A Wardrobe to Another World

Chapter 19 - Family Reunion

⟢Peter's POV⟣

I come out of my tent to immediately see Oreius. I look at him hopeful that they found Ed. His gaze moves to a small hill next to camp. Following it I see Ed at the top with Aslan, my shoulders drooping in relief that he was back and could stand. The door of the tent beside mine opens, my sisters coming out.

They both follow my gaze to the hilltop and Lu cries out Ed's name. I quickly grab her before she runs to him so Aslan can finish speaking to Ed. We all look up at Ed as he walks down the hill and over to us.

Aslan and Ed stop about a metre in front of us, Ed avoiding eye contact with us. "What's done is done. There is no need to speak to Edmund about what has passed." Aslan leaves us alone. Ed looks at me briefly with what looks like nerves before quietly saying hello. Lu lets out a small breath and goes forward to give him a tight hug. To my surprise Ed just hugs her back. I don't trust myself to say anything without letting the tears welling in my eyes fall. Su places her hand on Ed's shoulder and gives him a hug once Lu lets go.

"Are you alright?" Su questions Ed. "I'm a little tired." Finally trusting myself to speak I tell him to go into the tent and get some sleep. He seems a little dejected by this so I decide to add onto it. "And Edmund. Try not to wander off." I give him a smile to show that it's also a joke. I get a smile from Ed in return.

⟢Third Person POV⟣

Peter watches his brother walk into the tent. It feels nice to see him smile again, even though he is clearly hurt. "Go after him. He needs you." Susan's voice comes from behind Peter. He turns to see her looking at him before nodding her chin towards the tent. After a little hesitation, Peter turns and walks in after his brother.

Edmund is sitting on a hammock with his back to Peter, his shoulders shaking and his breathing short. "Ed?" Edmund jumps at Peter's voice, turning around quickly. Peter moves quickly across the tent at the sight of tears on his brother's face. He sits down beside Edmund and opens his arms, inviting Edmund for a hug. Edmund falls into his arms and clings to his brother, muttering I'm sorry over and over again.

The brothers stay like that for a while, just comforting each other with their presence. When they eventually pull away Edmund looks up at his brother and whispers five words that break Peter's heart "Why don't you hate me?" Peter looks at Edmund with his mouth slightly open in shock: he didn't think his brother could ever think that. "Because you're my little brother, Eddie." Edmund freezes for a second at the nickname that hasn't been used in years. "That isn't a good enough reason, Pete. I nearly got you and the girls killed." "You didn't do that. The Witch made you and it's not fair that you should bear that." The wind rustles the tent door, breaking the gathering tension in the tent. The small, reassuring smile on Peter's features makes one spread across Edmund's face.

"How hurt are you?" Peter asks his brother, wanting to help. "Not badly." Edmund starts wringing his hands and fidgeting with his sleeves. "Honestly?" Peter's face shows his disbelief that a split lip was all his brother got while being imprisoned by the Witch. "Her dwarf would whip my lower legs every time I fell over until I got up." Edmunds eyes fill with tears that are reflected in his brother's. "May I see? I want to help you." Edmund looks into Peter's eyes, fear set deep in his chocolate brown abyss. "Please?" Edmund hesitantly rolls up his trousers to his knees and shows his brother the bandaging winding up his legs.

⟢Hazel's POV⟣

I walk over to the girls after Peter and Edmund go into their tent. "How's he feeling?" I wonder how Ed feels after his talk with Aslan. "He said he was just a bit tired but I don't really believe that." Susan replies. I decide to not tell the sisters about Ed's injuries just yet. "What about you two? Did you get any sleep?" I ask, concerned that the girls may not have slept. "A bit. Where were you all night?" Lu nods while Susan verbally answers. "With old friends." I answer shortly not wanting to go into detail and have them realise I was with Ed. "When can we learn to use our weapons?" Lu's bouncing on the tips of her toes just thinking about it. "After breakfast, which we'll have when the boys come out."

 - 800 words

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter. I've lost interest in The Chronicles of Narnia. I may come back to this book at another time but for now it's on hold. Thanks for reading! - Bee