Author's Note: *Leans back and stretches, yawning.* Well, folks, the final chapter is here. Unless I feel generous and decide to add an epilogue, this story is hereby finished. I have one final thank you for the 16 reviewers so far, and, in advance, I will thank all the readers who review and just read the story. To the reviewers of last chapter, eustacegirl, dryadqueen, RachelLermanSarahKeynes, KatieMalfoy19, pselpevensie, Jessica, Angel8621, Mystic Lover of the fairytale and petites sorcieres, I sincerely thank all of you and hope you all enjoy this final segment!
Disclaimer: Not mine, yeah, you all know the drill.
Unforgotten Betrayal
By Fan of the Just King
Part 3: Return and Reconciliation
Aslan's silently bounding strides brought them to the battle within seconds, so that one moment, everything was quiet, and the next, all that filled Edmund's eardrums was the sound of metal clashing against metal.
As they rounded the bend and exited the trees, Edmund suddenly became aware that he was now wearing his armour.
'Funny the way Aslan's magic works sometimes' he thought, smiling slightly.
As if hearing his thoughts, Aslan purred and his stride became longer and more powerful.
Dark eyes immediately began searching all over the battlefield, and Edmund groaned internally when he saw Peter fighting with at least four Telmarines surrounding him. Susan was still standing with the archers and Caspian was nowhere in sight.
What puzzled Edmund most however, was the sudden appearance of a very large, deep hole in the ground, sending the advancing Telmarine cavalry at least ten meters into the earth. Then Caspian and a few of the Narnians came galloping out of places Edmund couldn't see. The battle was in full swing.
"Off my back Edmund," growled Aslan over the noise. Edmund slipped off and drew his sword.
Without warning, Aslan roared; a very loud, menacing yet triumphant roar that made the entire battle scene silent. Telmarines stopped in their tracks, but, unable to see the Lion at the edge of the woods, they only saw Edmund and were distracted for long enough for the Narnians to finish them off.
Edmund, sprinting towards the How, had nothing in mind except getting to his brother. After this was over, they were going to have a very serious talk.
Then he saw him, on the ground, on his back, swordless.
"PETER!" Edmund cried, but Peter couldn't hear him. The Telmarine above him raised his sword, the blade reflecting the sunlight straight into Edmund's eyes. Edmund growled in fury and raced towards the two, jumping and ramming his shoulder into the offending Telmarine, ignoring Peter's shout of surprise, before making short work of the soldier.
Panting, Edmund stood, and turned, only to see Peter staring at him in disbelief, pain, relief, regret, guilt and joy. Thankfully, Edmund noticed gratefully, no anger.
When Peter opened his mouth to speak though, Edmund quickly silenced him with a look.
"Later Peter, save it for later" he whispered gently and confidently.
Peter nodded.
"Then we better make sure there is a later" Peter smirked.
Edmund smiled and both brothers sprinted forward into the madness.
Stroke after stroke, both Rhindon and Edmund's sword slew numerous Telmarines, but not without sustaining their own injuries.
A trickle of blood ran down the right side of Edmund's face from a shallow cut on his forehead, and it began to sting as they chased the Telmarines to the valley of the Great River with the Trees behind them.
Skidding to a stop on the rocky shore, Edmund had to stand on his tip toes to see over the mass of Telmarines. Peter, who was still taller, bent down and whispered
"Lucy. She's brought Aslan too."
Edmund just grinned.
He was still grinning as they waded through the rushing waters towards Aslan. As they knelt before Him, Edmund couldn't help but be a little frightened; not for himself, but for Peter.
"Rise, Kings and Queens of Narnia" Aslan commanded softly.
Edmund and Susan stood.
Caspian did too, slowly and reluctantly.
Peter stayed kneeling.
"Peter, why do you not rise?" Aslan inquired gently, although it seemed as if He already knew the answer.
Peter looked up at the Lion.
"Aslan, how can you still call me a King after all that I did?"
Aslan simply looked at him.
"Peter, walk with me" Aslan's voice was one that Peter wouldn't dare disobey, yet it was gentle at the same time.
As the two disappeared into the camp, silence hung in the group like a thick quilt.
Then, all the wind was knocked out of Edmund's stomach as Lucy and Susan sprinted to hug him. Both girls had tear tracks down their cheeks. But Edmund didn't care, because he was crying too.
Ages later – or it seemed like that – Caspian cleared his throat and nodded to the horses standing tethered nearby. Edmund stared, wide eyed at all of them. They were the same horses he'd seen in the woods.
Swallowing a lump in his throat and ignoring the sudden ache in his chest, he strode over to the chestnut. It turned its head and nickered softly. Susan and Peter – who had since returned – swiftly mounted the two grey stallions and Lucy had a palomino mare.
Finally, Caspian mounted the black Friesian stallion – Destrier, Edmund assumed – and started to trot away. A few hours later, the little parade arrived at the edge of the town of Beaversdam. Edmund's eyes began to sting.
After what seemed forever, everyone began the procession through the town to Caspian's castle. It was meant to be a cause for celebration, but Edmund wanted it to be over quickly. He tried to keep a smile on his face and look like he was happy, but all he wanted was to be out of there.
He got his chance; after the party, after he and Lucy had retired for the night. Susan and Peter had disappeared with Aslan somewhere.
I ran, I ran as fast as I could. Why was I back here? Why was I running, running away?
Bloodied creatures chased me with their swords and axes raised above their heads, their angry and menacing cries never reaching my ears before they were shot down by an army of Telmarines.
I was forced to stop as something caught me by the collar and nearly choked me.
Miraz came forward, holding something so bloodied and mutilated that I couldn't recognise it.
"You wanted this Edmund, it was why you came to me" Jadis' cold cruel voice came out of Miraz's mouth.
With a shock and something that told my brain to make my mouth scream in horror, I realised that the bloodied thing that Miraz was holding proudly, had a mop of sandy hair.
Screaming, Edmund very nearly jumped as he woke, cold sweat making the cut on his head sting angrily, only to find he wasn't alone.
Panting, he whipped his head to find the very person he least expected to see;
Caspian raised his eyebrow expectantly.
"Well, have you stopped trying to throw me off the bed?" the prince joked, a faint twinkle in his eye.
Edmund just stared at him, his own eyes full of horror and fright.
Caspian tilted his head a bit.
"Wher- where's Peter?" Edmund asked, voice hoarse and small.
Caspian smiled a little, and went outside the room.
Soon enough, the long, sandy mop that Edmund had been so afraid he wouldn't see again peeked around the door.
"Ed?" Peter whispered.
When Peter saw his brother, stare at him in hope and fright, he almost wanted to cry. Despite his best efforts, a few drops of moisture leaked from his eyes.
He strode to the bed and quickly engulfed the terror-stricken Edmund into a hug.
Neither brother noticed when Caspian smiled and quietly left.
After what seemed an eternity, Peter felt movement under his arms. As Edmund's head came up, his scruffy black hair tickled Peter's chin and he smiled.
His smile dropped though, when he saw the look Edmund was giving him. A mixture of hurt, distrust, pain and hopelessness.
"Why Peter? Why did you do it?" Peter nearly winced when he heard the small, weak voice.
Trembles wracked Peter's frame. He had been expecting this conversation. It just came at the wrong time. After the battle, steeped in emotion and fury, after the celebration, full of joy and peace, and after his conversation with Aslan where he'd already explained himself, but Aslan had told him, he would have to it again.
"I was so angry, the night raid was supposed to work, but it didn't. We lost so many, and Caspian was the first person I wanted to vent my anger out on, since he left the plan. Then I still felt angry, so I needed to vent on someone else. Just my luck that it was you" Peter's voice had trembled and wavered until that point, but now, he was crying again.
Edmund sighed, but didn't interrupt, there was more to this.
"Susan and Lucy were furious after you left, Caspian wouldn't speak to me, the Narnians who had been against me were now in fear and hatred of me, and Aslan was still nowhere to be seen" Peter continued shakily.
"He was in the woods" Edmund whispered, remembering his conversation with the Lion that morning, or yesterday morning, whichever it was.
Peter smiled slightly.
"That's what Lucy said, but I refused to believe her. Then Caspian did possibly one of the stupidest things. Nikabrik had somehow brought in a Hag and a Werewolf, and, they used him to try and call up the White Witch."
Edmund tensed and Peter started affectionately stroking his hair.
"After making sure that didn't go through, we started making battle plans. It was all going well, then of course, you showed up with Aslan, and you know the story from there" Peter concluded softly.
Edmund stayed silent and nodded.
Silence followed, but it was quickly broken, by voices from the hall and Lucy and Susan coming into the room.
"Yes Lu- oh, hello you two" Susan blushed and Lucy smiled at looked out the window once they saw what position the boys had gotten themselves in.
Truly, it was rather amusing. Peter had been sitting on the bed, but had somehow ended up lying next to a now very amused Edmund, who was twisted in the sheets and half lying on top of Peter, who smiled and Edmund raised a sleepy eyebrow.
Embarrassed, both girls shuffled outside.
Shaking his head, Peter disentangled himself from his brother, and stood, making to follow the example of the girls. Pausing, he turned back to Edmund.
"Just one question Ed, when you were running, when you stopped at looked at us, and you looked back at the ground, you jumped at something. What was it?"
Edmund bit his lip, he didn't want to make Peter worry by telling him what it really was, so he shook his head and snuggled back under the covers.
Peter lingered a bit longer, coming back to sit on the bed. Just before Edmund fell asleep, he heard Peter gently whisper in his ear.
"Ed, I am so, so sorry."
A lion's roar echoed through their hearts.
Fin.
Second Author's Note: As crazy as this may sound, I also want to thank the writers of The Lion King 2 Simba's Pride for writing the moving and inspirational piece that was the song in the first chapter. If you haven't already, listen to it, it is simply amazing.
God bless,
Fan of the Just King