Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia, I do own Sophie and this plot sort of.

Chapter 23

Sophie

To say that the next few days were stressful, they were. The plan was going to go into action in a few days and I was nervous and stressed. Between training and making sure everything and everyone was set, I felt like I was going to collapse from exhaustion.

Not to mention, I have yet to look up on the chest I stenciled out beforehand. I want to know what it is and what's inside, but how could I do it when I fall asleep as soon as I hit the pillow after dinnertime? Yeah, I've been doing there for two days straight until Edmund practically had to stay in my room in case I was getting sick.

So this is why I'm sitting here the night before the plan is suppose to happen, doing research at night. I was in the library by myself before Lucy decided to join and help me. I didn't mind since it beats doing this by myself. It was decided before hand that Lucy and I would go to the source where the chest was and I just have to go in and retrieve it.

"Find anything?" Lucy asked.

"No and I'm close to giving up" I replied.

"Why?" Ed's voice said as he made his appearance and sat next to me at the table.

"I don't know" I said.

"Well, you don't know unless you know why" Lucy said.

I shrugged as I continued to flip the pages. I started to turn the other page when I felt a cut on my finger. My finger flew to my mouth as I bit on it to stop the bleeding.

"Crap, this is like the fourth time I got a paper cut" I said.

"Are you sure you don't want my cordial?" Lucy asked.

"Nah it's harmless" I replied. "I'll get a bandage from the nurse or something tomorrow."

"Sophie, Peter wanted to know if there is more information about that chest" Edmund said.

"You can tell him there's nothing so far and that I officially give up after three days of looking" I replied, getting up from my seat.

"But why?"

I spun around to look at the siblings incredulously. "Don't you get it?" I asked. "I looked for days trying to see if I stenciled it wrong and I went back to the cave to double check to see if I was wrong and I wasn't. I'm only sixteen. I don't know anything about this chest or what not. How the hell can I be a hero to Narnia if I can't find out where this stupid chest is if it exists?"

I walked over towards the window nearby and stared out into the night. "Maybe if it would've been better if I didn't think of this stupid plan. Maybe I should've just let them take me hostage or some shit" I mumbled.

I felt hands on my arms and I was spun around to meet the familiar brown orbs I'm used to seeing.

"Don't talk like that" he chided softly to me.

"It's true and you know it" I said. "I'm going to screw up. I know it."

"You won't and anyone is going have to go through me to get to you" he said. "Sophie, nothing will go wrong. I hope not but I know you've been working hard. You won't mess anything up."

"I guess you're right" I said, lowering my eyes.

"Don't doubt yourself" he said, lifting my face so I can look at him.

"Um, guys" Lucy said, interrupting our moment. We turned our attention to her and she gave a concern look on her face as she held a book in front of her.

"I found out where the chest is" she said.

"Where?" I asked. I headed over back towards the table with Edmund in tow.

"In Aslan's How" she replied.

"Wasn't that destroyed or something like that?" I asked.

"It's buried in there" she said.

"And how the hell are we supposed to get it?"

Lucy raised her eyebrows at me. She really didn't like that I curse a bit too much. At times like these, I can't help it. "Sorry" I mumbled.

"Unless we can send a few minotaurs to help you dig the how out other than that, I don't know what else we can do" Edmund said.

"We'll figure something out" I said.

I hope.

I sat on the edge of the balcony later that night. Almost everyone had gone to bed except me. I sat on the warm night as I stared out into the stars. I pray that everything will go right tomorrow. I was nervous and scared at the same time.

My biggest fear was letting Narnia down. I've been here for almost two months and this place was home for me. I didn't have anyone important back home except my family. I don't even think they noticed I was gone. I knew my life wasn't perfect but I guess it was okay.

I moved from the balcony back into my room before I left my room and went across the hall. I knocked on the door and didn't hear anything so I guessed he was asleep. I pushed the door open a little and I can see Edmund lying on his bed.

"I thought you were asleep" I said. His head jerked towards my direction as he sat up.

"I couldn't sleep" he said.

"We agree on something then" I said. "You don't mind if I come in?"

He motioned me over towards him as I close the door and made my way over towards him. I sat on the end of the bed while he held on to my hand.

"And why couldn't you sleep?" he asked.

"I think you know why" I replied a bit dryly.

"Sophie" he said. "There's nothing to worry about."

I raised my eyebrows at him. "I think you are worried but you don't want anyone to know" I said.

"You're right but I am really worried about you" he said.

"How many times have we gone over this? I'll be fine" I assured him.

"I know but I do want you to be safe and alive. Sophie I'm in love with you" he said.

"Haven't we established that back at the beach?" I asked.

"No that not what I meant" he said. "I meant that I've fallen in love with you."

Not that I wasn't expecting. I sat up in my spot to look at him more clearly. "What did you say?" I asked.

"I'm fallen for you. I know it" he replied slowly. "Why, you didn't expect it, didn't you?"

"No, I mean no as in I didn't expect it but I do admit I'm in love with you also since the summer ball along with the crush. I didn't want to say anything only because I wasn't sure if you felt that way and the fact that we might be going into war it may sound so cheesy if we were to never see each other again" I said.

"It wouldn't and I'm glad we're on the same page about it love" he said.

I smiled as I leaned in to kiss Edmund. I pulled away and stared at him. "I love you Ed" I said.

"I love you too Sophie" he said. "I want to make you my wife one day."

I sat up and looked at him. "Already talking about marriage?" I asked with a small smile.

"Well, yeah don't you want to get married?" he asked.

"Of course I think about marriage, but not right this second we should" I replied. "Why don't we just try and deal with this first and when the day comes you propose in some way, I'll be saying yes. I'm just saying yes but not now."

He looked at me before he grabbed my face and kissed me on the lips. I returned the kiss, until I somehow manage to fall off the bed. I let out a squeal as I landed on the floor as Edmund looked at me with horror on his face. I don't know why but I started to laugh.

"I'm so sorry, are you alright?" he asked frantically as he flew off the bed and next to me.

"I'm fine" I said, calming down a bit. "I didn't hit my head if that's what you're wondering."

We stared at each other before he helped me up from the floor and continued to hold me. He took my hand but stared at my cut finger.

"You still haven't gotten that checked out?" he asked.

"I was going to. When my insomnia kicks in" I replied. "Kidding, it's just a small cut and besides it's harmless."

"Just make sure you get it checked out tomorrow" he said.

"I will if it'll ease your worries." I said. "Honestly, it's just a small cut."

"You say that now."

I rolled my eyes playfully as I gave him a goodnight kiss. "I love you" I whispered.

"I love you too. Try and get some sleep" Edmund said.

"You too" I said as I left his room.

I lied on my bed, trying to sleep as I wait for what tomorrow will bring. Though I couldn't believe that Ed and I literally said that we love each other, I was glad that we did. I just hope that we would get through this mess alright tomorrow.

A/n: Okay so the ending was complete crap. I didn't intend for them to say they love each other until a wee bit later on but it just came to me and well, here you go.

Next chapter, the plan goes into action. Will it work out? Got to read and find out!

Don't forget to review! They make me happy after a week that I had to go through last week which is a long story.

Signing out for now,
Spikeluver89