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Just and Magnificent	By : SubOrbital Category: A through F > Chronicles of Narnia Views: 11258 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Title: Just and Magnificent

Chapter: 7 - A New Age

Pairing: Peter/Edmund

Rating: PG – 13

Summary: In the wake of the battle at Cair Paravel, Peter begins rebuilding his kingdom. Susan will not forgive him for letting Edmund fall. Covers the year following the battle with the nameless evil. This is the final chapter of Volume 1.

Disclaimer: C.S. Lewis owns the characters. I just love them!

Warnings: Incest, slash. Romance. Movieverse. Slight AU.

Thank you to everyone who has written feedback and reviews. They've inspired me to write this story. This is the final chapter of this Volume. This story is set in the movieverse of Narnia.
DREAMS SENT TO RUBBLE
“Majesty! We must leave this place.” Seeko, the mighty griffon called out as he flew down through the open roof of the north tower, “The spire is collapsing. The giant’s attacks on the base were too much for it to sustain. The spire will fall and the entire tower will collapse with it!”
“Take the girls.” Peter said, refusing to stand up from his slump over dead wraith, “Send another to retrieve Oerius.”
“Majesty, what of you?”
“Do as I say.” Peter commanded.
Susan still sobbed with Lucy comforting her, while Oerius surveyed the damage to the spire’s base. Indeed, it was obvious the spire was about to collapse, even though many of the resurrected giants from the fallen army were doing their best to hold it steady.
Though Peter was quite happy to let the world crumble down around him, his mantle of high king and his responsibility to Susan and Lucy prevented him from doing the unthinkable. Slowly, he stood to his feet and rushed a still angry Susan to Seeko. The griffon lifted Susan and Lucy into the air with him and flew up out of the roof. Watching them leave, Peter moved to the edge of the platform and stared down at the rushed panic below. The Shian, Narnian, and Fallen armies all rushed to leave the giant tower while Peter simply stood staring down.
“Sire, we must leave this place now! It’s what he would want, Sire.” Oerius said as two more griffon came in through the roof.
Peter said nothing as both he and Oerius were plucked from the platform just as it began to crumble and fall. As they flew up out of the roof, the entire tower began hurtling to the ground. The sadness on Peter’s face was obvious as he looked at the building collapse. He wondered if Edmund had found the peace he sought so hard for, and that had been kept from him for over a year. He took solace in the tower’s destruction, for left standing it would only remind him of the fallen king. And just like Cair Paravel would need to be rebuilt, so would his heart and his life. He wondered whether he would find the peace in life that he hoped Edmund had finally found in death.
As he soared through the air on his griffon, surveying the damage to Cair Paravel, he could barely believe the events of recent times. From the revelation of the Kjell Army, to the surprising aid of the Fallen Army. To find Edmund again and for an all too brief moment, having him by his side. Finally to the horror of the nameless evil’s assault on Cair Paravel that brought the great city to it’s knees.
He began to realize how much stronger he was with Edmund by his side. How much more confident he felt. How much Edmund truly felt like the other half of his being. For a small moment, he felt whole again. And yet looking down at the north tower that had collapsed with so much force, it had fallen through to the caverns beneath. He knew looking down at rubble of the tower, that his future was buried with it.
“Goodbye, Ed.”
REJOICE, WE FREE OF NARNIA
All through Narnia, there was much rejoicing. Unlike the last victory against Jadis at Beruna, this victory somehow brought closure to her reign of terror. There was a feeling of exhaltation the likes of which Narnia had not seen in a hundred years. Yet at Cair Paravel, the rejoicing was tempered with great sadness. Less then three days after the battle had ended, the city was finally able to start burying it’s dead. Such was the size of the dead, that a memorial was held in their honor, to be hosted by King Peter, and witnessed by all who chose to attend.
“Jadis has been defeated.” Peter said with a heavy sigh, standing before the rubble of the north tower, “Because of people like … Rask the fox, my loyal aide, who fought to his death to keep Queen Susan safe.”
Peter paused as Susan began weeping silent tears at the mention of the loyal fox. Her performance in the battle had not been lost on Peter, or on any who fought for her before his return. He would be certain to thank her for holding the city, just as soon as she would speak to him again. For since Edmund’s death, she had not once acknowledged him unless forced to by protocol.
“Because of the Shian Kingdom coming to our aid. Because of the Fallen Army of Beruna returning to Cair Paravel like angels watching over us. Because of the thousands of Narnian who fought with their lives so that we could stand here today and say … we are free. Because of … King Edmund the Just, who sacrificed his own life so that Jadis would lose her last opportunity to breathe life in Narnia again. Without all of this, we would not be standing here. To those who paid with their lives, we thank them and strive to be worthy of their sacrifice. To those who are left behind, it is for us to rebuild Cair Paravel and Narnia. Let us never forget the sacrifice of those we remember today. But do not grieve for their loss. Be grateful for their courage. Be grateful that because of them, we are standing here today. Rejoice … for we are still a free Narnia!”
TO REBUILD A KINGDOM
The blood from Cair Paravel was not easily washed away. Rebuilding the great city would take longer than any could predict. Yet more pressing to Peter was the morale of his people. Less than a week after the end of the historic battle with Jadis’s army, Peter was already working with the engineers to rebuild Narnia and with the kingdom planners to plot out events that would bolster the spirits of his subjects. It served to distract him from his own grief.
Peter’s heart did not recover from Edmund’s death. The first time there still lay a spark of hope and passion inside him. Something he couldn’t place until Edmund’s return a year later. Yet now he simply felt hopeless inside, so he turned his attention to his official duties. There was no anger left in him, just as there was little hope. He was neither morbid nor joyous. To many, he was almost a member of the fallen army before their resurrection, neither alive nor dead.
Susan did not speak to Peter again after Edmund’s death in the north tower. He did not blame his sister for being angry. In a way, he felt deserving of her torment. And though all in the kingdom, including Lucy, would try to mend the gaps between them, it appeared that they grew further apart with each day.
Peter contemplated abdicating himself from the crown once Cair Paravel was rebuilt, but he believed that would render Edmund’s sacrifice meaningless. And as much as the empty ache inside him yearned to leave Narnia, he would not do so at the cost of disrespecting Edmund’s memory. So instead he did his best to return Narnia to glory. And somehow, he would live his life until his days were over, at which time he hoped to finally be reunited with his Edmund. Until then, his duty called.
Today that duty required him to be present for a trade settlement between two distant kings. This was something Susan was far more apt to handle. She had a gentle way of getting two parties to compromise without feeling as though they were slighted by the other. Unfortunately for him, she had become ill and was unable to mediate the deliberations.
As much as Peter tried to reason between the two parties, all they seemed to do was counter one proposal with an accusation or mistrust. After four hours of arguing back and forth, Peter could take no more. To Oerius’s great amusement, Peter picked up his sword and smashed the table in two between the two kings.
“I did not fight the white witch so I could sit here and listen to you two babble on about who has the most blades of grass. Unless you find a way to compromise, both your kingdoms will be doomed. So in that spirit, neither of you is leaving this room until you sign a new treaty. Do you understand me?”
Peter rolled his eyes as he turned away, Oerius falling into line beside him as they left the chambers. True to his word, Peter locked the chamber doors behind him and smirked at his centaur. His loyal friend did his best to keep his amusement in check, but it was obvious to Peter that his friend was clearly loving the high king’s diplomacy.
“Well … they’ll either kill each other or sign a treaty just to get out of the room.” Peter grinned, “Either way, I’d say it was a splendid tactic. What do you think, Old friend?”
“Most agreeable, Sire.”
The high king ordered Oerius to take the rest of the day off. An instruction the centaur found quite unsettling. He wasn’t quite sure what to do with himself, a fact which King Peter quickly noticed.
“And that is why you must have the day off. You spend far too much time serving me, Oerius. Surprise your friends with a visit. Go riding. In fact … I order you to take the rest of the week for yourself, no duties at all.”
“Sire, have I offended you?” Oerius asked looking most horrified.
“No, but you will if you don’t make the most of your time off. When was the last time you ever had time off since I have been in Narnia?”
“I …”
“Exactly. I will be just fine, Oerius. Now go on, have some fun.” smiled a winsome Peter.
Watching the centaur trot away looking as though he’d just been punished, Peter couldn’t help smiling. It was true, he enjoyed the company of his loyal general, but Peter believed there was more to life than simply duty. And after the uproar of the last two years, he wanted Oerius to spend some time on himself.
Without realizing it, Peter found himself walking to Susan’s chambers. For thinking of spending time on himself, he realized he had barely given himself a free moment since the battle against the nameless evil. He felt an urge to try and make peace with his sister, because even as the most popular king in Narnia’s history, he found himself incredibly lonely. Lucy was often away on some mission of delight, to bring joy to other’s lives. Something Peter found especially delightful about his youngest sister.
“Su?” Peter called as he knocked on her door.
He received no answer, but the door was slightly ajar so he popped his head through. He knew she would scowl or throw something at him, but he didn’t care. It was time to make peace. He needed her forgiveness.
Surprisingly, her room was empty. He began wandering aimlessly around the castle, unsure of what to do with himself. He despised these moments when duty required no attention. These moments when his mind was free to wander and linger. For it was at these moments that he still thought of his Edmund. It’s true, his grief had subsided some, but only because he chose to keep his feelings buried. It was for this reason that he dared not shed a tear since Edmund’s death. For one tear he believed would trigger a wave of emotion that he would not be able to hold back. And so he went through each day burying the part of himself that could feel anything, until he was almost a different person. Until he began to operate on habit and instinct, rather than emotion and heart.
He finally found Susan in the main courtyard while he was lost in his thoughts. When he finally locked eyes onto her, she looked as though she’d been caught red handed in the middle of some dastardly deed. That dastardly deed involved a bow and a target. A target that Peter realized he was standing almost directly beside. Susan let the arror in her bow fly straight at the bullseye, but Peter didn’t even flinch. He knew her aim was flawless, and if she intended to hit him, running would do no good. So instead, he simply nodded as the arrow missed him by an inch and stuck dead center of the bullseye.
“I thought you were ill.” Peter sighed, looking at the disdain on Susan’s face.
She barely registered his presence before reloading her bow. She let the next arrow fly, this time inching ever closer to Peter, who still refused to move. He could see the hatred in her eyes as she looked at him. It was a sensation he found particularly devastating, and pulled at that place inside him that still felt real. Still she would not acknowledge him, and Peter found he could bare no more. Finally, as Susan loaded her bow again, he stepped directly in front of the target, placing the bullseye directly behind him. Susan pulled the arrow back as if she was still thinking about firing it, until finally she relented. She spoke at last, though her tone was guarded and defensive, and overly submissive. This was the tone she always spoke to Peter in now. And it was a tone he couldn’t stand, which is why he would often walk away before he let his frustrations get the better of him.
“I wonder what it would be like to kill my own blood?” Susan taunted as she held her bow back up, “What is it like, Peter?”
“Su …” sighed a hurt Peter, “That’s not fair.”
“Does your majesty require something of me?” Susan said with a slight bow of her head.
“Su, how long are you going to do this to me?” Peter asked, a longing despair in his voice.
“Not long, Majesty. I assure you.” Susan said turning away from Peter, “I’m leaving Narnia.”
“What?”
“I’m taking Lucy and we’re leaving. You can sit on that throne all you like, but … I’m not happy here. And quite frankly … I hate you.” snapped a Susan simmering with anger.
“Because … I loved Edmund?”
“Don’t be absurd, Peter. How can I hate you for loving him? It breaks my heart to see you despair so much without him. The love you had … that you might still have, it is a true and pure love, Peter. And in Narnia, no one can ever think less of you for that. If you loved Edmund, he wouldn’t have died at Beruna. You could’ve told him before then! But no, that’s not why I hate you. I hate you because it wasn’t enough to kill him once, you had to kill him again! I forgave you the first time, because … I could understand why you didn’t tell him. But the second time, how long did you have with him before you finally told him and brought him back to life? Why did you wait till Jadis was inside him! If you had of told him before then, she wouldn’t have been able to get into him! He would’ve been alive now!”
Nodding in agreement, before letting out a disappointed sigh, Peter sat down and cast his eyes to the ground. He realized now just why he had put off this attempt at peace with Susan. It was because dealing with her would mean dealing with these feelings of guilt that still lingered inside him. Feelings of despair and failure, and the ever building question ‘What if I didn’t let him go?’. He would never know the answer to that question now. All he could do was nod and agree as Susan stated the painfully obvious. He could argue that he did what was necessary for Narnia, and she would challenge him with her logic. It was an argument he found himself on the backfoot of. She would challenge his faith in Aslan and the prophecy with her belief in logic and creating your own fate and destiny.
“I … know …” Peter began to say, unable to meet Susan’s glare, “I let him go. I killed him. I killed Edmund not once, but twice, by failing him and by … letting him go. Is that what you want me to say? You want me to admit that all of this is my doing? Fine, Su. I killed Edmund.”
“Say it again.” Susan said bitterly, as she stepped forward and forced Peter to look her in the eye.
“I killed Edmund.”
Peter didn’t flinch as he felt the sting of Susan’s hand slap him across the face. He barely flinched again when she repeated the slap. No one could chide him like Susan did. She was the only being in the whole of Narnia who would dare to lay a hand on the high king. She knew if anyone saw, she could very well be tried for treason, but Peter knew just as well that she didn’t care.
“Well … are you going to have me arrested or not?” Susan asked with bitter tears in her eyes.
“Of course not, Su.” insisted Peter, “Why do you say such things?”
“You’ve already proven you have no problem killing your own family.” Susan cried, her eyes full of angry and surprisingly vulnerable tears, “Why not me too?”
For the first time, Peter found an anger equal to Susan’s. He could handle her blaming him for Edmund’s death. He felt he deserved that. He could even handle her fearlessly slapping him around. Yet the accusation that he would have no problem killing her was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Were she a man, he believed he would’ve struck her down where she stood with a backhand across the face. However, he had never hit a lady and he never would. Yet the glare in his eyes was equal to any physical attack he could’ve dished out.
“I can see there’s no getting through to you.” Peter said adjusting his tunic, “You may leave when it suits you. But I will see Lucy before you leave with her.”
Peter turned from Susan and walked away as swiftly as he could, trying his best to look dignified and composed. He felt tears stinging his eyes and cursed himself to push them back in. He’d barely walked ten steps before he felt Susan’s hand on his shoulder.
“Say you’re sorry.” Susan insisted.
“What?” Peter asked, wondering what Susan was on about.
“Say you’re sorry for Edmund. Say you didn’t mean to kill him. Say you didn’t want him to die.”
“Su, you know I …”
“You never said it though! Not once since he died! You never said it!” Susan cried, “Why, Peter?”
“I’m sorry!” Peter yelled, finally letting the tears out from deep within him, “I’m sorry! I killed him and I’m sorry! I didn’t want him to die! I’m miserable and I hate myself and I’ll never forgive myself for letting him go! It’s my fault … and I’m sorry. Are you happy now? Is that what you wanted me to say?”
Finally Peter cried out in a wail that could be heard throughout the castle. He slumped on the nearest bench with his head in his hands, tears streaming down his face. The long buried blame and grief that he’d kept inside was finally free. He slipped naturally into Susan’s embrace as she sat down and comforted him. They wept together, grieving for Edmund, who was both a brother to Susan, and more to Peter. She grieved once more like a mother for her child. Peter grieved for a love he’d barely known, but could never forget. Susan confided that her anger at him was equaled by her anger at herself, for she too felt as though she’d failed Edmund. Though her failure was that of a mother who’d failed to watch over her own. Her anger stemmed back to their first entry into Narnia when she still felt she had been too hard on Edmund. She could barely remember a time when she hadn’t been too hard on him. And for that, she was sorry, and said so to Peter.
Finally, after months of icy conversation and bitter anger, Peter and Susan buried their grief together and made peace. Susan decided she would not leave Narnia, and neither would Lucy. And though there was never any formal declaration of their making peace, Narnia knew, and were glad for it. Slowly, as their city was rebuilt, so were the bonds of the ruling royals.
THE PAST IS GONE, MOVE ON
Slowly, life found a new beat in Narnia. King Peter and Queen Susan worked together to bring Cair Paravel back to it’s former glory. Soon all of Narnia would celebrate in the heralding of a new age in Narnia. Where once the north tower had crumbled to ruin, a landmark had been placed to remember the fallen from that dark day in Narnian history. Susan thought it would be quite fitting to turn the entire area into an outdoor pavilion that could be used for all manner of events. To mark it’s official dedication and the complete restoration of Cair Paravel, Susan declared that a Golden Ball would be held to ring in a new era for Narnia.
Peter believed in the ideals of the Golden Ball, but rolled his eyes somewhat cynically when Susan insisted he dress his very best. He always dressed his best, but that was Susan’s way of telling him she would be hunting for a potential partner for the high king. It had become a game that neither was winning very quickly. At every official function, Peter would try to find a suitor worthy of Susan’s attention. And she in turn would find one for him. He seemed to have little luck in finding anyone who could temper Susan’s insatiable appetite for intelligent conversation, and concern for the less fortunate.
For all her persistent trying, he never believed he would ever find a new companion. His heart was closed to such notions. Yet he entertained Susan’s attempts nonetheless. For some reason, she more often than not chose Princess Eris as a steady dance partner for Peter. Peter would humor Susan, and remark to Eris on how much he enjoyed her company. Yet he never made an official request to court her.
“She won’t wait forever, Peter.” Susan smiled, “Or do you insist on keeping that throne empty?”
Susan pointed to the throne that Edmund had never once sat in. He died before the coronation, and his brief return to Cair Paravel did not allow time to indulge in thrones. Yet even though Edmund had never once sat in his throne, no one had once suggested it be removed. Only now did Peter find that curious. And he wondered whether perhaps, it was time to finally put the past behind him. Perhaps the dawn of the new age should not just be for Narnia, but for him as well.
“That throne … is still Edmund’s.” Peter sighed, “But … it … will be removed. We will place it in the museum so that people will know that throne belongs to … King Edmund the Just.”
“See … that’s the spirit.” Susan smiled tearfully as she kissed Peter’s forehead, “We don’t have to forget him. He will always have a place inside us, Peter. But it is time for you to turn your attention to the living. And that includes yourself, don’t you think so?”
“Very well, Su.”
A NEW AGE BEGINS
The day had finally arrived to wipe clean the horror of the past and ring in a new age of peace for Narnia. An age that Peter hoped would last as long as he lived. Guests from all over Narnia and beyond were present for the Golden Ball. And though a year had passed since the battle at Cair Paravel, the memory of that horrible time still lingered in the hearts and minds of many in attendance.
Today however a decidedly optimistic vibe filled Cair Paravel. A feeling of hope pervaded every street. Every faun, centaur, and beast who walked the city. Every creature who basked in the radiant sunlight that the day offered. Even rumors of the great lion walking the woods seemed to add to the sensation that today was the beginning of a new age for Narnia.
Peter had given his speech to celebrate the lives of those who had fallen and dedicated the site of the northern tower to the future hope of Narnia. Tonight it would serve as the outdoor dance area for the golden ball. He’d also mentioned and thanked officially the Shian Kingdom for marching to Narnia’s aid. A gesture that was sincerely appreciated by a grateful Princess Eris. A Princess Eris that Peter had to admit was steadily gaining his attention. She already had his respect, and up till now, he left it at that. Yet the yearning in his heart to be held and to be loved was knocking on his doorstep. How long could he hold onto a memory? How long could he hold onto a ghost?
Edmund himself had urged Peter to go after Princess Eris. Perhaps he sensed something in her. Perhaps he knew his time with Peter was fleeting. It pained Peter to think of Edmund, but it was slowly becoming easier for him to deal with. And yet he also feared that growing ease inside his heart. If he forgot how much it hurt him to lose Edmund, did that then negate the depth of their love?
The ball felt almost like de ja vu for Peter. He intentionally singled out Princess Eris for his first dance partner, and looked around for some dark knight that would perhaps be watching them. He hoped for another miracle, before realizing that Jadis was right. You only get one miracle, Little King. He gave his miracle up. Time had well passed for him to accept that.
“Perhaps tonight, Su.” Peter said to himself, before turning his attention back to Princess Eris, “My lady, are you enjoying your evening? I hope Narnia has been treating you well on your stay here.”
“It has, Ma…”
“Peter, please.” Peter smiled warmly, “Must I always remind you of that?”
“I’m afraid you must. At least until such time as … our relationship becomes something … less formal.” Eris said with eyes bright as her smile.
And there it was. The moment Peter had been waiting for. An opportunity in his heart and mind to see whether he was ready to let go of the past and move on with the future. He could see an invitation when it was given to him. He’d intentionally ignored any signals she had given him up till now, but what excuse could he give Susan in the morning for brushing off Eris’s advances?
And so Peter decided it was time to leave the past where it was. As if seizing some moment before it ran from him, he pulled Princess Eris aside. Feeling something strange and warm inside him, almost like butterflies, he held her hand and smiled at her.
“I wonder perhaps … if … I could be so bold as to …” Peter asked, occasionally looking either side of himself for that dark knight to come and give him reason to stop.
The dark knight did not come. So Peter resigned himself to the future and said goodbye to Edmund finally. Though he could almost feel the fallen king smiling at him and telling him to hurry up and ask her already.
“May I have permission to … court you?” Peter asked, trying not to sound as nervous as he felt.
“I thought you would never ask.” Eris replied with a gracious smile, “Though you do keep a lady waiting.”
“Forgive me.” Peter smiled, “I …”
“Princess Eris, forgive me for interrupting.” Eris’s aide, Jesahn, asked as he bowed to Peter, “I have just received news from the homeland.”
“Peter, would you please excuse me?”
Peter nodded graciously as the princess rushed away. He couldn’t help feeling both exhilarated, and a sense of sadness at finally taking that step forward with someone new. It was all rather overwhelming and he found himself taking leave of the Golden Ball to get some fresh air away from the thousands of guests.
He stood upon the throne room balcony, looking out over the ocean. He could hear the sounds of laughter and music emanating from the Golden Ball down below. He smiled proudly to himself, realizing just what Edmund had sacrificed himself for. It was for these moments when no one thought of tomorrow or yesterday, but simply on the here and now. When all that consumed people were the pleasures of a friend’s joke, the company of friends and family, a simple dance with a loved one or friend, a look of recognition, or a grateful smile. These were the moments that Narnia was built for.
“I see you’ve made a new friend. It’s about bloody time, don’t you think so, Peter?”
Peter tried not to smile too much as he heard the familiar voice. As long as he lived he would know that voice. With a small laugh, Peter turned around to see Edmund leaning against the railing beside with a mischievous smirk on his face.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to come and haunt me.” Peter laughed, “What took you so long?”
“I’ve been busy.” Edmund laughed, “Battles wage on in ways you cannot imagine, Peter. Didn’t Aslan tell you that? It’s nice to see you happy though. So you finally asked out Princess Pretty Eyes?”
“I did, Ed. Is that why you’re here?”
“Well …” Edmund shrugged, “Not really.”
“Just coming to haunt me then?”
“Just making sure you’re … living, Peter. That’s all. I have the odd sensation I won’t need to do it again.” Edmund said smiling at Peter, “I guess … I was hoping I could have one last dance before I go. Before … you go to her.”
Edmund held out his hand and Peter felt a stirring in his stomach. If he felt butterflies in his stomach when he’d asked Eris for permission to court her, then he felt dragons at the invitation to touch Edmund again. If only in his mind.
“I promise I’m a better dancer than I made out to be.” Edmund said with a slight blush, “Just one dance, Peter.”
Peter closed his eyes as he stretched out his hand. He remembered what happened last time Edmund’s spirit came to visit him. They couldn’t actually touch. Yet Peter hoped it would be different now. Maybe if he just closed his eyes, he could pretend.
“Ed …” Peter said, unable to keep his eyes shut, “Isn’t there some way you can visit me like this every night? I promise, I won’t court her.”
“Peter …” Edmund sighed in disappointment, “I thought you’d moved on. I should never have come. This was a mistake. I’m sorry, Peter.”
Peter was about to speak when he was distracted by the sound of a mighty roar. An unmistakable roar. A roar he’d only heard in his dreams for two years. Yet he knew he wasn’t dreaming now. Aslan had returned!
“Uh oh.” Edmund smirked, “I’m not supposed to be here. But before I go, can I ask you something?”
“Anything, Ed. Anything.”
“Do I still have your heart, Peter?”
“Ye…”
Once again the roar of the great lion shattered the silence of the evening. Peter instinctively turned his attention to the Golden Ball far below, and thought he could just make out the lion making his entrance. He turned back to Edmund, and realized he was alone. He cursed himself inside, for both letting Edmund leave him, and for being so madly in love with a ghost, that he had already begun to work out how he would politely apologize to Eris. For he would no longer be able to court her. He realized even now, his heart was owned. Owned by a dead king.
Deciding he best hurry down to greet Aslan, Peter quickly adjusted himself. He knew the golden age must truly be upon them, as Aslan himself had returned. Aslan’s presence would surely raise the spirits of Narnia and Peter was anxious to see the great lion.
With a mixture of anticipation and despair, Peter made his way back down to the Golden Ball. He was anxious to see Aslan, but also despairing over his futile efforts to move on with his life without Edmund.
With a deep breath, Peter stood before the main doors to the north. He could hear the raised buzz of voices outside the huge doors. No doubt the crowd were still in amazement over Aslan’s return. He could hear cheering and the sound of Aslan speaking, but could not make the words out over the incessant jubilation of the crowd.
Peter prepared himself mentally to make a great speech about Aslan’s return. He prepared himself to apologize to Eris for being unable … or unwilling to let free his heart just yet. He prepared himself for the endless handshakes he would make with foreign dignitaries, congratulating him on Cair Paravel’s wondrous restoration. He even prepared himself for Susan’s wrath at not courting Eris.
What he did not prepare himself for as the doors began to open, was the sight of Aslan standing in the middle of an empty dance floor. What he did not prepare himself for was the undivided attention of almost every guest who could lay their eyes on him. What he did not prepare himself for, was the sight of Edmund standing beside Aslan.
Edmund stood calmly as ever, staring back at Peter with a smile. For a few moments, Peter believed this was simply a dream or Edmund’s spirit making a return visit. So to save himself looking like he’d finally gone mad, he made his way to the dance floor. He smiled at the guests, waving occasionally. He ignored Edmund, keeping his eyes on the crowd and on Aslan. When he finally reached the great lion, he dropped to one knee and bowed.
“Aslan, it as an awfully unexpected pleasure to have you here.” Peter said sounding a little nervous.
“Thank you, Peter.” Aslan said with a smile in his voice, before he placed his paw on Peter’s shoulder, “Rise, Son of Adam. I have missed you greatly. But as you know, Peter. Battles wage on in ways you cannot imagine.”
“I told him that, Aslan. But I don’t think he was really paying attention.” Edmund said, rolling his eyes, “Think he was too busy looking for Princess Pretty Eyes.”
“Peace, Edmund. Is that any way to greet the high king of Narnia?”
“Oh, right.” Edmund smirked, “Forgive me, your highness.”
Edmund bowed slightly, a grin still plastered on his face. Peter had not said a word the whole conversation Edmund had with Aslan. He truly believed he was going mad now. And yet still he refused to acknowledge Edmund, in case the crowd started thinking he was mad as well.
“Peter, do you have nothing to say to Edmund?”
“What?” Peter asked in confusion, “Aslan … what’s going on? Am I dreaming?”
Aslan laughed at the high king, his gentle and soothing presence gave Peter a sense of ease. Something Peter was particularly grateful for right now, as he felt like he had gone stark raving mad. He wondered if perhaps he’d drunk too much or perhaps the stress of Edmund’s loss had simply pushed him over the edge. Finally, as if to prove his sanity, he shoved his hand towards Edmund’s chest. He knew as soon as it passed through, he’d know that Edmund was simply a figment of his imagination.
It was a fine plan. Except his hand didn’t pass through Edmund. No, in fact right now Edmund sat on the courtyard floor glaring up at Peter as if he really had gone stark raving mad.
“Hey! What’d you do that for?” Edmund asked, looking rather hurt, “I was just kidding about calling her Princess Pretty Eyes. I like her, I do. She’s great for you, Peter.”
“Shut up.” Peter panicked pushing his index finger against Edmund’s forehead, “You’re not real.”
“Ow! Stop it!” Edmund snapped, slapping Peter’s hand away, “What the hell is wrong with you, Peter?”
“I … I saw you die.” Peter said shaking his head as he stepped away, “Why are you doing this? Why do you keep coming back, just when I think I’m going to be ok? This isn’t real. You’re not real!”
“You saw me fall. You let me go! Did you actually see me die?” Edmund said as Aslan helped him to his feet, “Thank you, Aslan. At least some people here still have manners.”
“Peter, what are you doing?” Susan yelled, stepping out of the crowd, “Why are you pushing Edmund?”
As soon as Peter heard Susan speak, he froze. So he wasn’t the only person who could see Edmund? No, he still wouldn’t believe it. It was simply too good to be true. He wouldn’t let himself believe it was really Edmund, only to be disappointed when he realized he was either mad or dreaming.
“Aslan, I don’t think it was a good idea to come back here. Maybe I can come back with you?” Edmund said still looking at Peter with disappointment, “I don’t think I’m welcome here.”
“Peace, Edmund. Peter is simply … unsure of the nature of your being here. I think he believes you are … a figment of his imagination.”
“Peter …” Edmund said slapping Peter suddenly, “Doesn’t that feel real to you?”
“Oh …” Peter said holding his cheek as if it was the best feeling he’d ever experienced, “I felt that.”
“Well you’re going to feel it again if you don’t snap out of it, Peter. I’m alive, Peter. You wouldn’t believe the adventure I’ve been on. I mean, when you let me go … I thought I was goner, but …he was there, in the caverns, and he …”
“No, Edmund. He isn’t ready. He must simply understand that because he did let you go, because you both did a selfless act to save Narnia, you are here today. Were either of you hesitant in your actions, Jadis would be here today and the rest of us would not. And though your grief has been more than most should have to suffer, I thank you. I am sorry we could not inform you of Edmund’s survival, but as I have said before, Peter. Battles wage on in ways you cannot imagine. One day though, I am sure Edmund will tell you of his adventures.” Aslan said with a hearty laugh, “He is quite the fighter, Peter. And do you know the main reason he fought, Peter?”
“No, Aslan. I know nothing.”
“He fought so that he could come back to you. And now that Edmund is here, Peter, you have a choice. I see his throne has been removed. You may choose to restore Edmund’s throne here and he will serve Narnia rightfully as he should have two years ago, as King Edmund the Just. Or … he will leave you now and return with me to the veil beyond the sea, where he will fight again in the battles that wage on in ways you cannot imagine, so that you do not have to fight them yourself.”
“You’ve been alive this whole time?” Peter said with a simmering anger as he glared at Edmund, “And you couldn’t find a way to let me know?”
“Peter … it wasn’t in my power, I swear. I couldn’t reach you.” said a flabbergasted Edmund.
“You had me believe you were dead this whole time? I grieved for you, twice! I blamed myself for letting you go, because I thought you were dead.” Peter growled, not even thinking of what he was saying, but rather speaking on instinct, “Do you have any idea what I’ve been through?”
“Hey!” Edmund yelled, his face twisted in sudden anger, “Do you think I enjoyed being some dead soldier for hire? Being away from my life for a year! Then coming back to fight beside you, to fight for the girls, to fight for Narnia, and then be pulled away from all of it again? Any idea what you’ve been through? What the hell do you think I’ve been through? Forget it, Aslan. As far as I’m concerned, I should never have returned.”
Before Peter realized what was happening, Edmund was kissing the girls goodbye. He still couldn’t think straight. His mind was still absorbing the fact that Edmund was actually here. And obviously, he was the last to know as Aslan had apparently reintroduced Edmund to everyone. It was all too much for Peter. Yet the sight now of Edmund walking away in disappointment, was a sight just beginning to register in Peter’s mind. Edmund didn’t die in the north tower? He’d been alive this whole time?
“Peter …” Aslan spoke, shaking Peter from his reverie, “I have brought Edmund to you. Fate is now yours to lead. You can let him leave, or you can give him a reason to stay. Do not risk love so frivolously, Peter. For even the truest hearts can break. And once broken, are not so easy to mend.”
“Ed!” Peter yelled, the reality of the situation suddenly coming into focus for him, “Ed, wait!”
His legs seemed to start running even before he told them to. Soon he was running after Edmund as fast as his legs would carry him. When he finally reached the former king of the fallen, he found him trying his best to hide the fact he was crying. Peter put his hand on Edmund’s shoulder, but his hand was quickly shaken off. Edmund did not make eye contact with Peter, continuing to walk forward as he sobbed like his heart had just been broken, his face sullen and lost.
“Ed, please don’t cry.” Peter said putting both his hands on Edmund’s shoulders, forcing him to make eye contact, “I’m sorry. It’s just … we’ve been through so much and … I didn’t want to let myself believe you might actually be here. I’m a stupid, stupid fool, Ed. I thought you were dead.”
Edmund slowly Peter’s hands and placed a kiss upon them. Peter didn’t believe he had ever felt something quite so exquisite. He watched a little anxiously as Edmund moved his hands so they rested against his cheek.
“Can’t you feel me? I’m not dead, Peter. I’m still alive. And only because you brought me back. I’ve just … been away.”
“Fighting the good fight in ways I cannot imagine, Ed?” Peter asked, a longing to understand in his eyes.
“Something like that, Peter. But Aslan tells me I can finally come back. I’ve paid the price for my redemption, and my rebirth. From now on, I control my own life. And that means, I can leave if I want to. Because … I don’t think you love me anymore. I guess … you moved on. It’s time I did too.” Edmund said with a sad smile, breaking free of Peter.
“Promise me …” said an adamant Peter as Edmund walked away.
“What?”
“Promise me you’re here with me. Promise me you aren’t going to leave. Promise me this isn’t just some dream or false hope and in a week you’ll be gone again.”
“Peter, I told you. I control my own life now. If I want to stay, I can stay. I’m free. Right now, I’m not even a king. I’m just Edmund. Just Edmund.” Edmund said with a relieved sigh, “Do you know how long I’ve waited for that?”
“You’ll never be ‘just’ Edmund.” Peter laughed, mixed with confused tears, “Edmund the Just, maybe. But never ‘just’ Edmund.”
Peter pulled Edmund to him with so much force that the younger king almost fell over. As if satiating a need that had been denied for so long, Peter leaned his forehead against Edmund’s and closed his eyes. His fingers traced across Edmund’s face, making sure this still wasn’t some tortured dream. He let out a sigh of release as he touched the soft skin on Edmund’s neck. When he opened his eyes again, to see Edmund staring back at him looking just as disbelieving, he knew this was no dream.
“Please stay.” Peter said choking the words out, “Please, Ed. We’ve been kept apart for so long. Don’t give up on us now. This is our chance, isn’t it? Don’t you still want me?”
“Peter, are you daft? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard you say. Of course I want you.” Edmund laughed with tears in his eyes, “I love you, Peter. I’m alive because of you. The only thing I want is to be by your side. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. It’s the only thing that kept me going when I was away from you.”
“Then come home, Ed.” Peter begged, his smile breaking through his tears, “Come back to me. Come back to us. I love you.”
“No more Princess Pretty Eyes?”
“No more anyone except you, Ed.”
“Then it is decided.” Aslan said in a rather assuming tone, leaving both Peter and Edmund a little surprised by his presence beside them, “Edmund will stay. But Edmund, I will give you the choice of reclaiming your crown and the western woods. Do you wish to regain your title of Edmund the Just, King of the West? Or do you choose to be … ‘just’ Edmund?”
“I kinda like just being me, Aslan.” Edmund said with a shy smile, “But … I do feel as though … I might be … helpful? Perhaps? I do not need to be king to do so, do I?”
“Edmund … your humility is why you must be a King of Narnia. You have grown so much, Edmund. And like a father watching his son, I am proud to bear witness to your true character. It is with great pride that I declare you to your rightful place as King Edmund the Just!” Aslan boomed, garnering an automatic cheer from the crowd, “All hail King Edmund the Just! He has returned home to Cair Paravel at last!”
Edmund smiled with grateful tears, as all in attendance chanted his name. He rubbed his arms like some shy little prince, rather than the fear inspiring knight and warrior that he had been for the last two years. Especially proud were Susan and Lucy whose eyes were still overwhelmed with emotion. And with perfect timing, Beaver emerged from the castle bounding along with a crown in his arms.
“It’s a bit dusty, but it’ll still look the biz!” Beaver said handing Edmund his crown, “King Edmund has come home!”
Edmund took the crown, yet he barely let it sit on his head for a moment before he removed it rather shyly and returned it to Beaver. Peter couldn’t have been happier or prouder at that moment. He did his best to keep himself in check, as all he wanted to do was grab Edmund and kiss him right there. He wanted the crowd to disappear so that he could finally be alone with Edmund. Yet he knew that Edmund wasn’t just his, he was for all of Narnia, just as Peter was.
“Edmund, before I turn you over to Peter and the rest of Narnia, I must speak with you alone before I go. Peter, I will see you again soon.” Aslan said with a small nod, “Edmund, come with me.”
Peter watched as Edmund left his side and followed Aslan back into the castle. He held his hands to his mouth and breathed out in an attempt to compose himself. Silent tears of disbelief began streaming down his face and it took all his strength not to fall to his knees. His nightmare was finally over. Two years of grinding through life without his Edmund, with only a brief moment of torture in between. He turned to Susan and Lucy and ran to them, the three embracing and smiling at one another. They all finally had Edmund back. And unlike any other time since Edmund first fell at Beruna, Peter truly believed everything was going to work out. Edmund would stay and finally their love could feel life, instead of being confined to hopes and dreams.
Peter moved to the middle of the courtyard floor, which today was the Golden Ball’s floor. There, he paced back and forth, waiting anxiously for Edmund to return. Time seemed to pass on, and the murmurs began to increase in number and volume among the crowd. Everyone waited anxiously for Edmund to emerge from the castle, yet there was no sign. Peter wondered what Edmund and Aslan had to speak of, but he understood it was something beyond him for the moment. He simply hoped there was no lingering catch to Edmund’s return that would force him to exit Peter’s life again. Peter’s heart could only take so much. Just as his doubts began to get the best of him, he heard the doors open to the castle, leading out to the courtyard.
Peter stood with a glowing smile on his face as Edmund emerged alone, dressed in a formal Narnian garb. It was the most wonderful sight Peter had ever seen. He could scarcely keep the tears from his eyes as Edmund walked towards him. His heart began to flutter with every step Edmund took to him. Finally, when they were only a step apart, Peter looked either side of him at the eager crowd.
“I’m not sure if all of them know just how I feel about you, Ed.” Peter whispered, “I’ve never had a chance to show them.”
“I believe this is your chance then.” Edmund said nervously, his eyes expectant and hopeful.
Without saying another word, Peter took Edmund’s hands in his own before he leaned forward. His lips touched Edmund’s and the rest was consigned to Narnian history books. From that moment on there was no doubt as to the nature of Peter the Magnificent’s love for Edmund the Just. They stood alone in the center of the ball floor for what seemed an eternity, the world spinning around them as they kissed. Peter had no desire to end the kiss, and instead wrapped his arms around Edmund before dipping him and increasing the kiss’s intensity. Their lips parted as tongues licked past one another and moments melted into one another.
“Well if they didn’t know already … they do now.” Edmund said, his voice shaking a little, “Thank you.”
“No, Ed. Thank you.” Peter smiled, “Thank you for coming home to me. For giving me this moment. I thought a dream was the only place I would ever have you like this. From now on, all will know that I love you. That you are mine, and I am yours. As it should be.”
“I love you, Peter.” Edmund shook, his eyes smiling with emotion, “Quite a bit, you know.”
“I love you, Ed. Always.”
Finally, Peter let Edmund up, yet his face continued to hover near Edmund’s. Without a word they were soon cheek to cheek, dancing across the courtyard floor. The rest of the world could have disappeared and neither would’ve noticed. Their eyes were only on each other, stepping in time as though they’d been dancing for a lifetime. Peter noted that Edmund was quite a better dancer than he’d ever let on, something Peter realized he should have known a lifetime ago.
All of Narnia rejoiced that night, for their Golden Age had truly begun. They danced around the two kings, but none interrupted. Peter and Edmund, Just and Magnificent, were again just as they should always have been; together. And as the night continued on, the two kings barely said a word. For theirs was a love that had known few words, in fact, it had known very little at all until now. Tonight though was not just a dawn of a new age for Narnia, it was the dawn of a new life for both Peter and Edmund. A life that would take them to places they never imagined they would see. A life that would bring them joy greater than they believed possible. And a life full of adventure. Most of all, it would be a life filled with love that was sincere and unabating. Though with all good things, there would come an end. And Peter would one day learn the price Edmund had to pay for their love. And they would one day realize, that even as their hearts found release, and they danced into the night, they were being watched from afar. But that … is another story.

The End

Just and Magnificent – Volume 1

Author's Notes: That's the end, folks. There are three volumes altogether. If anyone wants to see the second and third ones on here, let me know. Feedback is appreciated!
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Just and Magnificent