CARING

SUSAN'S POV

I let out a hiss as I prick my finger with my needle once more. I'm rarely this clumsy but it's honestly quite hard to concentrate when the person, who's very socks you are mending, is out fighting in a war. A war that has been the most brutal and difficult since Beruna. And that is not an easy feat. In a fit of anger I toss my sewing aside and bury my head in my hands. Thank Aslan that Lucy has already gone to bed. I try to be strong but it's so hard when half my family, people that I practically helped raise are facing their death and there's nothing I can do but sit in the Cair and worry.

A knot in the back of my throat begins to form and I can feel my eyes burning, but I refuse to cry. I can be strong too, but somewhere in the back of my mind I realized being strong doesn't mean you can't be sad or scared or hurt. We have emotions and they need to be felt. Without them, we wouldn't be human at all and there's a certain beauty in it that I can't quite explain. A sudden knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts.

"Your majesty, I hope I'm not intruding but this is very urgent." A faun stands in the door, shaky and pale.

"What is it fair cousin? Please, sit down."

"A Griffin has been sited your majesty, carrying the body of King Edmund."

The body. Oh Alsan no, please no. Don't let this be happening. Not my baby brother. My stomach clenched and I feel as though I'm about to throw up.

"Lucy. Get Lucy and tell her to bring the cordial." I manage to gasp out, there's still a chance he isn't gone yet.

I barely hear the messenger's reply because I'm already running out of the chamber. I know where they'll be landing because while the Cair is very large and there's plenty of space for a Griffin and much larger creatures to move about, it's very hard for a Griffin to land anywhere but the main court yard. They have a massive wing span and landing can be difficult if there isn't much space. So I sprint down to the courtyard not caring that I have forgotten my crown or that I've picked my skirts up to what would be considered an indecent length to allow better movement. All that matters right now is that my little brother is seriously injured, if not worse, and desperately needs my help.

By the time I reached my destination Lucy was already helping to remove Edmund from the Griffin's back. She always knows all the secret passage ways and such of the (probably thanks to Edmund) so it's not much of a surprise. He seemed to be held down with a make shift strap from various belts and other strips of leather. My slight relief of seeing my brother was quickly replaced with worry and fear as blood leaks from his chest. His shirt is stained red and the blood is only spreading. I can't tell if this is due to the rain pouring down on us or if- no Aslan I hope not. I don't think he even has that much blood in his body.

I quickly thank the griffin and ask him if he's injured and that he should get some rest. Or at least that's what I thought I had said; to be honest I'm not really sure. My mind is just so fuzzy and all I can seem to think about is all the blood and Edmund and if Peter is any better off. Strong Wing, I believe his name is, seems to understand and bows his head in agreement.

Two guards carefully carry Edmund to the healer's chamber his room was up a flight of stairs and too far away to even consider resting him there. When we entered the chamber several healers were already running around, someone must have sent for them. A Juniper Dryad appeared in front of us. Her hair swirled around her as if there was a light summer breeze in the room but I knew that was only the nature of the dryad. Still with a grace no one can achieve with even years of practice, she swiftly placed Edmund onto the previously prepared table.

His skin already pale, looked more like marble as he lay against the white sheets that quickly became splattered with red as a faun removed his shirt. If I couldn't see the slight rise and fall of his chest it would be easy to believe were laying him down to rest… permanently. The thought makes me choke on my own breath. Oh Aslan, what if it comes to that? It won't though, He won't let it. I delicately wrap my arms around Lucy who is trying to stay strong but she can't stop quick panicky breathes from escaping her lips. I try to calm her but it's so hard when I notice tears tracking down my cheeks as well.

"The cordial, is our only hope." The same Juniper Dryad announces. Everyone, being the healers and I (the others left to grant us some privacy) look at Lucy expectantly.

"I-I-I can't." She whispers.

"Lucy! Edmund needs it. His life depends on it! What are you talking about?"

"I can't, b-because I gave it to him right before he left with Peter. I-I told him- I told him to take it with him because I thought maybe knowing he had a way to keep Peter s-safe he w-wouldn't do anything stupid like jump in front of a sword. I-I thought I was helping. I only-only d-did it because I care about h-him. He- he promised he would be careful so he would be there to give Peter the cordial in case he needed it. Oh Aslan, oh As- I'm so sorry. So so sorry. Please!" Lucy is crying hard, she can't even form sentences anymore. I squeeze her tightly but I honestly can't say what I feel. I'm scared but there's also this emptiness, something I've never felt before, not here, not in that other place we used to call home. I feel hopeless.

A/N So I know I said I was only doing brother fics but I felt like this was a necessary installment. Trust me though when I say that there won't be many fics involving just Susan and Lucy, I feel like I don't write them well… Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it and I should finish this story with cliché soon. But not to worry I will continue the challenge! Sorry for the cliff hanger and I hope I didn't disappoint.

Love,

Hain