Chapter Eight: Edmund's Return…Among Other Things
When Kate woke up Peter was running his fingers through her hair. For a moment she felt uncomfortable. She was more then out of her comfort zone. At her age she had never had a boyfriend, if that was what this was, but she couldn't deny that Peter meant more to her than she was willing to admit. She lifted her head and looked at him.
"Sleep well?" He smiled.
"The best since I've been here." She told him honestly. "How long did I sleep?" She asked him.
"Not very long." He replied.
"That's good." She said resting her head on him again. "Did you get any sleep?" She asked.
"No."
"Thinking about Edmund?"
"Yeah."
Just then they heard commotion outside and both quickly got up. Peter took Kate's hand before leaving the tent. Oreius was walking nearby. Peter and Kate looked at him. He looked back before looking over his shoulder. They followed his gaze to see Aslan and Edmund atop a rock, speaking. They watched and soon Susan and Lucy came out. When Lucy saw her brother she called out to him, rushing toward him. Peter stopped her and looked back at the lion and the boy. Aslan nodded and Edmund made his way to his siblings, the lion following him.
"What's done is done. There is no need to speak to Edmund about what is past." Aslan told them.
"Hello." Edmund told them.
They all looked at each other for a moment. Lucy was the first to embrace her brother. He hugged her tightly. Susan hugged him next, asking him how he was.
"I'm a little tired." He replied.
"Get some sleep." Peter said nodding toward their tent.
Edmund nodded and looked at Kate. "I'm Kate." She said holding out her hand.
"Hello." He said again, shaking it.
"Go on." Peter told him. Edmund nodded again and walked toward it. "And Edmund…?" Peter said turning to his brother. He turned and a smile crossed Peter's face. "Try not to wander off." Edmund smiled and disappeared into the tent.
There was a short awkward silence between all of them. "Well, that wasn't so bad." Kate told them.
"No." Peter smiled.
"Could've been worse." Susan added.
"I'm happy he's all right." Lucy told them.
"Me too." Kate said hugging her.
"You don't even know him." Lucy grinned up at her.
"He's your brother. That's all I need to know." Kate replied.
"Thanks." Peter said putting a hand on her cheek.
"Any time." Kate said putting her hand on his arm. "Wanna go for a walk?" She asked him.
"Sure." He replied and took her hand.
"Peter…" Aslan said walking up to them. Kate put her other hand on his arm and leaned against him. "Am I interrupting?" The lion asked.
Peter looked at Kate then back at the lion. "Of course not." Kate told Aslan as she squeezed Peter's hand.
"It can wait…" Peter started.
"No. Go." Kate smiled at him. "I can find something to do."
"Okay." He said and walked to the lion's side.
"Go practice being King." She said and laughed.
He turned and grinned as he shook his head. Soon he and the lion were out of site. She turned back and walked through the camp. She stopped and watched what everyone was doing. Weapons were being made, orders being given and completed. She stopped when she saw Oreius as a thought went through her head.
"Oreius!" She called. He stopped and looked at her. "Hi." She said walking over to them. "Can I ask you a question?" She asked him. He nodded. "Not much for talking are you?" She added.
He smiled at her. "What can I help you with?"
"Can you teach me to use a sword?" She asked him.
He gave a short laugh before he stopped and looked down at her. "You are serious." He stated.
"Yes I am." She told him.
"I'm not sure that is a good idea." He replied.
"Do you believe that there is a war coming?" Kate asked him.
"Yes." He replied.
"What chance do I have of surviving if I can't defend myself?" She asked.
"You are not meant to fight in this war." He told her matter-of-factly.
"What makes you say that?"
"You are a woman. Susan and Lucy aren't meant to fight and neither are you."
Kate gave short laugh. "Thanks for that but I don't really think that's up to you. I'm not going to run away or hide. I am here and I will fight alongside everyone else. No one can change my mind. So there are only two ways this is going to go. You help teach me and give me a better chance at making it through this or I fight anyway and perish." She told him.
It was plain to Oreius that she was being honest with him and that she wasn't going to give up. It was something he didn't want to do but she was giving him little choice. He nodded and motioned for her to follow him. Kate smiled and followed. He found a sword and handed it to her. It was heavier than she had thought it would be. For a moment she was regretting her request. Oreius led her to a nearby field where they were away from the others. When he stopped Kate faced him, raising the sword. He grinned at her, laughing lightly.
"Not there. Come stand next to me." He told her.
"Okay." She said doing what she was told.
"Hold it up. Spread your hands apart." He instructed.
"Like this?" Kate said moving her hands.
"Yes." He nodded.
They spent a good part of the remaining day working on it. By the time they were done Kate's arms were tired and her right shoulder throbbed. She held tight to it as they walked back to the camp.
"You did well, for a girl." Oreius smiled at her.
"You teach well, for a centaur." She smiled back. "Thank you for doing this." She told him. "I know it's not what you planned on doing today."
"You are welcome. But if Aslan asks, I haven't taught you anything." He grinned.
"Promise." She grinned and laughed.
"Tomorrow we can practice on horseback." He told her.
"I'm good at riding. Shouldn't be too hard. Right?" She asked looking up at him.
He chuckled and took the sword from her as they entered the camp. Kate thanked Oreius again before she walked to the front where her and the others tents were located. She went to the one she shared with Susan and Lucy and laid on her bed. Her body was sore and it felt wonderful to get off of her feet. Only a moment later there were footsteps and the entrance to the tent was pushed aside. She groaned and opened her eyes to see who it was. She smiled but closed her eyes again.
"Where've you been?" Peter asked her.
"Practicing." She told him.
"Practicing what?" He asked crawling into the bed next to her.
"I convinced Oreius to teach me how to sword fight." She replied.
"Are you crazy?" He asked her, supporting himself on his forearm.
"No." She said doing the same, facing him. "I'm not going to stand on the sidelines while you go fight." She told him.
"Yes you are. So is Susan and Lucy." He replied.
"No." Kate told him. "You can't stop me, Peter. This is my decision."
"I don't like it." He told her. "I'm not even sure if I can fight."
"You will be magnificent." Kate said putting her hand on his cheek. "I have faith in you."
"I'm not sure you should." He said lowering his head.
"Hey…" Kate said lifting his chin with her fingers. "I don't want to hear that from you. You are brave and you have enough courage to lead these people. You will learn the skill to fight, but you also have to believe that you can do it." She told him.
"I do, it's just…" He said and stopped, looking at her. "I don't know."
"You'll be all right. Your family is back together. Not to mention the fact that you're a Knight of Narnia." She grinned at him. He laughed and looked at her. "See, there's a smile." She said gently caressing his face with her finger.
He put his forehead against hers as she placed her hand on his face. Their breathing quickened. Kate looked at him, gently running her fingers through his hair. She had never felt like this before. There was something stirring inside of her. He put his hand on her face. They slowly moved closer to each other. Only just before their lips touched something struck the tent, making both of them jump. Kate jumped high enough that she fell backward off of the bed.
"Are you okay?" Peter asked looking over the edge at her.
Kate couldn't help but laugh. "Yes." She said sitting up. Her face felt hot as she looked at him. "Perfect timing." She said sarcastically.
"Come here." He said helping her up. He had her sit on the edge of the bed and he sat behind her. Soon his hands were on her shoulders slowly massaging out the knots that had formed in her back. "How's this?" He asked.
"Wonderful." Kate said as she closed her eyes.
"I'm glad you're here." He told her as he rubbed her shoulders.
"I am too." She smiled.
"I love my family, but it's nice having someone new here as well."
"I suppose it is." Kate told him. "I'm an only child so I've loved being here with you and your family. Makes me almost jealous, you have three siblings while I have none."
"It has its moments but you aren't missing a lot." He replied.
"Maybe." Kate told him. "I've still loved it."
"Perhaps it will stay this way." He said pulling her back against him.
"Is that what you want?" Kate asked.
"I don't think I'd mind." He replied.
"Wouldn't you miss your Mum and Dad?"
"Probably, but at the same time there are many things I love about this place. I guess this war might decide for me."
"Let's not talk about war." Kate told him.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Because as real as I know it is, it also means that we're going to lose some in the battle. Maybe even you, and I…I don't want to think about that." She told him.
"Don't worry." He said putting his arms around her neck. "Nothing's going to happen to me."
"You don't know that." Kate said turning in his arms. "I have feelings for you and I think it might really hurt if anything happened to you." She told him honestly.
"I know how you feel." He said with his hand on her cheek.
She smiled and leaned into him. Their faces were moving closer when there were footsteps and a small girl came into the tent. Kate and Peter quickly moved away from each other and looked at Lucy.
"Hi Lucy." Kate smiled.
"Peter, what are you doing in here?" She asked her brother.
"Ah, nothing." Peter replied standing. "See you tomorrow." He told Kate.
"See you." She smiled and watched him leave. She looked at Lucy who was grinning at her. "What?" She blushed and laid back. Night had fallen and moments later Susan came in. She looked a little confused. "What is it?" Kate asked her.
"Peter looked rather happy. With the upcoming war I wouldn't think he'd look that happy." She replied.
Kate was grateful for the dimness to hide her blushing. "Hm…"
"I don't think it's the war." Lucy grinned at her sister.
Susan looked at Lucy before looking at Kate. Kate didn't say anything. They all laid in bed and soon after fell asleep. There was still much to be done and there wasn't a lot of time finish it.
When Kate woke the sun was hardly up. A shadow passed her tent and she quickly got up, leaving the tent. Aslan heard her and stopped, looking at her.
"Good morning Kate." He told her.
"Good morning." She replied.
"Is everything all right?" He asked.
"Yes." She smiled. "To be honest I just wanted to see you." She told him. "It's not everyday I get to see lions, especially one like you."
"You may walk with me if you'd like." He told her.
"I would love that." She told him and walked up to him.
She put her fingers in his mane and a smile crossed her face. "I hear you plan on fighting." He told her as they walked. She nodded. "You were never intended to fight."
"I was never intended to be here." She replied. "Things happen. I plan on fighting, Aslan. I need to be a part of this in some way."
"You can be a part of it without fighting." He stated.
"Maybe, but I can't stand by and watch while the ones I care about are getting hurt." She told him.
"Peter?" He asked.
"Among others." She replied.
"Oreius is teaching you?" He asked.
"Who told you that?" She asked.
"I saw the two of you yesterday."
Her face flushed. "Yes, I asked him to help me. He didn't want to but I talked him into it."
"Should I assume that there is no changing your mind?" He asked.
"Yes." Kate grinned at him.
They walked a short ways farther before Aslan stopped. "I must leave you here."
"Okay, I'll see you later." Kate told him.
He nodded and walked away from her. She turned back the way she had come but she stopped and looked at a Palomino horse that was watching her. She walked up to it and held out her palm. The horse smelled it but didn't try to run. She stroked its neck and ran her hand up its forehead.
"Such a beautiful animal." She said softly.
"Thank you." The mare said.
Kate jumped back and the horse chuckled a little. "Hello." She smiled and stepped back up to the horse. "You surprised me."
"Sorry. I thought you may assume that I could talk like the others."
"The thought hadn't crossed my mind. I won't make that mistake again." Kate smiled. "Would you mind if I rode you?" Kate asked lightly.
"Not at all." The horse smiled and turned to the side.
Kate grinned and put her hands on the horse's back before pulling herself up onto the horse. "Should I direct or should you?" Kate asked.
"You're the one on top of me." The horse stated.
"Yes, well, I'm not used to the animals talking. My horse can't talk so I can't deny that it's a little odd knowing that you can." Kate replied.
"You can do the leading, unless something should happen." The mare told her.
"Do you have a name?" Kate asked.
"Mari." The horse told her.
"Alright than Mari." Kate said and gently kicked the horse's side.
Mari was a wonderful horse. Not only did she make for good conversation but she was a smooth ride and Kate felt blessed that she was able to ride such a wonderful animal. Mari was gentle and took direction well. She stopped Kate only once to avoid a small embankment that would have caused Mari to trip. Kate apologized but the horse had no hard feelings toward the girl. They didn't ride long before Kate let Mari bring her back to the others without being led in any way. It was almost the most fun she had had here in Narnia.
"There you are." Peter said as she dropped from the horse's back.
Kate saw Susan and Lucy walking away. "Where are they going?" She asked.
"Getting in some practice." Edmund replied.
"What did I miss?" She asked seeing their expressions. Peter didn't look all that happy.
"Nothing." Peter smiled at her.
"Princes…" Oreius said coming up to them. "We must train for battle." He told them. "Kate…" He said nodding his head.
"Oreius…" Kate smiled at him. "Mari…" She said turning to the horse. "May I borrow you for a little bit longer?" She asked.
The horse's ears perked and she looked at Kate. "Am I to be in the battle?" She asked.
"Do you want to be?" Kate replied.
"I will do whatever I need to in order to help." The mare replied.
"Than will you train with me?" Kate asked.
"Do you intend on being in the battle?" The horse asked.
"Right in the thick of it." Kate smiled
The horse pulled herself to her full height and looked at the girl in front of her. "I will be your steed for the upcoming battle." Mari told her.
"Thank you." Kate said rubbing the horse's neck.
"I don't think so." Peter told her.
"You don't get a say in this." Kate told him.
"Don't make me pull rank." He told her.
"Haven't you ever heard that behind every man is a strong woman?" She asked.
"No." He replied while Edmund chuckled.
"You have now and I'm your woman." Kate grinned and mounted Mari.
Soon a horse was brought for Edmund and a beautiful Unicorn came forward and offered himself to Peter. He gratefully accepted and soon all three and Oreius were on their way to prepare for the fight that was ahead.
