Chapter Text
The school gates opened with a metallic groan, and children poured out in loud, chaotic waves. Laughter, shouting, footsteps, satchels swinging.
But Edmund Pevensie stood apart from them.
Eight years old. Small for his age. Standing alone near the iron fence, clutching his satchel strap tightly in both hands.
Waiting.
Waiting for Peter.
He always waited for Peter.
Peter was late today.
Edmund rocked slightly on his heels, watching the road, scanning every approaching figure with quiet hope.
Then—
“Oi.”
Edmund froze.
Four boys approached him.
Older boys.
Peter’s classmates.
They were taller. Louder. Meaner.
One of them smirked.
“Well, look what we’ve got here.”
Another leaned down slightly.
“Peter Pevensie’s little brother.”
Edmund swallowed but didn’t step back.
The tallest boy scoffed.
“Your brother thinks he’s such a hero.”
Another added, cruelly, “Yeah. Walks around like he owns the place.”
“And he’s not even that tough.”
They laughed.
Something snapped inside Edmund.
“He is tough,” Edmund said, his voice trembling but loud. “He’s braver than all of you.”
The boys stopped laughing.
The tallest one stepped closer.
“What did you say?”
Edmund’s hands shook, but he stood his ground.
“I said he’s braver than you.”
Silence.
Then—
The first shove knocked Edmund backward.
He hit the pavement hard.
Pain exploded through his elbows.
Before he could recover—
A fist struck his shoulder.
Then another.
Then another.
They hit him again and again.
“Stop!” Edmund cried, curling inward. “Stop, please!”
But they didn’t.
They laughed.
They kicked.
They hit him like he was nothing.
Like he wasn’t a person at all.
“STOP!”
The voice thundered across the pavement.
The boys froze.
Peter.
15 years old. Taller. Stronger. Furious.
He charged forward and punched the nearest boy square in the jaw.
The boy stumbled back with a cry.
Peter didn’t stop.
“Leave him alone!” Peter roared.
The others backed away immediately.
Cowards.
All of them.
They ran.
Peter stood there, breathing hard, watching until they were gone.
Then he turned.
And saw Edmund.
On the ground.
Crying.
Broken.
Peter’s anger vanished instantly.
He dropped to his knees beside him.
“Ed,” he said softly.
Edmund sobbed, his face red, his small body trembling.
Peter placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Sit up.”
Edmund obeyed, still crying, his movements shaky and fragile.
Peter held him steady.
“What happened?” Peter asked quietly.
Edmund sniffled.
“They… they said bad things about you,” he choked out. “They said you weren’t brave.”
Peter froze.
Edmund’s voice broke.
“So I told them they were wrong.”
Peter stared at him.
This small, fragile boy.
This stupid, brave, wonderful boy.
Peter placed both hands firmly on Edmund’s shoulders.
“Edmund,” he said seriously, “you’re a big boy now.”
Edmund nodded weakly.
“And big boys,” Peter continued, “don’t get into fights.”
Edmund’s lip trembled.
“I just… I just wanted to be brave like you.”
Peter’s heart shattered.
He pulled Edmund into a tight embrace.
“You don’t have to fight my battles,” Peter whispered. “That’s my job.”
Edmund cried into Peter’s shoulder.
Peter held him for a moment longer.
Then—
He leaned back slightly.
His expression shifted.
He straightened.
His voice deepened.
Commanding.
“Soldier,” Peter barked.
Edmund blinked in surprise.
Peter stood.
“On your feet!”
Edmund scrambled upright, wobbling slightly.
Peter nodded approvingly.
“Salute!”
Edmund raised his hand clumsily to his forehead.
Peter crossed his arms.
“Who’s my little soldier?”
Edmund straightened.
His voice was small, but proud.
“Me.”
Peter grinned.
And Edmund grinned back.
The pain didn’t disappear.
But it mattered less.
Peter leaned down and lifted Edmund into his arms like he weighed nothing.
Edmund wrapped his arms around Peter’s neck instinctively.
“We’re going to get ice cream,” Peter declared.
Edmund sniffled.
“Are you going to get strawberry?”
Peter scoffed.
“Of course.”
He smirked.
“You’re getting chocolate again, aren’t you?”
Edmund smiled weakly.
“…Maybe.”
Peter carried him down the road.
Safe.
Protected.
Loved.
Neither of them knew then—
One day, Peter would carry Edmund again.
But Edmund wouldn’t be able to walk at all.