For three days Sam saw neither hide nor hair of Edmund. He and Peter were at war council all the time, and took their meals there. No matter how late Sam stayed awake at night, she could never catch Edmund coming in, and no matter how early she got up, Edmund's bed was a mess and he was gone. On the morning of the fourth day Peter appeared in her doorway.
"You father's account came two days ago. He has determined that since your country is now part of Narnia, declaring was on you will be declaring was on all of Narnia. With your consent, we will break the engagement and, if necessary, go to war."
Sam was appalled. "Peter, you cannot go to war on my behalf."
"Not entirely, though that would make a nice bedtime story. No, Samantha, this country has been giving us grief for years, pilfering our goods and marauding our villages. Now we have a legitimate reason to conquer-or destroy-them."
"I am greatly in your debt, then, Peter, and I give my consent to break the engagement and the treaty."
Peter nodded briskly and turned away.
"Peter!"
He turned and looked questioningly at Sam.
"Have you seen Edmund? Does he know about all of this?"
"He knows only that we may go to war. We will tell him when it is finalized in only a few moments. But, Sam-this has greatly distressed him. I hope he'll be fine, but keep and ear out for him when he's here, will you?"
Sam nodded but mumbled, "If he's EVER here."
That night, it stormed. A violent tempest beat against Sam's window and thunder ruled the sky. She tossed and turned, completely unable to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, her door opened. Edmund's broad-shouldered frame filled the doorway.
"Sam? Are you awake?" he called in a stage whispered.
"Of course I'm awake, who can sleep in such a racket?"
"You're scared, then?"
"When ELSE have you seen me this out of sorts?"
Edmund stifled a laugh. He walked to her bed and threw the covers off her. HE swept her up and carried her to his room. Together they snuggled under the covers, Edmund's arms wrapped tightly around her.
"The engagement is broken," he whispered in her ear, "but if he's a smart man, this prince won't give you up without a fight."
Sam brushed her fingers across Edmund's cheek. "But he won't win."
Edmund brought her face level with his and kissed her passionately.
"You're right, Sam. Over my dead body will he take you away from me."