I have to go to Concert Choir soon. It's pretty cool this semester since we're doing a "Music from Movies" variety show concert. It's pretty awesome. Oh and not to mention Jazz Choir gets to perform too (which I am also in) so we have a LOT of work to do! I LOVE being a choir nerd!

So I have about 45 minutes to write a chapter for you guys, I'll give it my best shot!

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I had been two days since I had stitched up Edmund's arm and by this point I wondered darkly if I should have just let him bleed to death. He had me hopping around ever since then, doing stupid little errands, getting him food from the kitchen (he eats a LOT), sending messages to generals and other military advisees, and, of course, giving him a massage every time I stepped into the room. Needless to say, I was getting rather annoyed.

"Natani," Edmund whined from where he was sitting up reading in his bed, "Can you do me a favor?"

I whipped around and glared at him.

"NO!" I yelled. He looked at me with wide eyes and leaned away from my wrath.

"I just wanted…" he began timidly.

"I'm not giving you any more massages, running any more messages, or getting you anymore food, you glutton!" I ignored him and got back to folding the towels I had gotten back from the laundress. I was only doing this in his room to keep him company, but I refused to play servant today.

"Natani, come here," Edmund suddenly whispered. I don't know why, but I automatically got up and went over to him and sat next to him. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and pulled me down to where we were laying on our sides and he was pressed up behind me.

I sighed. I just couldn't stay mad at him.

"Have I told you these last couple days how much I appreciate you?" he whispered softly in my ear, then placed a kiss on my neck. "How thankful I am that you're here?" Another kiss. "How I feel better just by having you in the same room?" Another kiss, nearly on my shoulder. "How much I love you?" He leaned over and caught my lips in a kiss.

It was a weird angle, but that somehow just made things more interesting. I smiled into the kiss and heard him start to laugh.

He laid back, pressing his nose into the back of my neck, and his whole body shook in silent laughter.

"What?" I asked.

"I had no idea I even possessed the capability to be that pathetic," he said happily.

"Yeah, you are pretty sappy," I agreed, which was completely true, but I didn't want him any other way.

"But you know I mean every word, right?" he asked, nuzzling me, "I'm not just saying all this stuff to woo you into a false security."

I laughed.

"That never really crossed my mind, Edmund."

Silence enveloped us and neither of us seemed to mind. I was holding onto Edmunds hand and massaging it slowly as he nuzzled and kissed my neck softly. Yeah, he knew how to work.

"Natani?" he said softly, halting all of his little ministrations and pulling me ont my other side to face him.

"Hmm?" I murmured, gazing fondly at his worried face.

"I don't want you in the battle," he said, avoiding my eyes.

I sat up quick as a flash.

"Excuse me?" I shrieked, "Why exactly do you think I could ever be persuaded not to fight in this battle, Edmund?"

He sat up and put his hands on my shoulders, shaking me slightly.

"Listen to me, Natani, and listen good," he locked eyes with me and I felt my breath catch in my throat at the sheer panic in them, "I CAN'T have you on that battle field. Do you understand that? I CAN'T let you. I couldn't focus and be the leader I need to be for my troops if you're there because I'll be too worried about you. I would take an arrow for you and I can't afford to do that this time. Please, this has nothing to do with doubting your abilities."

I had to admit, he had a point. I had considered my own worry for him that I would have during the battle as well, but I figured my adrenaline would simply blot him out after a while. Maybe I was wrong.

For the first time in my life, I felt…submissive. I would listen to him and stay back, no matter how much it was making my warrior side want to lash out and tell him to jump off a bridge.

"You're right," I said softly, slumping in his grip.

"I…I am?" he was shocked, "You mean…you're actually going to listen to me?"

I nodded.

"I want you to be at your best on that battlefield," I replied, "I don't want you getting your head chopped off because of me. But don't, for a single second, think that I am happy about this."

I stood up and left the room, knowing it was the right decision but still torn up inside because I was going against everything I had always been.

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Yes, it's short, but it's all I could squeeze into my 45 minutes! I'm off to class!

Enjoy and review if you want :D