A/N: I just got Paul Ford's Pocket Companion to Narnia and it's really helping me formulate details for this story. I'm also finding some contradictions with canon and Lewis' letters. One is Lucy's and Edmund's ages. In LWW, it was mentioned that they were only a year apart, but in the timeline based on Lewis' later writings he indicated that they were two years apart. I'm sticking to LWW, so I'm putting Lucy at age 9 when she entered the wardrobe while Edmund is 10.

Another thing I found out was that Lewis meant for children to make up stories based on the tales of Narnia he left unfinished. So there you have it—Lewis' word that he approves of fan fiction writing! Isn't that just wonderful to all of us writers? I'm taking up that challenge by writing this novel that fills in some of the gaps he left (or at least what I think are gaps he left). Thanks to my five early reviewers. I like to look forward to your future feedback. Enjoy this next chapter. The next one is coming out soon, I'm just editing it.

Chapter One

Return of the Refugees

Narnia, year 1002

Peridan entered the halls of Cair Paravel with his family in tow. He held his five-year-old son's hand on one side while his other arm was claimed by his wife who had their three-month old daughter tucked under her other arm. His two younger brothers were behind them with their young wives.

"You think the monarchs will grant our request?" Peridan's wife asked worriedly.

"The High King Peter has always been kind to me," replied Peridan. "And we have proven our loyalty to him in the past when we volunteered to guide his troops away from the White Witch's forces near the borders of Archenland. Surely, they will not begrudge us this, especially if I tell them our history. This is meant to be our home."

"Still, do you think they would accept other humans as their subjects?" asked his wife. "They seem to get along so well with non-humans. We did have a good life in Archenland, even if we're just common peasants."

"I know, dear," replied Peridan. "But I have this feeling. When I stepped into Narnia the first time, I felt that this is where our whole family truly belong. And we're not asking for much, just to live here in peace."

"Alright, then," she said. "But I think we shouldn't all come in to see them. Just you. I don't like to make them feel we are imposing on them by coming here like a horde uninvited."

Peridan nodded. They had reached the large doors leading to the throne room and Peridan was just instructing his entire family to go to the side and be as quiet and inauspicious as possible when the dwarves guarding the doors ceremoniously opened them fully to reveal the four thrones where the four monarchs sat. Too late, his entire family was in clear view of the kings and queens. The tallest one with a golden crown on his head immediately got up from his throne at the sight of him.

"Peridan!" he cried in a genuinely pleased voice. "What a pleasant surprise! Do come in and who have you brought with you?"

Peridan blushed to the roots of his dark hair. Slowly he faced the High King, his hand still clutching his son's.

"I beg your pardon, your majesty…" he began. But he was interrupted by the youngest queen (he was rather surprised that she was just a child, probably no older than twelve), who had also come down from her throne and rushed to meet them.

"Hello! I'm Queen Lucy, I'm very glad to finally meet you, Mr. Peridan. My brother's told me all about you and how you helped his troops find their way out pass those mountains near Archenland. We're so grateful, so many of our citizens owe their lives to you and your brothers."

She spoke a mile a minute but somehow Peridan thought it was rather endearing than annoying for she was genuine in what she expressed.

"And who do we have here," she said eyeing the toddler. The boy looked frightened and immediately hid behind his father's leg, clutching it tightly.

"He's er… my son," stuttered Peridan.

"And this must be your lovely wife and daughter," said another female voice. Peridan was startled to find that Queen Susan had also come down from her throne and was now beside his family.

Queen Lucy's gaze came upon the last two couples who trailed behind near the door.

"Oh, do come in, do come in," she said eagerly. "We always love visitors. You must be Misters Percival and Pendragon and these are your wives." Queen Lucy immediately began shaking everybody's hands, much to Peridan's and his family's puzzlement. Queen Susan repeated the gesture and Peridan figured it must be some strange Narnian custom of welcome.

The High King Peter approached him and clapped him on the back. "Good to see you and I'm glad you brought your fine family. I suppose I won't have to introduce my sisters they seemed to do that for themselves. Oh, but here's Ed. Edmund, do come down and shake hands with Peridan."

But Edmund remained seated on his throne and was staring silently at Peridan's toddler who was still clutching his father's leg. Peridan met the boy-king's eyes and something stirred in him that he couldn't understand. It was a feeling of familiarity that was almost affectionate.

"Ed," hissed Queen Susan. She jerked her head at him as if to remind him of his manners. The younger king seemed to awaken from the spell he was in and was immediately up from his throne.

"Welcome to Narnia," he said simply to Peridan and offered a hand to his guest. Peridan didn't exactly know what to do with it but put his hand on the King's who shook it the same way that his sisters did. Again that strange feeling of familiarity came upon him.

"What brings you and your family so far Peridan?" asked the High King.

"Where are you manners, Peter?" Queen Lucy admonished. "It's almost dinnertime. I'm sure whatever it is that Mr. Peridan wishes to discuss, can be done after we eat. I'll inform the dryads to put extra places. Do join us for supper," she offered to their guests.

Peridan and his family looked embarrassed. They didn't really want to oblige the monarchs when they were about to ask for more, but Queen Lucy would not take no for an answer. For the next hour they dined and talked of trivial matters. But finally, the subject could no longer be put off.

"Your majesties, we thank you so much for your hospitality and as much as I hate to impose on your good graces, my family and I have an even larger favour to ask."

"Ask away, Peridan," said King Peter. "If it is in my power to grant it, I shall, for Narnia owes you a great debt."

Peridan heaved a sigh. "My family and I wish to remain here in Narnia, to be your loyal subjects. We will make every effort to learn your customs here and abide by all your laws.

We do not need much. Just a small plot of land anywhere you can spare where we can build a house each for our families and perhaps cultivate something that we can live on… if it's not so much to ask…" he trailed off and looked up hopefully at the High King who seemed to be considering it.

"Done!"

Peridan and everyone else on the table were startled. It was King Edmund who spoke.

His older brother gave him a questioning look, but the dark-haired monarch ignored his gaze and looked at Peridan.

"Your family is welcome here Peridan and I'd be more than happy to take you on a tour of the available arable lands of Narnia so you may choose where you may wish to settle."

"T-thank you sir," said Peridan, who was uncomfortable accepting seeing that the High King and his two siblings were undecided on the matter. "But perhaps the High King and the Queens would like to have a say…"

The High King's face brightened at his show of humility. "Well, I would just like to know why you feel you should move permanently to Narnia. Do you not have a good life in Archenland?"

"Oh, we do sir," said Peridan. "King Lune is a wonderful and just ruler and we have never been in want there. But you see Sir, it's this feeling of belongingness I have when I stepped on the borders of your country. It's not so difficult to fall in love with this land when the people have always been so kind and the landscape so beautiful. And there's another reason..." he hesitated.

"Do continue Mr. Peridan," encouraged Queen Susan.

"Well you see, we are Narnian, at least my ancestors are. Although I have no proof of this but what I have heard from my father and grandfather. They say that my great great grandfather whose name I share escaped from Narnia when he was no older than my son. They he say his mother was nymph. No one knows about his father, but I figured he must be human for that was the reason he had to flee. I am sure your highnesses knew that when the White Witch came to Narnia she killed every creature with a drop of human blood in them to ensure the prophecy of her downfall did not come to pass. My ancestor fled to escape her persecution and has lived in exile in Archenland ever since. But through stories he passed on to his children and his children's children, he never made us forget. We are Narnian and when the time comes when the evil is over, we must seek to return to our true land."

The High King who had been unwavering in his gaze finally lifted from him and looked to his siblings. They seemed to communicate silently with each other with nods and looks only they understood. Finally the King Peter spoke:

"Peridan, I've known you and your brothers to be honest men and even if you have no ties to Narnia, I would welcome you to this land. But now that I've heard your story, it proves even more that you deserve your chance here. Stay with your families, I am sure my siblings and I would welcome other humans for company. And I hope you will find happiness here."

"Thank you, sire," said Peridan gratefully. "You don't know how much this means to us. We will not fail you. We swear our allegiance wholeheartedly." His wife, brothers and sisters-in-law muttered their own thanks but it was drowned out with much handshaking—and among the women—hugging and kissing as if they were old friends.

After that Queen Susan insisted they stay for the night at Cair Paravel as guests.

When they were led by the nymphs to their guest chambers to rest, Peridan focused his gaze on the coat of arms with the symbol of a Lion that decorated every other pillar in Cair Paravel. He had heard tales of Aslan before as most Archenlanders also revere this mysterious king, but it was the first time he had actually seen an image of him in carving. He muttered a prayer of thanks to the great lion for the blessing he bestowed.

"Rest well with your family, Peridan." Peridan turned to find King Edmund. "Tomorrow we will proclaim your citizenships to the rest of Narnia and we will journey out together to find you a place for your new home."

"Thank you, sire." He muttered as the rush of warmth came through him again. King Edmund muttered goodnight and Peridan couldn't help but feel that he was the child rather than the thirteen-year-old king.

Peter stopped Edmund on his way to his own bedchambers, a question brewing in his mind, itching to be asked.

"What was that all about with Peridan?" he asked Edmund.

"What's with Peridan?" Edmund returned.

"You seem to find favour in him almost immediately."

"And you don't?" asked Edmund.

"I do. But at least I have known him longer than you do when he and his brothers led me and the troops out of those mountains and saved us from those werewolves and hags at the risk of their own lives. You just met him and you're already willing to let him live here without even asking about his intentions. It's not like you, Ed. I always thought you'd be the one to grill him first, investigate his background. You always do that to all the refugees we accept here."

Edmund shook his head. "I don't know. Call it intuition, but I know by just looking at him he's a good man. And it's not only him. It's his entire family, particularly his boy. It's funny but when I saw the boy, I felt like I wanted to cry. I wanted… I don't know… to keep them here somehow, keep them close to me. I was afraid they would go back to Archenland and I would lose them like when I thought I would lose you and Su and Lu to the White Witch."

He shook his head again. "It's probably nothing. It's just silly imagining. Anyway, I think we did right. We could all use some human company and I'm sure Susan and Lucy could benefit from having female friends to take walks with that don't disintegrate into air or leaves or water when they want to travel."

Peter laughed at Edmund's description of the nymphs and bid his brother goodnight.