Thank you to everyone who has read my story so far. A second thank you to those who reviewed, I appreciate the feedback so much!

Here is the third chapter. I was originally planning to only write three but in writing this one I came to a place where I felt a chapter break was right and so it is now a four part story. I hope that you don't mind. I am working on the fourth, so the wait should not be a long one. I do not own any of the characters or Narnia.

Lucy exited the throne room feeling frustrated. It was as if each task she completed made room for more items on the agenda. After so many years of splitting the duties of the kingdom between four people, Lucy found shouldering the burden alone difficult.

But I'm not really alone, Lucy thought a tiredness creeping into her bones and making her wish for the comfort of her bed. Peter is here.

It was true that the High King was still in residence at Cair Paravel, but it all other ways except bodily, Lucy missed her brother.

The news of Edmund's death had hit him hard and Peter had retreated to his chambers were he had stayed since. Barely speaking to her, Lucy had only been able to make certain that her brother was eating by entreating him with tears. Though Peter was deeply hurt, he still could not cause his baby sister pain and so he emptied each dish Lucy placed before him.

It was a small comfort for the young queen and at the moment all she could do to help her brother. That and take care of their beloved country until Susan returns Edmund home.

How she missed him already. Her wise, mischievous brother. Calm and quiet as he listened to their subjects before stating his judgment, yet always ready to laugh with a twinkle in his eyes when he alone was with his siblings.

Lucy knew that though she was not showing it in the same manner as Peter, that the ache in her heart would not leave her for some time. Perhaps the three remaining monarchs would never be whole again. Where there not be two kings and two queens to rule over Narnia.

"Excuse me my queen," came a small voice as a sparrow came to rest on a ledge near by. "General Oreius has instructed me to inform you that Queen Susan's party is approaching the gates and should be inside the castle walls soon."

Susan! Oh how, she longed for Susan to comfort her and to tell her in a soothing voice that all would be well, as she used to when Lucy awoke from nightmares.

Thanking the sparrow quickly, Lucy ran down the stairs to the main door that lead to the courtyard. Throwing open the large wooden door, Lucy paused as the first sight she took in as an unadorned wagon where the Just King rested.

A straggled cry broke from her lips as her blue eyes took in her brother's strong hands laid together on his abdomen, his dark mop of hair an even more stark contrast to his pale skin. She began to move towards the still body in order to throw her arms around him when a clear voice drew her attention.

"Lucy," Susan called from the bottom of the stairs that led down into the large courtyard. Lucy now noticed that it was full of animals, dryads, and fauns busy helping the returning company, all shooting sorrowful glances at their fallen king.

"Susan!" Lucy answered as the sisters ran to each other, the younger throwing herself into the arms of the elder sobs rising to the surface when she was once again in that familiar comforting embrace.

"There is no time for this right now, dear one." Susan shushed her cries gently. "I need your help now."

"I have already begun preparing things for his funeral Susan. Though I would like you to look over the plans." Lucy wiped at her face.

"Funeral?" Susan gasped in return, the colour leaving her face. "What have you heard?"

"We received a letter from Prince Rabadash a three days ago to tell us of Edmund's death." Lucy answered confused by her sister's surprise and distress. "I'm sorry if you had wanted to tell us yourself Susan."

"That treacherous snake!" Burst from the gentle queen causing a couple of fauns tending to the horses nearby to jump in surprise. "He probably did it to cause more pain." She clenched her slender fingers and Lucy backed away from the rage in her usually calm sister's expression. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "It can't be helped now, come on Lucy, I need you to fetch your cordial. I'll explain as we go, but we should hurry."

Peter had been standing by the window for what seemed like days, though it had only been a couple of hours. He watched in silence as the dark mark on the dirt road became the traveling company of his brother and sister. His blue eyes searched for the figure of his sister and as they drew nearer he finally found her walking beside what seemed to be a wagon.

He watched as the wagon came closer until his eyes could see the outline of the man lying upon it. He continued to stare as he was able to see that the man was wearing a blue tunic and that his hair was as dark as the night.

Now that he knew that they were inside the castle walls, Peter found that he could not move from his vigil at the window. To enter the courtyard would be too real, would make the loss too final. From up here, he could believe that any moment Edmund would swing open the door of his chamber and berate him for not meeting him at the gate.

"I might think that you didn't miss me." Edmund would say with a scowl, though Peter would be able to see the laughter in his eyes. Peter chuckled at the thought and turned towards the door waiting for it to open.

It did not open and a the sorrow again seemed like it would break his chest as he thought of his brother returning one final time without him there to greet him.

Suddenly the need to be beside his brother again was too great and the High King fled his chamber. Courtiers stopped and watched with sad eyes as their king ran to great his lost brother for the last time.

Entering the courtyard, Peter did not pause until he reached the edge of the wagon, there he froze, wide eyes staring at the figure.

Edmund looked the same, other than that he was so still. His face was pale and his hair was combed, something that Peter knew his sister must have done. The High King's limbs felt heavy with great sadness and he knew not if he was able to move from this place.

Deliberately, Peter stepped forward and took one of his brother's cool hands. He looked down at the long fingers, remembering how they had been strong when Edmund had held a sword beside him, but gentle when he had led his sisters to the dance floor. He bowed his head over it, tears raining down his cheeks as his body curled over the white hand.

Peter did not know what to say and he knew not if Edmund could hear him now that he was in Aslan's country. He wished that he had forbidden them to go to Carlomen when he had first felt the worry that something was not right. Not that forbidding Edmund would have worked for anything than making his brother think that he did not trust him. No, Peter trusted Edmund completely, but he felt better when he could keep his sibling in his sights to be able to care for their needs.

It was too late for that now, and soon he would have to say goodbye to his brother forever. The thought made him tighten his gripe on the hand

The brush of footsteps broke him from his thoughts and he raised his head to take in his two sisters.

"Move aside Peter. There will be time for that later if this does not work." Susan said pushing past him to stand by Edmund's head.

Peter blinked in surprise at the greeting and looked to Lucy, but her eyes were locked on their brother's face with shock and what look suspiciously like hope.

Finding no explanation from either sister, the High King turned to observe what Susan was doing. She had lightly opened Edmund's mouth and placed what seemed to be a leaf on his tongue. Once done, she stepped back her eyes fixed upon the Just King.

Minutes passed by and Peter was just about to inquire if his elder sister had lost her mind, when his brother took in a deep gasping breath.

All the best and thank you for reading.

-jem