Chapter 6

Well, thought Edmund as he took in the group of angry Narnians that encircled him and Caspian, it wasn't like I was expecting much different from this. He had known that Nikabrik, grumpy Black Dwarf though he was, likely spoke for a good many Narnians, if not more than Trufflehunter. The two Narnians had led them to the Dancing Lawn, different from what Edmund recalled. For one thing, all the trees remained still and silent. For another, he was being guarded as a prisoner by an angry Faun and a Wolf, instead of being lauded as an honored guest.

Edmund was not quite sure what made him keep quiet about who he was. He was fairly certain Trufflehunter suspected, judging by the Badger's pointed questions about Edmund's past and knowledge of Narnia. Still, his inner voice cautioned him to hold his piece. And so, Edmund allowed Caspian to continue in the lead, which was why Caspian was the one standing in the middle of the threatening circle, nervously producing Susan's horn.

The Narnians were not very impressed, as most seemed to agree with Nikabrik who accused Caspian of stealing it from them.

"I did not steal anything!" exclaimed Caspian, rather hurt at the impugning of his honor.

Close to Edmund, a Minotaur snorted. "Didn't steal anything? Shall we tell them the things the Telmarines have taken?" As the Narnians shouted their lists, Edmund bit his bottom lip. It was hard not to feel the same anger over what had been lost. It hurt to see the children of his friends living like ghosts in a forest that no longer danced; it hurt to know that he and his family had fought and suffered so much to protect Narnia, only to find it lost to Telmarines.

Still, he had to smile when Caspian fought back, with the very argument Edmund had given him during the journey when the young Telmarine had been brooding over the loss of Old Narnia. "I may be of Telmarine blood, but I cannot be held responsible for the actions of my ancestors. Anymore than you, Black Dwarfs, or Minotaurs, or Wolves, can be held accountable for those of your races who served the White Witch." Those races named muttered among themselves as Caspian continued. "It is said that there were even those of you who denied allegiance to the Witch and served the Four." Edmund thought back to his guard and all they went through to prove their loyalty, never truly accepted by the other Narnians. "Everyone is responsible for their own choices, not that of their fathers or kinsmen. And I have decided to fight for Narnia. For a free Narnia. Let me help you."

"We don't need your help!" shouted someone in the crowd.

Trufflehunter shuffled forward. "Perhaps some of you have forgotten, but we Badgers remember well that Narnia was never right except when a son of Adam was king."

Nikabrik glared at his friend. "His pretty words are all well and good, but he's still a Telmarine. Why would we want him as our king?"

Edmund watched as Caspian drew himself up, gaining a kingly air. "As I said, I cannot deny my Telmarine heritage; but my heart has always belonged to Old Narnia. I am rightfully…king among the Telmarines. And if you help me gain my throne, I can bring peace between us."

A majestic Centaur, Glenstorm by name, stepped forward and Edmund held his breath. This Centaur was a leader among the Narnians, according to Trufflehunter, and his support could go a long way in convincing the others. "It is true that the time is ripe. I watch the skies, for it is mine to watch as it is yours to remember, Badger. Tarva, the Lord of Victory, and Alambil, the Lady of Peace, have met in the high heavens. And here, a son of Adam has come forth to offer us back our freedom."

Edmund let out his breath. There may be more to say, but Caspian had done it. A squirrel chattered in the trees above, excitedly asking if peace was truly possible. Caspian nodded, with confidence that did not quite meet his eyes. "Two days ago, I believed that, if Talking Animals or Centaurs had ever existed, surely they were long extinct. Yet here you are, in strength and numbers that the Telmarines could never have imagined, or I could ever hope. It is time for the Narnians – for all of us – to come out from the shadows. If we work together, we have a chance to take back what is ours."

Glenstorm nodded his approval. "If you will lead us, then my sons and I offer you our swords." As Edmund had predicted, others among the Narnians followed Glenstorm's lead, including the Mouse Reepicheep, whom they had met earlier and whom Edmund thought would likely be an asset in any stealth mission they might undertake.

Trufflehunter put forth a warning, reminding Caspian that Miraz and his army would be following them. Caspian agreed. "If we are to be ready for them, we must hurry to find soldiers and weapons. I am sure they will be here soon."

Glenstorm bowed, but did not ask for orders as would be expected. Instead he declared, "There is still another matter to discuss, sire."

When Caspian looked confused, Nikabrik broke into the conversation. "Yah, like who this Telmarine soldier of his is and what to do with him."

All eyes turned to Edmund, who just leaned nonchalantly against a tree. Caspian's eyes burned a glare at the Dwarf. "Ed is a friend, loyal to me and to Narnia."

Nikabrik's disgusted, "Are you so sure of that?" was interrupted by Trufflehunter.

"I believe Glenstorm was speaking of the Horn of Queen Susan."

Glenstorm nodded. "We heard its call two nights ago, which brought us together now. Yet nearly three months ago we heard its echo sound through the land. The stars denied that it was time to rise up, as they tell us now. What do you know of this, Your Majesty?"

Edmund frowned as he tried to remember hearing an echo, but apparently Caspian did not have such trouble. "I do not know where it came from, as the horn was not in my possession at the time. I remember hearing the sound, though. It was not a day before…" his voice trailed and he changed what he was going to say. "I do not know what the echo meant," he reiterated. "Trufflehunter told me that it is believed that the Four Sovereigns will appear at its sound."

"That is the belief we hold," said Glenstorm, "but we do not know when or where the High King and his siblings may appear."

Caspian's brows furrowed slightly, as if trying to decide his next words carefully. "I do not know of the High King's whereabouts but," he sucked in a breath, "I believe one of the Four has already come. Am I correct…King Edmund?"

The shocked Narnians followed Caspian's gaze to stare at Edmund. With a shrug, Edmund pushed away from the tree. "Very good, Caspian. What gave me away?" Oh, it felt good to speak in his own voice again!

As the excited murmurs rose in the crowd, Caspian blinked, almost surprised that his conjecture had been correct. "I only just put it together, when Lord Glenstorm mentioned the horn's echo. I remembered it sounded not a day before we found you near Beaversdam. You also have a brother and two sisters, know almost more about Old Narnia than Doctor Cornelius, including that there were repentant Minotaurs on the royal guard. You seemed to know your way around the Narnian woods, but were confused by what I assume are changes in the land in the past millennium. And you know little about the placement of even prominent Telmarine towns, given you practically walked right into Beruna."

Edmund valiantly kept himself from looking sheepish at the memory of that incident. "I'm impressed."

"I'm not," declared Nikabrik, and a few Narnians backed him up. "For all we know, you're a Telmarine plant meant to gain our loyalty and then betray us."

Edmund's eyes went dark with fury. He pulled himself into his most regal posture, and the Narnians near him shifted nervously as they practically felt the nobility radiating from him. "Do not dare to presume to say that I would betray Narnia, friend Dwarf. I am loyal to Aslan, to Narnia, and to the High King, my brother. I could ask you, though, where your loyalties lie, for do not think I do not recognize whose ring your wear. I trust it is but a family heirloom and not a declaration of allegiance."

Nikabrik scowled, surreptitiously hiding the ring of his ancestor, Ginarbrik servant of Jadis. Any doubts the other Narnians had fled as they excitedly surrounded their king of Old. Reepicheep bowed low before him. "Your majesty, will you then lead us in our fight and reclaim your noble rule?"

Edmund saw a shadow of regret cross Caspian's face, and perhaps not a small amount of hope. Sorry to disappoint you. He stepped closer to Caspian and addressed all those who crowded around. "My good people, ever since Aslan returned my royal siblings and myself to the land of our birth, I have wanted nothing more than to return to Narnia and my life here. When that day finally came, I found a Narnia not like that of my day. Still, I held hope that all could be returned to how it had been before." Edmund took a deep breath. "My Narnians, though it would honor me to rule as your king, I do not believe that this is Aslan's will. I believe…I believe that Aslan brought me back – will bring the High King and our sisters the Queens back – not to retake our thrones, but to put King Caspian on his."

There was silence as the Narnians took in what Edmund was saying. He continued, his voice surer and stronger. "It is our privilege to fight for Narnia once more. But it is not for us to rule again. It is time for King Caspian to rule, to bring freedom to Narnia, and to unite Narnians and Telmarines into one people." Edmund drew his sword and, bringing it up in front of his face, he saluted a shocked Caspian. "My sword is pledged to your fight."

Not quite knowing what to say, Caspian improvised. "I gladly accept it. But I would have you fight beside me, as equal kings, rather than to serve under me."

Edmund nodded and sheathed his sword. Glenstorm came forward and bowed. "Your Majesties."

After a pause, Caspian realized that the centaur was waiting for orders. "Lord Glenstorm, we need to establish a base, preferably hidden and fortified. What would you suggest?"

Glenstorm pondered only a moment. "There is a place, whose name is not often spoken. It would well house an army."

Caspian glanced at Edmund, but the Just King just lifted an eyebrow, forcing Caspian to give the order. "Then, please, lead us there."

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There you go: the big reveal. There's a little more dealing with the fallout in the next chapter, too, though.