Greetings dear friends! I feel it has been far too long since I have written anything and for that I apologise. I have a full list of excuses of which I will satisfy myself with the telling the main two. First, I was very ill and in the hospital (I am mostly recovered now) and second I have recently become the proud owner of two orphaned cats. Between work, sickness and cats I have had very little time to write. Now, as I return to college hopefully I will have more time for creativity. Anyway, enough about me; here is the promised multi-chapter Golden Age era Narnian story! Whew! Obviously, I don't own Narnia, the Pevensies, or most of the characters. As usual there will be a few OCs of my own creation so any unrecognizable characters are mine. Is this slash? Of course not.

Our story begins in the land of Narnia many years ago. In those days Mr. and Mrs. Beaver were still living in their cozy dam; Tumnus the faun divided his time between the court of Narnia and his home in the Western Woods, and the four Pevensies were still ruling from their thrones in Cair Paravel. In those days Narnia was a gentle and peaceful land, though the traces of the White Witch and her winter were still present to those who remembered. But, by the grace of the Great Lion Aslan, High King over all High Kings in Narnia, the Pevensies ruled justly and in the time of their reign happiness returned to Narnia.

In the tenth year of what would be known as Narnia's Golden Age the High King Peter rode south to Archenland to the court of King Lune. There he was to preside over a diplomatic meeting between Narnians, Archenlanders, and Calormenes. He went reluctantly in the place of his brother, Edmund. It was Edmund who arranged the meeting and surprisingly it was Edmund who became known as the more sensible and level headed of the kings. It was also Edmund who had suddenly fallen ill three days before he and his retinue were to leave for Archenland. And so it was, that Peter, High King of Narnia rode out in his brother's stead and vanished without a trace. That is when our story really begins.

"Of course it would be raining." Had Edmund remembered how similar his words now were to those of so many years ago he might have laughed and forgotten his ill mood. Lucy, who always seemed to remember the place before Narnia better than the others, giggled and smiled angelically at her sullen brother.

"Come on Ed, cheer up, Susan wouldn't let you out of the castle even if it wasn't raining." Edmund glowered at her briefly then smiled,only somewhat reluctantly. It was impossible to remain sullen with Lucy in the room; her presence radiated light and happiness.

The two siblings were sitting together on the covered balcony of Lucy's room which faced eastward, over the rain greyed sea. Lucy's fair head was bent over a cloak onto which she was embroidering a golden lion's head. Edmund held a half-forgotten book on Calormen law which he had long since lost interest in.

"Won't you tell her I feel fine? If I left now I would only be three days behind Peter, I might even be in time to stop him from punching the Calormen ambassador." Edmund sneezed, rather negating his point that he felt fine and Lucy regarded him sternly and stood to wrap another blanket around his shoulders. It was easy to tell just by looking at Edmund that he felt far from well and Lucy was under strict orders from Susan to prevent his doing anything which would worsen his fever.

"Su isn't the only one you should be worried about keeping you here. We both know you too well to let you go chasing after Peter, making yourself more ill. He'll be fine," she added more gently. "He knows how important this meeting is."

A sparrow alighted on the railing of the balcony, her feathers ruffled and damp from the rain. She tilted her head curiously at the two figures and cautiously hopped closer to Edmund.

"Greetings cousin, what news from your flight?" Edmund asked her kindly. The sparrow rustled her damp feathers and bowed clumsily.

"Your majesties, I bear news from the court of King Lune of Archenland. He extends his greetings and hopes you will soon feel well recovered enough to join him in his negotiations with the Calormenes. He also wishes to inquire of you what has kept your royal brother from attendance. He understood High King Peter was to attend in your absence." The sparrow hopped back in alarm as Edmund leapt to his feet, scattering blankets and books.

"You mean to say that the High King has not arrived at Anvard?"

"Edmund, do calm down." Lucy put a gentle hand on his arm and he reluctantly resumed his seat.

"N-No your majesty. His majesty King L-Lune sent me to find out why not. A-Apologies, your majesty." The poor bird ruffled her feathers, looking as if she might die of fright. Edmund exchanged a worried look with Lucy and attempted to regain some semblance of calm.

"Peace, friend, you have done well to bring me this message. Have you told anyone else in Narnia of the High King's absence?"

"N-No your majesty, I swear."

"Then you have served us well friend. Have no fear, rest, eat and tomorrow my sisters will give you a message to return with to King Lune. Until then tell no one of your news from Anvard." The sparrow bowed and fluttered away.

"Edmund, what do you think it means? Surely Peter would have sent word if he had met with trouble on the road." Lucy's brow furrowed with worry. Edmund shook his head grimly.

"I don't know Lu. You must tell Susan what the sparrow told us. Send word to King Lune tomorrow; tell him to delay negotiations as long as he can until either Peter or I can be there."

"Won't you write and tell him yourself?" Lucy frowned worriedly as Edmund stood, gathered up his books, and turned towards the door which led back into the Cair.

"You and Susan will have to. I'm sorry Lucy, but I ride for Anvard tonight. It may be that I can discover some clue as to what happened to Peter on the road there. If not then I must arrive in time to prevent the Calormenes from discovering that Peter is missing. We can't risk them attacking because they think we are weak."

Lucy crossed her arms and stepped between him and the door. "Edmund! You can't possibly go. I'm worried about Peter too, but it's no use if you're too ill to help him. Let me or Susan go."

She may have been right and Edmund knew that, even through his concern for Peter, but he knew he could not send another of his siblings into peril. "I have to go. Lucy, trust me. I'll take Philip and one of the leopards, Asterius, we'll be fine."

She still frowned but stepped out of the way. "Then go; it's probably best if I don't tell Susan until after you leave. You would never convince her to let you go. May Aslan watch over you brother."

Edmund rode out from Cair Paravel in early evening, the leopard a shadow at his side and Lucy watched with a sense of deep foreboding and later turned her eyes to the sea. No Lion prowled along the beach to bring her comfort and the stars were veiled behind a layer of leaden clouds.

She shivered and went to find her sister. Susan would not be pleased. She was fiercely protective of her family but she could never quite understand the bond that existed between her brothers. Lucy understood that where one went the other would soon follow and if Peter were in danger no force in Narnia would keep Edmund from his side. Peter would do the same if their roles were reversed. It would have been useless to try preventing Edmund from riding after Peter but Susan would have spent precious time trying.

It was better to act as Edmund had, but Lucy wished with all her heart it had not been necessary. She hated being the one to tell Susan that both their brothers were now in danger. "Oh Aslan, please watch over them." She was not sure but she thought she heard a distant roar on the wind and it calmed her fears somewhat.

I will try to update weekly, hopefully I will be successful. Leave me a review and let me know if I'm off to a solid start ! :-)

Cheers,

A