Ahhhhhhhhhh I know I'm a bad person for not updating for about a month, but I've been sooooo busy! I've just started at a new 6th form (I don't know what that is in America...) and it's keeping me very occupied, plus I have loads of social engagements and still lots of hospital appointments. This chapter is long (by my standards) to help make up for my slacking...

My doctor was really impressed with me and said that he's never ever seen scars heal and quickly and well as the ones on my face have :D. And all my friends still say I'm beautiful, even the new ones :) so all in all, I'm a very happy bunny.

Anddddd, it's my half-term now so hopefully I'll have at least one more chance to write another chapter... I love you all! (well, I will if you review this chapter...) xxx

"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands, in order to prevent the abominable..."

Esha lost concentration on what Edmund was saying as she linked eyes with Miraz.

He gave a cruel smile and she had to swallow the bile her throat produced at the sight of his face to stop herself from being sick with fear. Her grip on Glenstorms waist tightened as she tried to stop herself from physically shaking. Glenstorm didn't flinch and she wasn't sure if he was either very strong and tolerant to pain, or paying too much attention to the Telmarine's gawking at him.

She lifted her chin slightly in defiance, after all, she was safe now, but Miraz's smile simply widened as he took in this small act of confidence.

"...The fight shall be to the death, the reward shall be total surrender." Edmund finished.

"You're alive." He said to her with sarcastic joy, and she clenched her teeth together, forcing herself not to look away.

In return, Miraz still didn't look away from Esha, a fact Edmund had not missed as he rolled up the scroll. "How are your parents?"

A feeling of dread swamped her body as she thought through his words and gasped.

"What have you done with them??"

"I have not done anything." He smirked.

Her eyes were wide as she thought over what he could've done, as King, he could've had them killed and nobody would suspect, let alone punish him. After all, he was the law, and he had kidnapped her for three months and no-one had guessed. But she pulled herself together, she had no proof he'd touched her parents and it was no use worrying when they could be alive and well.

"Tell me Prince Edmund-" Miraz started, his gaze still on Esha. she could practically see him licking his lips as he took in her features. Her breathing became funny, disjointed and uneven.

"King."

That got Miraz's attention.

"Pardon me?"

"It's King Edmund actually, just King though, Peters the High King. I know, it's confusing." He said to their puzzled faces, Esha smiled at his words as her regular breathing returned, she knew he was mocking them and trying to divert their attention from her, giving her a chance to recover and gather her composure. His dry sense of humour slightly relieved the tense situation.

"Why would we risk such a proposal when our armies could wipe you out by nightfall?"

"Haven't you already underestimated our numbers? I mean, only a week ago, Narnians were extinct."

Edmund was doing well in annoying Miraz, as was his aim.

"And so you will be again."

"Well then you should have little to fear."

Miraz laughed loudly and falsely. "This is not a question of bravery."

"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age." Edmund taunted, a smile tugging up a corner of his mouth.

"I didn't say I refused." Miraz said after a slight pause, a deathly glare on his face.

"You shall have our support your Majesty, whatever your decision." Came a voice on Esha's right and she turned to see a Lord she wasn't familiar with.

"Sire, our military advantage alone provides the perfect excuse for you to avoid-"

"I am not avoiding anything!" Miraz growled, jumping up and grabbing his sword.

"I was merely pointing out that my Lord is well within his rights to refuse..." Esha smiled slightly at Lord Sopespians grovelling.

"His Majesty would never refuse. He relishes the chance to show the people the courage of their new King." Inputted Lord Glozelle from Esha's left.

He still had the same dark, brooding look on his face that he'd had before and she shivered slightly, remembering how he had carried her through the castle corridors to her new room on the night she had been kidnapped. He'd had to carry her as she was tied up and nearly asleep. Although he hadn't physically hurt her and had handled her quite gently, he had still been part of it and this thought alone was enough for her to dislike him.

She turned her attention sharply back to Miraz as Glozelle's head swivelled to return her gaze.

"You...you should hope your brothers sword is sharper then his pen." Miraz finally decided, pointing his sword at Edmund. He sat down heavily. "And I want her." He added.

Esha's breath caught in her throat as she realised his sword was now pointing at her.

Edmund turned to look at where his sword was pointing although he already knew.

He caught Esha's frightened gaze.

"No, she is not part of the parley." He said firmly, still looking at Esha and smiling at her reassuringly.

"No girl, no parley." Miraz said simply.

"You have no choice; you have already agreed to the single combat on our grounds, it's too late to change the parley now."

Miraz stood again, sword pointing at Edmund, causing Edmund to draw his own sword in retaliation.

"Glenstorm get her out of here." Edmund told the centaur calmly, his eyes fixed on Miraz, as the older man watched the centaur and his prey gallop away.

"My Lord, remember this is a parley!" Warned Glozelle.

"You cannot protect her forever." Miraz said maliciously as he lowered his sword slightly.

This seemed to hit a nerve. "Watch me." Edmund told him through clenched teeth before whirling around and stalking out with Giant Wimbleweather.

Outside, Esha was still sitting on Glenstorms back, waiting for Edmund and Wimbleweather in the field separating the Narnian army from the Telmarine one.

She jumped off as she saw the two emerge from between the tents and ran towards Edmund as he ran to her.

They stopped a few inches apart and he looked her up and down quickly to ensure she wasn't harmed before pulling her to him in a strong embrace to reassure himself she was fine, their earlier argument forgotten.

"I can't believe I let you come." He whispered into her hair.

"I can't believe I came! But I'm glad I did. At least now I know that he is still after me." She told him shakily into his chest, glad of how safe she felt in his embrace after the fear she'd felt over the last few minutes.

Edmund growled slightly as he was as frequently as he smiled now. "He will never get you." He promised her, hugging her tightly, eyes and jaw line set in determination.