Chapter 4 - Observations Old and New

Edmund wished everyone would just stop fussing and leave him alone. His head hurt from the rap on his skull he had taken from the Raven when it had surprised Phillip and him, not to mention the assortment of claw marks on his shoulders from the talons, but he was more worried about Phillip. The brave Horse had taken the worst of the beating from the ambush. Edmund felt like a blazing idiot. His guard had been down. After all this classes with Oreius, it was a stupid mistake to make and had almost cost Phillip's and his own lives.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" a small excited voice caught his attention, and he looked down. A tiny Squirrel was staring up at him tugging on the fur of an older Squirrel, presumably the little Squirrel's Father. "Daddy! It's him!" the little Squirrel said in awe, huge eyes staring at Edmund.

Edmund gave the Squirrels a confused look as the father Squirrel looked up and recognition flooded his features.

"Well, bless my tail and whiskers, if'n it ain't," the older Squirrel said in surprise.

Suddenly, the whole troupe of Squirrels were bowing low in front of Edmund.

Helplessly, he looked at his brother, but Peter seemed just as confused as he was.

"Pray rise, noble Squirrels," Edmund said at a total loss, but not wanting to offend the little Animals. "Have we met?" he asked after a moment.

"In a manner of speaking, yes, your majesty and no," the elder Squirrel told him. "We have met before, but we've never properly introduced we have. I'm Barkrunner and this is my son, Flickleaf. "

"It is a pleasure," Edmund said, racking his aching brain trying to remember meeting Talking Squirrels before, but he couldn't.

"It was a few weeks ago, your Majesty," the elder Squirrel told him. "Before your Majesties defeated the Witch. When your Majesty was her prisoner," he said softly. "You risked yourself to try to prevent the Witch from turning us to stone."

Peter looked sharply at Edmund at this, clearly surprised.

Edmund felt his ears burn as he suddenly remembered. "The Christmas tea party," he acknowledged. "It was the least I could do. I'm sorry, I should have tried harder to protect you. I--" he broke off in ashamed silence.

"Nay, your majesty," the Squirrel said sharply. "You did what you could, there is no shame in that. You were her prisoner, but you tried, even bound as you was."

"And she hit you," Flickleaf piped up and then he covered his mouth, ducking back behind his Father.

Barkrunner smiled fondly at his son. "Aye, she was fond of being a brute with those who didn't do as she told," he said wryly.

Edmund blinked in confusion. "How did you know that? That was after she turned you to stone," he stated.

"Keiree the Lark told us after we became ourselves again. She saw the whole thing."

The young King closed his eyes guilt flooding through him again wondering how much of his actions with the Witch his subjects had witnessed. How much they knew.

A small furry hand touched his. "King Edmund, if I may be so bold," the Barkrunner said. "Thank you, your Majesty. The Squirrels of our clan will be forever grateful for your bravery and if we may ever be a service, we are at you beck and call."

"Thank you," Edmund said, struggling for words, humbled by the Squirrel's gratitude. "I will strive to be worthy of your honor," he told them.

Barkrunner smiled. "You are, your Majesty," he said, nudging his son to move as they excused themselves.

Peter came up to Edmund and laid his hand on the young King's shoulder. "You never said anything about that," he said. "I'd say that was pretty brave of you."

Edmund hung his head. "I should have tried helped them more."

"Don't forget you were her prisoner at that point, Ed. You did what you could, and that's what counts. I'm proud of you," the older boy told him.

Edmund looked up sharply and then flushed at the praise.

"Ease up on yourself," Peter said quietly, giving his brother's shoulder a squeeze. "Let's get you in and get you cleaned up. That Raven really tried to take a chunk out of you," he said, frowning and giving the gash on Edmund's head a good look. "The Squirrels think the Raven may have been someone left over from the Witch's army. I had though we cleared that lot out of here. I have Oreius send out a some troupes to patrol the area and see what they can find. Until then, I think we should keep closer to the castle until we know what we're up against."

"Good idea," Edmund said tiredly, letting his brother lead him back into the castle.

Peter watched as Edmund silently sat through his wounds being dressed. What worried him the most was the silence. Edmund was never one to suffer in silence. That was until now.

Ever since he had come back from his time with the Witch, he was different. In some ways, it was wonderful. They had their brother back. Edmund, as he had been before the war and school. Edmund how he remembered him when they were small, back when they were as close as any two brothers could be. In other ways, it was disturbing. He was too quiet. Too thoughtful. Peter worried about what was going on in his brother's head.

Edmund looked up and saw Peter watching him. "Are you sure Phillip is alright?" he asked for the tenth time since they had gotten back to Cair Paravell.

"Oreius is looking after him personally," Peter reassured his brother again. "He said the wounds looked much more severe than they actually were. He'll be fine."

Edmund lapsed back into silence. Peter shot a concerned look at the Tholun, the elder Faun, who was carefully stitching the gash on Edmund's head closed. The Faun shook his head, and Peter bit back a sigh. Once the head wound was tended to, Edmund's other injuries were cleaned and bandaged in short order.

After Edmund was cleaned up and safely tucked into his bed, Tholun sought Peter out. "Your Majesty, I needed to asked you something. Has King Edmund been ill?" he asked.

Peter frowned. "No, why do you ask?"

"You'll forgive me, sire, but he doesn't look well." Tholun held up a hand to forestall Peter. "I mean, more than his current injuries. Has he been having difficulty sleeping?" he asked.

The High King sighed. "Yes. Edmund's been having pretty nasty nightmares ever since we got him back," he finally admitted quietly.

The Faun nodded. "Understandable." A look of sadness passed over the healer's face. "I think we often forget because of how much good you have brought to Narnia, how very young you still are."

Peter suddenly bristled, but Tholun held up his hands in a placating manner. "I mean no disrespect, your Majesty. Your youth is not a cause for shame. You and the other Son of Adam and Daughters of Eve have proved you carry a maturity well beyond your years. We can only thank Aslan for choosing so well, but it still does not change the fact of your youth, nor change the face that it is our duty and our privilegeto protect you as best we can," Tholum said solemnly.

A warmth filled the High King at the healer's words and shame at judging him too quickly. "Thank you," he said finally.

The elder Faun bowed deeply. "It is my honor, my King. I will go offer General Oreius my humble skill if he needs it for Phillip. By your leave?" he requested and Peter nodded.

"Thank you, Tholum. I'm sure that will do much to reassure Edmund. No offence to General Oreius, of course."

"Of course," Tholum said with a smile.

Peter watched him go and then went to check on his brother.