Disclaimer: I told you that one with the sandwich right?

Author's Note: Things are calming down. More nobles being introduced. Next one will hold a bit of a surprise for you. Hope it makes you scream ;) The italics are home made.

Chapter 37: "The Empress"

"Written by Sigfred Badger: The Story of the Last Guardians(Abbreviated version).

In the Old Days, when the sons of King Frank and Queen Helen ruled Narnia, blessings were great. But the peace did not last. Unrest stirred in the West and South. Humans of another constitution began to threaten the blessed land. The King set out on a campaign to defeat the intruders. Many battles followed. Wars his sons would inherit. Trouble that did not seem to end. Time aged and blessings became less.

Many centuries after King Frank and Queen Helen a great descendant of theirs took the throne. Though he was loved by his people he was not of his father's mind. The King was troubled. He battled against enemies and friends alike. Fear and paranoia crippled his heart, though what a great heart it was. His passion and love was so powerful it easily turned to fury and righteous anger. Many began to fear the great King. Smiles were few and far apart until one day they were no more."

The day of the Autumn Feast marked the beginning of three weeks of parties. King Lune and his entire family arrived very early in the morning and were escorted to their customary rooms for coffee and tea. Susan was already up, twisting her hair into a bun. She stuck in three Gryphon feathers instead of jewelry and went to her and Lucy's common room for breakfast. Coffee and tea was already waiting and scenting the room. Luring the queens from their slumber. The sun had barely risen and it was very obvious that winter was on its way.

The light was blue, not yellow, and mist covered the ground.

It wasn't long until Lucy joined her with a tired yawn. The youngest queen had yet to get dressed. She thanked a Rabbit when it brought her a cup of tea and sat in front of her sister. There were still two empty seats. "The boys?"

"Still sleeping, I suppose." Susan was going over what was essentially a grocery list for the entirety of Cair Paravel along with a specific grocery list for the upcoming parties.

Lucy hummed and sipped her tea. It was too bitter for her taste and she quickly added sugar. What her sister considered to be too much. "Viska made those truffles that Peter likes."

Susan looked up mid-sip. "How do you know?"

Lucy shrugged and bit into a scone. "Heard the ladies talking."

That second the doors opened to two, tired kings. Both were rubbing their eyes and looked as though they'd rather be in bed. "You're up early." Peter mumbled as he took his seat. Usually the boys ate alone before they went to train. It was rare to see both queens up before dawn.

"King Lune is here." Susan supplied and handed Edmund a cup without looking. The Just King took it with a growl of relief and sipped it quietly.

"How long have you been up?" Peter asked.

"Only little over an hour."

"How do you do it?" he asked in genuine surprise. In answer Susan simply saluted him with her coffee cup.

Silence was allowed to consume the table as each ate their breakfast and prepared for the day. Not until Dala clapped into the room did they each look up from their plates. "Good morning, your Majesties. Would you like me to brief you on the events for today?"

"Yes please." Lucy said and took a sip of juice.

Dala, having it all memorized, needed very little in the way of written aids. "The Kings have a training session with Oreius in forty minutes. Crown Prince Cor and Prince Corin have asked to join you,"

Edmund and Peter nodded.

"I'll let them know. At midday you all have a luncheon with the senior committee. They're very excited about this year's storytelling which is scheduled for midnight tonight, after the lighting of the fire."

It was customary to meet with the senior committee of court historians to go over the story they would share at midnight. "After lunch the Kings have an engagement at Glasswater where the Lady Aliéna is scheduled to arrive." The lady was the governor of Felimath. She was very stiff and often quite abrasive, but also very fair and just. She had been underway for a long time and had sent a message with an Albatross that stated she was looking forward to being on land once again. "After lunch Queen Lucy has a meeting with Tarvi about palace security during tomorrow's feast in the Grand Hall, and Queen Susan has agreed to oversee the setting of the pyre for this evening, I believe?"

Susan nodded, not looking up from her grocery lists.

Dala cleared her throat and continued. "And I believe all are free for dinner. Should I have a private setting prepared on the balcony?"

"Yes, thank you." Susan said, leafing through a list of things she had to do that day. "Could you set up some torches? It might get a bit cold otherwise."

"Of course." Dala nodded before she resumed her listing of their duties for the day. "I believe you have the evening free until the official speech, but the Irins have requested King Edmund's presence. Shall I give them your reply?"

"What?" Edmund looked up from his cup and tried to sort out her question, not really having paid much attention. "Did they say why?"

"No, your Majesty."

"Uh, yes. Yes tell them I'll speak with them."

"Very well."

"Anything else, Dala?" Peter asked.

"No, King Peter."

"Thank you. You're excused."

The Goat bowed and clopped out of the room. The silence then again invaded until Edmund slapped his thighs and looked around at his siblings. "Well at least there's no court."

Training began as it always did, putting on armor and running from entrance to back wall of the training ground three times. The dirt very quickly caked every inch of steel that covered their bodies. The sun was very mild that morning. A pale, orange glow covered everything its rays touched. The twins were very eager to begin their training and asked for the kings to train them. Oreius allowed it seeing as training these days consisted mostly of mock battles with the soldiers. The kings had learned all they could and in truth rivaled most of the men under Oreius' guidance. Including the Centaur himself.

Cor was assigned to fight with Edmund and Corin with Peter. Oreius watched carefully from the sidelines as the kings easily went through defensive moves. The twins were doing well, which was probably what King Lune had expected when he first came up with the idea of letting his boys train under the sovereigns.

The lesson ended with a match between Edmund and his brother. The twins drew aside to watch and were quickly joined by curious soldiers. Oreius couldn't blame them. Watching the brothers practice separately was like watching a river. Mesmerizing. But watching them battle each other was like watching a painting taking shape before one's very eyes. King Edmund was partial to quick, narrow thrusts and light jabs, whereas King Peter preferred large, swiping movements, backed up by packed muscles. The different tactics would seemingly clash with each other, but somehow the brothers made it look like child's play.

Moving back and forth, smiling and throwing bribes at each other. Every once in a while Oreius would bark a loud "Focus!" just to keep them on their toes, but in reality there was no need. After many years of service he had seen them in battle more than enough to recognize their skill. Truly unmatched and not because of their techniques, but because of the disposition of each man. As all great kings that had ever lived, High King Peter was moved by his emotions and allowed them to intimidate enemies or comfort friends. King Edmund was the shadow. The quiet wave of protection until someone he loved was threatened. Then he became like the fire-mountains of the south. Spewing molten rock and striking down all in his path.

Together they had survived more than they ever would have apart. It had not taken Oreius long to realize that. He realized it the day they defeated the White Witch. Surely Peter would have died without his brother and even surer was it that Edmund would have died without all his siblings. He watched the young men fondly. They were growing up and not just physically. Peter was becoming comfortable in his own body, growing a beard. Allowing his true age to shine through. Edmund was bulking up and taking after his brother more and more each day.

Every once in a while Oreius wondered what his sovereigns' parents had been like. He only knew what little Lucy of Peter had let slip out over the years. Before they forgot. He knew their father had fought in a war and could easily see where they inherited their sense of honor. At the beginning Susan had often told her sister how much she was like their mother. The general wondered if perhaps their bravery, their courage to stand up for people weaker than themselves, stemmed from her.

How truly amazing those two people must have been to bring such gifted children into the world. Though the twins were learning quickly from their older role models he knew they would never be much more than shadows. And it struck him with such intensity that the kings and queens would one day die. This bright era of sunlight would end and Narnia would be plummeted into a time without its sword, diamond, shield and song.

Like he had many times before, he once again sent Aslan thanks. The Lion was truly a wise being. Because even though it would one day end, they could still say it had existed. And hopefully it would inspire other rulers into even greater kings and queens. He smiled when King Peter swiped the flat of Rhindon under his brother's legs and won the match. Cheers and applause sounded somewhat sporadically through half the crowd while the other half booed on King Edmund's behalf. Peter helped his laughing brother up and placed a protective hand on his back.

As they passed him Oreius gave them both an approving nod and a smile.

After training, the battling brothers indulged in a second breakfast before they went on to their business. The queens had already vanished to see to their own projects so Peter and Edmund headed out to Glasswater with an impressive amount of soldiers and carriers. Lady Aliéna was greeted with genuine happiness. Both boys saw her almost as a loving aunt, and she saw them as adoring nephews. It helped she brought presents for them whenever she visited. She was accompanied back to the castle and settled in.

Lunch was served with the senior historians in the Green Pavilion. More a greenhouse than a room really. It was located on the eastern side of the castle and had a view of the sea. The winter garden held all the exotic fruits and plants that couldn't survive the Narnian winter. Dates and eucalyptus were only a few of them. They scented the air wonderfully and went a long way to brighten the mood.

The court historians presented their story to the sovereigns. It was one of the ancient ones. Nearly nine hundred years old, written by an obscure author who had been forgotten during the passage of time. It wasn't until half way through that Edmund suddenly realized it was about the Irins. It seemed his siblings noticed then as well and suddenly looked at each other in surprise.

The reader cleared his throat. It was an old Badger named Gillysnout. "We realize the autumn reading is usually about common folk who rise against injustice-"

"As a way to inspire the people." a Squirrel interrupted. The little lady was also a court historian though she drove most of the slow-moving librarians insane. They had hired her because of the speed with which she could read an entire book. Also for the fact that she was one of very few Squirrels that could actually read.

"Yes, yes." Gillysnout mumbled. "But we felt this year, because of the Irins' arrival, that we would read their story." The librarians looked at their kings and queens carefully, waiting for a response.

"I think that's a very good idea." Peter eventually said in a soft voice. His smile beamed at Edmund when the two crossed gazes.

Carrying the secret for the librarians all day proved almost unbearable for Lucy. Romel and the rest of the Irins were settled in. Young men and women were crowding the halls with a few children in between. The young couples were Irins themselves for the most part and Edmund had decided to try and get to know them before the bonfire that night.

Every time Lucy crossed their paths she blushed and made tiny squeaks all the while running away. Edmund tried explaining that she was just excited about the festivities finally beginning, but from the looks Romel sent him he doubted any of them believed him. "So where is the Duke of Galma?" he asked casually when Edmund came over after speaking with a young boy.

"He won't be here for another week. The trip takes about three to four days and he was recently here, as you may remember," He glanced over. "He'll be here for Peter's birthday next week."

"How are you and Aamel doing?" He gestured to the boy who was sitting on the floor with a carved wooden horse. The boy Edmund had helped save in the Air Castle.

"Very well." He smiled a little in spite of himself. The boy was very trusting. "He doesn't remember much about his previous lives though." He turned back to Romel. "How did you know he was an Irin?"

"We weren't sure at first when his parents brought him, but then he started remembering a bit more."

"What happened to his parents?"

"They left when they found out who he really was."

The sorrow struck Edmund like a blow to the chest. "They left him?"

Romel looked resigned as if he had seen it a hundred times before. Thinking about it, Edmund decided he probably had. "They tried to make it work. Tried to cope when Aamel began changing."

"The memories of killing people?" The young king could imagine what kind of change that would bring to a man. A small child was even worse. Even he couldn't imagine that.

"Yeah." Romel was staring at the small boy when a young woman picked him off the floor and left the room with a shy smile at Edmund. "But that wasn't why I called you here." Romel turned back to him and lost the faraway look in his eyes.

Edmund nodded and tried to focus on Romel. It was easy to forget how much the Irins had been through until you were suddenly smacked in the head with it.

"Me and the others, the eldest, have decided to give you a gift."

Edmund was speechless. His mouth dropped slightly and his eyes widened as he took in every furrow of Romel's face.

"We would like to present it to you on the last night of the Autumn Feast."

He could feel a blush creeping into his cheeks. "Is that necessary? To make a big thing about it, I mean."

Romel smiled suddenly. Only a little one, but enough to puzzle Edmund. "It's critical."

The king huffed and drew back. "It's hardly necessary. I don't need a gift."

"Need kind of defies the purpose of giving a gift. If you needed it, it wouldn't be a gift."

Edmund felt very self-conscious suddenly. He had an unyielding urge to lunge out of the chair and flee from the room. He couldn't keep his body still and for some reason he kept touching his face. Trying to hide it. "I-…" He huffed through his nose. "Why?"

Romel's smile widened. "We talked and we all agreed that you've earned it."

A spark of irritation flickered in him. "I've earned it?" What was this gift?

"You shouldn't dismiss it. It's a great honor."

His worry doubled. "What exactly is this gift?"

"You'll see."

He growled and looked away when Thale and Valera entered the room. They shared a brief conversation with Romel through just their eyes before they decided to stay. "Has he told you?" Valera asked as she sat next to her commander. Thale took a seat next to Edmund.

The Just King was at a loss for words. "I don't like that it has to be during the Feast to be honest."

"We've spoken to your brother." Romel said. "He encouraged it."

"You spoke with Peter?" In answer they just smiled. Edmund's mood dropped. "Why not just give it to me now?"

"Because it's special." Valera answered.

Edmund rubbed his mouth for the umpteenth time. "Yes Romel hinted to that." When Edmund looked Thale was smiling cheekily at him. "And you want to give it to me on the last night of the Feast?"

Romel nodded. "If you would rather we give it to you in private that can be arranged."

"Then why wait?" It had been years since he had felt so confused.

"Because certain people should be present," Romel glanced at his second in command. "Your siblings for one, should be there. Your general would probably like to see it as well. Any close friends? That Horse of yours."

"Phillip."

"Yes." Romel looked at him, waiting for an answer. Waiting for his approval, Edmund realized.

"Alright." His voice was a squeak.

All three burst out in smiles. "Good. It's settled then. Should I talk to Queen Susan about a place to present it?"

Edmund looked aghast at Romel and Valera. "Uh…" He swallowed and kick-started his mind. "Yeah. Yes." He frowned into the floor. "Yes."

"Good."

He looked up again. The Irins seemed far too pleased with themselves. It made Edmund suspicious. "Anything else?" he asked sardonically.

"Archer is furious over being confined to his room." Valera said with a distinctly joking tone.

Edmund couldn't wipe away his confusion. He didn't know he looked slightly suspicious. "He does know it's not until Lord Ayel returns?"

"We may have neglected to tell him Lord Ayel ever left." Thale said with a smile.

The jibe reminded Edmund so fiercely of another. He felt a stab of sadness when he was reminded of someone taller with a red head of hair. He looked down and nodded, trying to chase away the sadness. "Well could you tell 'im? I'd rather he not be mad at my siblings when there's no need."

Romel sobered and nodded. "We'll make sure he knows." He somehow picked up on the sting that had dampened the young king's mood. When Edmund looked at him he wondered what had passed through his mind. "Promise." he offered with a tiny smile.

A little one lit Edmund's face as well before he rolled out of his seat. He stopped before he reached the door. "I have a surprise for you as well." He turned back to find the three of them riveted. "At midnight by the bonfire."

They looked mightily confused, but none of them spoke. Edmund reveled a little that he could turn their own trick back on them, and smiled. "Dress nice." he fired off before he closed the door.

AN: So most of you probably already know what Edmund is talking about and you may also remember what Romel is talking about even? Those who don't are welcome to ask :) Thanks for reading. Hope you're still enjoying.