Chapter 3

Ugh. This chapter is filled with OOC crap. It's short, and it's boring, in my opinion. Boring interlude stuff that you need to hear. I hated writing it. Hence why it took so long to come out. I really don't like writing Peter. As much as I love his character, I can't get used to writing him. So I apologize in advance if you hate this chapter. Although, I like the end of this chapter. I like Peter and Edmund fluff.

Narnia and the Pevensies do not belong to me.

"So there you have it," Edmund said, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked back at his siblings who were in turn staring at him, each with a different expression. Lucy's mouth was hanging open slightly, Susan's eyes were wide and her hands were grasping her skirts with white knuckles, and Peter…Peter was simply sitting there. His eyes were narrowed slightly, and he was clenching and unclenching his first, as though hoping it would relieve his anger somewhat. His eyes were glittering with rage.

"What do you propose we do, Peter?" Edmund asked, leaning forward and propping his elbows on his knees. Peter let out a breath slowly.

"Whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of that wood."

"And the Wolves that inhabit it, too," Susan added, glancing over at him. Edmund smiled gratefully at her. Peter nodded slowly.

"Yes, the Wolves as well."

"Well, the Western ones, anyway," Lucy said rather darkly. Edmund ran a hand through his hair briefly.

"Well whatever happens, I need to go back tomorrow," he said. Peter's head immediately darted up, his eyes locked onto his younger brother's.

"What?" Peter asked.

"Juryn told me to meet him. I need to make sure he's alright," Edmund said, his own eyes looking straight at Peter's as if daring him to argue. "And you don't need to go with me, I'll be quite safe."

"You will, will you?" Peter all but shouted. "Isn't that what you said earlier, before you were nearly killed by a Wolf?!"

"Calm down, Peter. I wasn't harmed, and Juryn was more than willing to protect me. I trust him," Edmund said, his eyes steely. He was vaguely surprised himself with how much he trusted the Wolf.

"But you almost were!"

"Peter!" Susan interjected. "Stop yelling."

Peter glared but began to speak more quietly.

"I'm just saying that, if you feel this burning desire to go and save this Juryn character, I'm coming with you."

"I'm sorry, but no." Edmund said. Peter and Lucy both opened their mouths to object, but Edmund continued before they could. "I want him to come to the Cair with me tomorrow. You can meet him then. I don't want him to be overwhelmed." Edmund didn't say this, but he felt as though this time, Juryn may not come alone. The appearance of the Northern Wolf was indeed surprising to his newfound friend, and Edmund felt that he would not return alone if that threat were still present.

"I'll be fine with going alone for this one," Edmund said again, as if repeating it would help his siblings accept it. By the looks of things, it was actually working. Susan looked uncomfortable with it, but nodded slowly.

"If that's what you think is best, brother, then I am okay with you going alone tomorrow," she said. Edmund gave her a warm smile, which she returned.

"Thank you, my sister."

"No thanks are needed."

Edmund turned to Lucy, who looked a bit less pleased with the whole idea. She shifter in her seat, but looked as though she couldn't think of a good argument against it, seeing as her sister usually knew what was best.

"Will you at least take my cordial?" Lucy asked, almost pleadingly. Edmund gave her a rather stern look.

"It's only to be used in emergencies, Lu, and I highly doubt anything will happen," he said. Lucy looked down at her lap where her hands were clasped together. Edmund gave her a calm smile. "Don't worry." He sighed. "Goodness! You guys are all worried over nothing. I'm just going to be gone for a little while. Then I'll have Juryn come to the Cair with me."

He glanced up at Peter, who still looked defiant.

"Do you not trust me?" He inquired in a small voice that was rather un-Eddish. Peter's eyes changed from bold to hurt in a matter of seconds.

"Ed, you know that's not true."

"But that's practically what you're saying!" Edmund said fiercely. "You're been overprotective about nearly everything, Peter!" Peter looked somewhat hurt by that.

"I'm only trying to protect you, Edmund!"

"Who says I need protecting?"

"Both of you, stop it!" Lucy interjected suddenly, leaving both of her brother's glaring at each other. "You both are overprotective abut each other all the time anyway. Just let him go, Peter! He's perfectly capable of taking care of himself."

"And besides, you have been a bit overprotective recently," Susan added. Peter glanced over at her, an incredulous look crossing his face.

"You of all people should know why!"

Susan gave him a look, but didn't argue. Peter, glancing around the room at the three of his siblings, shook his head tiredly and sighed. The dim lighting of the candles in the room flickered, creating the illusion that Peter had aged somewhat; he looked worn.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but you're right. You can go alone, just so long as you're not away for more than three or so hours."

Edmund nodded slowly and stood.

"I'm kind of tired. I'll see you in the morning. Thank you, by the way," he smiled, and swiftly left the room. Peter exhaled slowly.

"I'm still not comfortable with this."

"You do a lot of things that make us worry too, y'know," Lucy pointed out, crossing her arms. Peter smiled, but it held no humor.

"I know, and I'm sorry."

"Oh hush. It isn't like we're blaming you or anything," Susan said, crossing one leg over the other, her skirts dragging against the rich carpet floor. "We're family; of course we're going to worry about one another."

"And besides," Lucy said, standing and walking over to Susan's and Peter's couch. She promptly plopped herself in between them, causing both siblings to grunt at the weight added to their laps. "We all seem to be forgetting because he's younger: Edmund is a wonderful fighter. I mean, you're great and all, Peter; but Ed's clever. He can weasel his way out of a feud with a couple of Wolves." Peter's eyebrows rose, and his eyes glittered with mirth.

"I know. I just worry is all." He said, leaning back and draping his arms over his sibling's shoulders. "You guys always know how to cheer me up whenever Ed does something stupid."

Both girls snorted, each thinking that they felt their oldest brother was being the more foolish of the two, but said nothing. They simply sat, enjoying one another's company, before they each dismissed themselves to bed.

As Peter walked into his chamber, which was conveniently connected to Edmund's, he paused. He walked over to the door that connected their two rooms and knocked quietly.

"Ed? You awake?"

"Pete?" came the muffled reply. Peter smiled at the pet name; Edmund rarely said it, but when he did, it seemed to warm Peter's heart to its core.

Feeling his smile widen, he said quietly, "Sorry I was such a prat. You know I trust you with my life, don't you?" There wasn't a response, but the sound of rustling bed sheets and the thudding of bare feet on wood. The door slid open slowly, revealing a tousle-haired and sleepy-eyed Edmund. He opened the door wider and smiled gently.

"Of course I do, Pete. And you with mine." He reached out and hugged his brother briefly, which Peter returned, feeling his guilt and worry ebb away.

"See you in the morning."

"Yeah, see you." Edmund gave him one more smiled, before he turned to the door and quietly closed it behind himself. Peter, feeling satisfied and reassured, walked over to his wardrobe and began to change for bed.

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