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Peter and Edmund had always shared a room, both in England and during their early years in Narnia. But as they grew older, things changed. Peter had turned 18, his shoulders broader, his voice deeper, carrying himself with the weight of High King. Edmund, now 15, was still growing into himself—quieter but sharper, with a streak of stubbornness that often clashed with Peter’s need to take charge.
By mutual agreement—or perhaps the suggestion of a well-meaning advisor—they decided it was time for separate rooms.
“You’re growing up,” Susan had said, ever the voice of reason. “You can’t share a room forever.”
The first night apart should have been easy. Peter liked his privacy, and Edmund relished any opportunity to carve out his own space, free from his brother’s constant watchful eye. For years, their early adolescence had been marked by bickering: Edmund snapping at Peter’s instructions, Peter frustrated by Edmund’s defiance. Separate rooms seemed like a natural solution.
And yet, when the castle quieted and the candles were snuffed out, neither of them found sleep easily.
♧♧♧
Peter lay awake, staring at the moonlight spilling across the ceiling of his chambers. The room felt cavernous, cold despite the roaring fire in the hearth. He turned onto his side, then onto his back, frustration building with every passing minute. He told himself it was just a matter of adjustment, that he didn’t need to check on Edmund.
But he couldn’t stop thinking about the last time they’d argued—how Edmund had stormed out of the study after Peter reprimanded him during council.
“I don’t need you bossing me around all the time!” Edmund had shouted, slamming the door behind him.
Peter sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew Edmund resented how much responsibility Peter put on him. He didn’t mean to push so hard; it was just that he wanted Edmund to be ready for anything, to be safe.
The thought of Edmund still upset, lying awake in his own room, tugged at Peter’s conscience.
♤♤♤
Meanwhile, Edmund was pacing in his room, his bare feet silent against the plush rug. He hated how quiet it was. No soft breathing, no reassuring presence of his older brother nearby.
He told himself it was better this way. They fought too much, and Peter could be overbearing. But the truth was, despite all the bickering, Edmund missed him. He missed the unspoken sense of security that came from knowing Peter was always there. After everything they’d been through—the Witch, the battles, the near losses—being alone felt wrong.
Finally, Edmund stopped pacing. He grabbed a blanket from his bed, threw it around his shoulders, and opened his door.
Peter was halfway down the hall when he nearly bumped into Edmund.
“What are you doing?” they both said at the same time, surprised.
Edmund looked down, sheepish.
“I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted, tightening the blanket around himself.
Peter exhaled, relieved. “Me neither.”
They stood there for a moment, neither quite knowing what to say. Finally, Peter spoke. “Do you want to… come back to my room?”
Edmund hesitated for a second, then nodded. “Yeah. Okay.”
◇◇◇
Back in Peter’s chambers, they didn’t bother pretending this was a one-time thing. Peter pulled an extra blanket from the wardrobe, and Edmund settled onto the couch near the window.
But as the firelight flickered, Peter caught Edmund shivering. “This is ridiculous,” Peter muttered, getting up. “Come on. You’ll freeze over there.”
“I’m fine,” Edmund started to argue, but Peter gave him a look.
“Just get over here, Ed.”
Edmund rolled his eyes but climbed into Peter’s bed, grumbling something about how bossy Peter was.
They lay side by side, the awkwardness fading as the warmth of the blankets and the familiar presence of one another filled the room. For a while, they didn’t speak.
Then, in a rare moment of vulnerability, Edmund said softly, “I thought we were too old for this.”
Peter smiled faintly, staring at the ceiling. “Maybe we’re never too old for this.”
Edmund didn’t reply, but after a moment, he shifted closer. Peter hesitated, then reached out, draping an arm around Edmund’s shoulders.
To his surprise, Edmund didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned into the embrace, letting himself relax for the first time in days.
“You’re still annoying, though,” Edmund muttered sleepily.
“And you’re still stubborn,” Peter replied with a laugh. “But you’re my brother.”
“Always,” Edmund said, his voice soft as he drifted off to sleep.
That night, they both slept soundly for the first time since moving into separate rooms. By the next evening, they didn’t even bother pretending to go back to their own spaces. Some things didn’t need to change, no matter how old they got.
♧◇♧◇
Years later...
Peter found the room unbearably quiet tonight. Edmund wasn’t there, and the silence felt heavy and unfamiliar. Edmund was away, accompanying Susan to Calormen on diplomatic business with Prince Rabadash. The fact that Peter and Edmund still shared a room had become a normal occurrence, even something everyone at the castle accepted without question.
Tonight, Peter was sleeping in Edmund’s room, as they often alternated. Sometimes they would sleep in Peter’s room, sometimes in Edmund’s—it didn’t matter. What remained consistent was their sleeping arrangement: Peter always took the right side of the bed, Edmund the left.
Lying down on the right side, Peter found himself instinctively running his hand over the spot where Edmund would usually sleep. It was a small gesture, one he didn’t consciously realize he was doing. With a deep sigh, he closed his eyes, trying to ignore the emptiness that seemed to echo in the room.
♤♡♤♡
Far away, in the lavish palace of Calormen, Edmund was also unable to sleep. The grand chamber he’d been given was luxurious, adorned with gold accents and rich silk carpets, but none of it brought him comfort. He tossed and turned, searching for a position that felt right, but nothing worked.
Finally, he gave up and lay down on the left side of the bed, the position he always took in Narnia. This wasn’t his room, and it certainly wasn’t Peter’s, but somehow, lying like this made him feel a little better.
Closing his eyes, Edmund imagined Peter beside him, as he always was. It was just a fleeting thought, but it was enough to bring a small measure of comfort.
Edmund knew he needed to finish this mission—see the diplomacy with Calormen through—and return home with Susan. He missed Narnia, his family, and, most of all, the quiet reassurance he found in sharing a room with Peter.
-Fin-