The town was newly full of flames as the dragon breathed out his wrath. It's orange colored scales that sparkled from the glow of the firelight. Two horns atop it's wicked head curled and twisted. Wings stretched far across and the flap of these blew old ashes up and scattered them far. The back of the beast, covered in a neat little row of spikes slithered through the air with such grace and control that Peter was mesmerized at first.

The king was quickly revived of the trance when a wave of flames suddenly appeared to his right. Clutching his crossbow, he dashed out of harms way and raced for shelter behind one of the rare standing homes.

"Think! I must focus!" He ordered himself.

Taking a breath he peeked his head around the corner. Flames were abundant but the dragon was no where to be seen.

Quickly he ran out from his small shelter and took off. Where he was going, he did not know. He only knew he had to keep moving, he had to be the hunter, not the prey.

Suddenly through the flames before him, jumped a lion. The Lion. Untouched by the flames of hate, He stood before Peter. Peter nearly dropped his weapon at the sight.

"Aslan I-" Peter began but had to stop as the smoke was growing thicker and it was harder to breath.

Aslan came closer and let out a breath over the king. Instant peace and a renewed strength flowed through the king.

"Follow me!" Commanded Aslan.

The Lion turned and began to run. Peter followed after. All around them,  fires burned brightly but before them the flames ceased to burn and the ground was cool.

The further they ran the more destruction could be found. The words of Governor Longrain had been true. The town was in sad shape and was only getting worse the longer the dragon roamed. Finally Aslan came to a stop just outside of the town.

"Do you see that mountain beside the stream?" Asked Aslan.

Peter looked toward the empty land and indeed, there sat a large mountain.

"Yes I see it."

"Below that mountain is a cave, there you shall find the dragon. Shoot straight and true my son."

Peter looked on a moment longer at the mountain. When he turned back to Aslan, he saw the Lion had gone. For but a moment the idea that it had been a dream flickered, until Peter snuffed it out. He should be used to Aslan's sudden comings and goings.

Without a moments hesitation, he sped off in the direction Aslan had said. The grass was dead and crunched under foot. As he came nearer he loaded the crossbow. Lightly, he stepped through the icy cold stream. His nerves on edge as he prepared himself for what he was about to do.

The cave opening was vast, fallen rocks littered the entryway. Carefully stepping over them, he entered the dwelling of the dragon. The burning smell was strongly overpowering. A short hallway opened into the large cavern. There sat the dragon in the midst of the cave.

Its yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness as it at once noticed the king. A dark hiss escaped its cruel mouth and it raced toward Peter. Immediately, the High King let the notched arrow fly. Out from the lion's mouth it came but alas, it missed its mark. Quickly Peter ran toward a darker part of the cave.

'Susan should be here, not I. She would not have missed."

The very thought of Susan brought on a burst of homesickness. Lucy and Edmund. How he wanted to return home and aplogize, to spend Christmas with them. His thoughts drifted off to the little family huddle inside the cellar. Martha, Luke and Lily.

Suddenly he knew just what to do. Reloading the crossbow, he stepped out from his hiding place. The dragon had not quite given up the chase but it was clear that it was growing bored.

'Shoot straight and true. Help me Aslan.' He fervently said to himself.

Suddenly the lion's head began to glow brightly. The dragon turned and saw the sight of its enemy. With one quick movement, Peter let the arrow go. As it went, the lion head let out a magnificent roar, which caught the dragon off guard. Peter watched as the arrow peirced through the scalely hide and found its way to the creature's heart.

The dragon cried out and screamed with such anger to make your blood turn cold. Unsuccessfully clawing at the arrow, the dragon fled the cave. Peter ran after, ready to shoot again if need be.

The dragon could hardly keep its balance as it thrashed around. Finally it seemed to admit its defeat and collapsed beside the cold stream.

Peter looked on in unbelief. The dragon was dead. He could now go home.

☆☆☆☆

The Splendor Hyaline sped along the cold sea as it hurried on its way home to Narnia. Peter stood out on deck, looking ahead, in hopes of catching the first glimpse of his home.

He had not stayed long after the dragon had been slain. After returning to the cellar to share the good news, the spark of hope was rekindled in the lives of the people. Governor Longrain and Reginus had insisted on seeing the dragon's remains. To say the least, they were not disappointed.

"How can we ever repay you?" Exclaimed the Governor.

"I only wish to return to my family." Peter had honestly replied.

"Then it shall be done." Said Reginus cheerfully.

Peter had said his goodbyes to the people of Avra and had even received cheers and hugs from Lily and Luke. It was such a good feeling, knowing that they could now start a new life, prehaps a better one. Samuel had offered a stiff handshake to the king. Peter took it as a token of goodwill and an apology.

"I assume the town will begin rebuilding immediately." Peter had said to the Governor as he walked him to the Splendor Hyaline.

"Yes yes, most certainly!" He had said happily.

"After Christmas I and my family shall return and assist in the rebuilding."

The Governor had smiled broadly. "Oh I and the town have a gift we wanted you to have."

Peter had not been expecting any gift and was even more surprised when the Governor handed out the crossbow.

"That is your town possession." He began.

"It is a gift fit for only a king of Narnia. We would have it no other way."

Humbly, Peter had graciously accepted the gift and thanked the man.

"It is you who deserves thanks. You have saved us."

Peter shook his head. "I can not take the credit. Aslan is the only one worthy of credit. "

☆☆☆☆

"Aslan really jumped through the flames?!" Asked Lucy in amazement.

"Yes and he led me straight to where the dragon was." Replied Peter.

His homecoming had been a jolly one. Now on Christmas eve, he sat with them beside a comforting fire as he related the tale of his adventure on the Lone Islands.

"I am so glad you had a change of heart." Smiled Susan.

Peter nodded. "I regret those hasty words as I was wrong. Christmas itself can not undo terrible things that happen. But it is the love and the gift of Christmas that makes the terrible times bearable."

Edmund gave a sly grin and asked,
"What about during the summer?"

Peter returned with, "The gift of Christmas is found in everyday acts of Love."

"Well stated." Agreed Corin, who had arrived just the day before.

Peter smiled as he looked around at his family. He now knew just how blessed he was and it had taken a dragon's wrath to open his eyes.

A/N
Whew, that ending was tough to get but Peter's story is now complete!! Actually this entire book is now done as I have decided not to do that last story, The Swampland Curse.