Author's Note: Welcome to chapter nineteen! :) I hope you liked the little tidbit in the last chapter with Ari giving Caspian a small pep talk. :P I thought that needed to be in there... Don't know why. XD Anyways, go read the chapter! :D

Song for this chapter: Devastation and Reform by Relient K

"Cakes and Kettledrums!" Trumpkin burst out as Peter told the Narnians his plan. "That's your next big plan? Sending a little girl alone into the darkest parts of those woods?"

"It's our only chance." Peter said, slamming his fist down on the Stone Table to show how strongly he felt about this. He winced and shook the pain out of his fingers. He made a mental note not to slam his fist down on solid rock any more.

"And she won't be alone." Susan said, stepping up beside her sister. Trumpkin looked at the two queens with concern.

"Haven't enough of us died already?" He said softly, his eyes tearing up slightly.

"Nikabrik was my friend too, but he lost hope." Trufflehunter said mildly. He gave a small smile. "Queen Lucy hasn't. And neither have I."

"For Aslan." Reepicheep said, his eyes growing glassy.

"For Aslan!" Repeated the bulgy bear. Everyone was silent for a few moments and stared at the carving of the great Lion. Trumpkin clenched his jaw closed and gritted his teeth.

"I'm going with you." The dwarf said to Lucy.

"No. We need you here." Lucy replied, laying a hand on his shoulder. The look in her eyes was sad, but stern at the same time.

"We need to hold the army off as long as we can until Susan and Lucy get back." Peter said, looking at his sisters.

"If I may..." Caspian spoke up, his voice soft. Ari nodded to him in encouragement. He gave her a grateful smile before he continued. "Miraz may be a murderer and a tyrant, but as a king he is still subject to the traditions and expectations of his subjects." Caspian paused to look at everyone, and then there was a wicked gleam in his eyes. "There is one tradition in particular that may just buy us some time."

"Well, what is it?" Peter asked, looking at the Prince.

"A duel." Caspian said simply. Edmund's solemn face split into a savage grin and the spark was back in his eyes.

"Pete, let me do it!" He said immediately, jumping at the chance to use a sword again. Ari looked at him, frowning.

"No, Ed. I can't let you do that." Peter said, noticing the half-crazed look in Ari's eyes.

"You know I'm the best swordsman we've got!" Edmund protested, leaping to his feet. Ari grabbed his arm and pulled him to sit down again, effectively quieting him with a look.

"It's my duty though. I'm the High King." Peter said. Ari thanked him with a small smile that Edmund couldn't see. He gave a minuscule nod to acknowledge her. "But...you can have the honor of reading the proposition to Miraz."

At this, both Ari and Edmund sent identical smirks at each other. They had had previous encounters such as this that had been quite comical, and that was exactly why Peter normally chose them for the job. Edmund's smile dropped though as he thought of Ari having to look Miraz in the eye.

"Ari, are you going to be okay, though?" Edmund asked her, needing to hear it for himself that she wouldn't have an episode.

"I know Miraz is going to be there. It will be well worth it to see his face when he sees that I am alive and well, for the most part." Ari said, nodding. She knew that it would be difficult for her to be there, but she would do it because it was part of her job.

"Alright then. It's settled. Now, let me write out this proposal..." Peter said, giving Ari and Edmund a wicked grin that he rarely showed.

Not even an hour later, Edmund, Ari, Glenstorm, and Wimbleweather the giant walked across the field. Edmund was in full body armor, and Ari was dressed in the typical style of archers. Underneath the black and green armor, she wore a chain-mail dress that reached her knees. The leather armor would offer little protection from an oncoming sword, but it was lighter and gave her more freedom of movement. Ari's fighting style relied more on quickness rather than actual brute force.

She would dart in to immobilize her opponent, and then dance back out of reach. As usual, she would be with Susan directing the archers. She would only use her dueling blades if things got worse and she had to join Edmund and Peter in the heat of battle. It helped put Edmund at ease to know that she would be away from the clashing swords, because it let him concentrate on his fighting and not on knocking her out of the way if a blade came her way.

They carried a white flag to signal peace, but their weapons showed that they were prepared for a fight should one break out. Miraz looked at them through a telescope as they crossed the field.

"Perhaps they intend to surrender." General Glozelle said to his king.

"No." Miraz said, shaking his head. "They are much too noble for that."

It wasn't long until Edmund and Ari were given an audience with Miraz and what council members that were there. Glenstorm and Wimbleweather waited outside of the tent. Edmund unrolled the scroll and began to read the proposition while Ari stood silently at his side with an indifferent expression on her face.

Author's Note: So, this chapter is a little shorter than normal, but considering that it's one in the morning, I think I did a good job. I've had a lot of stuff going on lately, so I haven't been writing as much as normal. Hopefully, I'll get back to writing and you guys won't have to wait as long for chapters! :D Wouldn't that be great if I could update every day, or at least every other day?

Leave a smiley face if you liked it! :D