So, why wouldn't the animals recognize Edmund's smell? I'd say it's because he's been gone for so long. Other places can conceal scents and time can effect memory. Even if they did faintly recognize his scent, they already think that he's dead, so they would probably brush it off.
Two months into their return to Calormen Umed continued with his normal duties. He was to clean the floors of the Tisroc's dining room, the stables had to be mucked, the horses bathed. Normally the women would do the washing, but they were presently occupied with serving the Lord, Judas, in his particularly long lunch.
Umed couldn't help but notice that he had chosen to dine with two finely dressed Tarkaans, one of which Umed knew to be a highly respected commander.
The curiosity of what they could possibly be discussing was killing Umed, but he continued on with his duties, nonetheless.
After fulfilling his every day chores, the one chore that Umed dreaded more than all the rest, arose: the duty to clean the shrine room of Tash, the Calormenes' supposed 'god'.
Before entering the shrine room, Umed was forced to wear a black, humbling tunic to submit respect. He was not permitted to touch anything in the shrine room, unless it was to clean the object. The large statue in the center was no exception. The ugly thing nearly reached the ceiling; it had four long, bony arms and its head had a hooked beak, like the birds of prey. Various bits of jewelry littered all parts of its hideous head.
The Calormenes adamantly believed that if Umed disrespected the 'god', Tash, he would be swallowed up and never seen again. Where they got these absurd ideas alluded Umed, but he refused to question it. His mind was focused on other things.
It sickened Umed to be in the presence of such a monstrosity, but any time he had tried to object to entering the room he was threatened with beatings. The only solace Umed found was that he only had to clean in the shrine room once a week, unlike the other chores that he had to compete every day.
Umed always got an uneasy feeling in the room. Tash was everything that Aslan wasn't. Being in the environment made him feel as though there was a wall placed between him and the Great Lion. It had gotten to the point where he felt so attacked that he had begged the slavers to give him another job. But they would not.
"Aslan, do not forget me in this place."
As he prayed, Umed knelt down and cleaned up some ashes off of the ground before the statue.
"Surely I am not beyond your careful eyes. Have I ever done anything to forsake Your blood? Did I ever forget Your sacrifice?"
Do not worry, My Son. Nothing happens that I do not allow. The strong voice that Umed knew well, spoke back.
"But, Aslan," Umed answered. "I feel so far from You. This Tash is working to overthrow my mind."
And is this Tash more powerful than I? Does his might so surpass mine that you would forget me?
"No, Aslan. I could never forget You. I just... don't know what to do."
I will provide for you. I will protect you. Trust in me.
Umed rose his head to see the Great Lion right there before him. "Yes, Aslan." He once again lowered his head.
"Why do you call yourself that, Dear One?" Aslan asked, and Umed could hear Him take a gentle step forward.
"What do you mean?"
"Your name is not Umed."
Umed shook his head, slowly. "It is now. I can no longer be Edmund. I am no longer he."
"What was your name when you were in Finchley?"
Umed looked back up to the tender eyes the Lion. "Edmund."
"And when you had to leave your home and live with the professor, what was your name?"
"Edmund."
"When you first entered Narnia - when you were taken under by the witch - what was your name?"
"E-Edmund." Umed gulped.
"And when I took your place, when I forgave you, when I accepted and chose you - made you King - what was your name?"
"Edmund." Umed remained on his knees and turned his head away.
"Look at me, Dear One."
Umed obeyed.
"Just because you do not hold your past title does not mean that you are not the same person. You are Edmund Pevensie, King Edmund the Just, because that is who I made you. Nobody - no position or place can change who I have made you. You do not belong to Judas, My Son. You belong to me."
Edmund smiled at the Great Lion. "I am Yours."
PSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSEL
"Peter, what is it?"
Susan's voice was foggy compared to the noise that the parchment played in Peter's mind. Lucy had back off of his lap by now and was sitting quietly in her chair, staring at him for an answer. Peter's hand dropped to his armrest with the letter - no, the declaration - in his white knuckle grip. His other hand then rested on his forehead and he pinched his eyes shut.
"Peter."
His sister, Susan's stern voice pulled Peter's eyes to her bright blue ones. Her gaze pierced him, demanded him to give an answer.
Peter sighed, loudly. "Our treaty with Calormen is broken." At the shocked looks his sisters gave him, Peter continued, "They have declared war with Narnia."
"What?" Susan gasped. "What for?"
Peter shrugged. "It's not clear, though I knew that Judas was looking for a way to make Narnia his own. Personally, I think that his formal declaration is better than his former tactics."
"There is to be a battle then?" Lucy's normally sweet and holding voice chimed.
"I'm afraid so, Lu. Judas is leading his army to Narnia as we speak." The news was devastating, but Peter couldn't help but feel a little better than before. Perhaps he would see Edmund again. Aslan had asked for his trust; perhaps this is what He had in mind.
Susan's voice brought Peter back to the present, "We must prepare the troops for battle, then."
Peter nodded. "We will want to set off as soon as possible if we are want to keep Cair Paravel away from battle. I'll send word, immediately."