Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia, I do own Sophie.

Chapter 19

Sophie

If there was a time that Peter could've said I was kidding, I wish that moment could've been now. There was possibly no way that I'm some key to whatever it was that the Calormen want. It just wasn't possible. It couldn't.

"Tell me you're kidding or something" I said.

"I wish I was" Peter said.

"But nothing's going to happen to you" Edmund said. "Not on my watch or anyone else's"

"How am I a key?" I asked. "Is there anything we can do?" I think more importantly, what I can do to stop this. But I didn't want to say it at that moment.

"We're trying to figure it out at the moment" Peter replied.

"I should've never gone into the woods" I said softly.

"Don't blame yourself over this" Susan said.

"If I didn't go into those woods by myself looking for my stupid phone, none of this would've happened" I said, lowering my gaze to the floor.

I felt a finger underneath my chin and my gaze met Edmund's brown eyes. "Sophie, no one is going to take you away from here or from me" he said. "They would have to get through all of us to get to you and I won't let that happen. Ever."

I looked around the room and saw that everyone else had the same look as Edmund's. They know nothing was going to happen to me. I pulled away from Edmund's touch and I already missed it.

"Um, I guess I'll leave you guys to plan this thing out" I said.

"Sophie you don't have to leave" Lucy said.

"It's okay really. I just need to get some air" I said. I stepped out of the room before anyone reacted. I closed the door and closed my eyes. I pushed myself off the door and headed down the hallway in a daze.

I met up with them for dinner later on. I could feel eyes on me while I was eating. I had a hunch on whose eyes they belong too.

We tried to make conversation that didn't involve the possible war and it turned out to be some success. I didn't even notice I finished my plate until it was empty. I guess I was that hungry since I haven't eaten in awhile.

I quietly slipped outside towards the courtyard with a bow and some arrows. I've been practicing them by myself for a few days so I was getting a little better at them. Not to mention it helped me let out some stress I guess.

I let a few arrows go; which went near the target and the last one only landed on top. I grabbed them and practiced again for awhile after that. I want to get better so I could try and fight in this battle for all I know. If I didn't fight, then the people would either get hurt or die. I really don't want that on my conscious.

The sun was starting to set as I was taking the arrows off the board. When I turned around to go back to my spot, I was surprised to see Edmund watching me.

"How long were you there?" I asked.

"Not awhile" he said, still looking at me. I knew for a fact he wasn't out here to watch me practice. I knew that it had to do something that happened back at the study. I wasn't born yesterday or anything but I have that feeling.

"How are you holding up?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he asked, approaching me.

"I'm coping" I replied. I lifted my arm and when I was about to let the arrow go, I felt his hands on mine as he pushed them down.

"You don't look fine" he said.

"I am and I just wanted to practice is that a problem?"

"It isn't but it's a problem when you're trying to hide everything" he said.

"What do you want to say? 'I'm just so damn peachy not to mention I might be someone's key to god knows what and who knows what's going to happen to me.' I think my reaction spoke for itself" I said sarcastically.

I sat on the ground after I tossed the bow and arrows on the side and buried my face in my hands. "Did I do something in a past life that was stupid or something?" I mumbled.

"Hey" Edmund said, kneeling in front of me. "Sophie, can you look at me please?"

I peeked through my fingers and saw Edmund. He removed my hands and held them in his. "I promise you nothing will happen to you" he said.

"But I have to have this done so that way I would be able to protect myself when we're in battle" I said.

"Soph, I don't know if you should fight" he said.

"Why? Because I might do something stupid or the fact that you don't want me to?"

"Would you be mad if I said it was the second thing?"

"Ed, you've seen me with a sword and I'm practicing on the bow and arrows. I can take care of myself. It's you guys I'm worried about" I said.

"You shouldn't have to worry."

"But I do. For all I know, I could be taken away or something. Ed, what if something happens that it'll be my fault?"

He sat down next to me and wrapped me in his arms. "It won't be your fault. We've been having issues with them for some time now before you came. If anything happens to you, I wouldn't know what to do" he said.

I looked up at him for a second before I leaned into him. "Just promise me you won't get hurt or killed" I said.

"I promise Sophie" he said, pressing his lips softly on mine. He pulled away before resting his forehead on mine stroking my cheek comfortingly. "Nothing will ever happen to you. I'll protect you. I promise. Just don't get hurt or killed."

"I won't" I said. "And besides; no one's not going to get rid of me anytime soon."

We just sat like that after that. It was quiet between us but I guess the silence was needed. My head was rested on his chest as his hold on me tightened a bit. It felt weird knowing how now my life is in someone's hands and I hadn't had the slightest clue what to do about it.

I reached over for the bow and arrow and just held them in my hands as I stood up from my spot.

"What are you doing?" he asked as he followed in suit.

"I might finish what I did start or I could just wait until tomorrow to finish" I said.

"I would go for the second option."

"And why would I go for that?" I asked, grabbing the other arrows.

"So I can do this" he said. I looked at him before he cupped my face and kissed me hard.

I dropped my arrows and returned the kiss eagerly. I looked at him after I pulled away and smiled a bit. "You're such a dork you know that" I said, smirking a bit.

"Oh really?" he asked, glaring playfully at me.

"Yeah and what are you going to do about it?" I asked. I winked at him and started to walk off towards the castle. I was only halfway when I felt arms around me and I shrieked as I was spun around. I could see out of the corner of my eye Edmund spinning me around with a grin on his face.

"And what the hell was that?" I asked as he put me down.

"That my dear was me trying to cheer you up" he replied, his arms still around my waist as my hands slid up to his shoulders.

"Well I'll admit it did work" I said.

"Good" he said grinning. We continued to look at each other. I pushed some of his hair out of his eyes and he took a hold of my wrist and kissed the back of my hand tenderly.

"Sophie" he said. I looked up at him and we were about to kiss again until we got interrupted.

"Um what's going on?" a voice asked. We looked up and saw Peter standing in front of us. He looked confused but a little bit shocked at the same time.

"Nothing Pete, what's going on?" Ed asked.

"I should ask you two the same thing" he replied eyeing us suspiciously.

"I was going to head inside" I replied, picking up the bow and arrows. "I'll see you later Ed." I pressed my lips on to his cheek and left hurriedly inside as my face was red from embarrassment.

I lied on my bed, just staring at the ceiling. I was going over the events that were playing in my head from earlier on today.

I know I have to do something for whatever the hell we're going to do if it comes down to the battle. There was something out in that woods and I had no idea what it was but I guess I was the only one to get it or someone's key to get it. Whatever it's called.

I got comfortable on the bed though I was lying on the sheets as I listened to my IPOD. I had Don't Fear the Reaper playing and I just listened to the song. I felt my eyes closing and I fell asleep.

Little did I know, I was entering into my nightmare from hell.

A/n: I know I'm horrible but hey, it had to be done. The nightmare will happen in the next chapter. I didn't want to make this a long-ass chapter and it'll bore you so I'm putting the nightmare in the next chapter.

I hope to update more before I start school up again in September. If I don't, then you'll know that I'm just trying to enjoy the last days of summer before I go back to school but as a medical billing major which I'm excited and nervous about.

Also to Georgiagirl5 and to those who were wondering about the girl from the ball who was closing to kissing Edmund, she won't make any more appearances in this story. I know bummer (not LOL).

Don't forget to review! They make me happy and I thank each and every one of you for your patience and support so far!

Signing out for now,
Spikeluver89