Hi guys! I 've been tempted several times now to break out of the Edmund first person perspective that I started this story onparticularly as he has spent so much time unconscious lately! And especially in light of the daunting prospect of writing a love scene from the male perspectivebut, I've decided to stick with it, as one of the main reasons I chose that perspective was to get inside Edmund's head (not that one - get your collective minds out of the gutter!) and try to clearly portray the complex, emotional and intelligent man that GL chose to ignore/destroy. So, please bear with me when the writing gets a little 'thin' on the action. Enjoy! (PS to the Denners - the bad news is that this is the latest chapter - so now you will have to wait along with Cadmund's Castle for the next installment. The good news is that I hope to have time to churn one out this week. 
)
Chapter 17:
Edmund, Cmon, Edmund. We have lots to talk about, brother, and not much time.
Richard? Edmund asked groggily.
Yes, little brother. It's Richard. Come on! It always was such an effort to get you to wake up, wasnt it.
Wake up? Edmund repeated, still completely confused as to what was going on.
Let go of you body, Edmund. Let go and your consciousness will be clear.
Let go? Edmund suddenly panicked. Was Richard asking him to go with him? Step into the light and all that rubbish? What about Cassie?
Relax, Edmund. Its just temporary, I assure you. Edmund looked questioningly up into his brothers clear blue, honest eyes. Trust me, Edmund.
Instantly Edmund felt himself lighter and found himself standing beside Richard and watching all the doctors and nurses working on his own body, and for the second time was a little freaked out about looking at himself, his body, lying helplessly before him.
So Im not Im, uh, okay? This isnt bad for my body or anything? They can keep working away on my brain like that? Edmund peered over and winced at the sight of the doctor that Rick Bauer had flown in for the surgery lancing across the side of his now partly shaven skull with a scalpel.
Its fine, Edmund, Richard assured him.
Hmm. Edmund looked a little more closely at the doctor performing the surgery. Dont you think he looks a little young to be doing this, Richard? Are you sure its going to be okay? Edmund was definitely feeling uneasy about this now.
So they tell me.
They? Edmund c0cked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow as he stared intently at what appeared to be an ever so faintly glowingyes, glowing was the only way to describe itform of his brother.
Mmm hmm. They. The powers that be. God. Jehovah. Yahweh. Buddha. Allah. Zeus. Gaia. Whatever name you prefer.
Okay, okay. Religion aside here, uh how is thisyou, me Edmund pointed at his brother and then at himself possible? Edmunds brow furrowed as he struggled to grasp all of the situation that hed just landed in.
Oh dear. I knew you were going to be difficult. Thats part of your problem, Edmund. You cant just accept anything on faith or trust, can you? Youve always got to question everything to death
Edmunds eyes snapped back to his brothers face, his eyebrows raised once again, this time in amusement.
Sorry, poor choice of words, Richard apologized. Look, the short and simple explanation is that it has something to do with your deep state of unconsciousnessit makes this tenuous link between us stronger and allows for you and I to share a simulated corporeal representation on an intermediary plane between Richard trailed off.
Edmund shook his head slowlyhe considered himself a reasonably intelligent man, but he truly had no idea what his brother was talking about.
Nevermind nevermind, Edmund. Richard sounded slightly exasperated. How is not important right now. Why is whats important. Im here to make things right. To make peace with you, and to teach you forgiveness.
Ah, Edmund suddenly understood. I have to forgive you before you can move on.
Move on? Richard looked puzzled.
Yes. Move on. You know, ascend. Edmund motioned upwards with his arm. Bright lights, pearly gates and all that. Im responsible for keeping you earthbound, arent I. It wasnt a question.
Edmund. What are you nattering about? No. No, thats not it at all, Edmund.
Its not? Edmund was genuinely surprised. Things were inevitably his fault, werent they?
Yes, it is, Richard began and Edmund felt his heartwait, did he even have a heart in this form? Well, he felt something sink, even though he knew, had known before he heard Richards words that it was true. I mean, no. Oh, Edmund, there you go again. So quick to assume the worst. Im here completely voluntarilythats not you fault at all. Really, I dont know where you get such nonsense. Now, where was I? Oh, right, the forgiveness part. Thats the part that is your fault, Edmund. But its not me that you need to forgive.
Edmund stared at his brothers form. Was he really expecting him to guess? Because the number of people hed hurt in his lifetime well, this could take forever! Unless unless he was talking about
You cant possibly be talking about Cassie, Richard. Because Cassie and I have
No, Edmund. Richard interrupted solemnly. Not Cassie. The person you need to forgive, brother, is you.
)Chapter 17:
Edmund, Cmon, Edmund. We have lots to talk about, brother, and not much time.
Richard? Edmund asked groggily.
Yes, little brother. It's Richard. Come on! It always was such an effort to get you to wake up, wasnt it.
Wake up? Edmund repeated, still completely confused as to what was going on.
Let go of you body, Edmund. Let go and your consciousness will be clear.
Let go? Edmund suddenly panicked. Was Richard asking him to go with him? Step into the light and all that rubbish? What about Cassie?
Relax, Edmund. Its just temporary, I assure you. Edmund looked questioningly up into his brothers clear blue, honest eyes. Trust me, Edmund.
Instantly Edmund felt himself lighter and found himself standing beside Richard and watching all the doctors and nurses working on his own body, and for the second time was a little freaked out about looking at himself, his body, lying helplessly before him.
So Im not Im, uh, okay? This isnt bad for my body or anything? They can keep working away on my brain like that? Edmund peered over and winced at the sight of the doctor that Rick Bauer had flown in for the surgery lancing across the side of his now partly shaven skull with a scalpel.
Its fine, Edmund, Richard assured him.
Hmm. Edmund looked a little more closely at the doctor performing the surgery. Dont you think he looks a little young to be doing this, Richard? Are you sure its going to be okay? Edmund was definitely feeling uneasy about this now.
So they tell me.
They? Edmund c0cked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow as he stared intently at what appeared to be an ever so faintly glowingyes, glowing was the only way to describe itform of his brother.
Mmm hmm. They. The powers that be. God. Jehovah. Yahweh. Buddha. Allah. Zeus. Gaia. Whatever name you prefer.
Okay, okay. Religion aside here, uh how is thisyou, me Edmund pointed at his brother and then at himself possible? Edmunds brow furrowed as he struggled to grasp all of the situation that hed just landed in.
Oh dear. I knew you were going to be difficult. Thats part of your problem, Edmund. You cant just accept anything on faith or trust, can you? Youve always got to question everything to death
Edmunds eyes snapped back to his brothers face, his eyebrows raised once again, this time in amusement.
Sorry, poor choice of words, Richard apologized. Look, the short and simple explanation is that it has something to do with your deep state of unconsciousnessit makes this tenuous link between us stronger and allows for you and I to share a simulated corporeal representation on an intermediary plane between Richard trailed off.
Edmund shook his head slowlyhe considered himself a reasonably intelligent man, but he truly had no idea what his brother was talking about.
Nevermind nevermind, Edmund. Richard sounded slightly exasperated. How is not important right now. Why is whats important. Im here to make things right. To make peace with you, and to teach you forgiveness.
Ah, Edmund suddenly understood. I have to forgive you before you can move on.
Move on? Richard looked puzzled.
Yes. Move on. You know, ascend. Edmund motioned upwards with his arm. Bright lights, pearly gates and all that. Im responsible for keeping you earthbound, arent I. It wasnt a question.
Edmund. What are you nattering about? No. No, thats not it at all, Edmund.
Its not? Edmund was genuinely surprised. Things were inevitably his fault, werent they?
Yes, it is, Richard began and Edmund felt his heartwait, did he even have a heart in this form? Well, he felt something sink, even though he knew, had known before he heard Richards words that it was true. I mean, no. Oh, Edmund, there you go again. So quick to assume the worst. Im here completely voluntarilythats not you fault at all. Really, I dont know where you get such nonsense. Now, where was I? Oh, right, the forgiveness part. Thats the part that is your fault, Edmund. But its not me that you need to forgive.
Edmund stared at his brothers form. Was he really expecting him to guess? Because the number of people hed hurt in his lifetime well, this could take forever! Unless unless he was talking about
You cant possibly be talking about Cassie, Richard. Because Cassie and I have
No, Edmund. Richard interrupted solemnly. Not Cassie. The person you need to forgive, brother, is you.
