Hi, I know this is pretty soon for me to be updating, but I've got so much for this fic, it's amazing! And by the way, Edmund's font is Viner Hand ITC for his letter and the stitching on the napkin, Susan's font for her letter is Edwardian Script ITC and Lucy's signature is in Gigi. The story editor won't let me show the fonts but it's supposed to represent their different writing styles.

I've gotten two reviews within 24 hours of posting this fic, that's a record for me!

A special thanks and imaginary cookie to:

kazuko59

and

CrazyDyslexicNerd

Without further adieu,

Read, Enjoy, and Review!

King Edmund's Case:

The Mysterious Death of Lord Cane

Chapter 2: The Search, the Attack, the Lord, and the Coincidental Disappearance of his Brother

"What!" Edmund growls, "What the bloody hell did you just say?" The Narnian, a male Faun, pales considerably and is too scared to reply. "Answer me!" Edmund barks.

The Faun flinches and stutters, "High K–King Peter is missing!"

Edmund, too angry at himself and the situation and being successfully woken up to realize that the poor Faun will probably soil himself soon, asks sharply, "How?"

The Faun jumps, startled, but answers, "H–High King Peter had left in the middle of the night and told the nightwatch that he was going for a walk, it was a couple minutes before the nightwatch had to switch so she had told the next one to keep an eye out for him. B–But that's just it, High King Peter never came back!"

Edmund looks at him, "I can kind of tell he didn't come back or else we wouldn't be in this situation now would we?" He snaps.

The Faun flinches, "I'm s–sorry, Majesty." Not being able to take it anymore the Faun soils himself and faints.

Edmund sighs, realizing what he had been doing to the poor Faun the whole time, "No, I'm sorry." He said to the unconscious Faun, he steps out of the tent, "Hey, Tunkum, I may have accidentally made one of your Fauns soil himself and faint, can you possibly make sure he's okay?" Edmund asks when he sees the Faun, Tunkum is in charge of the Fauns.

Tunkum sighs, "Let me guess, he woke you up," Edmund nods, "Told you about High King Peter before you could fully understand what was going on and you snapped at him a lot?" Edmund nods again, "I think I know who this Faun is," Edmund looks at him curiously as he moves aside so Tunkum can come in, "Oh, Tankum!" He groans.

"I'm guessing you're related," Edmund speculates.

Tunkum nods, "He's my little brother, good heart, he's just extremely nervous and fidgety from a near-death experience." He says softly.

Edmund looks at him, "I'm sorry, I didn't know, and I can be beastly in the morning. Not as beastly as Peter, but still beastly." He says.

Tunkum shakes his head, "No, I'm sorry. I should've come to tell you myself." Picking his little brother up Tunkum says, "I'll get someone to clean up the spot later."

Edmund looks at him, "Leave it, it's just grass. It'll be good fertilizer." He says, Tunkum looks at him with a confused expression, "It's used where I come from, it contains the dung of animals and other minerals to help plants and grasses grow." Edmund explains.

"It's good to know that my brothers… soil will help grow plants and grasses?" Tunkum says, the sentence more of a question than a statement, before leaving.

Edmund sighs before slipping off his night-shirt and pulling on brown trousers that he tightens with leather laces and then puts on his boots.

As he shuffles through his satchel for his blue tunic with brown undertones Selene walks in.

"Your Majesty, Oreius– oh!" She yelps, blushing as she sees Edmund half-naked.

Edmund jumps at the sound of the yelp, "What is it? What's wrong?" He asks, reaching for his sword.

"No, no, Sire. It's not that!" She blushes even harder, not being able to take her eyes off of Edmund's chest and packed-in abs. One must not be fooled, Edmund is lithe and has muscle, it's just very packed-in. 'That's very… attractive. I must tell Citrine about this!' She thinks.

"What's wrong then?" Edmund asks, not getting what she had yelped for. Then he noticed that Selene is staring at him rather intently, like a schoolgirl that has a crush on a classmate. Then he realized, not knowing whether to blush or smirk he clears his throat, "So, what do you need?" He asks.

She snaps out of her daze, "Oh, s–sorry. Oreius has gathered the War Council," She says.

"What!" He exclaims, without waiting for an answer he turns and searches for his tunic with a renewed vigor, finding it with a triumphant cry he hastily pulls it on and haphazardly runs a hand through his hair and almost flings his crown onto his head before grabbing his sword-belt and starts tying it as he walks past a madly blushing Selene.

He finally finishes putting his sword-belt on when he walks into the Council Tent, although, he feels that something is off.

He sees Cloudwind purr amusedly and Virges smile before coming over to him, she untied his sword-belt, which had been on backwards, and puts it on the right way, then she adjusts his crown, which is leaning quite precariously on his head.

Flushing he coughs awkwardly, "Thanks, Virges."

"You're welcome, Sire." She bows before going back to her spot.

"I'm guessing that you were half-dressed when Selene came to get you and she started staring before she told you that the Council was waiting, didn't she?" Tunkum asks.

Edmund nods, "How do you know these things?"

Tunkum smiles, "I know the Tankum part because he's my little brother, and Selene is Citrine's little sister and Citrine and I are lovers."

"Ah, I see." Edmund says, silently begging to Aslan that the situation would not get awkward.

"Sire," Oreius says, "We must make a decision and then devise a plan according to it."

Edmund looks at him, "We search for Peter and if he's not in the area then we continue to Glasswater Creek whilst keeping up the search." He says.

Oreius nods, "Do you want to send for a second party?" He asks.

Edmund's eyes darken, "No, even in the absence of the High King I will abide by his decision, liking it or not."

Oreius nods, pride glimmering in his eyes for a moment before asking, "What do you think has happened and what would you like to do for the search, Sire?"

"Peter has most likely been kidnapped, and I fear he wasn't in the best of health either. His mind was plagued with worry and turmoil for many reasons unknown to me and he probably has a high fever by now, I had felt his forehead the night before and he had Fall Fever." He explains at the curious looks. The looks quickly turned into worry, apprehension, and determination to get their High King back. "First of all, we ask the Dryads if they had seen anything. And we also ask the Naiads to look up and downriver for signs of Peter or a camp, maybe a group."

"Understood, and what of the search groups, Sire?" Oreius asks.

"There are currently twenty-seven of us, so two groups of nine each will search and the other nine will stay at camp. The search will end at mid-afternoon, no longer." Edmund looks slightly pained at this but he continues, "We'll pack up and set out if we can't find him by then." Oreius nods, "Oreius, you will be in charge of watching the ones staying here." He nods, "Virges, you'll take your group upriver, we'll be going downriver so it'd be wiser to search where we've already been." She nods, "And I'll take my group to search in the woods."

Oreius frowns, "Sire, I don't think you should search."

Edmund's eyes blazed with something livid, but he asks calmly, "Why not, Oreius?"

Oreius, used to having the anger of one of his Kings on him from experience, answers, "If High King Peter was kidnapped, than that means that you'll be in danger as well. It would be wiser and safer for you to stay at camp."

"Oreius, you know I can't just sit idly by and leave you to search. I will look for my brother like it or not." Edmund says, a hint of a growl creeping into his voice. It clearly says, "My safety be damned! I need to find my brother!"

Oreius kept his frown, "And you will search for your brother, just not now." He says, his tone slightly soft but still stern. "Why don't I take the search party into the woods and you stay and be in charge of the ones in camp?" Edmund still has a fire in his eyes, but he nods.

"Alright, I'll write a letter to my sisters to explain what's happened." Edmund says before walking to the tent flap, "You're all dismissed to get into your groups, and if you're Oreius or Virges then go pick your group members." He then walks out.

...

"Dear Sue and Lu,

I have grave news, Peter's gone missing. He had gone out for a late night walk and had never come back. I think that he may have been kidnapped, considering the state he was in. His mind was clouded and he had the start of a Fall Fever, I was going to get Selene to check it the next morning, but… as you know, Peter never came back. Do not send for a second party… we won't need it. And don't come down here yourselves, I'm sure we'll find him soon enough and take care of the disturbance by Glasswater Creek soon enough.

And Sue, don't over-coddle Lu. And don't deny it, you always do this to one of us when you're worried for one or two of us. Please just continue looking after the castle and Lu and Narnia while we find Peter. And don't worry, he'll be getting more than an earful from me when we find him, but you can still scold/yell at him when we get back.

Lu, now I know that you haven't wanted me to notice, but don't worry. I'd overheard you and Susan talking one time, and I haven't told Peter yet. He has enough on mind. But I want to let you know that I and Peter will be fine.

I love you both… it's strange isn't it? I can always tell I love you in letters but I always have a hard time in words, don't I? But I guess I shouldn't dwell on this for too long, or else when we find Peter he'll probably say, 'Were you in the magical land of Ed-Mind again?'

Anyways, don't over-coddle and don't worry. Love you both, and pray to Aslan that when I find our idiotic, perverse (he's kissed me on my cheek two times too many), cheeky, and overly noble, older brother that I don't go ballistic and accidentally kill him in a worry-induced rage.

P.S,

I think that Selene has a fancy for me now. She walked in on me half-naked. Sue, don't be surprised if that within the few months I get a couple more suitors than you do. What with the way Selene spreads gossip.

From your worried and more-than-likely-to-kill-Peter brother,

Eddy-mund Pevensie" Lucy stops reading the letter, feeling wetness in her eyes at the "Eddy-mund". Edmund only puts his name as that when he's worried and doesn't want his siblings to worry.

"Lucy…" Susan whispers softly, kissing her tears away, "We have to believe in Edmund, he'll find Peter."

"Susan," Lucy hiccups, "Are you worried?" She quivers.

Susan looks at her, "Of course I'm worried."

Lucy shakes her head, a weak smile on her lips, "No, about Edmund getting more suitors than you."

Susan smiles back playfully, "That's just his mind gone smug from having a girl ogle while half-naked, so no, I'm not worried."

Lucy giggled wetly, "You are worried." She sniffs.

Susan's smile drops slightly, "How do you do it, Lu?" She asks softly, reaching over and hugging her.

"I believe, and I try to keep my faith stronger than my worry." Lucy replies, a few tears leaking out.

Susan takes a deep breath, "Come, let's go for a ride on our mares. They won't miss us for long." She smiles.

Lucy looks at her in surprise, "But, Susan, that's so Edmund-like!" Susan's smile doesn't waver but she says,

"I can be fun when I want to, now come on, the sooner we go the longer we can ride for. But we have to be back before noon."

Lucy grins and nods, drying her eyes.

"Then we'll write a letter back to Edmund after we get back, right?" She asks.

Susan nods, "We will."

...

"Dear Ed,

I do not over-coddle, as you call it, and Lucy can't help but worry. And it is strange as to how easily you can say you love us in a letter, but it's alright, you're you. And you being you should stop eavesdropping on people's conversations, it's going to get you in serious trouble one day. And we have faith that you'll find our idiotic, perverse, cheeky, and overly noble, older brother. Just don't kill him, and he kissed you on the cheek a second time after you two left, didn't he? Anyways, be safe. And I don't believe that you'll get more suitors than me in the next few months. And I will trust that Oreius will restrain you from killing Peter, well, Oreius and a couple of other Narnians. Because, it's going to take more than even Oreius to hold you at bay. Peter and I aren't the only mother hens in this sibling-square. Lu and I are extremely grateful for the napkins, and I have said this before and I will say it again: They are not keepsakes.

We love you dearly and wish you and Peter, wherever he is, safety. May Aslan guide and protect you all.

Love,

Your not overly-coddling sister, Sue

and worrying sister, Lu" Edmund finishes reading, a small smile on his lips. Lucy has the worst handwriting out of all the siblings, Susan's being the best, Peter's next, and Edmund's just barely fitting the description of Kingly Calligraphy. "Thank you, Sunwing." He says to the Falcon. He nods and is about to go scout ahead when Edmund stops him, "Oh no you don't, you've traveled from here to Cair Paravel and back without rest. You don't need to scout just yet, take a rest."

Sunwing protests, "But, Your Majesty, I can't, I'm needed! And I have nowhere to rest, we're moving so I can't stop and rest on a branch."

Edmund smirks, "Well, there's a nice and comfortable shoulder waiting for you. It's right here," He gestures to his right shoulder. Sunwing looks like he's going to protest, "You know how I can get, Sunwing. Now, you can either get on my shoulder and rest willingly, or else I'll bind your wings and strap your feet onto my shoulder. I'm serious about you resting." Edmund says warningly. Sunwing looks extremely uncomfortable but settles himself onto Edmund's shoulder, too stiffly for Edmund's liking. "How are you supposed to rest when you're as straight as an arrow, you batty piece of cheek?" He teases. Sunwing stiffens again but forces himself to relax and within a number of seconds is softly inhaling and exhaling, sound asleep. 'As he should be.' Edmund thinks.

He recalls what had happened before they left camp.

...

"King Edmund!" A voice shouts as it bursts through the tent flap.

"What is it? Did you find Peter?" He asks, trying hard to keep his voice even.

The Narnian, Tunkum, shakes his head, Edmund does his best to not scream, "But we found this." He takes out an average-looking napkin, it has messy silver embroidery on it.

"That's–" Edmund gasps, immediately rushing over to Tunkum, who hands it to him.

"Someone must've kidnapped Peter, he would never leave this behind." Edmund growls, looking ready to rip apart the person (there are humans in the surrounding countries) and/or thing that had taken his older brother.

"Sire, if I may be as so bold as to ask, what meaning does the napkin hold?" Tunkum asks carefully.

"Never forget that I love you and need you, you're the Sun to my Moon

-Eddy-mund Pevensie" Edmund quotes softly, eyes locked on the napkin, "When Susan helped me improve my archery she had said that she wanted payment, and that payment was making three napkins, One each for her, Lucy, and Peter. I didn't know then why she had wanted me to make them, but I found out later. I've come close to death a lot, and she wanted herself and the other two have a message from me. If it ever came to me actually dying, well, they'd have a keepsake. But that's just me talking with the keepsake part, I know that Sue refuses to believe that that will ever happen. She just wants something to keep herself and the other two grounded. Hopeful in dark times." Edmund replies, an inscrutable yet deep expression on his face.

Tunkum nods, "I understand, Sire."

Edmund looks at him, "Do you?"

Tunkum nods, knowing the reason behind Edmund's question, not offended in the least.

"Citrine taught me how to make a ring out of amber, it doesn't have an engraving on it, but it's enough for Tankum. At least, that's what he says." Tunkum looks slightly embarrassed.

Edmund laughs lightly, "I'm sure it is, Tunkum."

...

Edmund smiles at the memory, but it fades when he looks at Peter's napkin in his left hand, being careful not to wake Sunwing up, he moves his the napkin up and presses it against his face. It's scent is of powder, cinnamon, and strangely, but unsurprisingly, fresh oak.

'Peter,' Edmund thinks as he lowers his hand.

Most of the party is determined, worried, and angry. Determined to rescue their High King, worried for their High King's condition and Edmund's as well, and anger at the things that took High King Peter for not only taking him, but for putting Edmund in his inner battle of emotions.

But not all share these thoughts, for there's two traitors in their midst. Two traitors who aren't what they seem, and those two traitors have their target set in their sights: King Edmund the Just, a.k.a the sleuth King. That's right, Edmund is Narnia's best and only detective, he's nosy and always getting the job done. But this side of him only comes out for certain situations. And these two traitors have the job of making sure that this side will never come out again, and no, they don't know any details about the kidnapping of High King Peter, nor do they care. All it means to them is, Edmund is vulnerable and very open, and maybe even unsuspecting, for assassination.

...

It was close to dusk and Sunwing had woken up close to sundown and had, much to Edmund's protest, gone to relieve another Talking Bird of their scouting position.

And it was at this time that Sunwing's urgent call rang through the whole party, "They're over double our numbers, all beasts and hags and creatures, and they're heading this way to attack!"

Edmund feels worry for his party and… excitement. He's been looking for a way to vent all of his inner turmoil, and this situation is going to help him do just that.

Within five minutes the attackers had met head-on with Edmund's party, within five minutes all hell broke loose.

Edmund had been tackled off of Philip by a Werewolf and is now fighting the beast, nimbly avoiding getting bitten and his sword and the wolf's teeth clash more than once.

"Man-flesh…" It growls, Edmund wrinkles his nose.

"Nice to know I'm a delicacy in Narnia," He mutters, swinging his sword from the left with a hard accuracy that the sword didn't stop it's strike until it hit the bone of the Werewolf's sternum. It gave a long howl before slumping, not collapsing because Edmund's sword is holding it up. Edmund slides his sword out and the Werewolf falls to the ground with a small thud.

Edmund turns around when hears three more howls come from three even bigger Werewolves.

"Man-flesh kill pup…" The biggest one growls.

Edmund gets a look of disbelief and exasperation in his eyes, "Really, a bloody Werewolf family?" He groans.

The Werewolf jumps at him, tackling him to the ground, Edmund's head impacts with a sickening thud, ignoring the mini-stars and Minotaurs that are singing a happy song around his head he kicks the Werewolf off with a rush of adrenaline. Quickly getting to his feet he has his sword up and ready.

"King Edmund, watch out!" A Narnian yells.

Edmund barely has time to turn around before he's picked up by a Fellvern.

"You've got to be bloody kidding me!" He near-screams with frustration, struggling to get out of the Fellvern's grasp, but it only succeeded in making the Fellvern's claws dig in into his sides more, "And Cloudwind had said she was fine!" He gasps in slight pain. He looks down at the Werewolves that are howling, "I'm not sure if this situation is better or not." The Fellvern screeches and gnashes its jaws in hunger. Edmund's eyes widen, "This is not better… This is not better… This is not better!" He then remembers that Peter had given him the Rokaleesh before, saying that he had a second bottle. Edmund's eyes had flashed then, wondering how much he had gone through to get the second bottle.

He reaches for the bottle, for it's in his boot, and he winces as the claws dig in deeper. He tears a piece of his tunic off then grabbing the bottle he yanks the adamant cork open, for its attached to the bottle, and then he dips the tunic strip in and throws it upward. Which hits the chest of the Fellvern before burning up completely, it gives a might screech/roar and instantly let's go of Edmund.

He then feels two pairs of claws grab his shoulders and slow his fall until he's safely onto the ground, "Are you alright, Your Majesty?" Sunwing asks.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Sunwing, Moonfeather. I owe you two." Edmund replies, ignoring the painful stinging in his sides flare whenever he talks.

Sunwing shakes his head, "It was I who had owed you, Sire. For making me rest and be prepared."

Moonfeather nods, "And I am alive because of you, you had saved me from those retched Galmans when they had shot me down on a hunting expedition." She says, gratefulness in her eyes, "And, there is no reason to use favors as an excuse to save you, My King, it is our duty."

Sunwing adds in here, "And Sire is light for his size, if it were High King Peter I fear we may have gotten him to the ground a little less gracefully and safely." He says hinting at Edmund's weight, implying that Edmund should gain some.

Edmund groans, "Susan put you up to this, didn't she?" They just look at him innocently, well, as innocent as a bird can look, "I can't help it if I have a high metabolism rate!"

"Sire! None have been killed yet, but many have been injured severely! We must fall back!" Tunkum shouts from where he's fighting a Minotaur.

Edmund sees all of his fallen, but breathing, fellow Narnians. He knows the pain they must be in, for he has been there himself many more times than he'd like to admit.

"Man-flesh!" A Werewolf howls.

Edmund sees a group of Humans start attacking the creatures, and others picking up the fallen Narnians and getting them somewhere safe. The creatures still alive retreat, growling and snarling and screeching threats in their language.

"Lord Dar!" Edmund exclaims when he sees the Archenlander Lord. The man is truly like a father to him, even more so than King Lune. King Lune to Edmund is more of a close and jolly uncle, an uncle but close.

"King Edmund," Dar smiles when he sees the boy, coming over.

Edmund gives him a glare, "How many times have I told you and the other lords and King Lune to call me Edmund?"

Dar smiles sheepishly, "Fifty-seven and counting."

Edmund nods, "So stop 'accidentally' forgetting."

Dar smiles, "As long as you call me Lord Dar I shall call you King Edmund."

Edmund shakes his head, feeling a bit of dizziness.

"Oh my," is all Edmund says before fainting.

...

"This is the second time in three days, is it healthy?" Edmund asks himself as he sits up, wincing as his sides bite at him. "Bloody Fellvern," He mutters, then he feels a small ringing in his ears and his head pounds every time he moves it, "Bloody Werewolf."

Getting out of the hammock he sees clean white bandages wrapped around his sides, sighing when he feels wrappings around his head as well. He looks around for a tunic, seeing his satchel he reaches in and mutters something when he sees his torn and bloody blue tunic, he continues searching and finds a white shirt. Putting it on and buttoning it up he leaves the tent.

"Sire! You shouldn't be up!" Tunkum says, seeing him.

Edmund shakes his head, "No, it's fine. Just tell me where the wounded are being kept."

Tunkum sighs, "It's the tent that has a blue lily on it."

Edmund nods, "Thanks, Tunkum." He starts to walk away, "And, Tunkum," He says, "If it makes it any better, I won't tell who directed me to the tent, I've always been good with direction, I'll just use that as an excuse." He gives him a sly smile and a wink before walking away.

Tunkum smiles back and continues what he had been doing before. Edmund finds the tent and walks inside, "King Edmund! You shouldn't be in here!" Citrine looks at him reprimands.

Edmund puts a finger to his lips, "Sh, I'm the ghost of helping the injured, once I'm done I disappear." He grins.

Citrine sighs, all four of the Pevensie siblings would assist with helping the wounded. But only Peter and Edmund would attempt to help when they were injured themselves, and both have their unique ways of helping.

"Fine, why don't you help with applying the herbal salve and bandages for the wounded in the back, Sire." She says.

Edmund looks at her firmly, "I am not a Sire, I am a ghost." He says sternly before making his way to the back. There he helped and cracked jokes until the job was done, then Citrine took him to his tent and changed his bandages and reapplied the salve and sent him to bed.

It was then that Edmund slept, and it is now that Edmund is awoken by a soft noise. Quick as lightning he reaches sword, Lunami. He had found it on the day of the Battle of Beruna, there had been a note that had said that it was sorry for missing him from Father Christmas. Edmund's second gift had been a necklace with a silver scale on it, that necklace has gotten Edmund through many dark times when his siblings couldn't have been there for him.

"Don't move," A voice hisses.

"What– mmph!" He starts when a cloth is wound around his mouth. Not one to be weak he grabs Lunami and slashes at his attacker, he yanks the cloth off, for it had not been properly tied. "Who are you and what do you want?" He growls, then he realizes something, "Are you the one who took Peter, because if you are then I swear–"

A second voice comes in, "No, and we don't care. All we know is that we're supposed to assassinate you."

Edmund feels slight surprise, "Who sent you?"

"A certain Telmarine Lord who you had jailed years ago is now out, and he wants revenge."

"Lord Taabardeesh?" Edmund feels shock that the Lord is already out of jail. He then feels his body start to immobilize from his toes up, "What is this?" He growls.

"We were hoping the drug would have worked faster, but you tore off the gag before that was possible." The first says, a hint of smugness for the drug but there is more annoyance that is directed at Edmund.

Edmund's legs give out from underneath him, "You will not be getting away with this, for I will personally hang you from your entrails and starve you and then slowly carve profanities into your skin– mmph!" He growls again when the first figure ties the gag on again, this time much tighter.

"Can't have you making a ruckus and waking up the whole camp, now can we?" The second figure says with a nasty chuckle, Edmund glares at the two figures. The first figure binds his hands and feet.

"Even though the drug is in effect gotta take precautions," The first figure says with a chuckle, patting Edmund's cheek.

'When I get out of this and I find out who this is I swear by Aslan…' Edmund thinks, purposely letting the thought go unfinished.

The two figures drape a cover over Edmund, then they pick him up and leave the tent.

Edmund hears a voice ask, "Where are you going, Tankum and Selene? And what's that under the covers?"

'Tankum and Selene!' Edmund thinks in shock.

Tankum answers, "T–Tunkum has passed, we're going to bury him." His voice sounding sorrowful.

The voice speaks again, and this time Edmund recognizes it as Cloudwind, "Oh, I'm so sorry. Go ahead, I'll tell the next watch to keep an eye out for you. May Aslan guide Tunkum to His country."

Edmund wants to make a sound or even move, but he can't because of the drug.

"Tunkum's not dead! I'm the one under the cover! Tankum and Selene aren't with us, they're assassins! Get Oreius!" He wants to shout, but can't.

After walking for a little bit Tankum and Selene stop, and they throw Edmund against a tree, the cover flying off of his body and his head thudded against the trunk, he feels the blinding pain come back.

'Two concussions in one day, definitely not good for my health.' Edmund thinks.

"Mmph (Why)?" Edmund asks, his question muffled by the gag. And he wishes to Aslan that he can at least regain his right to speak.

"Tunkum and Citrine never told you, did they?" Tankum asks.

"Mmphd mphe mph (Told me what)?" Edmund asks, cursing the gag and drug.

"It's not fitting of a King to mumble, Your Majesty." Tankum smirks, and Edmund glares at him.

"When we were babies we had been playmates, and one day our mothers had had a picnic close to the border and had turned their backs on us for a few minutes and a couple of Calormenes had taken us, from there Lord Taabardeesh bought us and trained us as assassins as we grew up, he hates Narnia with more of an action-involved passion than most Calormenes." Selene starts explaining.

"Mphly, mmph mmphned mmped mpht (Really, I hadn't noticed that)." Edmund rolls his eyes.

"Quiet!" Selene hisses, "Anyways, when you put him in jail we got him out, he sent us back a month ago with the mission to assassinate you, we met our older siblings and had assumed roles of terrified yet glad to be back younger siblings." She finishes.

"Mpht mphy, mpht myou mphd mo me mphk mo mphre myou mphm mphfrom (But why, aren't you glad to be back to where you come from)?" Edmund looks genuinely confused.

Tankum, somehow understanding him, answers, "He's the one who raised us, treated us well. And our mothers were idiots for going that close to the border, and our siblings may've just gotten us back but we feel no love for them. The only love we have is for each other, Lord Taabardeesh, Calormene, and the great Tisroc–may he live forever."

Selene shakes her head, "This is enough talk, we must dispose of you and depart for Calormene. The camp must've realized what happened by now."

Tankum and Selene pick Edmund up and make their way to the river, "Goodbye, King Edmund." They sneer before throwing him into the river.

"Mmph!" Edmund growls at them before he falls into the icy river. 'Oh Aslan, is this the end? Is this what you had meant for me? Will I ever see Peter, Sue, and Lu again? What of Mum… and Dad?' He thinks, feeling even more numbness seep into his core, 'No! What am I thinking? When did I become this depressed?'

"Come, my little King. I've been waiting for you…" A voice whispers in his ear and Edmund feels his movement come back, for the drug has seeped through the gag and his body because of the water and… he doesn't want to go to where she's waiting. He tries to reach his feet and untie the knot, he succeeds but he feels the water's coldness stiffening his movement when he starts to swim up, and he's rapidly running out of air. It's then that he feels someone wrap an arm around his middle and starts bringing them to the surface.

When they surface Edmund takes in as much air as he can through the gag, the person, Dar, swims to the shore doing his best to gently drag Edmund onto shore.

"Mmph mou (Thank you)." Edmund did his best to say through the gag.

Dar presses his lips together into a fine line, "Why don't we get you out of those bindings." He says. He unties the bindings on his hands and then takes off of the gag, Edmund opens his mouth to say something but he goes into a coughing fit, "Easy now, you're safe." Dar says soothingly.

Edmund's coughs ease up, "Thank you, I owe you for this Lord Dar. You've saved my life, I'm afraid to say this is the fifteenth time you've had to." He says.

Dar shakes his head, "No, I'm just sorry we didn't get here sooner." He gives him a small smile, "And that you're prone to getting into danger and trouble a lot." Edmund gives him a grin in response.

"Sire, are you alright?" Oreius comes up to them.

"I'm fine, perfectly fine." Edmund assures him, trying his best to hide his wince as his sides flare, he looks down and regrets the action immediately. The first reason being that the wounds had opened up and were now bleeding through the bandages, the second being that his head felt as if a clan of mini-dwarves are mining for coal in his head. Then he sneezes and it feels as if a bomb had gone off in his head. His legs feel wobbly and Dar supports him before he can collapse.

"I'm taking that as a 'no'." Oreius says, a small hint of amusement in his eyes, but there's more worry and anger in them than amusement.

"But– achoo!" He sneezes again.

"Why don't we get you warmed up, and in bed." Dar says, looking at Oreius, there's a message passed between the two.

"Hey, what are you two *sneeze* telepathically talking about?" Edmund asks, a little nervously, knowing what is coming.

Oreius bends down and picks Edmund up, "Do not argue, Sire." He says when Edmund opens his mouth to protest, "You aren't capable of walking and Lord Dar is slightly incapable of carrying you at the moment." A Faun comes and gives Dar a towel, then gives Oreius one for Edmund.

"But I–" Edmund starts, then stops as he coughs. Then he lifts a hand to his head to try to ease the pounding.

"Is this proof enough, Sire?" Oreius asks patiently, Edmund nods, feeling too disoriented at the moment to argue.

It's now that Edmund's concussion starts talking, "M'Susan, can you see the purple Minotaurs? They're singing a happy song while floating around your head." He giggles.

Oreius frowns, Peter had always said that he hated it when Edmund got concussions, and now he got the feeling he knew why. For the boy is delusional enough to think that he is his older sister.

"Sire, I am Oreius, your General. I do not have purple Minotaurs floating around my head and they are not singing a happy song." Oreius says patiently.

Edmund squinted then he giggles again, "My mistake, sorry, Susan! They're pink, not purple." He fixes his mistake.

"Sire," Oreius starts.

Edmund puts a finger to his lips, signaling to be quiet, "Sh, I want to listen to their singing. It's so high-pitched." Edmund gasps in amazement.

"Sire," Oreius starts, wanting to try again.

Edmund shakes his head, then winces, "Ow," He groans, "Susan, will you kiss it better like you always do?"

"Sire, I am not Queen Susan." Oreius says, internally feeling horror at the prospect of kissing Edmund's forehead.

Edmund frowns, "But Susan, please? It really hurts!"

Oreius thanked Aslan many times over when Edmund's tent came into sight at that moment.

"Susan, I–" Edmund doesn't finish because at that moment he falls into a dead sleep.

Oreius looks at him, then looks at Dar, who has been smiling in amusement the whole time.

"Not a word," Is all Oreius says before walking(?) inside the tent.

Dar just grins, "About what? The part where he thought you were Susan, the part with the Minotaurs, or the part with the kissing?" He asks cheekily before walking in the tent.

"Susan, kiss it better!"

Oh, this is gonna be a long night, Oreius thinks.

...

"I'm starting to worry for my health." Edmund mutters as he blinks his eyes open.

"I am too, Sire." Oreius says from beside his hammock.

"You finally woke up, Susan and I had quite the ball last night taking care of you." Dar chuckles, Oreius gives him a sharp look.

"Susan's here?" Edmund asks, confused.

Oreius shakes his head, "Susan's not here and never was, Sire." He says.

"Then why–" Edmund starts.

"Sire, there are just some things that are better left unknown." Oreius says.

Edmund recalls his recent discovery of his lost virginity and his eyes flash, "Yes, you're quite right."

Oreius and Dar look at him curiously, not knowing what had caused that reaction.

Edmund waves them off, "It's nothing, and I've been curious," Edmund looks at Dar, "Why are you in the forest of the Dancing Lawn? Is something wrong?"

Dar looks at sadly and sighs, "My brother, Lord Darrin, had heard of some kind of disturbance near Stormness Head and had left to go investigate. That was a little over a month ago, we haven't gotten word from him or his party since they'd left."

Edmund looks at him, "Isn't Stormness Head near Glasswater Creek?" Oreius nods, "You don't think…"

Oreius nods, "Yes, Sire. It might be connected."

Dar looks at them confusedly, "What are you talking about?"

"We had heard of a disturbance near Glasswater Creek, murders and disappearances. Peter and I were the ones who had left to investigate. On our first day out, we discovered a new type of beast, the offspring of a Fell Beast and a Wyvern, we've named it's species Fellvern. Putrid not-bird-Fell Beast-Wyvern-thing was just a tad bit too long." Edmund smiles sheepishly.

"I'm guessing you made up the name yourself." Dar observes.

Edmund scowls, "Do you want me to tell you or not?" Dar puts his hands up in surrender, "Anyways, we had a small disagreement. And he'd been working himself so hard that he'd completely disregarded his health and had gotten the start of a Fall Fever, I was going to get Selene to check him in the morning." Edmund let out a bitter chuckle, "I'd never trust her or Tankum near a Narnian now, let alone Peter. So anyways, he'd apparently gone out for a walk and had never come back. We're almost completely sure he's been kidnapped. We're still on our way to Glasswater Creek, but we're still searching for Peter." Edmund finishes.

"Well, since both of our brothers are missing, and there seems to be something about Glasswater Creek and Stormness Head, why don't we travel together?" Dar proposes.

Edmund nods, thinking the same thing himself, "Oreius, you approve, don't you?"

Oreius nods but says, "You do not need my approval, Sire. For when you decide, you decide."

Edmund nods in knowing, "I know, but it's still reassuring to have an opinion."

It's then that Edmund feels his heart clench, and it feels as if it's dropping into his stomach.

"Sire, what's wrong?" Oreius asks.

"Something's wrong with Peter. Something is very wrong." Edmund says.

Oh, evil me, I wrote another cliffie.

Have an AWESOMESAUCE day!

Serena-loves-Angst