The storm had since passed and now the summer air was damp and sticky but Edmund was grateful to breath in the fresh air again. Though he did not get to enjoy it for long as the 'army' came closer.

Edmund reached for his sword on instinct but remembered it was missing.

'No sword? What am I going to do?"

Dozens of burning torches angrily marched foward and holding them were creatures of all sorts. Centaurs, Dryads, Fauns, and beasts of all kinds came to defend their home.

Edmund forgot about his missing sword and moved foward, stretching out his arms and waving to stop the mob.

"Please, stop and listen!"

The crowd certainly stopped in their tracks when they saw it was their king.

"It's king Edmund!" A hushed whisper traveled.

Edmund drew closer and gathered all the courage he could muster.

"There has been a misunderstanding. I have seen and spoke with the tribe, as you call them, and they are but simple Narnian dwarves returning to their home."

The mob stood and listened. The air was still but the tension was still very high. A Faun stepped foward. Edmund recognized him as one of the Fauns who had told him the stories that first day.

"If they are Narnians why were they sneaking about so as theives and ghouls?"

"I should ask you the same question. Making plans to attack defenseless dwarves who only came to make peace." Said Edmund very firmly.

The Faun looked down at his hooves and took a step back. Suddenly Edmund heard something behind him. Turning around, he saw the dwarves walking up beside him.

"Your majesty," began Shummle. "You should not have to defend us."

Turning to the crowd, Shummle briefly explained how they had done much evil when they were in Narnia last and had fled the country. The mob listened carefully to their tale. Their emotions were a mix of anger and sympathy that would not level out.

"We only ask for your forgiveness and a second chance." Added Shuttle.

"We did not mean to frighten anyone. Any moans and groans you heard came from me after I ate a bushel of bad berries." Finished Shuffle.

All was silent as the dwarves finished their tale. Edmund watched in anticipation to see what would happen next. Finally a centaur with red hair stepped up and spoke.

"I remember you dwarves. My family and I were out gathering what food we could find during that cursed winter. The Witch came. She turned my family to stone and took me as a prisoner. You dwarves tied my wrists and led my by a rope around the neck like a slave!"

The centaur was getting louder and the crowd began to mumble. The dwarves looked as if they might cry and began to back up timidly.

It was then that Edmund stepped in between the two groups and spoke on behalf of the dwarves.

"Have you forgotten I also helped the white witch? I watched her just as they did and I told her things I regret to this day. I was to be killed on the stone table but was spared. And now here I stand as your king! Did you not forgive me? A traitor may mend, I have."

Edmund felt the words rise up within him and he let them out. The words seeped in and the Narnians felt something of convection settle in. Finally, one by one the creatures turned and left. One of the Fauns looked at Edmund carefully, bowed and walked away. Edmund now questioned himself and his words.

'Did I make things worse? If not for the dwarves then for myself?'

He did not want to think like that. His head still ached and he was tired. Off in the east the sky began to turn a light shade of pink.

"It is a new day, we shall see what becomes of it." He said to the dwarves.

☆☆☆☆

Four hours later Edmund was getting out of bed. He was so tired and his eyelids begged to stay closed. The walk home had been an uneasy one as he did not know if he had said too much about himself being a traitor.

His clothes still on from his midnight  expedition, he headed downstairs for breakfast. The moment he was at the table he knew he was in trouble.

The high king Peter looked at this brother sternly and wasted no time with a kingly speech.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

Edmund glanced at his sisters. Susan stared straight ahead, a solemn look about her while Lucy kept her head down and it almost seemed as though she was about to burst out laughing. The three guests were nowhere to be seen.

"I'm waiting for an answer." Spoke Peter loudly.

Edmund frowned as he felt he was being attacked. It was then he did not care what reputation or name he had given himself last night. He had found out the truth concerning the tribe and had saved them from an ambush.

"I only did as you said Peter. I acted as a king and saved repentive traitors seeking pardon."

Peter's frown increased. "Is that all?"

Beside him, Edmund heard a stifled laugh from Lucy. Something was definitely going on.

"If you are angry about my sneaking out after dark, I'm not sorry because I would do it again if I had too."

At that moment Peter smiled and began to laugh. As did Susan and Lucy. Edmund, who never enjoyed being the object of a joke, frowned.

"What is so funny!?"

"You are." Laughed Lucy.

"You have no idea what came of your little speech. After a mere three months as king, you have earned the Narnian's total respect. Not only have the dwarves been forgiven tenfold, but have been welcomed back with open arms. All because of you." Peter said as he smiled.

"We are so proud of you, even if you did sneak out." Said logical Susan.

Edmund let himself relax and laugh also. Sitting down at the table he asked something that had been bothering him.

"Where are the guests?"

"They left early this morning but they wanted you to have this, seems it was left by a fallen tree in the woods." Said Peter as he picked up something he had laid on the floor.

"My sword!" Exclaimed Edmund as he took it in his hands. Looking back, he was so frightened when he first missed it. He even thought the dwarves had taken it from him.

Breakfast was pleasant and hearty. The siblings chatted and laughed together. Edmund felt deep within himself a sense of gladness and peace. He had accomplished what he had set out to do and more. But he knew he could not take the credit, his humble spirit silently thanked Aslan, the three guests from far away and the mysterious tribe.

A/N

Yay!!!! Edmund's story is done!! Hope you all liked it, I'm happy with the way it came out. Be on the lookout for Susan's story to begin!