Title: Where Hope Resides (In The Measure of Sleeping Kings)

Author: PhirePhox666

Fandom: The Chronicles of Narnia

Pairing/Characters: No pairings. Pevensie siblings. Some OCs

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Angst on the part of Edmund. Fluff. Edmund getting beat up a bit.

Summary: Edmund is captured on his way home from Telmar by a greedy lord who plans on ransoming him so that he, the lord, can live a life of luxury. Three-shot.

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own this wonderful world, or Edmund, or Peter. I do however own Lord Behn and Estanel. Caspa is a concept owned by Lirenel, a lovely author. Go read her stuff.

Word Count: Sadly I do not know... writing on wordpad, sorry.

Dedication: For Aslan.

Prompt: None.

Excerpt: "Narnia will no more attack me while I hold you than they would attack their ally Archeland. They will pay a fine ransom to have you back unharmed little king and I will be free to live as I have always wished. Put away your sword King Edmund and come quietly."

A/N: To all of you following my Seasons Verse great apologies for not getting Autum up yet! I'm looking for inspiration and it has not struck yet. I'll keep trying though! If you haven't read them maybe you'd be obliged to? Anywho, about this fic instead of shamelessly begging for readers, it was just an idea that popped into my head and took over my brain due to a line at the very end of the fic. Lord Behn belongs to me, as does Estanel but nothing and no one else does. Caspa belongs to Lirenel. This story will be a three-shot. All the parts are written and will be posted probably one every other day. This chapter is a little shorter than the others, but all are about the same length. Review if you wish. Flame if you wish. Still never been flamed. Hope you enjoy.

Where Hope Resides (In The Measure of Sleeping Kings)

Chapter One: Captured

It was the worst of luck running into the Telmarines as he did. Only one day 'till the border of Narnia and another to home. He was on his way back through after catching up with a councilor who had been working to betray them. His plot had been caught on time but the betrayal had cut all the royals deeply. The counilor had realized they had caught him and fled. Edmund was sent in pursuit and had only caught up with him deep in Telmarine had delt with the councilor quickly and turned back, riding for home. Being caught by Telmarines had not been part of the plan and he had run into a rather large group of them.

It was most unfortunate.

"Halt." The one with the most elaborate helmet commanded. Edmund was fairly sure that this one was a lord who commanded the lands he was traveling through.

"What are you doing here?" Asked another of the soldiers who surrounded him. Edmund looked at him in interest as he seemed younger than those around him. The lord shot a dirty look at the soldier in obvious consternation at not being the one to start the questioning. Edmund repressed the urge to roll his eyes at the lord's obvious desire to be completely in control of those around him.

"Just passing through. I had some business with Lord Menta." Edmund told them smoothly, catching their looks of surprise at his northern accent. He hoped to bluff his way through this encounter so as to avoid conflict. "I will just be on my way now."

The lord looked at him not quite hiding his greedy look. "What is your name, stranger."

Edmund felt a chill go down his spine. If this lord was going to try what he thought... this could mean trouble. He subtly moved his hand towards his sword.

"I am called-" He was cut off by the young soldier who had first asked him why he was there.

"I know him! He's one of the kings of Narnia. King Edmund the Just they call him!" The soldier looked rather excited and Edmund got the feeling that this one was excited because he had wanted to meet King Edmund and not for the same reasons as the lord. Edmund exhaled quietly, the lord did not even bother to hide his greedy look. This was definitely going to be trouble.

"Why King Edmund, you must be tired. I'm sure we could escort you to my manor, you could stay for the night. It is getting late to be traveling." The lord told him in a silky voice. Underneath him Phillip shifted slightly betraying his own unease. Edmund spared a moment to be glad that his loyal horse had followed his standing orders not to speak so long as they were in Telmar. Edmund had been concerned that this very situation would happen and a Talking Horse would not help him at all.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Lord. However, I am expected home and would not wish to impose." Edmund said graciously hoping that the lord would let him go. It was a vain hope however.

"Really I must insist." The lord said with an oily smile. A flicker of movement alerted Edmund that there was someone to the side of him and he quickly used his knees to urge Phillip out of the path of the sword that had been aimed for his right arm. He drew his own sword in one fluid movement using the mans surprise to his advantage to disarm and unsaddle him. Phillip turned as Edmund directed so they were facing the lord. Edmund knew his eyes must be cold as ice. Lucy had often told him that when he was angry he could freeze even the bravest or most foolish of warriors. Unfortunately it seemed that greed outweighed terror in this situation.

"Let me pass or you risk the wrath of all of Narnia." He told the lord.

The lord smirked nastily. "Narnia will no more attack me while I hold you than they would attack their ally Archeland. They will pay a fine ransom to have you back unharmed little king and I will be free to live as I have always wished. Put away your sword King Edmund and come quietly."

He weighed his options quickly. There was little chance of escaping, he would most likely either be mortally wounded or captured anyway. Death was not an option and being injured would just make this experience all the more unpleasant for him. Decision made, he lowered his sword.

"I will come with you." He told them in defeat, keeping his head held high, showing no weakness or fear. He could only hope that he could escape later. The lord smirked nastily at him.

"Caspa, take his weapons." The young soldier who had recognized him came forward looking upset. Edmund dismounted as instructed and let Caspa pat him down for weapons. He could only hope that he would miss a few.

"I am sorry." The soldier whispered nearly inaudibly, "I did not mean for this to happen."

Edmund quirked his lips slightly." All is forgiven." Caspa offered him a small smile before turning back to his horse with the weapons he had stripped off Edmund. When Edmund had remounted Phillip another soldier, this one looking completely unsympathetic, came forward to tie his hands.

The trip to the manor turned out to be shorter than Edmund had thought. The ride was less than pleasant for Edmund though. The lord, who Edmund learned was named Lord Behn, was a cruel and selfish individual. It became glaringly obvious that he cared little for anything but what made him happy.

He was not sparing of harsh words even to his own soldiers, nor sparing of blows if he thought one of them out of line. Edmund's own biting sarcasm earned him a black eye.

The group of soldiers under his control were little better. The only one who seemed to have any compassion was Caspa, and Edmund found himself wondering how that had survived years with people so compassionless. He was unsurprised to find the young soldier looking halfway miserable.

They crested a hill to come into sight of Estantel. Estantel, the manor under Lord Behn's control, was a dark and imposing place. There looked to be little warmth within it's halls and Edmund felt a shiver go down his spine at the sight of it. Underneath him Phillip shifted uneasily, the whole place gave off the stink of unhappiness.

They manhandled him roughly into the dungeons, separating him from Phillip. They took no care with getting him down to the dungeons and Edmund suffered a few scrapes and bumps against the wall. The dungeon was small, dank, wet and smelled of mold. Entirely unpleasant as most dungeons were.

He was tossed into the small space with the sarcastic parting words, "Enjoy your stay, King."

It was entirely too reminiscent of his stay with the Witch. As soon as they were gone Edmund allowed himself to droop. He had been running on adrenaline and trying to look strong and unaffected by this horrid turn in events. Now he let all of his confident mask melt away as he slid down the wall and dropped his head into his hands. Having not slept properly since he'd left Cair Paravel made him tired beyond belief, and now he was worried for both himself and for Phillip, who would hopefully follow his command and keep his mouth shut. Most of all he was missing his family, Peter more than any. He missed Lucy's smile and Susan's laugh and Peter's warm hugs.

Tears came and, unbidden, they slipped down his cheeks. He cried himself to sleep, curled up on hard, cold stone, missing the warmth of his brother's body curled beside him and the comfort of even breaths next to him.

To Be Continued...