I didn't mean to make you guys wait this long! Time just got away from me, so when I realized how long it had been I decided to make up for it by writing the longest chapter yet! I have the rest of the story already planned out, so I can promise you there are some exciting major things coming up :D But for now, enjoy!

"Mary, stay back," Edmund warned sternly, his eyes darker than Mary remembered.

"I have to help-"

"Stay back." Mary tried to move forward but suddenly found Edmund's hand on her stomach, his face turning back and nearly touching hers. "You do not understand what she can do. Stay here."

"Edmund," Mary pleaded as he turned around, reaching out to pull him back but finding him quickly out of reach. He was immediately confronted by the werewolf that had been circling Caspian, the creature dodging Edmund's sword and pushing him back against the stone wall. Lucy rushed past Mary and began fighting Nikabrik, pulling out her dagger although she was disarmed a moment later, her arm twisted behind her back.

"Susan, I have no weapon. What do I do?" Susan had located her bow and arrows and was placing one on the string, glancing at Mary as if she had forgotten she was there.

"Do as Edmund said and stay back." Susan aimed her arrow at the wall of ice, but before she released the arrow she was knocked down by the hag and was pinned to the ground, the creature laughing shrilly in her face.

Mary felt lost and useless and for a moment she wondered why she was there. She realized there was nothing she could do to help them, neither in this moment nor in the war to come. She had become just another thing they needed to protect—a liability. She had no place—not with the Telmarines and not with the Narnians. She watched Edmund draw the werewolf back and jump up onto the ledge, coming down and pulling his sword across its front. Trumpkin had pulled Lucy out of the way, facing his old friend and pleading for him to stop, but Nikabrik fell with a dagger in his chest. Susan had kicked the hag off of her, not hesitating in pushing an arrow through it when it came at her again. All three had found their own victories while Mary had done nothing more than what she was told—to stay back.

But when her focus returned to the White Witch it was no longer Caspian who stood in front of her outreached hand.

"Peter? Peter, what are you doing?" Mary began walking forward, stopping once she reached the stone table. She could only see Peter's back, but his sword was down by his side and his arm had moved slightly closer to the witch's hand. He was no longer in a defensive position, and it was evident that he was considering whatever the witch was offering. "Peter!" Mary screamed so loudly that the chaos around her fell silent, calling the attention of Susan, Lucy, and Trumpkin to her. Peter seemed unaware of the sudden silence and remained staring at the witch's hand. Mary too was unaware of their eyes suddenly on her as she was instead focused on eyes she had never seen and that had never seen her. There was a recognition in them as they looked at Peter, but when they met Mary there was confusion that turned to a dark interest, an interest that seemed to send ice through Mary's blood to her very heart. Mary thought herself mistaken when she believed a look of adoration warmed the witch's face, and in a way Mary came to understand her lure. She was so motherly in her appeal—she appeared to be something to come to when lost. Mary felt herself lost, but perhaps that was a feeling that was inside everyone, not just herself, and therefore it was a terrible temptation for all. Mary watched the look of confusion turn to one that reflected understanding, a forbidden knowledge that led the witch to know everything about Mary—her desires, her fears, her weaknesses. Mary wondered if it were possible or if it were simply an illusion.

"Ah," she whispered, her breath cloudy within the ice, her eyes catching Mary's with such intensity that she believed the witch's gaze alone had stolen her breath. The witch smiled as if she had something to say, but instead she quickly withdrew her hand and her face lost its deception and showed fear, a crack appearing in the ice as a sword was pushed through her body. Her hands curled into fists and her hair became wild, the crack spreading throughout the ice until it shattered, breaking Peter from his trance. They all ducked and covered their heads as the ice fell in large pieces, no longer any trace of the White Witch in them.

It was Edmund who stood with his sword above his head, his eyes closed until the ice no longer fell. His brother stood and faced him, unable to speak.

"I know, you had it sorted," Edmund said, placing his sword back in its sheath and walking away.

"I should go talk to him," Peter said, looking back at the others.

"Peter, I don't think he's going to want to talk to you right now. Maybe someone else should," Susan suggested, looking at her brother with concern. "Peter-"

"That's fine." Peter placed the sword back into its sheath and left the room.

"Mary," Susan spoke without looking over to her, still looking after Peter as he walked away, but Mary understood.

"Yeah," she responded quietly, looking to Lucy who nodded although she seemed like she was still struggling to process what had happened. Mary left through the passage Edmund had taken, feeling her way through until she saw where the tunnel let out and could see the outline of where Edmund was sitting. He was nothing but a dark figure in comparison to the white moonlight, and Mary stood where she was preparing herself to hear the story of the White Witch—the terrifying evil which seemed to be Edmund's greatest demon. However, learning of Edmund's dark past was inevitable, and it was time she understood what seemed to constantly torture the boy who seemed to have found such powerful redemption in the eyes of every one beside himself.

She sat quietly beside him and placed her hand next to his, looking down at her feet that were hanging from the edge. They were overlooking the field in front of Aslan's How, unable to hear the beating of metal as the weapons were made or the whispers of the Narnians as they worried about what was to come. It was a silence that was hard to find in a time of war, and Mary took the opportunity to look at Edmund beside her and think about everything they had been through. She thought back to the first night when he ran into her and how she believed he was the greatest threat she had ever faced. It was strange now to think her greatest threat had been within those protective walls all along.

"I had to persuade Ana to help me. It took a lot of persuasion, really. She thought I was crazy to help you—that I didn't know what I was getting into. I suppose she was right in that way. But I had to help you; you had to leave. She told me she would do anything for me, even die for me. It's terrifying knowing there is someone who is willing to sacrifice so much for you. I couldn't help but wonder if I was worth it, and I truly believed I wasn't." Mary glanced at Edmund, but he hadn't moved. He was still staring straight ahead with a blank expression. She decided to continue. "The night she told me there had been a response to the letter and you were to leave the next day, she told me she thought someone had seen her. I told her she was paranoid. She was so scared and so sure that someone had been watching her, but I told her she would be fine. The next morning I woke up and she was dead. My father had her killed for being a traitor when she was only being loyal to me as she had been all her life. I was the traitor; I should have been killed. But her death wasn't what scared me most. When I found her dead, initially I was horrified, of course, but after the shock wore off there was something else I started to feel—something I tried to ignore. I felt relieved." Edmund turned his head quickly and looked at her with his eyebrows drawn together, considering what she had said but unable to understand. Now with his attention on her Mary felt nervous to speak, but she continued. "I was free. I had every reason to leave and I wanted to so badly. I hated myself for it, but I knew Ana's death had to happen for me to escape. I betrayed her because I didn't listen, and somehow I still got what I needed. It's unfair, but I'm here now so for some reason this all had to happen it seems. I don't know why yet, but maybe if I'm patient I will learn."

Edmund nodded slowly then looked down at his feet, pulling up some grass and pulling it apart in his hands. Mary sighed and understood that he would tell her more when it was time, but she had hoped her opening up to him would invite him to do the same. Feeling he needed some time to himself, Mary decided to leave him, but before drawing her legs back up she turned towards him and placed a hand on the other side of his face and the back of his head, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. She lingered for a moment and pressed her forehead against his temple, feeling his cold skin warm up as he blushed. "When you're ready to talk, I'll be here," she whispered. She pulled away from him and started to stand.

"Lucy found Narnia first." Mary stopped and looked at him, his eyes filled with guilt as he spoke. "No one would believe her, but soon after I found it too. I had been so rude to her, mocking her when she spoke of this made-up world. But I followed her and found myself in this place too, but she had disappeared to visit a faun she had befriended and I was left alone. That's when I met the White Witch. She let me on her sleigh, wrapped me in blankets, and gave me whatever I asked for. More than anything, I told her, I wanted Turkish Delight." Mary recognized the name, thinking about where she had heard it.

"My father. He said something about wishing he had Turkish Delight to give you so you'd tell us where the Narnians were."

"He was mocking me. Studied our history, although I doubt he took the time to learn the rest of it. It wasn't the Turkish Delight that drew me to her. It was the things she said—the things I wanted. Peter has always seemed to overshadow me, more so when I was younger, and I was always so angry because of that. She told me she had always wanted a son like me because she needed an heir. She said if I brought my siblings to her I would be a prince. When I found Lucy she warned me that the White Witch was evil, and that she had declared herself queen, but I didn't care what Lucy said. I was going to be a prince. When my siblings came to Narnia they refused to follow me, so I left them to be with her. She was going to grant me everything I desired. However, when I got there and she saw I was alone, she became furious. I told her I could take her to my siblings, but until then she locked me in the dungeon. It was a little late for me to finally realize that Lucy was right, and that she was truly evil, but I had already sold out my siblings for a promise of power, one that I had come to realize was worth nothing. When we couldn't find them she decided to kill me, but the Narnians came in and rescued me. They had no reason to, but they did. With them, I thought I was safe; I met Aslan and he talked to me, and I asked for his forgiveness. He forgave me immediately, like it was no trouble to him. But a few days later the White Witch came for me, said she had the right to kill me. Aslan talked to her privately and said he took care of it, but I found out later he had promised to take my place."

"But she couldn't kill him because of that. Because he took your place the table broke and he came back."

"You knew-"

"Lucy told me about the table. She said the rest I needed to hear from you."

"And now that you have?"

"What are you expecting? That I'll think you're weak and a terrible person? To be honest, all I heard was you tell me a story about how you're human. You may think you betrayed your family, and maybe you did, but that was so long ago, and it was a mistake. That woman, the one I saw today, the one who broke down Peter's defenses just by talking to him, was the most fearful thing I've ever faced; it wasn't because she looked terrifying or seemed to be a threat, it was because she knew exactly what to say to get Peter's attention although he knew how dangerous she was. When she looked at me, I knew she could do the same to me. You were a child when you faced her the first time. This time, you were the only one who stopped her without hesitation. Haven't you proven yourself by now?"

"It's not about proving myself."

"Then what is it about? Is it about changing what happened, because that's impossible. I would say if anything it should be about forgiving yourself, and that seems fairly overdue. Aslan wouldn't have died for you then named you king if he had any doubt about the person you were or the decisions you'd make. You need to believe in yourself as much as he does, and your siblings, the Narnians, and I do." Edmund's face had relaxed and he had dropped the grass he had been tearing. He looked up at the moon and then out across the field.

"I should go talk to Peter, shouldn't I?"

"Probably." Edmund stood and held out his hand, helping Mary up then pulling her into a hug.

"Thanks," he whispered into her hair. He left through the passage he came through, leaving Mary behind as she sat back down and closed her eyes, breathing deeply and trying to forget the haunting image of the White Witch.


"Well go ahead, take it." Edmund held his sword at his side and handed one to Mary, smiling at how unsure she was as she took it.

"It's heavy," she complained, holding it with both hands.

"Are you sure you don't want Susan to teach you how to use a bow and arrow instead?"

"No, I want to fight with a sword." Edmund shrugged and held his sword out. Mary stepped forward and hit her sword against his, but he didn't move.

"You're not supposed to aim for my sword. You're supposed to try to hit me."

"But I'll hurt you."

"You're not going to hurt me. I won't let you," he said smiling, pushing her back and hitting her sword out of her hand.

"Then you're going to hurt me."

"I'm not going to hurt you."

"How can you be sure?"

"I won't let you get hurt. Now pick up your sword. You need to hold it tighter."

"I can't hold it any tighter," Mary complained under her breath as she picked her sword up from the ground, returning to the appropriate stance Edmund had shown her earlier and holding her sword as firmly as she could. "Well are you going to do anything?" Mary let the tip of her sword fall to the ground as she looked at Edmund in frustration.

"Like what? No matter what I do you're going to stop me. I'm starting to wonder if there really is any point to this. It takes years to master a skill like this, years I don't have."

"Do remember you're the one who came to me. Anyway, don't give up yet. Now come on; you'd much rather be on the offensive." Mary rolled her eyes and lifted the sword back up, swinging it towards Edmund's side, but suddenly she found he had moved forward and as she stepped back she fell over his foot and hit the ground. She looked up at him with her mouth opened in disbelief, laughing as she took his hand and he helped pull her back up.

"You jerk!" she said, pushing him back. "You said I would be on the offensive. You tripped me!"

"I said you would rather be on the offensive, not that you would be. That's up to you." Mary watched Edmund try to hide his smile but it slowly started to show, causing her to push him again.

"It's not funny! How does tripping me help me with a sword anyway? You are teaching me to fight with a sword, remember?"

"Ah, but see, there's your problem. You're not just fighting with a sword. You're using everything around you to make an opportunity for the sword. Especially for you; you'll be fighting grown men, men who are stronger than Peter and myself. None of us can rely on strength alone. You have to put them at a disadvantage before you can strike." Mary nodded, still glaring at Edmund but unable to keep her expression serious.

"I understand, but was tripping me really necessary to make that point? You could have just told me."

"It wouldn't have been as effective," Edmund said shrugging. He looked down at his feet and kicked at the ground, his smile growing. "Or funny."


"They've been practicing all day, Susan. You really think she'll be ready to fight when the time comes?" Lucy asked with concern, her chin resting in her hands. Susan lowered her bow and looked over her shoulder at Lucy, rolling her eyes and looking back to aim her arrow at the target.

"Edmund's the best she could learn from. He'll make sure she's ready."

"He really likes her, doesn't he?" Susan relaxed and lowered her bow again, walking over to where Lucy sat and sitting next to her. She watched the scene Lucy had been watching and couldn't help but smile herself when she saw how happy her brother looked. It had been a long time since she had seen him smile like that—ever since they were pulled from Narnia he seemed lost, like he had lost his identity. Not only that, but the guilt from what happened with the White Witch had always seemed to be present, but she could see it finally slipping away as he smiled at Mary and held out his hand to help her up.

"I would say so," Susan answered, glancing at Lucy and putting her arm around her, pulling her closer and letting her rest her head on her shoulder. "And I'd say she likes him too."

"What do you think happened, anyway, when he was taken prisoner? There's a lot we haven't heard, and I'd like to know how they crossed paths exactly. It all seems so strange."

"Well maybe they'll tell us when all this has passed. We're lucky though, that Mary found Edmund."

"Why?" Lucy asked, sitting up and turning to face Susan. "Because she helped us free him?"

"Yes, because of that, but for another reason, mostly."

"And that is?" Lucy asked anxiously, studying Susan's face.

"She's going to save him somehow, I know it. Whether it be from his own demons or something else, she's going to save him."


She was becoming tired, but she was too proud to say anything and continued following Edmund's instructions as she fought. She moved around him and gasped when she saw how close her blade came to him, but before it touched he had managed to block it, pushing it away from him as well as Mary. She stumbled back, their swords still touching as he grabbed her arm and held her up. "You hesitated."

"I don't want to hurt you, although with you tripping me and all, I am a little less resistant, now. I'm sorry," she defended when he didn't respond.

"Well stop acting like you're fighting me." Mary wondered if he realized that sword fighting did not come as easily to others as it did to him, and she was becoming frustrated with how simple it was in his mind. She pulled her arm from his and stepped back, pulling her sword back and then pushing it forward with her whole body, coming down on his sword much harder than she had before. He seemed surprised initially by her change in strength, but then he smiled when he realized it had worked. She didn't hesitate to pull the sword back and drive it forward again, aiming for his legs, his side, his neck. She was pushing him back with her attacks and with each strike became angrier, her mind beginning to address all the things she had been distracted from. There were many issues that involved her father that were left unresolved when she left—things she wanted to say to him, but hadn't found the chance. He had betrayed her, lied to her, manipulated her, and ultimately used her as a sacrifice to get what he wanted. He was no longer a loving father, but instead a ruthless king.

Edmund worried that she was losing control as she worked out her frustration, knowing she had not been given the time she needed. However, he couldn't help but enjoy the new force she fought with as he was finally able to truly fight back. She needed to be able to use this strength if she were to face her father's soldiers, and knowing she was capable of it helped Edmund to relax at the thought of her putting herself in the middle of battle if that were what it came to. But although he was able to recognize the therapy fighting provided her, he also recognized that she couldn't face it all at once and if she tried she would be facing a breakdown she couldn't handle in that moment. Edmund ducked beneath her sword and moved behind her, immediately hitting her sword when she turned around and slowly pushing her back with each hit until she was back against the wall of the How. Once she realized what he had done she tried to move forward, but he pressed his sword against hers and continued to push against her, her arms folding under the pressure until the two swords kept her pinned against the wall.

"That was better."

"Maybe so, but still not good enough." Mary tried to push against him and free herself, but he wouldn't budge. She looked up at him in confusion and tried again, but he still wouldn't move. "What are you-"

"You've never fought in a war before. You've never had to kill someone. Learning how to fight is hard enough, but are you going to be able to finish a fight? Like really finish it? Back at the castle when we escaped, I only knocked out those two guards. In war, I can't do that." Mary relaxed back against the wall and frowned, looking away from Edmund and to her feet, then back up.

"Survival is the most basic human instinct, and when the time comes, I will do anything it takes to survive. When they wear those helmets, I will have to convince myself there is not a man behind it. I can't help but think if you were able to do it, you being one of the most righteous people I know, I will find that I can do it too."

"Righteous?"

"That is what I said, is it not? I know you will never believe me, but it is true." For the first time since they met, Mary watched Edmund's face soften, and when he looked at her it looked as though the pain he harbored had begun to melt. "King Edmund the Just, right?" Mary smiled briefly and continued to look at Edmund, beginning to notice how close they were. Her eyes couldn't help shifting between his eyes and his lips, her heart beating quickly as he seemed to move even closer, his eyes doing the same.

"Edmund!" Peter called, walking out of Aslan's How and into the field, attracting Susan and Lucy's attention as well as he rushed their way. Edmund moved away from Mary, Mary coming to stand next to him as Peter approached.

"What is it, Pete?"

"It's time."

You might be able to guess what this means if you remember the movie :) I hope you enjoyed, and wait around until the next chapter!