AN: Sorry guys but this ones a pretty short chapter compared to my others. I promise the next one I give you will be much longer. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
Edmund worked on his sword almost all day. I liked talking to him though. I asked him questions about Narnia and the creatures here and he'd give me long, descriptive answers, as well as funny stories.
I did go and check up on what the others were doing. Eustace was back in his place, hidden behind the barrels and crates writing in his diary. I made a mental note to go sneak and read it later if I happened to be bored. Lucy was talking to Reep and Tavros, or as I liked to call him, the giant teddy bear. Meanwhile, Caspian was at the steering wheel with Drinian.
So, of course I stayed with Edmund.
"The sword is going to look absolutely beautiful when it's done," I told him. "When do you think you'll finish?"
He smiled. "Soon, I hope."
"Do you think we'll find the source of the green mist?" I asked.
"Of course we will," he assured me. "This must be why my sister and I were summoned here; to help."
I sighed. "That doesn't explain why I'm here though. Don't get me wrong; I love be here. But it would be nice to know what my purpose is."
He patted my knee and said with a straight face, "You're certainly not here to keep me on task."
I grinned. "Sorry. Get back to work or I'll kick your royal Highness."
"Yes, ma'am," he said sarcastically, going back to chipping off the rough stone of the sword.
I watched him in silence for a little while longer until an idea popped into my head, which of course I had to share right away.
"Maybe . . ." I began hesitantly, "you could teach me how to use a sword myself?"
"Why?" he asked, looking at me in confusion.
"Well, what with everything going on I want to be able to defend myself and all of you guys in any way I can, because obviously I'm not good at it."
Edmund shook his head. "No . . . what I mean is, why are you asking me? Caspian is a much better swordsman, or even Reep."
"Because I don't want Caspian or Reep to teach me. I want you to teach me."
When he didn't respond right away, I continued trying to persuade him.
"Will you, Edmund? Please? I'll curtsy if I have to."
That seemed to pique his interest. "Would you really? You, actually curtsying?"
I chewed on my bottom lip. "Will you teach me or not?"
"Not unless you curtsy," he said, grinning. "I was going to say yes anyway, but now you put the idea in my head."
I made a face. "You suck." But I got up and stood in front of him with my hands clasped in front of me.
"Edmund," I began.
He struck a regal pose, as if sitting on a throne. "Yes?"
As dramatically as I could, I began my speech. "Dear, sweet, King Edmund. Will you give up some of your free time to possibly teach me how to not die? I promise to be a good, obedient student who will dedicate herself to whatever you have to teach."
Then, with as much flair as I possibly could, I gave him a curtsy.
As if unable to help himself, he started laughing.
I stood up straight, my cheeks burning. "There, happy?" Thankfully we were near the back of the boat, by the door to me and Lucy's room so no one was really around to notice me. If someone had, the whole crew would have found out and that would have probably have earned me a one way ticket to being mocked forever.
Edmund sat the sword aside and stood up. I crossed my arms and looked expectantly at him. He walked up to me and put a hand on my shoulder.
"I suppose I can do this favor for you."
I smiled. "Good. But don't say a thing about the curtsying. I have a reputation to protect."
Edmund smirked. "I'm sure."
I leaned in close to him. "When should we start, your Highness?" I whispered.
"Tonight," he answered. "After everyone's asleep. It'll give us more room and less bodies for you to accidentally stab."
I rolled my eyes and took his hand off my shoulder. "Whatever you say, my liege." With that I turned and walked away, hoping he hadn't heard how loudly my heart had been beating the entire time his hand had been on me.
