Peter slowly awoke. His body much stiffer than he last remembered. His head ached, but not as severe as last time. He felt something soft and cool on his head and chest.

Opening his bright eyes, Peter found himself looking at a banished sibling. She sat quietly reading. Her eyes scanned the pages of her book, unaware of Peter attentiveness.

Peter tried to sit, struck suddenly by his stiff muscles. He groaned in surprise, alerting Lucy of his state. She looked up form the book the moment he groaned. Dropping the book she hurried closer to the bed.

"Peter!" Lucy cried.

"What are you doing in here Luc?" Peter asked. His throat cracked due to not being used.

"Did you think I would be wondering the hall of Cair Paravel while you're in bed ill?" Lucy retorted. She eyes him softly.

"You could get sick too, Lucy." Peter pleaded. That was the last thing he wanted to see. He tried to sit up, proving that she didn't need to be with him. As he did, something fell from his head onto his shoulder. Peter collapsed back onto his bed, weakened.

Lucy reached for the cloth that had fallen from Peter's head. She dipped into the basin next to his bed and placed it back on his head. Peter felt himself cool immediately. Even more so, he couldn't smell the water.

"What happened?" Peter asked.

"After we were so graciously ushered from your chambers, you fainted. You temperature rose rapidly, we had to cool you down. So we gather a few towels and draped you in them. We thought it worked, only…" Lucy paused, unsure whether to continued.

"Only what Lucy?" Peter asked.

"Only you still became sick." Lucy finished.

Peter sighed. Even unconscious he managed to make a fool of himself in front of everyone.

Lucy turned back to the nightstand. She picked up a glass holding a clear liquid. She brought closer to him.

"Lu?"

"It's not tea, it's medicine." Lucy explained.

"Last time I tried to drink something, it didn't turn out so well." Peter replied.

"Well…this won't be the same. At least, I hope not." Lucy said.

"Well that makes me want to drink it even more." Peter said sarcastically. He rolled his eyes.

"That's not what I meant Peter. Valin made sure you won't smell it, or taste it. Just like the water. It supposed to make you better, it's just…not going to be very pleasant." Lucy explained.

"Lu, what could be more unpleasant than the state I'm in right now?" Peter asked.

'Well, you'll see what I mean. that is, if you choose to drink it." Lucy replied.

Peter sighed deeply. Lucy was holing his chance of a swifter recovery. However, did he really want to go through the roughest parts of his illness again?

He nodded. "Alright Lucy."

Lucy took his hand, helping him rise enough to drink. It burned down his throat as Peter drank. It felt like knives running down his neck, still he drank. There was no turning back now. Once the glass was completely empty, Peter coughed painfully.

"Does-" Peter coughed again roughly as he laid back. "Does Valin know you're here?"

Lucy set the glass back on the nightstand. "I suspect he does. He hasn't come to check on you since you fainted."

"Lucy, just how long ago was that?" Peter asked.

Lucy caught her slip up. "Um…well…Peter-"

"Lucy Pevensie how long!" Peter snapped. His throat seared. Probably what he deserves for snapping at his sister when she's only trying to help.

Lucy looked at Peter cautiously, "That was two days ago, Peter."

Peter couldn't believe it. He had been unconscious for two days! All because he was aching. This was unbelievable.

"Peter, don't overwork yourself." Lucy warned. "That medicine will start working very soon, and it's going to take a lot out of you."

Peter nodded. He began calming himself down. There was nothing to worry about. He was awake now, so there was absolutely nothing to get worked up about.

"What about the meetings I had scheduled?" Peter asked.

"Susan and Edmund took care of everything. That's also why they aren't here right now." Lucy answered.

Peter snorted. Leave it to his siblings to cover everything for him. He really was lucky. True he still wasn't pleased his was sick, but he was grateful that his siblings weren't letting him go through it alone.

"I really owe all of you now." Peter said.

"I think we can settle with you just getting better." Lucy replied.

Peter smiled. Suddenly his body jolted as unimaginable pain ravaged him. His eyes shut quickly. He yelled in pain, his hands balled into fists on his bed. Breathing became more difficult as his lungs felt like lead weights.

"Valin!" Lucy cried, only making Peter's head increase in pain.

Peter heard Valin and others coming running in. "King Peter! Lucy, did he drink the medicine?"

"Yes." Lucy answered.

"Then its taking effect. One hour, King Peter. One hour and everything will end." Valin explained.

How can I last one hour of this pain? Peter thought. He gasped as the pain increased greatly.

"Is there anything else we can do for him?" Susan asked. She sounded almost desperate.

"Be with him. Let him know you're there. That's all you can do." Valin answered.

Peter left a small hand take his. He didn't need to open his eyes to know it was Lucy. She had broken Valin's rules and spent two days with him. She wouldn't leave him now. For that, Peter was grateful for. Especially at this moment.

"Hold on Peter. Just hold on." Lucy whispered.

"It hurts Lu." Peter gasped.

Lucy held his hand tighter. "Only an hour Peter. Just for one hour."

Peter cried out as his chest burned like ten thousand fires. The pain was unbelievable. Peter sympathized with anyone who ever experienced this much pain. His mind began buzzing, clouding everything around him. Peter knew if he lost consciousness, it might all end. He tried as best he could to concentrate on Lucy's grasp, praying that she could get him through this.

"Stay with us Peter." Edmund called. His voice sounded distance. Seemingly miles from Peter.

"Come on Peter, don't give up." Susan begged.

Peters body began trembling from the pain. He felt himself drift further and further away against his wishes. He focused on his family, pleading for him to stay strong. As his body racked with pain, Peter wondered if he was strong enough to pull through. Would giving in to unconsciousness prove that he was not as strong as the people hoped? Would it prove to his family that he truly isn't ready for Narnia?

Peter gasped as the pain increased. He felt Lucy hold hid hand. Letting him know she was still there. Peter tried to reply by squeezing her hand, but the pain was too intense to even move. He lay in his bed, shaking, holing his sisters hand.

Time seemed to slow. Peter wondered how much time had past since the pain had begun. He had not the strength to ask. His throat still burned from the medicine. Even breathing caused him pain. There was nothing to divert his fading mind from this, even his siblings pleas began drifting from him.

"We're not leaving you Peter." Lucy promised.

For the first time in two days, Peter tightened his grip on Lucy's hand. He opened his eyes, gazing up at Lucy's worried face. Peter sighed in relief that she was still there. Suddenly realization set in; he felt no pain! Peter sat, slowly, easing his stiff muscles. His head no longer throbbed, no trouble breathing, and thankfully no nausea.

Peter laughed to himself. Lucy smiled and flung herself into his arms. Peter held her tightly. She had gotten him through this. She never left his side, despite her risk.

"Thank you Lucy." Peter whispered.

--

yay! ok, so how bad was that? i just couldn't seemt o find any humor in this as i did in another fic i wrote. although i minght do a sequal if anyone wants it. what did you think?