Author's Note: PLEASE! Have mercy on this poor writer, who has been busy with the tests, and the quizzes and, the textbooks and, the-oh you know what I mean.

Thank you SO MUCH to all of you, who have been patient in waiting for this update. I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!

THANK YOU!

Irish Avalon

Chapter 21: Not a Battlefield

Peter took a step forward as the Aravinia glanced quickly at Giovane, "Peter," she stuttered as her hand shook violently. Giovane squinted as moonlight struck Peter's neck. What she saw was a glint of gold. Aravinia looked as Giovane stared intently at Peter before she said, "This!" Aravinia pointed a finger at Giovane, who pressed herself further into the wall, "An impostor!"

Peter stared at Giovane, "What are you-"

"She is Aravinia in truth! The witch! She was wearing a necklace that could disguise her as me!"

Peter looked ready to faint as he took another glance at Giovane, "It couldn't be…" he whispered. By now Aravinia was beginning to lose her patience, "Peter, look at her! Aravinia was wearing this ruby to disguise her as me!" Aravinia used her other hand to present the ruby to Peter. The High King was more perplexed than he was when he first entered Narnia, "Giovane," Peter said hesitantly, "You told me Aravinia journeyed back to Argour!"

Aravinia shook her head wildly, "The sly snake! Here she is!"

Peter swallowed, "But-"

"She deserves to be punished!" Aravinia screamed and Giovane cringed on the floor. Her body shook as she let out a pitiful cry. Peter felt his heart crush as he caught her eye. And there it happened.

Giovane stared Peter. Her eyes once full of life, dulled from weakness and pain. Tears thickened in her eyelids and her face was pale and almost white. Peter then noticed an emerald and gold chain around Giovane's neck. He stifled a gasp and clenched his hands tightly, "Giovane," he whispered menacingly, "Never used magic."

At this Aravinia froze. She quickly lowered her hand as Peter turned sharply to her and took a step closer, "I will only accept one answer. Who are you?" he demanded. Aravinia stuttered.

Giovane watched as everything happened and she slowly dragged her way to the fireplace by her bed. For above it was the Narnian coat of arms and two swords crossed beneath it.

Peter gritted his teeth, "Answer me!"

Aravinia took in a shaky breath, "I-"

"Peter!"

Peter and Aravinia looked to their sides to see Giovane drive a sword through the fabric of Aravinia's cloak and pinning her to the wall. Aravinia could neither stand nor sit and for this she was choking. Giovane screamed and yanked the ruby from Aravinia's neck and threw it on the ground, where the jewel began to crack, "This!" she cried, "Is for all the chaos you have caused over Narnia!"

Giovane stepped on the jewel cracking it even more. It began to flame. Aravinia growled, "Stop it!"

Giovane shook her head, "This is for all the confusion you have caused the monarchs!"

The jewel cracked and flamed even more. Giovane did not stop, "This is for all the pain you have inflicted on me!"

The ruby was just about to turn into bright ashes, "And this is for you, Aravinia!"

With one last step Giovane crunched the jewel beneath her foot. Aravinia felt the power drain from her. She gave up. There was naught she could do now. Giovane gritted her teeth as she pointed another blade at the terrified Argouran, "You came here an innocent Princess fleeing from her father and his men," she said, "We gave you hospitality and shelter to protect you, and even invited you to join us in our merriment."

Aravinia stared at Giovane, "And yet only to find out who you really are!"

Giovane shook her head and her voice began to shake, "You have no idea what you have done, Aravinia," she whispered and retorted, "No idea whatsoever!"

All this time Peter had been staring at Giovane in shock. Though he knew how much Aravinia had done, he also knew that it wasn't right to punish her with death, even if she had attempted to kill, "Giovane," he said gently. Giovane kept her blade pointed to its soon-to-be kill but turned her head sharply to Peter, tears glistening in her eyes, "She deserves punishment," she said mercilessly. Peter nodded but kept his quiet tone, "But not the kind you want," he said and held out his hand, "Give me the sword, Giovane,"

"No,"

"Giovane, please," Peter stared at the woman who was once so gentle and patient, so calm and peaceful, now the complete opposite. Giovane bit her lip. Peter watched as her, "This isn't a battlefield, Giovane. And I daresay I hope that you will never get to walk one. For this is nowhere near how it looks."

The three were beginning to hear shouts and yells from outside. Also brisk steps approaching the chambers. Giovane dropped the blade and made a sound between a sob and a scream. Her hands flew to her face and her knees weakened. Peter caught her just in time when the door burst open. Edmund stood by the doorway as Faun guards surrounded the room, all in shock at the sight before them.

Peter turned to his brother and said in a commanding tone, "Take the Argouran to the dungeons," he said and eyed Aravinia with as much hate as he could feel, "She will be at my mercy."

Edmund nodded. He was aware that this was no time for questions and he gestured the Fauns guards to do as instructed. Aravinia was limp as she was led away from the chambers. Edmund stared at Peter. His brother was doing his very best to comfort the shaken Giovane in his arms, though Edmund knew he was having little success.

Peter breathed as he heard Edmund close the door behind him. Now that he and Giovane were alone, now was the time to speak, "I'm sorry," he whispered gently. Giovane buried her head in Peter's chest, but said nothing. Peter bit his lip, "Please say something," he said desperately. Giovane looked up at the king, her eyes still glistening with tears. And though her lips were still trembling, her eyes flashed a bright smile, "I love you."

Sob! We are coming to the end! But I will be writing more over the weekends, so stick with me! awimbowap! Squee!

Please don't be mad at me! Don't throw me to the dungeons!