Steadfast in Adversity
by Lirulin

Disclaimer: Nothing in here belongs to me, and I make no profit with any of it. Everything is the property of C. S. Lewis.

While I was rereading The Horse and His Boy I couldn't help wondering what exactly the Narnians were going through with all the fright and having to flee after Corin reappeared and Shasta left. And I wanted to see some kind of conversation between Edmund and Corin about the latter's "adventure". This is how the story emerged, and it has grown from there. The first chapter is sort of a trial run because I want to know if anyone is interested in this. But for now, enjoy! Oh, and the first line is directly from the book, Chapter 5, Prince Corin.

Chapter 1
Lost and Found

"Look out! I hear someone coming"

Corin watched as the strange boy – he hadn't even gotten his name! – dropped onto the roof and quickly ran down the length of it. He didn't quite know what to make of the situation, the boy really had looked a lot like him, and he might say one could mistake them for each other, but shouldn't someone have noticed something? That was certainly not what he had been expecting when he had crept back in here. A scolding at best, disappointed looks at worst, but definitely not a copy of himself! And what had he meant, saying they were starting tonight, secretly?

But before he could puzzle out this mystery further, the footsteps he had heard got louder and were then joined by a voice.

"Corin? Are you awake? We need to…"

By this time the door had opened and King Edmund had entered the room, now looking up from a parchment he had been perusing and letting his words trail of in utter astonishment. Corin squirmed slightly as his friend's eyes swept over him from his black eye to his torn tunic to the mud splattered all over him, and he briefly wondered if all of this truly had been such a brilliant idea. Edmund's brows drew together in a frown.

"Lion's Mane, Corin! Whatever happened to you? Tumnus told me you were sleeping, recovering from your heatstroke! How could you leave after everything we discussed just hours ago? You were present, and you know what we have to do, what is at stake here!"

Corin didn't like the sound of this at all, much less the idea of Edmund thinking he would do something to endanger them, even though he still didn't know what was going on. He certainly wouldn't let the accusation stand like this, and he had been planning on telling the truth anyway. He was no coward, and he stood by his actions!

"But I've only just returned! I don't even know what you're talking about!"

Edmund stopped short, regarding him with confusion and not a little disbelief. Then he put the parchment into one of his pockets, took a few steps forward until he was standing directly in front of Corin and put a hand on his forehead.

"Are you quite alright, Corin? Do you have a fever? Perhaps it is worse than we thought. You were awfully quiet and out of sorts when we found you."

Corin blushed a little and lightly batted at Edmund's hand. He didn't like this fussing, especially when there was nothing wrong with him! On the other hand… He somehow had to admit it sounded strange.

"No, I'm perfectly fine! You have to believe me! I climbed through that window not ten minutes ago! And there was this boy standing in front of the sofa, looking terribly upset and frightened. He said you mistook him for me. Was all aflutter and couldn't wait to leave. He did look a lot like me though."

Corin was quite surprised when he saw Edmund's eyes widen dramatically and tried to decipher the different emotions that were flitting through them. Was that apprehension and wariness? And… speculation? Whatever was there to speculate about? Edmund meanwhile had quickly crossed to the window, his thoughts racing. If what Corin said was true, and he was sure it was because the young prince had a very marked sense of honesty and never lied, then they could have a big problem on their hands. This… this other boy, whoever he was, had heard all of their plans and knew that they were trying to escape from Calormen. Even if he was no spy, he only had to say one word to the wrong person, and everything would result in absolute disaster! It was peculiar, but Edmund was certain that the boy would not betray them maliciously, he rather feared a simple slip of the tongue. The fact that he himself, who knew Corin so well, had mistaken a complete stranger for the prince, gave rise to a staggering notion. Could it be possible…? But they did not have time, they had to leave to save Susan, to save all of them! It sent a stab of pain through his heart that they might have found… could have perhaps… His insides twisted, torn in two different directions, and he decided that he could at least spare a few minutes to learn more.

"Did he say anything else? His name perhaps? Where he is from or what he is doing in Tashbaan? And do come sit down, Corin, and let me have a look at your eye."

Corin sat down on the sofa more or less obligingly because while he didn't understand it, he could sense Edmund's agitation and didn't want to add to it. He watched as his friend took up a cloth and a small basin of water that someone had left on the small table in the corner and came over to him, first catching a careful hold of his chin and turning his head to examine his eye, then starting to dab at the blood and dirt on his cheek. A prompting glance reminded him that he had not yet answered the questions.

"Um… he didn't tell me his name, and everything happened so quickly that I forgot to ask. He said that he believes he is from Narnia or somewhere in the North, but that he has lived in Calormen all his life. Oh! And that he wants to cross the desert with a Horse called Bree. It sounds like such a grand adventure! I wished to hear more, but he was in a real hurry! Don't you think it's ever so exciting, escaping, running through the desert to a land that might be your home, but that you know nothing about?"

Edmund was not sure he would call that 'exciting', and Corin's story only served to increase the grief that had settled in his heart. He was now convinced that he knew who the other boy had been, but he was also aware that they would never be able to find him in the rabbit warren that was Tashbaan, especially with time running so short now. With a great effort, Edmund shook himself out of his gloomy thoughts and pushed his misery and moreover his guilt to the edges of his mind, concentrating on Corin again.

"I think we will have quite enough excitement very soon. As it is, we have to leave now. Your eye does not seem to be too bad, and we can deal with the rest of your bruises on the ship. I will just see if I cannot find a cape for you to wear, so that you do not look quite so frightfully dishevelled. We will also talk about your escapade at a later time."

Corin grimaced as Edmund got up from the sofa and rummaged around in the chest standing behind it. He had in some way hoped that this might be forgotten, considering everything else that appeared to be going on and the unnamed feelings he had seen in Edmund's eyes, but he probably should have known better. However, despite his unease at having to tell his story – he was very sure that Edmund would not be particularly pleased – he couldn't help the anticipation that was spreading through him. Edmund was right, all of this sounded extremely thrilling, and he couldn't wait for what would happen next!

Before he knew it, Edmund was putting a dark green cloak around his shoulders, instructing him to hold it closed, then tugged him up and guided him out of the room and through the mansion with a firm arm around his shoulder. Corin almost had to run to keep up with Edmund's long strides, and a tiny amount of fear mixed with his anticipation. If Edmund, who Corin only knew as the picture of calm and composure, was this upset, then something truly bad must have happened – or perhaps was about to happen.

TBC

Let me know what you think and if you want me continue it!

And in case anyone was wondering, I think that the monarchs of Narnia are good friends with King Lune, and that they know everything surrounding Cor's disappearance, and that Edmund would therefore realise what is going on with the two boys that look so much alike.