Warning: Some sexual references in this chapter—via humorous innuendos…I blame my beta and friend for influencing me in her pervy ways. Need proof? Check out the story we write together in the Inheritance Cycle fandom, if you're a fan of the books.

Disclaimer: I do not own Chronicles of Narnia or any of its characters except for Alexa, my OC.


~The In Between Times~

Chapter 9 – Year Fourteen

Month Four

"Please be careful," Alexa called to the three as they left. Peter looked over his shoulder at his wife, giving her playful grin.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine," he said as they turned the corner.

"I wasn't referring to you," she said in clipped tones, though she knew he could no longer hear her. The Queen sighed and doubled back into the study. 'Perhaps I'll get some work done this day,' she mused.


Garrett frowned as the metal sword in his hand was replaced by wood. Peter gave his son a lopsided grin before setting the real weapon to the side.

"Why can't I just use the real one?" the young prince asked.

"Because your mother would have a fit if you did. Anyway, it was the deal, remember?" Edmund, now finished with polishing his sword, walked over.

"Yes, but it's been two years since I started. How much longer to I have to wait?" Edmund shared an amused look with his brother.

"He has a point, Pete. When are you going to let him use a real sword?" Peter gave him a withering look, but then turned to the hopeful face of his son…and deflated a bit.

"I'll tell you what. If you can manage to get a clear hit on me, I'll let you start training with steel." Peter saw Garrett blanch slightly, and gave a grin.

"But Dad, you've got way more experience than me!" Garrett protested. He looked to Edmund for assistance, but the Just King only put up his hands in defense.

"I'm not in this. It's your father's call," he said with a grin. Peter looked to Garrett expectantly, who finally sighed in defeat.

"Alright, so I have to hit you?" he asked. Peter nodded, a smile stretching across his face. He got into position, waiting for his son to do the same. Garrett huffed, but did as well, waiting for his father's attack. In a flash, Peter had sprung, aiming a hit to the shoulder at half strength. The boy deflected and gave a counter attack. He knew that Peter wasn't really fighting, just testing him. But one day he would get strong enough to go toe to toe with his father. Not as an equal, for he also knew that he would probably never be able to beat Peter, but close enough to hold his own in an actual sparring match.

They went on like this for some time, until finally, Garrett found his opening. His mother came around the corner, pausing in her steps for a moment to watch. She waved at Peter, only distracting the King for half a second. But Garrett used the moment to hit his opponent on the side opposite of Peter's sword hand. The connection made Peter react quickly, swiping at Garrett's sword near the hilt, making the boy reflexively let go of it. The wood clattered to the floor, distracting Garrett enough to let Peter grab him from behind and lightly tap his stomach with the tip of Peter's own wooden sword.

Both Edmund and Alexa clapped as Garrett grunted, attempting to wiggle out of his laughing father's grasp.

"You're getting better Garrett, just don't get distracted," said Alexa, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Garret gets distracted, what about Peter? I can't believe a little wave of the queen's hand got you to look at her," Edmund said with a smirk. Peter rolled his eyes, letting the sword hang to his side. Garrett was able to get away from Peter's entrapping grip, but still stayed by his side.

"I don't know why I did. She usually never distracts me," Peter said with a cheeky grin. Alexa raised a brow.

"You know, you're not setting a good example to your son by lying so outrageously," she said with an air of nonchalance. Both Peter and Edmund laughed as Garrett frowned.

"Daddy, lying isn't good! Liars don't get dessert after dinner!" Edmund dissolved into laughter once more at how scandalized the child appeared.

"I wasn't lying, son. What I said was true," Peter said with a smirk, though his gaze was on his wife, who gave him a knowing look.

"Hmm, I sincerely doubt that one, Pete," said Edmund. "I recall numerous training sessions Alexa won against you because of her distractions." Alexa's eyes widened as she turned to slap the Just King on the shoulder, while Peter laughed. Garrett only watched in confusion, not understanding the double meaning of his uncle's words.

"Garrett, could you get Daddy a drink of water from the kitchen?" Alexa asked.

"Yes, Mommy." Once the boy had closed the door behind him, the Queen turned on Edmund.

"What do you mean by my distractions?" Peter burst out into laughter once again.

"Such a cunning fox, pretends to be an innocent lamb when previous transgressions are brought into question," said the High King, who shared a knowing look with Edmund.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said.

"I'm sure," he replied with all sincerity could offer.

"How, exactly, did I distract you during training? And when, for that matter?"

Edmund chortled.

"When we were courting you used to flirt, quite outrageously I might add," said Peter.

"What? I don't understand. How did I flirt?"

"You didn't know?" Edmund asked incredulously.

"It was quite obvious, in our opinion," added Peter. Alexa exhaled loudly in exasperation.

"Care to enlighten me?" she asked.

"Well, it's actually quite hard to explain. Ed?" Peter looked to his brother for assistance.

"Huh, well I think it was just the way she looked at you like a lioness goes after her prey."

"What?" Alexa exclaimed.

"I remember that, but that could have very well been just her 'focus face,' as I like to call it."

"Though, it did seem quite on purpose. Along with the little smug smirk that crossed her face whenever she knew she had you cornered." Alexa was speechless as the accusations flew.

"Oh yes, I remember that well. I felt like her prey then. Those looks probably made me sweat more than the exercise."

"Or when she looked at you over her shoulder, eyes lowered when she asked if you would like to spar with her." Peter paused, giving his brother a look.

"That came out in the wrong way, but she did do that often," Edmund said sheepishly, a blush staining his cheeks. 'Dear Aslan, I need to think before I say things,' he thought.

"Well…that one was on purpose, I'll admit. But none of the others!" Alexa said quickly, feeling her face get hot.

"Aha, so you admit to your flirtery!" Peter said with a grin.

"Brilliant, Peter. You made a new word. And I admit to that one thing. The others your perverse mind twisted. So typical of a man," she remarked with a roll of her eyes.

"Are you insulting my gentlemanly qualities?" Peter asked.

"I am saying that all men, no matter how much of a gentleman they might be, are still men. Men with minds from the gutter," Alexa quipped.

"I'm just going to take my leave now…" Edmund trailed off, seeing as neither his brother nor his sister-in-law were paying attention to him. He walked away and stopped Garrett, who almost passed him.

"Come along, Monkey. Your parents are having a private conversation," Edmund said dryly, ignoring the boy's protests as he led him into the Cair.


"Now you're just insulting my purity," Peter said, though he grinned as she smirked.

"What purity? You lost that long ago, to me."

"Purity in mind, love," Peter said through his laughter.

"Right. As if today didn't squash that theory. Try again."

"When did you get such a silver tongue? You were never this quick-witted when I met you."

"I wasn't confident then, love."

"What changed?"

"Becoming friends with you and your family, sharing partial responsibility in ruling a country. I think those things had a little to do with it." Alexa grinned.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you can so easily engage me in a verbal spar and almost win."

"Almost? I believe I'm winning."

"I sincerely doubt that," Peter said, edging closer to her.

"You heard what you're son said. Liars don't get dessert after dinner. If you want yours, I suggest you up your ante." Peter raised his eyebrows, though his grin could be described as wicked (a sight not commonly seen in Cair Paravel…or in all of Narnia for that matter).

"Is that a challenge?"

"Want to test me? I think you'll find me a worthy opponent." Alexa allowed him to get close enough that she had to crane her neck upward to look at his face.

"I already know you're a worthy opponent. Why do you think that ring is on your finger?"

"Because you can't resist my…charms." Here she batted her eye lashes exaggeratingly, making him chuckle. He was just about to close the gap between their lips when Alexa smiled, and quickly ducked and ran. Peter only watched, momentarily stunned. She looked over her shoulder flirtatiously with "lowered eyes," before running around the corner.

He laughed as he thought, 'she did that on purpose.' Peter took off after her.


"Uncle Ed, I hit him. That means I can train with the real sword now, right?" Garrett asked. Edmund appeared thoughtful.

"Hmm, I guess you're right." 'Alexa won't be happy about this one, but then again, that's why we have Peter.'

Haha, interpret that last sentence as you will. ^_^ I repeat from my last author's note: if anyone has any request one-shots or ideas for one that you would like me to write, feel free to let me know. I've been craving to write another.