Disclaimer: Nope down own Narnia, I only own Sophie.

Chapter 9

Sophie

I ran up to my room and tossed my iTouch on my dresser I had in my pocket. I went underneath my bed to retrieve the armor box set and grabbed the wrist guards. I didn't really need my body armor because this was just harmless fun and not to mention it was a battle corset. I looked over at my battle corset that was lying in the box.

The day that I wear that, is the day that hell would freeze over. I really hope it doesn't happen here in a literal sense. I shoved the box back underneath the bed and ran outside to meet up with Edmund.

"Aren't you missing something from your armor set?" he asked.

"I know but I'm not wearing the body corset armor" I replied with a sly grin.

I strapped on my wrist guards as I was getting ready out in the courtyard near the stables. I looked over and saw that Edmund was already in his armor. I only needed my wrist guards just in case. I left my other armor back in my room. I unsheathed my sword as I met up to face Edmund.

"You're going to be alright?" he asked for like the thousandth time.

"I'll be fine" I replied as I rose up my sword. Edmund looked at me a bit funny before he raised his sword up as well.

Our swords clanged against each other as we moved around on the courtyard. It was only me and Edmund out in the field as we started the duel some time ago. So far none of us seemed to give up for the time being.

"You're doing alright?" Edmund asked.

"I'm fine" I replied as I went to swing at him. Edmund however blocked my move and I was almost thrown off course but I jumped back in as we continued to fight.

We continued to go around in a circle, hitting our swords until I called a little time out. I leaned against the railing of the stables as I was catching my breath.

"You know it's sort of unfair" I said.

"Why would you say that?" Edmund asked.

"Because you're better than me that's for sure" I replied.

"I can't help that I am one of the best swordsman here" he said.

"Yeah and I'm only a beginner/intermediate swordsman" I said.

"Even if you were to get better, I would still be a better swordsman" he said.

I rolled my eyes playfully as I got up from my spot. I grabbed my sword and shuffled it back and forth between my hands.

"We can stop you know, if you want to" he said.

"I'm fine I just needed a little breather that's all" I said with a smile. "Where were we?"

The duel then continued on. I've managed to block his attacks and he did the same. At one point he swung his sword at my feet and when the tip was near them, I jumped up, the sword completely missing it and came back down.

"Nice save" he said.

"Why thank you" I said with a smirk.

This went on for awhile. At one point, he knocked the sword out of my hands and I only stood there in shock.

Okay he may be the best swordsman here I'll have to admit but he looked so brave with it. Hell, I even feel intimidated by him.

Edmund went to swing the sword at me but I leaned back and attacked his sword. He swung his sword at my feet so I jumped up again, but when I came back down, I landed funny and he seemed to notice.

"Sophie, are you alright?" he asked as he dropped his sword and came over to me.

"I'm fine, I must've landed wrong" I replied. He knelt down to look at my right foot and he kept looking it over to see if it was sprained or something.

"Maybe we should stop."

"No I'm fine, really I guess I must've heard a bone crack in my foot or something. It happens once in awhile but I'm fine" I assured him. "Trust me I know my body when something isn't right." He looked at me for a moment before he decided to move on from the subject.

"Let's just stop for today and make sure you get that checked out" he said.

"I will" I said as I took off my wrist guards. "Can I ask you something?"

"I think you just did" he said with a smirk.

"Oh very funny" I said sarcastically. "Have you even been in the dark part of the forest?"

"No why?"

"I don't know but Buttercup was telling me something about other people hiding there and attacking those who cross their paths or some crap like that" I said.

Edmund looked at me as I was leaning against the rail again like before. "She said that to you?"

"Oh you don't believe me ask the horse she told me herself" I said, defending myself.

"No it's just an old legend but we do take precautions just in case" he replied.

"So there is something out there?" I asked.

"Yes and I don't want you venturing out there by yourself" he said.

"Edmund, you really think I would go out there by myself?"

"I don't know but knowing you, probably."

"If I was to go out there, I would be fine. I mean, hello I do know how to handle a sword" I said.

He looked at me before he rolled his eyes as we headed back towards the castle. My foot was doing fine so far but if anything was to hurt it even more, I know for a fact I would be in the infirmary as soon as anyone would be in a second.

"How are the dance lessons going anyways?" he asked.

"Have you seen me dance?" I said.

"I've heard that you're not good."

"Hardly. I suck at ballroom dancing and today I think I've accomplished a move or two since it impressed Lucy so much" I replied.

I saw that Edmund stopped shortly and tossed his sword on the ground. He then took my wrist guards and my sword and put them next to his.

"What are you doing?"

"We're dancing" he said simply.

"Right now?"

"Of course why not?"

"I don't know" I replied. "I told you I suck and you shouldn't be surprised when I don't dance at the ball in a few days."

"Come on Sophie, I promise it's not bad" he said.

"And yet you like all of this ball fancy party stuff thingies?" I asked.

"I'm not a big fan of them but don't let Susan know" he replied with a wink. "Now, stand in front of me."

I stood in front of him with my arms crossed over my chest, waiting on what to do next. "Okay just give me your left hand like this" he said, grabbing my left hand into his right. "And then I put my arm around your waist and your hand goes on my back."

We were now standing face to face holding one another. We weren't super close or far but we were pretty much near each other. I couldn't help but have this weird feeling going through my body as I was in Edmund's touch.

"All you have to do is follow my lead" he said.

"Easier said than done" I said.

"Just follow me" he mumbled as I held back a laugh. I gripped on to his hand tight and he looked at me. I gave him a look that said 'if I'm going down, you're going down with me'.

Edmund started to move as I tried to follow his steps as we danced in the courtyard. So far, I hadn't fallen on my ass but from the looks of it, he knows what he's doing. But then again, he is king so he must've had danced at balls before. I for one have not danced unless you call my dance moves dance then I wouldn't even try to go there.

"I must say, for someone who doesn't dance, you're not doing that bad" he said as we were moving around.

"Why thanks for a minute there I thought I was going to mess up or something" I said as he spun me around.

Somehow my foot caught a misstep and I tripped lightly and Edmund caught me. My body was on his as he held me upright. His arms were still around me as we stared at each other.

"I hope I don't do that on the dance floor" I said, trying to lighten up the situation.

"I agree" Edmund said.

When I stood up straighter, his arms were still around my waist. Our faces were inches from each other as I stared at him. I could see his freckles around his nose and his eyes were gorgeous even up close. I stared at his lips and then my eyes flickered up to him.

"There you two are" a voice cried out. We looked up and saw Susan coming towards us.

"Oh sorry, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything" she said.

"No you weren't, um we were just heading inside" I said.

"What were you two doing out here?"

"I was helping Sophie with her sword fighting" Edmund replied.

"I see" Susan said, looking back and forth between us. It seems like she knew what she saw but didn't want to bring it up.

"I was just coming to get you two and let you know dinner is almost ready so don't be late" she said.

"We won't" I said as Susan nodded at us and went back inside. I went to go grab my things but I felt Edmund's arm still around my waist.

"Um, Ed, you can let go you know" I said.

"Oh, um sorry" he said, letting me go. I smiled at him quick and grabbed my stuff. I looked over at Edmund once more before I headed up towards my room.

Was I that close to kissing Edmund?

Oh holy hell.

A/n: So sorry I would've posted last night but I got stuck working and it was a crappy night that's for sure. So hope this makes up for when I was away last week!

Okay so next chapter will be filler/getting ready for the summer ball and then the following chapter will be the ball and after that, things are going to happen. I'm leading this all to what will happen.

Don't forget to review! I was sad that no one reviewed last chapter but I understand that I was away so hopefully this will make up for it!

Thanks again for your patience and support!

Signing out for now,
Spikeluver89