Joan of Arc: Time Traveler

Chapter 4: The Prodigy Of Peace

The year was 1440, and the grand hall of Westminster Palace buzzed with anticipation. Nobles from both England and France lined the walls, their eyes fixed on the two figures seated at the center of the room. On one side sat the young King Henry VI of England, his face a mask of careful neutrality. Opposite him was Joan of Arc, the woman who had once been his greatest enemy, now come to broker a peace that would change the course of history.

"Your Majesty," Joan began, her voice clear and strong, "we stand at a crossroads. For too long, our nations have been locked in a dance of death, each step bringing more sorrow and more loss. Today, we have the power to choose a different path."

As Joan spoke, the room fell silent. Even those who had come prepared to object found themselves hanging on her every word. She laid out a vision of peace that was both pragmatic and inspiring, addressing the concerns of both nations with a wisdom that seemed beyond her years.

The negotiations lasted for days, with Joan tirelessly mediating between the English and French delegations. She proposed innovative solutions to long-standing disputes, such as a system of shared governance for contested territories and a series of trade agreements that would benefit both nations.

One of the most contentious issues was the demarcation of borders. Joan suggested a novel approach: rather than drawing hard lines, she proposed creating a series of "buffer zones" that would be jointly administered. These areas would serve as centers of cultural exchange and trade, gradually easing the tensions between the two nations.

As the talks progressed, Joan's reputation as a divinely inspired leader took on a new dimension. Many who had once feared her as a witch now saw her as a prodigy of peace, blessed with an almost supernatural ability to find common ground between sworn enemies.

The turning point came on the fifth day of negotiations. A dispute over fishing rights in the English Channel threatened to derail the entire process. As tempers flared and it seemed that months of work might unravel, Joan called for silence.

"Gentlemen," she said, her voice cutting through the angry murmurs, "let us remember why we are here. Not for us, not for glory or gold, but for the countless men, women, and children whose lives hang in the balance. Every day we fail to find peace is another day they suffer."

She then proposed a solution that was so elegant in its simplicity that both sides were stunned by agreement. The "Channel Accord," as it came to be known, would serve as a model for resolving maritime disputes for centuries to come.

Finally, after weeks of intense negotiation, the Treaty of Westminster was signed. As King Henry VI and the French Dauphin Charles shook hands, a cheer went up that could be heard throughout London. Joan of Arc, standing quietly to the side, allowed herself a small smile. Her mission, given to her by God so many years ago, was one step closer to completion.

The treaty was far-reaching in its scope. It not only ended the Hundred Years' War but laid the groundwork for a new era of cooperation between England and France. Trade routes were established, cultural exchanges were encouraged, and a framework for resolving future disputes was put in place.

In the years that followed, Joan's role in brokering the peace became the stuff of legend. Her methods were studied by diplomats and statesmen, and her words were quoted in parliaments and universities. The "Arc Principles" of negotiation – emphasizing empathy, creative problem-solving, and a focus on shared interests – became a cornerstone of international relations.

But for Joan, the true measure of her success was not in the halls of power, but in the lives of ordinary people. As she traveled through the countryside of both England and France, she saw former enemies working side by side, villages that had once lived in fear of raids now thriving in peace.