Chapter 7 Forgetting Everything

Susan and Brind met with Lucy, Kendra and Edmund at Peter's door. They stood there for a moment catching their breaths starring at each other in shock and confusion. The screams that alerted them lay on the other side of the door. Susan was afraid to open it but was the first to do so.

Upon entering the room, shoved further inside by her siblings and friends, Susan's head whipped frantically around the room expecting to see a Calormene solider standing over Peter's lifeless body. Instead Peter was standing in the corner of his room holding a chair out in front of him as if he were a lion tamer. And in the stead of a Calormene soldier was Mr. Tumnus looking baffled and terrified by Peter's actions.

"Mr. Tumnus?" Lucy breathed.

"Peter what's going on?" Susan asked stepping forward. Walking into the room she saw a tray on the floor, the carpet stained with the tea Mr. Tumnus had obviously attempted to bring her brother.

Peter looked over to his new company a look of relief washed over his face. The fear and urgency in voice surprised Susan though.

"Get it away from me!" He cried looking pleadingly at them all.

They glanced around at one another, they knew of whom Peter was speaking but couldn't for the life of them figure out what would possess him to

"Peter its Mr. Tumnus." Lucy moved forward in front of Susan, but Peter recoiled slightly at her fast movement.

Lucy starred back at Susan and Edmund tears hanging in her eyes. She couldn't believe Peter would back away from her. Nor could she believe that he would treat Mr. Tumnus in such a manner. Lucy didn't understand what was wrong with Peter but she did not like it one bit.

"I only came in to see how he was doing your majesties." Tumnus said walking back next to Susan. "As soon as he saw me though he began to scream. I didn't do anything."

"Thank you Mr. Tumnus." Susan said softly reaching out for Lucy to take her hand. "We can take it from here."

Mr. Tumnus hesitated, not pleased in seeing Lucy so upset. He nodded though and made his way out of the room past Brind and Kendra who stood in the doorway watching silently. Brind didn't dare make a movement or motion to speak. He simply held Kendra back confused as the other Pevensies were. His eyes stayed on Susan the majority of the time, waiting to see her reaction to everything.

Edmund moved forward this time. Taking a deep breath he put his hands out in front of him to show Peter he meant no harm. Though it seemed like a ridiculous action to have to do.

"Peter," he said slowly and calmly. "Are you okay?"

Peter's chest heaved in and out he licked his lips and put the chair down slowly. With a nod to them he spoke again fear still in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm all right. But what was that thing? Was it a monster?"

Lucy flinched at Susan's side as Peter used the term monster to describe Mr. Tumnus. That word offended Lucy at the use of it toward Mr. Tumnus. She blinked and hugged Susan's side.

"That was Mr. Tumnus." she said again her voice small, "A faun. Peter you know that."

Peter's brow furrowed at the term faun. He looked at Lucy and studied for a few moments, "A faun? What's that?"

Edmund tried to smile, "The joke is over Pete. That's enough." regardless of the forced smile his voice was forceful.

"Pete? Why do you all keep calling me Peter?" he stammered.

Susan's breath caught in her chest praying that she was dreaming. This couldn't happen in reality, he couldn't have forgotten. She looked over to Edmund, who knew what had happened, but Lucy did not or rather she probably did but was in denial.

"Because that is your name Peter." there were tears running down Lucy's face as she starred at her oldest brother. There was no recognition on his face; he just starred bewildered back at her. "Don't you remember who you are or who we are?"

When he didn't respond Lucy choked back a sob. She moved forward away from Susan who grabbed after her but Lucy shoved Susan's hands away. Lucy walked over Peter, "We're your family."

Peter didn't respond he just kept the same expression on his face the whole while. For a second he glanced at Edmund and Susan. Finally he shook his head.

"Why doesn't he remember us?" Lucy asked suddenly turning to Susan and Edmund.

Edmund spoke before Susan could he took Lucy's hand and pulled her away. "He's just joking Lu. It's a very funny joke Peter but enough is enough. Why not let him rest?" he added to Lucy and began to pull her away but Lucy resisted.

"I'm not joking." Peter replied. "I don't know who any of you are."

"Peter—" Susan began but he spoke over top of her.

"No. Stop calling me that." He said panic rising in his voice again.

Lucy couldn't stand to be in the room any longer and tore from Edmund's grip. With one last tearful look at Peter she turned and ran from his bedchamber. Brind and Kendra barely dodged her. Kendra swallowed, "I'll get her don't worry." she assured them before brushing Brind's hands off her shoulders and heading down the corridor to catch Lucy.

Kendra lifted the hem of her dress and jogged after Lucy practically tripping over Mr. and Mrs. Beaver on her way. She uttered quick apologies and rounded the corner to Lucy's room. Dresses were not good for running she thought struggling to keep the heavy fabric in her arms. Luckily Kendra did not have to run any farther, Lucy sat outside her room her back against the door crying.

Cautiously and out of breath Kendra approached. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear looking down at her friend. Quietly she cleared her throat to announce her presence. Lucy turned her head up at her, Kendra's heart sank seeing so much deep sadness in Lucy's eyes. She always saw Lucy with a smile on her face and a light in her eyes. It really shook Kendra to see her eyes now red and puff and tears running steadily down her cheeks.

"Lucy, may I sit with you?" she asked softly.

Lucy looked past Kendra expecting to see her siblings trailing behind.

"I came alone."

Glancing back to Kendra, Lucy gave a silent nod. Kendra smiled and carefully took a seat next to Lucy on the floor. The two of them sat there in near silence, Lucy's sobs still echoed lightly around them. It was a good two minutes before Kendra tried to speak.

"I'm not sure to say to make you feel better." she said honestly, "I don't know what I am supposed to do. But I want to help you, even if I don't know how."

Lucy looked over to her friend and light smile danced on her lips amongst the sadness in her eyes. She took Kendra's hand and squeezed it a little. Kendra smiled back. They went back to sitting there not saying a word for another long while.

Lucy's crying eased a little to the point where she thought she could speak. Swallowing and trying to calm herself down she starred at the tapestry that hung on the opposite wall, it depicted Aslan and the forests of Narnia. She and Susan were on his back riding. Lucy instantly recalled the memory of traveling on Aslan to the White Witches castle. Bringing herself back from past she glanced over at Kendra.

"How could he forget Kendra? We're his family and he doesn't know us. Like we never existed." Lucy sniffled. Kendra put her arm around her friend trying to console her. "Why? Why doesn't he know that he's my brother?"

Kendra didn't reply immediately not knowing an answer to give to Lucy that would not hurt her. "He must have hit head too hard." she said slowly. Her eyes widened in fear, her head jerking down toward Lucy. She starred at her for a second her mouth gaping open.

"It's all my fault." Kendra gasped. "When Peter was trying to save me, he fell from his horse and hit his head. If it weren't for me he'd be all right!"

Lucy shook her head vigorously. "No Kendra, it's not your fault."

"Yes. Yes it is!" Kendra was now on the brink of crying.

"Kendra I don't blame you. You didn't ask to be captured. Peter did what he needed to in order save you." Lucy said. Of course she didn't blame Kendra. It was just a series of unfortunate events nothing more. She asked the questions mainly rhetorically at the time.

Lucy knew well that Peter had amnesia, as painful as it was to even think the word. She knew that Peter hit his head, what she didn't know was why Peter couldn't over come this. He was the strongest person she knew, physically and mentally. It was childish to think he would recall everything by seeing her. Still she had to believe it could happen.

"You don't?" Kendra asked a tear ran down her face.

Lucy shook her head again. "No. I swear I do not blame you Kendra."

Kendra lurched forward and engulfed Lucy in a hug. Lucy let out a small laugh and returned it.

"It's just--it's too surreal." she continued. "I feel like I'm dreaming or having a nightmare. The way he looked at me and backed away when I went to him." Lucy struggled not to cry. "I don't want to believe that he doesn't remember everything we went through."

"It'll be okay Lucy. He'll have to remember with all of you here to help him. It won't be long Lucy until Peter remembers full well who he is and more importantly who you are." Kendra said with a smile.

She hoped that Lucy felt better even though Kendra knew she had no right in making such a hopeful promise. It sounded like it would be easy for King Peter to get his memory back, but Kendra doubted it would be as such. Still she smiled at Lucy who leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Kendra in a hug.

At that moment someone cleared their throat beside the two girls. Kendra turned to see King Edmund standing there a grim expression that she feared would only worsen Lucy's state. She glanced at Lucy from the corner of her eye, from what she saw Lucy was putting on a strong face. Kendra's attention moved back to Edmund, she noticed another person coming down the corridor toward them it was Brind.

"Su is gathering everyone in the castle." Edmund said addressing Lucy. "She think it'd be better if we didn't come. I told her I didn't want to anyway." his voice trailed off.

Lucy got to her feet and threw her arms around Edmund torso. He sighed and hugged her back. Kendra remained there on the floor watching as Brind walked up beside them. He looked down at Kendra and frowned, probably noticing the dampness of her eyes. She wiped them dry on her sleeve and rose to stand.

"Edmund?" Lucy looked questioningly up at him. He knew what she wanted to know without even having to hear the specific question.

"He hasn't got a clue who he is, or where he is, or who we are." he realized he wasn't talking but in a tone above a whisper. "Susan is about to tell everyone else the news. Our High King has no idea what his name is let a lone being King of Narnia."

"He will remember though." Lucy stated keeping her arms around Edmund. It was probably the longest she had hugged him for, normally by now Edmund weaseled his way out of the hug. She liked that he didn't make a motion to push her off.

Her eyes moved to Kendra who was now standing beside Brind his arms around her in the same fashion that Edmund's were around Lucy. It was a very brother-sister type of stance. The way Peter used to hug Lucy whenever she was scared. She hated that Peter wouldn't be doing that anytime soon. True there was Edmund and as much as she loved him it wasn't the same thing.

"Of course he will." Edmund said, his voice shook a little despite his best effort to keep up a brave front to Lucy. "He has to."

It was like Peter had died, and in a way Edmund supposed he had. He no longer remembered who or where he was. The memories of the past seven years in Narnia and beyond were non-existent.

He sighed and hugged Lucy in return. Seeing Lucy so upset was making Edmund sick to his stomach, he felt uncomfortable being here reminded of what his brother forgot.

He pushed Lucy off of him gently and walked to his room without another word. Left standing baffled by her other brother's behavior Lucy took a deep breath trying to calm herself. She looked to Brind and Kendra who were still hugging one another.

"I'm going to go lay down for a bit." Lucy said, her voice weak.

Kendra immediately wormed her way out of Brind's arms and stood next to her friend linking arms with her.

"May I come?" Kendra asked.

Lucy tried to smile, "I'd like very much."

They waved to Brind and set off down the corridor toward Lucy's room arm in arm. The two were quiet when they left but Brind heard whispers reaching his ears as they were half way down the hall. He turned from them and stood still for a few moments not knowing what to do or where to even go. Should he head back to his room too? Maybe he should go and check on Susan to see if she was okay.

Brind started to walk but hesitated wondering if she would be too busy now to see him. She now assumed position in place of the High King. Brind had hoped that Edmund would step up that way he could get more time with Susan. However, Brind knew that Susan was the next oldest and it was automatic for her to step forward to protect and lead not only her family but her kingdom as well.

With all of this new responsibility Brind had no idea when he would be able to tell Susan the truth. The last thing he wanted to do was add something else troubling to her long list of duties. Brind found himself walking now, unsure of his destination. He was alone and wished that Kendra had not decided to go with Lucy. Right now he needed the comfort of his oldest friend. But more importantly he wanted to speak with Kendra about telling the Pevensies the truth.

"Brind." The voice made Brind jump and look up from starring at the ground. It was only Mr. Tumnus.

Relief washed over his face upon seeing the faun. "Sorry. Lost in thought."

"It's perfectly all right." he said. "I was just coming to find you, Susan wanted me to tell you that she would like to have a word with you. She told me to tell you to meet her in the throne room."

Brind felt a lump in his throat and he tried to hide a petrified look from stretching his face. He nodded quickly and muttered thank you to Mr. Tumnus and hurried off. What could it mean that Susan wanted to speak with him? Brind quickly raced through what he was going to say to her as he approached the throne room. The doors were already open and many were leaving. He and Susan would be alone soon. Patiently Brind waited for the room to clear out giving him more time to work out his story in his head.

After the last faun and centaur left the hall, Brind slowly poked his head in to see Susan sitting on her throne. She didn't see him right away and after a moment she leaned forward her head in her hands. Brind swallowed and walked inside slowly approaching the thrones.

When he was close enough he heard a small sob. Brind's stomach turned over knowing that this was entirely his fault. Stopping at the bottom of the steps, Brind cleared his throat.

"Your majesty?" he asked gingerly.

Susan sat up wiping the tears from her eyes. When she saw it was Brind a smile came to her face. "Brind. Thank you for coming."

He just nodded in response.

Susan stood up and walked down the steps half way stopping again to dry her eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see me like this. It's been a bad couple days. First Peter and I fight, and now he doesn't remember who he is. I can't believe the last thing I said to him I accused him of terrible things. I didn't get to tell him I didn't mean it."

Brind drew in a breath and moved up the steps closer to Susan. "In all do respect your majesty, it isn't like King Peter is dead. You'll get to apologize to him, he just needs to remember who he is. I'm certain you and King Edmund and Queen Lucy can do that. He'll know who he is and who you are in no time. I bet once he sees you all and you try to jolt his memory, it'll all come back to him. It'll be okay, I promise just please don't cry anymore."

Susan sighed and grinned at Brind. His words were very comforting and he had a point, Peter was not dead they could get him to remember. She moved in and wrapped her arms around Brind in a hug, Susan could feel him tense up slightly which made her smirk all the more.

"Thank you Brind." She released him flashing one more smile before she brushed past him heading out of the throne room.

Brind stood frozen for a moment soaking in the sheer pleasure of her touch. Her footsteps echoing gently behind him made him sick.

"Was there something you wanted your majesty?" Brind asked suddenly turning to her.

She looked back at him, "Oh, no. I was seeking comfort and I found it. Thank you again Brind. I should go see Lucy and Edmund."

Brind nodded his stomach in knots. The guilt returned stronger and more agonizing than ever.

'Tell her. Tell her now!' A voice screamed in Brind's head.

"Your majesty!" He called out. She stopped again and turned a soft cheerful expression on her face. Brind smiled nervously. Seeing her happy ad knowing that he had comforted her how would he ever be able to ruin that?

"Nevermind." Brind said softly.

Susan blinked and turned her back for the final time and left to go find her other two siblings. Brind was left standing alone with his guilt once again. He hung his head and slugged off to his room thinking it would just be safer and easier for the Kings and Queens if he just left.