A/N: Thank you so much for the support everyone reading, especially appreciate the reviews very much they literally keep me motivated to write when am slacking off. I do want to call attention a few changes though, Chapter 14 has been edited and a few elements changed so if you notice any inconsistencies in the following chapters I shall change them soon! Now, I hope you enjoy this though it is a bit on the short side and kind of a filler chapter.. please dont forget to favourite/follow and most importantly review on what you think about it even if it isnt positive, I'd love feedback of any kind :)
Chapter 18; a new play thing
Aline pulled her hair into a pony tail, taking a minute to glance at the reflection in the mirror. Staring back at her was a quite put together young woman her chin up high ready to face the day yet hiding behind that misleading demeanor was her true thoughts a muddle of mixed feelings and emotions.
She dabbed on a bit of powder under her eyes completing the facade and hiding the fact that the girl on the other side of the mirror stayed up all night. She knew they'd come to a decision of remaining friends and put aside their flirty banter that only kept going in circles, but Aline wondered how long that would work out for them.
Ever since she'd begun spending more time with Edmund, her feelings for him only deepened. Yes, she understood the implications of his role and what would anything serious with him mean, yet she wasn't sure she wanted to completely let go of the notion.. not with his speech yesterday which more than implied his mixed feelings.. or did it?
Aline forced down the butterflies in her stomach, reminding herself of exactly who he was. She remembered the way he held her wrists too tight to the point they bruised, that time he slammed his fists to the wall and every single time he'd do or say something to threaten her and not to mention the- NO! She stopped herself firmly.. she wasn't thinking of what had happened so far instead she was stuck in this magic land with no way out and she was going to do her best to survive which for now meant cutting off her temptingly toxic Prince Charming.
Aline groaned mentally, just her luck that she was now supposed to have sparring lessons with the above mentioned temptingly toxic Prince- nay, King Charming of hers.
King Edmund was already there waiting for her wooden swords in hand by the time she made it to the training grounds. "You're late." Edmund noted.
"Well, I'm here now," she stated, not missing the way the King seemed to avoid her, his focus seeming to sweep across everything except, well, her. "So let's start shall we?" Aline said as she made her way to the sword racks so that she could pick up one, of the same weight she had been sparring in so far.
"Actually," Edmund cut across her, "that won't be necessary today. Congratulations Aline, you've graduated!"
She looked confused and rather bummed, she was actually beginning to enjoy the sparring lessons for a reason more than her instructor. She wasn't pro by any means but the fact that it wasn't just brute force but strategies and knowing your enemy and anticipating their next move intrigues her very much. Especially when she got a move and could utilize it perfectly. It gave her a sense of power. Maybe if she could have defended herself back then. Maybe things would've turned out to be very different.
"And what exactly does that mean?"
"It means that I think you're ready for the real deal, and now we're making a trip downtown."
"Real, as in an actual, sword? Like, the real weapon?"
He smiled crookedly, that smile that usually sent her heart beat to chaos, but this time she forced herself to look away down to the ground and not think of how it would feel if he pinned her down right now and kissed the breath out of her. No, Aline, get a grip of yourself, dammit. "You don't expect to go around stabbing people with a piece of wood do you?"
"No," she conceded a bit too harshly, "I just dont think me and sharp objects go together too well."
They had made their way to the stables by then and Edmund replied as he mounted Phillip, "In that case, I am surely going to be having an interesting day today," he laughed to which she felt her heart constrict. Maybe he truly did mean what he said after all.
"We're going to the ironsmith," he informed her, "Galladrion is well known throughout Narnia and the Eastern Lands for his excellent craftsmanship and a sword from Narnia's finest is a rite of passage for anyone aspiring to master the art of swordplay. His uncontested prowess requires him travelling throughout the lands, but lucky for us he is in Narnia right now and I managed to secure us an appointment. You should be honoured."
"I- I am," she stated however confused. This seemed a big deal so why waste it on her. Not like she intended to do any actual sword fighting anyways, it was just for self protection, "but why? If they ever would come a time I would have to use it, it'd be only for self protection, so why waste so much on it?"
"Because I want to," came his curt reply back. By now they were galloping through the Cair's streets. And for the first time Aline noticed all the difference it made riding through the city with the Just King instead of his much less intimidating sisters. Of course, she'd only been in the city, outside of the Castle walls once before with the Royal Sisters. The Castle in itself was pretty self sufficient and huge enough she never really felt like she missed out and it had always felt the more disorienting to see Talking Animals mingle and roam so freely amongst humans on the streets.
Travelling with Edmund however, unlike the sisters who warranted respect albeit in a friendly, aloof manner, with the Just King it was different. Heads bowed around them as creatures and humans alike scattered out of their way. Turning to glance at the Just King he was a picture of regal royalty that Aline shifted in her saddle arching her back up straight self consciously.
"You'll get used to it," Edmund noticed as if he read her mind and she nodded at him, "we're almost there," and so they came to a stop in front of a ironsmith's shop, the telltale heat from inside hitting her as Edmund helped her out the saddle.
A little boy ran around them before staring at Edmund his jaw open in what seemed to be curiosity and admiration, "You are the King Edmund!"
The Just King laughed, kneeling down to reach the kid's head, "That I am young one. And with me is Lady Aline. And you are?"
"I am Jon the apprentice at your service, your Majesty, my lady." Wasn't he too young to be an apprentice of any sort? she thought to herself taking in the little kid, who didnt seem to be over twelve years of age soot covering his face, hands and even turning his blonde hair black.
"Great to make your acquaintance little Jon, now go tell your master we're here to see him as he'd discussed," the King ruffled the kid's hair as the boy ran off to find his master.
"Isn't he too young to be an apprentice of any sorts?" she voiced her concern. "Edmund, it's wrong." her face set in a line.
"These kids arent overworked nor are they slaves. They learn a trade, which would become their livelihood. It's their way of life and I don't think it'd be in the Crown's best interests to disrupt it. Trust me," he cut her off score she could start, "I know we come from a world with extremely differing socio political issues, but I will not tolerate any sort of injustice in my land."
"If you say so," she muttered almost under her breath.
"Welcome! Welcome, to my humble work place, your Majesty!" greeted a thundering voice from inside, turning around Aline expected to be met with someone of the magnitude that their voice reasoned but instead was surprised as she was met with a dwarf. "No need for such formalities, old friend." the Just King corrected though it seemed to fall on dead ears as Galladrion was too busy staring at her, "My, this ones a beauty! You do know how to snap them gorgeous ones, ay Edmund?" he laughed.
"Oh no, it's not like that," Aline corrected despite her cheeks blushing the same, as Edmund proceeded with an eye roll to introduce her. "This is Lady Aline, who shall be requiring your excellent craftsmanship today."
Something seemed to shift in the dwarfs eyes as he unhinged his monocle wiping it with a cloth that was off his shoulder before putting it right back staring at her as his jaw dropped a little as an almost surprised sigh left him.
"Of course, Lady Aline. That is a beautiful name for a beautiful dame. Now, come on in you two," the dwarf beckoned, the inside of the workshop looking more like an old antique shop rather than a blacksmith. Weapons adorned the walls, silver swords, bows and arrows, various kind of knifes the ones with jewel embedded hilt's caught her attention in particular.
Aline ran her fingers across the daggers there her attention however captured by one in particular, a little aloof from the rest. Galladrion seemed to notice her interest, "Ah I see you've found some of my finest works. Those daggers, this in particular he held up a dagger engraved with blue gemstones, "Sapphires from the mines of Terabinthia. Lovely ain't she?"
Aline nodded in agreement however her gaze flickering to Edmund. So how was this supposed to work? Was she allowed to pick anything she wanted or did he have a particular something in mind? Well usually she wouldn't give a thought as to what he wanted her to get but since well, it is his money that is paying for this after all, seemed he did have a say in it it was only fair.
"Galladrion" he called, "actually we're here to find Aline here, a sword. Preferably something light weight," he added with a smirk at her to which she rolled her eyes.
"Ah, this way then Lady Aline, I'd like you to try these out.. hold them, feel them. The best weapons are like an extension of yourself. Find the one that speaks to you and she shall serve you well."
The old dwarfs eyes sparkled as he spoke about it, placing a sword in her hand, a sleek beautiful thing that caught the light as she twirled it. And with it commenced her taking a stance and a few twirls as Edmund judged whilst taking a couple swings that she parried. Some of it felt too heavy restricting her movement and the rest a bit too light she missed her shots.
After a while of this Aline grew tired of this. Turning around, a certain gold tinted glow caught her attention. Reaching out, she suddenly felt a haze settle in and everything else slowly blur out. Aline was aware of her brain going, oh no not now, don't let me faint now, as a distinctly familiar light humming in the back of her head. She took in a deep breath to dispel the sudden haze that settled as she tested the blade in her hands.
Dimly aware of something Edmund said, along the lines of "too heavy for you," she lifted it up.
It was beautiful. A rapier with a plain golden hilt no extravagant gem stones or anything of the sort adorning it. It was simple, elegant, its blade sharpened on both edges. I want this, Aline thought.
It sat perfectly in her hand just snug and when she lifted it, it moved fluidly perfectly balanced. That was when she realised Edmund staring at her, jaw dropped as she noted it was the first time today that he'd looked directly at her feeling a pang in her heart. "I'm taking this," Aline announced hoping her voice did not betray how rattled by his gaze she felt.
"My lady, are you sure?" Galladrion asked her though his gaze was directed towards the Just King.
"Why?" she question Galladrion, forcing him to direct his gaze back at her, "Is there anything I need to know about?"
"Well no, no of course not! Just that, the sword you're holding is no creation of mine. If I recall, I found it lying by a stream abandoned a long long time ago." the dwarf paused, "a long time ago indeed, when Narnia knew peace and I was just a boy. It has sat in my store since for ages. Of course, this might cost you a bit more-"
"We'll take it," Edmund interrupted the old dwarf, to which Aline thought madness.. this was just some plain sword probably abandoned by their owner that he'd acquired for virtually nothing and he's selling it for more?! No, she wasn't going to let an old dwarf as intimidating as he was make a payday out of her.
"No, Edmund. I don't think we're paying any extra for this," she interrupted him. "We're paying you exactly how much you'd charge for something you would've made. Plane of course, no embedded jewellery or any intricate designing, since as I've heard the detailings where the money lies, am I right, Galladrion?"
"You see, dove, this sword, means a lot to me, personally. It was what inspired in me the love for swordsmanship. And if you want it, you pay my price for it,"
"So you want us to pay for sentimental value? That's a great business model you've got there."
"This one, she feisty. I like her. You better not mess it up with this one eh Ed." the dwarf guffawed to a smirking Edmund. "Alright, you got me." he gave up, "You shall have it at a fair price."
"Not bad Winters that was some good negotiation out there,"
"Well least I saved you a couple Gold Crowns. Not that you would need it, now I realise." she added realizing that well, he ruled the damn country.
"I'm not complaining. It was entertaining to say the least,"
"Well then your Majesty, glad I could be your source of entertainment, for today."
They spent the entire day today, with their little trip to town and with him helping her get acquainted with her new play thing they'd just acquired. She was good with it, he'd noticed almost too good. It was almost like an entirely different person. She moved with precision and a grace he hadn't previously noticed in her and he had noticed her a lot. Not to mention that she actually put up a good fight with him.
Turning the door knob to his room, Edmund knew he had a lot to ponder on for the night. But on doing so realised that someone else had, very very different plans for him tonight.
"I've missed you so much yet you've kept me waiting out here alone for too long tonight, well guess you're just going to have to make it up to me."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter but now I'd like to talk about something important what's going on in the world right now. I hope you've all heard of George Floyd and the injustice that had been done to him. Link in my bio to donations for #blacklivesmatter most of them directly proceeding to bail funds to bail out protestors wrongly prosecuted over rioting over police brutality along with petitions to sign. If you cannot donate, it would just take a moment of your time to sign those so please do check it out! P.S Edmund would want you to!