I slept fitfully that night, caught up in a vivid nightmare.

I was suddenly back in the midst of the Battle of Beruna. All around me the remains of Aslan's army were battling the Fell Creatures of the White Witch. I was fighting the best I could, feeling awkward with the foreign object in my hands. Using the basics that General Orieus had taught me naught but an hour or so ago, I cut down an ogre that was about to spear me. That was when I heard Peter's shout,

"Edmund! There's too many! Get out of here! Get the girls and get them home!" I stared at him. Was he insane? Did he really think that I was just going to leave him? Let him die? Before I could reply, Mr. Beaver was at my side, pulling on my hand and leading me up a grassy slope, away from my brother. I stopped to turn around. Peter was holding his own against a minotaur and an ogre, I didn't expect anything less. But I saw what he didn't: the White Witch, heading his way, determined to break the prophecy. My heart stopped and I yanked out of the beaver's grip. Adrenaline pumping, I drew my sword, ready to make my way through the throng to stop the Witch. I heard Mr. Beavers' startled exclamation behind me,

"Peter said get out of here!" His eyes were wide and I know he felt the same fear as I did, but he was intent on following the High King's order to get me to safety. I was not as concerned.

"Peter's not king yet!" I retorted, turning back to the White Witch. Time slowed down as I saw the repercussions of that one conversation.

"NO!" I ran, ran as fast as I could, shoving everyone aside, cutting down Fell Creatures in my path, hell bent on getting to my brother. I was almost there when I felt someone jerk me back, restraining me from going any farther.

"Ed! Edmund! Edmund!" the voice of my older sister was crying. I struggled against the arms that were holding me back, in hysterics, as I watched the scene play out. In front of me was the White Witch, standing triumphantly over my brother's, pale, lifeless body, his blood covering the sword held in her cold hands.

"PETER!" I burst upright, heart pounding erratically, sweat drenching my body. I was no longer on the battle field, but upon my own bed, Susan's worried face looming in front of me. Seeing my terrified state, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me tight against her. Sobs wracked my body as tears poured down my face. I couldn't get that image out of my head, the picture of Peter's blank, glassy eyes, never to see again.

"Shhhh," Susan whispered into my ear, "it was just a dream. You're safe Ed." I buried my face into her neck and she waited patiently for my tears to stop. After a long time, I pulled back, sheepishly wiping my tear stained face with my sleeve. Even as I calmed down, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that overwhelmed me. Susan glanced at me in concern,

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked gently. I shook my head, knowing if I told her my nightmare she would worry even more,

"Like you said," I whispered, my voice breaking, "It was just a dream." I forced a shaky smile. Susan knew that I wasn't telling the truth, and I knew that she didn't believe me, but, fortunately, she didn't push it. Instead, she just tucked me back under the covers and soothed my hair until I fell back asleep. I woke up the next morning with Susan's head on my stomach. I grimaced, knowing she would have a terrible crick in her neck when she woke up. I wiggled my arms out of the covers so I could shift her into a more comfortable position and watched her sleep peacefully. The early sun spilled across my bed and lighted her pale face and her dark hair, which was now spilling across my pillow. I studied my older sister's face, seeing familiar features that graced my own. There were however, dark circles under her eyes that were unfamiliar, signifying her worry and lack of sleep. I sighed, stroking her hair as she did mine last night, vowing to talk to her about getting more rest as soon as I could. I slipped out from underneath the covers and silently changed into my training tunic, ready to head down to the grounds to get beaten on again. After another grueling session, I went back to my room to see Susan in the same place she had been when I left. I took a bath to clean the sweat and grime off, before sliding back beside my sleeping sister. The door opened quietly and I heard the hushed voice of my other sister,

"Edmund? Have you seen Susan?" I glanced over and saw Lucy still in her night gown. When she saw Susan sleeping, she gave a small sigh of relief and said,

"Oh thank god, I've been looking everywhere for her," she paused, "What is she doing in your room?" Lucy asked as she clambered onto my bed on my other side.

"I had a nightmare," I replied. Lucy immediately looked concerned,

"Oh Ed!" she exclaimed quietly, "I thought you said you stopped having those."

"For the most part," I shrugged, "But once in awhile…It's fine, really." I insisted. Changing the subject, I said,

"So are you ready for our trip?" She brightened, her clear blue eyes sparkling with innocent joy, "Oh yes! It will be so good to see Mr. Tumnus and the Beavers again! I do miss them so." I grinned at her enthusiasm.

"We'll have a picnic at Glasswater Creek to celebrate Peter's homecoming," I promised, "And then we'll go and see Mr. Tumnus and the Beavers, and meet others too."

"That sounds like a plan," Susan's tired voice startled us both.

"Sleep well?" I asked. She smiled at me,

"I did actually." Then she winced, rubbing at the crick in her neck,

"Sorry," I said. She gave me a sincere look,

"I would do it again." We laid there for a long time, the three of us, talking and joking around just like we used to. It was when Gieio finally poked his head in and told us that our breakfast was already cold that we left our comfortable positions and headed out to meet the day. Our normal routines didn't vary much with Peter gone, though I had the extra load of both his duties and mine. But I continued to train every morn, then proceed to breakfast with Susan and Lu, court in the Grand Hall, and any other necessities that I needed to take care of. Susan and Lucy busied themselves with planning our expedition so it would be all ready for when Peter came back. I was so preoccupied with everything that I needed to finish that the next Seventh day came around extremely quickly. On that day, we were all anticipating Peter's arrival. Morning became afternoon and afternoon quickly became evening and there was still no sign of the small brigade that gone out. As the last of the day's light started fading, we stood by the castle gates, waiting for some hint that they were arriving. I was extremely worried, as was everyone else, though they tried not to show it. The sun had just disappeared when a cry rose up from the crowd. I spotted Ara, a gryphon that was sent with Peter, swooping down towards us. Landing before me, Susan, and Lucy, she took a moment to regain her breath before bowing low and announcing,

"Your royal brother sends word that things are taking longer than expected. They had a small tussle with the Fell Creatures a few days back but since then, the enemy has not been sighted. He wishes to stay another week or two to so he can be sure of no threat. He sends his love and would like me to tell you that he misses you all." I sighed, not pleased to hear that Peter would be gone any longer, but, as much as I hated it, I knew that it had to be done. I nodded at the gryphon, replying,

"Please tell Peter to quickly get done what he must and return to us safe," I paused, "And tell him that Lucy's threat still stands." I grinned at my sister. She gave a small smile back, then turned to the gryphon,

"Yes. And tell him that we miss him terribly too," Lucy said, unhappy at the prospect that Peter would not be returning today.

"And make sure he is eating enough, won't you?" Susan fretted, adding her own. Ara nodded her head,

"As you wish my Queen," she spread her wings and took flight into the dark night. We at Cair watched silently as she flew out of sight before turning back to the palace.

NnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNnNn

"Peter!" I spun away from my conversation with Bront (who had been arranging a small guard for our trip) at Lucy's joyful shout just in time to see my younger sister almost tackle Peter to the ground. A big smile spread across his tanned face as he caught her and spun her around, laughter ringing through the air. I grinned myself before hurrying over to where my older brother was being ambushed by both of the girls. He detangled himself from them and pulled me into his arms.

"I missed you," was his first statement. He then pulled back and studied me, smirking, "I've been gone three weeks! How do you grow so much in three weeks?" I was proud. Indeed, I had experienced a (painful) growth spurt that had left me about an inch or so taller. I shrugged my shoulders shyly but before I could reply, Lucy grabbed Peter's hand and started dragging him towards the kitchen, exclaiming all the while,

"Come see the preparations we have done! Edmund promised a picnic and…" I laughed at my sister's unhindered liveliness and the bewildered look on my brother's face. I was happy that he was home again.

"Let's go," Susan said, looking just amused as I felt, "before Lucy decides she would like to pack up and leave right now." And as we drew near, I heard Peter's overwhelmed exclamation,

"Now wait up Lu!" I felt at peace, yes, everything was just the way it was supposed to be.

A/N: I kind of BSed this chapter, sorry for that, but all of my creative juices are currently being used for a huge essay I am expected to write for school. Anyways, the fun is just beginning because *drum roll please* I finally got a solid plot line down! Yay me! So you know the drill, leave a review, tell me what you think.