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-Three: Home
Cair Paravel stood quiet, its parapets and walls gleaming with white snow beneath the moonlight. Peter resisted the urge to sag in the saddle as the massive gates opened to receive Narnia's army home. Home. Thank Aslan, he was home.
They had pushed themselves to reach home by Christmas and, although it was closing in on midnight, they had made it. Thank Aslan. Oreius cleared his throat and Peter started then offered the General a sheepish grin. He had been too busy thinking about surprising his family, about surprising Thalia, to urge his horse forward and his soldiers were waiting for their High King to enter first. A touch of the heel and Frost shook her snow-dusted mane then trotted forward, her delicate ears pricking as she lifted her muzzle and whinnied. It had been nine months, nine horribly long months, but even Frost remembered the scent of home.
Peter nodded to Oreius and the Centaur dismissed the troops. He wanted to leap out of the saddle and race up the stairs into the Cair until he found his wife and siblings. But, his injuries from that last battle prevented such desires. Instead, Peter had to content himself with stiffly dismounting. His leg still ached and his knee threatened to buckle as he steadied himself against Frost's saddle with his good hand.
Gathering his strength, he nodded to the Faun who had come to collect the mare and then he slowly but surely made his way up the stairs. Once he faltered as his boot came down on a slick patch but a large hand steadied him. He cast a look of silent gratitude over his shoulder at Oreius. The Centaur gave a curt nod then helped him into the Cair.
Although his General released him once inside, the Centaur continued to remain near until they reached the crossroads where one corridor led to Oreius' quarters and the other led up to the Royal Wing. Peter grinned when the General hesitated. "Go on, Oreius. No doubt, you're as eager to see your lady wife as I am mine."
"You are still unsteady, my King. Remember Marigold's warnings. A bad fall could worsen your leg and your shoulder to the point of requiring bed rest for months."
"I remember." He glanced at his Tigers, Bast was still nursing a bad cut to her ribs and should have spent more time resting than keeping an eye on him and Babur simply looked tired. They both had refused to leave his side even when he wanted to send Bast back to Narnia with the other grievously wounded soldiers. Knowing those two, they wouldn't pry themselves away until after they saw that he was safe in his own bed. Still, he had no desire to keep any of his soldiers away from a reunion with the loved ones they had been parted from for so long.
Before he could think of a way to convince Oreius that he didn't need to accompany him all the way to his quarters too, a shout rang out. "Peter!"
Peter grinned as he turned to see Edmund loping down the hall. "I should have known you'd be the easiest to find, Ed." He scanned his little brother and added, "Still skinny, I see."
"Athletic not skinny." Edmund's dark eyes narrowed as he pointed at the bandage wrapped around his head. "Why can't you ever manage to duck?"
"I did duck. This was from the landing." He didn't tell his brother that the Ettin who had thrown him had nearly crushed him into the ground. Only the wet muck the battlefield had turned into had saved him from being flattened like a bug before Oreius had rallied enough soldiers to beat the brute back. He still dreamed of that moment the most. Forcing himself to focus on his brother, who was speaking with Oreius, Peter smiled as soon as the Centaur bowed then took his leave. "Thank you for that, I was worried Kat would come after me for delaying Oreius' homecoming." Slinging his good arm around his brother's shoulders, Peter steered him back the way he'd come. "Now, where are the girls? Still gathered around the Christmas Tree?"
"Lucy and Susan are taking care of some last minute things with the ball."
"And Thalia?"
Edmund didn't answer right away. Peter stiffened as fresh worry coursed over him. "Where is she?"
"She's in your quarters, of course. Don't be such a ninnywort, Pevensie. If something had happened to Thalia, don't you think I would have told you?"
Peter snorted then walked faster. Edmund kept in step, making him wonder if there was something his little brother wasn't telling him. "You know I am going to see Thalia, yes?"
"Any husband who wanted to keep his head on his shoulders would."
"Not funny, brother mine."
"It's true, isn't it?" Edmund smirked.
Peter rolled his eyes, glad that the swelling from his twin black eyes had gone down. He knew he looked fairly disreputable with his bandages, mussed hair, and fading bruises but at least he was walking under his own power. "I also don't intend to leave my quarters until tomorrow noon at the earliest."
"An admirable goal."
Peter stopped in the middle of the hall, just feet from the doors to his and Thalia's chambers. "Edmund?"
"Yes, brother mine?"
He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "What are you planning?"
Pale hands rising to press against his silver tunic, Edmund widened his eyes innocently. "Me?"
"Yes, you. Why are you following me?"
Edmund smirked. "I'm just making sure you remember the way and I didn't want you to faint or anything."
"Why would I faint? I don't faint."
"We'll see."
Peter cast him another suspicious look but Thalia was only feet away. And he was quite ready to see his Flower and hold her in his arms again. Turning on his heel, he marched to the doors and opened them. "Thalia!"
His Flower was sitting with her back to the doors. Her mother was sitting next to her and Tuulea and Alithia were also present along with Susan and Lucy. Peter frowned and opened his mouth to ask why they were all here but then Thalia turned to look at him. Her light green eyes lit with joy but the ivory skin of her brow was beaded with sweat. Still, there was naught but pleasure in her voice as she cried, "Peter! You came home in time."
"In time for what?" No sooner had the question left his lips than his Flower stood with her mother's help. Peter's jaw dropped open as he took in the sight of her very swollen belly. "Thalia, you're pregnant!"
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There were voices murmuring and someone was laughing while cool hands pressed against his cheek and brow. "Oh Peter, I tried to tell you."
Susan's gentle reprimand cut through the haziness, "Edmund, stop laughing and help us with him."
Another voice spoke, "I suppose we should be grateful he landed on the rug. Poor Peter."
"He'll be all right, Lu. The great lummox has survived worse falls than this little faint."
Peter slurred, "Didn't."
"Oh yes, you did, brother mine."
He pried his eyes open and glared at his pest of a brother. "No, I just lost my balance or something." Turning his head, he was immediately confronted with a large, round belly covered in a light shift. Swallowing hard, Peter carefully reached out to touch it. "I don't understand."
"Honestly, Peter, I thought you knew where babies come from."
He flushed while their sisters shouted, "Edmund!"
Peter shook his head in silent wonder but then his eyes widened as something happened. He felt something moving just before Thalia cried out. Yanking his hand away, he gasped, "What was that?"
His Flower didn't answer as she clung to her mother and Tuulea's hands. The Black Elder Nymph's dark eyes twinkled as she met his bewildered gaze. "That, my King, was a contraction."
Everything went dark again. The last thing he heard was Edmund's laughter. "Not fainting at all."
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He did not attempt to hide his eagerness to be home as he hurried to his quarters. It was yet fifteen minutes from midnight and he was certain that Alambiel would be awake. Opening the doors, he was somewhat surprised not to find his wife in the sitting room. The fire had already been banked. Oreius shut and locked the doors then stripped off his cloak, armor, and swords in deft silence. There was candlelight burning in their bedchamber, peeking under the door, but when he opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of his sleeping wife.
Oreius moved stealthily toward the bed, not wanting to wake her just yet. He arched an eyebrow as he took in the letter lying limply between her fingers and the others strewn around an empty box. There was also a new addition to the bedside table, a portrait of himself. As he gathered up the letters, he noted the signs of how deeply Alambiel had missed him were everywhere in their bedchamber yet she had rarely permitted a mention of her loneliness in her letters to him. She stirred as he slipped the letter from between her fingers but did not wake.
After putting the box of letters on her dressing table, Oreius returned to the side of their bed and leaned over his sleeping wife. He pressed a feather-light kiss against first one eyelid and then the other. There was a slight change in her breathing, but she still didn't wake. Alambiel shifted a little, turning her head to one side, exposing her neck. Oreius pressed another kiss against her neck. When she still didn't wake, he yanked the covers down.
He suppressed a laugh when that was what woke her. Still, he smiled down at her when she opened her eyes. "Merry Christmas, Wife."
Her gaze went from him to the waterclock, confirming it was still five minutes to midnight, and then she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. Now this he had missed. Oreius wrapped both arms around her, lifting her off the bed, as he deepened the kiss.
Alambiel broke the kiss and slipped free of his embrace so she could sit on the mattress again. He smiled down at her. Unable to resist teasing her, he observed with mock seriousness, "That was a pleasant greeting. I should leave on long campaigns more often."
The little minx immediately hit him in his ribs.
Oreius grunted. "Well, perhaps not." Then, before his cheeky little wife could think of another way to express her displeasure, Oreius stole a kiss. He pulled the covers back up before getting into bed beside her. He caught Alambiel's questioning glance and knew she had noticed that he had cleaned up. He shrugged. "I didn't want to wake you before I could make up for it." He reached for her, pulling her close once more, relishing the feel of her in his arms, and kissed her again.
"Oreius," she breathed against his lips. "Oreius, I can't believe you're home. Finally." She pulled back slightly so she could look into his eyes and he could see the faint sheen of tears in her own eyes as she reached up to stroke his cheek. Alambiel gave a watery laugh. "What took you so long, anyway?"
"The Giants were stubborn." He trailed a hand up her back and over her braid, tugging at it until it was unraveled. Burying his fingers in her thick hair, he wrapped his other arm around her more tightly. "Did you stay out of trouble?"
"Surprisingly, yes. Of course, it helped that it was Susan and Edmund who kept ending up in the most trouble."
Oreius raised an eyebrow. "Prince Rabadash?"
"It can wait." Alambiel braced both hands against his chest and pushed him back against the pillows as she kissed him, peppering his face with her kisses now. "I'll give you boring reports about everything that's changed while you were gone tomorrow."
"That seems like a very pleasant plan, Sweet." Oreius paused then he reached up and unhooked the clasp of the pendant he had worn all through their separation. Taking one of Alambiel's hands, he placed the pendant in her palm then curled her fingers over it before placing a kiss against the backs of her fingers. "As promised, I have returned your dam's necklace to you and placed it in your hand myself."
Alambiel stared at the pendant and then she placed it on the bedside table. She stared down at him, her hair falling in waves around her shoulders and down her back. Her eyes filled with tears even as she smiled. "I'm so glad you're home, Kentauri."
Oreius tugged her back into his arms, holding her close as he peppered her face and hair with kisses. "I am very glad to be home. I have missed you, sweetheart." Tilting her face up, he ran his thumb gently against the curve of her jaw, and then captured her mouth with a kiss that he hoped expressed more clearly than words how he had longed for her while he was gone and how thankful he was to be with her again.
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"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Edmund glanced up from his law book, forcing himself not to grin at Peter's harried expression. His magnificent lummox of a big brother was pacing up and down the length of the sitting room, his hair all mussed from the number of times he had yanked on it. Edmund observed drily, "Thalia tried to tell you."
"No, I would have remembered if she had ever written to tell me she was pregnant. She never did. I-" He froze and then he whirled on Edmund, staggering slightly to one side due to the wound Babur had told him about while Peter was "not" fainting. His brother glared at him as he jabbed a finger in his direction. "It was you!"
"Me?" Edmund placed a hand over his heart. "Brother mine, what have I done to deserve such an accusation? And, what exactly am I being accused of?"
"You kept me from knowing my wife is pregnant!"
Edmund snorted. "I did not. I told Thalia she could tell you but she had to be very subtle about it since we didn't want any Giants finding out."
"She didn't tell me."
"Sure she did." Edmund turned the page and went back to reading over the past trade agreements between Narnian and Archenland. "She even showed me the flowers."
"Flowers?" The word came out in a half-strangled voice, making him look up in time to see his brother yank out the silly embroidered pouch Susan and Lucy had sent him from under his tunic. Peter dug in the bag and yanked out three dried flowers. "These flowers?"
Edmund nodded. "Yup, although they were less crushed when Thalia showed them to me."
"But, they came on our anniversary."
"How nice." Edmund paused then stared at his brother who was gazing at the flowers as if he'd never seen their like before. "What did you think they meant?"
"They had two blossoms each," Peter muttered defensively. "I thought they were for our anniversary. We've been married six years you know."
"I remember." Edmund closed his law book and shook his head. "What a lummox you are, Pevensie. Your wife sends you three flowers after you knew she had been terribly ill and you just think it's for your anniversary."
He took great satisfaction in seeing Peter flush with embarrassment. His big brother groaned. "Thalia must think I'm an absolute idiot."
"Well, she probably won't but I will for her."
Peter glared at him. "That's not helpful."
Edmund just smirked.
"And, why was I the only husband on the campaign who wasn't allowed to know about my wife's pregnancy? There were a bunch of soldiers who learned happy news while I was busy trying to decide if Thalia was dying or something."
"Well, their babies aren't royals. Not to mention, Thalia wasn't dying. She just had a bit of food poisoning along with some sort of baby stuff that I deliberately tuned out whenever the girls discussed it."
"Ed!"
He gave his big brother an innocent look. "What?"
Whatever Peter was going to say was lost when they both jumped at Thalia's scream of pain. Peter blanched and was already running for the door by the time Edmund tossed the heavy law book onto the settee beside him. He leapt after his brother, grabbing him from behind and dragging him away from the door. He grunted when Peter elbowed him in the gut. "Quit it!"
"Thalia."
"Is busy giving birth. You heard Tuulea. We're not allowed to go in until they summon us." He shoved Peter back into the middle of the sitting room. He felt a twinge of sympathy at the haggard despair etching lines into Peter's face. Crossing to his brother, he gripped his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Peter, she knows you're here. That's all she wanted for Christmas. For you to be here in time for the birth. She knows you're here, Peter, that's what counts. Trust me, Thalia will fare better knowing you're here and not off getting beat on by Giants or lost in a snowstorm."
"But, Eddie, she's in pain."
Edmund gave him a little shove. "Of course, she's in pain, lummox. She's giving birth to your child. I've been assured far more times than I care to recall that childbirth is very painful." He turned toward the door, then called over his shoulder, "Are you coming or not?"
"Coming where?"
"To get some food, of course. The only thing you've done since you came out of your swoon has been to shave and change your clothes."
Peter hesitated. "But what if something happens?"
"Don't worry, I'm sure Su will be more surprised if we don't raid the kitchens at some point. Besides, didn't Alithia tell you that it will be awhile yet." Edmund gestured to the waterclock. "It's barely second hour. And, I'm starving."
"Fine. But, we come back here as soon as we finish eating."
"Of course." Edmund managed not to seem too pleased to get his brother out of the royal wing. He really didn't want to have to go chasing him out of the birthing room again. He shuddered. Much as he loved his sister-in-law, he had no desire to watch her give birth, and he didn't want to drag Peter's deadweight out of the room again after he fainted. Again.
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Alambiel opened her eyes with a start. She scanned the room, uncertain of what had disturbed her, but nothing seemed out of place. She reached out behind her, wanting Oreius' reassuring presence, but her questing fingers brushed only against bedding. The mattress was cool.
She rolled over but there was no Kentauri. A band wrapped around her heart, squeezing painfully at the thought that- No, she couldn't have just been dreaming again. Tossing back the covers, she shivered in just her shift but didn't take the time to reach for a robe as she padded silently to the door. She opened it and immediately sagged against the doorframe as relief sapped the strength from her legs. Oreius looked up from the paper he was looking at and a familiar flicker of concern crossed his features as he dropped the paper to the table before he crossed to her. "Alambiel, what is it?"
"I thought-" She pressed her lips together, unwilling to voice the niggling fear.
Oreius cradled her face in his hands, studying her closely, as he asked in a gentle rumble, "What did you think, sweet? You looked terrified a moment ago."
Alambiel gave a little self-deprecating laugh. "I woke and you were gone. I feared I had only been dreaming of your return again." She reached up, wrapping her fingers around his wrists, feeling his warmth, the steady beat of his pulse, reassuring herself that it was too detailed for a dream. Still, she couldn't help asking in the softest whisper, "You're not a dream this time?"
"No." The Kentauri suddenly ducked his head and rubbed his nose against hers, startling a laugh out of her. He grinned. "Definitely not a dream, Alambiel." He pressed a light kiss to her temple and then lowered his hands, stepping back from her. "Now, I want you to explain what has happened while I've been gone."
"That's not where I was hoping the conversation would go," she quipped. Then she propped her hands on her hips. "And, it's too early for that very long list. I said I would tell you tomorrow."
"And, it is past fourth hour."
"Oreius." She shook her head. She still wasn't sure whether she'd give him advance warning of Cor's presence in Cair Paravel. It would be more fun if he learned on his own. She also didn't really want to talk about Thalia and the fact that the young Beech Nymph was due to give birth anytime now (she wouldn't be summoned for the birth unless it was absolutely necessary). "No. I am not spelling out everything that's happened over the last nine months at fourth hour." She paused, realizing he was grinning. "What's so funny?"
The Kentauri just shook his head, still grinning, but now there was a speculative gleam in his eyes. "You wish for me to confirm that I am truly home with you, do you, Wife?"
Alambiel frowned at him, a little wary, but then she just sighed and walked back into their bedchamber.
"Alambiel."
She stopped but didn't turn around as Oreius came up behind her. His chest brushed against her shoulder as he reached past her to pick up her mother's necklace. Then he fastened it around her neck. He brushed her hair back from her neck, his breath tickling her skin as he breathed in her ear, "Proof I've returned. Part of it, at least."
"So, what is the rest of your proof?"
"This." Then he started kissing his way down her neck, sliding her shift out of the way as he kissed along her shoulder. He spun her around to face him. His dark eyes no longer hid his emotions as she stared into them. He ducked his head to whisper in her ear, making her blush even as a delicious shiver ran down her spine. She willingly wrapped her arms around his neck and then lost herself in his kiss.
Definitely not a dream. Praise Aslan.
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Peter kept pacing. He glanced at Edmund, but his brother was sprawled on the settee, snoring loudly. The screams had finally stopped an hour past but no word had come. Oh, Aslan. Oh, Aslan, please let Thalia be all right. Please. I don't want to have come home only to lose her. Please, Aslan, please.
It was after ninth hour. Sunrise peeked through the curtains, alerting him to the fact that it was a new day. Where was Tuulea? Where was Theia? What was taking so long? Why-
His thoughts were interrupted when Lucy poked her smiling face in the door. She glanced at Edmund, giggled, and then beckoned to Peter. He almost tripped over his own feet trying to get to her. "Thalia?"
"Come on, she wants to see you."
Peter didn't wait to hear anything else. He sprinted past his sister, past the grinning guards, and dashed into his quarters. Susan and Alithia were gone. Tuulea merely smiled at him as she nodded to the door. Peter ran through, stumbling to a halt when he saw the bed. Theia was standing at the head, blocking his view, but then his mother-in-law stepped back and allowed him to approach.
Thalia, his sweet Flower, was lying propped up against a mound of pillows. Her hair was damp and she looked utterly exhausted but a new light shone in her eyes as she gazed down at the bundle in her arms. Peter stared at her, drinking in the features of his wife like a man who had just reached an oasis after years in the desert. "Thalia."
She looked up and a weary but joyous smile greeted him as she held out one hand to him. "My Peter, you came home in time."
Peter crossed to her and, taking her hand, pressed fervent kisses to her fingers. "Thalia, Thalia, Thalia," he whispered hoarsely. "Forgive me for being so dense. I didn't realize what you tried to tell me."
She shushed him and then slipped her hand from his. Her smile grew even brighter as she carefully lowered one side of the blanket. "Look, Peter. This is your son."
"My son," he echoed breathlessly. The little chap's chubby cheeks were visible but his eyes were closed. Peter glanced at Thalia and then tentatively touched his son's warm skin. "Hello."
"Would you like to hold him?"
Peter nodded numbly as he sat on the mattress next to her and held out his arms. His shock wore off when Thalia placed the baby, his son, in his arms. He gave a little chuckle as he felt how heavy the babe already was. He was a chubby fellow. Peter gazed down at his son and his heart swelled with love. "Hello, son. I'm your daddy. You know, I didn't learn about you until you were coming into this world but your mummy is forgiving me for it. I hope you won't hold it against me either." He paused, choking up. He had a son. After six years and the unspoken fear that he and Thalia would never have children, they were finally blessed with a beautiful, fat baby boy. "I have a son. Thalia, we have a son."
She laughed through her own tears. "I know."
Peter kissed the top of the babe's head. "Thank You, Aslan."
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A/N: Please Read and Review! So, Peter's home and Oreius is home and look, baby. :D Only the epilogue left. Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.
A/N2: Merry Christmas!
