~

Adeline's dreams that night had been filled with the howls of wolves and shouts of her friends. The fear she felt was not unlike the nightmares from so long ago but this time, Adeline knew she could bear through it no matter what.

The morning birds woke her from her slumber. The aches in her arms and legs earning a groan from her as she sat up, examining the tent. Susan and Lucy were already getting ready for the day, their hair brushed through and their dresses slipped on.

Adeline followed routine and got ready as well, the blue dress thin enough to allow air to flow through. The cotton was soft and fit perfectly unlike the stuffy English clothing. Adeline almost picked up her daggers before opting to leave them here for now. She was sure she didn't have to fight any ogres over breakfast.

"C'mon," Lucy tugged Adeline's hand. Adeline who had just quickly jotted down a few notes in her journal set it down and followed the little girl outside.

The Narnian air was fresh and sweet, immediately rousing Adeline from the remaining grogginess she felt. 

Peter also came out of the opposite tent, his eyes half shut and his hair flying out of control.

"Mornin'" Adeline lightly punched his shoulder, "Sleepyhead."

"Shut up," Peter groaned with a smile, "It's too early to joke around."

It seemed the hug last night hadn't affected their friendship after all. Adeline was glad, Peter and the others were her first friends and she couldn't let go of them even if she tried.

Adeline chuckled and took in the camp around her. This was the safest she had felt in days, the now-familiar voices of the Narnian creatures, the far-away clanging of metals and dwarves at work, it was a small comfort, but comfort still.

Oreius, grand and tall came their way silently. Adeline immediately stood to attention. Yesterday he and other loyal Narnian creatures were sent off to find Edmund. Did they succeed?

The centaur bowed his head towards them and then looked to the horizon. Adeline and Peter followed his gaze to a nearby cliff where Aslan stood, his mane shining in the sun, with a smaller boy bowing his head.

"Edmund!"  Lucy cried joyfully, ready to sprint to her brother. Peter reached out a hand and stopped her, the cry, however, not going unnoticed by Edmund or Aslan.

"Give them a minute, Lu," Adeline explained to the confused girl. Susan kept a hand on the younger girl's shoulder, grounding her. 

From what she could see Edmund was thinner and paler than the last time she saw him. Beforehand he looked tired but now he just looked sickly, a fact which worried Adeline. He wasn't her brother but the over-protectiveness she felt for him was close enough. Once Edmund and Aslan had approached them, she could spot cuts and bruises all over his face, including a very nasty one splitting his lip open.

"What's done is done," Aslan said with finality, "There is no need to speak to Edmund of what has passed."

The great lion left the family and Adeline to themselves, the conflict which had sparked so long ago in the professor's house now needing to be settled.

Edmund looked up, his cheeks flushing pink in shame, "Hello." he mumbled. Even from that single word, Adeline could tell much had changed since she last saw him.

With a laugh, Lucy ran to her older brother, hugging him tightly.  Adeline was glad when Edmund hugged her back, he really had changed. 

Susan went in for an embrace as well and Adeline stood back, letting the family have their moment. Peter seemed to hang back with her as well. Adeline rested a hand on his shoulder, a small comfort before making her way to Edmund.

"Hello Ed." she said with a smile. The young boy hung his head.

"I'm sorry," he murmured to her, "With the witch... I told her about you and-"

Adeline cut him off with a hug, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and squeezing him tightly. What's done is done and there was no need to dwell on the past.

She was glad when smaller arms hugged her back and she felt the younger boy's tight shoulders finally relax.

Adeline let go and rubbed off some dirt on his cheek with her thumb, "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Are you alright?" Susan threw an arm around her brother.

"I'm a little tired, "the boy admitted, the bags around his eyes were dark and heavy.

"Get some sleep," Peter finally said, his face neutral and unmoving. Adeline knew the brothers had their own conflict to resolve but Peter should be gentler with Edmund.

Edmund seemed to be aware of the rough tone as well and headed to the boys tent quietly.

"And Edmund," Peter said suddenly catching the younger boy off guard.

"Try not to wander off," Peter said jokingly, making Edmund smile. The first genuine smile Adeline had seen from him.

~

Hours later the Pevensie children and Adeline were sharing breakfast. The fresh smell of eggs and toast making her stomach grumble as she spread butter over her bread. 

"Narnia's not going to run out toast Ed," Lucy said through mouthfuls of food. The boy was stuffing his face, Adeline pushed a tray of fruits towards him. The poor boy had been starved and he needed to quickly regain his energy. 

Peter, who had been standing nearby watching them all said, "I'm sure they'll pack something up for the journey back."

Adeline's head swiveled and the plate in front of her was left forgotten. The confusion was echoed with the other children as Adeline spoke up, "The journey back?"

"We're going home? Susan asked as well. 

"You are," Peter approached them with a remorseful face, "I promised mum I'd keep you three safe," he sat down next to Adeline, "And your grandfather will want you home again. But it doesn't mean that I can't stay behind and help."

Adeline's fingers clutched at the napkin on her lap as Lucy said softly, "But they need us, all five of us."

Peter sighed, exasperated, "Lucy it's too dangerous. You almost drowned, Edmund was almost killed!"

"No." Adeline said wiping her hands on her napkin and throwing it down in anger, "Absolutely not." she pointed an accusatory finger at Peter, "You don't get to stay behind and play hero while the rest of us run." the anger was building up now and Adeline could feel some of her magic boil over and escape through her fingers, "These are my people Peter, I've been away from them for far too long and I am not leaving them behind to suffer."

"We have to stay," Edmund spoke up in a soft tone, "I've seen what the White Witch can do, and I've helped her do it." the remorse was clear in his dark eyes. "Adeline's right, we can't leave these people behind to suffer for it."

Pride swelled in Adeline's chest as she gave the boy a smile, she mouthed a thank you which he nodded in acknowledgment at. 

"I suppose that's it then," Susan stood up.

"Where are you going?" Peter asked.

Susan picked up her quiver and smiled, "To get in some practice."

"A wonderful idea," Adeline said as she picked herself up as well, the anger still there that Peter could even suggest at leaving now. "Some training can get us all loosed up."

She made her way back to her tent to grab her daggers before heading to the training field. She opened the flap to the girl's tent and noticed something on her bed. It was an outfit, fit with a leather vest, gray tunic, black baggier pants, and leather boots. Once closer inspecting it, sitting on top of forearm length leather cuffs sat a note which had the signature 'M' on it.

A traditional fae outfit, worn in training and combat.

I hope it fits you well

M.

Adeline smiled and changed as fast as she could. By some miracle, it had all fit. She clasped on her belt with her daggers and opted to tie up her hair.

With glee, she ran to the training field, the anger from before completely washed away with excitement and tons of energy she had to work off.

"Morgana!" Adeline shouted, waving her mentor down. The woman turned from where she was speaking with Orieus and immediately smiled to see Adeline.

"Your Majesty!" Morgana was holding a blue cloth in her hands as she inspected the girl, "I'm glad to see it fit. I asked the dryads to make adjustments to your mother's old training gear and I'm glad they kept their word."

Adeline stopped in her tracks, "This was my mothers?"

"Yes," the woman explained, "Traditional fae training clothing is usually created over a span of a couple of months and tailored and fitted to the wearer's wishes. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time so I just had your mother's sent from Cair Paravel."

Now upon closer inspection Adeline could spot the marks of slashes on her leather cuffs and vest and stitches on the cloth where tears must have been made. 

"For the final touch," Morgana said as she held up the vibrant blue cloth. It was bigger than Adeline expected and was longer in length than in width.

"What's that for?" Adeline asked.

Morgana trapped it over her shoulder and began to criss-cross the fabric over her torso and back, tucking the long remaining pieces into her belt, "This," she explained, "Is a traditional fae garment worn by the tribes of the fae. Long ago when there were many of us we were split into different tribes based on family and location. These are called Kelts worn by each family to differentiate each other. Your mothers family, the Jemmings, colours were blue."

Adeline looked down and ran her fingers against the fabric, it was soft and seemed stretchy, perfect to not rip.

"Where's yours?" Adeline asked. The tenseness that immediately went into Morgana's shoulders made her almost regret her question.

"For many years I had to hide who I was, in order to evade the White Witch." she hesitated for a moment, "I burnt mine long ago. It was the most beautiful purple colour, and represented the family of Le Fays, but I did it to survive."

Adeline understood how important this was to Morgana, it was like if she had lost her necklace. At the thought of it, her hand flew to the charm around her neck, she didn't know what she would do if it was taken from her.

"Perhaps one day I will be able to wear my colour again," Morgana said, picking up a sword from a rack nearby, "But that day will come once the White Witch is finally defeated." 

Adeline unsheathed her daggers, the confidence that came from it and the sturdiness that she had from her previous training sent excitement shooting through her veins. 

With a sudden movement, Morgana attacked. In a moment she and Adeline were engaged in a dangerous dance, their weapons flying around and accurately hitting each other. With surprise, Adeline found that the Kelt fit her form and moved with her as smoothly as water. The dance went on for a moment more before Adeline found herself crossing her dagger with Morgana's sword.

"Good!" Morgana praised, "I see you haven't forgotten anything." the only sign she was exhausted with the small pants she took, "You aren't a master yet but it's good for only a day's training. I'm glad to know you'll survive on the battlefield."

It was supposed to be a lighthearted joke but Adeline's heart sped up even faster than it was beating before, a battle would be waged soon, a fight between the forces of good and evil, for the sake of the whole country. She couldn't believe it rested on the shoulders of five children. 

"I have one more trick to teach you," Morgana said putting away the sword and raising her arms, her purple magic spreading out and being let free. Adeline did the same, both colours entangling and flying through the air. Holding back her magic was exhausting, she realized, just letting it wander took off relief from her shoulders.

"This trick," Morgana began, "Is your mother's signature trick. She pioneered it and taught it to the rest of the fae." Morgana took her stance and held up a single hand, "Throw your dagger at me."

"What?!" Adeline exclaimed confused, did Morgana want Adeline to kill her?"

"Do it." Morgana commanded, "Trust me."

Adeline unsheathed Luna and gulped a breath, it was Morgana's fault if anything happened. She leaned back then threw the dagger with as much accuracy as possible at Morgana. Just as it was going to cut through her hand, purple magic stopped it and held it in the air, a mere hairs length away from Morgana's palm.

Adeline's mouth gaped, "Oh my goodness!" she cried out, "What was that?!" 

"That," Morgana plucked Luna from the air and tossed it in her hand, "Is a very useful trick to know in battle." she let Luna float in the air again before making her way back to Adeline, "We aren't going to start right away with the dagger yet." Adeline let out a sigh of relief, she had to wish to carry on with her life with a hole in her hand.

"We'll start with this," Morgana took out a small ball from her pocket and threw it in the air. "Now, I need you to concentrate," she held up Adeline's hand and had her palm face away from her, "Focus on the velocity of the ball and zoom in on it. Your magic should act like it's own hand, freezing the ball where it is rather than creating a shield. A shield is useful but small sharp objects will often times catch you off guard before you can throw one up."

Adeline took a deep breath and nodded, it was just a ball it wouldn't hurt her.

"Ready?" Morgana backed away.

Adeline nodded and tried to focus on the ball. Morgana raised her arm and before Adeline knew it, the ball was flying through the air with too much speed and hit her square in the palm.

"Ow!" she cried out grabbing ahold of her hand, the pain making her clench her jaw, "What in Aslan's name was that thing made of?"

"Wood." Morgana seemed to trying to hold back her laughter as she called the ball back to her, "Alright your majesty, in position again. We're going to do this until you can catch it without hesitation."

And that's exactly what they did. For Aslan knows how long they stood there and practiced with the ball. Adeline swore her hand was going to fall off and it seemed that Morgana was having a bit too much fun with this.

"Don't worry your majesty," Morgana said, "It took me ages to learn as well, and by the time I did my hand was bluer than your Kelt." 

They kept practicing and practicing until finally, Adeline managed to catch it eleven times in a row, the joy erupted in her laughter.

"Good!" Morgana said tucking the ball into her pocket and plucking Luna from the air, "Let's try with this."

Adeline's eyes widened, "Don't you think we're jumping forward a little too quickly."

"Who's the mentor here," Morgana raised a brow, "Besides it's better to just not think about it and let your instinct and magic guide you."

Adeline's damn instinct was going to get her impaled, that's what it was going to do. 

Adeline shook off the nervous feelings and held up her palm again, making sure to narrow down her sight and magic onto the dagger. Without even making sure if she was ready Morgana threw the dagger. Time seemed to slow down as Adeline's vision focused on the dagger, in a split second it froze right before it could even scratch her palm.

"You've done it!" Morgana shouted, "Somehow you managed to learn it quicker than me, you truly are your mother's daughter."

Adeline's shoulders sagged with relief and she let out a laugh, that could have gone so badly.

"Again!" Morgana called Luna back to her. They went again and again until Adeline could catch it without hesitation or anxiousness.  They practiced until the sun rose above them and Adeline's arms were sore.

"That's it for today," Morgana returned Luna to Adeline and made her way deeper into the field where other creatures were training, "I believe Orieus has requested your presence to train with him."

Adeline shook out her arms and let her magic move freely, "That was fun," she said now that the danger was gone, "glad to know my mother was fond of dangerous things." 

"She was," Morgana reminisced, "Oftentimes she had a knack for getting herself into trouble, like you."

"Me?" Adeline scoffed, "What have I ever done?"

"It wasn't the fact that she was reckless, it was that she would involve herself in things in order to protect the ones she loved." Morgana looked at Adeline, "It was her loyalty which made her a wonderful queen, and eventually was her downfall."

Adeline's eyes scanned the field as the words sank into her head. Her mother died protecting her and trying to protect Narnia. Her mother sent her away and decided to stay behind and fight for her country, for her father. Look where that had gotten her.

"Ah, Orieus." Morgana broke her out of her thoughts. Ahead of them, Orieus was speaking with Peter and Edmund, both on horses. Beside them was another mare, the colour of sand on a beach. 

"Lady Morgana, your majesty," he greeted them with a bow. "I'm glad you decided to come. We're going to focus on your riding today."

A smile shot onto Adeline's face, finally something she was familiar with, "Well I'm glad to say I do have some experience in that area."

"Well then," the mare spoke up, "I'm glad someone here has some expertise," 

"Now now Quinn," Orieus tsked, "That is no way to speak to the princess."

"It's alright," Adeline brushed it off and approached the mare, the two boys on their horses watching her, "I'm Adeline. I's prefer if you use my regular name on the battlefield."

Quinn snorted and gave a nod of her head, a sort of half-bow, "I like this one."

Adeline rolled her eyes in amusement and hopped onto Quinn, the familiar feeling of being on a horse's back returning to her.

"How about a quick ride around the field first," Morgana said, "Get yourself used to it."

Adeline turned to the two boys, Peter on a unicorn and Edmund on another steed, "Race ya!" she shouted before saying, "Come on Quinn!"

The mare seemed to be as excited as her and shot off, with cries of confusion she heard the boys follow her. Adeline and Quinn made their way across the field and back, both working like a well-oiled machine.

"Not fair!" Edmund shouted once they had reach Orieus and Morgana again, "You had a head start."

"In battle, you need to be sharp-minded," Oreius said, "There is no place for dilly-dallying."

Peter finally caught up on his unicorn, panting, "Well we've been training all morning, we're exhausted."

"So have I," Adeline spoke up, "And yet it seems Quinn and I bested you yet."

Peter scoffed and reached across, punching her shoulder, "Don't get egotistical." he joked.

"Oh look whose learning the big boy words," Adeline teased with a grin, "Glad to know the future king has read his books."

Peter's mouth dropped before he caught himself and mumbled, "Shut up." Edmund was howling with laughter and even Morgana held back a smile. 

The rest of the day was filled with horse riding and sword fighting. Adeline and the boys were