A/N: Greetings! Hopefully, I won't completely disappear from the face of the earth as classes start again. Hope everyone is surviving out there with midterms or start of a new semester! Enjoy this chapter!

Thanks: Thank you to my beta Laura Andrews! Without her, I would probably have the silliest mistakes known to man. And, thank you to my younger cousin who helped to inspire this chapter so many years ago. :) She's the best brainstormer ever! Thanks, Munchkin. :)

Disclaimer: Yeah, still don't own them. If I did...I would be rich...


Chapter XI: Analysis and Apologies

Three weeks had gone by since the finding of the map. With all his duties, Edmund barely had a chance to think about let alone investigate the mystery. He and Peter were called to council after council, problems with a new trade agreement with Galma, and not to mention the problems with the giants. Peter had fought them off last year, but they were beginning to become restless once more. They were once again trespassing and causing destruction to Narnian families living near the border of Narnia and Ettinsmoor. Peter set out to deal with the issue, leaving Edmund in charge at Cair Paravel in the meantime.

Edmund never thought he could dislike the sound of his name so much as he did now. He could not go anywhere or do anything without hearing, "King Edmund! There is a lord requesting to speak to you" or "King Edmund, there is a terrible feud among the porcupines. Could you perhaps make peace?" or "King Edmund, there is a council this afternoon with this country or that province." It seemed to Edmund, that there would be no end to his duties.

After two weeks of nonstop work, Edmund tried to steal some time for himself by hiding in the spare room (the same one in which he and Sheleiya had discussed the routes) in the southern part of the castle. He quietly shut the door behind him so that no one would know he was there. He reclined onto the cushioned window seat. Several minutes went by. Just as he thought that no one would find him for some time and that he would actually have some quiet time, he heard a knock at the window.

"Queen Susan was looking for you, King Edmund!" the gardener called from the outside.

Edmund plastered a smile on his face as best he could. "Thank you! I'll attend to it immediately!"

He swung his feet to the ground and buried his face into his hands wearily. He heaved a heavy sigh.

"Only until later today. Peter should be back later today," he re-assured himself before pushing himself forward.

He found Susan and Lucy in the throne room.

"What is so urgent that I have been told to see you by our gardener, dear sister?" he asked slumping on his throne.

"We were waiting for you so this meeting can begin. And it sounds very urgent," Susan's tone was a worried one. "Oh, and do sit up, Ed!"

He obliged her as the heralds announced Lord Peridan and a few other lords and knights who had made their residence in Narnia. The three monarchs stood and all bowed.

"And, what, friends, is this emergency my sister has told me about?" Edmund said, trying to conceal the weariness in his voice.

"I have bad news, I'm afraid," replied Peridan. "There have been rumors of thieves in the Shuddering Wood."

Edmund tensed. "What did they steal?" he asked slowly thinking about the Archenland's problem.

"Well-er- nothing necessarily important, Sire. They tore some citizen's homes apart, but took nothing. And, one man says they stole things like water flasks, jugs, and the like. Oh, and he kept on ranting on his life's work being stolen. However, he was the fortunate one; his home is untouched, otherwise."

"Sisters, do you not remember our allies in Archenland stating the same problem. Thieves who stole traveling items, and, of course, there was that one map."

"Yes, Edmund," Susan said. "But, it is most alarming that these villains should be in Narnia. I hadn't thought it possible that they could change targets so soon."

"Neither did I, Su. Peridan, do you know how many men are involved in this 'raiding'?" Edmund asked.

"No, Sire, but, how long ago was it that Archenland has reported their dilemma?"

"Several weeks ago," Edmund replied.

"Well, then, it cannot be possible," Peridan muttered half to himself.

"What cannot be possible?" Lucy asked when he did not explain.

"I was just thinking, Your Majesty," he continued. "Perhaps, there is more than one band. Maybe they are in some sort of organization. "

"If that is so," Edmund said. "then, I fear Narnia may be in great danger, for they seem to be right under our noses yet we cannot catch their scent."

"Trained, perhaps?" Peridan said.

"Maybe," Edmund muttered thoughtfully.

"If they are trained," said Susan. "that would mean their numbers would be far greater than we have originally thought."

"Yes, my fear exactly," Peridan replied.

"Well, when we get a message from Archenland, we shall know for sure," Lucy said.

"We must tell Peter, at once," Susan said. "Wherever he is, I'm sure he wants to know. Besides, if this band gets too close to Cair Paravel, Peter has an army prepared."

"No," Edmund shook his head. "The band wouldn't risk running into our army at all. If they can go on undetected, the better they are. They seem to be looking for something, but not power or a kingdom- or, maybe not yet."

"What do you mean?" asked Lucy.

"I mean, whatever they are looking for may be the key to gaining power," Edmund paced back and forth on the small set of stairs in front of the thrones.

"Hold on! What about that one man?" Lucy gasped. "Maybe his life's work!"

"It would certainly make sense. That work might just be something they need," Susan added.

Edmund glanced at her worriedly. He knew she was right. "Peridan, do you know what this man's work was? Who was he, exactly?"

"A man claiming to be an old hermit in the west. He said he was experimenting—with your permission, as the law states. We did not catch his name. He was a bit—er—unruly, to say the least."

The three monarchs exchanged glances.

"Peridan," Edmund began slowly. "We've only approved three people since that law has been passed, and all three work in this castle."

"Sire, I didn't know," Peridan said. "He had papers."

"Forgery, no doubt. Send some soldiers to find this 'hermit' in the Shuddering Woods immediately. Tell them to arrest him once they have found him by orders of King Edmund."

Lucy shook her head. "Something is not right with this. Why would someone deliberately break the law if they weren't scheming against us? This man, whoever he claims to be, could be making poison."

"That is the likeliest possibility," Edmund paused. "We have been told that there have been robbers past the Telmar River and it seems to me that they might have passed their boundaries. I'm afraid we have had some one plotting against us some time without our knowledge. I don't know what the poison, if that is what it is, was made for, but I advise that everyone be very careful in what they eat or drink for a little while."

"Not to contradict you, Sire," began Peridan. "but, what leads you to believe that this man was involved with the band and not forced to surrender the poison?"

Edmund smiled. "You mentioned that his was the only house not torn apart, correct? If these are, in fact, the same robbers or from the same branch of robbers from Archenland, they would have destroyed the habitat, even if they hadn't found anything to steal."

"Excellent analysis, Edmund," remarked Susan.

"Thank you," Edmund replied meekly before going on. "Now, we must tell Peter about this immediately. Do you think a dispatch would get to him before he arrives, Susan?"

"I think it will, if I sent it now," replied Susan.

"Right, excuse me, and I shall do that-"

"I'll do that and send it out straight away. Edmund, you continue with your analyses," Lucy said, winking at her older brother.

Edmund reluctantly agreed. He wanted to get away from all the chaos to write a letter to his brother- no matter how small of a letter.

Once Lucy left, they continued their discussion.

"Now," said Peridan. "How are we to find and catch these thieves before they become too dangerous?"

"If only we could find something to lure them into one spot," Edmund said.

"Yes," said Susan. "But, to do that, we must figure out what they are looking for."

"I agree," Peridan said. "I could get some of my men to begin a search at once."

"And take a few of our soldiers as well," Edmund stated. "If your men can search south and ours north, we may be able to solve this mystery quickly."

"Yes, your majesty," Peridan bowed and Edmund and Susan gave a small bow in return. "I will start at once."

"As will I, Lord Peridan," Edmund smiled politely. By this time, Lucy had returned just in time to bid the lord and their good friend farewell.

Edmund set off to find a few Narnian soldiers to assign on the mission. He sent them with Lord Peridan right before he left so that a proper group could be made in due time.

The next few hours flew by and had been full of things to do. Edmund modified three laws, attended to two cases outside the castle, and wrote a few letters to kingdoms beyond Narnia. He then, quietly, slipped into the library to look up some old Narnian laws in a book. He had no sooner opened the book when an attendant had called him.

"King Edmund," he began.

Edmund nearly lost his temper at this point. He was very exhausted, yet he tried not to show it.

"Yes?" Edmund answered trying to keep his voice even.

"Queen Lucy asks if you would like to lunch with her or if you would rather continue with your work," the answer was.

Edmund sighed in relief. His sister was saving him from an afternoon of piled up work.

"You may tell her that I shall join her in a few minutes," Edmund replied with a genuine smile on his face.

He met Lucy outside, in the courtyard area with a small basket.

"I figured you would choose this option," she winked, making room for him on the blanket she had laid out. "Susan will join us presently. She's writing to another suitor whom she is refusing."

"Poor Su," Edmund said pulling out the plates from the basket. "I must thank you, though, dear sister, for you have saved me from drowning in paperwork."

Lucy giggled. "I know." She served some cold game and poured a small bit of wine in the glasses.

"I sent the attendant so everyone would know you were 'officially' busy and wouldn't disturb you."

"I don't know how long it will last," Edmund said doubtfully.

"It's been ever so tiring since Peter's been away," Lucy said, taking a bite of food.

"I agree with you there," Edmund said. "But, he will be back today. Then, we will have another matter to deal with."

"Yes, when do you think we will hear from Archenland?" Lucy asked.

"Well, pretty soon, I'm sure," Edmund said propping himself on his elbow. "I'm actually interested to hear what has been going on there. If they have had no suspicious activity, then we are in luck. That means that we are only dealing with one band of thieves, and not many."

"I hope everything has been peaceful there," Lucy laid back on the ground. Edmund now saw Susan approaching them.

"Hello," she smiled. "Sorry, I'm a bit late. I've been bombarded by letters for the past month and haven't had a chance to reply."

"We understand," Lucy sat up preparing a plate and a glass for Susan.

The rest of their meal was a pleasant one. The three siblings talked casually which they hadn't done in several weeks. But, like all pleasant times, they must come to an end. After everything was cleaned and packed away, the three laid back in contented silence. Not too much longer, a faun came over and said, "King Edmund, a deer has just informed me that Sheleiya of Archenland has just passed the border."

"Thank you," Edmund replied before dismissing him.

"I guess we're getting the news sooner than we thought," remarked Lucy.

"I suppose so," Edmund sighed. "Well, I had better be off."

They briefly exchanged their "goodbyes" before Edmund headed to the stables. He saddled a horse and began his journey to Glasswater Creek. He started out in a trot until he arrived into open country where he burst into a gallop. He teetered back and forth from walking and galloping (mostly the latter) for two hours. He admitted that he enjoyed the long ride. It was refreshing after the long weeks of being cooped up in the castle. When he arrived, Sheleiya was all ready there and letting her horse take a drink from the water.

"Hello, Your Majesty," she greeted him rather nonchalantly.

"Hullo," he returned evenly.

"Shall we move on?" she asked.

"Not yet," Edmund slipped off his horse. "I think I'll let my horse have a quick drink. Poor thing has galloped nearly the whole way."

"Of course," she replied tying her own horse on a branch. "Um, there was something I wanted to say to you actually, Your Majesty."

"Oh, and what's that?" Edmund replied leading his horse to the water. He was feeling quite exhausted and was not looking forward to another foolish argument.

"I wanted to apologize for my-er- impertinence the past couple of times we met. I didn't mean to insult you and your brother at all. I think of you both, as everyone in Archenland does, very highly. I suppose I was- jealous would fit."

"Jealous?" Edmund asked.

"Of your closeness. You see, you and your siblings are so closely bonded—especially you and your brother. At one time, I was the same with my sister, but since- well, she changed after awhile, and I always told myself it was because we got older. It was just an excuse , I suppose. But, anyway, my point is that I'm sorry, and I felt I needed to explain myself."

Edmund turned to face her. "Apology accepted. But, I would also like to offer you an apology. I shouldn't have lost my temper and spoken so rudely. Especially considering I didn't even know you very well."

She, in turn, accepted his apology.

"So, what's the news from Archenland?" Edmund asked.

"More robberies of travel items and horses, vandalisms of properties, and still they seem to slip from right under us. It's getting rather frustrating, King Edmund."

"Edmund," he corrected. He was getting rather annoyed with being called "King Edmund", "Your Majesty", and "Sire" at this point.

"Sorry?"

"Just call me 'Edmund.' All of the Archenlanders do on casual meetings. Getting back to the matter at hand- I have a feeling that your robbers have something to do with ours."

"Your robbers?" she gasped, turning a bit pale.

"Yes, well, I'll tell you on our way back. For now, we'd better head off. We have a few hours to go."

With that, they mounted their horses and Edmund had told her all he knew about the robbers and she told him all the details of their problem. Neither said anything for some time for they galloped the rest of the way back to Cair Paravel.


A/N: So, a new problem! Yay! So, tell me what you think? What's going on with these thieves? And what's up with Sheleiya? Is her apology/story genuine or fake? ;P Let me know what you think and stay tuned to find out!