In this chapter we start getting into the canon of The Last Battle. I will, for the most part, be keeping to the canon storyline for the rest of my story. Any changes I do make will be fairly small, and should not really change the outcome of canon. You have been warned, so please don't yell at me for changes to canon. Thank you!

Disclaimer: I am merely borrowing C. S. Lewis' charming characters and world, and will eventually return them. The only thing that is mine is the plot.

Disclaimer 2: If this story in any way resembles any other fanfiction it is by complete accident, as I go out of my way to avoid fanfictions that resemble mine until mine are completed. My apologies to any other great minds.

Author's note: This story is set pre-, during- and post- The Last Battle. I am a first time fanfiction writer and any reviews are appreciated.

Chapter 8: Christmas Correspondence

Despite Leona's insistence on his not hiding what Peter secretly called his "High King" side, he had found it to be far too emotionally tiring to try and live life in modern England in the same sort of mindset as had the High King. For, regardless of good intentions and a noble spirit, he was no one special here. He would revert to the High King when he felt that he could; with Leona or in situations with his peers or on the few occasions that he was called upon to give an opinion on some subject. He had always felt that while Narnia was a wonderful thing, Professor Kirke was right in telling them to keep Narnia's existence a secret. His, or any of his siblings, showing such a drastic personality change, going from English schoolboy to an experienced ruler was a dead giveaway to something having happened out in the countryside. Even as a younger boy, he knew enough to know that if any one of them told the wrong person, they would be considered insane and would have received horrible reputations given to them at best and be locked away at worst! It was too great of a risk for the children to show too much of the mindset and experience of adults. Even though the war had made many if not all English children more adult than their years would account for, it would have brought far too much attention to them to have shown that they had lived entire lives in the space of a minute.

Peter had locked away the part of him that was the older, wiser, experienced man - the High King of Narnia - into a box within his mind and spent his time working very hard to appear as "normal" as possible to the world at large. Any bouts of wisdom or other aspects of his past life could be explained away as his simply being wise for his age or the war having matured him early. It had been surprisingly easy for him to fall back into his day-to-day activities, but all four of the children had to keep a close watch on their behavior, and would look out for each other. When they were still children anytime one of them would become too "Narnian" in the presence of adults, one of the others would cause a distraction until the culprit could get his or herself under control.

Now that he was a man grown in England, things were both simpler and more difficult. Simpler, because now it would not be overly unusual for him to show nobility, wisdom and a grace uncommon in the world around him. It was harder because his memories of being noble and wise and a king were fading. His describing Cair Paravel to Leona the week before was the closest he had come in years to actively recalling his life in the Golden Age of Narnia. Oh, he still had all the memories of his time as High King and could bring up mental images of almost anything if given enough time. It was just that those events had happened so many years ago! Peter had as good a memory as anyone else, but events do fade with time and stepping back into the persona of the High King was more difficult than he would have thought. It all seemed so useless too. No matter where he looked, there was no place that he felt he would be welcome. There was no room for great men and noble knights in this world of economics and practicality.

He desperately wanted to sit down with Edmund and have a long talk. His younger brother had been his sounding board for years upon years, both in Narnia and in England. Maybe talking with him could help Peter sort out his emotions and feelings. Being with his siblings and being able to speak about Narnia with others who had been there was one of the main reasons he looked forward to the holidays.

Even though Peter was away from his family that didn't mean he was out of contact. Edmund wasn't much of a letter writer, but he would still send post at least once a month. He was going to the local college in Finchley and working on his law degree. It had hardly been surprising when King Edmund the Just had decided to go into law with the intention of eventually becoming a judge. Susan didn't write much since she had gotten busier with her social life and taking a couple of school courses at the local college. Lucy sent letters at least twice a month, more often if events happened in the family, like an argument between the siblings, or a birth or death of one of their distant relatives. He would write back as often as he could and looked forward to each missive's arrival.

Lucy had told him in her last few letters that she and Edmund had been communicating more closely with their cousin, Eustace, and his friend, Jill. Peter, Edmund and Lucy had been so excited when Eustace had wrote to them six years before, telling them of his latest trip to Narnia, and how he had brought a friend along as well. The letter was pages and pages long and told them of how he and his friend Jill had traveled past the Northern border of Narnia in search of Caspian's lost son. But, after that adventure, no other word had come to any of the friends of Narnia from the land they all loved. Even though Eustace and Jill had not been forbidden Narnia like the Pevensies had, they hadn't been called back, either. It was the longest Peter had gone without news from his kingdom. He wasn't worried, Aslan always had things well in hand no matter what the appearances, but it was difficult being so isolated.

Peter thanked the man behind the counter at the university post office as he took his mail from him. He usually didn't have much in the way of post, but Lucy was due to send a letter. Sure enough, there was an unusually fat envelope with Lucy's handwriting on the front. Intending to read it in the comfort of his dormitory he slipped it into his pocket and headed up to his room. He had been frantically studying for his calculus exam, but the temptation of news from home overcame his dedication to his studies. Sitting down on his bed, he opened the letter.

Dearest Peter,

How are you doing? I assume that you are busy with your exams, but I do hope that you can have some time with your lady friend. Leona was her name, right? I can't wait to meet her. Are you thinking of marrying her someday or is it too early to tell? From your descriptions in your letters she sounds positively lovely. I am so excited for you! Susan isn't quite as excited as Mum, but still seems to feel that "it is about time Peter had a nice girl in his life." Mum was almost squealing in delight at the thought of "her handsome boy finding love at last!" Edmund nearly snorted his drink out through his nose when he heard her say that! I don't know if he will try and tease you about it when you arrive home for the holidays -- it depends on whether he thinks he would get away with it. Best be careful though, Mum's on the warpath. I think she wants grandbabies and you are the only one with a serious beau.

Speaking of coming for the holidays, I received a letter from the Professor. You remember: Professor Digory Kirke. He is arranging for all of us Narnian friends to meet and have a dinner together over the holidays. He wrote that he had a feeling that something is up in Narnia, and felt that maybe if we all got together something might happen. Oh, wouldn't it be wonderful if something did happen! It's been so long since we heard anything from Narnia. At the very least it is a chance for us all to get together again and talk about Narnia without having to worry about being overheard or misunderstood. He suggested having it on the 23rd of December, that way it's close enough to the holidays for us having supper together not to attract attention, but not so close that it interferes with the Christmas celebrations.

The Professor and Mrs. Plummer will be staying in a hotel near the house, but Jill and Eustace will be staying with us. By the way, Mum told me to tell you that you are welcome to invite Leona to visit during the holidays as long as she doesn't mind sharing a room with all us girls. I told her that Leona can have my bed and Jill and I will kip on the floor. It shall be worth getting together with all the others and to meet your new lady friend. I don't know what we would tell her if she wanted to come to the dinner with us though. Mum and Dad already have plans for that evening so they aren't a problem, but Leona might feel uncomfortable being left out. You will have to think of something to have her do.

I am incredibly excited and looking forward to seeing you at home on the 18th.

Love,

Lucy

Peter sat on his bed for at least another twenty minutes thinking on what his sister had wrote. The Professor having feelings about Narnia, everyone meeting up over the holidays, and the invitation for Leona to come visit. He had a suspicion that everything was coming together in some cosmic way, but to what end he could not imagine.

It was two weeks until Christmas, exams were almost done, and in six days he would be heading back to Finchley. The only thing that was marring his otherwise cheerful mood was Leona. More specifically, his lack of knowledge of her plans for the next couple of weeks.

Because of the preoccupation that end of semester tests had given him, he had yet to ask Leona what she was doing for the holidays. She didn't have any family to visit, and he knew that Mr. Marker was planning on closing the bakery during most of the Christmas break, so she wouldn't be working. He had a sneaky suspicion that she was planning on doing nothing.

Well, not if he could do something about it! He wasn't a King for nothing after all! He had negotiated treaties and won wars. He could manage to somehow insure that his sweetheart spent at least some of the holidays with him. With the blessing of his parents already in his keeping all he had to do was convince Leona.

For the first time that week, Peter had caught up on all of the note organizing and essay writing that came with the end of the semester. He found himself able to go to the bakery and then take Leona with him to the bazaar being held in a nearby warehouse. He still had to pick up presents for his siblings and for Leona. He was hoping that she might accidentally give him some idea of what to get her if he took her shopping with him. He was also hoping that he might obtain her assistance in picking out gifts for Susan and Lucy. He had never been very good at picking out fripperies and Susan was enamored of beautiful things to wear and surround herself with. Lucy didn't think on her appearance nearly as much as Susan, but she still loved bright jewelry and pretty things. In comparison Edmund was easy to buy for -- just pick out some obscure book or a new chess set and he was happy as could be.

Peter and Leona walked hand in hand up and down the rows of merchants selling their wares in the cavernous warehouse where the holiday bazaar was located. Peter had not found anything that seemed to jump out at him for either Leona or any of his siblings. He was not very worried however; they had only just come in and had barely looked at a third of the stalls. He had been watching Leona closely and observing her reactions to various items. She apparently had little to no interest in decorative knicknack's, but did seem to like books, jewelry and some perfumes.

Peter decided to take the bull by the horns. "Leona, what are your plans for the holidays? Are you going to be visiting anyone?"

She smiled up at him, a little sadly. "Who would I visit? I don't have any family."

Peter frowned a little at her almost evasive answer. "You still didn't answer my first question. You aren't planning on spending the holidays all alone, are you?"

Leona gave him an almost sheepish look. "Prowler is company, isn't he?" She had the bearing of someone who doesn't want to be pitied but still knows that their situation is rather pathetic.

Peter let go of her hand and put his own on his hips. "Ms. Leona!" he said in a mock-lecturing tone. "That is hardly an appropriate state of affairs. While I will willingly admit that Prowler is indeed a King among cats, he is not capable of entertaining you in the manner that you and the season deserve. Thankfully, I have a possible solution. I have been instructed by my family that you are to be invited to come to Finchley for the holidays. As long as you don't mind sharing a room, there will be plenty of Christmas cheer to go around. You won't be the only guest; I hear that my cousin and a friend of his are staying as well."

Leona looked both hopeful and concerned. "I don't want to be an imposition or a bother..." Her voice trailed off in uncertainty.

"You would never be a burden to me or my family." Peter gave another smile. "Besides, if I go for much longer writing them about how wonderful you are without bringing you home to meet them, I could very well be in physical danger when I arrive. My mum and sisters are apparently in raptures of delight at the thought that I might be looking for a wife."

Leona suddenly seemed nervous yet excited. "And are you? Looking for a wife, that is."

Peter gave her a loving, gentle look. "Maybe. I'm not sure yet."

Peter's response did nothing to calm Leona, but she gamely changed the subject to the tables around them.

"Well, I suppose that if I'm coming to visit your family for Christmas I had better find some small gifts as well," Leona said. "Though I can't come until probably Christmas Eve morning. I may not have family to visit, but I do have some other things I need to do and Mr. Marker isn't closing the shop until all the teachers have left. I can stay until after the New Year though."

Peter gave an internal sigh of relief. His worries about keeping Leona occupied during his dinner with the Professor and the other friends of Narnia had been eased. Recapturing Leona's hand they continued down the aisles. "I'll plan on picking you up at the train station on Christmas Eve morning. You can take the intercity train in the morning if you like. I don't think that there'll be any trains or cabs after noon."

Leona seemed to be looking at the various stands with a renewed interest. She kept picking things up then putting them down again.

"You know that you don't need to buy gifts for anyone in my family," Peter told her. She didn't seem to be interested in dignifying that comment with anything other than an arch look that was almost a glare, and Peter decided it was safer to let her have her own way.

Leona started asking questions about his siblings' tastes in gifts, but Peter found himself to be of little help. How was he to know if Susan preferred lavender bath salts to rose? They all smelled the same to him. He could at least tell her that Edmund did not wear any perfumes at all! He could tell that his lack of answers was starting to frustrate his companion. Finally she simply picked out a selection of various bath scents and said that the girls would have to just pick from the selection.

"Alright, now for Edmund and your parents." Leona seemed to be a woman on a mission and Peter felt that at least on this topic he could be of some help.

"Well, my parents are quite a bit easier to buy for. Mum loves to cook, so any new kitchen toy will make her happy, and Dad is fascinated with puzzles. Edmund likes books and anything old or medieval." Peter cast Leona a sideways look. "Soooo, what are you getting me for Christmas?"

Leona looked almost scandalized at his blatant questioning. She put her hand on her heart and said, "Peter! Do you honestly expect me to tell? Shame on you for prying like that. Besides, I've already bought your gift and you won't get even a hint out of me until Christmas Day."

Peter knew that she wasn't truly angry and continued to tease her. He put on his most pleading face, trying to imitate Lucy at her cutest. "Please, just one little hint?"

Leona aimed a small swat at him with her hand and laughing now, said, "No! Stop snooping! I don't give hints."

Peter gave in for the time being, but told himself to keep on asking until Christmas. She was sure to let something slip out eventually.

They had picked up small gifts for both of Peter's parents and Peter had remembered Susan mentioning wanting a specific book that he then happily bought for her. Leona had spotted a book on medieval warfare that she felt Edmund would like, but Peter still hadn't found the perfect gift for Lucy, Edmund or Leona. They were almost to the end of the last aisle of merchants, and Peter was starting to get desperate. They were currently looking at a large display of fairly inexpensive jewelry, mostly formed in the shape of animals. Peter gave a small smile at the sight of an enormous pendant in the shape of an elephant. It was big enough to overpower even the largest woman imaginable.

"Oh, Peter! Look!" Leona's voice broke Peter out of his thoughts. She pointed towards a smallish golden pendant in the shape of a rampant lion. It was almost identical to the lion on his shield and the personal flags of Narnian royalty. "It's beautiful! I love lions - all cats really."

Peter felt a thrill, or was it a chill, run up his spine. He had long since given up the outlandish idea that Leona might in some way be connected to Narnia. But still, he had never actually asked her. Tentatively he questioned, "Have you ever seen a real lion?"

She was still looking at the display of jewelry in front of her. "I've told you before, Peter, I've never been to the zoo."

Peter tried to recover his poise. "Well, not all lions live in zoos."

She turned to look at him, a puzzled expression on her face. "Where else would I have seen a lion? They aren't exactly native to England!"

Tell her, tell her. A voice in the back of Peter's head started whispering to him. But he couldn't do it. Not here, not now. "Of course. I don't know what I was thinking." He turned back to the jewelry display to distract both of them.

"Now, what is Lucy's favorite animal?" Leona asked, back to business.

"Lions, actually," Peter told her. "The lion seems to be the favorite animal of all my family. You should fit in perfectly. Let's see what we can find for them."

They started digging through the various baskets of jewelry in front of them. Leona found matching earrings and another two pendants in the Lion motif, and Peter suddenly found several copies of a man's ring in the shape of a crest with the same design. Delighted, they decided that Leona would get the earrings for Lucy, Peter would purchase the pendants for Lucy, Mrs. Plummer and Jill, and the men's rings would go to Edmund, Eustace and the Professor. Peter found another ring and put it in the pile for himself.

Just before they started paying for their purchases, Peter spotted another smaller ring and matching pendant. Also in a lion design the necklace was of a standing lion and the ring was obviously made for a woman, with a lion's head delicately wrought in gold, two small diamonds for eyes. He hadn't spotted it before as it was in the more expensive section and they were only looking for small gifts for the others. It was more money than he had originally planned to spend on Leona, but he figured that he could give her the necklace for Christmas and save the ring for some other time. He made a few quick calculations in his head. Yes, he would have enough money for all of the jewelry plus the fancy set for Leona.

Catching the shopkeeper's eye over Leona's shoulder, he motioned for him to add the lion pendant and ring set to his purchases without letting Leona see. The shopkeeper gave him a small nod and Peter distracted Leona while paying so she wouldn't notice that the total cost was much higher than the gifts for his siblings and friends would have come up to. Shopping done, they headed outside to find some dinner. Peter looking forward even more to the holiday break, now that he knew that Leona would be spending at least some of it with him.

TBC...

Author's note for chapter: My plot bunnies bred again... I think I changed the order of events at least three times for this chapter alone. It's a little late, but it has arrived and is the longest chapter yet. Good thing was that I set a deadline for myself and it kept the bunnies under control. Next chapter should be out in about a week and a half, hopefully sooner, but I can't guarantee it. Please do review, it jump starts my muse which helps me get writing faster.