Chapter 11 – Shifting Stone

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: A couple things… Remember, this chapter piggybacks off Chapter 10… Also, while this chapter is in 1011, and the last chapter was in 1010, they are only about two months apart (the last chapter took place around mid-November; this one is in early January).

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Narnia – January, Year 1011

-During the year in which Peter was 24, Susan was 23, Edmund was 21, and Lucy was 19.

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Teeth chattering, lips blue, Edmund asked, "You cold, Peter?"

"Doing alright," Peter lied. "And you?"

"Just fine," Edmund replied.

Peter wasn't sure why they did it, but each morning when they woke up, they had gotten into the habit of similar exchanges, where they tried to assure themselves that everything was fine – and that they weren't bothered by the practically sub-zero weather.

They were out in what was called the "wild lands of the North," with only a few other companions. It was below freezing, and snowed almost every day. The winds were ferocious and left all their faces stinging.

The kings and their company had lost all track of time quite a while ago, but the last letter that they had been able to receive from Susan and Lucy had been dated December the 22nd. It had been delivered by a battered little bird that took off the moment that it left the envelope in the hands of Edmund, and there had been no more messengers since then. Peter did not doubt for a moment that the girls had written to them numerous times, but they were too far north and the weather was too dreadful for anything to get through.

It seemed as though every day got darker and colder to Peter. It also seemed like they would never make it home. They had been trekking through the ice and snow to where it was rumored that the Northern Giants lived for almost two months now, and they hadn't gotten very far. Because of the awful weather, they were lucky if they made seven miles a day.

However, Oreius promised that they would reach the home of the Giants within the week. Most of the men on the journey were pleased about this; it meant that they were that much closer to going home, back to Narnia, back to warmth. Peter, however, dreaded it.

Back in November, they had set off on this journey because there had been messages of fear coming from many of the citizens of the northern portions of Narnia, and the messages all related to the Giants. It was said that the Giants had taken to preying among the Talking Beasts.

The Giants weren't happy with the prospect of humans in Narnia; they were much keener on the old Narnia. Being used to the cold climate, the Giants liked Narnia during its perpetual winter. They also liked the White Witch, who would make deals with them as long as they helped her to stamp out any resistance among the Talking Beasts that she had taken control of. This pleased the Giants – helping to stamp out resistance usually resulted in a full belly for them.

So Peter was not pleased about having to meet the Giants. He figured that this was likely to end in war. They would have the advantage over the Giants, being much more intelligent – however, war was never good, and it wouldn't take much for the Giants to crush all of Narnia's army.

All that Peter could do was to continue trudging through the snow and hope for a good outcome to the upcoming meeting.

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They had arrived at the home of the Giants much sooner than expected – two days later.

This 'home,' if it could be called that, was massive. It was almost like a gigantic cliff, rising right out of the mountains – it actually appeared to be a part of the mountains themselves. It was intimidating, and a few in the party looked as if they would rather turn back.

We must go into this with strength, Peter thought. With strong hearts and strong minds. The Giants will sense our fear, and take advantage of it.

"Men, take heart!" Peter proclaimed, in an attempt to take the fear out of their eyes. "We'll handle this situation shortly and calmly, and then we'll all be back to our families! Back to Narnia!"

There were weak smiles from a few, and everyone looked a bit less intimidated.

"What do we do now?" Peter whispered to Oreius, standing before the huge house of stone. Now that we're here, what do we do? Bang down the doors and demand that the Giants stop terrorizing Narnians and keep to themselves? It seemed to Peter as if they had too big a task to do, and no way to do it.

"And now, we go in," Oreius said calmly.

Peter glanced around at the small party with him, and realized that no one was going to do this for him. He was the High King, and this was his duty. Slowly, carefully, he climbed the huge stone steps to the large, imposing doors; Orieus, his brother, and the others following hesitantly behind.

Do I knock? he wondered. Aslan, help us… He raised his left hand and knocked three times, loudly, his right hand remaining on the hilt of Rhindon the entire time.

The doors swung open.

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"And, High King Peter, what is it that you and your sad little party have come for?" asked Rumderhart with a sneer. Rumderhart appeared to be the leader of the Giants, mostly likely because he was both the tallest and the widest.

"My party and I have come with a simple request," Peter spoke, trying to remain straightforward and keep his language uncomplicated. As he had been informed, the Giants did appear to be quite dense.

And, dumb as they were, they were also very threatening. Peter had never seen a Giant before, only a few pictures in books at the library during his studies. He figured that the pictures had been mere caricatures, drawings to enhance the features of the Giants to make them appear more frightening for the purpose of the books. However, the Giants were just as large, and as looming and leering as in all the pictures he had seen. They also really did seem as though they had been cut out of boulders and mountains, with their rough features and harsh mannerisms.

"Yes, King Peter? What might this request be?" The rather hungry look on Rumderhart's face told Peter that he needed to hurry to the point.

"Well… we have gotten word that your people have been… er… frightening my people." 'Frightening' was definitely the wrong word, but Peter figured that 'torturing' might come on as… maybe a bit too unfriendly. "All that we ask is for peace."

This caused a bit of an uproar among the present Giants. Apparently, 'peace' was not a preferred term among these crude people.

"All that we ask is that you refrain from bringing injury to Narnians," Peter changed the wording of his request, trying to remain calm and peaceable.

"And why should we, eh?" Rumderhart asked loudly, bringing about an uproar of approval among the Giants.

To Peter, war seemed inevitable. These people would simply not listen and were unwilling to make peace. The words, "Stop hurting us, and we won't have to hurt you," were about to spring from his mouth, when Edmund stood up.

"You should make peace with us," Edmund said, commanding the attention of the room, "because we have a bargain to make with you."

At the word 'bargain,' the change in the overall attitude of the Giants was extremely evident. Getting something in return was something that the Giants were very willing to negotiate about.

While pleased at the change in demeanor among the Giants, Peter was also worried. Ed certainly did have a way with people, but what could he possibly have up his sleeve this time? There wasn't much of anything that Narnia had to give to such a callous, crude group of people.

"And what is it that you would have to give to us, Human?" asked Rumderheart rudely.

A loyal fox that had accompanied them from Narnia named Bydron muttered, "That's King Edmund to you!"

"Food is what you want, isn't it, Sir Rumderhart?" Edmund asked quite politely.

"I thought you wanted us to stop eating your Narnians," Rumderhart said, a bit perplexed. Many of the other Giants looked stumped as well.

"Let me ask you, Sir Rumderhart, are your people capable of killing wild wolves?" Edmund asked, although he was sure that they were.

"Of course we are!" spat Rumderhart, as if this was an insult to his pride.

"Along the Northern outskirts of Narnia, Sir Rumderhart, there are several packs of wild wolves. Would these prove to be a sufficient food supply for your people?"

"Well, I suppose so…" replied Rumderhart.

"And if I told you that your people could eat all of these wolves, along with the few deer and other animals that live in this region before the borders of Narnia, would you consent to stop… well, harming our citizens?"

Rumderhart grinned. "Sure," he replied unintelligently.

Peter smiled slightly. The packs of wolves that Edmund was talking about were a displeasure to Narnia. They preyed on the smaller Talking Beasts and caused fear to the animals living along Narnia's northern border. Having these wolves taken out of the way would assist the Narnians greatly. What the Giants did not realize was that the Narnians would benefit from all parts of this arrangement.

"And, Sir Rumderhart, do you and your people promise to uphold this agreement?" Edmund asked seriously, and Peter noticed that Edmund flicked back his cloak slightly, so that the gleaming hilt of his sword was apparent, if any of the Giants glanced down to Edmund's hip. Up until this point, Peter, Edmund, and Oreius had kept their swords hidden, so as not to seem confrontational towards the Giants.

Peter saw a slight gleam of fear in Rumderhart's eyes. Peter knew that the Giants resented and feared most human contraptions and technology, especially those designed to cause pain.

"We will, Sir, we will," Rumderhart promised, and he sounded truthful to Peter. "We'll stop eating your food—I mean, citizens."

"Thank you, Sir Rumderhart." Edmund said, and reached up to shake the Giant's large hand.

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That night, everyone was so eager to get back to Narnia that they walked all through the night, not stopping until dawn. They found that the trip home took much less time than the trip there, due to the downhill trek and the improvement in weather, along with the enthusiasm of the party to get home. They arrived in Narnia in less than half the time that the trip to the Giant's home took.

The week following their return to Narnia, Cair Paravel reveled in parties and feasts and dances. The planning of all of which was lead, of course, by Susan herself, and to the surprise of Peter and Edmund – aided by Lucy.

The first night that they were home, as Edmund was falling asleep, Peter said, "You know, Ed, I'm proud of you."

Edmund smiled sleepily.

"No one else could have done what you did, convincing Rumderhart and the rest like that. That was amazing."

"Thanks, Peter."

"It was like… like shifting stone," Peter said. "Everyone thought it would be impossible… But you did it!"

Peter thought back to what the little fox, Bydron had said – "That's King Edmund to you!"

"Actually, it's King Edmund the Just," Peter murmured aloud.

"What was that, Peter?" Edmund asked drowsily.

"Nothing, Ed," Peter replied with a smile, blowing out the candle next to his bed. The two fell asleep quickly, warm and comfortable, at home at last.

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Author's Note: Whew. It's been a long, long, long time coming, guys, I know. I've been going through a rough patch, and I haven't felt up to writing, let alone had the time to.

Thank you to everyone who's stuck by this, even through its long updateless stretches! Four chapters left to go!

Much thanks to last chapter's anonymous reviewers, Jeanius, Sunshine, and the Gentle.

To everyone: Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukah, whatever else you celebrate, and have a very happy holiday season! Also, since I'm on break, expect an update before the New Year!! ;)