Ok. Soooooo….Edmund is NOT my favorite character to write. That's why it took me so long to update. SORRY!!!!! Not to say that I hate him….not at all. I think he's pretty awesome. But it was hard to write…
Just to warn you, it's gonna seem as if Edmund's a real jerk for a lot of this chapter. But trust me…I do show a softer side of him.
He can remember, very clearly, a time when Edmund wasn't dark, bitter, and sarcastic.
Back in those days he used to play with baby Lucy for hours and hours, going to great lengths just to see her adorably huge, toothless smile. Blocks, dolls, funny faces. Nothing was too "babyish" for Edmund if it got his little sister to smile.
Sliding down to the floor on the wall in front of their room, he remembers all the countless times Edmund tried to get Lucy to say his name…
"C'mon, Lu. Just like this. Ed-mund."
Lucy merely scrunched up her nose and reached for the doll Edmund had in his hand.
He passed it over willingly. "It's not really that hard, little Lucy. How about just 'Ed'? Can you say 'Ed'?" he asked with exaggerated slowness.
Lucy giggled.
"No? Ugh. C'mon…you can say Pete! Why can't you say my name, too?" He sighed deeply and flopped on the couch, lying on his back and staring at the ceiling.
Lucy, noticing her playmate had left without her consent, ran over to him and grabbed his cheeks. "ED!" she exclaimed, then tottered off, leaving Edmund with a ridiculously large smile on his face.
But, oh how drastically those feelings changed. Now, every smile Lucy blessed him with, he returned with a scowl.
The door to the room suddenly swung open as Edmund stepped out, pausing abruptly at the sight of his older brother sprawled on the floor. A moment of uncomfortable silence passed between the two, both feeling as if they should say something kind or reassuring to the other but neither knowing how to say it. Or if they really wanted to. It seemed as if, lately, bitterness was always chosen before kindness, and that night was no exception.
"Did you fall, oh great one?" Edmund sneered, taking in Peter's lanky form leaning against the wall with his legs kicked out disorderly in front of him.
He looks at his Edmund and remembers the days when only Susan and Peter could read. Edmund would always get so frustrated that Peter knew the meaning behind all of the pretty pictures and he couldn't. Peter would always laugh good naturedly at Edmund's put out face and ruffle his hair. But Susan would take pity…
"Come here you," she said with a smile, beckoning her dark haired brother to come over and sit on her lap. Edmund obeyed warily, slowly making his way to his sister, with his hands playing nervously behind his back. When he climbed on her lap, she adjusted the large book so that it didn't squash his legs.
"Would you like to read with me, Ed?"
Edmund's freckled face broke into a smile. "Yes, please" he said excitedly, and promptly quieted, angling himself so that he could both see the pictures of the book and also watch Susan's lips form the words that he knew they went with. It was moments like these that Susan and Edmund grew closer, their calm and quiet mannerisms contrasting with the bright exuberance of the other two.
Alas, every time Susan even suggested reading aloud as a family, she was met with a scoff.
"No I did not fall, Edmund. Why would I have simply fallen against the wall? Goodness, and they call you smart at school?" Peter said, knowing in his heart that the jab had been unnecessary and immature.
Edmund's face darkened with anger. And finally Peter remembers the days where he and Edmund used to be each others' best friends.
"But Mum, I have to go see the races! Everyone's going to be there!" a ten-year-old Edmund whined pitifully.
"And for the last time, dear, you can't go if no one is going to watch you. Susan does not want to go…she's staying at home with Lucy." Mrs. Pevensie gave her son an apologetic smile and continued cooking lunch for the family.
"And Peter?" Edmund asked desperately.
"You already know that your brother is going with his friends, Edmund. Now that's enough. End of discussion." His mother snapped in exasperation. Edmund's face fell and he looked at his brother, trying to hold his disappointed tears back.
"Well, have fun Peter." He smiled sadly.
Peter, who had been waiting by the door for his classmates James and Christopher to arrive, looked down at his brother for a minute. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut short when the door bell rang. Opening it, he saw his friends and the shook hands excitedly.
"Ready for the race, Pete?" Christopher asked, grinning. "It's going to be so much fun!"
"Yeah…to bad the squirt here is too young." James stated, smirking at Edmund. "Guess you're just gonna have to hear about it when we get back!"
Edmund turned away quickly and went upstairs to his room. Soon after, he heard Peter come in.
The boy wiped his eyes. "Thought you left already?"
Peter grinned and then turned away to start digging through Edmund's closet.
"Pete?" Edmund asked nervously. "What are you-"
Peter laughed kindly. "Don't you have anything decent to wear, Ed? Come on now….you're coming to the races with me."
But those days were gone. The ages, attitudes, and situations of all four of them had changed. And it is very much evident by the looks the two brothers exchange. Edmund turns on his heel and marches back into the room, slamming the door as he goes. All Peter can do is watch him leave.
"Sleep tight, Edmund." Peter mutters regretfully.
And later that night, when Peter finally crawls into bed and settles for sleep, he swears he hears Edmund whisper the same to him.