Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

Let's get to it.


Chapter 4-

Galen raises his hand to wipe his brow and shield his eyes a bit. It's still cold out, but the glare coming off the snow and ice is doing a number on his eyes.

It's the late morning of Galen's third day in Narnia. After hiding out in a cave to sleep after their escape from the secret police, they had set out in the morning. After crossing through the vast forest, a journey that had taken a full day, they had finally reached a vast frozen river, which they were now crossing. The river was one of the last major obstacles on the way to Aslan's camp, according the beavers. Beyond this river, there was another small forest and a smaller river before they would finally reach Aslan's camp. It was close enough that they'd probably arrive at Aslan's camp by mid afternoon.

Galen turns to look to his side, where he sees Susan walking just behind him. "You keeping up well?" he asks.

"I'll manage," Susan says. She pauses for a second, then asks Galen a question she's had on her mind, "What brought you to abandon your master and the empire you served? You said someone brought you back, but what happened?"

"My master betrayed me, twice, and left me for dead. But that's not what truly turned me against them. My parents were once Jedi, an order of individuals who wielded the Force to protect the galaxy and ensure peace. Darth Vader killed them both and took me when I was extremely young. But I suppose memories of that life before he came remained looked in my mind. It was another Jedi who reminded me of that. I chose then to cast my lots with the rebels, to restore peace and freedom to the galaxy," Galen says.

Susan looks at him for a few moments before she says, "I wanted to apologize for judging you at first."

"I understand your suspicion. But I accept your apology," Galen says with a respectful incline of his head.

Right then, Beaver turns around to look at them and calls back to the four humans, "Come on, humans! While we're still young."

Walking up to Susan and Galen, Peter stops and sighs before saying, "If he tells us to hurry one more time, I'm gonna turn him into a big fluffy hat." He then bends down slightly to pick up Lucy to carry her on his back.

Almost immediately, Beaver calls back, "Hurry up! Come on!"

"He is getting a little bossy," Lucy admits with a smile.

Suddenly, Mrs. Beaver cries out, "No! Behind you! It's her!"

The four humans whip around, and sure enough, they see something coming towards them across the frozen river. It looks to be some kind of sled pulled by animals.

Galen quickly moves between the Pevensies and the incoming animals. "Go! Run! I'll hold her off!" he orders.

"We can't leave you!" Lucy protests.

"Yes, you can, and you will. I can handle her, at least for a while. I'm gonna at least buy you some time. Trust me, I'm at least gonna give her a run for her money," Galen says. He then looks back at them and says, "Go. I'll catch up if I can. Get to Aslan's camp! Go! NOW!"

Slightly alarmed at the volume of Galen's shout, they all look at him for a second before Peter, choosing to put his faith in Galen, sets Lucy down and says, "Come on! Let's go! Run!" Reluctantly, his sisters and the Beavers follow him and start running for the woods.

Galen returns his attention to the incoming sleigh. He firms his face as he draws his lightsaber and ignites it, the blue blade springing to life as he shifts into his customary back-handed grip. Knowing he's gonna have to go all out, Galen begins to channel his anger, and his fist begins to crackle with Force lightning, the lightning running along the blade of his saber as he readies himself to confront the Witch.

However, as the sleigh nears him, Galen notices that it's curving to one side, as if to pass him. This slightly confuses Galen. If the Witch meant to fight him, surely she'd either stop a short distance out or try to run him over.

The sleigh, pulled by reindeer, finally pulls up alongside Galen. Galen is ready to fight, but quickly realizes something's not right. The Witch is not in the back of the sleigh, nor Edmund. Instead, a rather large old man with a massive white beard and a brilliant smile on his face is sitting in the driver's seat, with a massive bag stuffed full of something in the back.

Glane looks at the man in confusion, caught a bit off guard. The old man looks back at him and laughs, a joyful, happy sound. "Hello, Galen Marek," he greets Galen.

Galen is very wary. "How do you know my name?" he demands, not lowering his weapon or his guard.

The old man only laughs as he says, "I am blessed with the knowledge of all within Narnia. And it is an honor to meet you now."

Galen begins to slowly lower his guard, but still holds his saber at the ready. "Who are you?" he demands.

"I am known as Father Christmas. I have been gone a hundred years, and I have a lot to catch up on. That's why I was hoping you could show me where your friends went. I have some gifts to give them before they go on to Aslan's camp," the old man answers.

Galen narrows his eyes, not yet sure if he should trust this old man. Hoping to get some idea of his allegiance, Galen allows himself to open up to the Force. To his surprise, he can immediately sense the Force from this man. Not that he's Force sensitive, necessarily, but that he has a strong presence in it. And a bright light shines around him in the Force. This is enough to convince Galen that this old man means no harm. He straightens up and finally deactivates his lightsaber. "You promise you mean them no harm?" he asks, just to be sure.

"Of course. I bear gifts that will be crucial for their journey ahead," Father Christmas responds jovially.

Galen returns his saber to his belt. "Alright. I'll help you find where they went," he says.

"Alright. Hop in!" Father Christmas says, scooting over to try and make room for Galen. Galen is just able to squeeze in on the seat next to him. Father Christmas gives him one more bright smile and says, "Sorry there's not more room," before snapping the reigns, and they set off. Galen can't help but smile a bit at his joke. Yeah, this man certainly means no harm.

Father Christmas guides the reindeer towards the woods. As they reach the trees, Galen begins searching his surroundings with the Force. It doesn't take long for him to feel something. "Almost straight ahead, 100 yards," he says. Father Christmas nods in acknowledgement. At the right moment, he starts to pull back on the reigns a bit, and his reindeer slow to a stop.

Galen clambers out of the sleigh, Father Christmas behind him. Father Christmas remains beside the sleigh while Galen walks over to a small ledge. He leaps down over it and lands a few feet down, then turns around and looks at the cavity in the rock that the ledge had concealed.

"Galen!" Lucy exclaims.

Glane smiles a bit as he says, "Hey, guys. Umm, it turns out it wasn't the Witch. And someone is here to see you."

Galen extends his hands outwards and helps them to their feet. He then leads them up and around the cavity where they had been hiding, allowing them to finally see Father Christmas. The old man laughs joyfully at the sight of the siblings. Susan and Peter look at the old man in awe and slight confusion, while Lucy just smiles brightly.

"Merry Christmas, sir," Lucy greets the man.

"It certainly is, Lucy. Since you have arrived," Father Christmas responds.

Galen is starting to feel confused. Leaning in to Peter, he whispers, "What is Christmas?"

Lucy overhears Galen's question. "It's the best holiday ever," she responds.

"Oh," Galen responds simple, now getting it a bit more.

Susan looks at Peter and mutters, "Look, I've put up with a lot since I got here…but this…"

Peter somewhat cuts her off by turning back to Father Christmas and addresses him directly, "We thought you were the Witch."

"Yes, I'm sorry about that. But, in my defense, I have been driving one of these longer than the Witch," Father Christmas responds, that jolly tone still in his voice.

Susan, now sounding curious instead of skeptical, asks Father Christmas an obvious question, "I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia?"

"No, not for a long time," Father Christmas responds, his voice now a little more serious. He looks at the siblings for a moment before he says, "But the hope that you have brought, Your Majesties, is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power."

Father Christmas then gets a slight smile before he tells them, "Still, I daresay, you could do with these." He then turns back to his sleigh, reaching into the back, and lifts the massive leather bag in the back of his sleigh out of the sleigh, turning and resting the bag on the ground.

"Presents!" Lucy cries with joy, running up to Father Christmas as the old man chuckles. Father Christmas rummages through the bag before pulling out two objects.

Father Christmas turns to Lucy and bends down so he's on her level and holds out the first item to her, a glass bottle of some kind wrapped in a leather hold. He holds it up in front of her and describes it to her, "The juice of the fire flower. One drop will cure any injury." Lucy, not having expected something practical like this, but still in awe of it, reaches out to take it. Father Christmas then adds, "And though I hope you never have to use it…" He trails off as he holds a small dagger up to her.

Lucy takes the dagger from Father Christmas. "Thank you, sir. But…I think I could be brave enough," she says, but sounding a little uncertain of herself.

"I'm sure you could. But battles are ugly affairs," Father Chtistmas responds. He then gives her a pat on the shoulder before turning back to the bag. Lucy steps back towards Peter.

Father Christmas stands up and faces Susan, holding a bow and quiver. "Susan," he addresses her. Susan slowly steps forward, looking at the bow. Father Christmas holds the bow and quiver out to her and says to her, "Trust in this bow, and it will not easily miss."

Galen considers that, wondering if the bow is enchanted to make sure it doesn't miss. Susan accepts the weapons from Father Christmas, but then looks up into his face and asks, "What happened to 'Battles are ugly affairs'?"

Father Christmas chuckles in amusement realizing she doesn't quite understand yet, but knowing she will. Galen also smiles a bit, knowing she has some learning to do.

After chuckling for a moment, Father Christmas continues to speak to her, "Though you don't seem to have a problem making yourself heard, blow on this," reaching out and handing her an ornate horn, seeming to be carved from ivory. Galen looks at it and sees that the mouth of the horn is inscribed with the image of the head of some kind of beast. Father Christmas then adds, "And wherever you are, help will come."

"That's nifty," Galen mutters under his breath to himself.

Susan accepts the horn, looking up at Father Christmas and smiling at him. "Thanks," she answers gently.

Father Christmas then turns back to the bag and grabs two more items. "Peter," he calls to the boy. Peter takes a step forward as Father Christmas turns back to face him, holding a sword and shield. The shield bears a red symbol on it. Galen examines it and realizes it is a beast of some kind, and its head looks like that of the mouth of Susan's horn. Galen realizes a second later that the pommel of the sword is also made in the same shape.

Peter draws the sword from its sheath, the sound of metal sliding cleanly on metal ringing out. As he draws the sword and holds it out to examine it, Galen can't help but admire the blade. Whoever crafted it sure knew what they were doing. It's a beautiful sword. He also realizes that there are words engraved along the blade.

"Thank you, sir," Peter thanks Father Christmas before returning the sword to its sheath.

Father Christmas then turns to Galen. "And for you, Galen Marek," he says. Galen feels a bit surprised, but slowly steps forward.

Father Christmas reaches into the bag and grabbing something before turning to Galen and holding out one of his hands. "It is time to return this to you," he says. Galen looks at the object in Father Christmas' hand, and recognizes the cylinder-shaped object.

"My old lightsaber…" he mutters, slowly reaching out and taking the weapon from his hand. He slowly lifts it up in front of him to examine it. "But how…?" he mutters.

"This was given to me, by someone you recently met. It is time for this to have a new history," Father Christmas explains.

Galen is frozen in shock. He never expected to see this again. Holding this in his hand again convinces Galen that there is something very powerful and mysterious about this Father Christmas.

"And, to show you that you are no longer alone…" Father Christmas says, pausing before opening his hand to reveal two golden wrist bands with intricate writing engraved on their surface. He then explains, "These two are connected. Wear one, and whoever has the other will be able to communicate with you at any time, and vice versa."

Galen slowly takes the bands from his hands. As someone used to only receiving something if it made him a more deadly warrior, this is an interesting surprise. He then looks at Father Christmas and says, "Thank you, sir."

"These are tools, not toys. Bear them wisely," Father Christmas says. As he does, Galen places his original lightsaber on his belt, then slides the bands into a pocket on his belt.

"Now, I must be off," Father Christmas declares before he bends down and picks up the large bag, "Winter is almost over. And things do pile up when you've been gone a hundred years," he says as he heaves the bag into the back of his sleigh.

Father Christmas turns to face them one more time. "Long live Aslan!" he declares fervently. He then climbs into the front of his sleigh before he utters one last, "And Merry Christmas!" He then gently snaps the reigns, and his reindeer begin to run. As he rides away, the Pevensies call out after him, bidding him goodbye and to see him next year.

Lucy turns to Susan, a sly smile on her face. "I told you he was real," she says, as if she's just won a long-standing dispute.

However, Peter is focused on something else. "He said winter is almost over," he says, almost to himself. He then turns to the rest of the group and asks rhetorically, "You know what that means?" After his sisters look at him in confusion, he answers his question for them, "No more ice."

Galen realizes this as well, as from what the Beavers had previously said, realizes why it's a problem. "We'd better hurry if we want to get across that river without trouble," he says urgently.


And, I'll end there.

I hope you liked Galen's gifts. I thought it would be interesting to see him not only wield his old lightsaber again, but also just to see him dual wield sabers. As for the bangles, I couldn't think of anything else of particular use or that would make a ton of sense with his character, so I thought of this. They'll come into play again later.

Next chapter will be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!