Hey Hellos!! I worked out the second chapter..I hope its reasonably long..And I really hope who ever reads this enjoys it.. its my first fanfic.. well considering the amount of mistakes I've made you could guess that ..

Disclaimer : I disclaim.. otherwise I would be sitting on a pile of money and choosing cute actors to play the leads.. sigh.. Skandar Keynes.. I know that sounds far fetched..

Oh yeah I know I should provide a little background to WHY I am writing about Charn and Narnia.. Well I thought the name .. Charn.. is very .. interesting.. it rang in my head.. Then when I read about the Magician's Nephew.. I wasn't willing to believe that a land so old was destroyed.. So I just revived a part of it here.. How Aslan created the worlds was also very sweeping..really good.. And of course, last but not the least ED is my fav character.. through whatever fantasies I've read..

So please guys..please please read and review.. tell me what you think about it.. especially all the experienced authors.. whom I am inspired and scared of at the same time..

Oh and thanks to those who did read and review..thanks Misha!! and Tar Tar( medha) for helping along..couldn't do without your prodding!!

Oh and THREE CHEERS for TarTar for giving THE MOST AMAZNG title!!!!!

Thanks also to Crystallized Chaos for reviewing!! U can't imagine what it did to me wen I saw them!!

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So here goes..

Edmund looked at his scroll. He felt slightly barbaric and maybe a bit too harsh. It is necessary after all that happened.. prevention is better than cure .. thought Edmund. And safety for the citizens of Narnia roughly translated into "prevention" for him...

He rolled up the scroll and sealed it with the Royal Symbol of Narnia : a figure of a lion superimposed upon crossed swords. This would be read, approved or disapproved of at the Council of the Just, held every fortnight.

He was about to put it into the shelves of a medium sized coffer, when the ornately carved runes on it caught his eye. They depicted a creature of great power, with its wings covering its face to show impartiality and objectivity.

The runes and glyphs elaborated the characteristics of a system of rules, their benefits for the citizens, the power of rationality and most importantly, the need for changing laws.

Without these any society could fall to ruin.

The coffer's lid were inscribed with these words :

"A Holder of Power

Inspires awe,

If that Holder be Just

'Tis deemed that

He shall inspire,

Justice."

.. inspire justice..

A fierce fire coursed through Edmund as he realized his title. Yet again he recognized the enormous task before his hand. He would make sure that every drop of his blood was worthy of his citizens.... he would make sure they understood fairness, equality and the true nature of Narnia.

He tore open the scroll and read it again:

With the authority of being the Just King and the holder of the titles of Duke of Lantern Waste, Count of the Western March, and Knight of the Noble Order of the Table, I hereby release rules(CT/ A1/ Ar 3) concerning "Aspects of the Citizenry(Narnian Citizens in relation to Foreign Citizenship)" :

Citizens of Narnia have the right to stay, prosper and pursue interests amenable to themselves(in Narnia) and to Narnia.

Any activity detrimental to the Narnian perspective shall face inquiry and would favorably be followed by adequate action.

Citizens of other lands (Archenland, Lone Islands, Calormen, Seven Isles, Telmar, Terebinthia, Ettinsmoor) are to acquire legal citizenship under the following conditions:

If living peacefully* for more than five years, with knowledge of their residence available to Lords, Ministers, Tax Collectors and testimony from Narnian Citizens (sound of mind and loyal of heart), with numbers exceeding ten in case of village and fifteen in case of town/city.

If awarded citizenship by any of the Ruling Four of Cair Paravel.

If Refugee and requiring immediate assistance , those creatures shall be given temporary care and assistance.

*for explanation refer to earlier scrolls which deals with approved qualities of Citizenry

**these rules maybe withheld in special cases, especially those related to criminal offense.

He gazed out of the window of his office. The council meeting was tomorrow. I finished within the nick of time.. not bad for a day's work, he thought with a smile.

***************************

The water sloshed dangerously as Zinnia climbed the rough steps to her tiny three room residence. She lowered her pace, not wanting to spill whatever little water she had.

She climbed the final step. Placing the water carrier down, she leaned against the frame of her door with one hand on her waist. She rapped on the door with the lion-shaped knocker.

No answer.

"Halo!" she called with her voice raised. "Halo!". Still no answer.

The idiot, she thought. Must have slipped out by the back door. She left the water carrier on the front step, climbed through the window and opened the door. She emptied the water carrier into a nearby tub and set about preparing dinner, or at least something which resembled it. If not anything, starvation will surely kill us, mused Zinnia.

The gigantic red sun was setting and Zinnia could already feel the sharp drop in the temperature from its earlier searing intensity.

The sheer irresponsibility of Halo angered her no end. He always does this. Can't he even wait for me to come back before he goes off wandering??.. anyway he should be back by now.. its nearly dark .

Another memory scraped at her nerves. Unwillingly, her thoughts drifted back to the time when Halo had wandered off, a few days after her mistress's death. He had later been found at the river bank.

It had been three days after the funeral. She knew she should have been feeling remorse but instead, she had felt relief.

No more orders. No more waiting to receive her weekly salary.

Seeing the diseased body of her mistress had evoked pity in her but to her surprise, none of the other servants had reacted the same way. Instead, they had run way out of sheer terror of contracting the disease.

In her final days , her mistress had given her the little three-room house...

"I hated the sight of you. But you cared for me even when my own sons shuddered to come near me. I would like you to stay here after my death.. Bah!! I, giving your own house back to you!!.. Some usurper I am.." she said and rolled over to face Zinnia.

"Madam, pray do not think of such morbid things!!" countered Zinnia.

"You shall live long" she said with incomplete loyalty. She half hoped she wouldn't.

"Seeing that I am returning your house, I might as well give you back this.." She dropped a thin silver chain into Zinnia's palm. It was her mother's chain. "Your mother bought your life with it.. it should help you survive".

"Sing to me.. I want to sleep" ordered her mistress.

Zinnia sung the song which her mother used to sing when the heat wouldn't let her sleep. It was Halo's favorite too...

She decided she couldn't wait anymore. Eating some and packing the rest of the dinner, she set off in pursuit of Halo.

As she walked down the steps she noticed the sky.

Even after sunset it was red.

It could only mean a storm – which was an even more unlikely occurrence. The last storm happened when she was five years old. She didn't know whether it meant good fortune, but, she was sure of one thing.

It meant change.

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Lucy picked up one of the many books that were lying in the trunk. It had a black cover with a single symbol inscribed on it. In fact, when she looked down, she noticed that all the books were similar-- black with a single rune on it.

She traced the rune embossed on the book she was holding and withdrew her hand in shock.

It is hot!! thought Lucy.

Looking back at the trunk she realized that it lay very near the wall torch. Maybe the heat of the flame.. or was it my imagination??

She touched the rune again. Nothing happened. She opened it and flipped the pages. Verses, in a strange hand, were inscribed from end to end. She realized something else. The book was handwritten!!

Lucy knew that anything handwritten was either something of great importance or was of immense age.

Yes it has to be.. there are even tiny ink spots... She picked up a few more books and proceeded to her tower for further examination.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" . Lucy turned around mid step and saw a young lady- in- waiting. Her face was flushed and she looked worried.

" Oh hello Nerium!" she recognized the part-dryad, part-human recently engaged in Susan's service.

"What is wrong? " asked Lucy.

" There is a message for you from Queen Susan and High King Peter. They had to leave most urgently for Ettinsmoor. They will be returning in a fortnight or so" replied Nerium.

"What was so urgent? They could have informed us before!" exclaimed Lucy.

"They didn't mention the cause of such haste, Your Majesty.." Nerium bowed and said " I'll take your leave, Your Majesty".

"Wait!". This time Nerium stopped mid step and looked around. "Your Majesty?".

"Does Edmund know?" asked Lucy. "Yes, he was informed as soon as they left." replied Nerium.

"Go Nerium. Thank you for the information."

Just like them.. leaving without telling anyone.. Peter isn't the only one who can handle emergencies.. and Susan doesn't have to be overprotective all the time.. thought Lucy, irritated at her siblings for their sometimes unreasonable lack of concern. Though I am sure it was important...

*****

Lucy stood at her window and studied the sea. It seemed darker than usual. Its depths swirled in deep bluish – black unrest. This could only mean.. she looked up at the sky-- its surface was quickly being covered with dark clouds .... a storm, thought Lucy.

She sat down at her table and opened the first book. Its ink was dark red in colour. The handwriting slanted to the left. She looked down at the letters. I don't even know what language its written in.. I wish I knew what it meant..or where it came from... The verses seemingly ran till the end of the book. She shut the book in frustration.

Maybe Edmund knows what language it is.. She walked towards the door. Suddenly a gust of wind came through the window, spiraled around Lucy and opened & shut the book with a flutter. She stood rooted to the spot. It was not the cool, damp breeze of storms-- it was hot and dry. Hot like the rune on that book,earlier in the library.

She must have awakened some ancient magic. Suddenly scared, she wanted to go to Edmund.

Another gust of wind.

This was one was searingly hot. She was terrified.

She took a few steps to her door. This time the wind rushed with a greater intensity and surrounded her.

Her skin was on fire. She cried out in agony. Her cry seemed to echo the other cries which circled around her in the vortex of the burning air . She heard women and children crying. The heat snatched whatever moisture her skin had. I am drying up! "Edmund ! Edmund! Oh no, stop.. stop.. Please!!"

Then, just as suddenly as it had come , it stopped. The air became calm. Lucy looked first at the window and then at the book. Its pages had reopened. The ink seemed to shine. Her desktop candle was burning on its own.

**************************

Edmund was riding out on Philip, enjoying the stormy weather. The cool wind ruffled his hair while the speed of his horse made his eyes water. "Philip, stop!" . He was at the edge of a creek. Its water shone with crystalline purity. "Have a break. Drink some water." said Edmund and patted the horse.

"I am neither tired nor thirsty. I think you only stopped to admire this weather." Philip replied and neighed in laughter.

Edmund smiled as he got off. "You're right. I stopped to do just that".

He continued,"You know,I heard that water nymphs stay at the edge of this creek. They often bathe here."

"Despite that, I think no one would bathe in the middle of a storm. Your trip was wasted, Sire". Said Philip.

"I didn't come to look at bathing nymphs!!" Edmund said, color rising to his cheeks.

Philip laughed again. "Yes, Your Majesty. I was merely pointing out an after-effect of cool weather on creatures. It makes skin very hot. It is but a natural reaction. Despite that they don't--"

"Shut up Philip. I know what creatures feel in a storm." The now reddened Edmund let the wind cool his cheeks. His skin was very hot.

Philip neighed again and cantered away. " I'll come back as soon you call me". Edmund nodded

It was very peaceful here. He sat down under a tree and shut his eyes.

So many leaves sang in quick gusts while every blade of grass danced to the wind. The wind became stronger.

He opened his eyes. The surface of the stream shimmered in the diffuse, pale light and the water seemed to glow like a gem.

He stood up, moved closer to its surface and touched it.

Its cold ignited his fingertips and he dipped his hand further into the water. It was warmer inside.

His hand was suspended in a cold, formless void, but it was regaining its heat. He touched a pebble.

Its surface was smooth, slippery. Under the water it even felt soft

The wind tugged at his dark hair and blew around his neck. It rushed through his light shirt and came out through his sleeve. The chill delighted Edmund. He turned his face towards the direction of the wind. The force of it broke against his face and rippled under every eyelash.

It feels so good.. thought Edmund.....I could be like this forever....