Here we go! The next chapter is almost done as well, so there will be another update very soon. Honestly, I don't know how this story is going to end. I had one ending planned out and drafted and the the plot kind of developed a mind of its own...so, yeah. I guess we'll see! Once again, apologies for any grammatical errors, omitted words, etc. I am planning on revising all chapters at a later date and have already gone back to revise the previous chapters. Any one interested in beta reading for me?

The message that came from King Lune was desperate and, reading it, Peter felt his heart sink.

To Peter, By the Grace of Aslan, High King of all Narnia, Emperor of the Lone Islands, Lord of Cair Paravel and Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Lion; Greetings.

The news of your return to your royal sisters brought great joy to my heart, though I wept to hear that his majesty King Edmund the Just has not yet been returned to your side. It is with a heavy heart that I beg you attend us at Anvard with all speed. The ambassador of the Tisroc (how long can he be expected to live?), has seen it as a personal affront to his master that neither Narnian king has seen fit to attend these negotiations. His anger will not be calmed by any word or deed of mine and nothing will compel him to delay in drafting a declaration of war against Narnia, save your presence, or that of your royal brother.

I cry your pardon, High King, that I must be the bearer of such tidings when above all you must desire to search for your brother, but I would beg that you come at once.

By the hand of your faithful friend, Lune, King of Archenland and Lord of Anvard.

Peter cursed and crumpled the parchment between his hands. Edmund or Narnia; his brother or his kingdom. Edmund had been faced with the same choice and chosen his brother, but Edmund was not High King.

"Orieus?" The centaur bowed.

"Yes, your majesty?"
"Ready my horse." Peter squared his shoulders. "We ride for Anvard. Send eagles to scout ahead, we cannot travel by the main pass."

Orieus shifted his great hooves uneasily. "High King, what of your brother? If you must ride for Anvard in all haste then certainly Queen Lucy may search for King Edmund."

"No, that I will not allow. Leave orders for her majesty the Queen to be confined in her chambers if she attempts to leave. I will not risk the life of my sister as well as that of my brother." Peter hated himself for the words even as he said them. Edmund, I'm sorry. Orieus bowed his head solemnly, but Peter knew his general well enough to know there was sadness in his eyes.

"As you say, my king." As Orieus departed Peter sank back onto his throne and rested his aching head in his hands. Susan found him there and silently embraced him, offering no judgement though her eyes were red from weeping.

"I have to, Su," Peter mumbled wretchedly. "I have to choose Narnia, though it breaks my heart to abandon one who has never abandoned me."

Susan nodded. "I know. You might have let Lucy or I go after him though." There was no judgement in words and that made them sting all the more.

"If I am to lose Edmund I will not lose you and Lucy as well. I will go myself once I have appeased this accursed Calormen with his threats of war." He shook his head and stood. "Forgive me, sister, I have wronged all whom I hold dear this day."

Susan kissed his cheek gently. "Lucy will understand in time; Edmund would have counseled you to do the same and will hold no anger towards you." The silent, if he yet lives, hung heavily in the air between them as Peter took his leave.

The sun was low in the sky when at last his guards began to climb the rougher trail to a little used pass west of the main road to Archenland. Peter cursed the necessary delay caused by avoiding whatever trap had been set on the main pass. The detour cost them precious hours and if they were to reach Anvard the next day in time to prevent war they must travel through the night with little rest.

One last time Peter turned his despairing eyes to the East. Aslan, why have you abandoned us? Are we not your chosen kings; was it not by your grace that we first came into Narnia? Why have you turned from your faithful? But if the Lion heard him there was no answer and Peter turned away from the East and set his eyes Southward. Every step his horse took towards Anvard was a step further from Edmund.

Forgive me brother, for the wrong I have done you. He knew what Edmund would say, knew how his brother would brush the apology away with his quiet smile. Edmund would tell him it was necessary and just that he prevent war and protect Narnia above all else. Edmund would forgive him without question; he would forgive him to humour him for Edmund would see no wrong in what Peter had done. But Edmund was not there and no absolution came to Narnia's High King.


The Calormen ambassador was a short man, with clever, hawk-like eyes and a hooked nose which resembled nothing more than a beak. Peter hated him on sight. The little man bowed and wrung his hands and offered a thousand profuse apologies for begging the High King's attendance in a time of such crisis for Narnia and her people. He had, or so he said, been acting only on the orders of his most gracious and terrible master, the Tisroc, may he live forever, etc. etc.

It was with difficulty that Peter restrained himself from drawing his sword and beheading the Calormen where he stood. It will profit you nothing and lose you far more to do so, Edmund's voice seemed to whisper in his ear.

The council dragged on for two days and every hour that passed left Peter more frustrated with the slowness of the proceedings. The Calormen seemed determined to prolong every simple negotiation into a painful diplomatic ordeal. By the end of the second day Peter could take no more. He stood, towering over the shorter man, and the ambassador's flowery words trailed into silence.

"Most honoured guest and ambassador, I ask your pardon for my interruption." Peter kept his voice level, imitating as best he could Edmund's manner in similar situations. "This meeting must now be at an end. We have settled all matters to our mutual satisfaction and anything further there is to be said is merely superfluous."

"My most eloquent lord, hath not one of the poets said 'They who run quickly must surely stumble'? I fear that if we are to conclude in haste the treaty between our two fair countries we have lately forged will not stand the inspection of our most learned lawmakers in Tashbaan."

"Ambassador, allow me to plainly speak my mind. The treaty between our two nations will not survive the day if I am forced to tarry in such needless proceedings even so much as one hour longer. Myself and my royal sisters will consider it an act of war upon Narnia if you prevent me any longer from riding in search of my royal brother. I was summoned to Anvard to preside over the signing of a treaty betwixt Narnia, Archenland and Calormen; the treaty is well signed. I take my leave of you now." Peter waited, hoping the Calormen would not be willing to follow through on his earlier threat. It was one thing if he could return to the Tisroc, may a curse fall upon his house, with tidings of being slighted by Narnia's kings; it was another if he must return bearing news that he himself had provoked war.

The ambassador bowed his head. "As you say, most royal and fearsome king. Hath not one of the poets also said 'He who dares stand before the wrath of a king dares too much'? I will personally see to it that the treaty we have forged within this council chamber is proclaimed through all of Calormen."

Peter nodded briefly and swept past him, out of the dark council chamber and into the muted evening light. He called for his guards and his horse and would have utterly forgotten his duty to his host had not King Lune followed him and clapped him on the shoulder.

"King Peter, I thank you for the aid you have rendered me these two days, but I beseech you, do not leave in such haste. You are weary and the light is nearly gone. Stay with us tonight and seek your brother tomorrow for it will be bitter cold in the high mountains." The elder king's face was grave and it heartened Peter to see his care.

"My good King, though you have often been as a father to me I cannot heed your words this time. Somewhere in those peaks lies my brother, left to die by those he loves. I cannot, in good conscience tarry a moment more than is necessary for peace in Narnia." He clasped Lune's hand tightly in friendship and the older man embraced him suddenly.

"May Aslan watch over you, Peter, and may he return your brother to you unharmed."

Peter turned away before Lune could see the sudden flash of anger in his eyes. Aslan hears no prayers from us these days, or if he does he chooses not to answer them.

Peter and his guards traveled swiftly through the darkening evening, their faces grim as they turned their steps towards the pass. I'm coming Edmund, I promise.


Sometime Later:

The numbing cold of the snow and the mountain air was gone, replaced by the warmth of a gentle summer sun. Edmund walked along the edge of a sandy beach, his bare feet leaving footprints in the sand to be quickly washed away by the gentle waves. He looked to his left, towards the sea and saw, imprinted so deeply into the sand that the waves had yet to obscure them, the pawprints of some Great Cat. Looking further ahead he saw upon the beach, between him and the water, the towering figure of a Lion; The Lion, Aslan, High King over all kings in Narnia.

Edmund reached him and knelt at his feet and Aslan bent and rested his magnificent golden head upon Edmund's bowed head. "Rise, Edmund, King of Narnia." The Lion spoke so gently that Edmund wanted only to throw his arms about Aslan's neck and bury his face in the golden mane, but he did not and neither did he rise.

"Aslan, forgive me, I am not worthy to be called king. I have betrayed the country you gave me governance of, not once but twice." He thought he heard a faint growl from the Lion.

"Edmund, do you question My wisdom child? Do you question My choice? It is I who placed you upon the throne of Narnia and it is I and only I who can take you from it. You have served me well and will serve me well for many years to come, either as King of Narnia or in some other way yet to be shown. I bid you rise, King, would you dare to twice refuse me?" Though His voice was filled with kindness it was also terrible and held a command which could not be argued.

Edmund rose to his feet though his legs shook and he could not meet the Lion's eyes. "No, Aslan, I do not dare. I do not question your choice, merely my worthiness of the trust you placed with me."

"My child, what you have done is well done. Now hear this, you have faced many perils and will face still more before you are free of them. But do not despair, for dawn comes even after the darkest night. Have courage, dear one, for though you may not see Me, for though your prayers may seem to be unanswered, I will always be with you. I walk beside you when you have strength to walk and when you falter it is I who carry you; trust in Me." His breath ruffled Edmund's hair and filled the young king with warmth and peace and then Edmund slept and dreamed no more.

When he woke it was to sunlight and the golden glint of Lucy's hair as she dozed in the chair next to his bed.

Sorry CoffeeRanger! I know, once again a reunion was so close, and then the chapter just ended. I'll get to the upcoming reunion next time; promise. Please review!

Also, the sayings the Calormen ambassador quotes are actually paraphrases of Shakespeare.

Cheers,

A