Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Narnia!! They are purely being used in this story for our personal enjoyment!!!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm glad that you're enjoying it so far! I'd also like to give a special thanks to elecktrum, who sparked the idea for this next chapter! I hope you guys like it because I gave the whole plot of the story a lot of thought before writing this. Enjoy!

The frigid, ice-cold water slapped my face, and I awoke with a sudden start, gasping in air. A black boot came out of nowhere and kicked me in the stomach. I couldn't stop the scream of agony that escaped me as pain raced like wild-fire through my body.

"Get up, boy! Get up!"

Cold, rough hands grabbed me and jerked me onto my feet. That was all that could keep me from falling over from my haze of pain and constricting shackles.

Shackles??

Looking down, I could see that my hands and feet were bound tightly in the rusty, cold metal. My abdomen was wrapped tightly in linen. I felt the warm blood soaking through it and my clothes, and drying cold against my skin. The cold water only added more to my discomfort and I shook uncontrollably. Great. Hypothermia.

"So, he is still alive…"

The mist in my vision cleared a little as I glanced upwards. Standing in front of me was a well dressed man flanked by two other guards. By the smirk on his face, I was already beginning to dislike him.

"What is your name, boy?" his thick Telmarine accent giving away his identity.

"Edmund," I gasped out, realizing that I was forgetting to breathe.

"Tell me, Prince Edmund…"

"King."

He stopped short, surprise written on his face. "Pardon me?"

"It's King Edmund, actually." I received a sharp blow to the chest, and it took all my willpower to not shriek in pain again. I sagged against the arms holding me upright, gasping for breath.

"You will not be so smart when addressing King Miraz, boy! You will show him proper respect as his prisoner!" barked one of the Telmarine guards in my ears, which did little good for the pounding in my head.

"So, King Edmund," hissed Miraz. "Don't you feel lucky to still be alive after being shot by my archers and having a rather nasty fall? I could have had you killed right on the spot."

"Then why didn't you?"

He laughed, and the sound pounded cold and cruel inside my throbbing head. "Because, you have just given us the advantage. I think the Narnians would very much like to have their king returned to them, alive."

With a start, I realized what he planned to do. Ransom. He was going to threaten to kill me if the Narnians did not surrender. Peter would have neither of it.

"You won't get away with this!" I yelled, as Miraz turned to leave. "My brother is the High King of Narnia! He will tear you from your throne with his bare hands! Aaagh!!!" Dark spots danced in my sight and my head throbbed from the blow. Miraz turned back around to face me, his eyes cold.

"That is to be decided." He then turned to the guards holding me. "Get him ready. It's time we returned this king to his people."

That was the last thing I saw before darkness claimed my vision as I was blindfolded. The guards removed the shackles around my ankles. My arms were grabbed by two guards as they dragged me out of the dungeon.

"C'mon, boy. Let's go! You shouldn't keep King Miraz waiting!!!"

Dear Aslan, give me strength. Peter....

Even in my weakened state, I could sense that my brother had something up his sleeve. If he really believed that Miraz would have killed me the night of the raid, Peter would have turned around on the spot to rescue me. This battle was just getting started...and dead or alive, I was the prize.

Please review! I really do take little suggestions into account. They help with writer's block.

I should have forewarned all of you, but I absolutely LOVE cliff-hangers. I promise however, that the next chapter will be a lot longer. I am just getting started, you guys....