Disclaimer: don't own. Sorry. Chapter 37!
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The Army of Narnia

Mollie was entering the last fight of the day. She was against Elvina. Mollie had been watching Elvina and although she had improved her earlier weakness, she hadn't yet stopped the moments of hesitant pauses. This was how Mollie won their match, Elvina paused for a second and Mollie took advantage of it to bring her sword up to her chest. The arena exploded with cheers as Mollie took off her helmet and bowed to Elvina who bowed back and scooped up her sword.
"Well done, you played well" Mollie said.
"Thank you. I congratulate you on your victory" Elvina replied.
"I wonder who I play in the finals" Mollie said.
"The Queen Lucy won her match earlier. You face her" Elvina said.
"I must go congratulate her. See you at supper Elvina" Mollie said, she waved and walked off.

Lucy was easily found. She was in the armoury hanging up her chainmail.

"Congratulations!" Lucy beamed.
"Congratulations to you too" Mollie replied. "I've got to say that last move was amazing. Who taught you it?"
"Peter, it was about 2 months ago" Lucy replied
"Well Lucy, I'll look forward to meeting you in the final tomorrow" Mollie said
"Yes, good luck" Lucy replied
"I'm facing you, I'll need it" Mollie said "Good luck to you"
"Sleep well" Lucy said before yawning and leaving the room. Mollie exited after her and walked up the stairs in silence. She knew the match with Lucy would be hard, both Queens knew exactly what they were doing. Lucy had flown through the matches, barely breaking a sweat, whereas Mollie was finding it harder and waited for her opponent to make a mistake before seizing on it.

As Mollie turned towards the castle she suddenly beamed. Her eyes lighting up as she twirled in a circle. She heard a rip but thought nothing of it. she danced into the castle her hair spinning around her head.
"I'm in the finals Edmund" she beamed as he exited Callie's room.
"I know Mols. I watched you" he replied with a smile. "Callie told me to tell you that you are the 'best Knight in the world' I wouldn't have bothered but she made me promise"

The next morning dawned with an overcast sky. Mollie woke and headed down to the armoury. She sat and polished her armour, ending with her sword. Her hands ran over the metal, gripping the tunic, sliding down the flat of her blade. She then picked it up and carried it up to her room, where she kicked Edmund out of bed and threw it all down. As the morning progressed Mollie paced, she attempted some practise inside her room, but after she cut the curtains she gave up. At 11am she began to dress. Her padded top had been mended for where she had caught it, celebrating the evening before.
"Ready?" Edmund asked as he helped her into her chainmail. Mollie nodded and he looked at her curiously "Are you nervous" she shook her head "You are!"
"So, this is the final Edmund, can you help that I'm nervous fighting the best fighter we have" Mollie snapped.
"Just think of her as you would another opponent" Edmund said.
"Mollie, time to go" Peter said, sticking his head around the door.
"I'll be cheering for you… and Lucy" Edmund grinned. Mollie scooped up her sword and walked out, following Peter down to the arena. She stood in front of the raised seating and bowed to the two Kings and Queens then faced Lucy.

The armour was good, dwarven forged and held well. All Mollie could see through Lucy's helmet was a pair of glinting eyes. Their swords flashed in the sun, as they waited. Mollie moved first, her sword smashing down towards Lucy who blocked it, throwing it backwards and striking. Mollie stuck and Lucy parried. The match continued in this vein until Lucy managed to knock Mollie's helmet off, she stumbled backwards and Lucy pressed forward. Mollie twisted to avoid a particularly good lunge and fell. Lucy had recovered and had her sword at Mollie's throat before she could move. Once Lucy had removed it and helped Mollie stand, the Queens hugged as the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Congratulations sister" Mollie said in Lucy's ear.
"Thank you" Lucy replied "But you fought valiantly"
"I think you mean bravely" Mollie replied and they laughed.

Mollie clapped as Lucy received her prize. Peter handed Lucy the box of coins. The part adjourned inside as the clouds broke and rain began to pour down. Once everyone had changed from their rain splattered clothing into their finery, they met in the throne room where Peter once again congratulated his sister and thanked Marli for bringing his warriors and providing the idea for the tournament. After Peter's speech the servants brought out food and the musicians struck up. Lucy got the first dance with Peter, as she had won and Mollie got the second.
"You alright Mols?" Edmund asked.
"I'm feeling tired. I shouldn't have competed" Mollie replied.
"Oh?" he asked.
"It's wearing me out. That poison hasn't gone yet" she replied. "I'm going for a walk. See you soon"
"Are you sure you don't want company?" Edmund asked.
"Sure" she replied. She walked out the door, her hand on her sword and her smile bright.

Mollie didn't know what led her down the halls towards the gallery, but that was where she ended up. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted a candle light, moving in the darkness. She leant against the wall, her sword out in front of her as the light got close and she made out a figure, no one she had seen before. They gazed upon her with pale green eyes.
"This is the Royal Collection. And I'm the Queen" Mollie said "Who are you and what on earth do you think you're doing down here?"
"Majesty!" the woman curtsied nervously "my children starve. I just wanted food"
"Why not the kitchens?" Mollie asked.
"Kitchens are full of people. I though if I took a painting by a well known painter, just a small one, I would sell it for some food, for my children"
"You know stealing is a crime, punishable by a prison sentence"
"I know Majesty, but my children they need food, they have gone for a week without it, I do not do this for myself, only for my children"

"Give me the painting" Mollie looked at it "How did you know this would be worth anything?"
"I'm an artist." She replied. Mollie produced some money from her belt. She threw the little bag at the woman who took it gratefully.
"Thank you Majesty" she said.
"Don't let me catch you stealing again, I wont be so lenient next time" Mollie replied and marched the woman to a door "I would leave the grounds and get back to your children"

Mollie entered the hall, heading straight to Edmund who was glowering at someone.
"Who's upset you?" Mollie asked.
"No one. Had a nice walk?" he replied, eager to change the subject.
"It was lovely" Mollie said.
"Glad you enjoyed it. Now my darling Mollie, I must show you Kye, he is almost as good a dancer as you now" Edmund laughed. Mollie looked to where he was pointing. Trillian was patiently teaching him to dance. She had rolled her eyes at the Prince a few times but eventually she had him dancing properly.

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Hey. Sorry I was forever. So, I got myself a Beta, but this chapter hasn't been Beta'd coz I figured it was late enough. Enjoy!

Jedhev.
P.S I finished my exams. But I keep getting asked to do overtime and I'm REALLY bad at saying no.