CHAPTER 8

They boys were drawing up the challenge and the girls were getting themselves sorted. Kate told Susan she was going to sit on the overlook while she waited and it was here that Susan found her with tears flowing quietly down her face. "Kate?" she jumped at her name and quickly began wiping tears away.

"S...Susan, *cough* Are...Are you and Lucy ready?" she cursed herself under her breath for stuttering, practically giving herself away.

"Oh Kate...What's the matter?" she asked jumping down beside her. Knowing she was fighting a losing battle she gave up trying to wipe her tears and just sat there. "Talk to me please! Shall I get Ed..." but Kate cut her off.

"NO! Please don't tell him" Susan nodded "Ok, but please, tell me what the matter is?"

"I...I don't know why He...is having such an effect on me!" she said angrily as more tears fell. "Miraz, you mean?" Kate nodded and was annoyed at herself that the minute his name was mentioned a shiver ran down her spine that Susan didn't miss. "Kate are you sure going with Ed is a good idea!" she gave an aspirated sigh.

"I HAVE to!" she said in no more than a whisper "You don't have to do anything!" Susan said but Kate turned to look at her making no effort to hide her tears, though if she knew who was behind them listening she probably would have.

"Why?" she asked, she saw the look of confusion on Susan's face. "Why am I so afraid of him? I mean, it's not like I haven't been hurt or injured before. I just want to know why this is affecting me so badly!" Susan could see her getting angry at herself. And rubbed her arm "Why now? Why is it everytime I hear his name, I start shaking and I lose control of my hands and my body and all I want to do is run! I see him in my head and I break down...I'm scared of him! After everything we've been through this and last time in Narnia, all the battles and men I've fought, why now? What is it about him that scares me so much?" she looked at Susan begging her for answers that she didn't have. Susan gave her an apologetic look and Kate looked out toward the Telmarine camp.

"Kate I really don't think you should go!" Susan said but Kate shook her head "I have to! I don't trust him and I'm not letting Edmund go alone, no matter how scared I am..."

"Kate, Ed will be fine!"

"I don't trust him!" she said harder this time before crying again "I can't lose him! If he goes to Miraz alone, something will be said and Edmund will crack and try and kill him. I know Ed is the best fighter in Narnia, but when blinded by rage, even he can be defeated! It takes one wrong move. I can't lose him!" the last line she whispered squeezing her left hand into a fist, her knuckles going white. "I can't let him see he's won! I won't let him beat me!" she said standing. Susan stood beside her and they walked back inside together.

Kate was saying her goodbyes to the girls with Edmund as they would be leaving before them and the girls would be gone when they came back. Kate held both of them before passing them off to their waiting brother. "Are you sure you'll be ok?" Susan asked her. She nodded but could feel Edmund's eyes on her. She moved onto Edmund while Kate hugged Lucy. While Kate was doing this, Susan was whispering to Edmund.

"Watch her, she's not as clam as she seems!" he nodded already knowing this as Lucy came over to him. Susan and Lucy walked them to the entrance of the How where Peter was waiting with Caspian and the Narnian guard that would walk them over to the camp. Peter handed Edmund the scroll and gave him a stern look "Be careful Ed!" He knew what he was really saying 'don't kill him for Kate' Edmund nodded at his brother. Peter gave Kate a hug "You too, remember you're stronger than him!" she nodded as she pulled away. Glenstorm the centaur would walk them over the camp along with a giant. Susan handed them the white flowers to carry as a sign of peace. Blowing a kiss to each girl before leaving Kate took Edmund's hand and walked across the open field to the Telmarine camp.

Kate kept her eyes forward as she walked, ignoring every instinct in her body that told her to run in the opposite direction. She was aware that Edmund kept shooting her looks of worry and annoyance that she insisted on coming to protect him when it was obvious that she was screaming internally. It hurt him to know that she was so afraid and wouldn't allow him to help her. She refused to talk about he had actually done to her. He knew she was beaten, that much was clear, but was there something else? Something she wouldn't tell him about. He knew he had to rid his mind of that thought as he was about to face that man and the last thing they needed was a scene.

However it wasn't he who stopped. Kate did. About 10 feet from the entrance to the camp she stopped suddenly jolting Edmund from his thoughts. He looked back at her worried. She was shaking, her eyes were glued to the guards at the entrance and her face was a mix of fear and pure anger. Edmund looked at the guard standing to the right of the entrance. He looked like the other soldiers except he was injured, two black eyes and a swollen purple shaded nose, obviously broken. He vaguely recalled her saying something about a guard hurting her earlier during their talk.

"Is he one of the guards?" he asked her, not even trying to hide the anger in his voice. She nodded but squeezed his hand to remind him the last thing they wanted was a scene. "I can handle it!" she whispered, though she wasn't so sure. They reached the two guards and the injured one immediately recognised Kate and winked at her. Again reminding Edmund she spoke with a clear voice, surprising herself.

"We have come to challenge Lord Miraz!" she said. The uninjured guard looked at them, eyeing the two Narnians carefully "And who are you?"

"We are King Edmund the Just of Narnia and Queen Kate, sent by High King Peter of Narnia" Edmund said, in a calm voice but there was an undercurrent. He never took his eyes off the injured guard who was looking at Kate. The other said he would ask if Miraz would see them and left. He returned a moment later "King Miraz will see you, this way!" Edmund gave the guard a hard glare before walking into the camp, Kate gripping his hand for dear life. Why did I come? She asked herself. She could see the large tent filled with the Lords and new King. She was sure Edmund could hear her heartbeats increase. Miraz smiled at her as she entered and Edmund turned. "Would you rather wait with Glenstorm outside the tent?" she looked at Miraz one more time. A shiver ran down her spine and she nodded. Letting Edmunds hand go, she kissed him once before walking to the edge of the tent where Glenstorm bowed to her. She could still hear what was being said.

Edmund glared at Miraz as he watched Kate leave. Miraz turned to face him. "The challenge?" Edmund unrolled the scroll.

"I Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel and Emperor of the Lone Islands, In order to prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do herby challenge the upsever Miraz, to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender." Edmund finished, rolling up the scroll.

"Tell me Prince Edmund..." Miraz began with a smirk but Ed cut him off "King!"

"Pardon me?" Miraz asked. "It's King Edmund the just actually. But I am just King though, Peter's the high King" he said as he finished rolling the scroll, fixing him with a hard glare which Miraz seemed to find amusing. "Why would we risk such a proposal when our army's wipe you out by nightfall!" Miraz taunted but Edmund, although still glaring at him stayed calm.

"Haven't you already underestimated our numbers...I mean only a week ago, Narnians were extinct!"

"And so you will be again!" he said looking past Edmund to where Kate was standing. Edmund followed his gaze and he had to stop himself from shaking. "Then you should have little to fear" Edmund said quietly. But Miraz laughed in his face "This is not a question of bravery!" he said. But Edmund now saw a chance to get to Miraz without crashing a sword through him with all his anger built up inside of him for what he had done to his wife. He could embarrass him.

"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swords man half your age?" he mocked. Although glad to see Miraz put out Kate was aware that Edmund's comment could cause some damage. She took a step toward her husband but her eyes met Glozelle's. She was now stood at the corner of the entrance, two feet from him.

"I didn't say I refused!" Miraz spat back. "You shall have our support, whatever your decision your majesty!" one of the younger lords said. Miraz noted Kate had reappeared in the tent and smiled at her. She suddenly felt physically sick. "I would stop if I were you!" Everyone looked at Edmund. Kate looked at Edmund with scared eyes.

"Excuse me?" Miraz asked with a smirk. "I said, I would stop looking at my wife if I were you" harder than before and if looks could kill then Miraz would be long gone by now. "I am merely smiling at an old acquaintance!" he mocked. Kate glared back at him, joining Edmund again taking his hand. "So young and in love! It would be a shame to lose you my dear!" Kate stiffened slightly at his words. She wanted to run but stayed beside Edmund.

"Do you except the challenge or not?" Edmund asked. He didn't like the looks Miraz was giving Kate and wanted her away from him a soon as possible. He was aware Kate was scared, but she was doing a better job than he hiding his emotions.

Miraz smirked and looked at the young couple and Lord Sopespian spoke breaking the threatening silence. "Sire, our military advantage alone provides the perfect excuse to avoid..." But Miraz was out of his seat and drawing a sword. Edmund tightened his hand on Kate. "I am not avoiding anything!" Miraz spat at Lord Sopespian.

"I was merely pointing out that his majesty is well within his rights to refuse" Sopespian said. Kate was eyeing Miraz and his now drawn sword, flicking her gaze between it and her own, should the need arise. Glozelle spoke behind her.

"His majesty would never refuse" No one missed the glare Miraz sent him. "he relishes the chance to show the people the courage of their new king!" Edmund turned to face Miraz again.

"You!" he spat at Edmund, pointing his sword at Edmund and Kate "should hope that your brother's sword is sharper than his pen! Tomorrow at noon!" he flicked a gaze to Kate. "I will be seeing you soon!" he said sitting down but leaving his sword on the table. Edmund gave Miraz one more look before turning, putting a hand on Kate's waist and walking from the camp. Kate wasn't aware but Edmund was holding most of her weight. They walked by the two guards and the one that beat Kate winked at her and that did it. They were half way to the How when she passed out.

"Kate?" Edmund had felt her drop and looked down to see her eyes closed. Looking her over quickly, he made sure she wasn't injured, that she had just fainted. Lifting her bridal style back to the How he kissed her head as he held her against him. He felt Glenstorm walk beside him with worried eyes. He too was worried. Her reaction to Miraz was worse than he expected. He cursed himself for ever letting her go with him. He seen Peter giving him a worried look. He was sitting on the lookout and having seen Kate in Edmunds arms he had run back into the How and was just getting to the entrance as Edmund walked in with her.

"What happened? Is she hurt?" he asked running up to her, Caspian not far behind. He had seen Peter running through the How looking worried and followed him. He too was looking at Kate worried.

"Not physically!" Edmund said in a whisper looking at Kate. He knew she WAS hurt. Hitting someone leaves more than a bruise on your skin. "I'm going to lie her down" he said pushing past Peter. He walked Kate to their room and laid her down, removing both her and his own armour. Once she was settled he sat beside her removing some stray hair from her face. Her dream looked troubled and it broke his heart to know he had allowed her to be put in this position. He kissed her forehead before leaving the room. He leaned against the wall and slid down, holding his head in his hands, allowing small tears to fall. Then a female centaur appeared to his right.

"I will come and get you when she wakes, your Majesty!" she said anticipating his words. He gave her the best smile he could muster before walking into the Stone room. He hadn't wiped his tears and Peter noticed but said nothing. "How is she?" he asked as Edmund walked in.

"I don't know!" he said sitting on the table. Peter gave him a sad look before taking the hint he didn't want to talk about it. "So how did things go with Miraz?"

"He agreed. Tomorrow at noon. Are the girls gone?" He asked. "No, they thought because of the time, we thought that the battle would be tomorrow" Edmund nodded just as both girls came into the room. "Where's Kate?" Susan asked. It was clear they had heard what happened. "Resting!"

They both came over to him and Peter did too. "What happened Ed?"

"When we got to the entrance there were two guards and one of them had a broken nose. Kate said he was one of the guards that beat her...and I didn't hit him, I wanted to but I didn't!" He said seeing his sister's giving him suspicious looks. Peter nodded for him to continue.

"When we got to Miraz's tent she got really nervous and decided to wait outside but she could still be seen and he was watching her...so I asked him to stop!" Susan gave him a sceptical look "Asked him?"

"More warned him...which he found very amusing. Guess she saw I was getting angry so she came back in and held my hand. He was making comments about her dying and she got scared but hid it, well better than I did. One of the Lords started jeering him and he pulled a sword...I think that's when she started feeling really bad...she passed out half way here" He sighed. Not looking up he spoke "This is my fault!"

"No Ed it's not!" Peter said but Edmund was shaking his head "It is! I knew she couldn't handle it, I knew it and yet I still let her go!" Susan gave a small smile "I think Kate had something to do with wanting to go!"

"I heard you talking to her on the look out!" He said turning to Susan. The others gave them a look and all Susan could say was "oh!" and Edmund nodded. The four sat in silence for awhile until Edmund spoke. "Do you think she's going to be ok?" The others just looked at each other. The female centaur came into the room "King Edmund?" He looked up "Her majesty is asking for you!" But he was already out of his seat and running down the tunnel. When he got to the room she had her back to the door and he could see her shaking from sobs.

"Kate?" He asked softly. She coughed and wiped her eyes quickly but not quickly enough. He sat down and wiped away her tears. She tried to smile but couldn't. Edmund did the first thing he could think of and kissed her. She kissed him back and when they broke apart she asked "What was that for?"

"To say sorry!" he said. She smiled knowing he was completely being stupid. She hugged him before sitting back, wiping her remaining tears. "Kate?" She looked at him knowing what was coming.

"I don't know why Edmund. I wish I did trust me I do, but I don't know! I don't know why being near him affects me like it does. All I know is when I'm near him, I'm scared and the reason I went with you was because I didn't trust him not to try and get to you and I trust you completely except when it come to issues involving me!" she said giving him a knowing look.

"I'm sorry for scaring you" she said. "And before I realise what I'm saying, you were right" He gave her a sly smile and she laughed. "I wasn't ready...what?" he was giving her a strange look.

"It's good to hear your laugh!" she smack his shoulder, giving him a kiss. "Better now?"Edmund asked, Kate nodded "It was a big day, you must be tired, get some sleep" he said going to get up but Kate stopped him "Stay please?" he smiled and nodded. He lay down beside her and held her until she fell asleep. But he was in the happiest place in the world at that moment and he too fell asleep.

Susan looked in on them later that night after they hadn't returned and found them asleep. Smiling she watched them for a moment before Peter came looking for Edmund. "Edmund?!" he called but Susan shushed him. He looked in and smiled just as Susan pulled him away.

"Do you think she's alright?" Peter asked her. "I hope so!" Susan said after a minute "I really hope so" Peter nodded and they walked to bed.