A/N Wow this story seems to have taken on a mind of it's own, in a good way. It's just getting much longer than I expected. :) As always thank you to all the people who have reviewed my fanfiction. The positive reinforcement does help.

Thank you, Ari

Court seemed to drone on; Peter couldn't remember the last thing said in the conflict between the moles and squirrels. Susan was listening closely and offered her guidance and Lucy agreed adding her own counsel. When they looked over at Peter he nodded briefly, trying to clear the glazed look from his eyes. "Then it's settled," he heard Susan reply. Everyone seemed to agree and Peter smiled in turn.

"Your Majesties," he heard the herald call. "We have another visitor to court. I have two messengers from the people of the Mountain. Shall I let them in?" Peter felt everyone's eyes on him as a murmur ran though the crowd. He took a moment to think about it. These were the people who had killed his brother in battle. He turned and shared a look with Lucy and Susan. They both nodded their heads, seeming to agree with what Peter told them in unspoken terms. It was only fair to hear what they had to say. They were only messengers after all.

"Yes allow them to come. I will hear them," He replied in a commanding tone. His hand began to tremor again, but it quickly resided when he saw the sorry state of the two messengers. They looked like they hadn't eaten in days. They were tired, for they made the trek without rest, and their clothing had been torn. Susan's heart lurched forward at the sight on the two men. Instinctively she wanted nothing but to take care of them until they looked healthy again.

"Wait," she called standing up to examine the two men. "Is this how we treat guests of court? Why, they looked half starved. Good sirs, we will adjourn court today and reconvene tomorrow. Please make sure these gentlemen get a hot meal and warm clothing." Susan had been so used to running court she had nearly forgotten Peter was there. Everyone looked towards Peter again as Susan quietly took her seat to his's left, hoping she hadn't over stepped her bounds. But Peter didn't seem to mind. A night's rest before taking on this new development would be good. And the men did look so pitiful; they seemed as harmless as a lamb.

"You heard the Queen's grace," he replied. "Those are my wishes as well. My word is final. Good sirs, we will hear you early tomorrow morning. Does this please you?"

"Thank you your Majesties," the two gentlemen replied.

"Everyone is dismissed until tomorrow morning early." The courtiers seemed pleased to retire. It had been a long day for everyone.

The next morning everyone filed into the throne room looking refreshed. The two Mountain messengers looked much healthier. As guests of court they received a hot bath and a soft bed. They had slept better than they had in over a year. Even though they knew the Narnians didn't quite trust them, they were more than gracious.

"Now," High King Peter said in an imposing tone. "Why have you come to my court?" The two messengers could feel the edge to his voice.

"We beseech you, your Majesties," the fair haired one started carefully. Peter nodded for him to continue. "Please Sire, and Madams, I have come with a proposal from our Chief Renlon. I know terms between our peoples have been less than amicable, but we beg for your forgiveness. Our people are starving and dying. We were trying to support our women and children. This is why we attacked the border towns near the mountains. By raiding the villages, we were able to get supplies our families."

"Why did you not just ask us sooner?" The messengers looked up at the feminine voice. Lucy looked at the two men with a mix between pity and anger. I was a rare sight to see any trace of anger on Lucy's face. "We could have helped you before relations between us became bloody."

"Your Majesty, Queen—er Lucy, yes, we tried, a little over a year ago to seek help. We were attacked by Narnian citizens in the western woods while looking for any help we could get. We found a group and pleaded with them, but instead of helping, we were attacked by wolves and beasts that nearly killed our Chief. After that a pestilence spread throughout our small village we were greatly weakened. Out of fear for her safety our Chief sent his only daughter away to keep her safe from Narnians and the pestilence." Peter seemed to listen intently. Lucy thought about this for a moment and it dawned on her, as it dawned on Edmund earlier.

"King Peter," she said speaking towards her brother, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "I fear our guests may have conflicted with a militia still loyal to the White Witch. I could see how it would be frightening for anyone to come across these bands, even in the best of health. But to think, coming across them in a time of need, it would be terrible." Peter looked at Susan who was processing this new information. It was so easy to see how these people could have thought that all Narnians were all viscous. Even lands they had peace with, didn't always trust talking beasts. No matter how noble or docile they may be."

"I agree with Queen Lucy," Susan said. "They have been through torment. Let's hear what proposal they have."

"Let us not forget," Peter replied in a steely, accusing voice. "It was their general that killed our beloved brother." The two messengers hung there heads in shame.

"It is true, but your brother did kill our beloved general first. In all battles, terms are uncertain. If it's not to bold of me to say, I know General Gaine knew what was at stake, as I'm sure your brother did as well. We are a desperate people Sire. Our numbers fall to a fraction of what they were before the drought." Peter thought long and hard about what the messenger had told him. Finally he nodded.

"I know my royal sisters are ready to grant you forgiveness, but I'm not so sure. With that in mind, in the spirit of justice I will allow you continue. A lesson I learned long ago from someone very dear to me, people can make emends. In addition, you are very brave to come to us. I admire that."

"Your Majesties are very kind. We ask for your assistance in granting us a small parcel of land. Not much mind you, but enough for our village can grow enough to support our peoples."

"How many people would be relocated to Narnian soil?"

"Our village used to flourish with about seven hundred citizens, now our numbers are hardly a hundred, mostly women and older children." A collective gasp was heard throughout court. So few people left! "A few families tried to venture out on their own and were never heard from again. We lost many strong men in our raids, and the elderly population starved the first. Our women are no longer able to have children right now with so little food, and many of the young children died from sickness." Susan's hand shot to her mouth, with a look of horror. Lucy looked like she was about to be sick, and the stony look on Peter's face twitched briefly as compassion made it way into his eyes.

"And if I agree…"

"We will pay you a tribute every year in ten percent of our crop yield. Also my Chief has pledged you his best soldiers for your armies, and," he hesitated for a moment. "He offers his only daughter's hand in marriage." Peter suddenly perked up and looked interested.

"His daughter's hand in marriage?"

"The Lady Perna is a treasure to our people. Her mother, Lady Carlyn, is the greatest beauty our village has ever seen. That was, until we saw your Majesties, Queen Susan and Queen Lucy. Our Lady Perna has inherited some of her mother's fire. She's a strong woman and has been a rock of guidance during our time of need. We don't have much Sire, but this is what we can offer you." Peter held up his hand and everyone was silent.

"My royal sister's and I will spend the rest of today discussing this matter with our nearest council. Good Sirs, you are guests in our home, whatever you need will be provided. We will discuss this again tomorrow morning. I hope you understand a decision of this magnitude takes time to deliberate." Everyone was dismissed as Peter, Susan, Lucy, and a couple of their advisors stayed in the throne room.

"The crop tribute and the troops all sound fair enough as an exchange. If we can find a suitable spot to relocate them I say yes," said Lucy. "But Peter, are you considering the marriage proposal?" To her surprise he actually nodded his head.

"Why not? It would help seal diplomatic relations with these people. Besides I need suitable wife and no one has yet to strike my fancy. Some fresh blood may be just the thing."

"What about Calormen Sire?" Asked an Eagle named Altair. "It would help keep the peace with the Calormene people, if you took one of the Tisroc's daughters for a bride." Peter's face scrunched up with distaste.

"I feel it is my duty, and in the best interest of Narnia, to have a suitable heir for the future throne. I would rather have no children at all than see the offspring of those despicable, ill mannered and tittering females inherit my Kingdome. The only one of the Tisroc's daughters I can stand is Vashteena, and she's only fourteen. Besides we have a tentative peace with them at the moment, and I find it best not to try and stir the pot. They've not been a formidable threat to us anyway, with the great desert as a buffer and all."

"Fair enough," Susan replied as she started combing her hand through her hair. "Oh, what about Governor Kaz of the Lone Island's daughter? She's very lovely."

"The simpering one who's prone to fits of swooning? Thank you dear sister, but please no. She faints at the mere mention of blood."

"You're making this very hard Peter," Lucy said. "What about Lord Blaque's daughter? She's got spirit."

"Lord Blaque has two sons. He doesn't have a daughter." His brow furrowed for a moment in confusion.

"Yes he does Peter," Susan replied in a frank tone. "She competed with me in the archery tournament over the summer. She's a very good archer, gave me quite a match."

"That was his son."

"No, that was his daughter; he has one son and one daughter, they're twins." Suddenly Peter looked very embarrassed and broke in to a laugh, everyone got very quiet. It wasn't because the situation wasn't humorous, it was, but Peter hadn't laughed in such a long time. The sound was enchanting.

"That explains a lot then," Peter finally managed to get out between breaths. "'She' gave me the most frightful look when I told her 'good shot Sir', and then shook her hand. I thought she was a boy."

"Well that one's out of the question then."

"What about the Baron's daughter, Lady Embelle," Mr. Tumnes asked. "She's always been very pleasant."

"Lady Embelle I would consider as my bride, but she is engaged to another and due to be married in high summer. I think I may agree just to meet this Lady Perna. If she shows half as much courage as her men, I may very well consider her. As for the other matter at hand, where would we relocate them?"

"There is a parcel of land near the Western March and slightly north," Altair spoke up. "It is not habited by any of our people, but it is wild with the dumb beasts and seems to grow plenty of weeds and grasses. We may have to ask a couple of trees to relocate, but it may be a good place for a farm."

"Altair dear fellow, that's marvelous," Lucy exclaimed. "I almost forgot about the grassland clearing. It may be a bit small, but it would be better than nothing."

"Than it's settled," Peter agreed. He was still quite shaky with the idea. Despite his personal feelings, it was the best situation for these people. Narnia would gain a permanent farming community, which, in the future, could become a great asset. "We will grant The Mountain People amnesty." They talked long into the evening, nearly missing supper, discussing the logistics on how to relocate the Mountain People. Lucy's stomach let out a loud growl and everyone agreed to the finishing touches before getting dinner.

The next morning court was brought to session to conclude plans with The Mountain People. To their delight, the very cordial and kind High King and Queens, agreed to their requests. They also arranged to send Queen Lucy with the two messengers so she could deliver the news to the village, and to bring the Lady Perna to Cair Paravel.