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: 21 Yule 1006 will see the first lunar eclipse to occur on the Winter Solstice in four hundred years. Enemies of Narnia rejoice! For the time of the Golden Age will come to an end with the spilling of royal blood and Jadis will be revived!

A/N: If you have not read the first three stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakening, Shadowed, and Revealed), I highly recommend you do so. However, if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Catch Your Breath

"Well, we're either going to freeze to death or we're going to fall off the face of this mountain."

Oreius could barely hear King Edmund's dismal observation over the howling of the wind, but the High King answered in a cheerful tone before he could say anything. "That's not a very optimistic outlook. Where's your positive thinking?"

King Edmund's sarcasm was clearly discernible though when he snapped, "Fine. I'm positive we'll fall off the face of this mountain or freeze to death."

Alambiel abruptly leaned to her left to look at the Kings and shouted, "Are you two trying to bring Murphy down on us? Quit talking and keep climbing before I decide to throw you off the mountain."

Oreius rolled his eyes, but didn't ask her how she planned on throwing the Kings off the mountain when she was still on his back and the kings were both mounted. The Kings exchanged looks then King Edmund turned to look at Alambiel, "Can you tell us to keep climbing if we're riding down the mountain?"

"Oreius, let me down. I have to smack Edmund and then push him and Peter off the mountain."

"No."

Alambiel huffed, but didn't argue. He wondered if she was getting too cold and if his colts were also getting too cold. They would have to stop soon, but not until they had descended to the point where the blizzard raging around them could no longer snow them in. Frowning, he tugged one of her hands out from where it had been tucked between her arm and his side. Her fingernails were blue. He immediately took off his gloves as he scolded just loud enough for her to hear him, "Why did you not mention your hands earlier?"

She leaned close to his ear and quietly replied, "No one asked, oh and I was busy fighting mangy Werewolves."

He snorted as he pulled his gloves over her hands, "Keep these on and do not lose them as well."

Alambiel huffed, "I didn't lose mine. The Hag took them."

Oreius didn't bother to reply, instead he just tucked her hands against his sides again and hoped shelter would be found sooner as opposed to later. He glanced at the Kings' hands just to make sure they still had their gloves; they did.

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22 Yule 1006

Susan twisted some holly boughs together as she struggled to keep herself from running up to the walls or the southern tower to peer into the distance while wishing for some news of her brothers, Kat, Oreius, and the others in their small party. Marsalla had also been stealing as many glances toward the mountains as she could. Susan prayed everyone, including Peridan, returned home safely. Dear Aslan, they had to come home.

She looked around the Great Hall, which was decorated completely and perfectly for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Marsalla and Deianeira had outdone themselves in leading the rest of her ladies in the decorating of the Cair. As she handed the holly boughs to one of the Fauns, she caught the last bit of a whispered conversation between a Squirrel and a Mouse. "...no, no, that storm on the mountains is a blizzard, I tell you. And, what's more it's probably dark magic."

Susan didn't listen to another word. Instead, she pasted on a gracious smile and thanked everyone for aiding in the decorating and other preparations for the upcoming Christmas Eve and Day events. Walking into her rooms, she threw open the doors to the balcony and stared south to the mountains. Aslan, please keep them safe. Please...

She ignored the cold and the dampness of the snow as she watched for any sign of the Birds they had sent to watch for the party's return. When Lucy joined her, Susan merely wrapped an arm around her little sister's shoulders. Even after they finally retreated inside, Susan and Lucy both kept an eye on the window, watching and waiting. They would keep their vigil until their loved ones and friends returned home to the Cair.

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They had finally reached an area sheltered from the wind and snow. Oreius immediately called a halt, knowing everyone was too exhausted to keep going through the night. The Narnians huddled together, the Talking Beasts crawling across the Kings and Peridan to keep the Humans warm. Peter was grateful for the two large Wolves draped across his and Edmund's laps and Philip behind them, while Captain Ardon had settled on his left with Peridan on Edmund's other side and Ptah in his lap and Ihbari forming the right side barrier. Kat and Oreius were directly across from them with the other Narnians completing the circle. Edmund was snoring as he leaned against Peter and it looked like everyone except the current guard was asleep. Peter had nearly dozed off himself when he heard Kat say something to Oreius. He cracked his eyelids open just enough to peek at them. He was slightly surprised to see Kat leaning her head against Oreius' shoulder, but then she was probably even more worn out than the rest of them. "Come on, Kentauri, you have to agree."

"No I do not believe that is true."

"Oreius, will you please play one game of snowball with me when we get back to the Cair? Please?"

"And, you will fill out a full report of everything that happened if I do so?"

"Yes."

"Very well. Now sleep."

Kat chuckled, but Peter noticed her eyes were already closed. Her obvious exhaustion only served to remind him of his own. As he surrendered to his own need for sleep, Peter still had enough energy to think that only Kat would manage to bribe Oreius into agreeing to a snowball game. He hoped they reached home before Christmas, and even before Christmas Eve...maybe in time for that ice fishing tournament. He also hoped the girls weren't fretting too much.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Okay, only five more chapters left. Next chapter is the homecoming. Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.