Author's Note: Yes, I am terribly sorry for what I am doing! You probab;y hate me for taking so long and I just want to say that tests are barging in and my textbooks need the attention!! So anyway, I'll try to post soon, and thanks to ALL of you who have been so patient. I salute y'all!!

Irish Avalon

(P.S. Thanks to all your wonderful reviews!)

Chapter 22: Silent Night

It was more than what was expected of the evening. The night of the Narnian Christmas was full of joyous carols and dancing. Snow favored the great castle like a blanket, and the entire country was alive and spirited. Though for Giovane, everything was the exact opposite. Her night was full of deafening silence, of melancholy melodies and dark walks down the halls. Snow favored her not, though it was more that she favored no snow, and her thoughts were dead and low, mute and lost. Giovane pulled her cloak tightly around her. She chose to wear a simple dark gown of emerald with silver trim. It reminded her of the first time she had heard of Narnia.

Giovane nodded her thanks and straightened her gown. It was emerald green with a silver under bodice. The royal seamstresses had sewn it for her 16th birthday two years ago. Martha hummed. Giovane looked at her with a questioning look and Martha whispered, "I have heard, that during the Battle of Beruna, Queen Susan had worn an emerald green archery dress and saved her brother, King Edmund, from one of Jadis's dwarves," as Martha said this, her eyes became knowing and bright.

Giovane sighed and walked down the hall. Moonlight pooled through the open windows, and the gray stone turned into blue. The princess came to an open pane, away from the ballroom and festivities. She looked outside and raised her head to the heavens. There was moonlight, but strangely no moon to reveal its source. Giovane open her crystal eyes to find snow blowing softly into her dark waves. She wrapped her arms around herself when she felt another's close around her as well. Giovane spun around to see Peter looking down at her. His icy gaze changed to the soft and gentle light. His face calm and understanding of the situation, though still confused and worried, "Why aren't you joining us?"

Giovane bit her lip, "I prefer to have my own space for the time being," she said. Peter sighed and looked away. Giovane paled, "Oh dear, I don't mean to ruin your evening! Peter I just want to clear whatever thoughts have lodged themselves into the very corners of my sub conscience. I apologize if-"

Peter leaned his forehead on Giovane's, "Take Peace, dear Giovane," he said gently. Giovane nodded and looked away back to the sky. Peter took this as his leave, though he felt more than hurt to do so. Silently he turned and walked away.

Susan watched her brother, her dear brother the High King, walk out of the shadows of a hallway looking ever so low. His blue eyes were dull and lifeless when he caught her look. Susan made her way to Peter to see to the matter.

Giovane ran an arm around the window rail. She leaned against its elegant carving and pondered her thoughts. She knew she had upset Peter. She knew that very well, and she was ever so sorry, but there was nothing she could seem to do, but stand frozen when she heard light and careful footsteps behind her.

"Giovane."

Giovane turned slowly at the voice. There she was, standing before her, Queen Susan the Gentle. Susan had her crown daintily resting in her hands, though her dark hair was neat as always. Giovane smiled faintly, "Susan, you found me," she said. Susan nodded but her expression was still blank, "I suppose you need to speak with someone, Giovane."
Giovane stared at the queen. Her eyes were bright and gentle. Her expression was calm and welcoming. Giovane sighed, "I know I offended Peter," she began, "Though I truly don't understand why I did as such."

"Is something the matter? Perhaps you are angry with him for something?"

"I will be truthful, my Queen," Giovane said calmly, "That perhaps I do have ill feelings toward him."

Susan's expression did not change, so Giovane spoke on, "Perhaps it is because I wished him to have paid more attention in noticing the change of 'my' character in the past. You, Edmund, and Lucy have been trying to convince him to think differently of 'me' but he wouldn't listen," Giovane hugged herself. Susan smiled then, "I scorn you not, Princess, but did you not consider this as his love for you?"

Giovane looked at Susan, "Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean that, don't you think the reason why Peter did not want to question 'you' any further was because he trusted you and loved you so much that he wouldn't even listen to his own siblings?"

Giovane stared at the ground, "No. I hadn't thought of that, I'm afraid."

Susan nodded, "I should think this is all you need to know," she said. Giovane looked at her and smiled, "Yes, I should think so as well," Giovane pretended to look up and down the hallway, as if she were waiting another Christmas. Standing on tiptoe with her hand to her brow she asked, "Where is Peter?"

Peter sighed and walked slowly down the stairwell to the Gardens. He cleared his throat as he laid a hand on the cold stone of the wall. He sighed again when a lighter sigh came from behind him. Peter turned around just in time to find soft lips press gently against his. Peter pulled away and saw a bright Giovane staring up at him, "I was hoping I'd find you here," she said. Peter's chuckle echoed through the small dark space they stood in, "What are you-"

"I've misunderstood you, Peter, I know. I'm sorry," Giovane gently placed her hands on either side of Peter's cheek, "Will you ever forgive me?"

Peter took Giovane's hands and kissed them, "What makes you think I won't?"

Giovane laughed and swung her arms around Peter's neck into a tight hug. Peter hugged her back, "You will never run out of chances from me, Giovane."

Giovane felt tears sting in her eyes but she let them fall. For her tears were naught of sorrow but of joy.

I know…. A bit angtsy yeah? Let me know if I managed to do that right…