PEVENSIES

Worth Fighting For [edmund + peter]

"Edmund!"
Peters voice echoed across the battle field, louder than any of the clashing of swords and shields. The world blurred around Edmund as the sharp pain in his stomach caused him to fall to the floor. All he could see was clouds and he lost track of all time around him. He heard peter, running over, hearing the witch fight him. He couldn't focus on anything else. He couldn't move and soon enough he knew he wouldn't be able to breathe. But he held on the best he could. He didn't know how long it was until he saw his siblings, he didn't know how he wasn't dead. The cold taste of Lucy's healing cordial took him off guard before he fell unconscious. His head was spinning before he started coughing, not expecting his eyes to flutter open. He didn't think he'd be that lucky.
He saw peters face, tear stained and relieved. He barely looked at Lucy before Peter pulled him up into a hug. Edmund has never been happier.
"When are you going to learn to do as you're told?" Peter asked, laughing through his tears. Edmund smiled as Lucy hugged him. Soon enough his siblings had enveloped him in a group hug. He saw Aslan and saw a smile spread across Lucy's face. His little sister ran off to help the injured, which was just like Lucy.
"Ed..." peter said shakily, wiping away his no stopping tears. Edmund made eye contact with his brother and just smiled.
"Never risk your life for me again..." peter said seriously but he was clearly still upset.
"I didn't plan to get stabbed peter..." Edmund joked and peter grinned.
"Always making jokes" he said "but Ed...seriously....please don't...." peter said sadly.
Edmund nodded "I promise...I won't..." he said, but even he didn't know if he could keep that promise....

••••••••••••

- 1 year later -

"Come on Ed, at least try and keep up!" Peter called back as he rode past Edmund on his cream coloured horse.
"Oh please...I'm just warming up" Edmund said grinning "come on Phillip...this should be easy" he said as Phillip sped up, racing passed Peter. Edmund had many talents and horse riding was one of his strong points. Edmund laughed as Peter tried to catch up. Finally Edmund came to a stop to let his brother join him.
"Told you that Phillips faster" Edmund said patting his horse affectionately.
"Yeah yeah..." peter said ruffling his brothers hair and Edmund squirmed away, chuckling a little.
Peters smile faded when he heard a wolf howl echo from the forest in front of them. As instinct, peter moved his horse in front of Edmunds, his brother was smaller and not as well trained as he was.
Edmund on the other hand, knew he could handle himself, but peter was protective.
"Was that a wolf? I thought we found all of the wolves that worked for the witch..." Edmund said, confused and worried.
"Apparently not all of them" Peter said getting off of his horse.
"I'll go investigate...stay here" Peter said and Edmund rolled his eyes.
"Peter..."
"Edmund...don't push me on this. Just stay here" peter said before running into the forest. Edmund sighed, he hated not being able to help. Ever since the battle of beruna, peter never liked Edmund fighting anything remotely dangerous.
"Peter keeps forgetting that I'm a king too" Edmund said and Phillip sighed with him.
"He's only looking out for you..." Phillip said and Edmund nodded.
"I know..."
In that moment Edmund heard another wolf howl, even closer this time and he heard peter cry out loud.
"Peter..." Edmund whispered and Phillip rushed forward, knowing that the young king wanted to go and help his brother.
It didn't take long for Edmund to find his brother, laying on the floor with a harsh wound on his arm, a wolf claw mark.
"Stop!" Edmund shouted as he drew his sword and leaped off of  Phillip in a flash. He knew the wolves were about to finish peter off and he wouldn't let that happen.
Edmund held his sword out shakily but bravely, knowing that peter would do the same for him. He was surrounded and he knew how dangerous this situation was. Suddenly out of nowhere one of the wolves pounced on him, pinning him down. Edmund gripped his sword and swiftly killed the creature with it. He was never merciless but this was to protect his brother. He tried to get back to his feet but one of the wolves swiped his claw across Edmunds leg and he fell back down again, blood pouring to the floor. One thing peter had taught him was 'never let go of your sword' , so Edmund did. He could see Peter standing up as Edmund distracted the wolves.
"Run..." was all Edmund could say before the three other wolves leapt forward and attacked him.
"Edmund!" Peter shouted in fear and he tried to run forward and help. He should've been the one getting hurt, not Edmund. He should be protecting his little brother.
Edmund kicked one of the wolves off of him with his uninjured leg and knew he'd be close to death soon if he wasn't careful.
Peter clutched onto his own injuries, pushing through the pain as he used his sword to kill the wolves. Edmund was breathing shakily as he sat up clutching his leg in pain. Peter was still bleeding out and Edmund shuffled over to him.
"Pete....we need to get you back to Lucy....her healing cordial can help..." Edmund said.
"Why would you do that?!" Peter shouted, despite the pain he was in.
"Do what?" Edmund asked, taken aback by his brothers anger.
"Almost die again! For me!" He said in disbelief.
Edmund sighed "I can take care of myself....I wasn't just going to leave you to die peter, you do the same for me!" He said in his defence.
Peter looked down, knowing that Edmund was correct, and that peter would eventually need to stop protecting him.
"You need to trust that I'm the brave king that everyone else thinks I am" Edmund said, sounding more grown up than peter.
"Yeah....that just....it'll be difficult. To me...you'll always be my little brother" he said.
Edmund smiled "thanks...but either way. I'll always take a fall for you Pete" he said.
"I'd hug you but we're both in far too much pain..." Edmund said.
"Phillips gone to get help...until then we'll be okay...I brought some medical supplies with me"
"You're always prepared for anything..." peter said smirking and Edmund nodded "better to be ready than to panic.." he said simply.
Peter looked at his brother and saw the bravery that he always knew was there.