Disclaimer: I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia. It all belongs to C.S. Lewis. :)

Hey everyone!!! I hope you all had a fun Halloween! I can't believe it's November 1st already! That means 55 days 'til Christmas and then 61 days 'til New Years! This year has gone by so quickly!!! Well, anyways, thanks to those of you who have reviewed! Your comments are greatly appreciated! Allrighty, (love that word! :P) well here is chapter 9!

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Chapter 9: Workings of the Unconscious Mind

I felt a hand slightly graze my cheek and then a light breeze chill my body. I was freezing and everything hurt, especially my side. I was exceedingly tired; all I wanted to do was sleep. The next thing I became aware of was a hand on my chest, right above my heart. It gently rested there for a moment and then pulled away.

"Yes, for the hundredth time, he's breathing," I heard Edmund say. He sounded a bit frustrated, but I could tell he was just worried. Typical Edmund; he hated having people detect his emotions. I took in the lightest breath I could manage. Pain shot up my ribs faster than an arrow in the wind. I squeezed my eyes even more tightly shut, but let no sound escape my lips.

"Peter?" came Susan's voice. It sounded as if she had recently cried; her voice had a touch of quiver to it. I didn't want to answer because that would require talking and opening my eyes, both of which I felt too worn out to do.

"Peter?" she asked again. Her fingers stroked through my hair. I wasn't ready to get up yet; I felt too exhausted. I could tell my siblings were concerned, though.

"Su, let him be. He'll wake up on his own terms," Edmund put in. I heard Susan sigh as her hand pulled away from me.

"Is… is he going to be all right?" piped in a small voice. Lucy? I wondered. Was she okay? Was she herself again? I needed to know these answers, but I guess there was only one way to find out. Little by little I slowly opened my eyes. The sun shone a bit too brightly, forcing me to blink repeatedly before I could keep them open, which was still a struggle.

"Peter!" Susan took in a sigh of relief. "We were so worried about you!"

"Mmm," I groaned tiredly. Then Lucy came into view. Her face was red and damp; I could tell she had been crying.

"How are you feeling?" she questioned. My eyes met hers. Tears threatened to spill down her crimson-colored cheeks.

"Tired," I answered truthfully. There was no point in trying to make my situation sound any better; it was too obvious to them how I felt already. What I had previously said was a slight understatement, anyways.

"What about your side?" Edmund wondered.

"Ridiculously sore," I replied. It hurt just to say that much. Then I heard a sniffle. Lucy turned away from me and put her face in her hands. I tilted my head towards her and gave my two other siblings a confused look; I didn't feel like speaking.

"She's blaming herself for your injury. It's really taking a toll on her," Edmund put in quietly, so Lucy wouldn't hear. That hurt, worse than any physical pain ever could.

"Lucy, I'm going to be fine," I assured. Aslan's mane, I sounded weak. She turned towards me, eyes glassy.

"That's not the point, Peter. I still caused you more pain. I can't change that no matter how much I want to. I was so scared after I returned to my original self… scared for you," Lucy explained. So she was normal again, but how?

"What happened after I passed out?" I inquired. All three of them stared at me.

"When I realized you were injured, I ran over and struck the man when he wasn't expecting it; he was too caught up in himself for hurting you to notice me. After he was taken care of, I ran to Lucy and gave her some of the cordial. She was fine after the wall incident and was back to her usual self once again. Immediately when I realized she was all right I ran to you and gave you the cordial, too. The bleeding stopped almost instantly but I'm afraid you did lose a little blood. There's nothing to worry about, though. Anyways, I carried you outside and tried to make you as comfortable as possible. You were out of it for a good forty-five minutes, I'd say, and you were just so... pale. We were all worried, especially since you hadn't woken up yet. Thank Aslan you're all right," Edmund explained, his expression softening. Well, if I didn't feel bad before, I most definitely felt bad now.

"I'm so sorry, everyone," I declared.

"Don't blame yourself. It's no one's fault except that ruthless Calormene's," Susan added. She shook her head in disgust, probably reminiscing on today's previous events.

"So how are you doing, Pete?" Edmund asked. I gave a small shrug.

"I'm exhausted and my side sears," I replied. It seemed as if I was talking so much lately, but I knew it was just my ribs smarting at me.

"You should probably try to rest up for a little while. You've been through a lot today," Susan pointed out, her hand beginning to stroke my forehead. Usually I would have objected, but I was just so tired.

"Okay, but first, come here, Lucy," I said. She scooted over towards me. I held out my hand, and she took it.

"Lucy, please don't feel guilty. I love you, sister, and I will be fine," I explained. Sure, I'd be weak for awhile, something that I didn't want to admit, but yes, I would be fine. Hopefully after I rested I would be a bit stronger. She nodded and lightly hugged me, carefully avoiding my side.

"I love you," she whispered, the wide grin of hers I loved so much spreading across her face. I smiled. Just one more thing before I let sleep overcome me.

"Where's Telula?" I questioned.

"Oh, she ran down to the stream to get you some water. She'll be back soon," Edmund answered. I nodded.

"Now sleep, Peter," Susan urged. I sighed, careful not to breathe in too deeply. And then I let my eyes close. The exhaustion took me in rather quickly…

I was running, faster than I had ever run before. From what, though, I wasn't quite sure. I turned my head back to look behind me. Susan, Edmund, and Lucy were trailing me, and slightly farther back was a whole army of Calormene and Telmarine soldiers. I pulled out Rhindon and yelled,

"Save yourselves! I'll hold them off!"

"No, Peter, we're not leaving you!" Edmund promised. How familiar those words sounded… Suddenly a deafening scream filled the crisp air, followed by a cry of "Lucy!" from Susan. A bearded man was holding a knife to my youngest sister's neck.

"No!" I yelled, sprinting to Lucy. But my efforts were in vain, for I was too late. She fell to the ground, never to stand again. Tears stained my vision as I stabbed the demented Calormene. But he wouldn't die. Every time Rhindon struck his skin, the area configured itself into a mist, the tiny particles rushing away from my blade. When I removed my sword, the area joined together like puzzle pieces, perfectly normal again. The sick man laughed as he watched me attempt to kill him. The sound was utterly disgusting. Then I heard another yell in despair.

"No, Susan!" came Ed's voice. I turned towards her and watched as she charged at a cluster of soldiers, her bow at the ready. She aimed and shot, but the arrow just flew through a soldier's misty skin. And then they attacked her. Susan was gone, too. I could feel the hot moisture running down my cheeks. My sisters, the two girls I had loved and cared for all my life, were gone. And then a cry of pain filled my ears...Edmund. Though I didn't see it, I could feel it. Now I was all alone.

I sank to my knees in the midst of all the soldiers rushing towards me. I had failed. My siblings were gone. Nothing mattered at that moment except my failure. I couldn't even keep them safe! Edmund… Lucy… Susan… their faces captured every pigment of my mind. I would never see either of my sisters' beautiful smiles; I would never hear their light and airy laughs or see that certain sparkle in their eyes when they were happy. I would never find enjoyment from one of Edmund's witty comebacks, or quarrel with him only to forgive him within a day's time. Life as I knew it was over, and I could never gain the lives of my siblings back. Suddenly pain exploded up my side; a Calormene had cut me vertically across my ribcage.

I clutched the injury and closed my eyes. I re-opened them, and everyone was gone. I was alone, weakened on the battlefield. And then the ground beneath me began to sink, the grass and dirt disappearing. It was replaced by clear blue water, gallons and gallons of it enclosing around my body. I couldn't swim; the throbbing pain in my side was too much. The water was reaching my neck, coming dangerously close to my mouth and constricting my breathing. I felt myself growing weaker and weaker, and then I heard a voice.

"Peter," it said. Its tone was low and strong, but it made a glorious feeling dwell inside me.

"Peter," it repeated. "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Place all your trust in me, because I will always be with you. We will never part, for I am by your side. Never lose your faith," The words were so pure and a new warmth was set upon my heart. Only one thing in the world could ever make me feel this way.

"Aslan!" I exclaimed. But my mouth became full of water and I felt myself become completely immersed. The last thing I saw was a golden figure, a lion, perhaps, and then the water drug me down to its depths.

"Peter," a voice was calling. It was not Aslan's, yet it was familiar in an entirely different way.

"Peter!" it exclaimed. I felt a stinging sensation on my cheek, as if a slap from a hand.

"Wake up!" the voice urged. Wake up? But if I was asleep, how come my face was wet? I opened my eyes just as Susan splashed some water upon my skin.

"By Jove, Susan! What are you doing?" I questioned, surprised. I found it a bit odd that she was trying to wake me after she was the one who insisted that I rest.

"Peter, you must have been having a bad dream. You were fidgeting around and we were afraid you would aggravate your side. Edmund tried gently slapping your face while I splashed you with water. You wouldn't wake up and you kept yelling for us, and for Aslan," Susan explained, looking troubled.

I looked around as everything came flooding back. It was all a dream! My siblings… they were alive! I could barely restrain myself from rejoicing. But yet, if it was all a dream, how come Aslan's voice was so real? Was he trying to tell me something? Do not worry, for I am with you, his voice echoed in my mind. Maybe he was trying to warn me that more trouble was in our future. Huh, it was something to contemplate about. I didn't realize how much my side hurt until now. I must have tweaked it wrong during my sleeping fit. I gingerly grasped it. Lucy rubbed my arm.

"Do you want to tell us what happened?" she wondered. I stared into her eyes, which were filled with genuine concern for my well-being. I wasn't quite sure if I should tell them or not; it was my duty to keep them out of harm's way, not to worry them.

"It was just a dream, Lu. Definitely not of the best sorts, but it still only amounts to a dream," I explained. Or a warning, I thought to myself.

"But why did you keep yelling for us?" Susan pressed. She was always one that wasn't satisfied until she had gotten all the details.

"Because of some things that happened, that's all. Don't let it bother you," I declared. Susan still didn't seem quite content.

"But what ha-"she started. Edmund cut her off.

"Su, if he wanted to share his dream with us, he would have. It's none of our business as to what occurred. If he wants to explain, then eventually he will," he put in. I felt very thankful for his input. He had had his own share of nightmares due to his stay with the White Witch a few years back. He knew what it was like all too well, unfortunately.

"So, umm… how are you feeling?" Lucy questioned, deliberately changing the subject. Good question. How was I doing? Well, I didn't feel quite so tired, but my side still hurt with a vengeance.

"My side hasn't changed much, but what can I expect? I'm not as tired, though," I replied.

"Can I get you anything?" came a high-pitched voice from behind me. I strained my neck to see Telula staring down at me. So that's where she had been hiding all this time.

"No, thanks," I said. She nodded. I let out a light breath.

"Do you want to rest a while longer?" Susan asked.

"No, I'll be all right," I answered. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do right now, though. I didn't even know if I could sit up yet. But I decided not to worry about that right now. Instead, I still had a few questions left unanswered…

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A/N: Okay, so what did you think of Peter's dream??? Please review!