I hope ya'll are enjoying the story so far. I love letting my readers have input into my stories so don't be afraid to give some input. Now on with the story.
Edmund was still deathly pale and panting franticly arching his back every time the pain got to be much for him to handle. He was slowly getting worse as the pain increased.
James came into the room running back panting with a rag with ice wrapped in it. He handed it to Peter, still with a worrisome look plastered to his face and went to go sit in the corner of the room, not wanting to get in the way. The young boy didn't know what to think of the situation, except the fact that it was very strange. It also scared him a little bit.
Peter knelt down next to him and placed the icy rag to Edmund's scar, hoping that it would numb the pain and help cool down his body to help with the fever. But Edmund arched his back in pain and whimpered, then pushed his brother's hand away when the coldness made contact with his torso. It reminded him to much of her touch.
"Peter, please don't," Edmund whispered through his teeth, trying to fight through the excruciating pain. He knew what he meant and understood why reacted as he did. He didn't want to push Ed too much.
"She can't hurt you anymore. I'm here and you're safe. Just let me do this it will help numb the pain, okay?" he coaxed in a very loving tone stoking his cheek. Edmund nodded and let his brother proceed. He flinched when the rag touched his skin, and squeezed his eyes shut trying to block out the physical and mental pain. The ice helped bring down the fever but not the pain.
"Who's 'she' and what did she do to Edmund? And who is Aslan?" James asked still sitting in the corner. Peter didn't know what to say. How are you supposed to tell someone that you went to a magical land and fought a battle against a witch and became Kings and Queens?
He looked over at the boy, "I'll explain in due time. Right now we need to take care of Ed," he said nodding towards Edmund. He turned back placing a kiss on his head. "Does it still hurt?"
"Not as much as before. And honestly quite worrying so much. It's bound to hurt sometimes considering that the wand had dark magic in it," Peter mumbled for he didn't want James to hear. He then let out a loud yawn. Peter then looked at the clock next to Edmund's bed. It was already one in the morning.
"You should try and get some sleep Ed, you to James." James complied and got into bed and fell asleep almost immediately.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" asked Edmund.
Peter smiled. "As long as you need me I'm here," he reminded him as he carefully crawled over Edmund and tucked his body behind his. He pulled the blankets over both of them and then carefully wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close into his bare chest and rested his chin on top of his head.
Edmund then whispered into his ear, "Thank you, Peter."
"For what dear brother?" Peter asked tracing his fingers up and down his shoulders.
"Just being my brother and for not giving up on me." Edmund shifted in his arms so that he was facing Peter looking into his baby blue eyes.
"I would never give up on you Ed. I'm your big brother, I love you and nothing will ever change that," assured Peter solemnly.
Edmund wrapped his arms around Peter, giving him a big hug, "I love you too, Pete. Good night."
"Good night Eddy. Sweet dreams." Peter placed a kiss on his brother's head and drifted off to sleep.
That night Peter's dreams weren't so peaceful. They were mostly memories of battles that he fought along-side his brother. But then he had a very strange one where he found himself in pitch blackness talking with Aslan.
"Hello dear one," a familiar majestic Voice said. Peter turned around to see the form of a lion walk through a dazzling bright light. He knew instantly who it was.
"Hello, Aslan," the young High king said bowing down to the Lion.
"You may rise," Pete nodded and got off his knee.
The Great Lion began pacing back and forth in front of Peter, his golden coat glistening in the light as he moved. "There is something that I must warn you about," he nodded for him to continue. "There is a dark magic traveling to your world, a magic I have never encountered before."
"Is that why Edmund's scar was bothering him?" Aslan stopped in his tracks.
"I must tell you: until I can destroy this magic, you must watch Edmund closely for the scar could reopen fully and would perish. I must leave now; I shall see you again soon, my child." He watched as Aslan walked backed trough the bright light disappearing into it.
The lion was gone as fast as he came.
Peter woke up with Edmund in his arms, sighing with relief that he was alright he tightened his hold on the boy, closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep. Not knowing that Edmund had the same dream.
Edmund woke up Saturday morning with no pain and Peter's strong arms encircled around his middle, and it looked like he didn't plan on moving them anytime soon. He sat there for a few minutes thinking of the dream he had last night. Thinking of how he could possibly die and be separated from Peter and the rest of his beloved siblings. Just the thought of it caused his heart to ache immensely. He began to sob quietly, he didn't want to die. What would happen to Lucy, Susan and Peter? If he died would he go to Aslan's country? Does he even deserve to enter such a place? All of these question ran through Edmund's head.
He felt Peter shift his weight and knew he was awake.
"Ed, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked with a sense of urgency in his voice. He sat up pulling Ed with him. Edmund didn't say anything; he just buried his face into his brother's shoulder.
"Shush Eddy, its okay," Peter rocked his baby brother back and forth trying to calm him.
"I might die, Peter. I could lose… you, Lucy…. and Susan" he cried throwing his arms around his older brother's neck.
"Why do you think you are dying?" asked Peter.
Before Edmund could answer the question Peter already knew the answer. "Aslan came to you in a dream last night telling you so."
"I had the same dream; nothing is going to happen to you not while..." Peter added before he was interrupted by a loud yawn from James.
"Good morning," the two boys said in unison.
"How's your side feeling Edmund?" James wondered.
"It's felling a lot better, Thank you." He smiled at the boy then crawled into Peter's lap, resting his head his shoulder. He mindlessly traced his fingers over the scars Peter had gained through years of battle. James got out of bed, and threw on a shirt. He then pulled his desk chair over to the bed that the two boys were sharing and sat down. The boys looked at him suspiciously wondering what he was doing. "I was wondering if you could tell me what's going. You said last night that you would explain, and I want to know." Peter looked at Edmund and gave him a 'should we ' look. Edmund nodded back at his brother. "You wouldn't believe us if we told you."
"Try me," said James. Peter smiled remembering when the professor said those exact words.
"Alright, but first you need to promise that you won't tell anyone what we are about to tell you."
"I promise." James settled back into the chair and got comfy.
"Back during the war, when we were sent to the country, there was this professor with a magical wardrobe that led into a magical land called Narnia." Peter and Edmund explained to him about the prophecy and Aslan, how the White Witch was after them. Peter purposely left out the part of how Edmund betrayed him fore he felt it was not something that should be shared. He told him how he got his sword, Rhindon; and how Aslan had knighted him. James never once interrupted the two boys. He found their story to be very fascinating and real.
They went on telling him about the Battle of Beruna and how the witch almost killed Edmund. "After the battle we were crowned Kings and Queens of Narnia. I was High King Peter, the Magnificent; Susan was Queen Susan the Gentle, Ed over here was King Edmund the Just and little Lucy was Queen Lucy the Valiant. We reigned happily in Narnia for fifteen years, it was known as the Golden Age. We had many adventures and battles. That is until Aslan brought us back to England when we were hunting a white stag."
"Is that how you got your scars, Peter?" James asked gesturing to his arm.
Peter had gotten that scar in a battle against the giants. "Yes, a giant got me with his axe."
"Do you miss Narnia?" The question hit both Peter and Edmund hard.
Peter looked down into Edmund's eyes and could see the hurt lingering in them. "Yes, we miss it more than anything. It was our true home."
The two hugged once more wishing not to cry. James watched the two brothers wishing he and his older brother were this close. All his brother did was pick on him constantly.
But what most people don't realize is that Edmund and Peter went through many obstacles to get so close. It did not come easily to them. It took Peter about a year to fully forgive Edmund and another to fully trust him again. They had to rebuild their relationship and work at it every day.
"If you will excuse us Ed and I have something to take care of." Peter said remembering that he should probably write to his sisters about the dream. Edmund gave him a quick glance and before he could say anything Peter had already gotten up. He grabbed a blanket, wrapped Edmund in it and lifted his brother into his arms.
"Peter!" Edmund exclaimed, "I'm fine. I can walk. And it's not even cold." He struggled to get out of his arms but his attempts had failed his hold was like iron.
Peter chuckled, "I don't care I'm not taking any chances."
With that Edmund knew he had lost this battle and gave up and settled into his strong arms, enjoying the warmth.