A/N So I don't know where this came from. I had two notebook sheets left and put pencil to paper and this came out. It's just Peter thinking about how Narnia has affected his brother and whether or not he likes it. I have another story in mind with similar thoughts for our High King but I don't know when I will get it out. Please let me know what you think of this!! Thanks!

A long scar, shoulder to shoulder, across the chest. A thin scar along the hair line. Multiple former wounds marring the back and sides. One jagged ghost of a puncture wound in the left, upper thigh. And finally one gruesome, terrible scar over the heart of the eighteen year old king who was swimming in the river with his sisters.

High King Peter sat on the bank, clad only in his trousers, having decided to take a break from swimming and watch his family. Lucy splashed Susan playfully and Edmund, in turn, dunked Lucy. The move afforded the older king another look at his scar ridden back. Yes the kings kept Narnia safe but at what cost? Was it worth it?

Edmund came over to his brother and shook out his dark mop of hair, effectively splattering Peter, and plopped down next to him.

"I know that look. What could possibly trouble you on a day as beautiful as this one?" Peter smiled. Leave it to Edmund.

"Nothing, brother. Just being contemplative today."

"Never a good thing." Peter looked at his brother and studied the scars more closely. Edmund quickly caught on and almost unknowingly brought his hand up to trace the scar on Peter's arm. A scar that was the memory of a wound that had pinned his brother to the ground. In truth, Peter had just as many scars as Edmund. His back and sides were similarly adorned with them and his shoulder still showed where a wolf had tried to rip flesh from bone.

"My story is written on my body. Every effort to keep Narnia safe, every step closer to manhood…every failure." At this Edmund touched the scar on his heart. "I wear them proudly and am grateful I was given the opportunity to earn them." Fierce pride burned in his dark eyes.

Realization hit Peter like a Minotaur's horns. As much as his very nature command he protect his sibling from harm, Edmund was growing up. He was a king and had every right to fight and bleed for his country and Aslan knew he was gifted with a sword. But must he grow up so fast?

Peter studied the proud, noble face of his brother. Gone was that boy who needed him for everything. Gone was the angry boy who left him and came back broken. In his stead was a man that Peter trusted fully at his side in battle or politics. A companion. A friend. Edmund would always be his little brother, but he was also an equal now.

"It's worth it, Ed." Edmund smiled and nodded in understanding.

"It is. Now, let us go terrorize the queens." He said, rising to his feet with a mischievous grin on his face as he offered his hand to help his brother stand. Peter grinned as well, accepting the hand. After all, they didn't have to be grown-up all the time!