Author's Note: This chapter took me a while to write, because I had lost a little bit of my inspiration, and because I've been studying my butt off for finals at school. After we leave for Summer break, I should update more often, because I'll have more opportunity to write. :D I bet you guys will like that!

Anyways, this chapter is just a scene between Ari and Edmund. I know some of you wanted more of just them, and so I decided to give it to you.

Song for this chapter: Break by Three Days Grace

Ari tossed and turned restlessly in her sleep. Edmund started awake when a bloodcurdling scream filled his ears. He jumped out of bed and grabbed his sword, looking for an attacker, but quickly dropped it when the screams changed to ones laced with pain.

Ari's hands gripped the sheets so hard that her hands were as white as the cloth was. She thrashed and screamed even louder, trapped in her own mind as the nightmares played again in her head. Edmund raced forward and began to shake her, trying to wake her up. It took him several minutes before she gave a last scream and sat bolt upright in bed, her forehead beaded with sweat.

She pushed Edmund to the side with a scream. Her hand automatically reached for the dagger on the nightstand and she sprang off of the bed and onto the floor. Her bright green eyes darted around the dark room frantically. She crawled back into the nearest corner and pulled her knees to her chest. She held the knife in front of her, ready to stab anything that came near her.

Edmund's heart broke as he saw her on the verge of hysteria. He resisted the urge to run to her and gather her in his arms, because it would only frighten her more, and would likely end up in slight bloodshed from himself. He was in a precarious situation. Ari was trapped in her nightmares. She wasn't clearly aware of anything going on. If Edmund chose to rush forward, she would think he was an attacker. But he had to do something. So he chose to go about things as if he were calming a startled animal. Soothing tones and slow movements.

"Ari." He said quietly, raising his arms in front of himself to show that he was unarmed.

"Stay away from me!" Ari screamed, clutching the knife in her hand so tightly that her knuckles popped.

"It's me!" Edmund said soothingly, shuffling his feet forward slowly. "It's Edmund."

Ari's grip on the knife loosened as he said his name. She looked up, and her wild look calmed somewhat, but still frantic. "Edmund?" She asked softly, looking up at him. Edmund nodded and like lightning she dropped the knife and lurched at him.

He gathered in his arms and they sank to the ground together. He pulled her close and the pair rocked back and forth. Ari's choked sobs filled the room and Edmund couldn't swallow around the lump in his throat. He scrunched his eyes shut and tried to keep the tears from flowing, but he was unsuccessful. He cried into Ari's hair. Thoughts of what Ari went through swam rampant through his brain. He shuddered at the thought of her being tortured and beaten brutally. He didn't know exactly what happened, and he honestly didn't want to know.

Ari's sobs gradually quieted in force and she stayed in his arms, sniffling. She didn't look up at him for many minutes, but finally she drew a shuddering breath and tilted her head up to look into his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Ed." She apologized, wrapping her arms around him. "I just can't seem to keep myself together these past few days."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Ari." Edmund said sharply, giving her a hard stare. "It's understandable, and nobody expects you to be strong all the time."

"I just hate it when I'm like this." Ari said, wiping a stray tear on her sleeve.

"Don't. It shows that you still care." Edmund said, gathering her in his arms again. He rested his chin on the top of her head. "Even though I hate seeing you break down, I would be worried if you never showed at emotion to what happens."

"I know." Ari sighed. The room was silent for a long moment.

"Let's get you back to bed." Edmund said, effortlessly lifting her off of the ground, bridal style.

"I'm not-" Ari cut off and yawned. "Sleepy." She finished, looking up at Edmund with a sheepish expression. He arched an eyebrow at her, causing her to let out a small laugh.

"We've both got to be well rested for tomorrow. You know Susan's planned a huge victory celebration, and she'll never let us live it down if we fall asleep during the first waltz." Edmund said, placing her gently on the bed. He crawled in beside her and covered the both up. Ari groaned and rolled over to look at him.

"Don't remind me!" She said, rolling her eyes. "Susan's going to bankrupt the country before Caspian's coronation next week!"

Edmund snorted. "Peter gave her a limit on how big this celebration could be, but she's pushing the boundaries as it is."

"Of course she is." Ari said. "Same old Susan. At least she won't constantly pester us about what we're going to wear as long as she's still planning it." Ari paused for a moment, thinking. "Knowing Susan, she's already sent sketches of clothes for all of us to the royal seamstress."

Edmund chuckled and pulled her up against him. She snuggled under the covers next to him, burying her face in his chest. He looked down at her. He felt relief flood through him as he saw she had fully calmed down from her earlier nightmare. Sometimes it took hours, depending on how vivid and life-like the dream itself was, and the experience it portrayed.

The pair were quiet, listening to each others' breathing patterns. As the minutes ticked past, Edmund let his eyes flutter closed and he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. He thought Ariana was already asleep, but he was proved wrong.

"Edmund?" Ari said suddenly.

"Hmm?" Edmund said, fighting to stay awake.

"You know I don't blame you." She whispered to him.

"For what?" He asked.

"For everything that happened. For me getting beaten. For me losing our baby." She said the last part so quietly that he wasn't even sure he heard it. Edmund sighed.

"I know." He said simply. "Now we both need to go to sleep. Susan will never forgive us if we don't get up in time for breakfast."

Ari laughed lightly and pulled the blankets around them tightly. The two drifted off to sleep. For once in the past few days, they were both at peace.

Author's Note: I hope you guys enjoyed my major Ari/Edmund moment. :) I had fun writing this chapter. XD Only a few more to go! Then it's off to my story that I'm writing with no script. :) Can't wait!

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