"Look, you don't actually have a reason to not like me, because after I apologized I have been nothing but nice to you."
Naeve raised her eyebrows. "Really? I didn't realize that you antagonizing me was you being nice. Sorry." she said, acidly. Edmund rolled his eyes. He grabbed her arm and spun her around.
"Hey, I just wanted to give you something." he explained, looking down. Naeve looked at him in shock.
"Oh." she said softly, looking at the ground also. Edmund unsheathed the sword at his side and held it out to her. "Dear Aslan!" she whispered. Naeve looked up at Edmund with wide eyes, and gently lifted the sword out of his hands, dropping her bedding.
"Yours is broken, so I figured that you'd need a new one for the battle." he mumbled.
The sword was beautiful. The steel was strong, and the hilt had some kind of emerald colored gemstones set in it. It was by far the best sword that she'd ever touched. Naeve looked back up at him, unable to speak.
"I had it made by dwarfs earlier, so it should be able to withstand more than your old one."
Naeve, without thinking, held the sword in one hand and threw her arms around him. Edmund stiffened, but then awkwardly wrapped his arms around her waist. After a few seconds, she seemed to find her head and removed her arms, dropping her gaze to the floor while clearing her throat. Edmund smiled.
"I'll take that as a thank you." He leaned down and picked up her comforter and pillow, then started back to the room. Naeve followed him wordlessly. He put them back on her bed and turned back to her. She was leaning on the doorframe scrutinizing him carefully. Edmund started to feel self-conscious and felt the blood rush to his face. "What?"
Naeve met his eyes curiously. "I'm trying to figure you out." He raised his eyebrows.
"Are you having any luck?"
Naeve sighed. "No, not really. First, you are completely horrible to me." Edmund shrugged, allowing that. "Second, you save my life and then apologize to me for being an ass. Now, you give me the best present I have ever received in my entire life. I honestly don't understand." Naeve shook her head in confusion.
"It's actually not that complicated. First, I didn't like you. Then I apologized for not liking you. Now, I'm hoping to redeem myself for not liking you by giving you a sword, something that you will actually need quite soon, I might add." He masked his face with a serious expression, and watched her reaction. Naeve was shocked by his simplicity, and burst out laughing. Edmund's amusement broke through and he chuckled. "You know what? That's the first time you've smiled at me since you've gotten to know me."
Naeve smiled again. "I think you were being unintentionally funny. And now we're on better terms." Edmund raised his eyebrows again.
"Are we?"
"Well, technically I am sleeping in your bed…"
Edmund rolled his eyes. "Yes, well don't defile it." Naeve gasped and threw her pillow at him as he ducked out of the door.
Sorry for the wait, everybody! Next chapter up tomorrow.
Thanks to Jack-chan88 for all of the reviews!!
