Author's Note: Thank you very much to all reviewers, please forgive me for being so delayed in updating!

Irish Avalon

Chapter 23: Peter's Present

"I believe," Susan smiled as she stood with Prince Jonathan, "That we have come to quite a merry celebration indeed."

Peter kissed Giovane's cheek, "So we have," he said. Giovane smiled, "Prince Jonathan," she greeted most brightly, "And how be you, this fine eve?"

The prince chuckled, "Ah, but I feel more fine than ever," he said and glanced quickly at Susan. Susan smirked, "Though fine you may be, dear one, I suppose you dance as 'finely' as you feel?"

Jonathan squared his shoulders and held out his arm, "Perhaps you would fancy beginning your assessment?"

Susan giggled and she and Jonathan walked onto the dance floor. Peter was left with Giovane by the window, "Eve is coming soon," he sighed. Giovane smiled, "I believe Eve is already here, my king."

Peter's shoulders sagged and he looked longingly out the window. Giovane furrowed her brow worriedly, "What's the matter, Peter?"

"You know what Christmas Day means to us, Giovane," Peter said quietly. Giovane looked thoughtful, "Quoth your letter, say I, that on the fifth day of the wait-"

"Not Narnia, Giovane," Peter said and took her hand, "Us."

Giovane's face fell, "Pardon?"

Peter bit his lip, "You'll be going home soon," he said shortly. Giovane breathed and took Peter's face in her hands, "Oh, Peter," she said softly, "I'll be coming here again, don't you worry."

Peter's mind grunted, What if we go back to England? Peter jerked the thought from his mind. Giovane noticed his sudden reaction, "What is it?"

"Nothing…."

Giovane swallowed, "Peter, it's Christmas Eve."

Peter nodded, "I know. I'm sorry. It's just that…never mind."

But Peter's mind did not 'never-mind'. It kept on speaking of England, and London, and old mates, and school, the war and…His father.

Peter had no intention of upsetting Giovane again, and so smile he did, "Come on," he said. Giovane raised her eyebrows.

Just then Susan walked up to the orchestra's stand and the hall fell silent, "Narnia! Neighbor's, and family!" she said, "I now pronounce this moment," gesturing to the windows, the scarlet curtains revealed the moon outside, and the Griffins' silhouettes formed a circle in the sky, "Christmas Day!"

Dew drops began to fall from the sky, and the ballroom erupted with cheers, "Merry Christmas!"

Susan smiled as everyone joyously danced to music. As her eyes fell on the back door to the stairwell, she could have taken a second glance if she wasn't sure she saw Peter and Giovane go through it.

"Peter, where in the world?" Giovane giggled. Peter laughed. He had his arms gently wrapped around Giovane's waist and a freehand covering her eyes, "We're almost there," he teased. Giovane held tightly onto Peter's arms as she felt herself being guided down some sort of staircase. She heard her foot falls on cement as it echoed through some kind of enclosed space, "Peter if I trip," she warned tauntingly. Peter hushed her, "I'll be here to catch you in my arms," he said matter-of-factly. Finally Giovane could feel a cold breeze on her face as she heard a door squeak open. Peter still kept her eyes closed as he guided her through a garden. Giovane furrowed her brow, "Where are we?"

Just then Peter's hands fell away from her body. Giovane ever so slowly opened her eyes and looked around. Peter was nowhere to be seen, but when she looked up, she gasped, "Great Celestia…"

Giovane heard someone walking from behind her, "Isn't it beautiful?"

Peter walked from behind and old garden fountain and through the snow-patched garden, "Merry Christmas!"

Giovane's hands flew to her mouth, "You are one clever king, Peter," she said. Peter laughed and pulled her into a sweet kiss, "Only for you," he said.

And here, my friends, our story doth end. But do keep in mind that for when a chapter doth close, yet another be opened. Though here is where Giovane's story stops, for whatever other bliss she and the High King have shared, shall be hidden within those walls of Cair Paravel.

Though let me assure you, that "if we shadows have offended, think but his and all is mended: that you have but slumbered here while these visions did appear."

Robin Goodfellow from William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Adieu, good friends, for when we part, we again shall meet. Adieu, Adieu, Adieu!

Irish Avalon