Edmund went to be with his siblings, and Aragorn took a chance at standing. His legs were completely healed, and he had no problems.
Legolas grasped his friend's shoulder. "It is great to have you back."
Aragorn laughed. "I never thought to see you here! But I am more than thankful for my friend to be at my side."
"I would like to talk with you, Aragorn," said Aslan, "Follow me."
Aragorn and Legolas left the tent together, but before they parted ways, Legolas said, "I will be with the children practicing archery! Come join me later and you can teach them to properly sword fight!" He left with a twinkle in his eye.
As Aragorn and Aslan walked, the man couldn't help but wonder at the feeling that he somehow knew Aslan. It was like the lion was familiar to him, although before today they had never met.
"I must thank you for what you did back at the healer's tent. I did not expect anything from you. I am in your debt." Aragorn said.
Aslan stopped and sat. "You deserved it, from what you did for Edmund. Besides, you have many heights to rise to yourself, beyond Narnia. Darkness and despair are before you in your own land. Will you rise, or will you fall, Elessar?" The lion looked at him with knowing eyes.
Aragorn thought back to his own people, struggling to even survive. His whole life had been helping them, as well as fighting back against the enemy. And yet still Sauron's power grew, and darkness seemed to be availing. Yet not while hope still remained. Hope that was symbolized on the very necklace he wore; hope that the free peoples of Middle-Earth had. The Ring had yet to be found. Even in the total blackness of night, a star will still shine.
He looked to Aslan, his resolve firm once more. "I am named after hope, for I am called Estel. I will not forsake that hope."
"Indeed you are, Aragorn." Aslan said softly. He turned to walk back down the hill.
"Wait," called Aragorn. "You know me, and Legolas seems to know you. But I do not. How is it so?"
Aslan turned back to the man. "You know me, child. I go by many names." The lion then continued down the path.
Aragorn watched Aslan walk away, and he knew who he was. Eru Ilúvatar.
Aragorn walked over to the practice field, where Peter and Edmund where sword fighting on horses, and Susan and Lucy were practicing with a bow and knife, respectively. Legolas was teaching Susan the finer points of archery, and she seemed to have picked up on it extremely well.
"Strider!" Lucy called. "Come show me how to throw this knife!" She waved it in the air for emphasis.
He laughed. "I will, Lucy. And then I shall teach your brothers how to properly swordfight!" Peter and Edmund immediately looked embarrassed, though in reality Aragorn thought their swordplay was rather good for the short amount of time they've had.
Aragorn and Legolas began to teach the children, and they flourished under their direction. Susan began actually hitting bull's-eyes consistently, and Lucy was excellent at knife throwing. Peter and Edmund learned how to properly fight off horseback, as well as on foot. They also learned many sword moves that would need in combat.
After many hours, Susan exclaimed, "I'm famished! How about a nice picnic?" All agreed enthusiastically to her idea.
A sheet was laid out on the grass, and meats, cheeses, and breads provided. The Pevensie's and the two from Middle-Earth sat down to enjoy the meal.
Peter pointed to Legolas and Aragorn. "So you too seem to have known each other for a long time?"
"Indeed," answered Legolas, "I've known him since he was a wee child!" Aragorn smiled and shook his head at the jest.
The children laughed as well and Edmund asked, "Well really, how long have you known each other?"
"Nearly sixty years." Aragorn answered.
Susan looked disbelieving at Aragorn. "You are not even that old! How is that possible?"
"Do not let looks deceive you," said Aragorn, "For I am now seventy years of age. The blood of Númenor runs through my veins, and I will live to be twice the age of men. But do not let the elf deceive you either, for elves are immortal and Legolas is nearing his 1,783rd birthday."
Legolas shook his head. "No, mellon nin, it will be my 1,785th birthday." He smiled.
Exclamations of wonder came from the Pevensie's. Edmund scratched his head. "I really didn't imagine elves to be like you."
"Enough about us!" said Aragorn. "Tell me more about you and your family."
The mirth died and the children looked sad for a moment. "Well, father is off at war. We have not seen him in two years," Peter explained.
Susan continued, "Our whole country is at war, and mother sent us off to the country so we could be safe. But now it seems we are just in another war instead."
"I am sorry," said Aragorn, "I did not know. Indeed dark times are all around us for even back home we face inevitable war. But enough of that. Now is the time for merry-making and rejoicing of our union, even if it is short."
The group continued to exchange stories, often funny ones to lighten the mood. Peter would tell of pranks he played on Edmund, or Legolas would tell of a humorous adventure he and Aragorn went on. Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of Mr. Beaver.
"Oh! Good to see you two back, Edmund. Strider. But I have some very bad news indeed. The Witch has demanded a meeting with Aslan. She's on her way here!" he said hurriedly.
"What for?" exclaimed Peter.
"Nobody knows. But Aslan has agreed to meet her on condition that she comes without her wand." Mr. Beaver hurried off.
The group stood, forgetting their lunch. They began to apprehensively walk toward Aslan's tent. Aragorn stopped them for a moment. "Peter, Susan, Lucy, and Edmund. Stay by me and Legolas at all costs. Especially you." He looked at Edmund. The Pevensie's nodded, no argument was countered.
The group came to the side and back a little ways of where Aslan stood, just as the Witch's dark procession filed in. Legolas and Aragorn stood on either side of the Pevensie's, though Aragorn stood next to Edmund.
The Witch sat on a bier carried by four cyclops. Minotours followed her. She looked at Edmund, and then to Aragorn. If she was surprised to see him alive and standing, she did not show it. The procession stopped in front of Aslan, and the bier was lowered. The Witch stood, and spoke.
"You have a traitor in your midst, and every traitor belongs to me."
A/N: All words marked in italics are either directly or indirectly from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (movie).