Chapter Five
The Dwarf's Witnesses
Edmund watched as the horrific creatures strode into the room, unbound, yet flanked by four armed guards. The dwarf was dismissed and led out of the room; the two witnesses took Baragorn's place standing next to Edmund.
Edmund subtly exercised his leg muscles as the two witnesses were walking into the counsel room. His legs ached after standing for such a long amount of time and his body yearned for a soft, cushioned chair to recline in. He greedily watched his older brother lean back in his comfortable throne, wishing that he was also overseeing the meeting alongside his brother as was his usual duty, but instead, he was on the opposite side- the accused.
Peter cleared his throat and faced the creatures standing in the middle of the room, only a few feet away from Edmund.
The guards prodded them a few feet ahead, so that Edmund saw only their backs and so that he was out of their sight during each of their testimonies.
"Hag, what are you called?" The High King asked the hideous, bent over and deformed creature, slightly resembling a woman in the facial features and her high pitched voice.
"They call me Makiah, Sire." The old hag stated in her raspy voice, her earth brown cape falling around her frail grotesque form, the hood hanging down behind her almost hairless head.
"Have you seen the accused before?" He asked Makiah.
"I have, Your Majesty." The hag answered.
"Have you witnessed exchanges or meetings between the dwarf, Baragorn, and King Edmund?"
"I have seen them meet once, my Lord."
"Will you please tell the council and myself what you saw or heard between the dwarf and the accused?" Peter asked.
"Gladly so, my King." The hag replied before beginning her testimony.
"I was headed my dwelling among the caves in Lantern Waste when I happened upon the dwarf and the young prince."
"It is king, actually." Peter interrupted.
"What is it you said, my Lord?"
"It is King Edmund, not prince."
Makiah looked at him in confusion and bewilderment.
"I know. It's rather confusing. I am the High King whereas Edmund is only a king, though he still has equal rights and privileges as mine. Excuse my interruption. Please continue." King Peter stated.
Edmund suppressed a grin in amusement at his brother's light banter with the hag.
That sounded more like the Peter he knew.
The hag nodded in reply to what the High King had said before continuing.
"I heard bits and pieces of their conversation as I neared their hiding place among the trees. King Edmund seemed very angry and for what reason I knew not. The dwarf, Baragorn, stuttered and apologized again and again, saying that he would bring the payment to their next meeting. As I walked closer towards them, the two separated."
"Is that all for your testimony?" Peter asked the hag.
"Yes, Sire."
Two of the four guards standing by the doors, stepped forward and escorted Makiah out of the council room.
Edmund watched the large back of the minotaur and hoped that his testimony would end with no problems.
The large irritable creatures with a bull's head and a man's body were prone to become angry very quickly.
Thankfully, Peter knew to choose his words carefully.
"Sir, what is your name?" The High King decided to address the creature standing before him with respect, out of fear of his temper tantrums.
The minotaur answered in a deep, bellowing voice.
"Oren, Your Majesty."
"Have you witnessed a meeting between King Edmund and the dwarf, Baragorn?"
"I have."
"Would you please tell us of that incident?"
"Of course, My King."
Edmund dreaded what was to come.
Oren began in his strong, bass voice,
"I was on my way home after visiting a friend, a faun in fact, as many of them are known to inhabit Lantern Waste. As I walked to my companion's cave, I noticed King Edmund and Baragorn standing in a secluded section of the wood and talking quietly. I heard nothing of their conversation, because I was not close enough, but I noticed that King Edmund was showing a sort of map to the dwarf before they shook hands and went their separate ways."
"Is that all, Oren?"
"Yes, Sire."
"What time of day was it when you witnessed the exchange between King Edmund and the dwarf?"
"Around midnight, My Liege."
"You were out visiting a friend at midnight?" The High King raised his eyebrows in skepticism.
The minotaur nodded. "He had a few other friends join us and I did not arrive until late evening, so it would be common courtesy for me to stay longer than the rest."
Peter nodded in agreement.
Edmund and Peter both knew that it was common etiquette in Narnia to stay at a guest's home as long as possible.
"Thank you, Oren." Peter said with a warm smile to the large minotaur.
"It was a pleasure to be of service, King Peter." Oren attempted to clumsily bow and then left the room with the two guards.
Edmund was then left standing by himself in the middle of the room with all eyes upon him once more.
Peter leaned forward in his throne as he asked another question, though this time it was for Edmund to answer.
"Is there anything else you wish to say in defense?"
"Yes, My Lord."
Edmund looked around at the ten Elders of Narnia as he began, hoping that his skill as a diplomat would help him in his last plea that day.
"Elders of Narnia, I ask you all to greatly consider the witnesses. Do you trust the word of a hag and a minotaur against your king's? Are not the two creatures testifying before you today, the descendents of those or the very same creatures that fought alongside the witch in the Battle of Beruna? Why heed the words that come out of the mouths of evil beings? Once more, I declare myself innocent against the crimes so listed and I will continue saying so until my death."
Edmund's last words hauntingly lingered throughout the entire room.
He was satisfied that he had made his point known.
"Is there nothing further you wish to say?" Peter asked him.
"No, Your Majesty."
"Now, you will be escorted out of the room as the Elders and I deliberate the outcome of your case."
In reply to King Peter's words, two guards stepped up and led Edmund out of the room.
Now, it was only a waiting game.
After an hour of restlessness and waiting, Edmund was summoned back into the council room. As he walked in, he tried to read the faces of the Elders so that he would be somewhat warned of his sentence. His footsteps echoed menacingly as if in opposition to the silence surrounding him. The guards left him, once more, in the center of the room and then returned to their posts outside the doors.
Edmund had no time to think for Peter began speaking almost immediately, as if wanting to finish it as soon as possible; Edmund knew that was probably what his brother was thinking, at that moment.
The High King spoke with an air of authority muffled slightly with a tone of sadness. His clear blue eyes shown worry and hurt.
Edmund prepared for the worst.
"This council has declared King Edmund the Just, Duke of Lantern Waste, Count of the Western March, and Knight of the Noble Order of the Table, innocent until further evidence proves his guilt. For the time being, King Edmund is to be held under house arrest, with twenty four hour guards at the entrance of his room, until further evidence is found. At no time will he be permitted to exit his room. His meals will be brought to him and any other needs will be supplied if asked of the guards. He will be allowed no communication with anyone besides the guards standing posts outside the doors of his bedchambers."
Peter looked directly at his brother as he continued,
"Are your orders understood?"
"They are, My King."
"Then you are dismissed."