3) Duels And Silence
"So how was dinner?" Susan asked Liz. They were sitting on Susan's bed, waiting for the day to catch up with them.
"It was great." Liz answered with a smile. "Peter agreed to teach me how to use my sword."
"Really? What else did he say?" Susan asked, pressuring her best friend.
"He likes the dress."
"Awesome! I told you he would!" Susan said.
"What about your dinner with Stephen."
"It was good…" Susan drifted off and looked at her friend's expression. "And I'm not revealing anything more!" With that, Liz went to her room and they went to bed.
The next morning, when Liz woke up, she didn't know where she was. Then it all came rushing back. She was in Narnia, Susan knew she liked Peter, and Peter was King of Narnia. Weird, she thought as she looked through the closet of clothes for something to wear. I did notice a change in all of the Pevensies after their first stay with Professor Kirke.
She picked out a red dress and walked to the dining hall, not bothering to wake up Susan. She walked into the Dining Hall and saw that only Peter was awake, beside her. He was sitting in the empty hall, eating a roll, with a pensive look on his face.
"Good morning Peter," She said cheerfully.
"Good morning Liz," He replied automatically. "Why are you up so early?"
"I've always been an early riser." Liz said, shrugging. She grabbed an apple and bit into it. "Is it just me, or is the food better here?"
"I agree, last time, when we went back, I couldn't even smell the food from home without gagging in disgust. It's just somehow they make it." Peter said with a wolfish grin.
"Are you gonna teach me how to fight?" She whined, trying to get her way.
"I might have a bit of time after lunch. I was thinking the six of us could have a picnic in the orchard. Then I'll teach you how to fight, and Edmund will teach Stephen." Peter said.
"Good, hopefully I can find something to wear besides all of these dresses." Liz joked. Stephen entered the room, still in his bedclothes. His hair was ruffled and he yawned.
"It would be appreciated if you dressed while you are in the presence of royalty." Peter said in his most kingly voice. Stephen jumped in surprise and went back to his room to get dressed. Susan came in with Lucy and Peter told them the plans for the day. He left to do his duties, leaving Lucy and Susan to bother Liz.
"So what were you guys talking about?" Lucy asked.
"We just made the lunch plans for today." Liz persisted. "Since you two, Edmund and Peter will be doing your royal duties, and Stephen will tag along, I'll go back and tell Professor Kirke we made it." Liz reached into her pocket, touched the ring, and disappeared.
"Elizabeth! Did you make it?" Professor Kirke asked.
"Yes, thank you so much. I've never been in a place that feels more like home." Liz answered with a smile. "I better get back, who knows how much time has passed there."
"Good luck with Peter!" Professor said, before Liz disappeared back into Narnia.
Liz was back in the Dining Hall, and she looked at the clock.
"It's almost time for lunch, and I have nothing to wear!" She ran from the room, hoping to find something other than dresses.
Ten minutes later, Susan heard this coming from Liz's room: "They give me a sword, but Aslan forbid I get to wear anything but dresses! How can I learn how to fight in a dress?!" Susan laughed and walked to Liz's room, it seemed like the entire contents of her closet were strewn across the floor.
"What's wrong Lizzie?" Susan asked, though she already knew.
"Don't call me Lizzie!" She retorted in anger. She pulled on another royal purple dress (it was her favorite color, and there were a lot of them), one that looked like she could move easily in it. She grabbed her sword and shield, and then walked to the orchard with Susan.
The six of them enjoyed a peaceful lunch, then Stephen, Liz, Peter, and Edmund started to train. Peter taught Liz the basics, and then they started to duel. Liz spun, her dress and hair swirling around her, and started to duel Peter.
"Little Lizzie, nobody will ever take you seriously if you wear a dress in battle." Peter taunted her. Liz didn't like the taunting, and she started to duel with a vengeance, and much fiercer. Before Peter even knew what had happened, he was lying on the ground with Liz's sword to his throat.
"Nobody. Calls. Me. Lizzie!" She said. She turned and walked away; satisfied that she could duel.
"Liz! That was amazing!" Susan came running up beside her.
"Thanks, I think I'll go take a bath and get changed." Susan was puzzled by Liz's distance for a moment, but then realized that she was in a 'leave me alone, I need to think' mood. Liz went back to her room, took a bath and changed. She changed into a light yellow dress, which was extra comfortable. She wandered the halls until she found someone, as was her intention.
"Is there a library here?" Liz asked the Dryad she had met.
"Yes Daughter of Eve, would you like me to lead you there?"
"I would, and please call me Liz." Liz said, stressing the second part. They walked to the library, where Liz found Peter with a book.
"I didn't know that you read." Liz said with a teasing tone. He looked up and smiled, after seeing whom it was.
"You were quite impressive with your swordsmanship." He said, ignoring her comment.
"What are you reading?" Liz asked.
"The History Of Narnia." Peter said. "Just trying to brush up, though it feels like I know everything already."
"Give it to me, I want to learn more." Liz leaned forward to take the book. Their hands brushed, and she felt her face heating up. She quickly sat down in the nearest chair, hiding in the book.
"I could just tell you," Peter said.
"I like looking at the book." Liz replied, not realizing until it was too late what she sounded like. Peter stood up and left, leaving Liz to sit in the stuffy silence, the silence she hated.