Author's Note: Here's chapter eleven! I must say, this story has come quite far. I enjoyed writing this chapter quite a bit. I changed the scene a little when Mr. Beaver delivers the news of the Witch's arrival. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Chapter Eleven: The Witch's Request and Aslan's Answer

"That's a beautiful sword, Ed," Aceline said. She was staring at the sword that the boy was carrying on his belt. They had gone with Reulel to get a sword for him. During that time, he had asked her to call him "Ed." She had agreed with the condition that he call her "Ace."

"Thanks," he said. "Do you think I'll be able to learn?" His question sounded a bit anxious. She smiled encouragingly at him.

"Of course. And it'll come in handy when we fight the Witch." He nodded in agreement. A silence rang between them. Reulel had left them some time long ago. He had told them exactly where to find Oreius. The two found him outside of his tent. What they didn't expect was Peter talking to him. Peter stared at them as they approached. His stare was neither angry nor indifferent. It was one of calm. She was unnerved by his expression.

"Hello, Aceline. Hello, Son of Adam," Oreius greeted.

"Edmund," the dark-haired boy corrected. The Centaur nodded.

"Well, it seems as if I am going to teach the three of you how to swordfight," he said. The three of us? Realization dawned on her. Her purple eyes strayed over to Peter. She longed to ask him why someone who was knighted had to learn how to swordfight. But she held her tongue and instead turned to Oreius.

"Your Majesties, milady, you only need to learn the basics," he was saying. His tone sounded buisnesslike. "Edmund, have you ever used a sword before?" He shook his head, looking sheepish.

"Well, that's nothing to be ashamed about, Your Majesty," the Centaur said kindly to the younger boy. He nodded, looking a little relieved.

"Now, this is your first position," he said. He stood with his sword out, his horse legs slightly pulled away from each other, one of his front ones standing a bit behind him. His arms were bent, his left one bent in a way that reminded her of holding a shield. The children tried to copy the children. It took the brothers three tries to get it right. But the girl simply couldn't get it. She was a bit embarrassed since the stance was so simple.

"King Peter, if you could help her," Oreius said. The boy nodded and walked over to her. She thought for a second that he was going to whisper a criticism about how she hadn't been able to get it. But he surprised her by just saying, "It's like this" and lightly pulling her legs apart. He also grabbed her arms and put them in the right positions. Aceline felt her heart quicken ever so slightly at his touch.

"Thanks," she whispered. He nodded and walked away.

"Alright, second position," Oreius said.

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"That was fun," Aceline said. She sheathed her sword and looked over at the brothers.

"Very interesting," Edmund agreed while his older brother nodded. The three had just been taught how to swordfight while riding a horse. She had found it quite enjoyable to ride on her coal black horse, Midnight, in the lush, green grass. But what she had found really amusing was that Edmund had somehow insulted his horse, Phillip, by calling him, "Horsey." They hadn't even known Phillip was a Talking Horse. She had been glad that Midnight had introduced himself to her.

"Didn't I tell you you would be able to learn, Ed?" she asked, turning to the younger boy. He grinned at her. His smile suddenly disappeared as he glanced over his brother's shoulder.

"What's wrong with Mr. Beaver?" he asked. Aceline and Peter turned and indeed saw the Beaver coming towards them. He looked a bit distressed.

"Peter! Edmund! Aceline!" he yelled.

"What's wrong?" she asked, surprised to hear despair in his voice.

"Aslan has agreed to a meeting with the White Witch! She's on her way here," he said. Her shoulders sagged down. Beside her, she felt Edmund stiffen. His brother looked nothing short of worried.

The girl's heart started to pound against her chest as she ran with the boys and Mr. Beaver back to camp. They halted abruptly next to Susan and Lucy, who were looking at the four Cyclops that carried a litter. Aceline's face paled as she looked at Jadis, Queen of Narnia, Empress of the Lone Islands.

There wasn't a bit of color in the Witch's face, except for her blood red lips. Midnight black curls fell down to her elbows. On her head sat a crown of melting icicles. She wore a dress of a platinum white material. To Aceline, it looked simply like she had taken a waterfall and had made a dress out of it.

The Cyclops lowered the litter in front of Aslan, who stood with a calm face, though his tail twitched occasionally. The Witch stood up, her dress shooting out. She walked towards the Lion, her dark eyes glancing at Edmund momentarily. The boy was trembling slightly. Aceline placed a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezed it. Jadis stood in front of Aslan, her face betraying no sign of emotion.

"You harbor traitors now, Aslan?" she asked, an eyebrow quirked slightly.

"His offense was not against you," was the calm reply.

"Do you not remember the laws upon which Narnia was established on?"

"Do NOT cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch," he growled. Everyone jumped slightly at hearing his angry words. "I was there when it was written." Jadis casted him an amused look.

"Then you'll know that every traitor belongs to me. The blood in his veins is my property."

"Try and take him then." She looked around and saw Peter pointing his sword at the Witch. There was a bold expression on his face. Jadis raised her eyebrows at him.

"Do you actually think," she said, "that mere force shall deny me my right, little King?" These last two words were said in a mocking tone. The boy flushed and sheathed his sword. The Witch smirked at him and turned back to the Lion.

"You dare not refuse me," she said.

"Enough of this," Aslan said. "We shall speak alone." He turned away from her and walked into His tent. She followed him, giving Edmund a cold sneer as she passed him.

"And now we wait," Aceline said, sitting on the grass.

"And now we wait," Susan agreed. The soldiers and the children all sat down on the grass, discussing the scene they had just observed. Some of the troops took to pointing at Edmund, who was pulling strands of grass. Peter was tapping a finger against his knee while the two sisters tried to make small, grass crowns with trembling hands. Aceline had her left palm under her chin as she stared at Edmund pulling up grass.

"It's going to be alright, Ed," she told him quietly. The boy nodded, looking a little green. She patted him comfortingly on the knee.

It seemed like hours (but it was only thirty minutes) before the Witch finally stepped out. She looked at Edmund with narrowed eyes as she made her way to her litter. Aslan stepped out seconds later. He looked carefully at all His soldiers.

"She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam," He announced. There came a loud cheering from everyone in the camp. Aceline hugged Edmund as she whispered, "Didn't I tell you it'd be alright?" He grinned at her.

"How will I know you will keep your promise?" the Witch asked loudly. The Lion roared like one of the normal lions at the zoo. But His was thrice as loud. The volume of it sent Jadis to her seat, gripping the sides with an apprehensive expression. Everyone roared with laughter. Suddenly, the children were surrounded by troops offering their congratulations. Aceline was giggling for some strange reason. She felt a pair of strong arms wrap around. Still giggling, she hugged the person back. Then she realized who the person was.

Peter.

She promptly let go of him and turned to hug Lucy, who didn't seem to mind at all. She still didn't feel comfortable around Peter. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. His expression was one of mixed hurt and anger. Her heart sank. She grabbed his arm as he turned away. He turned to her with raised eyebrows.

"Peter, I-" Aceline started but she was interrupted by Reulel.

"Aceline, Aslan wishes to speak with you!" She looked over at Peter, who stared back.

"Peter-"

"Aceline!" The girl stamped her foot and turned to the boy one last time.

"Peter, I'm s-"

"Daughter of Eve," rumbled the Lion's voice. She looked over at Him before bowing her head and walking over to him. She gave Peter an apologetic look as she passed.

But all her request received was a blank expression.

I bet my computer that you hate me for writing that last part. Why didn't I just make her apology straight out? You'll find out sooner or later. Oh, and do you guys have any suggestions for after the coronation? I'm having a bit of a writer's block for anything beyond that.

-B.M.W.S.