"Right." Peter muttered to himself as he stood from his throne to address the room full of Narnians.

Edmund as usual was sat to his right, and Susan and Lucy to his left. Susan was sat up straight, looking slightly worried but managing to hide most of it. Lucy was trying to sit up straight too, and stay up straight, but it was clear she was getting slightly bored... even though they'd only been sat there for ten minutes.

Edmund was sat straight as a board, gripping the armrests of his throne so tightly his knuckles had gone white. He was absolutely dreading this meeting, but he tried his hardest not to show it, although, he knew Peter wasn't stupid.

Taking a deep breath, Peter opened his mouth to speak. "We all know why we're here." He said, in a voice loud enough so that everyone would be able to hear him clearly. "King Edmund has been accused of attempting to kill me. While I do not believe that this is true, I am shocked to say that some of you do."

There were a few whispers after this before everything fell silent again.

Swallowing hard, Peter continued. "Just so we're all clear, I want everyone In this room who does believe that King Edmund tried to kill me to raise there hands."

It was clear that almost everyone hesitated, but after a moment or two around twenty to twenty five people raised their hands.

Peter grit his teeth, granted it was only a small amount compared to everyone in the room, but it was still enough to make him feel extremely angry. But he pushed down that anger and opened his mouth to speak again. "I understand that there has been some "proof" that he did attempt to kill me." He said slowly. "But we have come to the conclusion that King Edmund has been framed."

Again whispers erupted in the room, followed by an almost shout of: "By who?"

"By the witches followers." Peter announced. "We all know that there is an army gathering around twenty miles from here-" He paused and turned to Orious, who was stood at the front of the large group, looking somewhat angry at everyone who had dared raise their hands. "Orious," Peter said slowly. "Is there any way one of the followers could've somehow gotten into the castle and then slipped out without being caught?"

The centaur hesitated before taking a deep breath. "I do not know your majesty." He said slowly. "I highly doubt it, I have guards patrolling every inch of this castle twenty four seven, anyone would have to be extremely smart and stealthy to be able to get in... and I mean extremely smart."

Peter sighed. "But what of the hags?" He said. "They use magic do they not?"

Orious nodded. "They do indeed." He said. "But as I've said, there are too many guards for them not to been seen, their magic can only do so much."

Peter bit his lip before turning back to the crowd. "Right." He murmered, before: "Most of you have trusted King Edmund since the battle of Beruna, and for that, me, and him I have no doubt, are forever grateful. But please, whatever you do, do not let this whole situation destroy that trust. King Edmund would never, I repeat never, try and kill me, for goodness sake he wouldn't even playfully hit me! My brother is completely trust worthy, and to those who cant see that, then I truly am sorry."

"But what of that letter that was found in his room?"

Peter swallowed hard when this was called out, trying to calm himself. "As I have already said-" He spoke. "We believe Edmund has been framed, it is easy, especially using magic, to copy someone's handwriting and plant a piece of paper in someone's room."

"But-" (Peter rolled his eyes.) "He was found behind the curtain with a crossbow!"

"Edmund had no memory of how he got behind the curtain." Peter explained. "There was obviously some magic involved in all of this, and there was just someone else hiding in the room who actually did shoot the arrow."

There were a few murmers before that faun, the one Peter had come to absolutely despise, spoke up. "But, meaning no offence to you, High King," he said. "Your brother has betrayed us before, who's to say he wouldn't ever do it again? And I'm sure a few people in this room see where I'm coming from."

Peter grit his teeth and went to speak, only to stop when he saw Edmund stand and step forward. He frowned slightly, but took a step back when Edmund went to speak.

"I know I have made mistakes in the past." He said, his voice firm. "And I truly regret it, trust me I do. Some of you know, but some of you dont, that I well and truly paid for what I did, the white witch wasn't really one for... mercy let's say."

"But if I am correct you didn't completely pay for what you did?" The faun said.

Edmund swallowed hard. "I deserved death yes." He said. "But Aslan - Aslan took my place, and because he did that, both of us are now alive, the witch is dead and the prophecy is fulfilled. As I have said, I truly regret what I did, and if I could take it back I would. But I want you all to know, that I love my brother more than anything in this world and the other. He means everything to me and I would never, ever hurt him, let alone try to kill him, I only hope most of you believe me." And with that he sat back down on his throne, taking a deep breath as he did.

Peter gave him a small smile and a nod before turning back to the crowd. "As I am sure some of you know," He said. "The punishment for attempting to kill royalty is death, and Edmund has brought to my attention that some of you, who do believe he attempted to murder me, might very well start demanding his death. But I want you to know this, the day I sentence my brother to death is the day Aslan completely abandons us... in others words, never." Peter paused for a moment before sighing. "Now that I've said all of this, I want to reassure everyone that we will find the one who framed King Edmund, no matter what it takes, and we will defeat the witches army, that is all."

Hs turned back around to face his siblings as everyone began talking amongst themselves or leaving the room.

"You alright Ed?" Peter asked.

Edmund glanced up at him and took a deep breath. "Yeah." He breathed. "I think so."

Peter smiled gently. "That's good to hear."

Sort of a boring chapter, but things are definitely gonna start happening soon ;)