Many thanks to Palomnus, proofreader to his Majesty.

Dream Dasher

Cheroom was delighted with my desire to write a law and he threw me into the process wholeheartedly. I soon learned that what I really wanted was a decree, since laws affect all of Narnia and what I wanted to do impacted only on the royal family. He said if I moved quickly I could present the decree when I opened Parliament this year.

Opening Parliament was a ridiculously simple ceremony. I basically had to show up and nod my head, but it made the members very happy and their discussions were very informative when they stayed on topic. Parliament actually had the feel of belonging to a club of scholars. Though not an official body, they were highly respected and their opinion carried some weight. Comprised entirely of Owls of every type and size, they rarely accomplished anything in just one meeting, preferring to drag things out so as to enjoy debating a subject as long as possible. They were not the best people to turn to for snap decisions, but at least they gave our court an annual excuse to trot out all their finery.

This gave me little over a week to research and write what eventually became known as the Codex Consors. I think Peter's name for the decree was more fitting: the Dream Dasher. In later years, when suitors and proposals flowed into Narnia for all of our hands in marriage, we'd send the party a chamberlain armed with an official copy of the Codex Consors. Half the time the next thing we'd hear was a wail of disappointment or screams of disbelief and fury. More than once a princess just packed up and departed without ever having seen us. It certainly helped weed out the men and women whose only interest was a title and a crown, and those that did stay were generally considerably better company than those that left.

Aslan joined us as we researched previous laws and decrees and customs and his suggestions were extremely helpful since no one knew Narnia's laws better than he. I was glad of the distraction away from everything else pressing upon me, for this project required all of my energy and attention. Oreius had freed me from training on Sixthday now, insisting I needed more rest after he flattened me with one blow the day before. He had been upset and felt guilty, I could tell, but it had been towards the end of my lesson and I had simply been tired out.

Minovin, the court recorder, and Irel, our chief librarian, were in their tome-loving glory as Cheroom sent them hither and yon throughout the library collecting relevant books and scrolls. My problem wasn't the research, but keeping my mind focused. I was getting side-tracked constantly, for the laws and the court system were fascinating to me. I was learning a great deal, which I suppose was the point, and I was constantly marking books for future reference. The books were lovely things, all of them hand written and bound in leather and cloth, many of them illuminated. They had a sharp scent of parchment and age, like incense, and I could understand the old Hedgehog's passion for each and every volume.

Lucy came by one morning with some of her ladies. She was attended by Dryads and Nymphs and a delicate little Doe that harbored an immense crush on Oreius that everyone in the palace except the general knew about. My sister delighted to see Aslan and was thrilled at the beautiful books. Minovin showed her the far reaches of the library where they were stored and where, I was sure, Lucy had never ventured. I could hear her excited voice echoing off the walls and I smiled. Her enthusiasm for everything under the sun was nothing short of amazing.

"Edmund, what if Peter doesn't agree with your decree?" she asked a few minutes later, leaning against my chair where I sat close to the fire.

"Trust me, he'll agree. Remember that little redheaded duchess from Terebinthia that was practically measuring Susan's throne for a new cushion? He'll be on his knees thanking me for this. Besides, he's outvoted."

She giggled and before I could escape she leaned over the arm of the chair and kissed my cheek. "See you at supper! Don't push yourself too hard."

"Yes, Mum," I muttered, smirking.

By the third day of work I had a rough outline of what I wanted the decree to say. I had no idea the process was so complex. In the books I'd read growing up royal decrees and proclamations were things that got issued effortlessly. Fiction, it seemed, had grossly understated the facts. After establishing there was nothing similar or contradictory in the records in Cair Paravel I had to weigh and consider every single word. Cheroom called Mathe in to help since Narnia did not have anything like a dictionary and the old rhetoric teacher knew every nuance to every word ever spoken. The Centaur insisted the document had to be perfect if I was going to attach my name to it and I had to agree, though I was sure I could also anticipate being roundly hated by disappointed potential mates of both sexes.

Something to look forward to, I supposed.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Lucy frowned at the parchment in her hand, her lips moving as she silently read. Susan leaned over her shoulder, sipping her tea as she considered our future in my written words. I waited silently, watching for their reactions.

"So...what does it mean?" my little sister finally asked.

"It means if you married, oh, say, Neth, the River God's son, he wouldn't be King Neth but the Royal Consort to Queen Lucy and we'd probably make him a duke and give him all sorts of titles. But," Susan explained, "if you marry the Tisroc he'll stay the Tisroc but he'll never rule Narnia as a king."

"Wouldn't he rule as a Tisroc?"

"Only in Calormen," I replied.

Susan looked up. "You spelt 'whereas' incorrectly, Ed."

I rolled my eyes, secretly pleased that was the worst criticism I'd receives so far.

"What if one of us should...die?" asked Susan.

I frowned. I hadn't thought about death, which was surprising in a way since at the moment I was the most likely candidate for it among us.

"Next draft," I promised.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

I looked up at a flash of gray and a Hummingbird shot across my vision and circled round to land on my shoulder. She startled me completely and at first I didn't hear her message.

"Come again, cousin?"

The bird's tiny voice was barely audible. "King Edmund, Queen Susan asks what if your majesties have gone to war against enemies of Narnia? Would the spouses then assume the duties of king and queen?"

A very good question. I thought for a moment then said, "Tell her no, only if they were appointed as regent."

The Hummingbird was gone as swiftly as she had arrived. I never even noticed. I was too busy amending the decree.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

"What about if we have children?"

I shuddered. Figuring out who would rule after us was going to be a nightmare, one I wasn't prepared to deal with quite yet. Say in perhaps twenty years, maybe. "Let's just stick with this for now, Lucy."

She frowned at the parchment. "You only say Aslan's name twice."

I picked up my quill to correct the oversight. "How many times would you like to see him mentioned in the despatches?"

"Four. Once for each of us." She smiled at me and I shook my head and smiled back. She was immensely pleased with herself.

"Four times it is then, Lu."

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

While I was concentrating on my first decree I certainly wasn't ignoring my other duties. I still trained in the mornings, went to classes, and performed my royal duties. We held receptions and received all types of ambassadors and squeezed in time for ourselves and sleep and fun. Once a week my sisters and I met with the Dwarfs planning the port at Kellsalter to review their plans. Their progress was astounding and I expected by spring they would begin building.

The first day of the annual harvest was marked by great festivities. In accordance with custom everyone, and I do mean everyone, in Cair Paravel went out to the orchards to help pick apples and pears and quince and all kinds of fruits and winter gourds and even nuts. Lucy borrowed one of my tunics and leggings so she could climb the trees with more ease. That set off a trend. Susan asked to borrow some of Peter's things and when some of the more daring ladies-in-waiting expressed an interest I ordered Silvo to open our closets to them. Peter certainly wasn't using any of his clothes now and the ladies thought it was all great fun to be dressed like kings. From sun up to sun down we labored in the fields alongside the Dryads and Animals and every soldier that didn't have guard duty at the moment, maids and servants and local residents and volunteers from afar that wanted to help and celebrate the harvest. Everyone worked according to their abilities, from the Sparrows to the Giants to Aslan, and we spent the day singing and laughing and gathering enough food to see us through the winter. The fruits would be dried and preserved in various ways and the first baskets of apples were whisked away to the palace kitchens to be made into pies and tarts and other sweets in time for supper. It was all great fun and very tiring. I was sorry Peter missed it and seeing his wardrobe gracing the ladies of the court.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Parliament was a day away when I finished the decree to the satisfaction of all parties involved. I was in the library with Aslan, Cheroom, and Mathe when I was finally able to read:

"Whereas the Four Kings and Queens of Narnia: High King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just, and Queen Lucy the Valiant, by grace of Aslan, son of the Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea, were crowned joint Sovereigns of that land and its holdings in the year 1000,

And whereas Jadis, self-proclaimed Queen of Narnia and tyrant, was overthrown in accordance with the Prophesy that foretold the coming of said Kings and Queens,

And whereas the presence of the Four chosen Kings and Queens, enthroned in Cair Paravel, stand as a bastion against Evil's rebirth or resurrection in the land of Narnia,

Be it known that Four was the number of Sovereigns chosen by Aslan, beloved Creator and Protector of the land of Narnia, to rule in his blessed name and grace. The number of Sovereigns shall neither be increased nor yet decreased (except upon death) either by marriage, birth, or subsequent decree, proclamation, law, or order, except upon express command of Aslan himself.

Therefore, upon marriage to one of the Four Kings and Queens, their spouse shall be known by the title of Royal Consort to said Sovereign. The Royal Consorts shall not at any time be considered Sovereigns of the land of Narnia, nor shall they be afforded the title of king or queen, nor shall they be eligible to assume the throne in the absence of their spouse. If they be of royal blood by birth, they shall retain their rightful titles, but shall not gain authority over the land of Narnia, and they will not be crowned Sovereigns to rule in their own name.

By the blessing of Aslan, and with the consent of his fellow Sovereigns present, this Decree is hereby put forth by King Edmund the Just in the year 1001 and shall remain in effect until such time as the last of the Four Kings and Queens passes from the Land of Narnia."

For something so short it had been a remarkable amount of work, but I was very satisfied with the document and it gave me a great feeling of accomplishment. Aslan smiled at me, clearly pleased by my efforts, and his approval warmed me in ways the fire couldn't.

"So what do you think?" I asked my audience. I had rewritten it so many times I had it memorized.

"I think it is both wise and far sighted," Mathe replied. "I also think the need for handkerchiefs amongst our guests will triple once it becomes known."

We all laughed because everyone knew full well why I had written the decree in the first place.

"Now what?" I asked the Centaur, looking up at him expectantly.

"You and your sisters must affix your seals to it and have it officially recorded by Minovin. It's not necessary for Parliament to approve it, but traditionally they are given an opportunity to discuss new laws and decrees."

I nodded. "I'll show my sisters tonight and present it tomorrow night when I open Parliament. Thank you all very, very much for your help."

Cheroom, well aware of my desire to become a judge and determined to see me one before I turned twenty, smiled and bowed. "The pleasure, King Edmund, was all ours."

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Martil adjusted the heavy gold clasp holding my cape in place in a frenzy of fussing before nervously circling around me for a final look. Apparently no errant bits of dust had appeared since the last time he'd checked about a minute ago and he finally stepped away.

"How do you feel, King Edmund?"

I looked down at Sir Giles standing next to me as we waited in the corridor. In all my royal finery and new clothes I looked like an oversized Christmas ornament. The cape felt weighty enough to pull me over backwards and I had enough embroidery on my person to make a tapestry. "Like the Queen of May. How do you feel?"

"Both honored and excited, Your Majesty."

"Thank you again for presenting my decree tonight."

He smiled, immensely pleased I had asked him. "I hope I do your words justice."

"I know you will, Sir Fox," I said as Tumnus darted around the corner.

"It's time, King Edmund."

"Thank you, Mr. Tumnus."

I nodded to the Satyrs at the doors and they pulled them open. The great hall was glittering and golden, lit by candles and lamps and by Aslan himself where he stood on the far end next to the chair I was to occupy throughout the ceremony opening Narnia's Parliament. I was aware of bright jewels and brilliant gowns, tawny feathers and Animals and Magical Creatures of all sorts as Cair Paravel's court turned out in all their finery. Susan and Lucy sat with their ladies and Vixen Marion, smiling upon me. And Owls, hundreds of Owls, bright-eyed and knowing.

So much wisdom, in so many forms, and for that instant all of it focused on me.

"Ready, Giles?" I whispered.

"As I'll ever be, Majesty."

I raised my head, the weight of my crown as heavy as the weight of their stares. I kept my eyes on Aslan. With each step towards him the burden seemed to grow less and less. When I bowed to the mighty Lion, seeing those huge paws that had held me so tenderly these past nights, I was reminded of something Phillip had said to me last year:

You are greater than you know, Edmund. Aslan's faith is not misplaced, nor is mine.

I looked up at Aslan. Both Lion and Horse had faith in me, my brother and sisters as well. For the first time in a very long time, so did I.