Disclaimer: Edmund Pevensie and all the characters and situations in The Chronicles of Narnia belong to C. S. Lewis and not to me. Romulus and Remus appear by the kind permission of Lady Alambiel.

Chapter Three

"If you're from Narnia," Elain asked, huddling in her cloak a little closer to the fire, "what were you doing in Archenland? Visiting?"

Edmund handed her the wineskin, keeping his expression bland and guileless. She didn't need to know about his visit to the Tisroc (may he wear those stupid pointy toed shoes forever). "Actually, I went there to get a wedding gift for my brother's bride."

She gave him a shy smile and took a drink. "I should have thought there would be wonders enough in Narnia to prevent your going so far."

"But this was something available nowhere but the southwest of Archenland. At least not that I know of."

He went to a nook in the side of the cave, one that was well sheltered from the wind and cold, and took the dome-shaped parcel out of it. Once he had it there before the girl, he removed the cover, displaying a pair of birds that looked rather like doves except for the long feathers of the tails that swept behind them. For a moment they seemed to be headless, and then they took their heads out from under their silvery wings and blinked owlishly in the leaping firelight.

"Moonbirds!" Elain clasped her hands together, her dark eyes sparkling. "Oh, aren't they sweet?"

"You're familiar with them?"

"Oh, yes. They're native to my home."

Edmund smiled, trying not to look as if he were making a tactical assessment of her. "Deerfield? That's where my brother's betrothed is from."

"No, not Deerfield. Not quite." She looked over at Philip who was standing near Edmund, quietly munching carrots, and then gave Edmund a faint smile. "A bit south of there. Not quite to Calormen. Not that they are common even there, but we do see them from time to time."

She reached out one finger to stroke the plumed head of one of the birds and, startled, he puffed up his feathers and spread out his tail in what was certainly meant to be a menacing display. If nothing else, it was a gorgeous one. His feathers were silvery-white, shaded to a soft gray at the tips with an intricate, almost lacy, faint pattern over them. His eyes were large and liquid, rather frightened but mild all the same. The female, slightly smaller and with fainter markings, made a soft cooing sound.

"Don't be afraid," the girl cooed back. "No one will harm you."

She gently stroked one bird's head and then the other's, and they blinked at her. The male's feathers smoothed, and he seemed to settle a bit.

"They're so very beautiful," she said, smiling at Edmund, her dark eyes sparkling in the firelight. "What a lovely present for a bride."

"I hope so," he said. "But I'm told they have an amazing song, and all I have heard so far is a few coos. I'm disappointed."

She shook her head. "Have you had them out at night?"

"No." He frowned. "I've been trying to keep them warm. It's been fairly miserable out there ever since we got into the mountains. Besides, aren't birds supposed to sleep at night? My mother always covered hers until morning."

"No, no, no. Don't you understand? They need to be out in the moonlight. Then they'll sing." She rolled her eyes. "Why do you think they call them moonbirds, you goose." Immediately she clapped both hands over her mouth. "Oh, do forgive me. That was terribly rude of me and very childish, too. You had no way of knowing about the moonlight. You're not from Archenland and you couldn't have known. My father always said I spoke before I thought, and it's a terrible quality to have. I hardly know you at all, and you've been so very kind, and I–"

"No, please." Laughing, Edmund took her hands. "Please don't be sorry. My younger sister almost always speaks her mind, though she doesn't usually call anyone but me and my brother 'goose.' And when she does, we nearly always deserve it."

She looked at him for another anxious moment and then she laughed too. "Boys nearly always do."

"I expect we do," he said, glad that she seemed to have relaxed a bit. "I'm glad you told me about the birds though. It's been mostly overcast here in the mountains, but the moon is waxing, and when we get down into Narnia, we ought to have some lovely moonlit nights."

There was a sudden softness in her eyes. "I've twice heard moonbirds singing. Once when I was a little girl, and the second time the night my father died."

"I'm sorry you've lost him. What about the rest of your family?"

She shrugged, looking away. "Now that my father is gone, there's no one at home."

"Your mother?"

"She died when I was a very little girl. And when my father died, my–" She stopped herself. "My servants abandoned me, as you know. All I can do now is try to get news of The Arabella and hope she has met with success."

"You needn't worry," he said, wishing there were some way he could make everything right again for her. "You will be welcome at Cair Paravel, rich or poor."

"Your family won't mind if I visit at such a time? Surely your brother's wedding has your family at sixes and sevens."

He grinned. "My older sister, certainly, but she's quite good at managing things, even unexpected guests. I know she'll be delighted to have you."

"And your younger sister?"

"She will be even more delighted, I promise."

Elain bit her lip. "And your brother?"

"Never mind about him. He's so twitterpated about his bride, he won't even know you're there. Or I'm there either."

That made her giggle. "Well, if you're certain I won't inconvenience anyone . . ."

"Not in the least. After all you've been through, you deserve some comforting."

She smiled over at the birds. "I sometimes think they were sent to comfort me, when they sang for my father's passing."

She looked away then, her cheeks suddenly pink, and he was glad he hadn't let go of her hands.

"Perhaps they were."

"They're birds," she said, looking skeptical as she took her hands away from him. "Nobody can send them to do anything."

"I know Someone who could."

Before she could reply, there was a commotion at the cave entrance, and then Romulus and Remus barreled inside, each of them carrying a freshly caught rabbit.

"I got one first," Remus said as he dropped his catch at Edmund's feet. "He took a lot longer."

"I did not." Romulus shouldered his way between his brother and Edmund, setting his rabbit next to the other. "I found the warren and flushed the rabbits out. He would never have caught anything without me."

"Would so," Remus said.

"Would not," Romulus insisted.

"So."

"Not."

"Enough!" Edmund gave them both a stern look until they ducked their heads and were silent. "Did you take something for yourselves?"

The Wolves both nodded.

"All right. Thank you for getting this. Now lie down by the fire and get warm."

Romulus did as he was told. Remus went over to Elain and sat down smiling, his shaggy head cocked to one side.

"Do you have puppies?"

She shook her head. "We had a dog when I was a little girl, but–"

"Humans always give their mates extra food when they're going to have puppies."

Her eyes widened, and then her face turned pink again.

"Remus!" Edmund glared at him until, tail drooping, he slunk over to the other side of the fire with his brother, and then Edmund turned to the girl, sure his face was as red as hers. "I'm so sorry. Please don't be offended."

She blinked at him for a moment, and then once again broke into peals of laughter. "And I thought I was bad about saying whatever came into my head."

He chuckled, still feeling rather sheepish. "I firmly believe my brother gave them to me just to annoy me."

Her forehead wrinkled. "Gave them to you?"

"In a manner of speaking," Edmund said with a shrug. "He doesn't like any of us going about alone. Narnia is the most glorious place in all the worlds, if you ask me, but it isn't always safe. It's a good idea to have a friend or two along if possible."

There was a touch of rue in her faint smile. "If you have friends you can trust."

He nodded, knowing what she said was all too true. "I know you've had a rough time of it, but we'll see you get to Cair Paravel safe and sound, won't we?"

The Wolves sat up, grinning again, and Philip whickered.

"I would be pleased to carry you, Lady," he said with a gallant bow of his head. "Whenever you choose."

"And we can get meat for you," Romulus told her. "Any time. Just ask."

"Even if you're not going to have puppies," Remus added helpfully.

Edmund sighed, and Elain laughed once again.

"You needn't worry, Lady," Philip said disdainfully. "There are some creatures in Narnia who have been taught proper manners."

"I'm sure there are," she said and then she smiled on the Wolves. "Perhaps we three can learn to be better behaved."

Their yellow eyes full of adoration, their mouths open wide in doggy grins, Romulus and Remus scurried over and settled at either side of her.

"I wouldn't expect too much," Edmund advised, "but you're welcome to try. For now, though, you should probably try to sleep. We'll be going down into Narnia first thing in the morning."

He gave her his bedroll, amused to see her and the Wolves curl up together. At least she would be warm. By the time he had skinned and cooked the rabbit, they were sound asleep.

Author's Note: So he's taking her with them to Cair Paravel. What do you think is coming up? I'd love to know what you think.