Hi! Well I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. I was thinking about writing a story over the holidays and this came into my head. Just to let you know...this is total AU so any of the pairings aren't related. I don't do incest.

This is the Narnian legend of how a knight fell in love

with a princess during the Dark Ages of Narnia. Events in these times were often erased from all history books, as they people's pain and suffering were not to be relived

through the eyes of someone else.

True, the Dark Ages were gruesome and bloody. It was when Narnia, or known as "Old Narnia", was a land divided into weak tribes at the collapse of the leader Aslan, who seemed to disappear from history itself.

Now the land and it's people

were at the mercy of the Archenlanders.

Though legends have been past down from the human tongue,

which tells itself in many different ways than one,

one thing remains the same -

There is no happy ending.

XOXOXO

Edmund, like most boys in his time and age, were brought up to be like a savage.

He could hunt and skin a rabbit boneless and cut out it's heart and tongue. Since

the Archenlanders invaded, they wiped out all the talking animals in Old Narnia. Now the people were left to only hunt down the dumb ones for food; as survival was hard in these days.

Edmund's father, Alistair, was part of the alliance with the Narnian tribes. In difficult times, the Barons and Lords of the tribes came together to stop the Archenlanders from invading.

Tonight, all the men and their wives gathered in the old abandoned fortress which was used for the tribe meetings. The walls were caved in, almost like a faun's

home might have been. There was some old, ancient drawing on the wall of strange creatures that Edmund had never heard of before.

But talking creatures now remained meaningless myths and stories; no one ever spoke of the old days. But Edmund was fascinated by the unknown myths and stories of Narnia, particularly the fauns.

"Friends, look at us. We are divided and weak, just as the Archenlanders like us." Said the mighty voice of Alistair, who stood in front of the round table addressing everyone. Edmund sat in the back with the women, and watched his mother make a simple bracelet out of nettles.

"And who would be the king?" said Meccus, his greasy black hair pulled into braid.

"The strongest among us - Lord Peter."

The whole room fell silent, and the fire burned in the smoky coal pit. All eyes turned to a man barely older than eighteen; but had the presence of a great and noble leader. You could see it in his face - His blue eyes were filled with The Great Eastern Sea, the sparkling waters that flowed into Aslan's Country. His fair hair told that he was a true born leader of Narnian blood; and shall anyone try and proclaim leadership may they answer to The Lion himself.

Peter stood up, and held a piece of old parchment. You could notice his trembling lower lip; as he was clearly not one of a great speaker.

"We are here today to sign this treaty, that unites all the Narnian tribes as one," he said, "We will no longer let our Narnian blood be shed."

Some were still unconvinced, as choose to speak out than to listen:

"As Baron of Beruna, it is my duty to fight for my people. How do I know everyone else is willing to do the same?" sneered Meccus, talking a long drink out of his wine goblet.

"I sign this treaty because this place has not known unity since Aslan left," answered Peter and everyone became overcome by the Lion's name,

"And if you are willing to follow Meccus and making yourself slaves of Archenland, then by all means -"

Suddenly the main doors opened and the useless bickering stopped. One of the watchers outside came running in,

"They are here! The Archenlanders are here! They have weapons and torches!"

The doors were commanded to be shut at one, and everyone pushed the table which was once used for meals and drinks as a barrier. The fire was put out and a few of the women hide in the pit while the men were guarding.

"How did they know?" Alistair said lowly to Peter, their swords drawn. Meanwhile Edmund couldn't stand being held back, he wanted to help fight. He released himself from his mother's arms and ran beside his father.

"Edmund, what are you doing? Get back!" Alistair cried, as screams erupted outside with blasts of fire.

"I want to fight!"

Edmund's father put his free hand into his belt and pulled out a dagger,

"Here, take this. You must only use it for defense - Never for attack." Edmund took the knife into his hands and ran his finger along the blade. It was double edged with a leather grip and a gold gliding near the pommel - It was very nice indeed.

Just then Edmund's body was flown to the ground as the doors once again bolted open; this time with a dozen men with weapons and shields. His chest and ribs ached terribly. He noticed he had landed on an old trap door.

"Edmund!" called a familiar voice, that belonged to his beautiful mother - So beautiful but harm was like a wrath around her.

Her hand was stretched out for him to take it, but he knew the trapdoor would be safer. Edmund pulled himself down into the underground, where he could here blades rubbing against each other and truly terrible screams that would make your blood curdle.

Edmund didn't know how long he had been in the trapdoor; it felt almost like a prison. Why didn't father let me fight? I know I could have... he thought to himself. He wished he had took his mother's hand, at least he might have escaped. Now he was alone.

Edmund slowly lifted the door over his head; so he could look. Bodies lay everywhere in pools of blood. Some were headless and their bodies were tied on flagpoles. Everything was on fire, as if the world was a newly struck match. Maps and things burned, soon to be a pile of ash on the floor lying with the corpses. Edmund coughed his lungs up, searching for his father or someone to help him.

"Father?" No answer.

Then, he came across a body, that gently held onto a sword with no movement or life. His eyes were wide open as if he had seen his life flash before his eyes and a huge wound bleed on his stomach. Edmund couldn't believe it, he didn't believe it. Not his father. His father told him he would never die, until the Great Lion summoned him to his country. Was it all lies? How could Aslan be so cruel to take his father away from him?

He recognized more of the bodies, terror all over their faces. Now his heart pounded when he saw his mother's clothes burning; the loose flames curled while licking her skin. The bracelet was wrapped around her arm, while she was covered with scars and bruises. How could anyone do such a thing.

Edmund froze when he heard footsteps. He was sure he was utterly alone, and would probably die too. He lifted his dagger out of his pocket. It was the only item that remained untouched by the raid, as well as himself.

"Edmund?"

Edmund's heart lightened when he saw Peter and another knight, Eagon, running towards him. Edmund barely recognized Peter, he was so beaten and his face was blackened from smoke.

"Oh Edmund," Peter said, seeing all the dead bodies before his eyes, "I am so sorry."

"He is probably still in shock." Said Eagon, in his deep voice and heavy Northern Narnian accent.

"No doubt, the boy will never be able to forget this painful memory. But now, we must take the survivors back to Cair Paravel. I have strong feelings though, that the Archenlanders will be headed off that way."

Peter held Edmund in a tight embrace, but it made Edmund feel no better. He was lost of feeling, nothing seemed real anymore.

"In that matter, he best be off then," Eagon advised, "They will do the same to them as they have to us. Bring the boy with us."

XOXOXO

To the North, across the mountains the whole country of Archenland was in mourning for Queen Helen, the beloved wife of King Lune. Everyone wore black, like the deathly black rose. Her white skin was covered by a veil, and her long, dark eyelashes no longer battered and her whole face was motionless; as if she closed her eyes in deep sleep but never to wake up.

"She loved you so much Lucy."

Lucy stood in silence, the tips of her fingers chilled from the Northern wind of the Highland. She wanted to see what truly lay beyond the mountains, to get away from this place. Perhaps it was Aslan's Country; where your soul would be cleansed of sin and your heart to love for eternity. But a slip of his name, and you would regret it in vain; for it was forbidden. People were servants of the Mighty God above, and he condemned you to heaven or hell.

"Brenna, will I ever see her again?" Lucy asked, as the poor nurse wiped her eyes on her cloak. Brenna chocked and wrapped the child in her arms. It was only natural for a daughter to want to know where her mother ended upon after death.

"She is with God. You will see her again someday."

The drums slowed as the lady was put in her grave and tears were wept. Prayers were said to wish her peace and good fortune in the after life. Then a single rose was put on her rock to represent her beauty and pureness.

"Brenna, take Lucy back to the castle. tend to her and make sure she is looked after. She has experienced a great lose and thou needs time to grieve," said King Lune, watching the men with horses approach from the mountains, "I have duty to attend to."

"Yes," Brenna responded, doing a slight curtsey as her skirt flew up in ruffles in the wind, "Come Lucy."

Lucy walked back, sullen, but though felt no need for self pity.

XOXOXO

King Peter took the rest of his men to his home of Cair Paravel. It had been a long journey, but luckily their had been no surprise ambushes; though one of the horses fell ill and was left behind. That meant their was an extra load to be carried.

Edmund had never been to Cair Paravel before, but Peter had told him of a big castle with servants. Edmund just continued to walk, as if each step made it harder to live. Sometimes he'd try and trail off, but Peter kept such a close eye on him that it made it impossible.

They crossed the bridge over a small, narrow river with flowers growing on the river bed. Edmund didn't know how much seeing a flower could make him feel so happy. He also found moss growing on the bark of a tree interesting.

Now they were in the what looked like remains of a village. Houses were set on fire, and some were even completely destroyed leaving boulders and stones scattered across the plain. Some were even screaming and searching through piles of rubble for bodies.

It was like Edmund was reliving a nightmare all over again.

"Peter!" A woman with ebony hair and torn clothing ran, crying. Peter's eyes widened and held her in a tight embrace. It looked as if she was sobbing hard, and muffled sounds came from Peter's chest.

"Your husband?" he asked, her head still buried. She shook her head.

"Oh sister, I am so sorry."

"They came, setting everything on fire! The executions lasted a day, they made sport of us!"

"It looks as if they raided every settlement in the Northern part."

"Who is this?" She asked, turning her eyes to the small boy with dark brown hair wandering alone.

"That is Edmund. His parents were killed in the raid. We are the only family he has now, Susan."

The two siblings looked at him with sympathy. "Then I will raise him as my own." Susan said bravely, but the tears still falling.

She approached Edmund awkwardly, as if distancing herself because he was not one of them. Finally she put a hand on his shoulder,

"I have a son about you age."

Then a group of three boys came running from behind a broken fence. The one in the middle had a nasty grin on his face.

"Caspian, this is Edmund." Susan said, showing him off proudly to the boys.

"Well Edmund, come to play have you? What's that in your pocket, a knife? Ha, my father gave me a real sword, like the one's they use in battles." Caspian laughed and ran off.

Edmund kicked the gravel with his heels and stormed off. He would rather sleep in a barn than meet Caspian again.

XOXOXO

So...what did you think? Reviews would be nice.