Note: Wow, thanks for the great response for the first chapter! Hopefully this will live up to expectation. (Also, I thought this was longer, but it apparently wasn't. Go figure. Anyway, chapters get a little longer after this one; right now is still set-up)
Also, several people asked if this story relates to Terror Gold. I will say this: Unless stated otherwise, none of my stories occupy the same "universe", so to speak. So while similarities may exist, direct mirrors are unlikely.

Chapter 2

Telmarines. In Narnia. Edmund could only imagine how this had happened. His eyes tightened in determination. I very well am going to find out. After all, he was King Edmund: known for his justice, his mercy, his diplomacy, his strength,…and his ability to use subterfuge and stealth to protect and serve his country.

Of course, Edmund did not have much time to think up a plan, as he took notice of a large group of horsemen, many heavily armed, riding from the north and heading straight for him. Within moments he was surrounded, at least three Telmarine crossbows pointed at his chest. Not a very promising situation.

One bearded man, obviously the leader of the group, moved his horse next to Edmund, pointing his sword at the boy. "Who are you, and what is your purpose here?" Oh yes, definitely a Telmarine. Paranoid, distrustful, and with the same blasted, pompous accent that Edmund remembered.

Edmund shifted his posture to that of a submissive peasant. "Please, my lord, I would not to think any harm. I was just footing to the city." His Telmarine peasant accent was rather good, if he said so himself. He just hoped it was still used in this time.

"For what purpose?"

Think quick. "Our farm has not been doing well, my lord. I thought to come to the city to sight a job. Maybe give back the pay to mine parents. At least I should to be one less mouth to feed."

Though the man still looked suspicious, Edmund knew he had convinced him at least slightly. "General." Another Telmarine voice broke through, and Edmund watched as a young man, about Peter's age, push his horse through the surrounding horsemen. The boy had a confident, almost regal, bearing and a face that was rather more pleasant and cheerful than his Telmarine brethren. The dark-haired boy addressed the leader, "I believe the stables are looking for another hand." He turned to Edmund. "Are you any good with horses?"

Edmund bowed his head. "Yes, my lord. I dealt them a lot on the farm."

The General did not look happy. "Your Highness…"

The boy cut him off with a smile. "He is hardly dangerous, Glozelle. He's unarmed, and obviously far from home as his strange clothing suggests. You do not need to make an enemy out of every boy who walks within five miles of Beaversdam." He turned back to Edmund. "Just go to the royal stables and speak with Tarin, he will help you."

Edmund tried not to laugh. Not dangerous, hah. He could probably find three ways to kill him with just his torch, but he thought he rather liked this boy. "Thank you, my lord. Thank you greatly. May I tell this man, Tarin, you sent me, Lord…?" asked Edmund, seeking the name of this strangely-kind Telmarine.

"Of course, please tell him I sent you," the boy smiled again as he turned his horse to leave. "And I am Prince Caspian."

Edmund bowed deeply, as was proper. "Thank you, Your Highness." With a friendly nod back, Caspian and the other Telmarines rode off, leaving Edmund to follow behind. With a sigh, Edmund headed to the city of Beaversdam. "Hardly dangerous," he muttered with disgust, out loud this time, and walked towards his future.

~*~

As this Prince Caspian had said, all Edmund had to do was talk with Tarin, the stablemaster, and he had a job. Well, after he showed his skill at handling horses that was. Luckily, having a Talking Horse as a best friend meant Edmund was rather brilliant at dealing with their dumb cousins. Tarin was elated, and Edmund was ensconced in the center of the Telmarine capital in Narnia.

He learned much in only the first few days at the stable. Prince Caspian was the son of the late King Caspian, ninth of that name since Caspian the Conqueror - which meant that Edmund had been right about the amount of time that had passed. Even though this Caspian should be king, Narnia was ruled by his uncle, Lord Protector Miraz, whose name brought a ghost of fear or anger to the eyes of even the lowliest peasant. Apparently this Miraz was a rather cruel tyrant, and ruled his people through terror. Not a harsh word was spoken aloud, but Edmund sensed the fear and heard the whispers.

Harder to learn for Edmund was that the Telmarines thought that the Narnians were only fairy tales: objects of old stories, extinct if they ever existed. The reign of the Pevensies had been almost completely lost to history, replaced with legends and horror stories. Though Edmund did find it rather amusing that the Four Sovereigns had been turned into the Giant King Goldenfire, Prince Darksilver, and their nameless wives (Susan would be furious). Still, despite the dismissal of the existence of Narnians, rumors of ghosts in the forests gave him hope that his people lived still, hidden and waiting.

As time went on, Edmund began suspecting just what they were waiting for. Or rather, who.

Again, sorry about the shortness. It get's better, promise!