It was said in Narnia that each creature was given a task by Aslan, one which was passed down through generations so that there would always be someone to see it done.

For centaurs, it was to watch the dance of the stars, seeking to discern possibilities of the future in the messages they displayed.

Badgers were given the task to remember the ancient tales, so that in times of darkness they could tell of the heroic deeds of past Narnians, and the strength and hope all received from Aslan.

I am just a simple hedgehog, but from an early age I believed that Aslan had appointed me the task of preserving the wisdom and knowledge of our ancestors.

Since childhood, the quest for knowledge had always fascinated and drawn me. Often when other hedgehogs would rather have joined their friends in play, I was to be found engrossed in a scroll of Narnian lore or asking for a story from my parents.

I kept that love of knowledge with me as I grew older, and when fully grown I became a respected scholar among my people.

It was for this reason I was chosen to serve as librarian at the Cair after the downfall of Jadis.

I remember the day I carefully stored every book and scroll in my personal collection, looking forward to sharing their knowledge with the four Aslan had chosen to rule Narnia.

I had little time to begin adding them to the books within the Cair's library, as preparations for the coronation filled much of my first week at the castle.

Our kings and queens sought me out frequently then, asking for my help in explaining their part in the approaching festivities.

It wasn't until three days had passed after the four thrones had been filled, that I began my daunting task.

I lost myself in my work, marveling at the vast amount of knowledge this room contained. Books of music, poetry, law and the history of Narnia's battles passed before my eyes as I looked for the right places to add the manuscripts I'd collected over the years.

Oblivious to the passing of time, I continued my work until I heard a clock strike midnight.

Deciding to continue in the morning, I curled up in my basket intending to get some rest.

It was then that I saw the soft glow of candlelight approaching through the crack beneath the library door.

It opened softly, almost reluctantly as if the person on the other side did not want to be discovered or overheard.

But there was no mistaking the slender dark haired figure, as he made his way to a table near the fire, set down a candle, and began to search the shelves for Aslan only knew what.

I sat silent and unmoving in my basket, curious as to what our youngest king could be seeking at this hour. He remained unaware of my presence as he took down book after book from the shelves, piled them on a table close to the dying fire, and began to read by the light of a single candle.

I watched his face as he read, the play of candlelight over the youthful features revealing a determination and solemnity rarely seen in one so young.

Whatever he was looking for, it must be important to draw him from his bed at this hour.

Cautiously I uncurled and stretched my head up just above the rim of my basket, curious as to what held our youngest king's attention so completely.

At that moment the flames in the hearth flared for an instant, and I was able to read the title engraved upon the book's spine.

Narnian Laws and Their History.

Comprehension struck, swift and powerful as I realized the purpose of King Edmund's search.

Like all who lived at the Cair, I had been present at the coronation of our four rulers, and had heard what Aslan had called our youngest king.

King Edmund The Just.

I also knew the story of how he had betrayed his family to Jadis, but been forgiven by Aslan himself. Oreius had spoken of his courage in battle, and of how it was Edmund who realized the key to defeating our ancient foe lay in destroying her wand.

Now he had come here, to learn and study, so that he might be worthy of the title King Edmund the Just. I suspected that he wished to keep his quest from his siblings out of a lingering sense of shame or inadequacy.

This thought was followed by a revelation which left me breathless with shock and awe.

I had been right to cling to that deep and abiding conviction formed in my childhood, the notion that I, like other Narnian creatures had been given a task by Aslan.

All of my years of pain staking research, of gathering scrolls and long forgotten tomes of Narnian lore, was meant to serve two purposes. To equip our rulers for the task of governing, and help a king on the path towards his destiny.

This was my calling, and I would do everything in my power to follow the will of Aslan.

Once I realized what King Edmund wanted, I made an effort to search out the books which would help him in his quest. Books of history, law and philosophy. Ancient scrolls of the journals of Narnia's rulers before Jadis came. There were not many amongst that collection, for she had tried her hardest to erase the memory of the monarchs who came before her.

I had searched long and hard for those accounts, carefully stored them in secret, in the hope that they might be of use if the prophecy was ever fulfilled.

I recall arranging the fruits of my labor on what was fast becoming in my mind king Edmund's table, smiling in quiet satisfaction.

Yes, these manuscripts would help him in his quest, to understand and become worthy of the title The Just.

He came often over the years of the four's reign, and although we rarely spoke I knew that we had formed a deep and abiding friendship. It was built on a shared understanding, of the challenges and struggle to shoulder the burden of kingship. .

Now as I look back, I thank Aslan for allowing me to help King Edmund carry the weight of his destiny, to have a part in shaping and supporting him on his path to becoming a king known for his wisdom, justice, and mercy.

Note from the authoress: My thanks to Elecktrum, for permission to include her characters in this story. You can find the librarian Irel mentioned in her tales of Narnia.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, I love reading all of your comments and suggestions on where I should take this story.