Chapter One

Chapter: One

Why, why am I studying . . . again? I've lived in Narnia and studied for years-- I'm living another lifetime here in England. There would seem to be an injustice here - first a kid, then an adult, then a kid once again with adulthood fast approaching. There are two different histories invariably battling for dominance in my mind and a headache on top of it. We've been back for five years now and I sometimes still get confused as to which past kings belongs to which world.

He sighed.

I should just enjoy my summer instead of sitting here in this study, pouring over books to keep my mind sharp for next semester. "Othello?", Mmm, no. I'm not in the mood for a tragedy. Hey, now this is a befitting title: "Upon His Majesty's Happy Return" by- oh, a fitting name for the author, as well. Edmund Waller. Maybe I'll get some amusement from reading this poem, after all.

A whistle penetrated his thoughts. An eyebrow twitched.

Now, if only Edmund would stop that excessive whistling . . . At this rate, he would achieve a full-blown headache because of the wayward child who disguised himself as his brother. Maybe wayward wasn't a strong enough word. I've asked all three of them to kindly give me two hours leave to study, and to please keep the noise level down. Ugh. It sounds as if he's going from room to room . . .

"Ed!"

"What…are you finished?" he asked, peeking in at Peter.

"No, I just started."

"Come on, Pete. Its summer. Come outside and challenge me to a match with the swords. You could use the practice…"

"I did that this morning, remember? Just two hours, Ed, that's all I'm asking."

"But there's nothing to do."

"Ed…" warned Peter.

"Alright, alright," his brother groaned. "I'm sure I can find something to keep me occupied." and he walked off, muttering about overachievers.

Five minutes later, as Peter read the poem again and compared his position as High King to that of the King in the poem; he heard whistling again. It was an imitation of a Willow Warbler, a garden bird whose song trilled fast, high, and ended slowly.

"Edmund!" snapped Peter, whose headache had grown worse.

"Sorry," responded Edmund with an unrepentant gleam in his eye as he poked his head in again. "I'll go upstairs. Alone. With nothing to do but plan my revenge for being ignored." He looked back at Peter with an evil smirk.

The eldest only raised an eyebrow and pointed Edmund to the door.

Peace at last. He thought, sighing gratefully as his brother left. Now where was I? Ah, yes… "Safety, and equal government, are things/ Which subjects make as happy as their kings--"

"PETER!" shrieked Lucy, sending him into an instant state of panic as she ran to him in the study, out of breath. Eyes wide, he looked her over for any accidental injuries she may have obtained while outside by herself. Undaunted she continued her chatter: "The tabby, the tabby from next door had her kittens! They're so beautiful-you simply must come see!" she cried excitedly.

Peter steadied himself as he leaned against his desk, slowing his racing heart. Kittens?! She scared me half to death for kittens? Anger replaced fear as he looked at the one whom he would tear apart worlds for, just to ensure her safety. Clenching his jaw, feeling his eyes flash, he forced himself to speak calmly- a feat he had barely mastered while Lucy looked on in wild anticipation. "Lucy, what did I tell you not ten minutes ago? I need peace and quiet for awhile."

"But, Peter you must come and see! They look just like Mrs. Tabitha's kittens who were born our first year at the Cair. Come now before…"

"Lu, what must I do to get you to allow me a few hours to myself? I'm sure the kittens are adorable, love, but I must have this time to study."

"But, Peter . . ." she said as she tugged on his arm.

"Aslan's mane, Lu, no, not this time!"

"But . . ."

Peter gained the upper hand with a threat to anyone over the age of five. Poor, excitable Lucy, who was always full of joy and possessed the ability to make the most ultimate wet blanket dry up, was threatened with the shocking declaration of a "nap" . She gasped in horror as that dreadful word uttered past Peter's lips.

"But Peter I'm twenty. . ." she whispered in disbelief. Obediently, she sulked away- even her footsteps where light and quiet.

Deciding apologizes were in order later, Peter sat down at his desk once again with the book in front of him with a groan. Aslan give me strength. Two lifetimes raising the same people is sometimes more than I can bear . . . He sighed. Onto my reading.

"Faith, law, and piety, (that banished train!)/Justice and truth, with you return again . . ."

Oh Narnia, how I miss you.

As high pitched squealing erupted in the background, followed by giggling and a deep growl, Peter slowly closed his eyes. Dear Aslan, please help me.

Lucy ran into the room seeking Peter's protection, forgetting all about the threat of a nap. Edmund chased her around Peter and his chair with menacing fingers, which promised to give her a good tickling once he had her in his grasp.

Peter's last thread of patience snapped.

"Can I not get some peace in this house?! Did I not tell you two to be quiet?!" He yelled as he stood, slamming his book down.

Lucy and Edmund found themselves staring, not at Peter their red faced angry brother, nor at Peter the angry High King, but a person rarely seen, which made them take notice of the severity of their situation. This was Peter the father for over twenty years. He was not the father who doted on them, making sure their lives where as comfortable as possible. He was not the father who desperately tried to ease the distress and hurt during their transition from life in Narnia to England, and their return trip there and back again; the father, manifest through the brother consoled nightmares, shared his bed when one was terribly cold, frightened or just lonely. No, this was the father they saw only when they had perilously crossed the line.

Breathing heavily, Peter quickly shoved his trembling hands in his pockets and pushed a coin into each of their hands, causing confusion to flit across their faces.

"Edmund, here hurry and take Lu down to the new soda shop and the two of you stay there until you've finished every last drop of your drinks." Determination mixed with desperation and anger crossed his features as he dug out two more coins and shoved them into Edmund's hand. "Get seconds."

"Lucy can barely drink one whole-I mean, yes, Peter, right away. Two drinks each." He turned only to find Lucy gone. "Coward," he whispered as he found himself alone with Peter, and he quickly left the room.

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