The pebbles clattered as five sets of feet trod across the shores of a beach. Peter stalked forward, leading the other inland, up towards where the end of a river met the sea. His siblings followed eagerly. Susan and Lucy keeping pace behind him with Edmund and lastly, Otto following up the back. Susan had her bow strung across her chest. A quiver full of red fletched arrows, razor sharp, balanced on her back. Lucy walked confidently alongside her. The small vile and dagger strapped around her waist. Behind them, Edmund strode along with his sword belted at his waist and a small grin on his lips. Otto had managed to tie his school sack to his back and he walked confidently with his spear in hand.

"Is it good to be back?" Otto asked. It had been at whilst since anyone had spoken.

Edmund jumped, caught by surprise at the sudden question. "Yeah", he grinned as he viewed the sunny water and the vibrant green trees. "It is". His expression was full of excitement and joy. Otto felt a pang of jealousy tug at his gut. He wanted to feel like that about somewhere too.

"Over there!" Susan's sudden shout made everybody jump this time. She didn't wait for them to recover before running towards the river. As she moved, one hand tugged off her bow whilst the other strung it with deft precision.

Otto and the others ran after her. As they neared the bank, they could see what she had spotted. On the middle of the clear water was a sodden row boat where two soldiers dressed in chain mail and shiny helmets sat holding a small figure over the water. They were about to drop him in.

Susan's arrow hit the side of the boat. "Drop him!" She shouted. The two soldiers looked up in surprise. They instantly obeyed her order, dropping the smaller person into the water. Instantly Edmund and Peter were sprinting across the bank and diving into the water as Susan fired more arrows at the soldiers.

"Ooh", Otto winced as the arrow hit one soldier in the chest. The other soldier made a wise choice and kept over the side to join his comrade in the water. "That looks painful. Is it always this bloody?"

"Yeah", Lucy sighed as Edmund swam up to the rowboat and climbed inside. She watched as Peter surfaced with the smaller, what Otto could see was a beaded blond man, and began paddling in their direction. "It's amazing here", Lucy's voice was wistful. "The magic, the people. But there are downsides too". Her voice trailed off as Edmund reached the bank with the boat and began wedging it into the sand.

"The downside is always having to fight for peace", Susan muttered as Peter finally walked up shore. He pulled the blond dwarf behind him before dropping him a Lucy's feet so she could cut his bindings. Once he was free, the dwarf pushed himself up onto his feet, coughing out water onto the sand.

Otto backed away to stand behind the dwarf, unsure at what he might do. One hand gripped his spear tightly as the watched the strange little man. He would let the Pevensie children handle this. He had no idea how to talk to a Narnian. The guy was like someone from his books and Otto felt lightheaded with the sudden changes this day have held.

"Drop him?" The dwarf yelled as he pulled his gag off. "Couldn't you have said something better?"

Otto raised an eyebrow at the rude comments. Susan was not so amused. "A simple thank you would suffice".

"They were drowning me very well without your help".

"Well maybe we should have let them", Peter voiced. He fixed the dwarf with a hard stare, daring him to say more.

"Why were they trying to kill you anyway?" Lucy asked.

"They're telmaraines".

"Telmaraines? In narnia?" Edmund spoke up in surprise.

The dwarf glared over at him. "Where have you been for the last hundred years?"

Lucy giggled. "That's a bit of a long story".

The dwarf paused, watching as Susan handed Peter his sword which he had left on the riverbank. The sun glinted off the golden lions head hilt as Peter strapped it back to his waist. Otto watched as the dwarf blinked, looking at the four siblings in surprise. He took in their weapons and facial features, eyes lingering on Susan's bow and Lucy's flask.

"You've got to be kidding me", he swore. "You're the kings and queens of old".

Peter held out a hand. "High King Peter", he introduced. "The magnificent". Otto snorted at the title.

"Probably could of left out the last bit", Susan grinned as Edmund sniggered.

The dwarf chucked, not taking Peter's hand. "Probably". He was obviously not taking Peter seriously.

Peter withdrew, a bit irritated with the lack of respect. He drew his sword and pointed it at the dwarf. "You might be surprised".

"Oh you don't want to do that boy", the dwarf warned.

Peter smirked. "Not me, him". He flipped the sword so that he was offering the dwarf the handle and gestured to his brother. Edmund blinked in surprise before grinning eagerly and unsheathing his sword.

The dwarf shuffled a bit, peering hesitantly at the offered blade before taking it. As Peter let go the weight of the sword fell on to the sand, the dwarf bending in an effort to hold it up. Edmund grinned and glanced at his siblings, cocky at what seemed to be a easy win. His lax in defence was soon exploited at the dwarf suddenly swung the sword up, forcing Edmund to duck. As he avoided the blade, the dwarf slipped in close and hit Edmund in the eye with the hilt, knocking him back. Lucy cried out in alarm as Otto winced.

"Oh you alright?" The dwarf teased before swinging the sword down. Edmund darted out of the way. He spun round behind the dwarf, taking a moment to smack him on the leg with the flat side of his blade. Lucy giggled at the dwarf's surprise.

Angry, the dwarf turned and swung again only for Edmund to detect it. He tried for a low sweep but Edmund jumped over it. Another lunge and Edmund parried. Despite the dwarf's low height, which would normally be a advantage, Edmund easily kept pace with him. Even though it had been a year since he had picked up a sword, Edmund was obviously skilled. But Otto could sense that Edmund had gotten bored of playing. He swung this time, his blade colliding with the others for a moment before swinging again quicker. He sped up until in a blur of movement Peter's sword was lying in the sand and Edmund had his sword pointed at the dwarf's chest.

Otto whistled lowly and Edmund shot him a grin. "You've got to teach me that Ed".

"Sure", Edmund smirked in triumph as he sheathed his sword. "As long as you don't lose too easily.

"I may not be as skilled as you or Peter but I have used a sword before", Otto muttered as he walked forwards, rejoining the group. He glanced down at the dwarf who was gazing at them in shock and wonder.

"Beards and bedsteads", the dwarf muttered as he fell to his knees. "Maybe that horn worked after all".

They all looked at him. "What horn?" Susan asked.

The dwarf returned their look. "Your horn", he said. "It was foretold that when it was blown, the kings and queens of old would return to help us in our time of need".

Otto looked around. "Well they're here", he pointed at the Pevensies. He blinked, the situation just settling in. "Hell, you guys really are royalty. You weren't kidding".

Peter laughed and swung an arm around his shoulders. "No we really weren't Birch".

Otto grinned and placed his own arm around Peter's shoulders. "Does this mean that I should start calling you 'your majesty' now?"

"You should, otherwise well have you executed for treason".

Otto gasped at Edmund. "You wouldn't do that to your friend".

"Maybe if he annoys me enough", Peter commented.

"Alright, that's it. Your head is getting too big Peter". Otto threw his body weight to the side. The sudden force sent Peter sprawling to the ground with Otto landing on top of him.

"Arg now I'm covered in sand", Peter groaned as the sand stuck to his still wet clothes. "Otto get off".

"Who is he?" The dwarf asked Susan and Lucy. He pointed towards where Otto and Peter were wrestling in the sand. The two girls watched as Edmund joined in, jumping on top of Otto and Pete. Both of which let out loud groans.

Lucy giggled. "He's Peter's and Edmund's friend who got brought back with us".

The dwarf frowned. "Is he a knight it something?" He was confused. Both girls laughed.

"That's a actually good idea!" Peter's voice called from underneath Otto and Edmund. "Oi move your arses".

Reluctantly both boys got to their feet and Peter emerged. His hair was sticking up and his clothes were covered in sand. Otto and Edmund laughed as he pulled himself to his feet. "Looking very regal", Otto commented as Peter tried to brush the sand off his clothing.

"Shut up Birch and kneel for a minute".

"What, why?"

"Just do it", Edmund grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him to his knees. Otto stumbled onto on knee before Peter as the three other Pevensie siblings came to stand at their brother's side.

"Otto Birch", Peter spoke strongly with an air of regality that seemed to be of a man, rather than a teenager. Otto had never heard him speak like that before. It should have looked silly, ridiculous even. A sixteen year old playing at being king, but the mood was strangely official. Otto could feel his skin prickle at the tone.

Peter unsheathed his sword and pointed it down at him. "Otto Birch, do you swear to protect the people of narnia and fight for peace and freedom?"

"That's not the right vow", Susan whispered. And at that, the regal image cracked again. Otto fought down the urge to smile.

"Shhh, I can't remember it so I'm making do".

"Just get on with it!"

Peter coughed and turned back to Otto. "Do you pledge yourself to our service and to fight for the crown? To protect and honour us? To defend innocents right down to smallest mouse?"

Otto must have been dreaming. "Um yes? Yes I do".

"Then I herby knight you into our service as our loyal friend and confidant". Peter's sword rested elegantly on each of Otto's shoulders for a moment before it was sheathed again and Peter pulled him to his feet. It felt like a energy had fallen over his shoulders like a cloak. Otto blinked, slightly drunk on the feeling.

"There", Peter muttered. He clasped Otto's arms tightly with a grin. "It's not official. No audience or grand ceremony, but it's official enough. Now you are a knight of the kings and queens of narnia".

Otto glanced around. Susan and Edmund were both smiling warmly, Lucy beaming happily between them. Susan gave him a reassuring nod and for a moment, Otto could see the aura of royalty on all of their faces.

"Here", Edmund handed him his spear. "A knight needs a weapon".

"Well he would be a bit useless without one", Susan commented,

"Excuse you but I am pretty good in a fight".

"It's excuse you your majesty", Lucy giggled cheekily.

Otto bent forward in a over exaggerated bow, one hand on his heart, the other behind his back. "My apologies your highness. This knight is unworthy of you presence". This just made everybody laugh. Otto just grinned. His cheeks hurt more than they had done in years.

Unedited