Philip turned back towards the others with sadness still in his eyes, recognising it inside the other's standing – Tyran gruff, arms crossed, Farsight hunched over on top of a bin, all looked how he felt – sorrow that one of the four had not recognised them. The worst however was Mr Tumnus, who looked his immense age, huddled in the coat that Queen Lucy had given him so long ago, before she had even known of the prophecy that concerned her and her siblings. Philip turned to Mr Tumnus, and spoke softly, in an attempt to comfort him.
"It is not your fault Tumnus. King Edmund looked as though he has not slept in a long time; it was most likely the sleep that meant he did not recognise us. Do not hurt yourself".
Mr Tumnus looked up with tears in his eyes as he spoke.
"I have failed though. If his Majesty did not recognise us, how are we to bring him and his siblings back to Narnia?"
Farsight spoke for the first time that day.
"Perhaps this is what we are meant to do friends, help the Kings and Queens of Narnia recognise their heritage, and help them to see it in this world. Otherwise, why would have Aslan have let us through to this world?"
"That is not the point Farsight" spoke Tyran for the first time that day. "If the King Edmund wished to know us, he would have spoken to us with affection instead of exasperation as he did. Perhaps we should try the High King, or the Queen's instead."
Philip harrumphed.
"We came here; we shall help his Majesty, and sort this matter out. Until then Tyran, let us think of what to do next..."
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The police sergeant on the desk never knew what hit him, as Edmund pelted in and through to the interrogation rooms, without so much as a by your leave. He tried to yell after him, "Oi! Get back here mate you aint signed in!", but was rewarded with the view of Edmund's back tearing into the interrogation room, and the slam of a door.
Inside, Edmund was stared at by the DI in charge of the interrogation, until the DI remarked finally, "You know, people generally brush their hair and so on before they let themselves loose on society." At this, Edmund laughed.
"I would if I knew what a bed was DI Clarke." DI Clarke grinned, his blue eyes glinting with mischief.
"Would that go with the shower then Mr Pevensie?" Rewarded with a smack with the files Edmund had in his hand, Edmund caught a glimpse of the prisoner two policemen were leading into the next room, and groaned.
"Why did I decide that Mr North was going to be defended by me?"
DI Clarke nodded grimly, "Because you felt he was innocent Mr Pevensie, and that our dear Prime Minister, god rest his soul, was being an idiot in speeding up the trial and generally being a bit of a pain."
Edmund nodded, and headed off to interview the newest serial killer to hit the headlines, Mr Brett North.
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