Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: You know the story of the Horse and his boy. But what was happening in Narnia? A northern campaign. Trouble on the homefront and a prince's invitation. Will anything be as Peter left it?

A/N: If you have not read the first ten stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, Veiled, Unveiled, and Eclipsed), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Arrangements

Edmund grinned as he passed Bree carrying young Cor on his back, obviously talking to him about how to sit and hold the reins based on the boy's movements. He swung off Philip's back and then rubbed the Horse's cheek. "Shall I rub you down, Philip, or would you prefer more skilled hands?"

The chestnut Horse snorted and shook his mane. "None of that now." He nipped at Edmund's sleeve. "The grooms here in Archenland brush my coat so lightly I can hardly feel it and when I ask them to brush a little harder they shy and buck like frightened foals."

Edmund repressed a chuckle at the image and the steadfast complaint. For the Horse had uttered the exact same complaint every time Edmund offered to let another groom him, even in Cair Paravel (though that was always well out of earshot of any who tended the stables). Resting his hand lightly on Philip's neck as they walked toward the stables, Edmund glanced back at the other Horse and his boy. "I see you spoke to our friend Bree."

Philip whickered and shook his mane. One of his ears flicked back as he commented, "That poor soul has much to learn about what really occurs in Narnia. Even more than Hwin if I'm not mistaken. Nasty business these slavers stealing away foals before they can be taught the truth of what it is to be Narnian and to be a follower of Aslan."

"We'll have to tighten our southern border patrols. All that business up north and occasionally to the west has blinded us to our rearguard." Edmund paused as he thought of something. "Are Bree and Hwin a couple, Philip?"

The chestnut Horse snorted. "You have been spending too much time with those Wolves. That sounded exactly like the sort of question they would ask, foolish pups."

He barely repressed a laugh. He supposed the Horse did have a point, that had sounded remarkably like something Remus Greyback would say. "You know, they aren't really puppies anymore. They're practically grown up."

Philip rolled one large dark eye. "Have you looked at them?" He tossed his head up as the Wolves streaked across the field with two Hawks diving at them and screeching. "They most certainly have not grown up and are as green as the first day your brother plagued you with them."

Edmund hid a smirk as he watched the Wolves nearly trip over their own paws trying to get away from the irate Birds. They had probably tried to get them to play by nipping their tail feathers. The Wolves turned tail and raced to the large camp where most of their forces rested, awaiting the return to Narnia. "Be fair, Philip. They've saved my life many times over since that day I tripped over Remus sprawled in front of my door. They're loyal. All right, so they're not always the most clever and hardly ever remember the rules of etiquette no matter how many times they've been lectured, but they've good hearts and they're loyal to a fault."

"You already said that," Philip grumbled. He cast the camp a baleful look. "No matter how loyal they are, they are menaces and cause more trouble than any royal guard should. They never think before they speak, especially the younger of them."

"And, they can follow me where you can't, which is what really troubles you because you don't trust them."

Philip snorted but said nothing as a breathless page ran up to them. The boy's face was flushed and he gasped for air in a way that made Edmund think Oreius would have immediately put the boy to learning endurance exercises, beginning with the General's favorite-visiting the points of the compass. "What is it, lad?"

The boy gasped a few more seconds before he finally wheezed, "King Lune- wants- to see- you- Sire. Right- away."

Philip looked the boy over and then said kindly, "I think you need to be walked a little longer to wind down from your run."

The boy's flushed face immediately blanched and his eyes grew to the size of saucers. Edmund reached out and took him by the arm, a little worried the lad would collapse then and there. Leading him over to a table and stool set up in the shade of the stables, Edmund didn't give the boy a chance to protest before he had him sit. Then he fetched a pitcher of water and poured a glass for the boy. He practically forced the child to take it. "Quench your thirst, lad. You'll not be able to deliver any messages if you wither away from thirst and exhaustion." He crossed his arms as he waited for the boy to drink some of the water. "You say King Lune wishes to see me?"

The boy nodded. He lowered the cup and swiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Yes, King Edmund. He said right away and you're to meet him in his study." The boy started to get up. "I'll show you the way."

"No." Edmund gently pushed the boy back onto the stool. "You, my lad, shall remain here until you have properly cooled off and then you shall resume your duties."

"But, Sir!"

"I know the way." Edmund rocked back on his heels, looking quite grave as he stared down at the boy. "I have been visiting the King's study longer than you've walked this good earth, lad." When the boy's eyes widened again, Edmund offered a little smirk. "Have no fear, boy. I have taken no offense. Indeed, I shan't unless you refuse to heed me in this matter."

"N-no, Sir. I mean, yes, sir. I mean, I won't not heed you, sir." The boy promptly raised the cup to his mouth and took a large gulp.

Edmund suppressed a snicker. Instead, he nodded. "Very good." He turned back to Philip. "I'm afraid I shan't be able to groom you myself at this moment. Shall I find a groom for you?"

"No need," the Horse replied placidly, flicking his tail. "I shall pass the time ensuring the foal does as he's told."

Following the Horse's gaze to the boy, Edmund almost smirked at the somewhat alarmed look that appeared on the child's face when he realized Philip was looking at him. Edmund turned back to his friend and patted his neck. "Try not to smother him, Susan."

The Horse snorted and smacked him in the face with his tail on his way toward the boy. Edmund coughed but didn't splutter. At least, Peter hadn't been there to witness Philip's reprimand. His brother always enjoyed it entirely too much. Moving at a quick pace, it didn't take Edmund long to reach Lune's study. He knocked and then entered on the heels of Lune's cheerful greeting. He immediately offered a polite bow. "You wished to see me, Your Majesty?"

Lune's face crinkled as he grinned widely. "No need for formality, my son, no need. Especially not after you and yours restored my Cor to me. Please have a seat. Make yourself comfortable." He looked over Edmund's simple tunic and leggings and dusty boots with a knowing eye and added with a laugh, "Ha ha, though I dare say you already are the more comfortable of us. Hunting?"

Edmund shook his head. "Not today. I merely enjoyed the companionship of a good friend."

Lune nodded once more. Then, he turned his head with an odd light appearing in his eyes as his smile faded a little. "I wish my Zusa had lived to see this day."

He followed the older king's gaze to the portrait hanging on the wall depicting Zusa and both twins. "Did she believe Cor survived?"

"Yes. Or, at least, she always hoped and had more faith than I did. There was a time, a long time, when I thought my oldest lost to me until I journey to Aslan's Country. But now, praise Aslan, he has come back to me." Lune regained some of his cheer at that statement as he turned back to Edmund but the older king's face quickly grew grave again. "However, his return brings some slight difficulties as well."

Edmund's eyes narrowed as he recalled certain lords' looks and furtive whispers. "Grumblings over his raising?"

"And the companion he has brought with him into my house."

"I should have expected as much. Archenland has suffered much at the hands of Calormen this past season. Having a Tarkheena in their midst is no doubt salt on the wound and having the educated prince superseded by his elder brother who has not had the proper training probably stirs up concern as well."

"You've hit upon the mark, Your Majesty." Lune leaned forward. "I have already set Corin's tutors to working with Cor but there have been…difficulties. They refuse to acknowledge that my son was not in an environment where he might learn even the most basic schooling. Cor will not speak of it to me but Queen Lucy and the Lady Aravis have both seen him struggling. He confessed to Aravis as well that he feels a fool for not knowing anything at all." A sadness entered the older man's face now, making him seem even older than he was, as he added, "Neither child trusts me enough to come to me on the matter. The girl went to your lady sister. My son… My son seems to fear disappointing me and I regret that the securing of my country and of the transition from Corin to Cor as Crown Prince devours more of my time by the day. I cannot spend even half as much time I should wish with my son and I cannot find a way to help him adjust to his new life." He paused once more, this time looking Edmund steadily in the eyes, before he continued, "At least not in Archenland."

It didn't take him even a full minute to realize what Lune was hinting at. He straightened in his chair. "Am I to understand you wish us to bring Cor to Narnia when we depart two days hence?"

"Not just Cor. I believe it would be of great benefit to have all three, my sons and the Lady Aravis as well, go with you to Narnia. It was previously agreed that Corin should live in your court and learn from you for a year and a half, until next May. It is only August now. If Cor and the Lady Aravis lived in your court for the next year, perhaps two, they might come to understand and love the North with greater ease and capacity than they shall here where every failure shall be whispered about in court no matter the precautions or penalties I shall put in place."

Edmund didn't speak right away. Instead, he contemplated the reaction Oreius would have if Corin ended up staying in Narnia for another two years. He gave a little mental shudder. The General would not be pleased and Edmund would bear the brunt of his wrath. However, Edmund had already seen signs that Cor shared very little of his twin's attitude. He looked up and met Lune's gaze. "Very well, Your Majesty. We shall welcome your sons and the Lady Aravis into Cair Paravel's court. In a year's time, we shall evaluate whether Prince Cor and Aravis Tarkheena will remain in our court for another year. However, next Mayblossom you shall be getting Prince Corin back. General Oreius won't have it any other way I fear."

Lune chuckled. "I have warned Corin many a time to stay out of the good General's way. Any punishment handed him by that worthy is no doubt well-deserved." Then, he rose and came around the desk to clasp Edmund's hand in his own. "You have my thanks for this, King Edmund."

Edmund smirked. "Sir, my sisters would have had my skin if I had even dreamed of denying your request."

Lune burst into a deep belly laugh as he slapped Edmund on the back and then caught him in a crushing bear hug. "My thanks, still." He set Edmund back on his feet. "I shall inform the children this eve-"

"Actually, you might wish to permit Lu to break the news. Else, the young prince might think you are sending him away for his failures."

Lune stopped suddenly. "I had not considered it. However… Aye, you are correct, my lord. Your lady sister would best handle it. I shall merely have to assure Cor this is the best for him when I speak to him afterward."

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Yes, I live. I shall endeavor to get at least one or two more chapters up soon (not today but soon). My real life obligations and writing have grown immensely so I shall post when I can. Rest assured I'm not abandoning anything. Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.