenty of times before, Ed. It just so happens that this time, you didn't."

"Yes, but lately, it seems like I'm so far behind you in skill, that no matter how hard I train, you're still better," he admitted.

"Maybe you should start doing night drills with the soldiers and me," Peter suggested. "Fighting in the dark does a world of good for your skills, and it definitely heightens your other senses. It's good practice."

"Perhaps…but…forgive me if I'm over evaluating this…it feels like, you're more determined, like you…like you…" He let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his dark locks. "I can't even explain it!"

"It's okay, I think I get what you're trying to say," said Peter. "I'm a lot stronger than I used to be, Edmund, and not just in the physical sense. If strength were based solely on physical capabilities alone, you would have no problem fighting against me. No, the thing is, my will to protect the ones I love is just so strong, that I don't allow myself to be weak." He turned to Edmund and smiled warmly at him. "True strength lies in the heart, Edmund."

"Are you saying that I don't care about Narnia enough?" asked Edmund, clearly offended by his brother's words.

"No, you care more than enough," said Peter. "Perhaps, you care too much," he joked. "No, seriously, you are a strong individual Edmund, and even the most powerful of our warriors would have difficulty fighting against you. I guess I just seem stronger because, well…I found something worth fighting for."

Edmund gave his brother a confused look. "You've always fought for Narnia, and for Aslan…what else is there to fight for?"

Peter was about to reply, but off in the distance, a gentle voice called out to them. "Peter! Edmund! Where are you two?"

The two brothers looked up, spotting Susan walk out of the castle, as she walked amongst the men, searching for them.

"It's not something…rather, someone," answered Peter, as he continued to watch Susan.

"Who?" asked his brother. "Peter, who is it?"

Peter hesitated to tell Edmund, afraid of his reaction. Would he shun him for feeling the way he did, or accept his feelings for their sister? He rather hoped it was the latter. "I'm looking at her," he answered.

Edmund followed Peter's gaze, eyes widening in shock. "Susan? You're fighting for Susan? Why!?"

Turning so that he was facing him, Peter looked his brother straight in the eye. "I love her, Edmund."

Edmund's jaw dropped, shocked at his brother's confession. "What!? You lo—"

"There you two are!" said Susan, finally spotting them. "What are you two still doing out here? The ball is tonight, and we have much to do! You both need to get cleaned and dressed!"

"It's only noon, Susan," said Peter, sweating nervously. Ever since their kiss in the courtyard, he had avoided her like the black plague, doing everything in his power to stay away from her. Susan, on the other hand, was oblivious (or so she appeared) to his discomfort and found every opportunity to be around him. For example, take her coming out to the training ground to retrieve them; she could've easily sent out Orion, or a servant, but every time Peter was needed, she'd volunteer to find him.

"Yes, but you're needed to make some last minute arrangements," she replied, reaching down to grab his hand.

Peter yelped in surprise as she took his hand, dragging him to his feet, and they stood, standing together with their bodies pressed tightly up against each other. He immediately took a step back and tried to release her hand, but she wouldn't let go. He stared down at their joint hands, absolutely mortified. Glancing at Edmund, then at their hands, and then at Edmund once more, an idea popped into his mind.

Edmund watched the two in a mixture of confusion and amusement. He was still confused about Peter's confession; not only was she their sister, but who in their right mind would voluntarily love Susan? Susan, as in Queen Susan the Gentle; who really was not so gentle, and who was too much like a mother-hen for someone her age. And yet, it was quite humorous to watch Peter blush and squirm beneath the queen's stare, and he nearly burst out laughing as Peter squeaked when she took a hold of his hand. But then, Peter looked down at his and Susan's hands, and then at Edmund, and he knew right away what his brother was thinking.

"Hold my hand, Edmund."

The grin on his face instantly vanished, replacing itself with his infamous scowl. "I am not holding your hand!"

"Hold my hand!" he repeated through clenched teeth. Leaning down, he whispered, "I'll give you a whole box of Turkish Delight, if you just hold my hand."

Edmund groaned; darn Peter for using his weakness against him. When they had first been crowned, he had stayed as far away from the sugary treats as he possibly could, still haunted by his decision to choose the sweets over his family. But as time passed by, he could no longer deny his body's cravings for the sinful sweets. Unfortunately for him, Freesia said that sweets were not good for growing boys, and instead of his delicious candy, gave him fruits and vegetables in its place.

Peter smiled as Edmund took his hand and pulled him to his feet. Looking to his siblings on either side of him, he said, "All right, to the castle!"

"You're going to explain yourself when we get there," said Edmund quietly, as they walked along.

Peter nodded, and sped up, practically dragging the two behind him. The sooner he got to the castle, the sooner Susan would let go of his hand. And as much as he enjoyed the feeling of her smaller hand in his, and how much he loved to marvel at how perfectly their hands fit together, he knew that he'd become a nervous wreck if he stayed around her too long.

"Slow down, Peter!" shouted Edmund, running to keep up. The older boy shot him a look and he went silent. Taking a deep breath, he told himself, 'It's for the Turkish Delight, that sweet, sticky, sugary, goodness!'

-

-

-

"So, let me get this straight…you were adopted?"

"Yes, my biological father was killed in a car accident, and my mother, in her grief, put me up for adoption and jumped ship for America," explained Peter.

"That's horrible!" exclaimed Edmund. "Why would she just give you up like that?"

"She told the orphanage that she wanted to start a new life, and that every time she looked at me, she was reminded of my father."

"So she gave you up, just like that?"

"Yes, just like that," said Peter. "But its okay, Mum and Dad came only a few weeks later and adopted me, and well, the rest is history."

Edmund looked away from his brother, taking a moment to just sit and absorb this new information. Who would have thought that Peter was adopted? He fit perfectly into their family, and played the ideal role of older brother. It was a hard thing to swallow. "Well, I guess it does explain why you're the only one with light hair," he said a minute or two later.

"Yes, I suppose it does," answered Peter, slightly disappointed. He had been hoping for more of a reaction from his brother.

Edmund, noticing Peter's disappointment, quickly tried to make up for it. "Listen, Peter, you and I may not be related by blood, but the fact is, you're still my brother. I was born your brother, raised as your brother, and forever will I be your brother."

Peter smiled, appreciating Edmund's words. It felt good to know that he was still accepted.

"Now, as Susan's brother, I demand you tell me what this…thing is that you have for her," said Edmund, smirking as Peter blushed in embarrassment. Oh, how enjoyed having this new power over him. It was now his turn to play over-protective brother, and so far, he was loving every second of it.

"It's not a thing, Edmund," began Peter quietly. "I…I really do love her. At first, I thought it was just a phase I was going through, being a teenage boy and whatnot. But, as time went by, I realized that it was something more. I think I've always loved her, and that it just took me forever to realize how I felt."

"That's not the only thing that's taken you forever to realize," Edmund mumbled. Peter gave him a look, but he grinned and motioned for him to continue.

"I try not to feel the way I do, because besides you and me, no one else knows that I'm adopted, and Susan would be disgusted with me if she knew how I felt about her. And yet, I can't help but notice how her eyes seem to change color in the light, and how her hair softly cascades down her back. I can't help but admire her beauty; she's absolutely gorgeous Edmund. And not just on the outside; she's just as beautiful as she is inside as she is on the outside. Edmund, if you could see Susan like I see her—"

"Okay, enough!" cried the younger king, his face scrunched in disgust. "I get it Peter, you love her! Just stop talking…you're getting much too mushy and lovey-dovey for my tastes."

"Sorry," apologized Peter, his blush deepening. He didn't mean to sound like a love sick puppy in front of his brother, but he couldn't help it. "But…are you okay with it?"

"You aren't really her brother, so technically it's not wrong. It'll take some time getting used to, but, if you really love Susan, and it makes you happy, then I'm definitely okay with it," said Edmund.

Peter clapped Edmund on the back, smiling from ear to ear, glad that his brother was so understanding. "That means a lot to me, Ed; thanks."

"Yeah, yeah," replied the younger of the two. "So, when are you going to tell her?"

The High King's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Tell her?"

"Well, yeah! I mean, c'mon!" exclaimed Edmund. "I basically just gave you my blessing, and you're not going to do anything about it?"

"Y-you're blessing!?" cried Peter, shocked and confused all at once. "Blessing for what?"

"Well, y'know…" stuttered Edmund, in much discomfort. Maybe playing the overprotective brother wasn't that great after all. "To…to court her…or marry her, or whatever!"

"Marry her!?" choked Peter, unable to believe what Edmund was saying.

"Well…well, you love her! What else are you going to do? You can't honestly say that you're just going to stand by and not do anything about it!"

"Yes, but…but…" sputtered Peter, his mind unable to comprehend what was his brother was implying. "Edmund! I can't do that! She doesn't love me!"

"How do you know?"

"Be-because…I don't know, I just do!"

The room, Peter's room to be exact, was engulfed in an awkward silence as the two brothers sat there, mulling over their conversation in private. 'How could…how could he even think that I'd tell her my feelings!' thought Peter in embarrassment. He could just see it now; they're sitting on his balcony, and he reaches over to take her hand. As the sun sets in the background, he whispers to her his undying love for her, and she yanks her hand away from his, storming away in disgust. Oh yeah, he was definitely going to tell her.

'What a scaredy cat,' was all Edmund could think.

The silence of the room was lifted as there was a loud knocking at Peter's door, and the two brothers sat up in surprise. "Peter, have you finished changing yet?" called Susan from the other side of the door.

"Yeah, a long time ago," he called back.

"Then get out here! We need your help setting up, and Edmund is nowhere to be found."

"Don't worry; he's in here with me!"

"Why didn't you say so?" she asked, and the door opened, revealing Susan in all her beautiful glory. For a moment, Peter stared, taking in the sight before him. She wore a royal blue gown, her hair pulled back in its usual fashion, her golden crown resting gently above her head. "C'mon you two, the guests will arrive in a few hours, and there is still much to do."

For the second time that day, she took Peter by the hand, pulling him up from the bed. "Peter, you're coming with me. The party designers want your opinion on the decorations. Edmund, find Lucy and tell her to check up on the musicians."

"Yes, Susan," said Edmund, as he stood up from his chair. The three walked out of the room, Edmund to the left, and the older two to the right. As he and Susan walked away, Peter mouthed to his brother, "Don't tell anyone what we talked about!"

Edmund nodded and walked away, a small smirk on his face. Strolling down the hallways, he quickly set out for Lucy's room, already making plans for tonight's ball...plans that involved his two older siblings. He'd need his younger sister's help if he wanted to get it right, though. Sure, Peter had told him not to tell anyone, but really, when had he ever listened to Peter?