[for Pevensies, Eustace, Jon]

[onceaqueen]

Susan was still rather upset about Jon's leaving her to go off with the Dawn Treader crew, but she had put that aside for the time being, thinking about how excited Lucy and Edmund would be--especially Lucy--that Peter had arrived. They were due back any time now, and as Susan was both dreading and anticipating it, she kept herself busy, going out

Comments

[eldestking]

Peter had gotten quite used to Rickon's howls, and had been more than happy to spend the afternoon tending to him while Susan went to the garden. Rickon may only be six weeks old, but that was six weeks of catching up with his nephew.

Rickon had gotten particularly fussy and so Peter had lifted him carefully to his shoulder, leaning back and swaying gently, humming quietly and rubbing Rickon's back. He had learned quite quickly that Rickon was a fussy, fussy little prat, but that didn't mean he wasn't about to try and soothe him. He had been High King. He wasn't about to let his nephew get the best of him. He'd gotten Rickon quiet the last few times he'd tried, and thankfully, whatever magic he did worked again.

He settled Rickon back in his crib carefully, the face usually bright pink and screwed up in wails finally soft and sweet, those blue eyes closed in sleep.

[giftless]

Edmund had tarried at the dock, helping Caspian and Bush clean up after the voyage. He wasn't especially eager to go home, you see, and Lucy had already run ahead so it wasn't as if someone needed to tell Susan that they were back. Edmund wanted to find out when they were going out to sea again, and postponing reality seemed the smart way to go about it.

Eventually he did head home though, feeling ravenous and wanting to give Su a proper hug. Bursting through the door, the only thing that stopped Edmund was the silence and the sight of a familiar blond head turned away from him.

He didn't know what to say, and for two seconds stood there in the doorway, dumb and surprised and waiting for something.

[eldestking]

He heard the commotion at the door and finished getting Rickon tucked in, smiling softly. It was good to feel like Rickon knew him, even though he just barely knew his nephew existed in the first place. He started speaking quietly as he finished tucking the blanket in around Rickon, straightening up as he did so. "I think I've just got him quiet, Su, so he--" He stopped dead as he registered the figure in the doorway, his mouth still somewhat open, his breathing not quite so even as it was before.

His lips closed softly into a smile. "Hi, Ed."

[giftless]

The voice confirmed it all for Edmund, but he waited until Peter had turned around and seen him, because even a hug could be awful if you're being quiet and are not prepared for it at all.

His smile strained to burst from his face so that his cheeks hurt, but he still smiled. Striding forward with long, confident steps, Edmund flung his arms around his brother for a quick, firm hug. It was a little stiff, as they did not hug terribly often and Ed didn't want to come off silly, but it was a good hug even though he stepped back soon.

"Welcome to the island. I say, that's odd to hear from me since I've only been here a few weeks, and I only saw you a few months ago. But it's good to see you, Peter."

[eldestking]

He caught Ed's grin and mirrored it with his own, his cheeks fit to bursting as he opened his arms for a hug. They were brothers, Pevensies, so they held each other close for a long moment before breaking away. They were also young men, and generally did not take to over-affectionate moments. He was instantly back in Narnia during his battle with Miraz, and Edmund's remote and carefully distant confidence was supportive and familiar. Now, facing his younger brother, he couldn't have been happier for the careful, Edmund-like hug.

"I only saw you a few months ago myself, before the start of the summer." He smiled fondly. "And thanks for the welcome."

[giftless]

"It's been that long and then some for me," Edmund explained. "I was in Narnia before I arrived here."

He paused, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief as he smirked. Nothing truly malicious, but the sort of look I've seen in someone just about to tell a good joke. "Hols with Eustace didn't turn out to be so ghastly boring after all."

[eldestking]

Peter started back a bit, interested. "Really?" He grinned, nodding. "Another trip to Narnia! Ed, you'll have to tell me all about it." He paused, face not quite falling, but the smile fading a bit. "Hols with Professor Kirke were about as expected." The smile returned, rueful. "Lots of books and studying, no adventures in Narnia, and totally devoid of siblings. A right mess, actually."

[giftless]

"I can," he said eagerly, then laughed. "Or Caspian can. Or Lucy or even Eustace. We were all together, sailing on the Dawn Treader to the edge of the world!"

Edmund would have gone on. The excitement was still plain in his eyes. But he didn't want to remind Peter on all he'd missed out on when he'd just arrived here. Edmund had arrived recently enough that he still remembered keenly what it felt like to have everyone filling him in on things he should have been present for. "I don't know," he said with a sly grin. "Totally devoid of siblings sounds about right sometimes."

[eldestking]

"The edge of the world, my goodness." He shook his head, eyes wide. More adventures in Narnia. Ones he and Susan would never experience, he realized with a twinge of wistfulness. But it was good that Lucy and Edmund got to go back, after all. Of all of them, they believed the most, really.

Peter smiled crookedly, giving a shrug. "And sometimes it was. But it was getting a bit dull, to be honest." He paused, eyes twinkling. "Professor Kirke is too nice to have a proper go with."

[giftless]

"And I daresay a shade too smart for you," Edmund teased. "Don't worry. I'm sure there's plenty around here who are right on your level."

[eldestking]

"I don't know, I was there half a summer holiday, I've gotten smarter." He jutted his chin up obstinately, still grinning. "Well, so far I've found Susan." He paused. "Oh, and Lucy, she's grown up some." He glanced at Edmund appraisingly. "We'll have to see what else I find, I guess."

[giftless]

Edmund screwed his mouth up in an almost thoughtful expression. "There's Eustace as well. Oh, and maybe his friend Jill. Caspian and I are far above you, unfortunately. Good luck though, mate."

[eldestking]

"Prat," Peter caved to a not-quite forgotten boyhood and shoved Edmund's shoulder roughly, knocking him off a bit. "God, have you really gotten more obnoxious since I last saw you? I didn't know that was even possible."

[giftless]

He could only laugh as he stumbled back two steps, too pleased with his brother's presence just then to be cross at him for anything.

"I'm just that much more brilliant, and it's difficult for you to stand, I know."

[eldestking]

"Oh, yes, your brilliance is blinding, Ed." He shaded his eyes mockingly, grinning. "Whatever shall I do. Is it proper to bow? Request lessons?"