Chapter Four - Training

"There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare" - Sun Tzu

Peter's POV

"Where is Adeline?" I asked. I had gotten to the breakfast table this morning, expecting to see my future bride, but she was no where to be seen. After last night, I had hoped that we could spend some time together, try to make things less awkward between us.

"She is in one of the training pavilions outside" - her stepmother, Lena, replies.

"Really?" - I say shockingly.

"Yes. When she was a child, she always saw all the soldiers train and had insisted on training along with them. It got to a certain point where we had to let her or she was gonna drive everyone in Winterfell up a wall" - Lord Stark had said with a tone of pride and laughter remembering a time long ago.

Needless to say, I was a little shocked. I had never thought that a lady of her status would want to or even be let to train like the soldiers. I guess I have a lot to learn.

The Training Pavilion

As we walk towards the pavilion, I see everyone in shorts and tanks. Shorts and tanks were something I expected from the men, but the women, especially Adeline, no way.

When Adelines parents and myself get to the pavilion, Adeline and her staff stoped what they were doing, look at us, and either bow or curtsey. I bow back, as a sign of respect.

With Adeline wearing the tank and shorts, I could tell how fit she was, which was hard to tell when she was wearing a dress. I had to admit, she was very attractive, had the right amount of curves and muscles in the right places. She caught me staring when our eyes met, I immediately looked away.

"So darling, why don't you spar with Katara, show Peter here your skills" - Lena had said to her daughter.

"No, um, we are done for the day" - Adeline had said almost embarrassed. Her and her staff had bowed or curtseyed and then left. I watched her leave and wonder why she seemed embarrassed, at least to me.

"Sorry about that Peter, she seemed to have been a bit embarrassed for you to see her in such a state" - Lena had said, interrupting my thought. I'm just glad I wasn't to only one who noticed.

Lunch

It was lunch. I had requested to have lunch alone with Adeline on a balcony. After talking with Edmund, it seemed like the best way to clear the air was a lunch date on a balcony after what happened this morning.

I go out and sit down on the balcony, early as usual, and waited. As I wait, my mind wanders to what life is gonna be like after we get married. I don't want to force her to do anything she doesn't want to do, but there is the issue of heirs. Will she be okay having sex with me? How many times would we have to do it in order to conceive a child? How many children would we need to have? After she gets pregnant, would we even have to sleep in the same bed? How will we manage being married with kids when we don't know a single thing about each other? So many unanswered questions.

I get interrupted by my thoughts when the servant comes in to announce she has arrived. As she comes in, she looks drastically different from this morning. I shouldn't be surprised, this morning I did see her after she just finished training. The lavender dress she has on is very conservative compared to what she was in this morning, again, I shouldn't be surprised. It looks stunning on her, especially since it brings out her amber eyes.

"Please sit" I say as I gesture to the chair across from me. She nods as the servant pulls out the chair for her to sit.

Once we are both settled the servant brings out tea for us to drink. I pour her and myself some. As we sit there in awkward silence, I decide to ask her something very personal.

"Adeline, why did you agree to this marriage?"

She gets this confused look on her face then looks up at me, "Why did you?"

Flashback

"The two years are almost up" Edmund says behind me.

"I know" I reply, looking out at the ocean on the balcony.

"What do you think she'll be like?" I ask hesitantly.

"From what I hear, she's very kind and smart," Edmund says, "You do know that there is a choice in this, you don't have to marry her."

"You know I don't, the treaty is very clear, and I do not intend to be the one to break the treaty," unfortunately, I think.

"Peter, that treaty was made ten years ago, right after the war, we were in need of allies, as many as we could get."

"Exactly!" I say frustratingly loud, "Edmund, do you really think that if I say no to this marriage it would go over well. King Odin is not a man who accepts no as an answer. He will see it as an act of war. You know that. You also know that if we were to go to war, there is no chance of winning. Narnians have always had a much deeper loyalty to them. I would too."

I look at his face, and realize he is just trying to look out for his big brother. "Thank you though," and with that, he nods to signal he accepts my apology and leaves me, knowing I need some space, for which I am thankful.

End of Flashback

"I guess that answers my question" I say as we both take a sip of our tea.

Back to awkward. Maybe this will be our normal. Not having a lot to say to each other but having so much in common. More than I ever knew.

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