November 23rd
Give me a reason
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"No, you give me a reason," Edmund said firmly. "You give me a good reason as to why you forgave me, because this whole "you're my brother" crap isn't fair."
Peter swallowed hard, Edmund was having a rough time of it lately, and he hated it so, so much. "Because you were manipulated," He responded just as firmly. "I know the whole story, I know you were tricked, I know she manipulated you and fed off your weakness. I know she gave you enchanted food, I know you couldn't help that you just wanted more. You need to realise that she basically put you under a spell from the second you took a bite of that Turkish Delight, you had no control after that. However what I also know, is that you regretted it the second you realised what was going on."
Edmund stared at him for ages, before he sat down heavily on the bed, shaking his head. "It shouldn't have been that easy." He whispered.
"Ed," Peter sighed, sitting down next to him. "You of all people should know the power the Witch held. She had more magic than was good, more power than was safe. She preyed on you and manipulated you and - and tortured you. You have to understand that what happened wasn't all your fault. If you put aside your behaviour before we even knew Narnia existed - heck even if you were happy before she found you, that food you ate - it was still enchanted."
Edmund swallowed hard. "I - I felt like I could just keep eating and eating," He whispered. "Like I never wanted to stop and probably wouldn't have if I'd been given the choice."
Peter nodded slowly. "Exactly," He murmured. "That alone should tell you how little choice you had in the matter."
"I had a choice to tell her where you all were and I did that willingly." Edmund muttered bitterly.
Peter stared at him. "Did you?" He asked.
"The second she shouted at me I told her you were at the beavers." Edmund told him.
"And after that?" Peter said forcefully... knowingly.
Edmund said nothing.
"Ed, you told me what happened that night," Peter said slowly. "I don't think I know all of it but I know a heck of a lot - which means I know that you wouldn't tell her where we were going, she tortured you, and you wouldn't tell her. That alone is earning my forgiveness, that alone tells me how much you regret what you did, and that alone proves that you are not the kid you used to be."
Edmund hesitated.
"What you didn't tell her makes up for what you did tell her tenfold." Peter told him. "Now come on, you have to believe me."
Edmund was quiet, and he didn't actually say anything, but he did rest his head on Peter's shoulder, moving slightly closer and relaxing.
Peter wrapped an arm around his little brother's shoulders, and just smiled.
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