Well, I got inspired to edit after seeing the 6 reviews I've gotten already. =) I'm a sucker for compliments. This chapter was close to ready anyway.

Disclaimer: Narnia is not mine. Neither is the Magnificent Peter Pevensie. But Ignatius is. =) Read on...

The High King sat at the head of a long rectangular table in the meeting room of the castle. The rest of the places around the table were occupied with various fauns, centaurs, and talking animals—the Council of the Court of Narnia. Today's topic of discussion was foreign relations, specifically, their relation with Calormen. It was not Peter's favorite topic, as it was rather difficult at times to get along with the Calormenes. But it was essential to Narnia's well-being and to the peace of all the countries of that world, which he kept repeating to himself so it would (perhaps) make the two-hour-long council more bearable. But still, he kept wishing he were somewhere else—with Lucy, who was probably reading in the library, or even with Susan, who had been given the task of organizing the next ball to be held at Cair in a couple months.

Peter sighed as he remembered what Susan had related to him earlier that morning. He hated that his brother was hurting still, but felt almost helpless to do anything about it. Edmund's continued guilt and self-condemnation had negative effects on his health, his mood, and the whole family's unity. Yet, try as Peter might, he could not convince him that all was well, all was taken care of. Ed simply would not let the past go, and it frustrated Peter. Could he not see what he was doing to himself? There were times when the High King thought Edmund almost liked what he was going through, almost thought of it as his deserved punishment. He shook his head slightly and glanced at his younger brother, sitting on his right. Ed's eyes were closed, his breathing deep. Every now and then something that sounded very much like a snore escaped his mouth. Peter tried not to laugh as he gave Edmund's legs a hearty kick from under the table. Ed's head snapped up, his eyes struggling to focus. Peter nodded towards the room, indicating that they needed to pay attention to the discussion going on among the Council. At that moment, a faun named Ignatius (who was a rather large faun, and known for his quick temper) was giving a long rant about Calormen, his voice increasing in volume as he went on.

"… All they're interested in doing is making money! And once they've sucked us and Archenland dry of all our riches, they'll march in with their armies and take over! Calormen's newest demands on our trade are absolutely... absolutely…." He sputtered, his face turning red as he tried to come up with a word nasty enough to describe it.

"Unreasonable?" piped a Talking Squirrel.

"Foolish?" a centaur suggested.

"Stupid…" Edmund muttered under his breath.

"Precisely!" Ignatius threw up his hands in exasperation. "We should not have to put up with this!"

"Ignatius, please," Peter held up his hand to silence the faun. "I am aware of the Calormenes' extreme requests. However," he spoke louder for emphasis, "if we all remain calm, reasonable, and discuss this with their ambassadors in a diplomatic manner, I'm sure a compromise can be made."

A few of the animals and creatures nodded in agreement. Oreius, standing to the left of the High King, spoke. "Sire, I hope you have something in mind, because those ambassadors will be arriving this afternoon to discuss it."

"They what?" Peter stood so fast, his chair was almost knocked over. The room fell silent. "The Tisroc's last message said they would be arriving sometime late next week! When did you find out about this drastic change in schedule?" His voice echoed around the chamber. All around the table, shocked faces stared back at him, too scared to say anything. Peter felt the color draining from his face.

"I got the most recent message about half an hour ago, just before this Council convened."

"Half an hour?" Peter thundered. Head pounding, heart racing, he turned to the rest of the room. "Has anyone else heard anything about this newest development?"

The only response was silence. Some shook their heads. He saw Edmund rise slowly and stand next to him. "Pete…" he rested a hand on his shoulder. "Didn't you just tell the Council something about being calm, reasonable, and…"

Peter let his breath out in one long sigh. "Diplomatic." But he didn't feel diplomatic. He felt like being violently sick.

The younger King nodded and turned to Oreius. "Do you know how many are planning on coming?"

"To my knowledge, just two, your Majesty," the centaur general spoke calmly. "Their ship is scheduled to arrive in the harbor in a few hours, and with any luck they'll be sailing home before this time tomorrow."

Peter sank back into his chair and massaged his forehead. "A few hours…"

Edmund addressed the whole Council. "While this is indeed a shock and will need cooperation and effort from everyone to pull through, we have dealt with worse problems in the past." His level, calm voice had a soothing effect on the atmosphere in the room. "I see no reason why speaking with the ambassadors today would be any different than speaking with them a week from now. We should make sure to be welcome and gracious to them even if we may feel offended by their lack of communication and courtesy. Let us show that Narnian hospitality is extended to all, and act in such a way that if Aslan himself were here, he would be proud of our conduct." Peter glanced up at his brother standing next to him. The weariness and depression that had hung around him all morning had suddenly vanished, to be replaced with an air of leadership and confidence. Surprised and impressed, Peter watched as the younger King made various assignments and coordinated the rest of the meeting, bringing it to an early close so preparations could be made quickly.

After the Council had dispersed, Peter pulled him aside in the hallway outside the meeting chamber. "Ed, what you did back there, that was… absolutely brilliant," he smiled.

Edmund gave a look of mild surprise. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Peter said firmly. "You handled everything incredibly well. And… I'm sorry for my outburst," he apologized sheepishly.

"It's alright. I was pretty shocked too."

"A few hours, Edmund! And with a message sent the morning of their arrival! How…"

"Yeah, well, we always knew the Calormenes were thick, we just didn't know they were rude and inconsiderate pigs, too."

Peter laughed, walking down the hall as he did. "Just don't say that to their faces—it's not quite what I'd consider 'diplomatic'."

Edmund grinned. "You going to get the girls?"

"Susan, at least. Lucy's always harder to find."

"I'll find her—she's probably buried in a book somewhere in the library."

"Alright, thanks. Meet in the throne room as soon as you can."

As he headed towards Susan's bedroom, Peter couldn't help but smile to himself. Seeing his brother happier made him feel that much better about everything; even if this meeting with the Calormen ambassadors was a nightmare, it would be tolerable because Edmund had managed to pull himself (at least temporarily) out of his chronic depression.

Maybe I should give him more leadership opportunities, thought Peter as he knocked on Susan's door. At least I would have a little more help with all these responsibilities.

Reviewers, thanks for the kind words! I suppose I should respond...

Hain degistirildi - Merci beau coup =) I shall indeed try to complete this soon

Evenstar202 - Aw, stop it. I'm blushing.

Aravis Queen of Archenland - Thanks! Uh, define "action". Haha there is SOMETHING coming around the corner!

tacobella18 - Thanks, I'm glad you think so =)

tapdancer10 - It pays to be patient ;) thanks so much!

I've decided to take my laptop in the car with me, as I'll be traveling for a full two days with my family. I'll probably be able to finish this one, and maybe even start on another Narnia fanfic! I have a couple of ideas I've been tossing around... *mischievous grin*

Thanks for reading! Keep checking back!

-AlambilStar