Title: It's Too Dangerous, Edmund
Claim: Susan/Edmund
Author: narnianqueen119
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Obviously, I own none of this, except the writing.
Summary: Before and after the battle, Susan is concerned for her brother's safety.
Author's Notes: Written for
narnia100. Prompt 021. Dangerous
“No, Ed,” said Susan. “You can’t go to war with Peter.” She looked into the beautiful brown eyes of her younger brother and shook her head.
“Why not?” protested Edmund. “I’m as brave as Peter, and very strong too. And Aslan will be there,” he added.
“But you can’t go,” argued Susan. Her eyes betrayed her sadness as she looked at Edmund.
“Why?” asked Edmund. “Why can’t I go? I’m allowed, aren’t I?”
“You are, but...” Susan couldn’t continue. Tears started to flow down her cheeks. She couldn’t look Edmund in the eye anymore. She looked at the ground, as if in shame.
“But, what?” asked Edmund. When there was no response, he continued. “Tell me, Susan.”
“I...I won’t let you go,” muttered Susan. “I can’t, I just can’t...” she put her hands on her brother’s shoulders. “I won’t let you go to war. It’s too dangerous.”
Edmund put his hand on hers. “I’ll be all right,” he whispered. “I’ll be fine, especially with Peter and Aslan there.”
Susan’s tears fell on Edmund’s shoulders. “I know, but...” she mumbled, though she couldn’t get anymore words out.
“I’ll be all right, I promise,” whispered Edmund, lifting up Susan’s head. “I’m going to be fine.”
**************************************
Susan looked up and saw Lucy lying on Aslan’s head, sobbing. Susan, too, had been crying, but now the only remnant of her tears was her red, wet face. She cried no longer for Aslan, for there was nothing she could do. He had given his life for Edmund, and Susan knew it.
No, Susan cried now for Edmund. The sun had not yet risen, but she knew that he would fight today. He would be engaged in a battle that was far beyond himself. She cried because her younger brother, whom she loved, was going to war. And now, all he had left was Peter.
It wasn’t that she doubted Peter. No, Peter could do almost anything. It was rather that she was scared, for the both of them. Peter was not as strong as he seemed, and she knew it. She couldn’t bring herself to think of him defending Edmund in a life-or-death struggle.
Now Susan’s tears began to flow again. How could she have let this happen? She had known that it would be dangerous, why had she given in to him? She was his older sister, she knew what was best for him. Why couldn’t she have enforced that?
Oh, what did it matter now. It wasn’t her fault, as much as she wanted to think it was. Edmund had wanted to go to battle, and she knew it. It was a guy thing, for sure. She couldn’t understand wanting to go to war at all. She never wanted to do it herself.
She looked again at Aslan’s face, and wept again. He had died for Edmund, her baby brother, whom she loved so dearly. There wasn’t anything that she could ever do to repay him, even if he was alive. She lay down on his shoulders, and squeezed him tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered. That was all that she could say, for the rest of the words did not come.
************************************
Edmund looked over at Peter, and saw him fighting his way through the crowd of evil creatures. He is so brave, Edmund thought. He lifted up his sword and swung it. The sword was heavy, so his swings were awkward, yet he somehow managed to slash a minotaur who hadn’t been paying attention.
Then, he looked over at Peter again. Peter looked up from what he was doing, and shouted to Edmund. “Edmund! There’s too many! Get out of here!” he called. “Find the girls, and get them home!” He went back to killing the creatures.
Edmund froze. He didn’t know what to do. He felt a tugging on his pants, and looking down, he saw Mr. Beaver. “You heard him,” Beaver cried. “Let’s go!” He started pulling Edmund away. Edmund followed for a moment, but kept looking back at Peter. Suddenly, he noticed the Witch approaching Peter, who had no idea that she was coming.
Edmund started running back. “Peter said get out of here!” yelled Beaver.
“Peter’s not King yet,” protested Edmund, and he ran to the edge of the cliff. Once there, he jumped off, startling the Witch. She turned to attack him, and he thrust his sword down on her wand. A blue light flashed, and Edmund paused, wondering exactly what had happened. In a moment, his shield had been knocked out of his arms, and the remains of the Witch’s wand had been thrust into his stomach.
As he fell, Edmund could see Peter, and Peter had seen him fall. Edmund fell to the ground, and all went black.
**************************************
Susan ran up the side of the mountain with Tumnus and Lucy by her side. She was still amazed that Aslan was alive again, and that he had saved Mr. Tumnus. Lucy had been overjoyed to see her friend again, and honestly, Susan had too. She couldn’t believe that Aslan had such power.
Now, she remembered what was important. She had to save Edmund, even if he wasn’t really in danger. She glanced over at Tumnus and Lucy, and then looked back down into the valley. There had clearly been a battle there, for dead creatures lay everywhere. As she heard Aslan roar, she scanned the area for Edmund and Peter.
She ran down with Lucy and Tumnus down the mountainside. She carried her bow with her as she ran. But all she could think of was her brother down there somewhere. She had to find him.
When she reached the bottom, Susan looked everywhere for signs of her brother. But she could find nothing. She sank to the ground, nearly melting with grief. He must be dead, she thought.
Suddenly, she looked up and saw Lucy running. She quickly got up and followed her, hoping that they would find some sign of Edmund. But all that she found was Peter, who had been watching Aslan. Susan saw that the Witch was dead, but she did not see Edmund. “Peter!” Susan shouted, and ran up to see her older brother. He was safe.
“Where’s Edmund?” she cried, trying not to let them she how upset she was at this whole thing. Peter said nothing, but glanced behind the two girls. Susan turned, and saw Edmund, her little brother, lying on the ground. Her heart pounded for a moment, then she took off running.
She dropped to her knees by Edmund’s head. She quickly loosened the strap on his helmet and slid it off, so that he might be able to breathe easier. She put her hands on his head, and held it close. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Lucy and Peter rushed over as well, and soon, Lucy had her cordial out. Susan held Edmund’s head still as she tipped the bottle to let out one drop of the fireflower. His eyes remained shut, and tears fell down Susan’s cheeks. Was this the end? Did Lucy’s cordial work?
Just then, his eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at them in surprise. Peter raised him to his chest and gave a huge hug to his brother. Susan would have liked to as well, but she didn’t get the chance. Her tears continued to flow as a smile erupted from her lips. She put her hands on Edmund’s back, and she was overjoyed.
Then they all hugged each other, and they were a family again. A noise from behind interrupted. It was Aslan, who was breathing on the statues to bring them to life. Lucy stood up and took off to save the lives of others.
The children stood up. Peter went to help clean the damage, leaving Susan and Edmund behind. Edmund stayed on the ground, for Susan wouldn’t let him stand. “You need to rest a bit to recover your strength,” she said to him.
Edmund smiled at her. “I’m sorry that it had to happen this way,” he said. “You thought I would be in trouble.”
“I did,” said Susan. Then she laughed. “It’s too dangerous for you, Edmund.”