Charles wasn't quite sure how they had ended up here, but he certainly didn't like it.
Edmund was sat with his back against a hard stone wall, watching through the thick bars of the cell at the flickering torch. He was miserable, and Charles couldn't help but feel the same. He didn't understand what had happened. Three days ago they had been making good progress on their walk and Charles was finally coming around to the idea of being in a completely different world - not that he knew much about it, Edmund refused to tell him anything in case they were overheard - he was very concerned about that.
Charles supposed that it had started the day before yesterday, when they finally made it out of the woods and into a small village. He had been shocked to learn that the village consisted of mostly talking animals and mythological creatures. Edmund went straight up to them and inquired as to the direction of the castle where the King resided./p
"Charles had been confused by this, Edmund had already told him where the castle was, but Edmund had cleared Charles confusion, telling him that he wasn't sure who the King was, and that they had to be very careful to not make their situation known. It was too dangerous for people to know who they were with Fell creatures about. In the few brief moments where Edmund had deemed it safe enough to tell Charles about the strange world they were now in Charles had learnt how dangerous Fell creatures were, and though Edmund wouldn't tell him, Charles knew that Edmund spoke from experience.
The centaur that Edmund had gone up to had not been welcoming or even friendly (they hardly ever are, Edmund had added) but even Edmund had felt the coldness in the stare at the question. The centaur was highly suspicious and had wanted to know a lot of things before conceding and telling them that King Caspian X lived two days east. Edmund had made them spend time walking silently around the village, listening to people's conversations to learn more about what kind of Narnia they had come to.
Several hours later a frustrated Edmund had lead Charles on eastward, disgruntled that the whole village was apparently very private and did not like to talk about important, or rather things Edmund wanted to know, out in the open. There were less woods now, and a road to walk, though Edmund made them walk off it so as to avoid people. Edmund was very concerned about that. So they spent two more days in the woods, eating whatever dumb animal Edmund could catch and whatever berries that he could take.
By the time they reached the outskirts of Beaversdam Charles had been hungry, Edmund was less so but even Charles could tell that he was lagging. When Charles had complained Edmund had told him he once ate only apples for almost a week and that once they saw the King they would have all kinds of pastries and cakes, meats and fruits.
Charles was also sore from sleeping on the ground, to which when he complained Edmund told him that he had once slept in a dungeon made of ice and that once they saw the King they would have the finest beds that Narnia had to offer.
When Charles had complained about his shoes and clothes being dirty and that he hadn't had a bath in three days Edmund had told him that he often spent weeks at a time in the same clothes and without a bath, for there was no time for that in war and promised that once they saw the King they would be dressed in the finest clothes and have many hot baths filled with all kinds of flowers and soaps.
Needless to say, Charles was very excited to finally reach the King, but so far, Edmund had not lived up to his promises, and neither had the so-called King.
During their time from the little village to Beaversdam they had encountered very few people, even if they weren't walking the road. To this, Edmund had nothing to say, though Charles was sure it was part of the reason for his now ever-present frown. When they reached the grassy hills just behind the castle there was no one in sight - to this Edmund had expressed his worry and confusion. They trudged on, but Charles had noticed that Edmund now held his little pocket knife in his hand.
They weren't far from the castle at all when the voice of a man had called them to halt. Edmund had turned around to face the men who were standing quote a distance away from them and demanded to be taken to the King. The men had ignored Edmund and asked them what they were doing trespassing. Edmund had looked like he wanted to debate the trespassing term, but once again demanded to see King Caspian. Charles could tell that finally, after all the many days of travel Edmund's calmness was beginning to give way to frustration. The men simply ignored Edmund and began to advance upon them, swords drawn.
"My name is Edmund, and this is my friend Charles. We are not trespassing, nor will we harm Narnia, we wish only to see the man I would call my brother."
The men had scoffed and Edmund had turned slightly red at this. Charles was too confused to really understand, he just let Edmund do the talking and watched the men's very long and pointy swords closely, they were far larger than any sword he'd ever seen.
They had told Edmund that his story wasn't at all original and that he was a silly little boy.
Edmund hadn't liked that and Charles could feel him tensing, trying to remain calm just as he had done through the long trek to the castle.
Edmund had stepped forward, right up to the men and lent right into them, he was not at all afraid like Charles was. Edmund carefully pushed aside their swords as he lent so far in that he was well out of Charles' earshot. If Charles could hear what Edmund was saying he would have heard him look them right in the eye and whisper threateningly "tell Caspian that King Edmund, brother to the High King of all Kings, wishes to see him."
The men didn't take kindly to that and promptly arrested a now-kicking Edmund and terrified Charles for trespassing and disrespecting the King, throwing them into this dark cell.
That had been yesterday, they had spent the night in silence, sleeping on a bundle of blankets on the floor - or at least Charles did, Edmund had not slept at all, and instead taken to eyeing their fellow prisoners and Charles had been under the correct assumption that Edmund did not want to talk.
"They were given slightly mouldy bread and cold stew for breakfast where Edmund broke their silence.
"Sorry for acting like such a beast yesterday to those guards, I should have known better." Edmund said softly, mopping his stew up with his bread.
"I though you said the King would want to see us," Charles said back, trying to imagine the bread as the pastries Edmund had promised.
"He does - believe me, he just has taken security to a new level, that's all," Edmund tried not to sound upset.
"Can you tell me about those creatures now?" Charles asked, his mind burning with the images he had seen days before.
"Not yet. Soon, we'll tell Caspian about it and then I'll arrange for you to be taken back through the Lantern Waste and home," Edmund tried to sound optomistic for Charles.
"What? You aren't coming back with me?" Charles was shocked.
"I will - but I need to help Narnia whilst I'm here, regardless of how it is that I came to be here. I can't have you wondering around Narnia with such creatures running amok, especially without Aslan's blessing. Still - we ought to set things right shouldn't we?"
"Charles stayed silent. He would have asked who Aslan was but he already knew what the response would be. Just days ago he'd been reading in the library and now he was in jail, eating mouldy bread. Charles had his doubts that they would meet this King. Charles was also doubting Edmund's promise of good food, beds and clothes.
"Edmund placed their bowls outside the cells ("It always frustrated the guards having to go inside the cells just to get the dishes") and sat back down, eyeing the prisoners once again and ending any conversation Charles tried to start, protesting saying that he was thinking and Charles was interrupting.
Charles spent some time counting the number of stones in the cell, and then the bars, trying to entertain himself whilst Edmund resumed his previous watch of the fellow prisoners. Charles gave up entertaining himself and looked around at the prisoners for the first time, they didn't look all that dangerous but Edmund held them in discontent. There was a faun next to them on one side, hiding in the corner and a dwarf with thick black hair on the other side. The rest of the prisoners were humans, but Charles noticed that Edmund paid no attention to the humans, just the faun and dwarf, watching their every movement.
"The dwarf next to them clumsily got up from his bed, approaching Charles at the bars that separated them, and asked what they were doing here.
"Don't talk to him Charles." Edmund spoke for the first time since breakfast, shooting the dwarf a warning look.
"Charles looked sulkily at Edmund, he was starting to get on his nerves.
"Whatcha do? Try and kill the King?" The dwarf jested, smiling widely giving Charles a view of his black rotting teeth.
"No we're here to see him." Charles said confidently, glad to finally have some form of entertainment. If Edmund wasn't going to talk to him and pass the time, Charles thought he might as well become acquainted with his fellow prisoners.
"Charles, get away from him. You don't know why he is here, and he doesn't need to know why we're here." Edmund protested, dragging himself off the floor and walking over to Charles and the dwarf.
"The dwarf let out a laugh, "what, you think I'm the one who tried to kill the King?" Edmund froze, his hand on Charles' arm.
"Caspian," Edmund breathed, releasing his grip on Charles and turning to the dwarf, "well is he alright?!" Edmund demanded.
"The dwarf only laughed wickedly again. Edmund glared at him, a glare that made Charles want to confess his deepest truths and the dwarf stopped smiling.
"How'd'ya expect me to know?" He said, watching Edmund closely.
"Edmund's jaw clicked, and the momentary panic that had held Edmund was gone.
"You're right, nothing you say can be trusted," Edmund gripped Charles again, and pulled him away to the back where he had been sitting.
"I didn't kill anyone if that's what ya think," Edmund sent another disgusted look over at him.
"Why are you here then?" Charles asked, ignoring Edmund's glare.
"I know what kind of people are put in these cells, most of these people will be facing execution or exile, don't talk to them. Trust me," Edmund said to Charles as he pulled him back down to the ground.
"Thievery. I was caught selling things from Cair Pavavel," he sighed, unaware or ignoring Edmund's comment, "the gold chess pieces would have sold for a pretty Lion too, even had the Just King's initials on it."
"Edmund stiffened and Charles looked over to see him trying desperately to keep his calm.
"The dwarf smiled at Edmund in the dim light and Charles began to suspect that Edmund was right about these prisoners in the first place.
"Black dwarf, black of heart!" The faun behind us yelled out, but no one else seemed to care.
"Why, the King had the same thoughts," the dwarf laughed, "said I was dishonouring my Kings and Queens, my country. Told him straight, told him that I wasn't gonna bend the knee to the people who imprisoned the rightful Queen."
"Why you evil, little -" Edmund yelled, throwing himself across the room and shoving the bars to his face, "how dare you," Edmund yelled as he desperately tried to punch the small man through the bars.
"Charles was alarmed at Edmund's reaction but jumped up and pulled him back to the bed.
"Edmund and the faun began yelling "traitor" as the door above them flung open and footsteps ran down the stairs, yelling at them to stop.
"The dwarf smiled again, thinking it was funny that Edmund was so angered.
"You and the King would be great friends, he thought I was a traitor too," The dwarf remarked calmly as a group of humans and animals opened Edmund and Charles' cell door.
"Bejmar! Shut it! You too Felmar!" A large grey wolf snapped at the dwarf and Faun.
"Come on boys, it's time for your interview anyway," with a last warning to Bejmar the wolf lead them out of the jail and into a well furnished room that lacked any windows, so it gave the boys the impression that they were still in the jails.
"Edmund and Charles sat down in plush chairs as ropes were tied to them, as the wolf began rattling off their crimes.
"I've seen many of you imposter children, but you are the most committed yet." The wolf, whose name was Gurdin said, nodding to Edmund.
"I am no imposter cousin, and I would greatly desire to see the man whom I would call a brother, the man I sailed to the ends of the earth with and the man I would call my King. I demand, on the name of Aslan, that you release me and my friend at once. That's an order," Edmund said, there was no demanding or anger as there had been with the guards yesterday. Charles supposed all that thinking Edmund had done in the cell had been good because he was now calm and cooperative. The same could not be said of Charles, who could see the large teeth when Gurdin spoke.
"Gurdin sighed low, turning to a human guard in the room, "they all make the same mistake," the guard chuckled in response, apparently in on some joke.
"If you were going to impersonate someone, perhaps the Lord Eustace would be a better option. Aslan did say he would return," The wolf said kindly, Charles supposed that he took them for fools and was pitying them.
"Charles choked, laughing, he had met Edmund's cousin - briefly, and he had hoped he would never again have to experience that.
"Your cousin's a lord?" Charles laughed, turning to Edmund, who smiled.
"I didn't know, but then, Caspian is just the sort of chap to do that - I do believe he grew fond of him after some time," Edmund smiled.
"King Caspian." The wolf growled. It seemed to Charles, that they were all very touchy about who was and wasn't King.
"And a good King at that, Captain Gurdin, but I believe you will find that Caspian and I both have a limit to our patience," Edmund said, in a way that was somehow both threatening and kind.
"Quite right, son of Adam, and the King's patience has worn far too thin for those who think this ploy is acceptable," The wolf echoed Edmund's manner, but it did not have the same effect.
"It seemed to Charles that everyone was being far too political, never saying what they were really meant and that it would continue on and on, to no end.
"I believe Cas- King Caspian's patience would disappear completely if he were to discover that I had not enjoyed his hospitality last night. He is quite insistent on it, after all."
The wolf said nothing to this.
"Edmund, just tell them would you and then we can leave. I don't care about the food anymore!" Charles wanted nothing more than to be home now and if Edmund only wanted to tell them what they had seen and leave then Charles would be quite happy to do so.
Edmund sent Charles a stern look.
"Tell us what?" The wolf said, his ears heightening up as he sniffed Charles.
"Things that are not for your ears, cousin," Edmund sent another stern look to Charles. "Caspian gets to decide what he wishes to do with our information."
"The guard at the door corrected Edmund softly, "King Caspian."
"You type always make the same mistakes, the language, the emcousins, /embut you, you have got it right," Gurdin remarked to Edmund.
"That is because there is no mistake, cousin, I tell no lies," Edmund snipped back.
"But you, child are claiming sovereignty over King Caspian - so you are lying because Aslan has sent his servants home and bestowed the crown upon King Caspian."
"Caspian is the reigning King of Narnia, not me, I do no wish to pull rank nor claim thrones," Edmund looked tired, as if he had said this several times before and Charles felt very much as if he had missed something important. Charles couldn't recall Edmund doing anything but asking to see his friend, how happened to be the King and now everyone was accusing him of claiming that the King wasn't the King.
"Why, you are right, child, you are not King, you are not King of anything, and now that you have admitted to that we may proceed with your arrests." The wolf looked, as strange as it was, smug.
"Edmund!" Charles protested, not wanting to return to the cell.
"Don't worry Charles, they can't arrest us. They have no grounds, and at any rate I have immunity," Edmund whispered.
"They don't think that!" Charles once again protested, as the wolf looked at some papers.
"Disrespecting the King. It's hardly punishable, but given the circumstances I don't believe the Lord Reagent will object to making it an offence." The wolf thought aloud.
"Edmund scoffed, and Charles looked at him with alarm, fearing more trouble. The wolf growled.
"Why! Trumpkin, dear as he is to me, is the least respectful person I have ever met. The dwarf doesn't even know the difference between a Lord and Duke. Does he even know his own title?" Edmund laughed at the idea of the Trumpkin condemning someone for not giving Caspian the proper title and respect.
"We'll see." The wolf said grimly, knowing Edmund to be right.
"Why, can't we talk to the Trumpkin bloke?" Charles reasoned, but the wolf growled once more.
"Trespassing. During security lock down too. That's worth three months of ship cleaning duties." The wolf said, confident this time.
"Cousin, one simply cannot trespass upon one's own land," Edmund objected.
The wolf looked like he wanted too would like to object, but Edmund spoke first.
"If you have an issue, you best make your complaints known to Aslan," Edmund continued, "with no charges to hold us, we'll be taking our leave once you untie us. Thank you."
The guard only laughed.
"You are not free to go. You will stay and answer to your crimes," The wolf said sternly.
"As will you," Edmund looked cold and Charles could tell that he was nearing the end of his patience.
"There is no crime in holding criminals!" The wolf was growling now, his hair standing on edge.
"But there is in refusing to follow your King's orders! Your king by Aslan's own command. That's treason, wolf. It's you last chance, release me and take me to see Caspian." Edmund shouted loudly.
Charles stared at Edmund. Things began to make some sense, the confidence, the sneaking through the woods, the anger at being treated like a criminal, the small remarks, the outrage of the wolf. Caspian wasn't the King, it was Edmund. Edmund had no eyes' for Charles' goldfishing mouth, staring down at the wolf as much as one could when tied to a chair.
"You are no King of mine," The wolf spat back.
"Be careful wolf, one might mistake you for being sympathetic to the Fell and their mistress," Edmund snarled.
"The wolf growled again, snapping his jaws, getting right up to Edmund's face.
"Just tell them Edmund! Tell them what we need to and we can leave!" Charles yelled, ignoring momentarily the new piece of information, there would be time for that later and Charles wasn't willing to chance their freedom and Edmund's claim.
"That story is for Caspian's ears only, we will not undermine him," Edmund warned Charles, ignoring the hot breath of wolf on his face.
"Sir," The guard warned Gurdin, whose paws now sat on Edmund's chest.
Gurdin backed off and sat on his haunches, staring at Edmund. Charles did not know how long they sat in silence, but with every passing moment Edmund's stare became more confident and he himself seemed to grow larger whilst the wolf seemed to grow smaller. It was as if time was stopped, it would not move as Edmund began to dominant the room using just his presence.
The door slammed open with a bang, smashing hard against the stone walls.
"GURDIN! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU TO BE AN HOUR LATE TO THE MOST IMPORTANT MEETING YOU WILL EVER HAVE!" A short, red bearded man entered the room, his face pinched with anger.
Edmund snapped his head around, "Trumpkin!"
"Candles and cookies! Edmund!" The dwarf shouted in shock, his head whipping around the room trying to make sense of it.
"Gurdin! You've had the King in here, this whole time. He should have been brought to me. Your older boy," he nodded his head in approval, "now this is what I expected."
"Just cut me and Charles out Trumpkin, we have news you would want to here." Edmund ignored Trumpkin's comments and struggled against the ropes.
"Out! And not a word!" Trumpkin snapped at the guard, who exited immediately, closing the door softly behind him. Trumpkin worked to have the boys cut out of their ropes. Charles rubbed the chaffed areas, grateful that at last it seemed he would have answers as he rearranged himself into a more comfortable position on the chair.
"What's the meaning of this Gurdin?" Trumpkin asked of the wolf.
"Sorry my lord, they were caught trespassing. I had no idea," The wolf was trembling ever so slightly, his ears pressed hard against his head.
"He's the King!" Trumpkin once again shouted at Gurdin. "You have quite the record of forgetting whose King and who isn't lately!"
"The wolf fell to the floor, pressing himself flat, his nose on Edmund's worn boots.
"Forgive me, my King."
"Edmund looked to Trumpkin for what seemed to be permission, but the dwarf would not look at him, he was eyeing Charles dangerously. Edmund sighed.
"All is well cousin, I suspect you have duties to attend to." Edmund dismissed him.
"The wolf understood clearly and ran out of the room, his tail between his legs as Edmund made a mental note to investigate him - prisoners still had rights, even if they were mostly monsters.
"And who are you?" The dwarf said threateningly to Charles.
Charles tried to stammer out words, but Edmund cut in.
"He's my friend. Look, we all need to go find Caspian. The Fell creatures are gathering in the Lantern Waste."
Charles found himself pushed out of the conversation again, having no idea what to say or do.
"We know, why do you think we're on lock down?" Trumpkin said, looking through the papers on Gurdin's desk. "After the assassination attempt Caspian - bless him - has gone to Aslan's How to pray at the stone table for guidance. Guess it worked."
"Except it didn't. Aslan didn't send us."
"Who's Aslan?" Charles asked, recalling that he had heard the name several times through his travels.
Edmund laughed, "you ought to ask Trumpkin that."
"Has your sister wiped that smug look off her face yet?" Trumpkin shot back, smiling slightly.
"Charles made an impatient noise and after a few looks between them Trumpkin spoke.
"He's a lion. The son of the Emperor over The Sea. He created Narnia, he created magic and he created each of us -" "and died for each of us" "yes, and when the time is right we will die for him and join him in his Country."
"If he's dead then how is he alive?" Charles asked, confused, this lion seemed to not make sense.
"The old magic, it's a long story." Edmund said
"You'll understand in time." Trumpkin said knowingly.
"Aslan must have sent you two - there is no other way." Trumpkin insisted, returning to the topic at hand as he found the papers he had been looking for.
"What of the first Telmarines?" Edmund objected.
"A gateway, made by Aslan. It's all Aslan. Every Son of Adam and Daughter of Eve has been sent by Aslan in some way." Trumpkin again insisted, though Charles thought he sounded like he was in denial.
"That's simply not true! What of Lord Diggory and Lady Polly? They had magic rings."
"At the beginning of time, and after they traveled through the Woods between the Worlds. Seen any woods that let you travel to different worlds lately? I hear it's got the cheapest travel costs around."
"Charles thought that he had seen an awful lot of woods recently, but he could tell from Edmund's face that those woods were not the ones they were talking of.
"It felt different, wrong." Edmund insisted, halfheartedly.
"Of course it felt wrong, you travelled worlds," Trumpkin snorted and Charles quite agreed.
"Oh bother it all, you know what I mean Trumpkin. Between Aslan saying that I would never again return and the wrongness of it all I know it wasn't Aslan."
"He changed his mind then," Trumpkin argued again.
"Aslan doesn't change His mind," Edmund said again.
"Well how did you get here? Suddenly felt like you could travel worlds with that excellent singing voice of yours?" Trumpkin said sarcastically.
"The white witch?" Edmund proposed.
"Don't say that name boy." Trumpkin warned. The room tensed and Charles was suddenly under the opinion that Edmund was right about Trumpkin not caring for titles and what they meant.
"So it could be her?" Edmund smiled slyly as if he had one some impossible guessing game.
"Who?" Charles asked.
"Possibly, we'll see what Caspian says." Trumpkin returned after a moment, ignoring Charles.
"Edmund didn't answer him, and the room fell silent as Edmund thought hard.
"Come on, you two look like you've eaten only apples for a week," Trumpkin laughed.
The two followed Trumpkin to a dining room full of bright light and with views overlooking the wood they had spent days walking through. Trumpkin excused himself, going to send word to Caspian whilst carts full of pastries were rolled in and the two were left alone.
"As promised." Edmund said with a flourish of his hand, laughing.
Charles and Edmund dug in and ate heartily, gorging their selves.
"So, I owe you some explanations." Edmund ventured.
Charles nodded hard.
"What I claimed to Gurdin was true, I am the King. One of the Kings, Narnia has a few. Whether I am King over Caspian is subjective, but in politics it means conflict. My becoming King is a long story - and only told right by a few people, perhaps I'll tell you one day but it isn't important is important is that Narnia is on the brink of a war. This security lockdown isn't good - and Trumpkin may say that Caspian left to find Aslan, but that only means that Caspian is in hiding, and that there's a lot going on that they don't know about yet. War gets bad in Narnia, it's nothing like the second world war, it's just as terrifying with less medicine and technology to help. I don't want you to be caught in this war, and you don't want that either. So new priority, we get you home. Once Caspian returns i'll organise a company to accompany us and take you back. Agreed?"
Charles was under the opinion that he hadn't received much of an explanation but agreed nonetheless, Edmund was right, he didn't want to be trapped in a war.
Once they had finished eating Edmund took Charles to have a bath (it was quite strange for him,) and gave him some soft Narnian clothes and put him in a bed that Charles could only describe as sleeping on a cloud and he fell into a slumber. Before he fell asleep he remembered briefly Edmund stationing a tiger at the foot of his bed with the instructions to take him to Edmund once he had awoken.