"No. For a long time. But the hope that you have brought, your Majesties, is finally starting to weaken the Witch's power. Still, I daresay you could do with these." Father Christmas said, before turning and walking over to his sleigh, and lifting a large sack from the back, before putting it down on the ground.

"Presents!" Lucy said with a smile, walking over to Father Christmas, and looking down at the bag.

Father Christmas chuckled and pulled something out of the bag, then bent low to look Lucy in the eye. "The juice of the fire flower." said he, indicating the small bottle he held in his hand. "One drop will cure any injury."

Lucy took the bottle and looked at it silently.

"And though I hope you never have to use it.." added Father Christmas, handing Lucy a small dagger and a belt.

"Thank you, sir, but I think I could be brave enough." said Lucy, and Father Christmas nodded slightly.

"I'm sure you could. But battles are ugly affairs."

Lucy stepped back, and Father Christmas turned to his bag, and pulled out a quiver full of arrows, along with a bow. "Susan."

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Susan stepped forward, eyes on the quiver and arrows he held.

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"Trust in this bow, and it will not easily miss." said he, handing her the quiver.

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Susan took it, but looked up at him and asked, "What happened to 'Battles are ugly affairs?'"

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Father Christmas simply chuckled. "And though you don't seem to have a problem making yourself heard, blow on this, and wherever you are, help will come." he said, before handing a small curved horn to her.

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"Thanks," said Susan, smiling slightly.

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Father Christmas smiled, then turned to his bag once again and pulled out a sword and a shield. "Peter." he said, and Peter looked up, then stepped towards him.

"The time to use these may be near at hand." said Father Christmas, handing them over to Peter, who suddenly drew the sword from its sheath slowly, and stared at the blade for a few seconds.

"Thank you sir." said Peter, and Father Christmas nodded slightly.

"These are tools, not toys. Bear them well, and wisely." he replied, and Peter sheathed the sword. And, once again, Father Christmas returned to his bag, and pulled something else out. "Evelyn."

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Eevlyn looked about as surprised as Lucy did when Beaver called her name, but stepped forward obediently. "Yes?" she asked.

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"These are for you." said Father Christmas, handing her two swords and a sword belt. The swords were shorter than normal swords, though both were very light and strong, and would obviously be very easy to handle.

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Evelyn looked down at the swords and took them in her hands. She unsheathed one and made a couple of "sideways 8" shapes with it, then looked up at him and said, "Thank you," before sheathing it.

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"You're welcome." he replied with a slight smile, then turned one more time to his bag. "Oh, and also..make sure your cousin gets these." he said, holding up a small sword, sword belt, quiver and bow.

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Evelyn nodded. "I will."

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"Good." said Father Christmas, looking at them all for a moment. "Now, I must be off. Winter is almost over, and things do pile up when you've been gone a hundred years." he said, then chuckled and lifted his bag off the ground, then put it back in his sleigh. "Long live Aslan!" he said as he got onto the sleigh again, then he turned to face them all. "And Merry Christmas!"

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Evelyn's smile spread into a grin, and she waved after him as he went, shouting, "Merry Christmas! Goodbye!"

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"Merry Christmas!" Lucy shouted after him, as did Peter, then both shouted, "Thank you!"

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Susan and Evelyn both looked down as Lucy said, "Told you he was real." Evelyn smiled.

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