A Narnian December || Winter one shots

The only thing that truly matters

Prompt: Santa

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Edmund lay in bed one night, on his back, arms crossed over his stomach and staring up at the ceiling, a candle flickering on his bedside table. 

He knew he should probably be sleeping, seeming as it was Christmas Eve and Lucy would be demanding he woke up at stupid o'clock the next morning, but he wasn't really very tired. 

"More like you don't want to sleep."

Edmund sighed as his own voice echoed in his head, closing his eyes for a second before opening them again, moving his stare to the candle. 

He lay there for a while before sighing and sitting up, running a hand through his hair before swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing. 

Being careful not to wake his brother who was asleep in the bed across the room, Edmund grabbed his dressing gown, slipped his feet into his slippers and silently left the room, gripping the candle which he'd grabbed on the way out.

He decided to head down to the kitchens to make himself a late night hot chocolate, so made his way quietly down the corridor. He tiptoed down the stairs, making no noise at all, and turned the corner, but as he passed the main hall he stopped, hearing noises. Who was up at this time of night? 

He quietly pushed the door open, popping his head inside and had a look around, almost slapping a hand over his mouth when he saw who could only be Father Christmas placing presents under the large tree at the end of the room. 

Edmund stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. 

Of course he knew that Santa existed in Narnia, his siblings had met him and been given gifts by him, so he wasn't exactly shocked to see him as such, but he himself had never seen him, so he was in a way a little shocked. 

"You can come in you know." 

Edmund froze at the merry voice, watching as Santa stood and turned to face him, a grin on his face. "I don't bite." 

Edmund took a deep breath, eventually entering the room and wandering over to where Santa was, giving him an unsure smile. "Sorry." He mumbled. 

Father Christmas stared at him for a while, a concentrated look on his face. "King Edmund right?" He said. 

Edmund nodded. "But just call me Edmund." He said quickly. 

Santa smiled. "How come you're up so late?" He asked. "Usually you're not supposed to see me delivering the presents." 

Edmund smiled at Santa's amused tone, before sighing a little. "Just couldn't sleep." He mumbled, looking down. 

Santa was quiet for a little while, before nodding a little. "You weren't there when I gave your siblings their gifts were you?" He said slowly. 

Edmund took a deep breath. "No." He whispered, shaking his head. 

"Hmm." Santa said with a nod. "But I have no doubt you still got the best gift a person could get." 

Edmund slowly looked up at him. 

"Your siblings mean a lot to you don't they?"

"They do." Edmund practically choked, giving him a weak smile as he nodded. 

Father Christmas smiled at him gently, before taking a gift from his sack. "Here." He murmered. "You can have this gift now." 

Edmund frowned a little, placing the candle down and taking the present, tearing off the wrapping paper, smiling a little when he saw the copy of Sherlock Holmes. "How'd you know this was my favourite?" He asked. 

"I know many things about you, King Edmund." Santa said, a twinkle in his eye. 

"But how did you get it in Narnia?" Edmund wondered. 

Santa chuckled. "Which world it comes from makes no difference to me." He replied. 

Edmund smiled. "Thank you." He murmered.

Santa nodded. "You're most welcome." He said. "And I apologise it's not really as great as what your siblings got, but I understand you already have a sword you're comfortable using?" 

Edmund nodded. "I do." He said with a smile, maybe even laughing a little. 

"There's a couple more presents for you under the tree too." Santa told him. "But it's probably best if you waited until Christmas day to open them." 

Edmund nodded a little. "Probably." He breathed

Santa smiled at him for a little while, before taking a deep breath. "I should be off though." He said cheerfully. "Many presents to deliver, and only one night to do it in, but it was a pleasure to finally meet you, King Edmund." 

"And you." Was all Edmund managed to say. 

Santa chuckled. "Open the book." He whispered. 

Edmund frowned, glancing down at the book he held before looking back up. "What-" But he stopped dead when he found Santa gone, him just standing alone in the middle of the room in his dressing gown with a copy of his favourite book in his hands. 

Frowning a little, he looked back down at it, opening it slowly, to see a small message written inside. 

Never forget the one true gift of Christmas,
The one you were granted the first time you came to Narnia.
Never forget the gift of Family, for that is the only thing that truly matters

Edmund stared down at it for ages, tears in his eyes which he refused to let fall, after all, there was no point in crying, even if they were happy tears. 

"Ed?" 

Edmund glanced up at the voice, seeing Peter walking slowly over, a frown on his face and sleep in his eyes. "What are you doing up?" He asked. 

Edmund didn't say anything, only smiled and wrapped his arms around his brother's waist, resting his head against his chest and shocking Peter silent. 

Peter glanced down at him, frowning but eventually wrapping his arms around his little brother, even smiling a little. "What's all this about?" He asked quietly, resting his cheek on the top of Edmund's head, after all, Edmund rarely hugged him like this.

Edmund shrugged, smiling too, but he didn't say anything until he heard a clock somewhere strike midnight. "Merry Christmas Pete." He whispered. 

Peter knew Edmund wasn't going to answer his question, not yet anyway, so he only laughed gently, tightening his grip and placing a kiss to the top of his little brother's head. "Merry Christmas Ed."

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