A/N: Not my best chapter. It's kind of a filler. Sorry about that.

Chapter 8

Anna found herself staring at Edmund the next morning at breakfast.

It took him a few minutes to notice. "What?" he asked sharply.

"How are you not fat?"

"What?"

"You're going to eat King Lune out of house and home," Anna said.

Edmund rolled his eyes. "I doubt I could eat all of the food in this castle."

"With the amount of food you are eating, you should be fat and ugly, not thin and cute."

"Oh," Edmund said, nodding his head sarcastically, "Now I'm cute. It's just too bad I'm not as cute as Peter."

"Hm?" Peter asked, hearing his name. Both ignored him.

"Will you give it up already?"

"Will you give him up already?"

"No!"

They had both risen to their feet now. Anna was conscious of the fact that everyone in the dining hall was staring at them now, but she was too angry to care.

"Do you know I cried myself to sleep last night?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous.

"Of course. I couldn't get any sleep myself because all I could hear was your whining."

"Why can't you just be happy for me?"

"Why can't you trust me enough to -"

"You know that I trust you, Edmund!" Anna cried, "I trust you more than I trust anybody else. But I'm starting to think I shouldn't have put my trust in someone so immature -"

"I'm immature?" Edmund said, "Please."

"Yes! And stupid, and annoying, and... and... ugly!"

"Really?" Edmund said sarcastically, "I thought I was cute."

Something inside Anna snapped. She picked up her glass of milk and dumped it over his head, smirking at the disgusted look on his face.

Edmund grabbed a handful of cereal and threw it at her. He had good aim. The soggy bits of grain splattered in her face and got all in her hair.

"That's it!" Anna shouted, and snatched Lucy's bowl of oatmeal away from her. She leaned across the table and dumped it all over his shirt.

Edmund swiped the container of syrup from Susan's grasp and dumped it all Anna's head. He laughed out loud at the look on her face.

"Do you know how long this will take to get out of my hair?" she screamed, grabbing a pitcher of orange juice from a passing waiter and splashing it at him. Edmund took a basket of scones and started throwing them at her like they were baseballs. Anna grabbed whatever she could to return fire. Susan and Lucy were pleading for them to give it a rest, but neither backed down. Anna laughed as scrambled eggs splattered across Edmund's chest. He smirked as jelly got into her hair.

"Anna! Edmund! Come here this minute!" Peter fumed.

Anna dropped her arm mid-throw. "We're in for it now."

With a feeling of dread, Anna and Edmund moved to stand before Peter. They both cringed that they were not looking at Peter Pevensie, older brother and boyfriend, but Peter the Magnificent, High King of Narnia.

"Apologize to King Lune," Peter said, his voice low.

Edmund and Anna bowed their heads in an expression of humility. "We're sorry," they mumbled.

"All is forgiven," King Lune replied, looking afraid that they might start throwing food at him. "That was certainly... an interesting turn of events."

"Yes. It was," Peter agreed. "What happened?"

"We had an argument," Anna said.

"Clearly!"

"She dumped milk on my head!" Edmund protested, "I couldn't just let that slide, could I?"

"Edmund, you are a king. You should know better than to engage in behavior such as this. And you," Peter said, turning his stern gaze on Anna, "You are a Lady. Dumping milk on people's heads is not at all ladylike."

"I was provoked!" Anna exclaimed.

Peter pointed to the door. "Go to your rooms."

"What? You can't punish us!" Anna cried.

"Who do you think you are, mum?" Edmund asked.

"Mum isn't here, and I'm her fill-in," Peter said. "And, just like mum used to do, you're grounded."

"You're not going to take away my radio rights, are you?" Edmund asked.

"Yes. Now go to your rooms."

Anna and Edmund bowed their heads and exited silently. As soon as they got out the door, Anna started laughing. "Alright, I still hate you, but I have to admit, that was genius."

"I wonder how long it will be until someone points out that there are no radios in Narnia," Edmund wondered.

"Susan probably will as soon as Peter sits back down."

"Too late now," Edmund said happily.

They were at their rooms in a minute. "Hey," Anna called to Edmund as they reached their respective doorways.

"Yes?"

"I still hate you," Anna said with a grin.

Edmund smirked. "Love you too, Anna."

And with that, they went into their rooms to fulfill their punishment.

Anna was distracted from vigorously scrubbing jelly off of her face by the sound of knocking at her bedroom door.

"Knock, knock!" Cada's voice called.

"Come in!" Anna replied. The Archenlandish Duchess came in and leaned against the wall.

"So that was the famous King Edmund," Cada remarked. "He's got an arm on him, he has."

"I know," Anna said, indicating the food stains on her dress.

"You know, I've never had a close guy friend," Cada observed. "I'm starting to think that's a good thing."

"Are you?"

"Yes. You know, seeing as all I have to look forward to are food fights and screaming matches."

Anna winced. "You heard us arguing last night?"

"I think all of Archenland heard you arguing last night," Cada told her. "What's up? I thought you were best friends."

"We are," Anna said, "We just... had a disagreement."

"Some disagreement."

"I know. I can't see why he's so upset that I'm with Peter now."

"Maybe you should break things off with Peter?" Cada suggested with a hopeful smile. Upon seeing the look on Anna's face, she said, "Alright, so that's not an option."

"No."

"I was only kidding anyway." Cada sighed and laid down on Anna's bed. She propped her chin up in her hand and looked thoughtful.

"There's really only one reason Edmund would go off like that."

"Which would be?"

"He's jealous," Cada said with a smile.

Anna started. "What?"

"He's -"

"I heard you the first time!" Anna exclaimed, distress evident in her voice. "You're trying to tell me that Edmund is in love with me?"

"Now, I never said that."

"Edmund is not in love with me. He is not."

"I didn't say he was," Cada said, picking at her nails casually. "He might be jealous for other reasons."

"Such as?" Anna asked.

"You said he was your best friend. He could be worried that Peter is starting to replace him. Or that you'll spend more time with him than with Peter."

"Oh," Anna said, looking very much relieved, "That's all?"

"Probably. You really should introduce me to him soon. I didn't even see him until you hit him with the apple. Excellent throw, by the way."

"Thank you."

"Honestly, though. I want to meet the famous Just King. What's he like?"

"Funny, nice, smart, sweet -"

"I wonder how my father will feel about me marrying a regular old king," Cada mused. Seeing the look on Anna's face, she explained, "You know, as opposed to a High King."

Anna rolled her eyes. "You haven't even met him."

"I don't have to. He's funny, nice, smart, and sweet! And if he's only half as good-looking as Peter, he's a catch."

"He's just as good-looking," Anna said, realizing it herself for the first time.

"See, there you go," Cada said. "You can marry Peter, I'll marry Edmund, and then we'll be sort of like sisters!"

"Yeah," Anna mumbled. She found herself unable to share in the Duchess's enthusiasm. "I have to take a bath and rinse this awful syrup out of my hair, but I'll talk to you later, alright?"

"Alright," Cada said, rolling off the bed and strolling to the hallway. "I'll see you later. And don't forget to introd-"

Anna closed the door behind her.

"Anna, you can't let yourself get distracted," Peter reprimanded. "When you're in battle, a moment when you don't pay attention could be the last moment of your life."

Anna sighed, letting her arm drop. "I'm sorry. I'm just tired."

"Don't give up!" Peter said. "Come on, now. Hold your sword like this. Now parry. Parry! Look, now you're headless. Concentrate."

"I'm trying," Anna insisted. Peter did not look convinced.

They sparred for a few more strokes. Anna tried to do better than last time. She ducked the move that 'decapitated' her before, and dodged the swipe that disarmed her before that. Then Peter made a quick jabbing motion toward her chest.

"There, I stabbed you in the heart. You're dead. Again."

Anna sighed. "I'm sorry! I'm trying, but I just can't seem to focus."

"Edmund?" Peter asked gently, switching from teacher-mode to suitor-mode.

"Yes," Anna said, "Edmund."

"Are you still fighting?"

"I don't know. It seemed like we made up after our little, um, disagreement at breakfast, but he hasn't talked to me since. Not even a 'hello' when we passed in the corridor." Anna cast her eyes down. "I miss him."

Peter pulled her into a tight hug. "You two are best friends. You'll make it up in the end. I promise."

"You'd better keep that promise," Anna mumbled into his shoulder.

"I don't have to. Edmund will keep it for me," Peter said, rubbing her back comfortingly. "Speaking of which, here he comes now."

Anna pulled away from Peter and wiped the one tear that had formed at the corner of her eye. Edmund was indeed strolling toward them, scabbard attached to his belt. The sound of whistling drifted ahead of him. Anna could tell that he was ready to fulfill his promise to Peter. And that he was confident.

"Hello, brother!" Edmund called, waving his hand in greeting. "I hope you are not busy."

"Tell him you're not!" Anna hissed to Peter.

"I'm not," the High King said.

"Wonderful! Allow me to take up a bit of your time. I trust Anna has told you that I've been working hard at my fencing over the last two months."

"I told him," Anna spoke up. Edmund did not acknowledge this.

"What do you say we have a little duel? See how we match up now."

Peter smiled confidently. "You're on."

"What does the winner receive?"

Peter looked around. "We've got nothing here."

"Nothing except Anna," Edmund observed. You could tell by his voice that he did not think this much.

"Then the prize shall be Anna!" Peter decreed with a mischievous smile upon his face.

Anna put her hands on her hips indignantly. "Excuse me, but I am a human being! I'm not some spare change that you found between the sofa cushions!"

"We have to win something from Anna," Edmund said.

"What have you got?" Peter asked.

Anna turned out her pockets. "Nothing. And I am very opposed to this!"

"Well, what else can we get from her?" Edmund asked.

"A kiss," Peter decided. "Winner gets a kiss from Anna."

The familiar I-tricked-you-and-you-fell-for-it grin crossed Edmund's face. Anna narrowed her eyes. What was he up to?

"I think that that sounds like a perfect prize," Edmund said.

"So a kiss it shall be," Peter decreed.

"Don't I get any say in this?" Anna asked.

"Don't worry," Peter whispered to her, "I'm going to win. You won't have to worry about having to kiss Edmund."

"But it's not that that bothers me!" Anna protested, "I just don't want to be treated like an object!"

Her plea fell on deaf ears as the two brothers drew their weapons. Anna quickly retreated to the sidelines as Peter lunged. Edmund ducked it and aimed a swipe at his brother's feet. The High King jumped it and parried another of Edmund's blows. Peter swung his sword. Edmund ducked it and somersaulted, coming up behind his brother. In a second, his blade was at Peter's throat.

Anna's mouth fell open. When had he learned to do that?

Peter was not as amazed as she was. He knocked Edmund's sword aside and retreated a few steps. The two stood facing each other. Peter rushed forward and the two parried and swiped and ducked and lunged.

Anna found herself fascinated by their battle, particularly Edmund. When he said he'd been working hard at his fencing, he hadn't been kidding. The Just King was holding his own against Peter. The two brothers seemed an even match. Peter had force. He was always the first to attack, and the one lunging and stabbing the most. Edmund danced circles around his brother. Peter's sword never even came near enough to wound him. Anna couldn't help thinking as she watched him how pleased Cada would be with the man she'd picked out to be her future husband.

Edmund's and Peter's motions were too quick now for Anna to even process. The High King seemed to realize that Edmund could just keep dodging his blows infinitely. If he wanted to win, he couldn't give him time to move. Peter's sword was a metallic blur in his hands. He was starting to gain on his brother. Edmund's confident expression had faded, replaced by a look of determination.

Anna gasped slightly as the sword flew from Edmund's hands. Peter had disarmed him somehow. The High King leveled his sword at Edmund's throat.

The Just King wasn't giving in that easily. He did the same somersaulting move as before, managing to pick up his sword in the process. In a second, Peter and Edmund were at it again. For a while, it seemed like Edmund was getting the upper hand.

Then Peter knocked the sword from his brother's hand with such force that Edmund fell down. Peter made a slashing motion in front of Edmund's throat. "I cut your head off. I win."

Edmund was staring at his fallen weapon with a blank look on his face. He glanced up as Peter swept Anna into his arms and kissed her on the lips, taking his prize. The disappointment on the Just King's face broke Anna's heart.

"See you," Peter said, waving them goodbye as he strolled away.

Anna walked over to Edmund and crouched down so that they were at the same eye-level. He gave no indication of seeing her.

"And the second place prize goes to - Edmund the Just!" she whispered. Anna took Edmund's head in her hands and pressed her lips to his cheek.

Edmund raised his hand to the place where she kissed him. He still had the blank look on his face.

"If it makes you feel better," Anna said, folding her legs under herself, "He decapitated me, too."

Edmund finally turned his gaze to her. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"We're best friends," Anna said.

"I haven't been acting like it," Edmund replied. He gave her such a remorseful look that Anna's heart seriously considered breaking again. "I've only been terrible to you since I got here. It wasn't fair of me. It wasn't... just."

Anna placed her hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "Hey, it's alright. Let's just forget the whole thing."

Edmund nodded. "Deal."

They shook on it.

Anna looked up at the sound of her voice being called. Lucy stood off in the distance, waving her over. "Come help me get ready for the ball tonight!" she called.

"Coming!" Anna called back.

"She needs you to help her get ready?" Edmund asked.

"She's going with Cadin."

Edmund shook his head. "I let you two out of my sight for a few weeks and you both go and get yourselves boyfriends."

Anna nudged him playfully, and ran after Lucy.

"I'll see you at the party tonight?" Edmund called after her.

"Yes!" Anna yelled. "I'm going with Peter, but I'll save you a dance!" Then she disappeared around the corner of the castle.

Edmund got to his feet and slid his sword back into its sheath.

I'm going with Peter, Anna had said, But I'll save you a dance!

Not exactly what I'd like, Edmund thought, But I'll take it.