Peter and Edmund began training with Oreius, while Elaine met a faun named Killian. He trained Elaine to use her staff both to defend herself and inflict pain upon her enemies. It was very, very tiring work, and by the time Killian let her have a break, she was sore all over from being hit by his staff several times on various places of her body.
"How's the training going?" Peter asked as two Narnians gave them some clean water. Peter was dripping in sweat, no doubt going through some very intense training himself.
"About as well as yours, it looks like," Elaine smiled.
"Oreius is a tough teacher, but he knows what he's doing. He's been training Ed and I all day, teaching us how to use our swords properly, and then he showed us how to do so while riding horses."
"It sounds like you've had a very productive day."
"We're expected to go into battle soon. There's no time to waste. We barely have time to train."
"I know. But I have faith in you and the rest of your family. Perhaps later, you and I can see how each of us have fared from practice today."
"I'd like that."
"Lady Elaine!" Killian called.
"It's so weird when he calls me that," Elaine remarked to Peter.
He laughed as Killian joined them. "Your Majesty," he addressed Peter. Peter nodded, and Killian turned to Elaine. "Are you ready to resume your training, my lady?"
"I suppose. I'll see you later, Peter. Train hard."
"You too."
Seeing as most of Elaine's enemies were going to have swords and axes, Killian began training Elaine to use her staff to defend herself against those. It was even harder than fighting someone with a staff, but Killian trained her well, and her staff was built for such weapons so never once did it show any signs of breaking.
Elaine looked over not far from where she was and saw Peter and Edmund atop their horses training in sword fighting. For only a few hours of training, the boys handled their swords pretty well.
Suddenly Mr. Beaver came running over to the two of them. "Peter! Edmund!"
Edmund's horse reared up in surprise. "Whoa, horsie!" Edmund cried.
The horse came back down and said sharply, "My name is Philip."
"Oh," Edmund said sheepishly. "Sorry."
"The Witch has demanded a meeting with Aslan," Mr. Beaver said urgently. "She's on her way here!"
Elaine looked over at Killian worriedly. What was the White Witch doing here and what did she want from Aslan?
The five humans quickly went back to the camp with the others.
"Jadis, the queen of Narnia! Empress of the Lone Islands!" a dwarf called as the White Witch was carried in on a throne. All of the Narnians around her jeered, unhappy the Witch was on their territory.
Contrary to how Elaine felt around Aslan, when her eyes fell upon the White Witch, her insides went cold, as if everything had turned to ice.
She had to admit that the Witch looked different than she had initially pictured. She thought that the woman would be scary-looking with a huge black cloak or something along those lines. But this woman before her looked calm. Her dress was a beautiful light color that framed her small body, and she didn't look quite so fearsome. It was understandable that Edmund had fallen prey to her charms.
The White Witch got up from her throne and began walking towards Aslan. She looked over at Edmund who looked back at her fearfully. Elaine noticed how scared he was in her presence and gently put her arm around his shoulders protectively.
"You have a traitor in your midst, Aslan," the Witch spoke calmly.
"His offense was not against you."
"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?"
"Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch!" Aslan growled fiercely. "I was there when it was written."
"Then you'll remember well that every traitor belongs to me. His blood is my property."
Peter unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the Witch. "Try and take him then!"
The Witch just looked at Peter and smiled. "Do you really think that mere force will deny me my right…little King?" She turned to face all the gathered Narnians. "Aslan knows that unless I have blood as the law demands, all of Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water." She pointed an accusing finger at Edmund. "That boy will die on the Stone Table…as is tradition."
Elaine exchanged a fearful look with all of the equally horrified Pevensies. Surely Aslan wouldn't help save Edmund and then allow him to be killed!
"You dare not refuse me," the Witch demanded of Aslan.
"Enough," Aslan said firmly. "I shall talk with you alone."
Aslan and the White Witch retreated into his tent. They were inside for what seemed like hours and hours. Everyone sat down on the grass, tortured to wait to find out if Edmund was going to live or die.
Finally, the White Witch exited the tent, and they all stood up. Edmund's breathing quickened, and Elaine once again placed her arm on him to comfort him. The Witch looked at him with satisfaction which made Elaine extremely nervous. She began walking back to her throne as Aslan exited the tent. Everyone looked to him for the answer to Edmund's fate.
"She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam's blood."
The entire camp sighed with relief as their King was allowed to live. Susan and Elaine hugged Edmund happily.
"How do I know your promise will be kept?" the Witch asked Aslan.
In response, Aslan roared at her and she quickly sat down on her throne. The Narnians laughed at her reaction, and cheered for the life of their destined King.
Once the Witch had left their grounds, Peter approached Elaine. "I believe we promised to train together."
"I believe we did."
Peter and Elaine went to the hill where they had talked the night before. Several Narnians gathered to watch the spar between the future King and the additional female, Killian and Oreius included. They desired to see how their students had fared over the course of the day.
Elaine watched Peter's movements carefully as he did the same with her. They moved around in a circle for a moment, each daring the other to make the first move.
Peter moved first and went in for the attack. Elaine easily blocked his attack with her staff, and from there, the two of them went at each other. Attacks were thrown and blocks were made as each tried to defeat the opponent. As their spar went on for much longer than anticipated, several more Narnians joined to watch. Everyone watching became more and more invested, curious to see who would come out victorious.
With one last attack, Elaine took her staff and swept it under Peter's feet which caused him to lose his grip on his sword and fall to the ground. Elaine kicked the sword away from him and pointed her staff at his throat, both of them breathing heavily from the sheer exertion of their fight.
The Narnians began cheering at Elaine's victory. Though the future King was defeated, it was clear that he had the will, strength, and stamina to go into battle with them.
Elaine held out her hand and helped Peter up off the ground. "Good fight."
"Same to you."
Killian came over to Elaine. "That was wonderful, my lady. I'm very impressed."
"Thank you. I had a good teacher," she smiled.
