Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: You know the story of the Horse and his boy. But what was happening in Narnia? A northern campaign. Trouble on the homefront and a prince's invitation. Will anything be as Peter left it?

A/N: If you have not read the first ten stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, Veiled, Unveiled, and Eclipsed), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Chapter Fifty-Two: Yuletide

24 Yule 1014

"Philip? Might I- Might I speak to you?"

Philip lifted his head in surprise at the soft-spoken question. "Hwin?" He snorted, scolding himself for allowing his surprise to show as the little Mare pranced back slightly, obviously nervous. He immediately gentled his tone and lowered his head in an attempt not to appear quite so intimidating to her. "How may I be of service, Madam?"

The little Mare pawed at the stable floor and then she ducked her head even further. "Oh, I know I am being very forward and you will probably think the worst of me. Yet, I simply must ask. I must know. Why haven't you pursued me? I know you already mentioned you had not met the right Mare before but I had hoped…" She trailed off painfully and turned her head away, but he still caught her strained whisper, "I thought perhaps you liked me."

"I do," he hurried to assure her. "Hwin, I-" He let out a low whinny as he cautiously approached her and then stretched out his neck in order to nudge her finely arched neck. "Dear lady, I have made a mess of things, it would seem. I did not pursue you because I thought you were already being courted by Bree."

Hwin gave a little whicker of laughter. "Nonsense. Bree is far too…well, too Bree. We might have some similarities, I suppose, both being captives and then escaping to the North and Narnia. Yet, he has been a great warhorse and I do not think he will ever forget it. I…I am not suited to him nor is he suited to me."

Philip hesitated, feeling far more nervous than he had before any of the battles he had carried his boy into and out of, before he moved a little closer and placed his muzzle near hers. He lowered his voice to a whisper and asked, "If no other Stallion has been fortunate enough to win your attention, I beg the privilege to court you, Hwin."

She didn't answer right away. Her large, dark liquid eye gave no hint to her thoughts before she lowered her lid and her eye was partially hidden by her lashes. Then, she bobbed her head. "Yes, Philip. I would like it if you pursued me. I would like it very much, indeed."

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25 Yule 1014

The great hall was festooned with ribbons, wreaths of holly, sprigs of mistletoe, and decorated Christmas trees. Yet, there were not as many people present as there usually was for the Christmas Day ball. Edmund observed the crowd as he waltzed with Susan (she had made it clear he was obliged to do so as her escort). Thalia hadn't come to the ball at all since she had wakened that morn feeling rather unwell. He suspected the only reason the girls hadn't already gone to check on her again was because her mother, Theia, was with her.

His thoughts were distracted from thoughts of his sister-in-law by a sight that made his jaw drop. Philip and Hwin were nuzzling each other. Lion's Mane! Philip was courting Hwin!

He closed his jaw with a snap as he and Susan waltzed back in the other direction. Lucy and Tarrin were dancing nearby. Edmund gave Tarrin an obligatory big brother glare and felt some satisfaction when Tarrin slackened his grip on Lucy's waist. That is, until he had to bite his tongue to keep from yelping when Susan pinched him. Lucy shot him a look that promised a reprimand too before she grasped Tarrin's hand and coaxed him to hold her as he had been.

Susan hissed, "Edmund, leave them alone."

He frowned at her. "She's too young."

His older sister rolled her eyes. "She's twenty-two. He's been in love with her for at least four years, I'm certain of it. Just let the poor boy be. You're getting to be as overprotective as Peter."

Edmund twirled his sister and then drew her back into his arms as they swept in a graceful circle. "Don't be silly. I haven't banished him yet." He glanced at Lucy and Tarrin just as the watching crowd clapped and cheered. He groaned as he realized his sister was at the center of the merriment. She was standing underneath a sprig of mistletoe. Tarrin was staring at her with an expression that reminded Edmund disturbingly of Peter when he was looking at Thalia. Tarrin was going to be banished the moment Peter saw that look aimed at their sister.

Then, Tarrin leaned down and kissed Lucy on the lips. Fortunately, for him, the kiss was brief and quite chaste. Good. Edmund hadn't really wanted to skewer his friend.

Susan smiled with such satisfaction that he almost asked what she was plotting. However, he decided he really didn't want to know what matchmaking schemes his sister was cooking up now. The dance ended and he led her to the side like a good escort. "Do you want me to bring you something to drink?"

"Have you apologized to Raisa?"

The sudden change in subject made him scowl. "Yes, several times."

"Well, you haven't finished."

"What?"

Before he could figure out just what Susan was going on about, she beckoned to someone. "Raisa. Merry Christmas."

Edmund plastered a pleasant expression on his face as he turned to face the young lady who was now his personal vexation. She curtsied. "Merry Christmas, Queen Susan, King Edmund." Her curious gaze focused on Su. "Was there something I might do for you, My Queen?"

"Yes," Susan said brightly. "You may partner with Edmund for this next dance. I'm in need of a brief respite and it wouldn't do for Lucy to be the only Royal dancing right now."

Knowing Su wouldn't be dissuaded (and he would pay in the morn for any protests his sister deemed unseemly), Edmund extended his hand to Raisa. For a moment, he thought she would refuse but that hope died when she placed her small hand in his. He led her out to join the other dancers and they quickly fell into the familiar steps of another waltz. He stared at the top of Raisa's head as she seemed determined to keep her own gaze on his silver tunic.

Edmund cleared his throat. "I'm sorry I've offended you so often, Lady Raisa."

"You haven't. I just haven't wanted to talk to you." She glanced up at him, offering a perfect view of her fiery blush, as she lowered her voice to a whisper, "I did not meant that the way it sounded, Your Majesty."

"I suspected as much," he assured her. He hesitated then asked, "Are you enjoying being back in Narnia when I'm not insulting you?"

She was staring at his tunic again but he heard a hint of a smile in her voice when she answered quietly, "I am. I have missed being able to go into the library whenever I wish and reading whatever books I wish and taking them back to my quarters if I wish. It's strange. I had forgotten how many privileges I had gained here in Cair Paravel until I lost them." She glanced up at him, her warm brown eyes wide and a fiery blush still in her cheeks. "However, I doubt you wish to hear me prattle about books all the time. I have been trained in the art of conversation. Although, it doesn't always seem to help me when I'm with you." She sucked in a breath, her eyes widening even further.

Edmund grinned. "I've been known to unsettle people."

Raisa nodded then caught herself and shook her head. "No, Your Majesty. I mean, I- That is, have you heard from your brother lately?"

His grin vanished as he recalled the worry of so many weeks without word. "No, we have not."

"I'm sorry. I remember you were so close to each other." She looked up at him, an oddly appealing empathy shining in the depths of her warm brown eyes. "You must miss him very much."

"I do. I-"

Edmund cut himself off as the music stopped and he was obliged to come to a standstill. Then the crowd cheered and shouted for a kiss. When a stealthy glance proved that the other couples were all staring at him, he had a bad feeling. He glanced up. There was the treacherous little weed as Aravis had dubbed it earlier that month. He looked back down at Raisa. He cleared his throat. "With your permission?"

She gave the tiniest of nods.

Edmund leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips. The crowd cheered and he straightened as hastily as he could without being rude. Raisa's eyes were wide but she didn't seem upset or even embarrassed. Her eyelids fluttered closed and then she gave a little sigh. She opened her eyes again when he started to lead her away from the dancing but he noted she still didn't seem to be paying very much attention to her surroundings.

After he left her in Lucy's capable hands, Edmund slipped through the crowd. As he escaped the Great Hall, he could only hope that he hadn't just gotten himself in trouble with Peridan. Why did it have to mistletoe? Why did it have to be Raisa?

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Bree watched the pageantry of a Narnian Christmas with a bit more awe than he would have admitted if anyone had asked. It was beautiful and untainted by the crueler customs he had witnessed practiced during some of the Calormene festivals (when he wasn't already in the stables being tended by grooms). He glanced over at where Philip and Hwin were speaking, their muzzles nearly touching. He was happy for Hwin. The chestnut Stallion would obviously take very good care of her and she was obviously happy.

He snorted, flicking his tail, when someone nudged his flank.

"Oh!" The breathy voice belonged to a pretty little filly whose bay coat was almost red. She arched her neck and then gave a whickering laugh. "I'm sorry, Bree. I was watching the dancers."

One of Bree's ears went back as he tried to place the Mare. "Have we met?"

She nickered. "Oh no, not officially. But I have heard of you. My herd lives here in Cair Paravel."

"Forgive me, madam, but I do not know who you are. I am yet unfamiliar with the native herd of Cair Paravel and-"

"Oh yes, of course. How silly of me." She interrupted before he could finish speaking.

Bree couldn't think of a thing to say. However, this did not seem to matter to the filly as she cheerfully stated, "My name is Penelope." Then she bobbed her head and pointed her muzzle in the direction of the other Horses and four-footed Beasts. "Oh look, they are about to begin a dance for us. Will you dance with me, Bree?"

Indeed, even as she spoke and turned her entreating gaze on him, he noted the humans, Fauns, Satyrs, Nymphs, and Dwarves leaving the center of the room. In their place came three pairs of Horses, including Philip and Hwin. Penelope nudged him. "Shall we? It's a very simple dance. Just watch Philip."

Without really knowing why, Bree found himself agreeing. At least, if Philip was participating, then he knew for certain that this dance was truly something that free Horses did.

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"Do you wish to dance, cousin?"

Alambiel shook her head. She had already danced once with Stormwind. It felt too much like a betrayal to dance at the Christmas Day ball without Oreius. She forced herself to smile at her husband's cousin. "No, thank you, Stormwind. I think I shall retire now."

"So soon? It is still two hours off midnight."

His concern touched her but it still wasn't enough to sway her. Alambiel smiled a little bigger as she rested a hand on his forearm. "I'm afraid I do not have the Christmas spirit to remain any longer. Besides, shouldn't you be keeping an eye on Firemoon since you enjoy heckling him so much?"

"It is not as much fun now that he's asked Tanith to marry him and she has agreed," he complained.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure that won't stop you much."

"Hardly at all," Stormwind agreed, grinning widely. Then, his gaze softened as he covered her hand with his own. "If you are insistent, fair cousin, then I shall bid you good night. Rest well, Alambiel." He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on her cheek. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Stormwind." Alambiel slipped her hand free of his and then left the Great Hall. Her mind was not on her favorite of Oreius' cousins or on Firemoon and Tanith's pending marriage. Her mind and heart were consumed with thoughts of Oreius. It had been too long without word. Even the outposts had been slow in sending reports due to the snowstorms of growing intensity. At the moment, they were almost a fortnight behind in news. And, the news from the campaign was even worse. It was non-existent.

She let herself into her too large and too empty quarters. Every time she did so, she hoped to find Oreius standing there waiting for her. But, he wasn't there as usual. The Kentauri was going to be in a lot of trouble if he didn't get home soon. And, that was on top of all the things 'Uncle' had told Solon about her.

Alambiel sighed, even the plots of revenge on the Kentauri for carless statements and teasing weren't enough to distract her. She walked into the bedchamber and immediately crossed to the balcony doors. Stepping out onto the snow-covered balcony, she crossed to the railing and peered north. But there were no soldiers or missing husbands materializing out of the darkness. "Come on, Kentauri. Where are you?" She gripped the railing, ignoring the cold snow, as she murmured quietly, "Come home soon."

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It was only half past tenth hour when Lucy noticed Susan was speaking with a little Hummingbird. Hope flared in her breast. Maybe it was news about Peter. She set her empty mug on the table and smiled brightly at Tarrin. "Thank you for escorting me tonight, Tarrin, and for the hot chocolate. I've had a wonderful time."

He smiled back at her and her heart gave an odd little lurch. "I'm glad, Queen Lucy."

Lucy impulsively grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. "I think I should check on Susan. Would you excuse me?"

"Of course." He rose as she stood. He opened his mouth and she paused, but then he didn't say anything. Lucy didn't allow herself to examine the disappointment she felt. Instead, she immediately stuffed it down and locked it away. There was no room for disappointment at Christmas, after all (other than a slight twinge that Peter and the army hadn't made it back in time to spend it with them).

She reached Susan's side just as the Hummingbird flitted away. Mindful of the other families awaiting word, she lowered her voice to a whisper, "Was it about Peter? Is he almost home?"

"No, it wasn't from Peter." Susan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. Lucy immediately returned her hug. She still wished it was great big hug from Peter. Susan spoke again. "Lu, why don't we go up to our quarters? Ed's already run off and I think Kat left at the top of the hour."

Lucy also observed the Great Hall. Though, there were still Narnians dancing and visiting with each other, many of the families of those soldiers still on campaign had already left. Even as she watched, a family of Coyotes and a young Gryphon left. She hugged Susan again. "I think that's a lovely idea and we can check on Thalia too. See if she wants anything. Maybe take her mind off Peter."

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A/N: Please Read and Review!