It's been a year since the kings and queens of Narnia had taken the throne. The first snowfall had been... ill received. It reminded too many of times that they'd rather forget.
But something else was in the air. Something that only used to be in lullabies and ancient stories of before the witch.
Christmas was just around the corner.
The whole of Cair Paravel was bustling with life in preparation. The queen Susan was also busy, making sure everything would be perfect for their first Narnian Christmas.
Between Lucy insisting on helping with the decorations, and shooing her brothers out of the kitchen when they come to steal treats, the eldest Queen had her hands full.
The days were counted down with anticipation, and the eve of the big day was soon upon them.
But instead of spending time with her siblings on that blessed night, Susan was going over her check list for the millionth time.
"Right... right... everything's fine ..." she said, sighing. "I just hope it's enough..."
She was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of her door opening. Turning, she saw her little sister peeking through the crack.
"Lucy..." Susan smiled, walking over to her. "What are you doing here?"
The younger girl shifted on her feet. "Back in England... mum always read to us the story on Christmas eve ..."
Susan shut her door, pulling Lucy inside. "Oh darling... I remember that... and she would sing too, right?"
Lucy nodded. "The pretty song... about nighttime."
Susan took her little sister to her bed, sitting down beside her. "Well... I know mum's not here ... but maybe I could tell you the story?"
Lucy's eyes lit up as she nodded. "Wait here!" She said, running from the room.
Susan watched her go, wondering where she could be going in such a rush.
A few moments later, the youngest queen returned, leading her two older brothers behind her.
"Now you can tell the story!" Lucy declared, sitting on the floor.
Edmund and Peter looked at each other.
"What are you going on about, Lu?" Peter asked. "It's late. You should be in bed."
Edmund nodded. "We all should."
Lucy pouted, looking at her siblings. "But... it's Christmas eve ... we have to read the story!"
Susan blushed slightly, looking to her brothers. "You know she won't let this go, sit down, both of you." She said, motioning to a pair of chairs.
Both boys obeyed, sitting.
Susan cleared her throat as she began to tell the story from memory. "And it came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed..."
The evening grew late as the story continued, was paused for a bit so the boys could retrieve snacks from the kitchen, and resumed.
"...and they fled to Egypt, and were saved." Susan finished, paraphrasing the ending to the story.
Lucy was obviously having trouble keeping her eyes open, Peter and Edmund both showed signs of drowsiness, though they hid it well.
Looking out the window, Susan noticed a soft snow had begun to fall. Standing slowly, she stepped out onto the balcony, feeling the snow on her cheeks and hair.
Lucy slipped out beside her, imitating her older sister by saying "You can not go outside in this weather without mittens!"
The boys laughed and joined them on the balcony overlooking a snow covered courtyard, and somewhere, in her heart, a song rose to escape Susan's lips, soft and melodious.
"Silent night... holy night... all is calm... all is bright..."