Trials of Faith

Chapter IX

"It's killing me, not telling the girls. But you're right. It is Christmas Eve. I had almost forgot. I didn't even make any of you a gift." Peter says shamefully after Edmund shuts the door.

Edmund sits beside his brother on the bed. "Neither did I. There isn't much to celebrate anyway. Why don't we just give the girls something? We can say we already gave each other our gifts in private." He suggests.

Peter nods. "What are we going to do for the girls?" Peter asks.

"I'm not sure what girls even like anymore." Edmund admits.

"I can't sew or anything either." Peter sighs. "I wanted to make them something that would remind of home, but I don't know what."

"Maybe something similar to what Father Christmas got you all last year in Narnia?" Edmund suggests.

"Well," Peter says. "I could carve a horn similar to what Susan was given in the span of tonight, but I have no idea what to give Lucy."

"Me neither." Edmund admits.

"I'll draw her a picture of her cordial!" Peter says. "I've been told I'm not that awful at drawing..so hopefully it won't turn out completely awful." He pulls out his school notebook and begins to sketch the basic outline of his sister's cordial.

"I've saved up a bit of money. Maybe we can take your sketch to the antique store and have a replica made?"

"We need to go now. But I don't think we'll have time to have a replica made, nor do we have the money. We can just find something similar. Tomorrow is Christmas, but I'm pretty sure that antique shop is open tonight. If you sand and paint Susan's horn, I can say it's from both of us. And I'll split the cost of the cordial with you." Peter suggests, knowing that Edmund would have to use all his meagre savings.

"All right." Edmund agrees. "What about Mum?"

Peter hesitates, before mentally rebuking himself for thinking of not buying his mother a gift. "I've heard she wants some new handkerchiefs. Why don't we buy some and then see if the girls can embroider them?"

"Will we have enough money after Susan and Lucy's gifts?"

"I have enough." Peter says confidently. "I saved the Christmas money Father gave us the year before last." Mr. Pevensie had sent each of the children a small sum of money, telling them to buy something they liked. Peter, never finding a cause to spend it, had put it away in his money box. Edmund, on the other hand, had spent his on Turkish Delight. That had been, of course, before their adventure in Narnia.

"I wish I would have thought to do the same." Edmund replies regretfully.

Peter smiles. "I'm sure you would, now."

"All right. So what's the plan again?" Edmund asks. "I want to be sure the girls aren't around while we're preparing the gifts."

"Let's go to that antique store before it gets too late. Then, I'll carve Susan's horn."

"What will we tell the girls we're doing? They'll be suspicious if we just up and leave." Edmund asks.

"We could tell them the truth." Peter says.

"Shouldn't we surprise them? If they think we've forgotten, they will be even more excited than they otherwise would have been."

"We'll tell them we need some time to talk. They know there is something wrong."

"Good idea," Edmund says. "Let's get going then."

Peter grabs his coat, and follows Edmund out the door.