Chapter 2
It was raining. Quite like the time they first went to Narnia. Peter remembered that day well as he had wished to relive the moments he spent there. It was the best thing that had possibly happened to him and he would never be able to go there again. Hide and seek wouldn’t bring Peter or any Pevensie child to Narnia again. Their legacy would be carried on by Eustace- which wasn’t too bad now he wasn’t as unbearable.
The day was a bit of a bore. Susan had gone back to doing her favourite game- guessing the language. Surprisingly, the eldest Pevensie was good at the game but that was most likely because his sister did the same words every time there was a rainy day.
“Peter!”
“Latin- you said this one five minutes ago, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.” Susan admitted, “I can’t pronounce the others.”
Peter sighed. This would be the entire day, and the former High King couldn’t stand the idea. Fortunately, for him either could Eustace and his cousin butted into the next phrase that the former High Queen was saying.
The tanned boy cut Susan off mid phrase, “Did you have any competitions in your time at Narnia?”
The question stayed in the air for a minute. Edmund had just walked into the room, Lucy following, their eyes full of sadness plain to see. Narnia was a recent goodbye for them… Susan closed her language book, beginning to tap nervously on the cover. Peter felt her eyeing him closely.
“Yes.” The dark blonde answered, picturing one of the knights he had battled against. He wasn’t a friend yet wasn’t an enemy but shortly after their battle he had died. Peter didn’t like to recall the events as he never truly felt worthy to have won. The knight should have but he never got live to take the trophy and title.
He cleared his throat, “There’s always a tournament for the strongest knight every two years. The last time I competed, I won but it was purely for one reason only. The true winner died.” He took a breath and continued. “I had been doing well but he was the better warrior so I had to surrender… Two days later, he died of an illness and I was given a chance again to fight. I shouldn’t have been given that chance but still to this day I hold the title.”
Eustace looked at the floor, fidgeting with his sleeves. After a moment, he walked towards the door, nodding at the raven haired boy who stood there as he left. Edmund made his way over and stood in front of Peter. Peter made eye contact with his younger brother, a small smile on his face. They had been closer around then, not as close as when Ed had nightmares but they talked a lot more than they did now. Perhaps staying in America wasn’t such a good idea, leaving his two younger siblings for a year and a half was bound to make them drift apart.
“Pete.” The raven haired boy spoke, reaching out his notebook. “Look at the second page.”
The eldest Pevensie raised his eyebrow, taking the sketchpad hesitantly. He opened it up, flipping it to the second page. His eyes widened, a smile on his face and a familiar sense of home warmed him.
“Edmund, Peter, let me see.” Susan threw her own book to her side, getting up to see the page. As her gaze hit the drawing she let out a gasp. “Woah…”
Peter had to agree with her on that. There were no words to describe their brother’s talent. Not only was the second picture wonderful, but the third which was practically done was done so well- the dresses almost looked like they were moving in the dancing. But the second picture showed the great doors to the throne room. They were a dark wood with golden swirls and handles, the light looked like it was reflecting on the gold perfectly, it was exactly what he remembered.
“It looks real, doesn’t it Pete?” Lucy bounced, holding on to Edmund’s shoulders to try to be taller than the boy. “I told Ed it did! The second one is how I remember Narnia perfectly and the dance- oh the dance looks like they’re moving.”
The blonde girl smiled, stopping bouncing and just admiring the work once again. Edmund moved to her side so she could see his art. His face was red and he mumbled his appreciation.
Susan beamed at the boy, “I haven’t seen you art since our rule! It’s amazing, Ed.”
Peter traced the swirls with his finger, it was perfect. No swirl was different from the actual doors, just the right amount. Behind this room was the great hall that they ate dinner in, which was cooked by the wonderful kitchen crew. He hoped he had paid them well for all their time cooking for the royals. He took his finger away, noticing a shimmer underneath it. The door’s swirls began to turn into colour, they were golden- nearly blinding Peter for a second, the door itself became a brown colour and even the hinges went from pencil to gold.
“Edmund, Lucy, Susan. Have you seen this?” His voice became louder.
His siblings all stared. Edmund nervously whispered, “My drawing was just pencil.”
“Is the door opening?” Susan questioned loudly, peering closer. She grabbed Peter’s arm, her grasp tight against his elbow. It was… a light was appearing through the gap, getting larger and larger.
Lucy squealed, her cheeks pink from doing so, “Narnia.”
The ‘drawing’ of a door opened. A bright light consumed all of the Pevensie siblings, wrapping itself around their arms and legs. The children all shut their eyes, and when they next opened there was no book and they were in a great hall which was not in Narnia as far as they could remember.
An old, kind voice from behind them spoke. “How did you apparate into school grounds?”