Trials of Faith

Chapter XIV

"Me too, Ed. Don't you, Susan?" Lucy says. Peter snickers.

Susan rolls her eyes, suppressing laughter.

"No." Edmund sighs. "At least I don't think I do. Can't we talk about anything else?"

"What else is there?" Peter asks, grinning.

"So do you really consider Jacob a friend now?" Mrs. Pevensie asks Peter.

"Maybe in the future." Peter decides.

Edmund scoffs.

Peter sighs. "Why are you so averse to being friendly to Jacob?"

"I have no trouble being friendly. I'm just opposed to calling him a friend." Edmund explains.

"Why? He seems sincere enough." Peter protests.

"Seems." Edmund says. "Not everything is as it seems, don't judge a book by its cover, and all those old motifs."

"Likewise, you shouldn't immediately reject the book either." Peter replies.

"I just haven't made up my mind yet. That's all." Edmund responds.

Peter nods. "Jacob invited me to come once Father has to leave. You should come with me."

"I dunno, Peter..." Edmund begins.

"Think about it. You should know about giving second chances." Peter is confused about his brother's sudden reluctance to give Jacob a second chance. Out of all of them, Edmund was usually most willing to give someone another chance.

Edmund looks to his feet, not wanting to remember the events of his previous year in Narnia. He betrayed his siblings for the White Witch, but they still managed to forgive him.

"Why should Edmund in particular know about giving second chances?" Lt. Pevensie asks, bemused. "I don't understand."

"He just should." Peter replies shortly, knowing Edmund probably wouldn't respond.

"Look, I'll try my best." Edmund says. "But no guarantees."

"That's all I ask." Peter says as they turn into the Professor's manor's driveway.

"Do you know how long you're home for, Dad?" Susan asks.

"Two weeks from today." Lt. Pevensie responds.

"That's great!" Lucy exclaims. "Though I wish you didn't ever have to leave again."

"Hopefully the war will end soon." Lt. Pevensie agrees.

"Yes." Mrs. Pevensie acknowledges.

"What should we do for the rest of the day?" Lucy wonders.

"What do you kids want to do?" Lt. Pevensie asks.

"I wonder if the Professor has broadswords." Peter mutters to Edmund. "I've been wanting to practice again."

"Me too." Edmund replies. "Do you think Dad knows how to use a broadsword?"

"It's worth asking. Father, do you know how to use a broadsword?"

"Yes, a little." Lt. Pevensies says.

"Broadswords?" Professor Kirke asks. "I have some on the wall you can use." He winks at Peter and Edmund as they walk through the door.

"Thank you, sir!" Peter says excitedly as he studies the wall. Finding the one most similar to Rhindon, he takes it off the hook. He swings it around, testing the weight and balance.

"I wonder if Dad will question why we're so good with them." Edmund laughs.

"I don't really care." Peter admits. "I've been craving to practice for so long." The boys carry the swords back outside.

"This time try not to break any windows, Ed." Peter teases

"Hey! That was your fault last time! You balled it!" Edmund defends.

Peter rolls his eyes as he brings the sword up in a defensive manner.

"Ready?" Edmund asks.

"I've been ready since we got back from Narnia." The boys begin to fight, not noticing that Lt. and Mrs. Pevensie have come outside to see what the boys were doing.

"Impressive." Lt. Pevensie calls out. "Where did you learn that?"

"Here at the Professor's." Peter lies.

"Right." Edmund confirms the lie.

Lt. Pevensie shakes his head. "You didn't even know the Professor had swords. Tell the truth."

Edmund sighs, knowing he can't tell his father about Narnia, "Peter and I used to sneak out and practise every night. We acted surprised when the Professor offered the broadswords because we didn't want you to know we took them without permission. We didn't want you to be disappointed."

Lt. Pevensie sighs. "You know I disapprove of lying, boys."

"Yes, sir." Peter and Edmund reply.

"Do you want to join us, Father?" Peter asks.

Lt. Pevensie smiles and picks up a broadsword. "I'm not nearly as good as you boys." He warns.

"You're not scared, are you?" Edmund says with mock surprise.

"Ed!" Peter laughs.

"Of course not." Lt. Pevensie shakes his head resolutely and brings his sword up defensively.

"Good," Edmund smiles. "It doesn't become you to back away from a fight." he laughs kind-heartedly.

Peter lightly blocks his father's weak blow and brings his sword down as if to cut off his father's arm.

"You boys can't be self taught!" Lt. Pevensie exclaims, out of breath.

Edmund puts on his best confused face. "How else would we have learned? Maybe we fell into an imaginary land?" He asks the last part sardonically. Peter shoots his younger brother a glare. 'Not the best thing to say.'

Lt. Pevensie laughs, "Wow. I had no idea. Susan mentioned something about learning archery."

"Oh?" Peter tries to make his voice sound curious, but fails miserably.

Edmund shoots Peter a look of disbelief as if to say, 'Perfect coverup, prat!'

'You didn't even say anything!'

"Yes. I found a book about archery in her room. She said she picked it up from the study and that Professor Kirke sometimes lends she and Lucy some practice bows. The girls seem to have taken a real interest in this." Lt. Pevensie responds.

"Oh." Peter says again, monotone.

"Lt. Pevensie," Professor Kirke says as he enters the courtyard. "There's a telephone call for you."

"Thank you, sir." Lt. Pevensie responds. "I'll be right back, boys."

Edmund looks at Peter. "Who do you think would be calling him?" he says in a worried tone as soon as their father is out of earshot.

"It's probably nothing." Peter reassures his brother.

Edmund nods. "You're probably right."

"I wonder what's taking so long." Peter muses several minutes later. "We should go see what's happening."

"I'll go." Edmund suggests. "You stay with Mum and the girls."

Peter reluctantly nods. Edmund is closest to their father, after all. "Tell me as soon as you know." He demands.

"Of course." Edmund replies before taking off to the Professor's study.

Meanwhile, the eldest sibling finds his mother and sisters. "Father got a phone call." He informs them as he sits next to Lucy on the couch. Lucy leans against him. "About what?" She asks sleepily.

"I'm not sure." Her brother responds. "Edmund is going to find out."