Hey! After a long hiatus, I was looking at all my stories and doing some major editing and revising. I hope everything is not only correct but also easier to follow. If I have missed anything feel free to leave a review or pm me. Constructive criticism is appreciated!

Edit: 6/21/2019

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own The Chronicles Of Narnia.

Setting: Narnia, in the tenth year of the Golden Age.

Monarchs Ages: (Peter, 25) (Susan, 24) (Edmund, 23) (Lucy, 19)

(Flashback, 1st year of reign)

It was night. The sound of gentle breathing floated out the youngest king's window, his long silk curtains blowing in the breeze. Next door, the youngest queen's rest went undisturbed on this moonless night. High King Peter and his sister Queen Susan were in the library, wrestling with a trading treaty after ordering their exhausted siblings to bed.

Meanwhile, undetected, even by the all-seeing eyes of the nearby snow leopard guards, two men sneaked their way into the palace. They silently crept around the kitchen staff, through multiple hallways, and up to several flights of stairs before they eventually reached their goal, the bedrooms of the Kings and Queens.

They slowly opened up King Edmund's door. Seeing he was fast asleep, they stood with one of them on each side of the bed before grabbing him. Edmund awoke with a start, struggling to free himself from their grip. He started to yell for help only to have a hand quickly muffle any sounds he could have made. As he fought he noticed he was being moved towards his open window. With renewed vigor, he bit down hard on the man's hand.

The man gave a quiet whimper of pain and slightly moved his hand. Edmund, utilizing his opening, yelled at the top of his lungs, "Peter! Susan! Lucy! Help!". But something hit his head hard and everything went black.

The castle was in quickly thrown into an uproar! Peter and Susan ran from the library at their younger brother's call. The guards from all over the castle came running and Lucy leaped from her bed and raced to the other room. As she arrived she hurriedly glanced around the room searching for her brother.

"Noooo!" She screamed, falling to the floor on her knees. But it was too late. He was gone.

(Ten years later)

A dark shadow flew through the moonlit forest. Galloping at full speed it stopped at an ivy-covered wall. The shadow stopped, bent down and lifted up the curtain of vegetation, riding through and letting it fall behind him.

Inside were ten men, chatting and laughing while downing their mugs of ale. In the center of this merry group was a glowing fire, its small cinders flowing upwards towards the sky. Suddenly the men noticed their silent companion and hurriedly rose to their feet.

"At ease men", the man said, stepping into the glow of the fire. He was rather tall with dark black hair and light brown eyes. He wore all black, from his breastplate to his boots, completed with a cape. However, the most mysterious thing about him was the mask he wore. It was black with silver outlining, successfully covering his face, leaving only his eyes exposed.

"Tell me, what have you learned about the castle today?" He said, sitting down by the fire and accepting a cup of coffee from the men. "Not much boss", said one burly oaf, "except for Louis over there." Aforementioned 'Louis' stepped forward. "I overheard that the Royal Treasury has a special display for the party, the crown of the late King Edmund the Just!"

The man in black started slightly, before taking a deep breath and addressing his men. " That's good. The Royalty in Narnia was rumored to be close to King Edmund. This crown will be very valuable for ransom." He paused, searching his men's faces. "It's settled then, tomorrow night we sneak into the castle and steal the crown!"

The men burst into cheers but were soon silenced by their leader's hand. "However, in order to be fully alert, I need all of you to be well rested. We will finalize our plans in the morning." The men settled in and were soon asleep. However, their leader sneaked away unnoticed from the campsite towards the river at the edge of the wall.

There he slowly removed his mask, throwing some cool water over his hot face. The moonlight revealed his pale and slightly freckled skin. "Summer is upon us my lord, perhaps you should leave the mask behind." The man, startled by the sudden voice, quickly turned. A glance revealed the identity of the speaker, and the man's shoulders relaxed in recognition. He turned back towards the pool, his hands falling to rest on his knees. "I wish I could Philip, but going to the castle without my mask would mean revealing my identity." His hands curled into fists. "I won't drag them through the mud that is my life. It is too much to ask of any family, especially mine."

The loyal bay horse softly nudged the man before laying down on the grass beside him. "Edmund, from what I know of your family they would be overjoyed to see you again, regardless of circumstance." Edmund leaned against the horse's flank. "I wish I could believe that as well Philip."

(Cair Paravel, the same night)

"Lucy! Lucy! Where are you!"

"On the balcony Susan."

Queen Susan the Gentle marched into the room. "Lucy Pevensie I am very ashamed of you. Imagine! You running out of the dining hall-unprovoked mind you- while we were entertaining a Telmarine dignitary! Why I would never have done such a thing! Whatever in the world possessed you to do it?"

"I'm sorry."

Susan glanced at her sister. Lucy was facing the stars, silent tears trailing down her cheeks. Susan felt remorse over her lapse in temper. "Oh Lu, I didn't mean to make you cry. I was just worried when you left like that. Tell me, what's wrong?"

Lucy sniffed "Do you remember what today is?" At Susan's startled gasp she continued. "It's the day Edmund disappeared ten years ago. It seems like only yesterday that he went riding with me on Philip before the summer feast."

There was a pause of silence as the two sisters stood together, their minds replaying the memories of their missing brother. Eventually, Susan said, "When we were younger he always knew you best. How to cheer you up when you were sad, to celebrate your joy and comfort you in times of pain."

"He knew us all like that."

"I just hope he's been well taken care of all these years."

"You don't think he is dead do you?"

"No! But I do wonder. . ."

"I know he's alright. And he's coming back. I'm sure of it."

Susan smiled at her sister's stubbornness and naivete. "Well, when he comes back he'll want to know you got your rest. Come on then, let go to bed." Leading her through the door Susan tenderly tucked Lucy into bed.

Upon leaving Lucy's room she ran into Peter. "Is Lucy alright?" Peter asked. Susan nodded. "She was thinking about Edmund."

Peter ran a tired hand over his face. "Has there been any more news?"

"None! Peter what are we going to do! Its been 10 years! What if we never find him! It would break Lucy's heart!"

"Do you not think a day goes by that I don't think of him? I failed him! If only I was there sooner I might have saved him."

Susan had started to cry. Peter wrapped her in a big hug, holding her close. "We'll find him, someday we'll bring him home. I promise."

If only he knew how hard that promise would prove to keep.