Edmund walked into the bank of Gringotts. He had slipped out of Hogwarts near dawn, traveled to Hogsmead, and from there flooed to the Leaky Cauldron. He quickly walked forward to one of the tellers. Though he had seen creatures vaguely resembling Goblins in Narnia, he had never seen exactly this species, and that worried him.
Every race in Narnia had their own customs, from the Centaur's natural reserve, to the rabbit's energetic welcome ritual. As Kings and Queens of Narnia, the four had learned as many of these customs as possible. Unfortunately, Edmund was now going in to negotiate with a species that he had never even seen, let alone studied the customs of. Edmund was desperately hoping he didn't make a major social gaff. According to Ernie's memories, not only would such a thing likely be fatal, but it would be difficult to avoid as well.
Still, Edmund was no coward, and though the part of him that remained Ernie MacMillan was fearful, Edmund was able to portray a confidant attitude.
As he approached the teller, Edmund took a deep breath.
"Hello, I would like to open into negotiations with the Goblin Nation on behalf of the Narnian Crown. To whom should I address my inquiry?"
The teller looked up sharply, and squinted at Edmund for a long moment. Finally, in a terse voice he said "I will direct you to Master Ripclaw's office."
Edmund nodded, and said "Thank you, your help in this matter is much appreciated."
The teller simply sneered and called out "Yukmute! Escort this gentlemen" he sneered the word "to Master Ripclaw's office."
Edmund was slightly taken aback by the contempt in the teller's voice, and wondered if he had made a social blunder already.
A young looking goblin rushed over and beckoned quickly. "This way" he said tersely.
Edmund was beginning to wonder if it was part of their culture to always be so abrupt and terse, it certainly seemed that way.
Following the goblin guide, Edmund took note of the defensive works that could appear in the halls at any moment. The entire place was designed like Aslan's How. When he had that thought, Edmund stopped suddenly.
The goblin guide turned to him and asked sharply "What it is it?"
Edmund shook himself, and spoke to the guide. "One moment please" as he did so, he moved towards the wall.
The guide watched him suspiciously, as Edmund brushed his hands over the walls. Finally, Edmund found what he was looking for, the barest feeling of carvings, worn away by many years.
Edmund stared hard at the faded carvings, trying to discern details that might support his emerging theory.
Before he could do so however the guide snapped. "You are wasting time, and therefore money, either come with me or leave."
Edmund sighed disappointed as he resumed following the guide, though he spent particular attention to the layout of the tunnels.
Finally, the guide and Edmund arrived at a door that was shut tightly. Yukmute knocked sharply, and a voice growled in answer. Obviously taking that as an affirmative, Yukmute opened the door, and gestured for Edmund to precede him into the office.
Edmund entered the goblin office with little idea what to expect. The room was carved from rock, though it was obviously a room, not a cave. A desk and a few bookshelves were in the room, while a series of torches lit the room from the walls. The goblin Ripclaw was sitting behind his desk, quite clearly impatient. Edmund saw a second chair in the room, and walked in front of it before giving a bow denoting a superior greeting an inferior.
The goblin Ripclaw was obviously surprised, though whether it was because Edmund knew proper educate, Ripclaw didn't recognize said educate, or he was simply surprised to be greeted as one inferior rank, Edmund wasn't sure.
"Mr. MacMillan, I understand you are here on behalf of a nation we have never heard of." Ripclaw said, absently dismissing the guide.
Edmund nodded and sat. "I am here as a diplomatic envoy on behalf of the Narnian Crown, they wish to become friendly with the Goblin Nation."
Ripclaw nodded for a moment and then asked "And where exactly is this kingdom of Narnia?"
Ernie shifted uncomfortably before Edmund reasserted his training. "Narnia is a nation between Lantern Waste and the Northern Wilds." He began quickly
"It borders Archland in the east, and the Western Sea in the west. At the moment, Narnia does in fact not reside on any map of this world you may find, for Narnia is a nation of another world, one uncommonly close to this one."
Ripclaw's eyes widened perceptibly.
Edmund continued. "The current rulers of Narnia were born in this world, and have recently returned to Earth inadvertently. They wish to maintain diplomatic relations with the magical nations of this world in case other Narnians ever enter this world, or people from this world enter Narnia."
Ripclaw nodded slowly. "And you have proof of your claims?" Ripclaw asked carefully.
Edmund sighed. "While my royal sibling may call upon their magical gifts at will as proof, I am afraid that I never received such gifts. Thus I can offer you little more than my word, and this." Edmund held out his hand where a ring bearing the signet of the Narnian royal family lay.
Ripclaw's eyes widened quite a bit when he saw the signet. In fact, he was so shocked, that a slight gasp even made it through his lips.
"Am I to understand you have seen such a signet before?" Edumnd asked carefully.
Ripclaw looked up at Edmund with awe in his eyes. "Yes your Majesty, the signet you bear is the same as the original seal of honor goblin kind once used to seal all oaths. While no longer used, the seal has been passed down from the dawn of goblin history, with few goblin rings ever inscribed with it. I can see from here that is no goblin ring, and no others would make a ring baring that symbol, unless your story is true."
Edmund nodded slowly then he asked "Does the name Aslan mean anything to you?" Ripclaw gasped and stared at Edmund in disbelief.