Hey everyone! Here is the next installment! I would like to say that I only have two more chapters to write before the end of ALQ is here. So that would be seven more to post. Get ready people! Thanks to Ewcom for betaing!

Disclaimer - I don't own Narnia.

Chapter 35: Party
December 24, 1941; Wednesday

I finished my outfit by tying a maroon sash to my pine-green dress. The dress used to be Mother's, so it was a bit large on me, but I was able to alter it successfully so it hung loosely about my curves and just past my knees. My hair hung loose except for some strands that were braided and tied together at the back of my head. Around my neck was my Miraculous Medal, and on my right hand was my lion ring. Swiftly, I slipped on my shoes and exited my room.

Eamon was waiting by the door in his decent trousers and shirt and coat. He looked at me with admiration. "You're picture perfect, Belle."

I felt my face heat up, but I resisted the urge to duck my head. "Why thank you, my brother. You look handsome yourself, Eamon."

He wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "No, I'm not," he insisted as he helped me with my coat.

I rolled my eyes as we headed out the door. "You are so, Eamon. It may not be a classic sort of handsome that every girl would swoon over, but you are handsome."

My brother smirked. "Whatever you say, Belle," he said before planting a kiss on the top of my head.

Somewhat amused, I shook my head as I took Eamon's offered arm. I leaned my head against his arm as we walked in silence. It wasn't a far walk to the town dance hall, and we could faintly hear the band playing. I looked up at the clear starry sky to see if I could find any constellations that I had learned during the past few months from science class. Ursa Major, the big bear, was the easiest one to spot, and near it was Cassiopeia, the queen. I enjoyed looking at Cassiopeia; her shape reminded me of Helen's Crown constellation in Narnia. There was a bit of a difference, though, between Earth and Narnian constellations. Earth constellations did not look like what they were named after, for the constellations were named to commemorate people or events. Narnian constellations, while named for the same reasons, did look like their names – it made it easier to find them.

Within a few minutes, Eamon and I neared the dance hall. As we entered it, I couldn't help but start moving to the beat. Eamon offered to hang up my coat, and I let him, as a lady should. Slowly, I made my way to the dance area. The music got louder with each step. The beat of the particular song being played was a bouncy one, and while Narnian dances weren't especially made for that kind of song, I had a feeling the dances could be modified. I entered the dance area and there were already quite a number of people already. Perhaps between fifty and a hundred – and it was only fifteen after eight!

Discretely, I surveyed the room, subconsciously locating all the exits and the best defensible spots. I looked for Susan and her family as well. Before she left school, my queen told me that she would be helping her mother and the other volunteers decorate the hall, and that the rest of her siblings would most likely be dragged along as well – much to the dismay of Peter and Edmund. I spotted the four on the dance floor making good use of our English dance lessons.

Eamon came up beside me. "Would you like to dance?" he asked offering me his hand.

Smiling sweetly, I put my hand in his. "Of course."

My brother led me in a quick two-step. It was fun and exhausting at the same time. Eamon spun me this way and that, and even dipped me at the end. He had a real knack for dancing. When the song ended, Eamon gave me a hug before sending me off in the direction of the Pevensies, for I had told him that Susan wanted me to properly meet her brothers. While Eamon never liked me going off by myself, even going over to a friend's house or to boarding school, he also remembered that I wasn't so defenseless. Besides, I knew that anywhere I went in the hall I would be in my brother's line of sight.

Susan saw me walking in her family's direction, and she gathered her siblings together. Once I reached their semicircle, I curtsied as deeply as my skirt allowed. When I stood again, I said, "Blessings upon those who have visited the magical land that He created." I deliberately avoided mention Narnia, Aslan, kings, and queens outright for it was risky anyplace that housed numerous people with the possibility of being overheard.

The Gentle stepped forward and curtsied to me. "And blessings upon you, my Lady. The honour is truly ours to behold." Susan turned towards her siblings. "You know Lucy."

I nodded my head and gave the Valiant a cheerful smile. She beamed and curtsied.

"And these are my brothers, Peter and Edmund," Susan continued.

Together, the kings bowed. I curtsied to them again. "As our sister has stated, it is truly our honour to meet you," Peter said.

I smiled modestly. "And it is my honour to meet the four of you. My name here is Annabelle, but many of my friends from His land called me Swanwhite, or Swan for short."

"Then we shall continue that tradition," Edmund said for all of them.

The situation got rather awkward as a silence fell between the five of us. What was there to safely discuss? We certainly could not speak of battles, consorts, or Narnians outright. The music playing in the background and the decorations that caught my eye gave me an idea. "How does this Christmas Eve compare to others past?" I asked, gesturing to the band and the embellished walls.

Lucy was the one who piped up first. "It's different and almost as fun."

"Any party with dancing is fun for you, Lu," Edmund commented. "You drag anyone and everyone onto the dance floor with you."

The Valiant narrowed her eyes at the elder king. "Just for that, my dear brother, you are the next one I shall drag out there!" she remarked, taking Edmund by the wrist as she spoke with him scowling. Peter tried to conceal his laughter by coughing and Susan, fighting a smile herself, elbowed the High King in the ribs.

When Peter finally recovered, he offered his hand to me and graciously asked, "Would my Lady like to dance?"

I glanced at Susan to be sure she didn't mind being left alone for a while. She gave me a reassuring smile, and I placed my smaller hand in his larger one. "I would love to, my Lord."

The song that was playing was another upbeat one, but one that could be danced to with Narnian flair. Unlike many dances of this world, Narnian dance steps didn't form invisible boxes on the floor. Most Narnian dances moved back and forth, in a circle, or just plain all over the place and they could be easily adapted to fit any of the styles. Peter, I learned, like to combine all three styles. He guided me back and forth in a circle and took me across the dance floor all the while keeping the fast 1-2-3-4 beat. Our eyes were locked at all times, except for when my King threw in a spin or similar move that would require the eye contact to break.

Since we were more or less alone – all the other dancers focused on their partners – I decided to ask my High King a question that had been on my mind for a while. "So, do you always attempt to woo a Lady by pulling 'the damsel in distress' rescue?"

Peter smiled modestly. "Not intentionally, my Lady. Though my brother and sisters be quick to inform you that most of the women I courted were products of similar events."

"Most, eh?" I commented after the High King spun me. "Any luck?"

He wrinkled his nose and shook his head slightly. "No, the ladies did not care for my lack of attending them."

"The price for being the top man?"

"Yes. I did, however, remain friends with the ladies."

"That is good. Perhaps He has a lady for you here," I said.

"I only hope," Peter replied as the song ended. The two of us were very close to where we began on the dance floor. I panted slightly, having not danced like that in a couple years. I curtsied to my King and he bowed in reply. He offered me his arm, and I took it unreservedly.

"Thank you very much for the dance, Peter," I said when we returned to Susan.

"You are welcome, Swan."

The Gentle was trying to hide a smile as I turned to her. Peter noticed it too. I glared playfully at her. "What are you smiling about?" I asked as I let Peter's arm free of my own, assuming Susan's smile might have been about the High King's reputation with women.

Susan's attempts to conceal the smile failed. "Nothing that concerns your persons. Though you two did look terrific on the dance floor," she replied with a knowing look. Peter rolled his eyes.

"It was nothing."

"What was nothing?" Edmund asked as he and Lucy joined us.

The eldest queen turned to her younger siblings. "Swanwhite and Peter's dancing was a sight to see."

King Edmund gave his brother a studious glare and Lucy beamed with a teasing smile. The Valiant spoke the thoughts of her and her brother. "Are the two of you going to –?"

"No," Peter answered quickly and firmly before his sister finished her question.

I ducked my head as coughed to hide a laugh. When I raised my head again, Susan and Lucy were concealing laughs as well, Edmund was smirking, and Peter rolling his eyes.

The next song that began playing was Joy to the World. I remembered that the Narnians had developed a group dance for the song. It required at least three people, and we were in luck – there were five of us. "I don't suppose the four of you learned the dance for Joy to the World," I said.

The kings and queens looked at me and smiled. "Of course we did!" Lucy exclaimed.

"It's one of Lu's favourites," Edmund said with a groan.

"Oh, come now, Ed. Dancing is good for you," Susan said as she sided with her sister.

The younger king scowled at his sisters. "But not my favourite way to exercise," he complained.

"Edmund?" I started. Said king turned to me. "If you please join us in this dance, and I promise you that we shall not bother you the rest of the time."

"I doubt, but since you are a Lady that should not be refused, I accept."

I smiled in gratitude. This was going to be a very interesting night.

-x-x-x-x-x-
Christmas Day

The clock in the hall chimed at five in the morning, dragging me out of a sound sleep. My muscles protested loudly when I rolled over on my bed to look out the window. The sun had yet to paint the sky pink, purple, and orange to indicate the day of celebration had begun. However, just because the sun was not up yet, that did not mean I could sleep in anymore. I slowly sat up and stretched my being and yawned a great yawn. After I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, I swung my legs over the edge of my bed and stepped onto the freezing cold wood floor. Slowly, I dressed while thinking about what to prepare for breakfast. We, somehow, managed to get our hands on some bacon, and we had what was needed to make pancakes. With our morning meal decided on, I brushed my hair and put it up so it would not get in my way as I cooked. Before I left my room, I retrieved the small bundle in my closet that was Eamon's Christmas present. I entered the still hall and went to place my brother's gift in the living room by the radio. The house was festively decorated, however, we had no tree. Even though it was tradition, Eamon had not the energy to buy one, cut it down, and put it up in the house. He felt bad about not having a tree, but I reminded him that it was Christ, not the tree, that was important. Eamon chuckled in agreement as he helped me decorate the radio as we would the tree.

I double checked Eamon's bedroom door before I entered the kitchen, not wanting to wake him while I prepared breakfast even though his room was right next to it. As I moved about the kitchen, getting things from the cupboards and the icebox, I thought about the party last night. Lucy was definitely the energetic one; I was amazed that she was able to dance until eleven – when the party ended – without more than a five minute break. And she danced with most young people there! She danced with Edmund, Peter, Eamon (after being introduced, of course), and me and Susan before she sought out her age mates and others that would willingly dance with her. Edmund stayed as far away from the dance floor as possible. Instead, he chatted with some of the Great War veterans and any veterans from the current war that made it home alive about battle and about the weapons they used. While I found that a bit distasteful, especially on the Eve of Christ's birth, I did not say anything to the king. I later saw him talking with public officials that attended the party, which made me curious as to what else King Edmund did in Narnia, for even though I saw events in Narnia through quick flashes at times, only in my dreams did I hear the events carried out as well.

Susan I tended to lose sight of when she was not with her siblings or with me and my girls. I caught her a couple times talking to some young men, but that was all I saw. Peter, on the other hand, decided to hang around with me for most of the duration of the party. When I introduced him, and Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, to Eamon, the High King spent a few minutes talking to my brother about being protective of siblings. My girls had caught sight of us by then and waved me and Peter over. I introduced the High King to my best friends, and I saw a look in Maggie's eye, much like the look Mezinda had when she was introduced to King, then Prince, Leesum of Archenland. Peter hit it off really well with my girls, especially Maggie. Heidi and Heather pretty much scared my king – not having seen identical twins before I supposed – though he hid it well. Despite my king's fear, he danced with all of my girls, and while he danced, I watched Eamon. He had been talking to Macy Williams, his best friend since childhood. Macy was a pretty girl about my brother's height with raven hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. She was so much an opposite of Eamon, much like Peter and Edmund were opposites, but she suited him so well – it made me wonder why in the world they never courted. I managed to steal my brother away for a couple more dances last night before the party ended.

"Mmm, smells good, Belle," Eamon said. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I jumped at his voice and bumped the bacon pan. "Whoa there. Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya."

I threw my brother a smile before I turned back to the stove. "That's alright. Breakfast is almost ready. Did I wake you?"

"Nope, I just heard pigs squealing," he teased.

I rolled my eyes as I put the last of the bacon and pancakes on their respective plates. I placed the food on the table and hugged my brother. "Merry Christmas, Eamon."

"Merry Christmas, Belle."

We parted from our hug and sat down to breakfast. "I thought I told you not to get up so early," Eamon scolded, a bit teasingly.

I looked down at my plate in attempt to look guilty. "Yes, you did, but I am not able to obey."

When I looked up, my brother mocked glared at me. We went through this routine many times. "And why not, sister?"

"Because I spent sixty years getting up at five in the morning for weapons training – it's a hard habit to break."

"Even on Christmas day you would wake up this early?" he continued to ask as he took the conversation in a slightly different direction that he normally did.

"Oh yes, dear brother, but on a holiday such as this, I would stay in bed longer and take my time getting up."

My brother chewed on his pancakes. "And why didn't you do that today?" he asked after he swallowed.

"Someone had to make breakfast since we have no servants to so for us," I said. And to accentuate my point, I took a big bite of my last strip of bacon.

Eamon gave me a frown, almost a pout. "I could've done that."

"Ah, but you, brother, have been preparing food for yourself for the whole time I was away. You deserve a break from having to do so while I am home."

His frown turned into a warm smile. "And I thank you for it." My brother wiped his mouth with his napkin, put it back on the table, and said, "Shall we trade presents now?"

I daintily pressed my napkin to my lips and placed it on my clear dish. "Yes, let's."

Eamon and I cozied up on the floor under a couple blankets in the living room and turned the radio on low. The first song that played was Away in a Manger. At my insistence, Eamon opened his present first. He carefully undid the plain wrapping and looked in awe on his gift. It was a drawing of how Narnia looked out my chamber windows throughout the four seasons. I had managed to find a picture frame that fit the paper I used when I cleaned the house the day I arrived home to protect it.

"Belle, this is beautiful!" my brother said, still awed. He placed the picture on the floor and gave me a hug. "It's truly wonderful. I like how I finally get a glimpse of what your kingdom looked like. How did you learn to draw so well?"

"I learned from a maple Dryad. She was a great teacher."

Eamon released me from our hug. "That's amazing, sis. Now, you open your present."

I rubbed my hands together. "Sounds like an idea to me!"

I tore through the wrapping that covered the box, and when I opened the box's lid, I audibly gasped, for I found the one thing I least expected. It was a dagger. It was as long as my forearm from pommel to tip. The grip and sheath were dark red leather, and the cross guard and pommel were silver plated. I drew the dagger from its sheath and the steel blade shone even in the dim light; its weight was perfectly balanced in my hand.

"Eamon Richard Reeder! Where on earth did you get this? You must have saved several weeks' pay to get this!" I yelled at my brother as I attempted to be annoyed with him for spending so much on the gift as I sheathed it.

My brother smirked at my reaction. "That is my secret, Belle. Besides, you should have it."

I looked at him with confusion written across my face. "Why should I have it?"

Eamon shrugged his shoulder. "Who knows when you're going to need it, and I got the feeling from your stories, that you typically wore a weapon."

I thought about it for a minute, and I realized that he was right. I was always wearing some kind of blade, be it my hair dagger, Phraymore, or a dagger hidden in my skirts or tied to my leg. "But Eamon," I began. "That was in Narnia. I don't need it here."

Eamon gave me a look of disbelief. "Annabelle. You are a grown up when you count the years you've lived in Narnia. I wouldn't be surprised if you started going out to town more often with your friends and who knows what kind of people you're going to meet on the streets. There may be men who will want to take advantage of a seemingly young girl like you, and I want you to have a weapon you know how to use to defend yourself."

My brother paused and allowed what he said to sink in. He was right.

"Besides, I doubt the Lord and General Kaymen would be very happy with me if I let your skills diminish to nil," he said jokily in attempt to cheer me up.

I smiled brightly at my brother and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Eamon."

"You're welcome, Swan."

Well? What did you think? I would really appreciate the reviews because my favorite TV show, Chuck, ended last night, and the reviews would make me happier.

Oh, and if you don't remember the "damsel in distress" the Swan was referncing to Peter-it was Peter's fight with Jason as they were heading back to school (set in the beginning off PC). Don't feel bad if you forgot because I did. I had to go back and reread the chapter!

Aslan's Blessings!
~Fierce