Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Don't sue me.

A/N: Sorry it took so long for an update. I've been really busy lately. Please don't think I've forgotten about this story because I haven't!!! Now to get on with it.

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The date of he Witch's return was getting closer and closer and Cassie was getting more nervous by the day. She would spend less and less time sleeping and more and more time worrying about what was going to happen. Edmund was constantly trying to ease that worry but was doing a lousy job. Not to mention he didn't get any time to talk to her alone because it seemed like Peter was stalking him. Every time he'd get her alone Peter would come in and take him away for something else. He had the distinct feeling that Peter had found out about the second part of the prophecy and didn't approve. Big baby.

It was a week before winter was supposed to fall and Edmund and Cassie were outside going through sword drills. Over the weeks, she had gotten quite good and what would normally take a year to learn, they crammed into a few weeks. "Now, block!" he yelled. "Good." The clanging continued until the familiar sound of sword against stone rang out and Cassie stood above Emdund who was on the floor unarmed. Both were breathing heavily and Edmund had a smile on his face. "Well done," he sighed. "Very well done."

"Thank you," she sighed back, helping him up. Peter stood a few yards away watching them.

"Peter," Kaylee said coming up behind him.

"What?" he asked gruffly.

"You're spying," she pointed out.

"Am not," he argued.

"Are too and you know it." After a moment's pause she said, "He really isn't a kid anymore. You need to let him grow up." Peter didn't have a response for this and just stood there. "Please. Let them be for now. I need you to come in anyway."

Peter reluctantly tore his eyes away from the two younger ones and went inside with Kaylee close behind. Just before she went inisde, she turned to face Edmund. They made eye contact and he mouthed 'Thank you.' All she had to do was nod with a smile and walk back inside.

"You're getting better," Edmund told Cassie, who hadn't notice the silent exchange.

"Thanks," she said with a smile. An awkward silence followed and both stood there eyes down. "So…" she said trying to fill it.

"You want to take a break?" Edmund asked. Dear Aslan, how am I going to do this? he thought.

"Sure," she replied calmly setting her sword down but was thinking Oh, my God! What do I do? Ahhh!!! The training ground now seemed strangley empty and both seemed a little tense. "So…" she said again.

"Nervous?" he asked, knowing very the answer to that question.

She let out a sigh and said weakly, "You could say that."

"Missing home?" he asked again.

"Strangly," she answered, "no. I don't know why but this just seems to feel more like home than 'home' ever did."

"You know," he replied, "that's exactly how I felt."

"I have more friends here and amazing people and-" she stopped herself from saying 'you'.

"And what?" Edmund asked.

"Just… everything," she covered.

"Yeah," he agreed. "You know, since you've been here, I feel like I have someone I can really trust completely for the first time in a long while."

"Really? Me too. I've never told anybody about what I used to do with my dad until I told you, so count your blessings." Edmund chuckled lightly and accidentally brushed up against her arm. Her stomach almost jumped right into her throat at the small touch. Biting her lip, she inched closer to him trying to do it without him noticing.

Unfortunatly for her, he did and looked over. "There's something I need to…" he trailed off as he turned towards her. His hand brushed against her cheek and both leaned in slowly. This kiss started soft and small but got deeper as each got more comfortable.

Edmund was the first to pull away and he smiled. Cassie grinned as she said, "Wow."

"You can say that again," Edmund whispered.

"Wow." He chuckled and kissed her again.

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There was two days to go before winter fell and Cassie was no longer sleeping at all. Her training was getting down to the knitty-gritty and she hardly had time to think about the blossoming realtionship between her and Edmund or any of her other issues.

Orieus rode into the dining room where all the royals and Cassie were having a very quiet dinner and shouted, "There was an attack in the Eastern Wood, Your Majesties."

"Now?" Edmund asked.

"It's too early!" Lucy shouted.

"We should still have two days!" Susan interjected.

Peter, on the other hand, composed himself quickly and said, "Prepare the troops. We ride out to Berunda tonight."

"Why Berunda?" Kaylee asked.

"Because I'm sure she'll go back there," Peter said walking out. "Get everyone ready!" he shouted just before he was out of earshot. The rest of the group dissapated and each went to prepare the best they could. The only one who didn't even get up was Cassie.

No one had seen her pale at the sound of the guard's words. No one had noticed her sit there with eyes wide at the prospect of riding into battle tonight. No one, that is, except Edmund. "Cassie?" he asked approaching her. "Cassie, are you all right?" She gave a small whimper and he kneeled in front of her. "Everything is going to fine. You'll do fine. Just remember everything we've all taught you and it'll all be okay." She nodded and he gave a small reassuring smile.

Before he could get up she launched into his arms and hugged him tight. "Please promise me you're going to be okay," she whispered with tears in her eyes.

"I promise I'm going to be okay," he whispered.

"Ed?" she said.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you too," he automatically replied. "Everything is going to be fine. I know it will."

"I believe you." She gave a shakey sigh and small smile.

She walked out, leaving Edmund kneeling on the floor alone. "If only I believed myself," he told himself aloud.

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A/N: The big battle is coming up next! PLEASE REVIEW and tell me what you thought!! :D