|When two worlds collide - Book I

~A shift in motion~

Right in front of them, by the clearing, a beautiful sleigh drawn by reindeers stood and by it was none other than Father Christmas. With his characteristic white long beard that fell like a foamy waterfall over his chest and velvety red robe, he stood there smiling. It didn't feel real, like it was a dream. All children stood still, like they were to entranced to move. Miriam didn't know what to believe, too much had happened in a short time and she hadn't really had a chance to reflect on it all. Yesterday she was enjoying a warm summer day out on the English countryside and today she was pulsing through thick snow, in a new world, on her way to a camp where some great lion was waiting. She had somehow befriended talking animals and then Father Christmas comes along. Her head was spinning, she was completely speechless.

"I can't believe it. Peter, Susan, Miriam look, it's Father Christmas." Lucy exclaimed excitingly before she strode closer towards the old man.

"Merry Christmas, sir." She said to him, and he smiled down at her.

"It certainly is, Lucy, since you have arrived."

"Look, I've put up with a lot since I got here, but this..." Susan began but was interrupted by Peter.

"We thought you were the Witch."

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry about that. But in my defense, I have been driving one of these longer than the Witch." Father Christmas said kindly and now Miriam was the only one who hadn't moved closer towards him. It was like she was stuck in place, she couldn't move. But suddenly she felt a hand in hers and looked down to see a gleeful Lucy.

"Come on, Miriam. It's Father Christmas."

"I see that, Lucy. But I thought there was no Christmas in Narnia."

"No. Not for a long time. But the hope that you have brought, Your Majesties, is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power. Still, I dare say you could do with these." Father Christmas reached into his sleigh and pulled out a huge brown sack.

"Presents!" Lucy cried, then pulled Miriam with her as she ran to check what Father Christmas had brought. Miriam couldn't help but laugh as she almost fell to the ground by Lucy's forceful tug. First, he gifted Mrs. Beaver a new and better sewing machine that he would drop off in the house when he passed by. For Mr. Beaver he promised that his dam would be finished and mended, and all the leaks would be stopped, and it would have a new sluicegate fitted when he got home. Then he turned to Lucy.

"Lucy, Daughter of Eve. I give you the juice of the fire-flower. One drop will cure any injury. And though I hope you never have to use it..." He gave her a beautiful cordial and a small dagger.

"Thank you, sir, but I think I could be brave enough."

"I'm sure you could. But battles are ugly affairs." Lucy smiled then went to show Miriam what Father Christmas had given her. She seemed so proud over her gifts, Miriam didn't have the heart to tell her she hoped Lucy never had to use them, especially the dagger. She didn't want Lucy to ever experience the difficult parts of life, the parts that gave one nightmares. Cruelty and darkness were not meant for young girls. But she had to pretend as though she was happy for Lucy, so she gave the girl the biggest smile she could muster.

"Susan, Daughter of Eve." Susan stepped forward and Father Christmas handed her a bow and a quiver of arrows.

"Trust in this bow and it will not easily miss."

"What happened to 'battles are ugly affairs?" Susan asked.

"Though you don't seem to have a problem making yourself heard, blow on this horn and wherever you are, help will come." He said as he handed her an ivory horn, ignoring her previous question.