Chasms and Chinks

It's Time to Duel!

They brought Trumpkin down to the treasure house, inviting him to go and gear himself up. As soon as the dwarf saw the immense wealth in each of the chests, Gimli saw the flash of dragon-sickness in his eyes-which quickly dissipated. Peter suited him up with a bow and a quiverful of arrows, along with mail shirts and a helmet.

"It would never do to let Nikabrik see this, never," Trumpkin muttered. "Never!"

Edmund and Lucy, on the other hand, was spending the time looking over their other stuff.

"What is that?"

Legolas peered above Lucy's shoulder to the vial in her hand, filled with a translucent red liquid.

"It's a potion given to me the last time we were here," she said. "Years and years ago."

"The last time...? Then you are not of this world as well?"

"Just as much as you are," Susan said, bitterness in her voice.

For a moment Legolas wanted to apologize again for upsetting her, but Gimli shook his head.

"I find that she is that sort of person," Gimli said. "Best not say anything anymore."

Lucy led the way out, followed by Susan and Legolas, Gimli hanging back a little and listening to the two Pevensies who were talking to each other in hushed voices. A smile settled on Peter's lips.

"No, let me," Edmund was saying. "If I win, it'll be more of a sucks for him, and if he wins, it won't be too much of a let down for us."

"All right, Ed," Peter said. "Go ahead."

When they reached the courtyard ruins of Paravel, Edmund faced Trumpkin and Gimli snapped to rapt attention. He nudged Legolas. "You won't want to miss this."

"I've got something to ask you," Edmund said, a smirk on his face. "We kids don't usually have the privilege of meeting a warrior such as you, and it would be frightfully decent to hold a fencing match."

The dwarf seemed to realize that they were at a perfect place to do so, but he eyed Edmund up and down in uncertainty. "You, laddie?" he said. "These swords are sharp."

"I know, I know. But I'll never get anywhere near you and I'm sure you're clever enough to disarm me without injuring me or otherwise."

"It's a dangerous game you're playing at," Trumpkin said. "But I'll give you a pass or two, if that's what you'd like."

In a moment both swords flashed in the sunlight, Peter urging the rest to give Edmund and Trumpkin enough space to move around. The smile never left his face, even as Edmund took a few good knocks. Swords clashing and feet shifting, the two were at it in amazing speed, rounding each other and leaping off the ground as the blade passed under them.

"It is similar to our form of fighting," Legolas said. "Your brother is good with the sword."

"Twenty years of being a king trains you well," Peter said.

"Oh, do be careful!" Lucy called out.

Left, right, up, down their strokes went until Edmund lunged forward and twisted his wrist in a peculiar way. Next thing they knew, Trumpkin's sword flew into the air and clattered to the ground, Edmund towering over Trumpkin, sword firmly in hand. Trumpkin himself fell, surprised and rubbing his wrist.

"Not hurt, I hope?" Edmund asked, reaching out a hand to help Trumpkin up.

"I see. You know a move I never learned."