"She gave you leave to walk?" Ronus's eyebrows were lost in his hair. "I doubt that's a good idea, especially today."

Edmund shrugged. "She had errands to run, and she is not my nursemaid. I am perfectly capable of taking a walk in the gardens alone."

"On a Sunday? Lady Ivanna is here."

"I can avoid her."

"Try not to go riding. Liana threatened to have me beheaded for treason if you had so much as a scratch on your armor by the time she got back," he sounded far too amused for Edmund's liking. "The funny thing is, you actually listened to her."

"She is my healer, of course I was going to listen to her."

Ronus snorted. "Its more than that and you know it. I think you've taken a fancy to her," a wicked smile took over his face at the idea.

Edmund rolled his eyes. "How old are you, Ronus?"

"Old enough to know when my friend is pining over a woman," Ronus grinned. "That's it, isn't it? That's why the council is so furious with you and that's why she's getting all this special treatment. You like her!"

"What does my liking her have to do with the council?" asked Edmund in confusion, forgetting the context in which they were speaking.

Ronus burst out laughing. "Oh, Aslan help you, King Edmund. You've fallen for the one woman who would have nothing to do with you if she could help it."

Edmund scowled. "You don't know that."

"Perhaps," conceded Ronus, still smiling. "Do you really feel something for her?"

Edmund hesitated. "I care about her," he admitted finally. "She… interests me."

"Interests you?" Ronus scoffed. "You're besotted. You would never refuse to pick up your sword just because a woman asked you to. Whether or not she is your healer is irrelevant."

"The fact of the matter is-" Edmund was interrupted by a sharp tap on his shoulder. He turned around and raised his eyebrows at the unfamiliar man standing before him. "Yes?"

His friend stepped in. "Ah, King Edmund, this is Lord Alem. He's Lady Ivanna's brother," introduced Ronus. He straightened up and discreetly edged forward, slightly ahead of Edmund. "Keep your distance," he warned.

Lord Alem didn't even flinch. "I have a bone to pick with the honorable King Edmund, and I'd thank you to stay out of it," he snarled.

"What's wrong?" asked Edmund. He indicated for Ronus to stand back, but he didn't move.

"You and your corrupt family is what are wrong!" he hissed. "My sister's modesty has been compromised, and I would have you pay for it."

Edmund's eyebrows shot up. "Are you ill, man? I haven't spoken to your sister in weeks."

"When was the last time you did?" in a trice, Lord Alem's sword was out, pointing straight at Edmund's chest. "I will ensure you pay for your ungrateful and disgraceful behaviour, King Edmund, before your brother puts us on that ship for home."

Edmund didn't back down. His eyes darkened. "I did nothing wrong. Put away your sword."

"You bloody well did something!" yelled the other man. "I won't have tongues wagging about my family, you good for nothing-"

"King Edmund is recovering from a wound," Ronus interjected sharply. "Dueling is out of the question. And keep your voice down, you're talking to a king!"

Lord Alem didn't move, but he did lower his voice. "I wouldn't spit on a king like him."

"I'll duel him," said Edmund. His voice was quiet, but inside he was furious. "Give me my sword, Ronus."

Ronus hesitated, never taking his eyes off the grim look on Lord Alem's face. "I can duel in your stead, my lord."

"I would prefer to handle this on my own."

Reluctantly, Ronus handed his sword to him. "Liana will kill us both," he hissed. Edmund blinked, but shrugged.

"It can't be helped," he muttered as he took his stance against Lord Alem.

!

Edmund scowled darkly as he felt Ronus nudge him in the back. "I can walk myself."

"She's going to have our heads if we don't get you to her in one piece," replied Ronus. He sounded terrified. It almost made Edmund laugh. "You were not supposed to so much as look at your sword, to engage in a duel was far beyond the question."

"I feel fine," Edmund shrugged out of Mr. Tumnus's grip, and something in his expression prevented the fawn from insisting. "I needed the exercise, Ronus."

"You are bleeding, King Edmund. Forgive me if I do not want healer Liana to have me beheaded for some form of treachery that she will no doubt invent on the spot," muttered Ronus darkly. He entered the Houses of Healing in front of Edmund and bowed him inside.

"She's not here," it took Edmund less than thirty seconds to make sure of the fact.

Ronus raised his eyebrows. "You seem very sure."

Edmund hesitated. He knew Liana was not present because he could sense it, but it sounded too ridiculous to say out loud. Plus, another round of Ronus's merciless teasing was not something he could take in his present state. Instead, he merely shrugged, then winced when white hot pain shot through his shoulder. Lord Alem was a good swordsman, but Edmund was better. He had won, but he was sure he had ruptured his stitches in the process.

"Your Grace!" a fawn came running towards them, tripping over his own hooves. He made a hasty bow and immediately gestured Edmund towards one of the beds. "What ails you?"

Edmund let Ronus explain and exchanged a look with Mr. Tumnus. Wordlessly, the fawn nodded and went off to make enquiries about Liana's whereabouts.

The other healer was shaking his head at Ronus's words. "Deeply sorry, but Healer Liana is in charge of royal care and royal decree prevents anyone else from so much as checking a royal pulse."

"Well, where is she then?" demanded Ronus.

"She is away on personal reasons, my lord, she did not say where and you must understand she is so respected that it would be folly to even question her because-"

"She is in the herb gardens," Mr. Tumnus appeared at Edmund's side and gave a small smile to the other fawn. "I believe she has just returned from her sister-in-law's home. Run and fetch her, Healer Jorah."

The fawn hesitated, but finally nodded and ran off, tripping a few more times before he exited the same way they had come in. Mr. Tumnus patted Edmund's back and helped him lie down on the spare bed. Ronus stood by his bed, twisting his hands. A few minutes went by until they heard raised voices. Surprisingly, one of them was Liana's.

"I asked you not to be disturbed, Jorah! How difficult was that to ensure? Even after seeing the state we are in-"

"Liana, I beg of you to understand, it is the King, and-"

"I don't care if its Aslan himself! You expect me to enter that house with two young children?"

Her words hung in the air as the door was flung open and Liana stormed inside. Her eyes were glinting with fury and were rimmed with red, whether from lack of sleep or crying, Edmund couldn't tell. Her hair was a mess, and for the first time she was wearing black. It brought out the paleness of her face, and Edmund was shocked at the change from when he had seen her return from her sister-in-law's house the last time. Her sash hung from one hand and in the other she held the chubby fist of a toddler, with two blonde braids and in a similar black dress. The child in her own free hand held a basket from which the wailing of another child could be heard.

Liana didn't waste words. She ushered the child with her basket into a corner and pointed to Ronus. "You," she almost snarled the word. "Seeing as I obviously cannot even give you the duty of ensuring your King is safe, I will not entrust my brother's children to you. Leave," without waiting for an answer, she turned to Mr. Tumnus and her voice softened slightly. "Please, take them out to the gardens," Mr. Tumnus nodded, and she turned to Jorah, rattling off a list of items she needed. Once her orders were carried out, she turned to Edmund.

"I have never been less thrilled to see you hurt," her words were mocking, but her voice had lost the amused tone she always adopted with him. It sounded dead and lifeless. "Why did you pick up the sword, Edmund?"

Edmund blinked. "How did you-"

"I heard about it from the dryads," she sighed and got to work, checking his pulse and using a blade to cut open his tunic. "I also heard that there was little chance of competition, despite your injury; my congratulations."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She worked in silence for a while. It wasn't until Jorah had brought her the instruments she wanted and she was mixing a draught for him that Edmund finally asked what was on his mind.

"I thought you had gone to see your sister?" he kept his voice casual, but couldn't help glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

Liana froze for a second before continuing with her brewing. She didn't speak until Edmund had finished the entire vial of liquid. When she did, her voice was hoarse. "My sister-in-law died last night giving birth to a child. My brother does not know, and he is not to return for another week yet."

She made to turn away, but Edmund saw the tears gathering in her eyes and reflexively caught her hand. She looked at their linked fingers in surprise before raising her gaze to his. He didn't speak, but she saw something in his eyes that she liked; she offered him a wan smile.

"Tell me how I can help you," the words were out of his mouth before he was even aware of uttering them.

Liana laughed, her eyes wet with tears. "Forgive me, King Edmund, but your methods of helping me are far too overwhelming. I cannot ask for more."

Edmund didn't laugh. He sat up on the bed, wincing as he put pressure on his arm. Liana's hand immediately went to his shoulder, but he shook her off. "Sit down," he spoke through clenched teeth. Something in his expression stopped her from protesting and she sat down on the edge of his bed willingly enough, but averted her gaze. "I have no qualms about using my influence if it can add to your comfort."

"I'm quite comfortable."

"You're crying."

She smiled wryly. "Have you never cried?"

"Be serious, Liana."

"I'm speaking in earnest," her voice was quiet. "It is very difficult to help me. I have two young children to care for, a job that is a way of life and added to that I am in danger of-" she suddenly stopped talking and removed her hand from his grip, almost snatching it away in her haste. "Forgive me. You need not concern yourself with my affairs. I will manage. Now, tell me if this hurts."

Edmund, seeing that she was genuinely anxious to avoid discussing what was wrong, gave in and let her nurse him. She informed him that he would need stitches again and hurriedly asked Jorah for a needle. Edmund tried not to wince every time she pierced his skin, but it was hard.

"It must be uncomfortable," she murmured suddenly. Edmund jumped. Liana smiled guiltily. "Sorry."

"It's alright," he relaxed back onto the pillow and focused on her voice. "You were saying?"

"The needle. It must be uncomfortable."

"You would know."

"I wouldn't, actually. I've never had a serious injury."

"You're lucky."

"So I've been told," she smiled and released his arm. "Sit up and have some water."

"I'm fine," said Edmund reflexively. He avoided her eyes almost as soon as he'd spoken. Truthfully, he felt sick.

Liana rolled her eyes. "I know you feel awful. I didn't give you any kind of pain reliever. Have something to drink, go to dinner and rest for a while. You'll be fine."

Edmund smiled sheepishly and shrugged, nodding his head. However, when she left his side for a few moments to check on the children, he beckoned to Jorah.

"Tell my sisters that Healer Liana is in need of their help," he said. His words were barely a whisper; he didn't want her to hear him. "Once they see the children, they will understand."

Jorah hurried off to fulfill orders. Liana came back and returned to her work. While applying an extra layer of bandages, she spoke again.

"I'm curious to know how he provoked you, King Edmund."

Edmund winced, more from the question than any pain. "He accused me of compromising his sister's modesty."

Liana's lips twitched. "Did you?"

Edmund snorted. "He was Ivanna's brother. What do you think?"

Liana smirked. "You certainly don't waste words. But that doesn't answer my question."

"I would never."

"You came quite close to it once."

Edmund looked at her in surprise, but she remained focused on her work. Her expression was still pleasant and devoid of any spite. He took a chance with his answer. "That was different," Liana cut the cloth with a pair of scissors and met his eyes as she was putting them down. "That girl was beautiful."

She blinked. He knew she had understood his meaning, but she once again looked away and busied herself with smoothing the sheets on his bed. Edmund wondered if he had pushed it too far. "Everyone who surrounds you is beautiful on the outside, King Edmund," her voice was small, but at least she had answered.

He spoke without thinking. "She was beautiful on the inside as well."

Liana was quiet. "I don't think that is-"

"Try not to talk propriety to me when I'm lacking essential articles of clothing, Liana. It really makes me feel incredibly immoral," Edmund raised his eyebrows in mock-seriousness, trying to make light of the situation. The last thing he wanted to do was offend her.

Liana burst out laughing. Her eyes twinkled. "My, my. Aren't you positively charming today?"

"I suppose its the effect you have on me," said Edmund without missing a beat. Liana rolled her eyes. "I'm serious," he persisted. "I can't stand to see a woman cry. It makes me feel horribly inadequate."

She shook her head laughingly. "I don't even know how to respond to that!"

"You could start by reassuring me that I'm naturally charming?" he suggested. "We both know its quite true."

Liana snorted. "I think that's quite enough of your flirting, King Edmund."

"Is it flirting to compliment a pretty woman?"

"Unfortunately, it is. Especially when you have a strictly business relationship with that woman," said Liana pointedly.

"I thought we had established that we were friends?" Edmund raised his eyebrows. "Don't tell me I did all that for nothing."

Liana's lips twitched, but she resisted the urge to laugh. "You may have accomplished something," she told him, eyes twinkling with merriment. "But I am very busy and you need rest. You may leave now. And stay away from the sword this time, Edmund. I won't always be around to save you."

Edmund snorted, though he couldn't ignore the strange feeling in his stomach when he heard her words. It felt like dread. "Where would you be without me to give your life purpose, Liana?"

Liana swatted him with the wad of bandages in her hands and made a quick curtsey before turning to leave towards the gardens, where the two queens were now cooing over her nieces.

A little bit of Liana/Ed interaction. I've been dying to get this chapter up so I couldn't resist updating so soon after the last one. Please review and tell me if you liked the conversation. I tried to keep it as light as possible; there will be plenty of time for the more intense stuff later!