A/N Yeah, two chapters in one day. I was feeling sentimental so I decided to write a sort of really short background... kind of... well...

Enjoy anyways!

Chapter 2

What the King saw

It had been almost five years since the wolves had joined forces with the rulers of Cair Paravel. Unlike many other followers of the Witch, the mysterious creatures had chosen to live a solitary life far from the coast. After their grisly defeat, the wolves had scattered; many traveling close to Ettinsmoor while others wandered farther west, wanting nothing more than to escape human faces. They weren't violent, taking only what they needed and keeping a close check on what was happening around their country. Even after their erroneous ruler had been impeached, the wolves still cared about Narnia. That was the thing about the elusive beasts; they were incredibly loyal and attentive- even if none would dare to admit it, but the Just King knew.

King Edmund tended to be exceedingly talented at judging people- not that it was pleasant for anyone else- ever since his unfortunately ruinous start in Narnia. He was the only person who took the time to study others, to look past what they portrayed on the outside and towards what they concealed on the inside. Of course, during the times his temper flared, the dark king never bothered to take the time to pull back the curtain on others. Being around people who tended to order him around, such as the High King, Edmund would forget the gambit he had taught himself and acted before thinking.

A small group of timber wolves had pledged their allegiance the the Royals of Cair Paravel in summer of the year 1004. It was something King Edmund remembered well, for they were the first of their kind to make such a bold move, and many others followed in suit. Although, it was not the reason favored the memory. Spring of the year 1005, the dominant female of the pack had caught Edmund while he was out on an afternoon patrol with Phillip. In her jaws, she carried an infant pup that had been birthed only hours before. The creature was so tiny and vulnerable, fitting in the palms of his hands as a bowl would.

"A gift," The female wolf had told Edmund as she placed her offspring in the gentle hands of the king. "Her name is Nyra."

He had been torn between returning the dozing pup to her rightful family, and never letting the pure creature out of his sight ever again. Edmund had opened his mouth, but no words escaped. His heart pounded in his chest painfully, screaming for him to do the right thing, but he could do nothing but stare down at the innocent beast snuggling closer to his body heat. They didn't take slaves in Cair Paravel, but why did it feel so right to keep this pup? When Edmund looked into the mother's eyes, there was nothing but understanding and hope. She had been just as enchanted with this tiny thing ever since she brought it into the world, but felt wrong to keep it to herself.

"She is meant to be so much more than I can ever do for her." The wolf said, tenderly nuzzling her daughter. "This is just."

Edmund could barely remember riding back to Cair Paravel that day, or even when the female wolf had run off into the wild never to be seen again. What he did remember, was sitting on the floor of the royal kitchen, back against the cupboards as he held a bottle of warm milk for the puppy to suckle. Later on that night, as he laid in his bed with the sleeping pup curled in his arms, Edmund knew that he would never be able to let her go.

Heh heh, well this is probably the most action you'll see from me in about a week; I have butt loads of tests and show choir crap coming up so go watch some TV for a bit or something ^^

Any questions, comments, of life threatening concerns don't hesitate to pm me!

~*~ Charli ~*~