A/N- Okay, I have a HUUUUGGGGGGEEEE Authours Note for you all, and I would appreciate if you would read it before you start hurling abuse at me! Okay firstly let me apologise. I do realise that it has been weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks and that you loyal readers have been waiting anxiously for the next chapter. Not only that, but I lfet you on a cliffy for which, let me tell you is THE MOST ANNOYING THING AN AUTHOUR CAN DO TO A READER. So, I am sorry for that!

Secondly, updating was very late and I feel awful for letting it get this late. Its not fair to all the readers that have taken the time to read this story and then they are not getting regular updates! This has been due to the following: school work and other projects. As some of you may have noticed (or not) that I have starting writing a new story which is based on Twilight. It is called "A Ray of Eternal Sunshine" and although I was keen to get this done first, I couldn't help myself and I had to start writing it. Thats what happens when you get the writing bug!

I AM NOT ABANDONING THIS STORY. REMEMBER THAT. THIS STORY IS MY FIRST FF BABY AND ALWAYS WILL BE.

***TWILIGHT FANS*** - THIS MAY APPLY TO YOU.

A Ray of Eternal Sunshine - Jacob x OC - SET DURING BREAKING DAWN - like the idea, read and review.

A Thousand Degrees - Jacob/Leah one shot - M FOR STEAMY LOVE ;)

Those are the stories I have uploaded onto my fanfiction for you to read if you are interested. IF SO, READ AND REVIEW!!!!

Lastly, for those that don't know I do have a fictionpress account and I have written a story on there, which is called "Sleepwalker" so if anybody is interested, then please give it a read and leave a review. The site is .com/~jhamilton

I am working on two other novels, and a script, so I will any of you are interested, then send me a message & I will keep you up to date with how the progression of those are coming along.

Thanks again to all my readers, and for sticking by me. I will not let you down again. I promise.

These next two weeks are hectic for me, but never fear. I will upload as often as I can, so please dont loose faith in me. Or in Eilonwy and Peter. I see some good things ahead.

Emmmerald x

A Change of Heart

"Lower you weapons your majesties. I am here to help." The voice spoke gently. Both Eilonwy and Peter hesitated before lowering their weapons, and looked at the creature that stood before them....

Eilonwy gasped a gentle sigh of relief as the creature stepped forward. The gryphon strode out of the bushes majestically, however keeping his body lower to the ground, keeping himself hidden. He was quite a huge creature after all! Peter glanced at Eilonwy and smiled. He knew that Caspian had sent the gryphons to look for them and he suddenly felt very grateful for Caspian's quick thinking Telmarine mind.

"We need to leave immediately your Majesties. The enemy grows ever closer into our depths." The gryphon spoke gently. "We know," Peter answered. "They past us not long ago." "What about the others? Are Caspian and the others safe?" Eilonwy spoke quickly, fearing for her cousin and her family. The gryphon nodded. "For now, young one. But we must hurry back to them before the Telmarines strike. I do not think that our army will be ready for another fight just yet."

Eilonwy and Peter nodded, sheathing their weapons and mounting the great beast. Eilonwy wrapped her arms around Peter's waist and rested her head on his shoulders as the beast took off from the ground, and into the brisk sky, heading back towards the How.

Caspian stood at the entrance of the How, overlooking the earth beneath him. Already a small group centaurs and fawns had gathered there, awaiting the Telmarines. There was no doubt in Caspian's mind that the Telmarines would be wanting to strike whenever and wherever possible. If Miraz was with them, leading them, great. This may work in Caspian's favour. He wanted his uncle dead. Caspian breathed in a deep breath; he could smell the fear and anticipation leaking from his comrades, the pure anxiety and aggression they all felt. The enemy was drawing closer. From the corner of his eye, Caspian saw two gryphons in the distance, flying through the sky towards him. This was the signal.

He heard one of the fawns blow on his horn which was a clear signal to everybody else that the Telmarines were here. Caspian closed his eyes, praying that Eilonwy would be returned safely if the Telmarines had her. He was worried about Peter as well; even if he didn't truly want to admit it. He didn't have time to linger on that thought as the thundering sound in the distance got stronger and clearer. Across the horizon, Caspian saw the numbers trailing the borderline. They weren't just here for a friendly chat. The numbers for far too great that Caspian didn't even want to know how many Telmarines had been brought forward. He didn't want anybody to panic; at least not just yet.

Susan and Edmund appeared at either of his sides. Edmund had his hand on the edge of his sword, his fingertips tracing the delicate metal. Susan made eye contact with Caspian; all he saw in her eyes was a flicker of a fear, doubt, death. Glenstorm appeared next to Edmund and Lucy ran straight to Susan, holding onto her sister's waist for support. The gryphons approached faster, and Caspian awaited their news. He feared for the worst.

"Your majesties. We circled the woods three times. There numbers are great and they come with weapons and materials far greater than we our own." One of the gryphons spoke. "And what about Eilonwy and Peter?" Caspian questioned. The gryphons exchanged glances and bowed their heads. "We cannot say your majesty. We have Goodfellow out there still searching for them. We have heard no news, so we retreated back here."

Caspian felt his anger burn his skin. Eilonwy and Peter were still out there anything could have happened to either of them. He could not live with the guilt of losing any more family members so dear and close to his heart. His life would serve minimal purpose without Eilonwy in it. But if it all came down to it, Caspian would fight. He would fight for her and for his family. He would fight for Narnia. He would fight for Aslan.

He felt Susan's cool fingertips trace his own. She was sharing half of his pain. Her brother was out there as well. High King Peter. Such a worthy title. He felt her exhale deeply, and Lucy was still clinging to her sister, like a child would to a mother.

Suddenly across the horizon, Edmund saw another set of wings. The creature was flying towards them at an immense speed, and the creature wasn't alone. Edmund shouted waving his arms signaling to the great bird and Caspian's heart plummeted as he saw the twp people riding on the gryphon. It was Peter and Eilonwy. The gryphon sped through the cool breeze and landed on top of the How. Peter was the first to get off, and he helped Eilonwy down. The pair turned to face the remaining young royals. Lucy ran straight to Peter and Eilonwy, grabbing them both and hugging them tightly. Eilonwy smiled at the young queen; favoured by her gratitude. Peter ruffled Lucy's hair and she continued to hug Peter. Susan smiled content that both of them were safe.

Caspian strode straight up to Eilonwy. "Are you okay. Are you hurt?" "Cas, calm down. I'm fine. We are both fine." Caspian examined Eilonwy once more, noticing that her dress was slightly ripped and that had a small cut on her cheek and elbow. "Did they do this to you?" Caspian felt herself go crimson. She remembered her little fight with Peter earlier and how he accidentally caught her cheek and her arm in one small move. They didn't hurt her so she wasn't in any pain. "Not exactly—" Eilonwy felt that she couldn't finish her sentence. Now was clearly not the time.

Caspian shot Peter a look. Caspian didn't really want to know how his cousin had received these cuts but he made a mental note to question them both at a later date, providing that they survived this. Caspian shook his head and moved his eyes back to the horizon. The army was now fully assembled. Peter moved to stand next to Susan and Lucy and Eilonwy followed him. All the royals stood in a line, looking death in the face. Eilonwy narrowed her eyes as the army separated allowing a white horse to emerge through the crowds. She recognised the one riding it. The mask was such a huge giveaway.

It was her father.

She felt her breathing become slightly heavier, the burden of seeing her father in this midst of conflict horrified her. But this was it had been about all along. Power; and she knew that either way, he want going to leave this place until he got it. Whether they surrended now or went out there to fight, they were going to die, and as Peter's fingers gently entwined with hers, she knew she needed to prepare herself for took a deep breath. He had to except this for what it was. He knew now that was a going to be a war. A war till the death.

"That's your next big plan?" Trumpkin spoke up. "Sending a little girl into the wild depths of the forest?" "It's our only chance." Peter answered shook his head in disbelief. "Haven't enough of us died already?" Eilonwy sighed. Trumpkin was right and she understood his point of view. She nodded her head at Peter, who admittedly nodded back, understanding Trumpkin's protest. Trufflehunter stepped forward. "Nikabrik was my friend too, but he lost hope. Queen Lucy hasn't, and neither have I." "Neither have I." Eilonwy said proudly, stepping forward, next to Peter. She smiled graciously at him and he couldn't help but smile shyly back."Miraz won't strike today," Eilonwy spoke. "He's just testing us. He's testing our strengths, and our weaknesses. He sees our numbers as limited, having lost so many during the raid. We need to make sure that he believes that fact."

Caspian shifted his body from against the How wall and moved over towards the stone table, where Eilonwy was situated. "How?" He asked. Peter moved over towards the table, hesitant about being so close to Caspian and Eilonwy; well Caspian especially. Eilonwy didn't truly know what she meant, but she knew that Miraz needed to see what he was up against, or what he thought her was up against. "If I may?" Caspian spoke and Peter turned to face Caspian. "Oh course." Peter answered.

"You say that Miraz will not strike today, and I have every reason to believe that he won't. He will wait to see if we will strike first. However, where we come from, Telmarines are expected to challenge accordingly if not fairly. There is one tradition – a one to one combat – and whoever surrenders first or is killed first, shall be awarded whatever prize they both set aside to claim. Well, if I am correct, Miraz is subject to that tradition and to his people so therefore he must honor it. If he accepts, chances are that it may give us more time."

"Caspian, I thought the idea was to try and avoid anymore bloodshed, if possible." "Well then, we negotiate. Besides, this combat is only to give us enough time to complete our next plan." Caspian said. "Which is?" Eilonwy demanded. Trufflehunter interjected. "Listen your majesties, we can chat tactics later but now we need to decide who shall combat for our side."Eilonwy looked deep into Peter's eyes pleading with him almost not to put himself forward."I'll do it." Peter spoke suddenly. Eilonwy's heart plummeted. She knew he would put himself forward. He would do anything for Narnia. He would even die for it. Was she ready to let him die for Narnia…

"Peter, are you sure?" "Oh course Caspian. Who would rule if we managed to overthrow Miraz? The throne belongs to you, and only to you. If you die, then this whole thing is pointless." "As it will be if you die Peter." Eilonwy spoke out, her voice raised. "I have already ruled this land. I've had my share." Peter responded. "That's not the point—" "Right so are we all in agreement?" Trumpkin asked. Everybody looked around at each other. "Raise of hands?" Everybody shot their arms up into the air. Eilonwy hesitated but eventually raised her arm slackly.

"All agreed. Now we need somebody to go over to the Telmarine Camp and recite the proposal to them." "I'll deliver it." Edmund said standing up. "Thanks Ed." Peter said kindly. "Glenstorm, I want you to accompany him and make sure that he is safe." "Oh course your majesty." "I'll go too."Eilonwy offered. "No way, absolutely not!" Caspian and Peter responded in unison. "Why not?" Eilonwy asked back. "And when did you TWO start agreeing on things?""It's too dangerous and neither of us is putting your life in danger more than it already is." Caspian said. "He's right," Peter added. "Look what happened to you last time.""It was just a scratch. Besides, who else can accompany Ed if I don't? Peter cannot go, it's his proposal. Caspian , you cant go, well, because you are the reason we are going to war." "Thanks." Caspian muttered, unamused by Eilonwy reference to him being the reason for the war. "And I am certainly not sending Lucy out there to deliver it." "Eilonwy, he is as much after you as he is after me." Caspian interrupted. "Exactly." Peter seconded Caspian's words. Eilonwy walked up to Peter and looked him directly in the eye. "I want to do this. Did you not say once that we should show Miraz what he is up against? Well now is that time! I will be wearing armor as a disguise. He won't even recognize me." Peter looked past Eilonwy and directly at Caspian. Caspian just shook his head. "Please?" Eilonwy begged.

Peter looked down and then back at Eilonwy. She really wanted to go and who was he to deny her that? Oh right, because he was insanely in love with her. "Peter? What do you think?" Caspian muttered. Peter exhaled deeply. "If she wants to go, I guess we cannot stop her." Eilonwy presented a narrow smile."I guess we should start the proposal then." Trufflehunter propsed."Indeed," Caspian said quickly. "Let's feed it to him really good."Eilonwy faced Caspian and smiled. Caspian smiled back, however not truthfully.

As Eilonwy led out with Edmund and Trufflehunter, Caspian and Peter exchanged worried glances, awaiting whatever fate was going to hand them.