Title: Because Peter Said So Again
Author: Rolletti
This story takes place five years after the monarch returned from Narnia

Ages: Peter 18. Susan: 17, Edmund 15, Lucy 13

I saw this disclaimer on someone's story and thought it a good idea to put on my own: I've read so much that I hope I didn't steal something from someone's story, if I did please accept my apology.

No Slash What So Ever

Disclaimer: Yep, I do not own any part of C.S. Lewis' works.

Can you believe I finished this? No? Me neither. 😊 I hope you all liked it.

A pin drop could be heard in the cabin. Every once in a while, concerned parents could be heard whispering behind their bedroom door, and the girls were safe and snug in their beds. Even the cabin said goodnight as it settled for the night with creeks and pops.

Last to wash Peter stepped into the bedroom to find Edmund flopping into bed. A cool, salty breeze greeted him from the opened bedroom window.

"I'm exhausted. It has been an emotional day," yawned Edmund.

"Yes," said Peter, after turning off the light. He made his way over to Edmund's bed by moonlight, and stood beside Edmund looking at him knowing.

Edmund took notice after rubbing his tired eyes and said, "No, no, and no." He tucked the sheet around him finishing with his arms on either side stiff as a board.

"Move over," huffed Peter.

"No."

Peter continued to stare.

"No, you will not be sleeping in this bed tonight, there is no need." Peter remained quiet. "Come on, Peter, I'm too old."

Peter quirked his right brow reminding Edmund of his past life as an adult.

"Well, there is no need," growled Edmund.

"You are extremely distraught over Susan, and I know your stomach is in knots."

"So are you," was Edmund's snarky reply.

"But I'm not the one who will suffer from nightmares tonight. And with the kind of evening we've had it's probably going to be pretty bad. If not, well, praise Aslan."

The Edmund-Peter standoff went on for some time, and there was no one to witness who'd win except the moon and the house. Edmund sighed in exasperation as he scooted over to make room.

Victorious, Peter smirked at Edmund's famous murderous stare.

"Prat," snarled Edmund.

When Peter was finally comfortable, he found his arms full of little brother. He snorted.

"What? You're here!" Amused, Peter shook his head and adjusted once more. "I thought Lawrence was going to be the biggest challenge this summer," Edmund sighed after they settled down.

"Don't remind me. I completely forgot all about him."

"He seems to be an alright fellow."

Peter only grunted. "How's your hand? I didn't check it before bed."

"You just checked it this afternoon, moron."

"Prat and moron, someone is cranky." Edmund poked Peter in the stomach.

"I wish we could go back. Like Susan, I miss Him so much," whispered Edmund.

"I'm hurt that she was willing to turn her back on Him. How can she, Ed? Our Su. Was it not He who gave her the strength to rule? Especially when she had to sometime go against her gentle nature and pass sentencings."

"She spent all afternoon with Aslan after she sentenced that murder to death once. Wish we were there to spare her that," said Edmund.

"We were in the middle of a campaign, Ed, you know we couldn't. She did her duty as a queen should, no matter how distasteful the task."

They both stared at the shadows dancing on the ceiling in silence remembering the past.

"I miss ridding with her to check on the royal vegetable and bee farms for inspections. I'll never forget when a bee got caught underneath her skirts. Oh, how she ran." They both giggled.

"I was across the road at the dairy farm watching when you caught up to her. Imagine my shock when I saw the both of you pull up her skirts and started waving them about. All of Narnia had quiet a view." Their eyes stung with tears at the amusing memory.

"Poor Su, she couldn't sit for days after the doctor pulled out that stinger. It took a lot of convincing to get her to come back with me."

"Yes, a whole year," Peter chuckled. "When we get back home, I'll write the professor to see if he can help us find Aslan here. I know He's here, I can feel Him. I just don't know where to look," said Peter.

"I think we all can feel Him, even Susan. She's so buried in her grief that it's must be taking precedence. We can't lose her Peter. I can't imagine life without Susan.

Peter looked at his little brother and smiled. "We won't Ed. We'll keep watch." Peter kissed the top of Edmund's head and squeezed him close.

The party was exciting. Susan watched as the cutest boy with daring eyes approached her. He took her by the hand, and led her onto the dance floor and spun her around. She didn't know the latest dance move, but Perry Como's music kept everyone toes tapping regardless. Some of the girls stood in groups whispering to each other as they looked at Susan. She recognized the green-eyed monster of competition, but Susan was use to the scornful glances and ignored them. Soon, other admirers offered to get her some punch, which she pleasantly accepted. She checked her lipstick in her compact mirror and it was perfect, just like her hair, clothes, and silk stockings. But why was her mirror fogging up? It was as if someone was breathing on her, someone standing quite close.

Susan gasped as she woke to find Edmund on his knees near the bed staring at her. "Edmund, what are you doing?" she said, as she tried to steady her heart. Her voice may have been groggy with sleep, but her annoyance came through just fine. A crease formed between her brows as she noticed his tears. "Ed, what's wrong."

"Are you real Susan?"

"What?"

"Am I still dreaming, are you dead?" he asked, unsure in the state of between sleep and awake. Tears continued to wash his face.

When she understood, she was immediately compassionate. "I'm not dead, Ed," she said gently. She pressed his hand to her face and he felt her warmth.

Next, tears wracked his body as he laid his head on her and cried with relief. The horrible memories of his dream came flooding back. With his arms around her he squeezed tight enough to bring pain, but she said nothing. Softly shushing him as she stroked his head, Susan reassured her brother she was well. She heard him whisper a prayer to Aslan. It was soft and urgent. She soon found out the prayer was about her! He was begging and pleading as he held on tighter, saying the name of Aslan repeatedly.

"Ed?" whispered Peter. He looked confused as he stepped further into the room. "What are you doing?" He looked at Susan then back to his dark headed brother.

"Sorry, Sue," he said, as he tried to pull his brother up. Come on, Edmund." But Edmund would not let go so easily.

"Save her, Aslan, save her. Please save my sister. Save her, she's Your daughter, our sister. I love her, please Aslan!" Fresh tears flowed down his cheeks dampening her gown.

Peter managed to dislodge his brother, but his prayer rattled him as he thought about Susan's confession earlier.

"Come Edmund," said Peter, holding him. "Are you alright, Su?"

"Yes," she said, as she lay with eyes wide in shock.

Peter kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek. "Get some sleep," he whispered.

With Edmund tucked safely at his side, he escorted his heavy-hearted brother back to bed.

The last thing Susan heard from Edmund was, "She's going to leave us, she's going to die alone."

Susan looked at her sister and found her still asleep. As she looked at the moonlit ceiling forbidden tears began to flow. Her face crumpled as she whispered, "Aslan."

The next morning was beautiful. It found Susan outside sitting on the bottom step because she couldn't sleep. The wind played with her hair and gave her kisses that belonged to a new day. She gratefully accepted it, because judging by the heat at that time of the day promised a hotter afternoon.

Henry found Susan sitting on the bottom stair doodling in the sand. He could tell something occupied her thoughts, because she didn't acknowledge him. He thought it was safe to assume it had something to do with whatever happened on the beach the night before.

"Honey, is there something I can help you with?" asked Henry, as he sat next to her concerned.

"Hi dad, I was just thinking."

"About your walk on the beach? Lawrence seems to be a nice young man." Henry looked toward the ocean and said hesitantly, "Peter… seems to approve?"

Susan heard the reluctance in his voice, still hurt. She could not look at him. It was too painful to see the defeat. The subject of Lawrence was to be his rite. He worked hard for it, went to war to protect it. How Susan ached for him. Although, she is not that much younger than Peter, he is without a doubt the father figure in her life. He has been for past twenty plus years. There was no point arguing that fact. He too worked hard for it, went to war to protect it, and Lucy was right, he had countless, self-sacrificing scars to prove it. Every one of them bathed in Susan's own tears.

Susan placed her arm around Henry's waist and leaned her head against him as she too looked toward the ocean. "Well, I wouldn't say that exactly, but it is a step. A very small step, but a step nevertheless."

"You are growing into a beautiful young woman, Susan. Maybe some young woman, such as yourself, will turn your brothers heads this summer. It will take all their attention off you," he grinned.

"Dad, there could be risqué dancing girls, an earthquake, and a tornado at the same time, and Peter and Edmund will still be ever watchful," she chuckled along with Henry.

"Found them," said Susan, as she dug up Lucy's shoes that were peeking out of the sand. A dark shadow appeared over her as she stood up. It was Mrs. Bennington smiling like the proverbial Cheshire cat again.

"Susan dahling, where have you been?" asked the fast talking American. "I came over to see if you'll be coming to the party tonight. Everyone will be there, and I just know you'll make an abundance of new friends. With your beauty you'll catch the eye of all the boys. Just think you can leave your family and visit your new friends throughout the year! If you like, my car is just over there. We could continue that shopping trip. And I'm sure that bikini you were admiring is still available, and…" Mrs. Bennington smile slowly fell as she looked over Susan head. There stood Peter Pevensie.

The warm, easy going, eldest brother did not look so warm or easy going. Susan stepped back into a wall, which was her brother who caught her. She swallowed thickly, praying to Aslan that Peter didn't over hear that last part, or that he didn't know what a bikini was.

"I will not be joining you this evening Mrs. Bennington. I do wish you and everyone in attendance a nice visit."

Mrs. Bennington did not like the look in the eldest eyes as he continued to watch her. It was the same as the youngest. "Well, if you're sure, dahling. You could always change your mind and…"

"She's sure," said Peter.

"Well, there will be music, dancing, and new people to meet, dahling. I can let you borrow my pearls. That gorgeous neck deserves pearls," she smiled, as Susan stepped closer.

"Susan," said Peter, looking at his sister who stood between him and the woman.

"Just think of all the fun you'll have."

Susan looked at the woman, then stepped into her brother's outstretched arms.

"I thank you kindly madam for remembering my sister, but as she so said, she will not attend." Susan stepped closer to Peter hoping to calm him down. "Susan will remain with her family. Good day to you." Peter watched her for a moment more without words, but the message was clear, and escorted his sister back towards the cabin.

Mrs. Bennington stood there speechless as she watched the over-protective brother kiss his sister, and looked back at her. "Message clear indeed," she said, before marching back to her cabin.

"Well, there is no fly for the spider this summer it seems," muttered Evelyn Madeline.

"That dear, sweet boy can be scary, sister," said Bonnie, adjusting her spectacles.

Later in the afternoon, after a family swim and lunch, Peter came out of the cabin. He leaned against the post of the porch and smiled as he watched Lucy. She really was a joy no matter what age, world, or time she was in. She was beautiful in her bright yellow sundress running back and forth as the seagulls entertained her. The light sea breeze played with her hair as she made to grab a bird as it easily lifted into the air. Even as an adult her laughter was infectious. He was happy to hear it still.

Peter's smile instantly dropped, replaced with horror as the sun peaked out from around the cloud that was obscuring its view from the world. Wide eyed he stumbled down the stairs to Susan gaining her attention with the ungraceful move.

"That's nice." Susan grinned.

"Susan," he said, pulling her with more force than he intended close to his side. He whispered, "Susan, look at Lucy. Please tell me I am not seeing what I think I'm seeing. Please tell me, Susan!"

Susan gasped and flushed darkly before looking at Peter.

"Take care of it. Hurry, Su, before the neighbors see!" he said, as he pushed her away.

Susan ran, grace abandoned, towards her sister.

"Peter!" approached Edmund, blushing as he gawked at Lucy.

Peter turned Edmund's head. "Don't look." And pulled him up the stairs.

"How could that have happened, Peter?! I mean…" he was speechless.

Peter cleared his throat. "Susan is taking care of it. Let's go…find something to do." He pulled Edmund into the house and upstairs to their shared bedroom.

"I will never let her live this down," said Edmund, shock still written across his face.

"Lucy Pevensie!" shouted Susan, startling Lucy. "Dear," she whispered, calming herself as she pulled Lucy close and steered her toward the house. "You do not have on any knickers, and the sun is very bright today, if you know what I mean."

Horrified, Lucy gasped as her eyes grew larger than large when she looked at her sister. "I was in a hurry when I changed from my bathing suit. I must have forgotten to…I was thinking about... I… sorry," Lucy blushed beet red.

"Lucy Pevensie, you ruled a kingdom, you're one of Aslan's elect, how could you forget something as, Oh, how mortifying!" said Susan pulling Lucy along with her up the stairs. Before the door shut Susan said, "Obviously this English air has done something to your senses."

Helen walked towards the screen door as she was enticed by the refreshing, salty breeze. She had been sticky for most of the day, and that gust of wind could not be ignored. When she made it to the door, she noticed she wasn't the only one taking advantage. "Hello my darling, what are you doing out here all alone," said Helen as she sat next to Lucy on the steps.

"Hello." Lucy smiled, as she made room.

Helen stroked Lucy's hair as she returned the smile, but it dimmed as she saw that woman again. The woman who came around when she thought no one was looking. No one other than Peter, Susan and Edmund. This woman was older, much older than her thirteen-year-old. It is that woman who was staring out to sea, who made Helen uncomfortable, because she isn't her little girl.

"Are you alright?" asked Helen, unsure.

"Yes, I was only thinking. I wish the sea was crystal blue. Wouldn't that be nice? And the sand white. It would reflect better in the moonlight, especially for evening strolls," said Lucy, engrossed. She continued to look out to sea lost in thought. "Where you escorted by your guards when out for a stroll before you married?"

"Guards?" Helen brows drew close.

Melancholy, Lucy said, "I'm sorry, I meant your father. Never mind." Lucy sighed. "Your love, your…husband, I'm sure the heartache was unbearable when he left. For the war that is. As for him…" A tear fell.

Helen was speechless.

"Excuse me, Mummy." Lucy walked down the rest of the stairs hugging herself. She walked slowly towards the water then stopped when she heard Helen call out.

"Don't go too far darling. For some reason Peter is uncomfortable when you're near the water by yourself," said Helen, with reservation to the woman. She wasn't surprised when Susan suddenly appeared. Her children had an uncanny ability to know when one of their siblings were not doing well.

"What's wrong, what happened?" asked Susan, starring at Lucy's back.

"I don't know. I came out and she started talking about the color of the water and sand. Moonlit walks and your father going away." She saw when understanding registered on Susan's face followed by grief. And there she was; the other woman. It was that woman who ran, actually ran towards her sister. It was that woman, her rival although unknowingly, who comforted.

When Susan reached Lucy, she gently touched her sister's shoulder and gently squeezed. Lucy rushed into her outstretched arms of understanding and cried. Susan held her, and whispered sweet assurances until she was able to compose herself. As the seagulls screamed their condolences, the girls turned to take a stroll down the beach holding on to each other. It would seem the clouds did not wish to be outdone by the wind and seagulls, and partially hid the harsh sun from view to give relief to those below.

The girls were quiet, lost in their own thoughts as they watched the vacationers. "He's dead now," whispered Lucy.

"Yes, they all are," said Susan as she wiped away a stray tear.

"What he must have went through when we disappeared. I hope he didn't think I left on purpose. I couldn't bare that. I tried to go back countless times, despite what the Professor said, but it didn't work."

"So did I, when no one was looking."

"I'm sure we all tried. Sometimes I would catch Peter just sitting in front of the wardrobe, as if he was willing it to let us through again."

"So did I, but I think he was praying," Susan sighed.

"Do…do you think he found another, married and had children of his own?" said Lucy, as fresh tears began.

"I honestly don't know, Lu. He was the only one Peter and Edmund reluctantly approved of. I thought I had it bad with those two, you had it worse." Susan smiled gently as she looked back in their past as adults. "He was rather persistent, and brave enough to face Peter and Ed. Oh the look in Edmund's eyes when he saw him approach the throne for the countless time. It was awful, amusing, and scary at the same time."

"Wretched Rabadash, made our love life impossible after what he did," Lucy scowled.

"No, Lu, Peter started way before Rabadash." Susan stopped and turned towards Lucy. "Remember when I was sixteen and that pompous duke thought he could waltz into court and declare himself as my future husband? I was so scared when Peter jumped up from his throne, face fiery red, and shouted for his sword."

Lucy giggled and said, "No one knew why, so that alerted all the guards; yours, mine and the undercover ones Orieus had scattered about, all brandishing their swords looking for the trouble."

"Then that alerted half the army, with Orieus shouting," and both girls shouted, "Protect the Monarchs!" Both girls doubled over laughing.

"We were soon surrounded while Peter was still trying to get at that duke. The guards wouldn't let him pass as they tried to protect him," said Lucy, as she wiped away tears of amusement instead of sorrow.

"It was that duke who set off that chain of event, who set the standard, not Rabadash," Susan laughed. "Actually, Rabadash was poor Peter trying to let go. After that debacle it was downhill from there." The girls giggles soon began to taper off until they became quiet again. "Peter, he means well," said Susan, as she continued their walk. "We are blessed to have brothers whose love for us is unconditional. Not many can say that."

They continued to watch people as they walked arm in arm, bypassing lovers and families.

"I know it's hard, Lu. We all left someone we loved behind," whispered Susan.

"I'm twenty-eight now. I'm sure I would have married him had he asked. After two years of courting…I had a feeling he was about to propose."

"Oh, Lu," said Susan. She stopped to hug her sister tightly. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"It hurt too much to think about, especially being stuck in this vulnerable body."

Susan cupped Lucy's face and looked deeply into her eyes. "My dearest, dearest love," said Susan. She kissed and hugged her sister again. Her little sister adult self was still in love. After Lucy's trembling ceased, Susan encouraged their walk.

Deciding to change the subject, Susan decided to lighten the mood. "Could you imagine if we were forced to marry like the nobles & royalty did in Europe's past? Only men Peter chose!" she smiled, shaking her head.

"We would have died old maids if it was up to Peter," said Lucy.

"No, he'd probably choose some old bald man with missing teeth who was wholly devoted to us," giggled Susan.

"And old enough to die within the day of the marriage to protect our crowns," giggled Lucy. They wiped away their tears thinking about their eldest brother. It was cleansing.

Children giggled, parents watched them like hawks, and young lovers flirted as they played in the water or sat sunning themselves. Pickles got away again. The father chased him, the children chased the father, and Edmund glanced at them with a wary eye as his injury itched.

On that sunny day the two youngest Pevensies were out near the shore building a sandcastle. A tall tower was erected for the crab inhabitants who Lucy called Rapunzel and her Iguana lover the prince.

"An iguana can't fall in love with a crab, Lucy."

Lucy gasped. "Don't let her hear you speak such blasphemous words. She's in love with the Iguana prince. He fought many battles for her and slayed a dragon just to win her claws in marriage. Her two evil brothers, I mean kings, evil king brothers put her in this far away tower…"

Susan smirked, she sat on a blanket nearby reading as she overheard her siblings. She shook her head at the inevitable and sighed. Like always Edmund was about to see the correlation of Lucy's story and fall for her goading.

"Well, if she is in the tower, she must be ugly, and her brothers are doing the prince a favor." Lucy gasped in mock offense.

Edmund smirked at her. He was about to put on the finishing touches when he heard and felt someone running hard towards him. It was too late to react when he found himself lifted up into the air. Next he was thrown into the water with Peter laughing when he resurfaced. Swiping and blinking salty water out of his eyes, he saw Lucy run behind Peter and attack. She used a maneuver taught by Orieus to bring him down. With a surprise and undignified scream, the High King found himself underwater. Before he could get his bearings to resurface, he found he was being attacked by three siblings. He tried to get away, but there was always a well-trained Narnian warrior in his path. They dunked him underwater.

"Hags and demon spawn, get off me," shout Peter, before he found himself with a mouthful of seaweed.

Laughing, they all quickly swam away, and ran for their lives out of the water laughing hard at his expense.

When Peter crawled out of the water, he found himself at the feet of the old man with the crooked cane. He scowled at Peter as he sat spitting out seaweed.

"You shouldn't eat that. It's not clean," he scowled.

"Yes, sir. I was attacked," gasped Peter out of breath.

"Yes, I saw it," he fought the grin trying erupt. "Your brother shoved that seaweed in your mouth. Your sweet, darling sisters pushed you under water after shoving that sand down your shirt. You never had a chance, son," he cackled.

"I wouldn't use 'sweet and darling' to describe them at this moment sir," Peter winced, as he scooped out sand and tiny shells.

The old man's happiness was short lived. He frowned before he walked away, complaining about the Madeline sisters looking their way. "Nosey hens."

"Daddy save us!" screamed Lucy. They ran towards their parents as they looked back at Peter crawling out of the water.

Their parents saw the tail end of the confrontation and smirked at the troublemakers. In truth, Helen tried not to laugh.

"Well, you pretty much brought this on yourselves. I don't know if I can help you. The seaweed was a bit much. I suggest you run and hide behind the cabin," his grin turned into a chuckle when he looked at his wife.

When the three ran off Henry sat on the porch by his Helen. She squealed as she found herself in Henry's lap. "Now, where were we before we were rudely interrupted," he said.

"Nowhere. I was up here, and you were down there showing off your muscles for Bonnie Madeline," she giggled.

"That was for you," he said, blushing.

"Try telling her that," giggled Helen, as she waved at Ms. Bonnie. She was looking their way with a big smile across her face.

"Oh, good. Here comes the boxing team. They will keep her busy while I steal a few kisses from my wife," said Henry, making Helen giggle once more.

Edmund and the girls used some old maneuvers to hide in the back, but not behind their own home, but the home of the neighbors. Unfortunately, for them their dripping brother knew them well and was waiting when they arrived.

"Hmm, according to those screams I would assume Peter found his attackers," Henry laughed, at Helen's expression.

Peter marched towards the water with Susan thrown over his shoulder and Lucy under his arm like a sack of grain. He had a good grip on them as they loudly protested. When he figured he was far out enough in the ocean he simply dropped them in. Both screams were cut short when they went under water.

"Where is your brother?" asked Helen, when Peter sat calmly on the bottom step.

"Tied up in the back," he said, as he watched the clouds float by.

The End