A/N: It's been forever since I've updated, but I will make in my New Year resolution to be better. This one is Christmas theme because of the holiday today. As always, thank you so much for all of your support in this story and the original DOTS. Love, Catherine
Chapter Seven: Christmas in the Castle
"How is she?" Lune asked, approaching the small group gathered in the corridor. They were all facing the same plain door at the end of the hall. He stood next to a woman, a few years younger, with raven hair down her back.
"The same, she hasn't come out in two days." Susan replied, never taking her eyes off the door.
"She hasn't eaten either." said the small girl sitting on the floor. Lucy.
"I don't understand. Why is she doing this?" Edmund asked. He was leaning against the opposite wall, eyes also fixed on the door.
"Because she doesn't think she deserves him." Lune answered without effort. He knew his sister.
"Who, Peter?" Susan inquired with an air of disbelief.
"Yes."
"Rubbish."
"For Aurora, it makes sense though." Lune explained," I know my sister, she never thought she deserved him. It's this self loathing thing she's had since our mother died. You know that she blamed herself for our mother's death for nine years. She's finally really gotten over it, after the thing with Deberon." They all shuddered at the name of the man that had tried to end all of their lives. "But old habits die hard and she thinks he's leaving her because she doesn't deserve him. She once told me that she expects to wake up one day and Peter be a dream."
"Rubbish!" Susan repeated, "Peter loves her, you can't spend five minutes in a room with them without knowing that."
"Then why doesn't someone tell her?" Lucy spoke from the floor, surprising them all with her insight. "She needs reassurance, someone to tell her that he loves her."
The little girl quickly stood up and headed to the door that had occupied their attention for so long. Susan followed her, stopping her at the door.
"Lucy, you can't just burst into her room." Susan coarsely whispered, hoping not to disturb whatever was happening on the other side of the door.
"Well, I can't sit by let her suffer." She harshly whispered back, "She needs a friend, Susan."
Susan nodded, Lucy was right. Aurora needed a friend, and though she couldn't tell her where he was or what he was doing, or even convince her that her brother loves her, she could be there for her.
Lucy turned the gold handle and, surprisingly, the found the door unlock. The two girls motioned for the boys to stay back and entered the room.
There was an untouched bowl of fruit and pitchers of juice on the round table they had enjoyed breakfast at days before. Two different gowns were laid out on her couch, waiting for her to slip into.
The windows were open, letting in a soft breeze and the golden sunlight. The sheer drapes around her bed were pushed back, revealing a large and messy bed, with an unrecognizable bump in the middle.
"It's Aurora." Lucy said, pointing to the large bump.
Aurora was sleeping in the middle of the bed, still in her night gown. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. Her hair was fanned out on her pillows, but her curls were not formed into their usual perfect spirals.
In simpler terms, she looked a mess.
"What's that?" Lucy whispered, pointing to Aurora's hand.
She rounded the bed and pried the object from her hand. It was a small piece of parchment, stained with tears and ceases from use.
"It's from Peter." Lucy said, unfolding the paper.
My dearest Aurora,
By the time you read this, I will already be gone. I can't tell you why I've left or where I'm going. No one else knows either, so don't worry yourself by trying to get it out of anyone. Know that I love you, Aurora, and will always love you, no matter what.
All my love,
Peter
Lucy read it twice before handing it to Susan, letting her older sister read it.
"I don't understand, Susan." She whispered, staring down at the sad girl asleep in front of them, "How can she read this and still not know that he loves her."
Peter vigorously knocked on the door, careful not to drop the contents f his other arm. Smiling that he had succeed in not crushing his toe, he waited for an answer.
Aurora yanked the door open, frustration clearly across her face. Her whole appearance looked disheveled, her gold locks across her face, which was flushed red. Her gown, Peter couldn't help but notice, was twisted around her body, subtlety revealing the curves underneath.
"Oh, Peter, it's you." Her features soften into a glowing smile, the smile he claimed to belong to him.
Suddenly aware of her appearance, Aurora pushed back her curls to cascade down her back and, much to his displeasure, smoothed out her gown, undoing the silhouette the fabric had made as it wrapped around her.
"I was asleep," she explained once she was all in order, "Having a good dream as well." She whispered, more to herself than to Peter.
He heard every word.
"Tell me," he stepped closer, caressing her face with his free hand. Aurora's eyes closed, unable to fight the sensation tingling to her toes, "Who was this dream about?"
Aurora's eyes fluttered open and Peter dropped his hand, waiting for an answer.
"Edmund." she replied without skipping a beat.
Peter fought the urge to roll his eyes and instead decided to play along.
"Oh, really, Edmund?" he asked and Aurora nodded, "Tell me, Aurora, can he make your knees weak like I can," With every word his face moved closer, his lips hovering in front of hers, "with a kiss?"
Before she could answer, Peter leaned forward and planted a searing kiss on her mouth. Peter smiled against her lips when her knees went weak and he had to support her with his free arm.
"I guess not." Peter pulled back once he had fully kissed Aurora, and enjoyed her still blushing face.
Aurora tried to avoid his eyes and instead focused on his occupied arm.
"Peter, what's this." She nodded to his arm.
"Skates." He replied casually, not even bothering to acknowledge the objects in question.
Aurora rolled her eyes, a smile playing across her face
"I know they're skates, silly. But why do you have them?"
"Isn't it obvious? We're going skating."
Aurora frowned, unsure of his proposition.
"I don't know, Peter. Skating-" she trailed of wryly.
"Come on," he begged, giving her his best smile, "It will be fun and I promise,I won't let you fall."
Aurora frowned for another minute before giving into his smile.
"Okay." She agreed, adding a slight smile.
"Good, now go put on some more clothes, it's freezing out there."
He let her go and she motioned for him to give her a moment to change before escaping behind the door.
She reappeared minutes later with a completely new outfit.
Her hair was pulled back, tied with a blue ribbon that matched the think wool dress she was now wearing. Around her shoulders she had placed a thick, and also wool, brown cloak that would shield her from the cold.
"Did you bring gloves?" Peter asked and Aurora held up a pair of brown, leather riding gloves.
"Let's go." He smiled, offering his free arm. They strolled through the castle, arm in arm, casually discussing the meeting he had that morning.
"Now, I have to warn you." Peter stopped her in front of the door that would lead them out of the castle and down to the stable, "I've been told that Lucy has been making snowballs all morning, ready to pelt anyone who walks by. So, prepare yourself."
Aurora nodded, pulling the hood he hadn't noticed before over her head.
Satisfied, he led her out the door.
They made it halfway to the stable before the first snowball hit. Peter wiped the icy cold powder off his sleeve, searching for the source. Another one hit him in the face.
Lucy was situated up in a tree, basket of snowballs by her side.
A third snowball whizzed past Peter's head. Shocked, he pulled Aurora in front of him, using her as a makeshift shield.
"Peter!" she half screamed, half laughed, trying to get back behind him.
The continued their play fighting, each struggling to stay out of Lucy's line of fire.
"Aurora, run!" Peter yelled, gathering up snow in his hands. Aurora didn't hesitate but ran, as fast as she could towards the stables. Once she was safely inside the walls, she turned her attention Peter, who was retreating down the hill. She watched him gracefully gathered snow, throwing the newly formed ball at Lucy with surprising accuracy. A few snowballs later, he was in the stable also, still brushing the snow of his body.
"Lucy might be small." He began turning his head over so he shake his hair out, "but she's got a great arm."
"Let's go." Peter grabbed her hand and let her over to an already saddled horse.
"Peter?" Aurora cocked her head to the side as she stared at the horse.
"I don't understand, where's your horse?" she asked, voice dripped with confusion.
Peter smiled mischievously.
"Well, I though we would take one horse, so we don't get chilled." He said as if his explanation was valid.
He secured the skates on the back and climbed on, reaching his hand out to her. She complied, climbing up behind him and placing one leg on each side, deciding it would easier than side saddle.
"You better wrap both your arms around me, I don't want you to fall off." Peter said over his shoulder and Aurora was too willing, wrapping her arms around him tightly and resting her head on his back. They rode in silence, together enjoying the sounds of the woods.
Soon, Aurora was asleep on his back, the constant movement softy rocking her from consciousness.
Peter felt her slump into his back and he couldn't help but smile. He looked over his shoulder at the sleeping angel resting on his back. He captured the memory, storing it for a lonely day without her.
He rode in complete bliss, enjoying the sound of her breathing, and the way her arms him, securing him to her.
It pained Peter to wake her up when they arrived at their destination, but it needed to be done so he placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
"Aurora, love, we're here."
Her eyes slowly opened and she stifled a yawn.
"Where exactly is here?" she asked, unwrapping her from around him to stretch.
Peter immediately missed her tight hold.
She peaked over her shoulder to see the small pond he had taken her to on their first outing together. The water had frozen to a glassy smooth surface.
"There is where we are skating?" she asked as he helped her down. He nodded, turning his attention to the skates on the back.
He handed her a pair before taking his own and putting them on his feet. Aurora sat down next to him, taking a little more time that necessary removing her boots and putting on her skates. Occasionally, she would stop to watch Peter who was skating elegant circles on the ice.
"Ready to join me yet?" he asked, coming to a stop before her.
She gave him an unsure smile, but stood up and joined him.
"Now, it's just like walking, but not."
"Oh that helps." She replied sarcastically, taking his offered hands. Peter smiled at her frustration.
He skated backwards in front of her, pulling her along. Aurora's eyes were fixed on her feet, watching the left then the right, glide across the ice. She looked up at his face for some assurance she was doing it right. Her worries were met with a smile and an encouraging nod, answering her unasked question.
She followed him around the ice once, becoming more confident but still not ready to let go.
After their second trip around, Peter began to let go of her hands, he was sure she was ready to skate by herself. Aurora, though, tighten her grip on his hands, refusing to let go.
"Peter, please don't let go," She shook her head frantically, her blue eyes begging.
"Aurora, you're ready."
"No, I'm no-"Aurora exploded into a scream, falling forward.
She landed on Peter, whose arms immediately wrapped around her.
"Are you alright?" she asked, scrutinizing his face for any visible marks.
"I'm fine." He consoled her, "My skate must have caught on something."
Aurora, suddenly aware of her full weight on top of Peter, pressing him against the cold ice, moved to get up but found that his strength kept her in place. She didn't mind though, and took the opportunity to enjoy the tight bands of muscles underneath his shirt.
The physically strenuous activity of being a king had sculpted his body into perfection, every muscle was rock solid. She continued to enjoy the perfection of Peter until she realized he was smirking at her.
"What?" she was a little annoyed he pulled her back into reality, "What are you smirking at?"
"Well, it's just that I broke my promise."
"What promise?" Aurora had forgotten about their earlier conversation outside of her room, it seemed to be days ago.
"I said I wouldn't let you fall." He reminded her.
"Oh," she smiled at him, lowering her face to hover over his, "Well I didn't mind this." She whispered, her sweet breathe sweeping over him. It was intoxicating.
Peter's eyebrows rose at her admission.
"Oh, really?"
"Really." She agreed, her lips inching towards him.
"Well, if I had known this would happened, I would have fallen sooner." He decided.
"Oh, really?"
"Really."
Their lips finally met in a fiery kiss, each forgetting the cold of the ice.
"Here we are, Peter." Triffle said, opening a huge door. "Home, sweet home."
The front room was large, by Peter's standards. There were several wooden chairs, a few with comforting pillows in different, mismatching colors. On the opposite wall stood the stone fireplace, wide enough for Peter to lay down in. Inside was a roaring fire and a large cauldron.
"Milly?" Triffle asked, "Where are you dear, I've got someone for you ter meet." He said, taking off his apron and hanging it behind the door.
"I'm in the kitchen, dear." Milly said, from somewhere behind the fireplace. Triffle motioned for to follow him, which he did, around the fireplace into the kitchen.
Milly, Peter assumed, was kneading dough on the scrubbed wooden table. She was shorter than Triffle, but still towered over Peter. Her blonder hair was piled onto of her head in a messy bun. Her face was round and mostly covered in flour. However, Peter could tell that she was beautiful.
Triffle embraced Milly and gave her a chaste and tender kiss. Peter's heart ached at the loving moment, he longed to have one with his Aurora.
Giant tear, Calormen prize, phoenix feather, then Aurora.
He said to himself, reminding him of the tasks before him. He often repeated them to himself in moments of weakness. More than once, he wanted to throw caution to the wind and ask Aurora without fulfilling her father's demands. But he was a king, and kings do this the right way.
"And who do we have here?' Milly asked, finally noticing Peter.
"King Peter," Triffle paused, wondering if she had caught the first word, "of Narnia"
"King Peter of Narnia," Milly repeated, shocked, "What are you doing up here, your Majesty?" She asked, beginning to curtsey, but Peter stopped her.
"Please, just call me Peter. I've never really gotten use to the formalities."
"Peter then," she smiled, "But what are you doing this far north?" she asked, again.
"The father of the love of my life has sent me on a quest for three items before he will allow me to marry her."
"We, my dear," Triffle began, wrapping his arm around his wife, "are going to help him get his first item, a giant tear."
"That's going to be difficult." Milly repeated Triffle's initial worries, but then her face brighten.
"But there might be a way. In two days, Jingle's daughter, Blossom, is getting married. Marriage is already an emotional thing, perhaps, if we take Peter to the wedding and he tells her his story, we just might get his tear."
"It's a long shot," Triffle added, " but it just might work."
"Peter, please give it to me." Aurora begged, lips pouting and hand outstretch towards Peter. It was a few days before Christmas and Aurora had come to Cair Paravel for a few days so they could exchange presents. Narnia had become a winter wonderland the past week, with a sudden downfall of fluffy snow that covered the whole country. Ponds and streams had frozen into ice, encouraging skaters to glide across its slippy surface. Snowball fights were common in the village and around the castle, especially if Lucy was outside. Peter and Aurora were sitting in front of a roaring fire in Peter's study, next to a small tree that Peter and Aurora had picked and decorated themselves. Aurora had already given him his present, a handmade brown leather quiver, complete with twelve red feather arrows and a cherry wood bow. Inside was a note written in her elegant script:
I expect you to practice.
Peter laughed and promised that he would.
Aurora outstretched her hand, waiting for her gift, but was met with nothing.
"Peter, please." Aurora begged, again.
She reached around Peter, trying to reach the gift he had hidden behind his back. However, he wrapped his free arm around her waist, easily restraining her.
"Not so fast, love," Peter smiled as Aurora recomposed herself, "I need something first."
"Something!" Aurora exclaimed, "I already gave you something." She motioned to his new bow and quiver sitting by the tree.
Peter smiled. "That's not what I mean."
She eyed him suspiciously, her mind working through the possibilities.
"Oh." It dawned on her.
Aurora closed the space between them, placing her lips on his.
She felt his lips smile against her, before sharing in their kiss. Aurora kissed him as passionately as she could, parting her lips against his to sample his heavenly taste. He tasted like sweet spices, a heavenly combination that could have been created only by Aslan himself.
Peter parted his lips also, allowing his tongue to run across her lower lip, Then, for the first time in their relationship, he deepen the kiss into something neither of them had ever experienced before. He explored her mouth vigorously, enjoying the new sensations. Aurora snaked her arms around his neck, weaving her fingers through his locks. She pulled lightly at the hair on his neck, sending him into a new ultimate high.
Unable to resist and longer, Peter dropped the gift and wrapped his newly free arm around her waist, holing her tightly, and the other in her hair. They kissed until air became a necessity, resting their foreheads together when they parted, their lips barely apart.
"I thought you already gave me a present." Peter whispered, causing Aurora to blush, "Now, are you ready for your gift?" he asked, reaching behind him for the discarded gift.
"I'm scared that is you give me anything else, I might faint." Aurora said to herself, hoping he would hear.
His smirk made he know he did, but choose not to reply. Instead, he handed her a sliver box tied with a white bow.
"Merry Christmas, love."
Aurora gently untied the bow, then unwrapped the box from the paper. She lifted up the top and let out a gasp.
Inside, nestled on a piece of black velvet, was a beautiful necklace. The necklace was made of silver, molded into delicate swirls that matched the ones of on her tiara. The swirls grew larger as they swirled towards the middle. Five crystal clear diamonds where set in the five largest swirls, completing the exquisite piece.
"Peter, it's beautiful." Aurora barley spoke, awestruck at the object in front of her.
"It's not s beautiful as you, but it will do." He said sincerely, staring into her eyes. For the second time that evening, a blush crept into her face.
"Will you?" She held out the necklace to him.
Peter quickly secured it around her neck, then leaned back to see it on her.
"Magnificent." Peter said, touching the diamonds on her throat.
"I love you, Peter."
"I love you too, Aurora."
And with their proclamation of love, the couple leaned towards each other, embracing in another kiss.
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