Sam was homesick. She wanted her room back, even though it wasn't much bigger than the guest where she was. But that title.
Guest room.
It made it sound like she was temporary, to be kicked out somewhere else later. Just being in the room made her antsy. She sat down at the vanity and looked in the mirror. She truly was plain, she realized. The red hair, the mud-eyes, the freckles. She had high cheekbones, that was nice, but not much else going for her.
Sam sighed. No wonder no one courted her, or even looked at her twice in passing.
I need some fresh air, she thought. But first, out of this dress.
The dress in question was nice-looking but stupidly uncomfortable. She changed into a simpler, more comfortable red cotton dress and took off her tiara and the jeweled necklace she'd worn for a good 'first impression'.
Sam padded barefoot over to the trunk with all her worldly belongings-her chambermaid had quit her post a week before and stolen most of Sam's belongings not under lock and key. She drew out a long sword and sheathed it, then strapped it around her. The familiar weight on her hip soothed her some. She laced up her boots and walked outside.
Edmund was pacing the grounds, weaving in and out of courtyards before finally deciding on going to the stables. He was going riding again, after he'd been interrupted by Sam's arrival.
Sam decided she'd retrieve her horse from the stables and go for a ride. The nice thing about Narnia's rolling grasslands and steep hills were that they resembled the ones at home.
Edmund and Sam were on opposite ends of the stables, and neither noticed the other until both horses were saddled and bridled. Edmund had one foot in the stirrup when he heard a remarkable crash and a whinnying horse. He slung himself over the horse and trotted cautiously to the other end of the stable.
"Arc, come on, don't be like that. I know this isn't home, but it's better! At least for you, look how big your stall is.
The situation was almost comical, and Edmund bit back a laugh. Sam was standing beside an impressively tall horse, stroking its nose and talking to it. Sam was very small, he realized, at least a foot shorter than he was and dwarfed immensely by the huge horse.
Sam looked over when she heard the horse's hoof beats.
"You'd be King Edmund, then?"
"Just Edmund, thank you. What happened?"
Sam gestured toward her horse. "Arc is homesick."
"Arc?"
"Short for Arcenalla. (are-cen-ell-uh)She came named, not my choice. So I call her Arc.
"Of course."
Abruptly, Edmund rode off. Miffed at Edmund rudeness, Sam mounted her horse in a huff and trotted after Edmund.
"For a king, you have no manners."
"And for a freeloader, you have a lot of attitude."
Sam's eyes widened. "What have I done to you? Why are you so mean?"
Edmund looked at Sam sideways. He decided it was interesting being around her. She was someone to match his arguments instead of back down with a 'deepest apologies, my king.'
"I'm not mean, I simply don't trust you. If you're trustworthy, I'll eventually figure it out."
"And who are you to be a high-and-mighty judge of character?"
"You sleep in my quarters and you challenge my rule?"
"I'll challenge more than that, given the chance."
Edmund smiled. The girl had spirit, he liked that. He spotted the weapon at her waist.
"Can you fight, or it that merely an ornament?"
"I can fight."
Edmund jumped down from his horse and tied the reigns to a tree. He drew his sword and leveled it at her.
"Prove it."
"I'll not fight a king."
Edmund groaned. "And here I though my title wouldn't make a difference to you."
Sam faltered. "All right. But if I cut you by accident, I'll not be charged for high treason?"
"No. But you're not going to cut me on purpose?" Sam caught the grin in his voice and the sparkle in his eyes.
"I'll try to refrain," she answered, fighting a smile. She dismounted and tied up her horse next to Edmund's. Drawing her sword, she looked to Edmund.
They circled each other for less than 10 seconds. At the same instance, they charged.
A horrible screech of metal on metal followed, and came again and again as swords clashed. Edmund twisted his sword underneath Sam's and held the tip at her throat. Sam looked from it to Edmund's eyes, then sharply pulled her sword up and knocked his away.
The fight was on!
Neither knew how long it lasted, but both were panting and red-faced.
Summoning his last bit of strength, Edmund struck once again, and the blow knocked the sword from Sam's hand. Sam was about to admit defeat and take the shame when Edmund's sword tip scratched the length of her hand. Each stared at the other while Sam's hand dripped blood, then Sam turned and disappeared into the forest.
A/N - Ooh, cliffhanger. I love writing this story, so sorry about the onslaught of update. R&R, please!