Chapter Three
****
Cair Paravel
Some years have passed in Narnia, and it was the winter season. It was almost time for Christmas, which meant that there was to be a gala at the castle. King Olin was getting ready to make a guest list.
"You know we have guests from all over, your majesty", said Zoggin, "Who do you plan to invite?"
"Well, the King of Archenland and his family, the King of Terenbithia, the Duke of Galma, the King of the Seven Isles, the Tisroc of Calormen. There's also the Governor of the Lone Islands.
"Quite a list there", said Cloudwit the Centaur, "And what about food?"
"Ah yes. I'm sure that the palace cooks will take care of that. We're thinking plum pudding, plump goose, suckling pig, candied fruits, spiced cakes."
"Ah."
Meanwhile, Gale was helping with decorating the tree that was in the great hall. During that time, they received a visit from Sir Gavelz from the Seven Isles, and he brought his daughter with him. There was a man who was in charge of decorating the castle for Christmas. During that time, Sir Galvez's daughter was helping out with the Christmas decorations.
"Thank you for all your help your highness", said the man in charge of the Christmas decorations.
"Why thank you Sir", said Gale, "And you, you must be visiting from the Seven Isles"
"Why yes, I am", said the young woman, who was strikingly beautiful, "My father and I are visiting. Are you the crown prince of Narnia?"
"Yes. His royal Highness Prince Gale. And you are?"
"Carlotta."
And Gale took Carlotta's hands and kissed it, which made her blush. During their time of decorating the Christmas tree in the great hall, they had so much to talk and they got to know one another.
"I want to see how my son, the prince and future king is doing", said King Olin, "Oh, who is your friend?"
"Father, you know Sir Gavelz from the Seven Isles?", asked Gale.
"Yes, of course. He and his family are attending the Christmas Gala."
"This is his daughter, Carlotta. This is my father, Olin, King of Narnia."
"A pleasure to meet you, your majesty", Carlotta curtsied.
"And to you as well", said King Olin, "I take that Gale has told you all about Narnia."
"Oh, he told me so much. I've learned a lot when I was a little girl in the Seven Isles. But now I have seen it myself."
"Well, you and your family are welcome to visit any time."
"And with your permission, father", said Gale, "May I visit the Seven Isles?"
"Well, I don't think you'll need any permission when you are king, my son."
"Olin, darling, where are you?", said Queen Nadina, coming in, and saw that the tree was being decorated, "Oh, thank you so much for decorating the tree."
"Well, I had a couple of help", said the castle decorator.
"Mother, may I introduce you to Carlotta from the Seven Isles?", asked Gale, "Carlotta, this is my mother, Queen Nadina."
"Oh, well, sounds like Gale has made a new friend", said Queen Nadina.
"Thank you, your majesty", said Carlotta, "Perhaps you know my father, Sir Gavelz."
"And he's attending the Gala, isn't he? I guess I never realized that his daughter would be helping to decorate the tree."
"Well, your majesties, how does it look?", asked the castle decorator.
"The most beautiful tree we've had", said King Olin.
****
It was time for the gala. King Olin and Queen Nadina were dressed in beautiful red and green clothing with gold and silver trim. Gale was dressed in a red and green trouser, tunic, coat, and cap. There was a lot of people who had come as well as Talking Beasts and Creatures. There was an abundance of food at the table. As people were arriving, they sang a song-
All:
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la la la!
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,
Fa la la la la la la la!
See the blazing yule before us,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la la la la!
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Sing we joyous all together!
Fa la la la la la la la!
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la la la la!
As soon as guest arrived, King Olin decided to address the them, and he made a speech.
"I like to thank you all for coming to our annual Christmas gala", said King Olin, "Christmas is a special time of year, and Queen Nadina and I are grateful that we can do this again. I've been told that our son, Prince Gale, helped out with decorating the tree in the Great Hall. I appreciate his time and dedication, even as a prince. Now, let us thank Aslan for letting us to gather here. Please, enjoy the gala."
The guests mingled around at the ball. There was music and dancing and laughter. There was also abundance of food of suckling pig, plump roast goose, plum pudding, spiced chai, hot cocoa, candied fruit, spice cakes. The gala lasted for hours. During that time, King Olin handed out each guest a gift. Then he gave one to Gale. He opened it.
"It's a pendant", said Gale.
"It's not just any pendant", said King Olin, "It's the royal family crest. It was mine and my father and my grandfather. Now I pass it on to you."
"Thank you, Father."
Soon, they looked out and it was snowing again. Gale remembered the day when he was a little boy, he would be playing out in the snow. Other kids came to play with him as well. Oh, what good old days they were. At the gala, he saw Carlotta in a beautiful red and green dress with silver lining. There was more dancing going on.
"Carlotta, may I have this dance?", asked Gale, bowing.
"Yes, you may, your highness", said Carlotta.
"Please, call me Gale."
Gale and Carlotta danced on the dance floor. It was a lovely dance. Sir Gavelz looked at them from a table, while he and his wife were getting some food.
"Our daughter dancing with the Prince of Narnia", said Gavelz.
"Sir Gavelz", said King Olin, "She and Gale actually helped decorate the tree."
"Is that so?", asked Dame Dorinda.
After the gala, Gale and Carlotta took a stroll in the great hall and talked some more. He asked her how long will she be staying. She explained that she and her family will be heading back to the Seven Isles soon. He told her that he had fun spending time with her.Statistics: Posted by jasmine_tarkheena — Mon Jul 04, 2022 12:22 am
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