Peter sat behind his desk in his large study in Cair Paravel. He looked over the documents laid out on the wooden surface and sighed. In the time he and his siblings had reined he had learned that he would never like this part of being a king. Defend the Kingdom to the death? In a heartbeat. But things like this? He preferred to leave the diplomatic side of things to his brother.
A throat clearing reminded him that he wasn't alone. Lord Marius, his chief steward -or a slave master in Peter's mind- politely gestured to the papers in front of them.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry to trouble you, but these papers must have your seal for the trade alliance to be completed.
Peter smiled and shrugged. "Of course, my lord. Forgive me for letting my mind wander."
He reached for the pen and again began to sign the documents just as a commotion was heard in the corridor.
"King Peter!" A voice called just as a firm knocking came on the door. "King Peter!"
Peter immediately called. "Enter!"
The door was flung open, and an aid stood in the doorway, panting and pale.
"Forgive me your Majesty, but it's King Edmund!"
Lord Marius was left scrambling to save the papers from the ink that spread across the desk as the King's leap from his chair knocked the bottle on it's side.
"What happened?" Peter demanded. Already moving around his desk. "Where is he?"
"It was some kind of riding accident, Sire! He is unconscious. They are bringing him in now!"
The lord simply watched as the King sprinted from the study, his heavy boots slamming an uneven beat on the floor. He knew from past experience that little upset the young King as much as his siblings being hurt or ill. Motioning for the aid to clean up the desk, he followed his King.
Peter sprinted toward the front doors of the castle just as his brother was carried in on a litter between two attendants. He nearly fainted at the sight that met his eyes. His little brother lay deathly pale. A crude bandage did little to disguise the ugly wound that dripped blood down his head. The sleeve of his tunic was torn and also bloody. And his ankle, Peter bit his lip to hold back a cry of sympathy, lay at an odd ankle, obviously broken. Whatever had happened, it must have been horrible. All this was taken in in a matter of moments as the attendants paused in the entryway.
Someone was ordering the attendants to carry the King to the healing wing and Peter shook himself out of his daze. "No. No. Take him to our suites. He'll be more comfortable there. Send the healers there NOW! Make sure they know what his injuries are."
"Yes, your Majesty!" chorused around him but he barely heard them as he focused on his brother.
As he walked alongside the litter, he reached for his brother's good hand. "It's alright, Ed! You're going to be alright."
Inside the younger King's suite, the attendants lifted the King from the litter as another threw back the blankets and sheets on the bed. They observed that their King continued to focus on his brother and as soon as the younger King was placed on the bed Peter stepped next to him and began to undress him. Lord Darien who had accompanied Edmund stepped up beside him.
"Would you like some help, Sire?"
Peter nodded and the older man began to pull of the younger King's riding boots. Everyone in the room winced as his ankle made a cracking noise but Edmund lay perfectly still and didn't react. Peter paused in removing the filthy tunic and grabbed his brother's wrist to feel for a pulse.
"Oh Ed!" He murmured under his breath as he felt the faint beat beneath his fingers. But the entire room noticed the way his hands trembled. Just as they finished removing the last of his clothes, the healers entered the room.
Peter moved to sit on the edge of his bed and stroked his brother's good shoulder. As the chief healer stepped up and began to assess his injuries, his assistant inquired, 'What happened?"
The lord who had helped remove his clothes murmured, "It was a terrible accident. We were riding through a rocky forest and King Edmund's horse was startled. He tried to keep his seat but he was thrown off. And…And his foot was caught in the stirrup. He was already unconscious from hitting his head on a rock. And…and it took a lot to get his horse stopped."
The chief healer nodded and motioned to his helper. "Help me move him."
Even the healer winced when he saw the bruises and scrapes that covered Edmund's back. The healers worked together and within half an hour the King's shoulder had been stitched, his ankle wrapped, and the mud washed from his body.
Peter continued to stroke his good shoulder as he spoke to the healer. "Healer, you have cared for my brother before and you know that he can hardly be called a good patient. And considering how painful setting that ankle must have been, there has to be a reason that he didn't react. What is it?"
The healer who was still examining his patient finally spoke. "I think this is the reason, Your Majesty!" He tilted the dark head revealing a deep purple bruise along the base of the skull. "The cut on his forehead didn't help matters. But I'm sure this is the primary reason."
Settling Edmund's head back onto the pillow he carefully lifted Edmund's eye lids to check his eyes. Before he opened his mouth, Peter knew the answer.
"He's comatose?"
"I'm afraid it looks that way." He turned and spoke to Darien. "Has he stirred at all since it happened?"
"No!"
The healer nodded and spoke softly to Peter. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. If he's comatose, there is no telling when he will awaken."
Peter looked up. Tears shone in his eyes in a rare show a weakness in front of his subjects and made him seem younger than his 19 years. "Or if he will awaken!" His voice was choked, and he quickly lowered his head, putting a hand to his face.
Darien felt the urge to put his arms around the King but resisted.
The healer finally spoke, "Well, I'm afraid that's true yes. But let's not lose hope yet."
Peter simple nodded before commanding softly, "Help me make him comfortable."
The healers nodded and a few minutes later Edmund's still form was clothed in a clean nightshirt and tucked between the clean sheets and blankets and Peter sank into the chair beside the bed.
"Leave us alone!"
Everyone in the room nodded. The chief healer spoke softly.
"We will come check on him in a few hours, Your Majesty."
"Thank you!" Peter's eyes looked dazed even as he spoke softly
Just before he left the room, Darien gave into his urge to give comfort and put a gentle hand on the older King's shoulder. "Your Majesty, would you like your sisters sent for at Anvard?"
Peter jolted from his daze. He had forgotten that his sisters were visiting the court of Archenland for a time. If they knew that Edmund was hurt, they would rush back as quickly as they could. Did he want to risk their safety? He didn't want to think about another of his siblings being hurt.
"No…No…They will be home soon. And perhaps by the time they return he will be awake and there won't be any need to worry."
"Only, if you are quite sure, Sire!"
"I am!"
Darien nodded and slipped from the room. Lord Marius met him in the corridor.
"How is he?"
"Not well! Neither of them are."
Marius nodded. "I'll send for the Queens at once."
"King Peter does not wish us to."
"Why?"
"He doesn't want to worry them."
"But surely.."
"I know Marius, but we can't go against the King's wishes. At least not at this time."
The two lords left the Royal quarters together.
Once the attendants had left the room, Peter moved to sit on the edge of his bed and took his brother's hand. He ran his thumb over the knuckles examining the bruises and scrapes, noticing the paleness of the skin against his own.
"Edmund! Edmund I…I need you to wake up! Please!"
He continued to stroke Edmund's hand as he stared at his deathly pale face. His little brother never stirred as the sun sank below the horizon.
Peter woke as a knock sounded on the door. He stared groggily around the room and realized that he had fallen asleep slumped over next to his brother. He rotated his stiff shoulders just as someone knocked softly again.
"Your Majesty?"
He recognized the voice of one of his valets and called, "Come in, Trimmus."
The door opened and the young faun entered. "Your Majesty, would you care for some breakfast? I can bring some up from the kitchens."
Peter glanced down at his brother, still completely still on the bed, before answering. "No thank you, Trimmus. I'm not hungry."
The faun stepped closer. "Begging your pardon, my King, but you didn't eat dinner last night either. You really must eat to keep up your strength."
Peter sighed. "Perhaps later."
Trimmus nodded and left the room. Peter turned back to Edmund and continued his one sided conversation from before he had fallen asleep.
"Ed, can you hear me? I wish you would wake up. The girls are going to be so worried about you when they get home. Perhaps you could be awake before then. You know, Ed, I really hate doing all the diplomatic paperwork. I need you to take over doing it again. So could you wake up?"
He sat silently for a while before another knock came on the door.
"Enter!"
His steward came into the room and smiled softly. "Your Majesty, how is King Edmund?"
"No change!"
"I'm sorry Your Majesty! However, your valet told me that you refused supper last night and breakfast this morning. I hate to overstep my bounds but you really must eat something."
"Thank you, Steward, but I'm not hungry."
Another knock came on the door and the chief healer stepped in at Peter's bidding.
"Your Majesty, are there any changes?"
Peter shook his head. The healer stepped forward and at Peter's nod did another examination. Glancing up at the older of the two kings he spoke gently "Your Majesty, have you eaten today?"
Peter shook his head. "But I'm really not hungry!"
Marius spoke before the healer could. "I was just inquiring about the same thing."
The healer smiled and spoke gently. "Your Majesty, I mean no disrespect but you really must eat. It's important that you keep up your strength."
Peter sighed and finally gave in. "Very well. Perhaps some fruit or something simple."
The Steward gave a satisfied nod. Stepping toward the door he gave instructions to one of the valets in the corridor. He turned back to see the King stroking his brother's temple, an act of tenderness that was unusually even between the very loving siblings, at least in front of others. Suddenly, the fair haired monarch seemed to snap out of a daze.
"Oh, Steward, you had documents for me to sign. We were interrupted when…"
Marius spoke gently "No need to worry, Your Majesty, if you give me your signet ring I would be glad to complete them for you."
Peter nodded gratefully and slipped the ring off to hand to the steward. The Steward and healer slipped out a few minutes later just after the food was delivered.
After finishing the food, Peter leaned against the headboard and stroked Edmund's temple.
"Ed, I'm not nearly as good at this as Susan is. Comforting I mean, but I'm going to do my best, alright?"
He leaned forward and kissed Edmund's forehead before sitting back and continuing to stroke the pale temple.
Early the next morning the two lords spoke in the courtyard along with General Oreius.
"When are Queen Susan and Queen Lucy supposed to return?" Lord Darien asked the Steward.
"Not for two more days."
"I think we should send word to them to return at once. King Peter needs them here."
Oreius interjected. "But the High King said you shouldn't."
Darien sighed. "Indeed, but this is becoming critical. I am sure they would want to be informed. And King Edmund would want them to be informed as well."
Marius nodded. "I agree."
The decision made, the three of them parted. Marius to send a messenger to Anvard and the other two to return to their duties.
Peter sat in the chair beside the bed trying to read a book. His eyes kept drifting shut and he kept fighting to keep them opened but two nights of little sleep was quickly draining him. He knew the courtiers and servants were worried about him but he chose to ignore them. He wanted to be there if his brother needed him. Leaning forward he reached for a cup of water and spooned some of it into Edmund's mouth. He gave a grateful sigh when his little brother swallowed it. The healers had said that if he wasn't able to swallow any liquid, the chances of him coming out were nearly impossible. After giving him several spoonful's Peter reached out and stroked his hair back again.
Later that afternoon his steward knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty, I must apologize for disobeying your orders, but I have sent for your sisters at Anvard…."
Before he could finish whatever he had meant to say, Peter jumped to his feet and strode across the room. "You did what? I said you shouldn't do that! Now they will put themselves at risk rushing home. I cannot handle any more of my family being injured right now!"
"Your Majesty! You do not need to worry! The messenger who is bringing them word is under strict orders to drive them home sensibly and not allow them to put themselves at risk! And I apologize for disobeying your orders, but I knew that they would want to know. And that you and King Edmund need them here."
Peter sighed and slumped back into his chair. He was too exhausted to lose his temper anyway. He managed to choke out. "Perhaps you are right. Thank you!"
The Steward bowed and stepped out. Peter leaned closer to the bed and returned to stroking Edmund's hair. "Well, Ed, the girls will be home soon. I know they would love to see you awake. Do you think you could manage to do that?"
There was no response and Peter eventually slumped back, finally giving into his body's call for sleep.
Hours later he was awakened when someone ran a hand through his hair and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. He opened his eyes to see Susan in front of him.
"Su?" He murmured softly.
"Yes! We're home!"
He looked past her to see Lucy sitting on the bed. When she saw he was awake she jumped up and hurried over to throw her arms around his neck. Peter returned the embrace and kissed her forehead.
Susan had taken Lucy's place on the bed and observed her older brother even as stroked Edmund's hair.
"Peter, how much have you slept since this happened?"
Peter looked at her sheepishly. "Not much I suppose. But I'm alright, truly!"
Susan shook her head. "No, you aren't. You need rest. Lucy and I will be with Edmund while you go sleep."
"But…"
"No buts. Go!"
Peter sighed and finally got to his feet. After a final glance at Edmund's pale face, he reluctantly left the room. But as he shed his boots and sank into the bed in his suite across the hall, he had to admit that it felt heavenly. He was asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.
The next evening, Peter, Susan, and Lucy all sat together around Edmund's bed. Lucy was telling Peter of their time in Anvard when a soft moan from the bed interrupted her. All three of them instantly moved closer to their brother. With another soft moan, Edmund's hand twitched slightly. Peter jumped to his feet and hurried to the door. Addressing one of the valets outside the door he spoke rapidly
"Fetch the chief healer immediately. Tell them King Edmund is stirring."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Peter whirled back toward the bed where his sisters had both bent over their brother's form.
"Edmund!" Susan pleaded as she stroked his hair. "Edmund, open your eyes!"
Lucy was clutching his hand in both of her smaller ones. "Please, Edmund! We've been so worried!"
Peter moved to his other side and grabbed his free hand. "Ed, come on! Squeeze my hand!"
He gasped as the pale fingers tightened around his. At that moment a knock came at the door and the chief healer entered. Lucy ignored him and continued pleading with her brother.
"Please, Edmund! Please! Open your eyes!"
Just as the healer stepped up to the bed Edmund's eye lashes fluttered and he slowly opened his eyes. Peter instantly took his face in his hands.
"Ed! Oh, Ed!" He stopped speaking and simply pressed his forehead against his brother's.
All three royals leaned back when the healer cleared his throat. After checking Edmund's pulse, the healer spoke gently.
"Your Majesty, how do you feel?"
Edmund licked his lips. "Head…hurts…."
The healer nodded. "Do you remember what happened?"
"Horse got spooked. Rocks."
The healer nodded. After a few more minutes and a brief examination he slipped from the room leaving the siblings alone. Edmund looked between his sisters who sat on his left side.
"How long?"
"4 days." Susan murmured as she continued to stroke his hair. "Lucy and I arrived home late last night. Peter has been with you since they brought you home. We had to force him to get some rest yesterday."
Edmund looked at Peter who was slumped in the nearby chair.
"Peter, are you alright?"
Peter sat up straight. "Am I alright? You're the one who's been unconscious for nearly a week!"
Suddenly he threw himself beside Edmund and, grabbing him around the shoulders, pulled him into a tight embrace. Tears dripped down his cheeks as he held him close. Edmund managed to wrap his good arm around him and pressed his face into his older brother's chest. Both girls smiled as the sight took them back to the battlefield at Beruna after the Witch had been defeated. Apparently Edmund felt the same way because he pulled back slightly to look at their older brother.
"You know, if getting myself close to death is what it takes to get you to hold me like this, I might do it more often!"
Peter scowled and pulled him close again. "I don't think so. If that's all you want, then I'm going to have to show you affection more often."
The four siblings laughed together. From outside, Lords Darien and Marius listened to the joyful laughter with grateful smiles. Their monarchs were going to be alright.
