It was three days after Susan's kidnapping. It had been chaos at first but now the Narnians were organized. King Peter had returned this afternoon from the northern border with his army. King Edmund and Queen Lucy had sent out the word across Narnia and gathered together all men, talking beasts and creatures able to fight. The defenses of Cair Paravel had been repaired. The kings and Queen Lucy were gathered around the great council table with their closest advisors.
"We need a plan to rescue Queen Susan, Lady Deidre and Lady Nola from Tashbaan" said the High King.
"We do not have a large enough force to attack them outright – it will have to be a stealth rescue" said Orieus.
"They are not a sea-faring people – we might be able to get their attention by doing some raids on the coast" said Lord Peridan.
"They are a very superstitious people and the talking beasts and creatures such as myself, centaurs, satyrs, make the Calormenes nervous. They believe in many false gods – maybe there is a way to trick them, play on their superstitions. Perhaps the High King can send a message that some doom will happen if they don't return the queen" suggested Tumnus.
Others around the table made suggestions and it became noisy as advisors began interrupting each other with new ideas. After several minutes, King Peter stood up. Silence fell.
The High King looked at his younger brother and said "Brother, walk with me for a moment. We will resume this meeting in a few minutes."
Edmund slowly rose from his seat next to Peter and the two brothers walked out onto the balcony overlooking the Eastern Sea.
"I was hoping the sight and sound of the ocean would help guide my thoughts" said Peter. He looked at Edmund and asked "What is wrong, my brother? I need your counsel and I am not used to you being so silent."
Edmund shook his head and said "This is my fault. Every thought that comes into my head, I am over-analyzing. I am afraid of making another mistake."
Peter grasped his brother's shoulder. "I do not blame you, Ed and you must not blame yourself – it does not help the situation. If anything, you can say the fault is mine" said the High King.
Peter continued saying: "I invited Rabadash to visit Cair Paravel and allowed him freedom of the castle. He and his foul Tarkaans clearly used our hospitality to plan a future attack. I did not forbid Susan from visiting Tashbaan. I planned the raid on the Northern giants for the same time as your visit to Tashbaan which left Lucy alone at Cair Paravel with few soldiers."
Edmund said "Your decisions were all the decisions of an honorable king. We didn't realize how deceitful Rabadash could be."
Peter smiled and replied "That is my point exactly, my brother."
Edmund laughed and said "Very clever, Peter. Alright, I will try to stop blaming myself. I am so worried about our sister. When I was in the treasure room a few days ago, I found myself wishing she had her horn and could summon help."
There was silence for a few moments while the brothers looked at the ocean. The sun was beginning to set.
"Brother, I have an idea. I don't know if it will work but what if one of us takes our lady sister's horn and blows it on her behalf?" asked Edmund.
Peter frowned. His blue eyes looked thoughtful as he said "None of us have ever tried to use the gifts of another. But it certainly was never forbidden. We could try it. Let's go back inside to the council."
Plans were discussed in-depth over the next hour. Peter set three groups to work on developing the details of different plans. Master Greystorm, oldest of the centaurs, suggested the horn be blown by one of the royal siblings in the throne room. He advised that Queen Susan's horn be blown at sunrise since that was the time that good magic was strongest.
Peter, Edmund and Lucy left the council room and went down to the treasure chamber.
Peter glanced around the treasure chamber and said "Another option is that I could offer the Tisroc a ransom for Susan's return. He is always greedy."
Lucy stared at the horn on the wall and asked "Which of us should do it? Is there anything that would make the magic more likely to work?"
Peter said "Remember, the first time Susan blew the horn was when the witch's wolves attacked. It summoned me. It was my first battle. Not a particularly graceful one as I recall. I had no idea what I was doing with a sword!"
Edmund replied "Perhaps but you won. You always win. You are the oldest, the High King. You should blow the horn."
The next morning, a few minutes before dawn, two kings and one queen entered the great throne room and sat in their thrones. Their advisors made a half circle facing the four thrones. The first ray of dawn began to shine through the window. The siblings rose.
In a calm voice, King Peter said "Aslan, bring us help to rescue our beloved sister."
He lifted the ivory horn and blew. It was an amazing sound – clear and made every one's spirits lift. How could help not come in response to that sound?
There was a moment of quiet and then the three siblings looked at each other as they felt a soft breath. They all felt hope enter their hearts and minds.
Lucy whispered "Dearest Aslan. I knew you would not fail us."
The High King said "I feel confident that the Lion will send us some aid in response to our request for help. Let us go to breakfast and then proceed with our plans while we wait. "
Two hours later, Eol the Eagle appeared at the council room.
"Your Majesties, fair friends, come outside and see what help the magic horn has summoned!" declared the eagle.
The High King and his siblings rushed out the door and through the hall to the great courtyard. A crowd was gathering outside and staring at the sky.
Queen Lucy gasped and said "How beautiful! I thought they were a legend only."