Disclaimer: the characters were invented by Lewis, Christmas by those who wanted to adopt formerly pagan holidays, and the art of writing probably by the Egyptians or earlier nations. I'm just leaning on numerous legacies.
Beta'd by trustingHim17 - thank you!
Christmas for the Captives
(Even after they were conquered, Christmas came for the Narnians in hiding.)
Those conquered years weren't like the winter the White Witch kept me out. She kept me out for a very long time, and I saw the suffering but could not share in it, nor make it better.
Still, Aslan knows best. The first time I came back to Narnia, the time her power broke, I had so much to give, and it eased my heart to see the Narnians become so merry.
The Telmarines had no power to keep me out. And how those Old Narnians, as they were called, needed cheer! But cheer I had to spare, for Aslan gifted me with much.
The first gift I gave, that first year and all the years following as it was needed, was to all of them. The elves attached long branches behind the sleigh, and for hours on Christmas Eve the reindeer walked through the woods as we erased all the Old Narnians' tracks. Back and forth, through the trees, the bells muted and the reindeer silent, slipping unseen around the camps of conquerors.
As we worked, others worked also, oh, with such fun, and muffled giggles! I set the elves to playing pranks on the Telmarine soldiers. They choose if humans may see them or not, and that night, all the elves were invisible. They were laughing in their high-pitched voices as they used every naughty trick they had ever learned from disobedient children on the humans who couldn't see them. Boots were laced together, weapons driven into tent poles, food upended on unsuspecting faces, snow poured down backs inside chain mail, and pillows shaped like human bodies in every shady corner. Shrieks of surprise, then fear, followed the giggling group, echoing in the woods, and the woods themselves lightened at the sound of laughter and the fearful turning cowards. Soon the soldiers all fled the woods, telling stories of ghosts. The Old Narnians would be safe, that Christmas. I complimented the beaming elves and sent them home. That was a merry Christmas for them, every year they came to play those pranks! Mrs. Claus was very clear none of those were welcome back in the North Pole!
Then it was time, oh, that glorious time, to deliver presents. Once again, the sleigh bells rang out merrily, calling to the Narnians. The bells told them that this night they need not hide! First came the Fauns, those who heard and understood music so well! Few put hand to their instruments that night, too unused to carrying them. But no matter! By the music of a few they danced under the snowy trees, calling to mind the great Snow Dance of the older times. It was a time of memory, and of hope. They hoped for a future when those dances would once again be held openly.
One year, one sad, cold year, the hope and cheer of Christmas time was needed more than most. The dance went on, but few joined. Those tired from the dance came near, and found their presents sitting near the sleigh I had just finished unpacking. The reindeer, unhooked and content, watched, reminding them with quiet confidence that they were safe this night. With a laugh I handed the presents out, and with brightened looks they took them. Their faces shone in the starlight as I handed out new instruments, undamaged books, and checkered tablecloths - the things they missed from their former homes. Things to remind them they might have a future home.
That year the music and dancing called out Pattertwig the Squirrel. He sat first on the tree-branch, staring in amazement; then off he ran like a mouse before a hawk, or the bringer of good news, and back with him came a storm of Squirrels, running down the trees and straight to the sleigh, sitting up and watching with their little black eyes and smart faces, and swarming up the wheels as soon as I gave permission! For Squirrels are as curious as elves! To them I gave new holes in old trees, safe places to store their nuts, and for it they thanked me gravely, before scattering to summon all the Old Narnians.
They were followed by the Centaurs, Glenstorm and his three sons first of the group. They trotted into the clearing, bowing with the gravity of prophets. To them I gave the news that Old Narnia was safe for the night. Glenstorm bowed his head as the weight of their task lifted, for to them often looked the Narnians fleeing in fear. But for this night, I would lead, and I led to laughter.
To all the Old Narnians, to the three Bulgy Bears, to the Dwarves, to Trufflehunter, the Moles, the Hares, the Hedgehogs, I gave a feast on tables decorated in holly, filled with snacks with honey, plum pudding, acorns, and all the things all their races loved to eat. Together they built a large bonfire in front of the table, the light from its flames flickering over the snow, and the warmth washing over us all, and the Fauns' music making quick work of the task! The fire banked, they settled down to feast and the laughter soon followed.
To the Mice who came late, having far to travel on short legs, I had one more gift. They arrived, Reepicheep at their head, hailing me with shrill voices. Giving merry greetings, I bent to their level and held out my hands, which were filled with small swords fit to their size and sheathed in red leather. With eager paws they seized them, buckling them on and swiftly drawing them, turning to each other with eager readiness to practice. They fought rather than eating that night, grins on their faces and pride in their hearts. Their small size left no room within them for fear. I laughed to see them, in their small but fierce fury, to see their taste for deeds valiant and obstacles larger than Giants. Eating, the other Narnians laughed with me, and the Dwarves themselves came to test the smith-craft, and learn how to forge such little weapons. The elves would jump on their bouncing feet when I told them the compliments, I knew, and, smiling, I too sat down to feast.
The feast lasted through the night and into the early morning. Gradually all the Old Narnians fell asleep, safe in each other's company and glad of it. I watched over them that night, for joy exists in rest as well as in work. They woke on Christmas morning, and into their hands I pressed gifts for their children, the Narnians who could not come, and the Narnians too far for Pattertwig to reach. Their thanks filled my ears as they slipped away, one by one, till the clearing stood empty, the fire a circle of ashes in the middle and the food consumed.
I sighed with contentment as I got in the sleigh, ready to head home to my wife, for I knew I had given the gift I truly wanted to give that night - a time where joy drove out fear.