Chapter 2: Of Sticks
Author: Perriannath
Summary: As the Golden Age of Narnia begins things begin to be put right; one stone at a time.
Warning: None
Rating: k+ just in case there's no reason for a high rating
Disclaimer: I Don't own Narnia it belongs to CS Lewis.
AN: I apologise I'm sorry life has been crazy and I haven't had time cringes I did manage to update Recalled Home a bit ago and with tomorrow off I will update again I promise or at least this weekend
Edmund had woken early the next morning, but traveled nowhere that day. Instead, much to his siblings' confusion he holed up with several creatures and locked themselves in his Study all morning.
Susan had entered the Grand Hall to meet with the subjects and had found that several standing in a group were waiting for Edmund to arrive so that whatever secret they were planning could begin. Peter and Lucy had exchanged confused looks wondering what on earth Edmund was getting into now. He wouldn't cause trouble so early in their reign would he?
Peter read the question in both his sister's eyes and shook his head; Edmund was up to something, but there seemed to be no malicious intent. Now all they had to do was figure out what he was scheming.
Edmund for his part entered a few moments later before any of his siblings could begin interrogation. With bows and smiles the small group headed off ignoring the wary looks some gave them. Even still Edmund's efforts were only slowly being acknowledged, but as the King would say himself, small efforts are better than none at all; one must plant and nurture seedlings before they grow. With a bow of his own and some comment that left them all laughing he led the way out of the Grand Hall leaving his siblings and many who were there watching in confusion.
They hurried to the War Room, a small study that Edmund used for strategy and met there often with his marshals. He closed the door and locked it behind him, no one could know of this.
"Now I wish to thank you for all of your help with project however we do have one problem." Edmund said turning to look at the plans laid out on the table before him.
"What is that Sire?" Illitian asked.
"With Tumnus is wasn't hard it was just a matter of putting things back where they belonged and rebuilding a few pieces of furniture that had been broken by the Secret Police. With this one, it is a bigger undertaking. I have no plans to give up on this we will get it done but I am afraid for it to be sturdy enough we might have to give away our secret." Edmund warned.
"Why is that Sire?" Kien, a bear asked.
"We don't know how to build a dam, nor do we know exactly how they want it, it had been completely destroyed when the Secret Police tore it apart. So the question becomes do we make it the best we can or do we tell them and have them direct us to how the want it?" Edmund asked.
There was silence as everyone thought about it. It had been King Edmund's idea but he wasn't about to tell the Beavers that after all he figured they still found him as a traitor even if Aslan had forgiven him, nothing would change it but Edmund would try. He waited for a response from those around him, no one spoke until Finally Illitian spoke up.
"We all agree the Beavers should be told so that we can make the house as good as possible after all we do want it to survive the first coming winter do we not?"
There were laughs all around and everyone was in agreement. The beavers would be told tomorrow morning, surprised when several creatures appeared on their doorstep. However Edmund had one thing to add to it.
"The Beavers must not know about it; they find out and they will not accept it understand? So for all intents and purposes this was your idea, all of you. I am merely helping out." Edmund said firmly.
There were nods though several wished dearly their king thought more highly of himself than this. There was nothing they could do about it now however so with a gesture they all huddled around the plans and lists of supplies that would be needed for this next endeavor. There were long lists of things that Edmund had requested the suppliers to bring to the dam early that morning before the group actually got there so that work could begin almost immediately.
Edmund debated with Lotan and Illitan as to how exactly they wanted to surprise the Beavers with both centaur and fox arguing that they would be thrilled to know how much their new king cared. Edmund stubbornly refused thinking of their first meeting and what he had caused. He didn't want them to know and accept only out of obligation, no it would be better for them not to know.
"Sire how do you plan on revealing us tomorrow?" Ilitian asked breaking his train of thought.
"We may as well show up early tomorrow before they can start anything and surprise them. They will do none of the work tomorrow only directing us where they want certain things or how to build a proper dam. They will do nothing involving labor I promise you that." Edmund grinned thinking of the protests that would come with that course of action.
Edmund woke early with the building crew and they got a early start heading out before any of his siblings could ask. They rode hard and were there just a few hours after sunrise.
Edmund motioned for the others to stay back as he went forward and knocked on the door to the broken dam. Stepping back to wait he sighed it was in worse shape than he remembered, his fault re chastised himself, all his fault back to the betrayal that caused the wolves to destroy it in the first place.
There was a dim thumping noise and then a familiar voice called out,
"Oi what you be doing 'ere you can go over the dam but leave us to ourselves! I'm going to 'ave a talk with King Edmund soon I get a chance!"
Moments later a furry shape was visible in the doorway.Edmund grinned slightly and bowed replying,
"I apologise Baron for the actions of my troops I will be sure to have a word with them as soon as I return."
Beaver jumped, startled to see one of his monarchs standing before his door. He bowed but Edmund just chuckled waving his hand to dismiss the action before he spoke up again, "I must confess we are here in business Beaver a matter has come to my attention that must be remedied at the earliest convenience."
The creature looked confused but immediately asked, "What is Sire how can I 'elp?"
"Well I noticed that due to my grievances in the past your house has fallen into disrepair, I am here to say Baron that we, unfortunate as it might be, are your cleanup crew." Edmund grinned as he whistled for the others to come out each bearing their loads and supplies, leaving the beaver speechless.
"I believe the correct question, Beaver is how my we assist you?" Edmund chuckled again and continued, "For I am afraid that we know nothing of building a dam otherwise we had wanted to surprise you. However I insist that though you are directing us that is the only job you have unless scolding us for doing something wrong. Now get settled and please if you will direct us on where to place the supplies."
The work went quickly with Mrs. Beaver coming back just after they started and nearly dropping her parcels from the Badger's house when she saw them and recognized the King. She was forced to sit as well and the two had a jolly time directing and telling them where to put things though the workers were a quick study. Laughter filled the area echoing off the water as Mrs. Beaver stated, "Well for a monarch you certainly do your fair share of work."
Her husband nearly fell out of the bed of needles he had made looking appalled however Edmund just broke laughing bowing exaggeratingly and grinned replying, "But of course madam with such a harsh taskmaster we have no choice but be good stewards."
Work continued with more laughter as Badger splashed the centaur and a water fight broke out halting all work. The forest animals teamed against the King and his guards expecting to get a passive enemy but that was not the case and within moments of the fight starting everyone was drenched through yet kept going until finally, with multiple casualties on both sides a truce was called and work continued.
They became tired several hours in, enough so that Mrs. Beaver all but forced them to stop working and come to bank for a rest. Edmund looked out over the project, it wasn't finished and might not get done in one day, though they were all willing to work through the night, if Mrs. Beaver let them. it looked good with furniture being remade and patched up where it could be, the little things such as silverware, plates etc would be brought hopefully sometime tomorrow if all went as planned. He caught Beaver's eyes and asked,
"You wish to speak to me Baron?"
"Sire I just… we can't thank you enough for all this you needn't have done it." Beaver replied looking slightly sheepish as to all the attention, he was getting.
"Beaver your home was destroyed by my careless actions and betrayal I would not leave you to live in a hoe devastated and filled with only bad memories. I can only hope that this home will not cause you displeasure since I helped build it." Edmund replied lowly.
Beaver looked shocked that he would suggest a thing yet it was the Mrs. Who spoke up shushing them both, "You 'ear anyone speak badly about you and send 'em our way they'll be sure to get a proper dressing down Sire. You have been wonderful, not to mention what you did for Tumnus, this is more than anyone expected, of any of you."
"Especially the traitor." Edmund mumbled but was shocked when Mrs. Beaver slapped her tail down just hard enough to sting his hand scolding sharply, "That is in the past Aslan said never to mention it again he has long since forgiven you. What kind of subjects would we be to not forgiven one transgression of a child when we too have made mistakes in the past?" she gained his eye and smiled gently, "This is more than we would have dreamed too used to doing things without help we are. Now I've got lunch who's 'ungry?"
There were several cheers and food was doled out, a comfortable silence falling over the crowd as they ate.
Soon enough they were at it again even as the sun had begun to sink slightly. They ignored it and kept working becoming closer and closer to finishing the dam. Edmund finally looked up stepping away from the dam and asked, "What do you think?" he turned to ask the beavers but they were standing and staring silent tears glittering.
"Oh Sire this is better than I ever imagined!" Mrs. Beaver exclaimed looking over at the new home. She was almost in tears at the sight and Edmund had to smile.
"It's not completely finished and for that I apologise however I do hope that you will accept what we have so far. Tomorrow we will bring in all the dishes, plates and other items, the furniture is all in there ready to use but hopefully it will suffice for now." He looked almost anxiously at the Beavers who met his eyes and at the nervous look gasped before crying,
"Oh Sire, this is wonderful we can't thank you enough!" both gave him a somewhat awkward hug but he said nothing wrapping his arms around them as well and grinning.
"I'd best be off otherwise my siblings will become worried and suspicious, they know nothing of this." Edmund replied looking over at Philip who nodded coming over to his side.
"Must you leave? Why don't you stay here? A bit of a tight fit I'll grant you but after all shouldn't the craftsman help christen his project?" Beaver asked hoping his ploy would work.
Edmund smiled and found he could not refuse either of them. turning to the others he announced, "I will be here you may return to your homes will commendations and my thanks. Now go get some well earned rest I will see you in the morning when we unload all the other things."
Everyone called out good-byes and goodnights before leaving. Edmund for his part followed the Beavers inside where they made themselves comfortable over a pot of tea and some fish before bedding down for the night. All in all when Edmund thought about it, it had been not only productive but had been fulfilling to him, putting his mind at rest a bit more. Now if only he didn't have to look forward to three worried siblings in the morning. Oh well, he'd deal with that tomorrow.
Fin
A/N: hi again I am sorry for the delay with this one, it took forever to find time to do this chapter not to mention find time for it. Anyhow, this will most likely be the last update for about a week. I have a speech that I have to memorise for Japan and present before the class on Wednesday or Thursday so I will most likely be unavailable for that stretch of time. I apologise for the delay but that's school for you nothing I can really do about it. Sorry!