The next morning, Caspian is sitting on a ledge on the how, pondering what has happened so far. Professor Cornelius joins him.

"Why did you never tell me about my father?"

"My mother was a black dwarf from the northern mountains. I risked my life all these years so that one day you might be a better king than those before you."

"Then I have failed you."

"Everything I told you, everything I didn't. It was only because I believe in you. You have a chance to become the noblest contradiction in history; The Telmarine who saved Narnia."

Back in the Stone Table room, Peter is sitting up against the Stone Table, looking at the carving of Aslan. Lucy walks up to him and sits down next to him.

"You're lucky, you know."

"What do you mean?"

"To have seen him. I wish he'd just give me some kind of proof."

"Maybe we're the ones who need to prove ourselves to him."

Just then, Edmund runs into the room.

"Peter, you better come quickly."

They go outside, and see the Telmarine army approaching. Miraz, in full armor, rides to the front. Just then Kayla runs up to them with grave news.

"He has Terebinthian soldiers in his army!"

"What?"

"He has Terebinthian soldiers in his army! My very own people, fighting against me!"

"Kayla, I don't even think they know you're here!"

"No, but they'll find out soon enough! I can't do it! I just can't do it! I can't destroy the very people I have yet to even rescue!"

She runs into the how into the Stone Table room, throws herself down onto the Stone Table, and bursts into tears. Ivar runs in after her.

"Kayla."

"He has soldiers from Ettinsmoor in there as well. I know how you are, Ivar. We both have the same dilemma. What are we going to do?!"

"I say we start by rescuing our peoples now, while we have the chance. We need to go and convince the troops from our countries to fight on our side."

"Most likely when they see me, they'll laugh. That is until I unsheathe my sword."

"We'll talk to Peter and Caspian about this."

"I know Caspian will understand, but do you think Peter will?"

"We can only hope so."

He pulls her up off of the Stone Table and they head back outside.

"He also has Ettinsmoor soldiers, Peter. And we both absolutely refuse to destroy our own people."

"I know I probably can't convince you to rethink this."

"You know you can't. So, we have a plan."

"What is that plan?"

"Convince those soldiers to night fight against us. Or at least to not fight at all."

"You two are crazy!"

"It is our only chance! If we destroy them now, then we would be breaking our promise to Athair! And I refuse to do that!"

"We need more plans than that. Everyone head inside!"

Peter knew they had to find Aslan, and there was only one person who could find him. Lucy.

"Cakes and kettledrums! That's your next big plan?! Sending a little girl alone into the darkest parts of the forest alone?!"

"It's our only chance."

"And she won't be alone."

"Haven't enough of us died already?"

"Nikabrik was my friend too, but he lost hope. Queen Lucy hasn't. And neither have I."

"For Aslan."

"For Aslan!"

"I'm going with you."

"No, we need you here."

"We have to hold them off until Lucy and Susan get back."

Caspian steps forward with an idea.

"If I may, Miraz may be a tyrant and a murderer. But as king, he is subject to the traditions and expectations of his people. There is one, in particular, that may buy us some time."

"What tradition is that?"

"The head of each army engages in single combat. If one leader falls, that leader's army has to surrender to the other leader."

Peter felt it was his time to be High King Peter the Magnificent again, and what better chance than this?

"Can someone prepare a document?"

"I will, sire."

"And we need to send envoys to Miraz. Edmund, you go."

"We're going with him, Peter. This is something you want the three most cunning minds in this country for. Plus, my presence as a woman will shake up him and his lords. And it's a chance for Ivar and I to speak to our people."

"She has a point, Peter."

A faun prepared a document, and Peter sent Edmund, Ivar, Kayla, Glenstorm, and Wilmbleweather the giant as envoys to Miraz. Caspian is a little confused about why Peter chose this fight.

"This is not what I meant. This is my fight."

"I think we've already tried that. Look, if there's ever going to be peace with the Telmarines, you have to be the one who brings it."

"How can I if you won't let me?"

"How about this? If I don't make it, Narnia's future is in your hands."

"And what about your own future?"

"I was thinking about a career in medicine."

Caspian and Peter walk into a room where Trumpkin is preparing Peter's armour.

"Your highness?"

"Yes?"

"I'm a bear."

"And a fine one, I'm sure."

"Begging your pardon, but tradition holds that you pick your marshals of the lists."

"He's right. You need to choose your seconds."

"Don't let him. He'll just fall asleep and suck his paws."

"Sire, my life is forever at your command, but I had thought perhaps I might be sent for this challenge."

"As you know, my good Reepicheep, many humans are afraid of mice. And it really wouldn't be fair for Miraz to have anything in sight, that could further delude his courage."

"Of course. Your majesty is the mirror of honour."

"That is exactly what I was thinking."

"Are you sure that you're ready for this? Caspian?"

"Are you sure that you are?"

Peter had a look on his face that said he was not ready, but it was something he had to do.

Edmund, Ivar, Kayla, Glenstorm, and Wimbleweather arrived at Miraz's camp. Wimbleweather and Glenstorm stood outside the main tent, while the other three went inside. Edmund stands before Miraz, reading the scroll that Peter sent with him.

"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 effusion of blood, do hereby challenge the usurper Miraz to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender."

"Tell me, Prince Edmund-."

"King."

"Pardon?"

"It's King Edmund actually. Just king though. Peter is the High King. I know, it's confusing."

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

Edmund looks over at Kayla, who has her hands behind her back. He winks at her, knowing she can wipe out Miraz's forces with just a quick blink of her eyes.

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

"And so you will be again."

"Then you should have little to fear."

"This is not a question of bravery."

"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?"

"I didn't say I refused."

"You shall have our support, your majesty, whatever your decision."

"Sire, our military advantage alone allows us the perfect excuse to avoid-."

"I am not avoiding anything!"

"I am merely pointing out that my lord is well within his rights to refuse."

"His majesty would never refuse. He relishes the chance to show his people the bravery of their new king."

Kayla whispers into the ears of Ivar and Edmund, loud enough for Miraz to hear her.

"Miraz has an ego that I haven't seen since Rabadash."

"What did you say?"

She steps out from in between Edmund and Ivar into the centre of the tent, eye to eye with Miraz.

"You heard me. I said you have an ego that we haven't seen for years. But I guess it's typical when you're a man such as yourself."

"And what kind of man is that?"

She was going to use this moment to tell who she is.

"A man like my brother. You may know him. It's funny though. You say to your people not to believe in magic, yet you ally yourself with a man whose ancestry is almost nothing but magic. That very man is my brother. Conláed of Terebinthia. The man who is destroying my people."

"Your brother told me about you. Caoilfhionn. The rightful ruler of Terebinthia. But how do I know you are who you say you are?"

Kayla conjures up balls of flame from both of her hands, ready to throw them at whoever speaks against her.

"Does that answer your question? You say you can wipe out the Narnian army by nightfall, when I can wipe out your army in the next five minutes. I know what you're thinking. You see a woman-."

"I see a little girl."

"Maybe you didn't hear me."

She had begun to raise her voice.

"You see a WOMAN, and you automatically think I can be easily controlled. That is not the case. My father is the Great Lion Aslan, and as such, I can turn into a lioness and breathe fire in your face at the same time. Your numbers don't mean shit to us. We've been through hell before, and we always win."

"You're looking at two small figures, Miraz, who have both brought down giants. I killed one from the inside out."

"I killed one with a single blow."

"And you still think we deserve to be underestimated?"

"And what makes you think you can tell me that?"

"I am Íomhar, rightful ruler of Ettinsmoor and the Wild Lands of the North. My people have been destroyed, and I will take them back."

Miraz points his sword at Edmund, trying to put fear in him.

"You better hope your brother's sword proves sharper."

Edmund just smiles. Miraz's ego would be the death of him.