That night, Elaine was sitting with her knees pressed close to her chest on the hill where Aslan had spoken with her and Peter earlier. It was pretty dark outside, but she didn't really mind.

"Mind if I join you?" Peter asked.

Elaine smiled and motioned for him to sit next to her.

"Are you alright, Elaine?"

Elaine sighed a little. "You're going to think I'm strange."

"Considering what I've been through in the past two days, I highly doubt that."

She gave him a small smile. "I told you about my father on the first night we were together. Back at the Professor's house, I had a picture of my mother and father together. It was taken just a couple months after their marriage. He's kissing her cheek, and she looks like she's on top of the world. It's all I have left of my father. I used to talk to the picture at night...to my parents...and I felt like they heard everything I ever had to say. It's my most cherished possession. I just…miss that picture."

"I don't think that's strange," Peter said gently. "You miss your parents and that photo is what you have to remember them by. I understand."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to unload all that on you."

"Don't apologize. I'm glad you told me."

"You did an amazing job today in your first battle, by the way. You showed that you have what it takes to do what needs to be done."

"I was terrified."

"I believe you. But you won. You can do what Aslan has asked of you."

"Elaine, killing a wolf and leading an army are two very different things."

"You killed that wolf with absolutely no training at all. Now imagine what you can do once you learn how to use that sword and shield properly."

Peter silenced a bit, contemplating her words.

"Peter, you must remember that you are not alone. When you go into battle, you will have hundreds of people behind you to battle with you. And I will be right there next to you to help you. I promise."

They continued looking out at the scenery before them, and Elaine rested her head on Peter's shoulder. The two of them sat in comfortable silence as they thought about what lay ahead of them.


Early the next morning, Elaine exited her tent and found Peter looking at something in the distance. When she followed his gaze, she saw that Aslan was speaking with Edmund, who had his head down in shame. She could only imagine how he must be feeling at the moment.

Susan and Lucy soon joined them.

"Edmund!" Lucy cried with delight as she began to run to him.

Peter quickly stopped her from progressing, knowing she couldn't interrupt Aslan's conversation.

Hearing Lucy's cry, Aslan led Edmund down to where the others were.

"What's done is done," Aslan said to them all firmly. "There is no need to speak to Edmund about what is past." Aslan walked away from them as Edmund awkwardly stood in front of them. Elaine noticed just how haggard he looked. She had no idea what he had been through, but it was clear that it had taken a great toll on him.

"Hello," he said quietly.

Lucy smiled and hugged her brother. It took a second, but then Edmund gratefully hugged her back. Susan and Elaine followed suit and hugged the boy as well, thankful he was safe.

"Are you all right?" Susan asked.

"I'm a little tired."

"Get some sleep," Peter said.

Edmund's face looked guilty, sure that Peter was still mad at him for everything that had happened. Elaine looked at Peter pointedly. His brother was safe and sound, and he needed to show that, despite how he felt about Edmund's actions.

"And Edmund," he called. "Try not to wander off."

Edmund smiled before heading to his tent to rest.


Elaine was walking to her tent when she heard small whimpers coming from where Edmund was sleeping. She slowly walked into the tent and found the poor boy tossing and turning, his face contorted into one of pain.

"Edmund," she said softly. "Edmund, it's alright."

He suddenly gasped awake.

"It's okay," Elaine said quickly. "You're safe. You're with us."

He looked around him for a second, as if trying to remember where he was. Then he looked over to the side, unwilling to meet Elaine's eyes. "I shouldn't have gone to her," he said.

"You made a mistake. We all make them."

"But my mistake is affecting all of Narnia."

"So we fix it. What you did was wrong, I will admit that. But you've learned your lesson. The hard way. And you've been punished enough for it."

"Is Peter still mad at me?"

"I think that Peter's happy that you're safe. And that overshadows any anger he may still feel."

"Are you sure? He seemed pretty upset."

"I've been with him this whole time. And he has been worried sick about you, constantly berating himself for nearly losing you. Peter loves you, Edmund. I promise."

"Thanks, Elaine. I'm sorry I was so horrible to you back at the Professor's house."

"Water under the bridge. Now get some rest, alright? You're going to need all of your strength."

Edmund closed his eyes, and Elaine stayed by his side until he was asleep once more.

When he awoke, he was fitted into Narnian clothing as well, and they were all given something to eat. Edmund gulped down the food seeing as he hadn't had anything real to eat in days.

"Narnia's not going to run out of toast, Ed," Lucy joked.

"I'm sure they'll pack something up for the journey back," Peter said as he came over to them.

"We're going home?" Susan asked.

"You are. I promised Mum I'd keep you three safe. And I want to keep Elaine safe as well. But it doesn't mean I can't stay behind and help."

"But they need us," Lucy told him. "All five of us. Even if Elaine isn't in the prophecy, Narnia still needs her."

"Lucy, it's too dangerous. You almost drowned! Edmund was almost killed!"

"Which is why we have to stay," Edmund said quietly. Everyone turned to look at him. "I've seen what the White Witch can do…and I've helped her do it. And we can't leave these people behind to suffer for it."

Elaine's eyebrows rose at the change that had occurred in Edmund since the last time she had seen him. He had definitely matured in the short amount of time he had been with the Witch.

"I suppose that's it then," Susan said as she stood up.

"Where are you going?" Peter asked.

She smiled as she picked up her bow and arrows. "To get in some practice."

Elaine looked at the others. "I think we could all use some practice."