Finally there are some hints to a Katie/Edmund relationship. Sorry, but that couple isn't going to happen just quite yet though because I'm focusing on Peter/Kristina. You're just going to have to wait for VDT.

I do not own anything other than my original characters. No copyright infringement intended.

Surprised Peter just stared at Kristina as she walked over to the Stone Table and seated herself on it. Turning around to face her he said, "That's it?"

"You already know the terrors that would have happened if you had done what you were considering to do and it's quite obvious you feel terrible about it. I don't need to make you feel worse."

"You should I deserve it," Peter said miserably as he sat next to her. "After all I've done."

"So what, you made a few mistakes? Learn from them."

"So what? Because of my mistakes, Narnia was practically wiped out and then I led several people to their deaths when I could have called the whole thing off!"

"Leaving Narnia wasn't your fault at all, so stop blaming yourself for it. The others aren't. As for what happened at the castle those soldiers were willing to die for what they believed in. Not every battle is a success. Surely you of all people know that, so stop whining over the past and think about what you can do to ensure a better future!" After a pause Kristina asked, "Is that what you were expecting me to say?"

"Yes," Peter said wearily looking down at the ground.

Putting her hand on his shoulder Kristina said, "Hey, things have to get worse before they get any better and they will get better."

"I doubt things are going to get better."

"I didn't expect things to get better when my mom died. I thought that everything was just going to get worse and worse and that my life was over, I wanted to kill myself. But then I met you, Edmund, Lucy and Susan and I got to be here in Narnia. Something I've dreamed of since I was child. So maybe things will get better."

For a while the two just said nothing. Kristina had said everything and didn't feel like Peter needed to be lectured for hours so she was willing to wait for him to be the first to speak up this time. It seemed like hours had passed even though it had probably only been a few minutes.

Finally Peter said, "Thank you."

"For what?" Kristina asked.

"For not allowing me to brood about all this."

"You're welcome. Besides I owe you for not letting me think I didn't belong here."

Smiling Peter put his arm around Kristina's shoulder then she rested her head on his shoulder. While he gently stroked her arm, she placed her hand on his chest and brushed it lightly.

"So all this and the kiss, does it mean we're an item now?" Kristina asked.

"Do you want to be?" Peter asked.

"Very much so. Do you?"

"More than anything." Smiling the two stared into the others eyes and then leaned in to kiss once again.

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Walking towards the Stone Table, Lucy and Katie saw Peter and Kristina there. Kristina laid her head on Peter's lap asleep; Peter sat leaning his back on the Stone Table while he looked at the stone carving of Aslan. When they came closer, the two girls smiled at each other to see that Peter was absentmindedly stroking Kristina's hair. Wanting to make sure he was all right Lucy sat on the ground next to him and Katie sat above them on the Table.

After a while Peter managed to say, "You're lucky you know?"

Turning her head to look at him Lucy asked, "What do you mean?"

"To have seen him. I wish he'd just given me some sort of proof."

"Maybe we're the ones who need to prove ourselves to him."

"Glad, Kristina's not awake to hear this one or I'd hear another earful about this."

"You would," Katie agreed. She knew her sister well enough to know what she would say too.

"Silly I am awake," Kristina muttered her eyes still closed and her head still on Peter's lap. "You don't need to hear anymore lectures anyways."

"Pete," Edmund said walking in. "You'd better come quickly."

Getting up Kristina followed the others outside to see a line of several men pour out of the trees. More and more continued to come as they marched through. Not only soldiers came through, but horses pulled in catapults as well. Then several men on horses came filing through the middle gap of the army and spread out in the front awaiting one more horse as it slowly walked through. The man riding it was none other than King Miraz as he stood in front.

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"Cakes and kettledrums," Trumpkin said to the others as they discussed their plan. "That's your next big plan? Sending a little girl into the darkest parts of the forest alone."

"It's our only chance," Peter defended.

"And she won't be alone," Susan stated.

"Haven't enough of us died already?" Trumpkin asked looking at Lucy with pleading eyes.

"Nikabrik was my friend too," Trufflehunter said. "But he lost hope. Queen Lucy hasn't and neither have I."

"For Aslan," Reepicheep said pulling out his sword and holding it to his heart.

"For Aslan," a bear echoed.

"Then I'm going with you," Trumpkin said.

"No we need you here," Lucy pointed out as she put her hand on his shoulder.

"We have to hold them off until Lucy and Susan get back," Peter said.

"If I may," Caspian added. The others turned to look at him. Giving a glance at his professor he stood up. "Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer, but as King he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people. There is one in particular that may buy us some time."

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It was agreed that Edmund and Kristina along with a centaur and a giant as escorts deliver the letter to Miraz. The letter was from Peter requesting that a one on one sword duel to the death determine the battle.

"Are you and Peter a couple yet?" Edmund asked Kristina as they walked over to Miraz's army. "Everyone's been waiting for the two of you to get together."

Blushing Kristina said, "Yes we are. We made it official not too long ago."

"Finally. Well the two of you look good together and I'll try to make sure Peter doesn't do anything stupid to mess this up."

"Thank you." After a pause Kristina said, "You know I've noticed you've been rather friendly to my sister. Perhaps I could help out a bit."

"Shut up," Edmund said his cheeks red. After a pause he asked, "How'd you know?"

"Just a hunch."

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Impatiently Peter squirmed as Katie stared at him. She had come into the room to see him and said hello. Then she just gave him a stone hard stare, without uttering a single word and Peter didn't know if he could take it anymore. "What?" Peter finally said.

"You're with my sister now correct?" Katie asked wanting it to be confirmed. All the evidence was there, but she had no real proof.

"Yes, I am."

"Kristina may be strong, but she is very emotional none the less. If you ever hurt her you don't want to know what I'll to do you."

"Don't you trust me?"

"I do, I'm just warning you. Treat her right. Treat her as if she was the most important girl in the world."

"I will, I promise."

"You really care for her don't you?" When Katie was worrying about Kristina, she thought that no one could reach the level of panic she was at, but she wondered if Peter had beaten her to it.

"I do."

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"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest," Edmund said as he read the scroll written by Peter aloud to Miraz and his council. "High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel and emperor of the Lone Islands, in order to prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do hereby challenge the usurper Miraz, to single combat onto the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender." As Edmund rolled the scroll back up, the others just looked at him and Kristina.

"Tell me Prince Edmund," Miraz started.

"King," Edmund corrected as he finished rolling up the scroll.

"Pardon me?"

"It's King Edmund actually. Just King though. Peter's the High King. I know it's confusing." So she wouldn't seem rude Kristina had to keep herself from giggling.

"Why would we risk such a proposal when our armies could wipe you out by nightfall?"

"Haven't you already underestimated our numbers? I mean only a week ago Narnian's were extinct."

"And High King Peter and the others were long gone," Kristina added.

"And who are you?" Miraz asked.

"Lady Kristina, granddaughter of the Magician's Nephew the first man to ever set foot in Narnia." Since it sounded so impressive, Kristina decided to use that introduction to others until she got a name of her own.

"No matter you will be gone along with the Narnians whoever's granddaughter you may be."

"Then you should have little to fear," Edmund commented.

With a loud laugh Miraz said, "This is not a question of bravery."

"Really?" Kristina questioned. "So you're bravely refusing, that way your army can do all the fighting for you."

"I didn't say I refuse."

"You shall have our support Your Majesty," a man said. "Whatever your decision."

"Sire," another man said. "Our military position alone provides the perfect excuse for what might otherwise—"

"I am not avoiding anything," Miraz argued heatedly as he jumped from his seat pulling out his sword. Once again Kristina was forced to hold in her laughter.

"I was merely pointing out that my lord is well with his rights to refuse."

"His Majesty would never refuse," the general standing behind Edmund and Kristina said. "He relishes to show the chance to the people the courage of their new King."

"You," Miraz said to Edmund pointing his sword at him. "You should hope your brother's sword is sharper than his pen." Kristina and Edmund just smirked.