"The Battle or the War?"
By: Queen Scheherazade
Rating: M for SLASH and INCEST (Don't like, don't read)
Category: Chronicles of Narnia
Pairing: Peter/Edmund
Summary: Old Narnia is losing against Miraz, badly. Miraz sends a peace treaty with some outrageous demands that make Peter upset.
Chapter Two: What Does This Mean?
The Just King saw his brother, his golden, strong, fearless brother, crumple to the ground. He shook his raven hair out of his eyes and chuckled. This must be a joke of his brother's; payback for the numerous pranks played upon him by his younger brother. A stress-reliever, or something.
Peter's head snapped up from his chest. "How can you laugh?!" he yelled at his brother, the tears choking off the anger.
Edmund walked hesitantly toward his broken brother. He placed a gentle hand on his brother's shoulder. "Breathe, Pete. Breathe, and explain what you mean. He wants me? I don't understand…"
Peter took a deep breath and nodded, wiping his face on his tunic. He motioned for Edmund to have a seat beside him on the soft mossy floor of their glade, their special place.
They sat in silence for a few long moments. Edmund was still confused, but he knew better than to press Peter. The golden knight was teetering on the edge of a precipice, and one small thing could send him hurtling to its depths, never to return quite the same as before.
Edmund rested his head on Peter's shoulder, waiting, not speaking, not looking at his brother, just waiting. Waiting for Peter to be ready.
Peter put his hand on his brother's head, ruffling his fingers through the raven hair, breathing in the scent of his world. For the other boy was the only thing that mattered anymore. This boy, and his people, his Narnians, but now he had failed them.
"It…the treaty…it says…" Peter managed to stammer angrily as he pulled the wrinkled parchment from his pocket. He cleared his throat, throwing a sideways glance at his brother. With a reassuring nod from Edmund to spur him on, he went on, "It says here…well, essentially…I'll just read what the bastard wrote…"
To Peter, supposed "High King" of Old Narnia
Edmund's head snapped up, his eyes icy steel at Miraz's disrespect for his brother's title.
Peter felt a small smile creep onto his face at his brother's indignant attitude. It soon vanished as his eyes returned to the reviled documents in his tanned hands.
To save time, I will cut to the chase and skip all the official jargon, for to be frank; your "army" has little time left to spare. Besides, it's really the terms of a treaty that matter at all, isn't it?
Edmund scoffed at the man's complete disregard for process and procedure. He shifted his weight impatiently, not yet seeing Peter's reason for such anger, aside from the fact that Miraz was a disrespectful pig.
Aside from the obvious, that your army surrenders, there is one other item I wish to possess. After waging battle against your army for some time, I couldn't help but notice a certain gem that I simply must add to my collection. A certain tall, lean, beautiful, raven haired-
Peter's voice caught and he couldn't continue. He stood, throwing the document forcefully to the glade floor, and walked several paces away, leaving Edmund to pick up the parchment and continue reading-
raven haired knight. Your brother and fellow "king" I assume. Send him to me and your pitiful army will be spared. Consider this a reprieve granted by the Gods. No promises will be made if you choose not to comply with these terms.
Best of Luck,
Miraz, King of Narnia
Disgusted by the smug demeanor of the enemy tyrant, the Just King looked up from the treaty and looked toward his brother's turned back.
"So…so, what does this mean-"
"It-"
"My High King," Edmund said solemnly, kneeling before his brother.