-_*(Annabelle's P.O.V.)*_-

A wispy sigh left the bonds of my lips as my newly raw hands scrubbed away at the fragile dishes. Mrs. Macreadie had left to fetch the children who would be residing at our manor for the rest of the war. My heart went out to the poor souls. The pain of being torn from one's own family due to the dangers of some ridiculous war, was beyond my own understanding.

But in a way, it wasn't. Mother and Father, bless their souls, had fallen victim to yet another air raid a couple thousand miles away. Unfortunate, yet fortunately, for me; I never knew my parents. You see, my mother had conceived me at the young age of seventeen. Her father, Professor Kirke, disapproved of the pregnancy and the father. Only a month after my birth, I had been from the custody of my mother, who would not give up her love for my father. The process was entirely legal, as my mother was yet again, only seventeen. Only a year below the age of consent. Thankfully, Professor Kirke had fallen in love with me when he first saw me and refused to put me in an orphanage as he originally planned. He tore me away from my real parents and refused to let them visit me.

But, I harbored no ill feelings toward the man. He was still entirely my grandfather. He still put a roof over my head. He put meals before me. He provided everything a growing child needed. I couldn't despise the man even if I tried.

Even so, despite my lack of contact with my parents, the news of their passing took a toll on me. The remaining food on my plate would grow in amount, my cheeks would become hollow. It took much prodding to get me to leave my room each day. Normally I wouldn't speak. Grandfather had said I had fallen into some sort of deep depression.

My attitude changed drastically with the new of the Pevensie children. Their homes were stolen from them. Their father stolen away from them to fight in a dreadful war. Their situation was much more grave and sorrowful than my own. That day it became my first priority to make them as comfortable as possible, which was a great task considering the Macreadie. My comforts to them wouldn't end their pain, of course it wouldn't. But maybe the knowledge that you have a shoulder to lean on will numb the feeling of despair.

And so here I am! Staring dreamily out into the sunlit gardens, scrubbing at dishes. Like a caged bird among the sparrows. All in all however, it was very much worth it. My excitement had never been so high. My steps even held a bounce in them. It wasn't very often that I met new people. It would be quite enjoyable to have someone other than myself to roam our massive estate with. I still haven't explored it all.

But, living in a large estate as this, it obviously has to come with a disadvantage. You practically have no social life. Whatsoever.

Just over the vast gardens, a horse's head slowly came into view above one of the rolling hills. Mrs. Macreadie's body soon came into view as well, but sadly she blocked the view of her passengers. The horse-drawn wagon began to trail up the dirt pathway. Three dark head's of hair became visible soon after.

How queer. I had been informed there would only be two guests, instead of three. One eight year-old, and one ten year-old.

I watched with a confused gaze as Mrs. Macreadie pulled at the reigns. The horses began to slow their paces as they neared the house. The dish in my hand-made a soft cling as I placed it on the counter. The horses nearing the house was my cue to leave the kitchen and hurry to my room. Mrs. Macreadie sternly informed me that if I were to wait by the door, I would come off as over eager.

'In these parts, over excitable and eager children are frowned upon. You are to behave like the well civilized young lady you have been raised to be!' I remember Macreadie lecturing me on my behavior before she left.

But how can I be asked to behave like a young woman? I am barely fourteen, my birthday being a month before.

My aunt Polly, who isn't really my aunt, often told me that my innocence was comparable to a seven year-old. But, now that I think about it, that could have very well been an insult.

But for whatever the matter, I shouldn't be expected to behave like some proper girlish tart! My ears shouldn't be damaged by Macreadie's booming voice every time I make a mistake. The same voice that is currently sounding from downstairs. She's talking so loudly, I would go even as far to say Papa can hear that blasted woman's voice from his study on the top floor!

Even from the third floor I could make out her lecture very clearly. She was going on, giving the children the house rules speech. I was given the same speech when I was old enough to actually understand what had been told to me. But even by then, I wasn't a stranger to the 'Macreadie Customs'. By then I was addressing people by either sir or ma'am. But no 'siring' or 'ma'aming' could save me from the hellish spanking I received after tipping over one of grandfather's busts.

"Annabelle!" Macreadie boomed. "Come down and greet our guests!"

With the volume of her voice, I'm sure even the men at the post office heard her. The post office being located two miles away.

Despite the brief pain and ringing in my ears, her voice still had my feet launching themselves downstairs. Me luckily still attached to them. I carried myself through the many halls and down the three flights of stairs into the entrance hall. Where I received quite the surprise when I reached my destination.

Instead of the predicted eight and ten year-olds that Papa promised, I met the sight of an awkward family of four. Two of them looked to be eight and ten, but two others looked very much older. My breath caught in my throat at the surprise.

The taller boy had to be around my age, possibly older than me. The tall girl (whose vanity I envied) seemed to just be beginning her teens, much like myself. The other two matched Papa's description to a tee. Perhaps he just forgot to inform me of the older two, although that information could have helped me in the long run.

My shock faded quickly. "Hello! My name is Annabelle, as you most likely already know. Welcome to our lovely abode!" I gave a small curtsy.

Unfortunately, this was the way Macreadie demanded I introduce myself to our guests. Overly cheerful, perky, snotty, and clearly fake. Just the thought of how silly I must have looked caused bile to rise in my throat and a blush to powder my cheeks.

Stupid! Stupid!

The guests gave curt nods in response, causing my frown to deepen. Each of the siblings shared a glance. My face was bright red with shame and embarrassment. It was hard to decipher their emotions. Did they dislike me? Or were they just nervous. The latter seemed very likely.

Even the King would pale at the sight of the Mrs. Macreadie.

"Yes, well." Macreadie cleared her throat. "Annabelle this is Susan, Edmund, Lucy, and Peter." Each sibling gave a type of response when Macreadie called their name. Mostly waving. "Children, Annabelle will be showing you to your rooms."

They all gave an understanding nod.

"Yes, Ma'am." I curtsied before walking towards the Pevensies. I lightly gripped Peter's arm. "If you'll follow me this way?"

"Oh, um, of c-course." Peter muttered.

How adorable! Oh hush up now Annabelle.

We walked very briskly up the stairs, determined to evade Macreadie's scornful gaze as quickly as possible. Just as we turned the corner leading to the main hallway I released Peter's arm. As I turned towards them, I couldn't help but notice the look of distaste as they looked at me.

Was I really that bad?

More than likely, they assumed I was just like the Macreadie. The completely ridiculous idea almost caused me to giggle. The Macreadie and I couldn't possibly be anymore different. We were polar opposites, really. Macreadie was strict and demanded absolute obedience, while I was rather loose and a tad bit rebellious. The proof of my rebel side? Sometimes I stole extra helpings at dinner, an act greatly frowned upon by Mrs. Macreadie. She lectured that overweight girls rarely ever got wed.

Now, I have met many overweight women in my short lifetime. They were beautiful and kind. In fact, most of them often had a man on their arms. Not a man who looked bored or distasteful, but a man with the look of pure love in his eyes.

To think that someone thought I was just like that cruel woman hurt me deeply. I certainly didn't mean to come across as something as foul as her. My insecurities wouldn't let me sleep at night if I didn't clear this misconception up right away.

"My apologies for the dreadful formalities." I smiled shyly. "If I hadn't obeyed her commands, the Macreadie would have tanned my hide." I gave them a reassuring smile. "I'm nothing like her."

The tension in the room noticeably lessened. The Pevensies dropped their shoulders, as if they had been attempting to hold themselves higher. Well, if I didn't feel like an utter prat before, I sure do now.

I have to get them to like me. To achieve that, I need to be anti-Macreadie, I need to be me. Au natural.

"Hi, I'm Annabelle, but please feel free to call me Anna or Belle." I offered my hand to Peter, as he seemed to be the leader of the Pevensie clan.

Peter studied my hand carefully. It's as if he doesn't know what to do….shake it, or do that queer gentleman thing where they kiss it. How terribly awkward and adorable. Peter gripped my hand and gave it a firm shake. My smile brightened considerably.

The smile however didn't last long as it was replaced by a sorrowful grimace.

"I offer my condolences for the circumstances of your stay." I stated softly.
Peter gave me a sad smile before pulling his hand back. "I assume you were told, then?"

I gave a slight nod before smiling. "But, let's not allow that to damper your stay. It's fun on it's own, but you need an imagination to make your stay really fun. In fact you ca-"

"So," Edmund cut me off rather rudely. "Where are our rooms?"

Edmund appeared to be the black sheep of the family. Subtly standing away from his siblings, a hateful scowl on his face, glancing at Peter with hate every few seconds, it was quite obvious. But, despite his rudeness, my polite smile didn't waver for a second. Although, I certainly wasn't about to let it slide. There was nothing like a good guilt trip.

"Oh yes! The rooms, silly me!" I laughed cheerfully. "My apologies, Edmund. I'm just not accustomed to having guests my age, the excitement is grand. Again, my apologies."

My hair flowed wildly as I spun on my heel. My feet began to move on auto pilot as we continued walking through the house. The entirety of the manor had been out in my head at a young age. I've walked every hall at least a hundred times. I'd say I could even walk through here blind. It only made sense that I could walk them without really paying attention.

"Ow!"

My eyes widened in fright. I looked over my shoulder in a near instant, looking like a terrified rabbit. My greatest worry was that they had damaged something. Everything in the house was antique. How utterly dreadful it would be if they had broken something on their first day.

Fortunately, nothing seemed to be in harm's way. Nothing was lying in pieces on the floor, thank goodness. Instead of seeing despair, I caught a glimpse of Peter's elbow retracting quickly from Edmund's side. The elder had an intense glare set on his younger brother. Only when he noticed me watching did he turn away and smile. It was the type of smile I gave Macreadie when she asked if I took a cookie before dinner.

With a silent giggle and a giddy smile, I turned my head back. It was sibling rivalry I suppose. Somewhere deep in one of Papa's many books I have read it was healthy for families. It was a matter to be taken seriously in some cases. But, in this case, it was just entertaining to watch.

We finally entered one of the five halls that were decorated entirely with family portraits. This hall, unfortunately contained many photo's of myself as a young child. And, I will admit, I was a queer-looking child.

Here's to wishful thinking that they won't make the connection.

Even so, my gaze lingered on the hundreds of portraits that I had seen innumerable times. Enough to make my eyes bleed, I'm sure. But, everyday, every time I gazed at these portraits, I found a new detail hidden in the depths of the paint. My favorite one had to have been the portrait of my great-grandmother and myself before her unfortunate passing. I was only an infant in the picture, but the way she smiled down upon my sleeping form, let me know that there would always be someone watching me from above.

Now I have three people watching me.

Shaking the gloomy thought away, I instead focused on the three doors ahead of us. The center was my room, the left was for the girls, and the right for the boys. I was to be in the middle so I could attend to their needs if anything was to happen. We came to a stop in front of the girl's room.

With an unnoticeably tired sigh, I opened the door.

"This is to be the girl's room." I smiled and gestured inside. "Lucy, Susan?"

They both scurried past me with their bags, muttering short "Thank you"s.

"Dinner is at five! Make sure you have an appetite!" With that being said, I closed the door.

The remaining two Pevensies stood behind me awkwardly staring at their feet. They must have felt awkward, waiting for a girl to show them their rooms. Without me their lost! Oh that was just sad, Annabelle. Wait a second…

Surprise hit me like a ton of bricks.

As queer as it may seem, I was only now realizing how handsome Peter was. Perhaps it was the absence of most of his siblings that made him look less like a child himself. Goodness, I was only realizing just how tall he was now!

Had I been momentarily blind!?

My sense of sight must have clouded over greatly. He had a strong jaw line for his age, full lips, and his eyes. His eyes were stunning. They reminded me of the sky just before it storms. That deepish grey blue that always made me feel at home.

A blush attacked my cheeks with full force. This newfound information was surely going to get me into a terribly awkward situation.

Relax yourself Annabelle, they're guests. Temporary friends at the most. They are only here because of the war. Remember that.

Oh my goodness, I was staring.

"And now for the boy's room!" I laughed awkwardly.

My pace was quick and uneven and I was soon flinging open the door to the boy's room.

"This will be the boy's room. Pap-Professor Kirke requested that my room be placed in the middle." I explained before quickly adding, "Just in case anyone needs anything."

Edmund nodded, looking extremely irritated and bored. Peter gave me an exasperated smile, glancing down at Edmund. He gave me a "Thank you" before pulling himself and Edmund into the room. Before I went my way, I looked at them seriously.

"The same as I told the girls, dinner at five." A bright smile then lit up my face. "Enjoy your stay!"

"Thank you very much, Anna." Peter elbowed Edmund again, very subtly this time.

As if he hadn't wanted me to notice.

Edmund turned his glare from his brother to me. "Yeah, thanks."

Oh that rude little b- "No problem!"

The smile that resided on my face quickly disappeared after I closed the door. I leaned against the frame and rubbed my sore cheeks tiredly. I sighed as I thought of how much preparation dinner would require. Expecting only two extra guests, I had let the help have the night off.

Good job, Annabelle!

"GYAAH!" Serving dishes threatened to topple from my arms.

Cooking without the help hadn't been so bad. But, it was the actual serving of the food that was proving to be taxing. At the moment, I was balancing three platters on my left arm, holding two pitchers of water in my right arm, and attempting to keep a gravy boat from toppling off my elbow. I could really use some help, but apparently Papa couldn't hear my pleas.

The gravy boat began to tip over again.

"Don't. You. Dare." I growled.

"I heard you needed some assistance?"

The gravy boat crashed against the floor as my body jumped in shock. I turned around as quickly as I could with all of the platters balancing on me. Peter leaned against the door frame causally. He had a large amused grin on his face. His eyes were twinkling with mirth. His beautiful bl-

Stop it Annabelle!

"Oh did you now?" I glared playfully back at the grinning blonde. "Well, from whoever you heard it, they were correct."

The platter holding the ham slipped from my elbow. My cry of shock was quickly replaced by a relieved sigh as Peter caught the platter with incredible speed. He had good reflexes, I'll give him that.

"My hero!" I laughed, causing Peter to join me. "You know, you have great reflexes, you'd make a good soldier."

"I've been told." He smiled down at me. "Anything else you need help with?"

I glanced around the room, taking in all of the unattended platters and trays. Peter also cast a forlorn look to them. I smiled sorrowfully at him, hoping he would get the message.

"What do you think?" I asked pitifully.

With Peter's help, we managed to get all of the platters, trays, gravy boats (Yes, I had extra.) , and pitchers out of the kitchen and onto the dining table. We arranged them carefully, him telling me what his siblings would need to reach, and I telling him what Macreadie prefers. We made a fantastic team.

With a triumphant sigh, I sat the last dish down in front of Papa, a simple bowl of onion soup. It's odd, I know. You would think a man who lived in such a grand estate with a gracious amount of money, would demand the highest quality venison that can be found. Instead, Papa prefers just a simple bowl of onion soup.

"Hello my little butterfly!" Papa smiled fondly at me.

I blushed at the nickname before planting a kiss on the withering man's cheek. "Good evening, sir."

Papa looked up at me offended. He scoffed and tsked at me. "What have I said about this "sir" nonsense. I am your grandfather and I demand that you relinquish these odd formalities!"

I almost complied, but the sharp look I received from Macreadie made the words die in my throat.

"As you wish." I sat down in front of Papa, and beside Peter.

As if given a silent order, everyone began to fill their plates. I stuck with a few bread rolls and a slice of ham. Anymore and Macreadie would have snapped at me, which wouldn't be pleasant in front of guests.

"So Annabelle, my butterfly, I see that the apples are still ripe as ever." Papa began randomly. "It would be a shame if those beautiful pieces of fruit were to go wasted. There is a strong winter coming, it will destroy those apples in no time."

I was thoroughly confused, don't get me wrong. But, Papa had the odd quirk to bring up past conversations to a new in an irrelevant situation. Sometimes I found it fun, other times I was just plainly confused.

"Well, I shall make sure to visit the orchard tomorrow afternoon." I smiled, making sure to swallow my food before speaking.

"Why, you should take one of our guests with you." Macreadie suggested, although it sounded more like a demand.

I noticed the looks the Pevensies shared. With a house full of history, I wouldn't want to go outside to some silly orchard either. Lucy however, looked excited.

"I'll go with her!" She shouted giddily, causing Macreadie to glare at her. "I love apples!"

I smiled across the table at her. Her large smile was enough to brighten up the room. Ah, the advantages of such youth. I don't think I ever really had a childhood. What with Macreadie around, it would be hard to.

"Well it's settled." Papa smiled before taking a spoon of soup into his mouth.

My feet were aching as I trudged up the stairs and into my room. There was a monster growling inside of my stomach. With Macreadie watching my every move, there wasn't a chance to steal extra. That and I was too immersed in conversation with Papa and Peter. Turns out we have a few of the same interests. We all loved history. Peter was mainly interested in the wars of our grand history, and Papa knew more than enough about the subject to keep a steady conversation going.

Speaking of the Pevensies, they trudged along behind me, whispering conversations between themselves. It makes me wish I had a sibling. Preferably a younger sister. We could complain about the Macreadie and I would have someone to share my chores with.

It's of no use to dream about an unattainable paradise, Annabelle.

After reaching my door, I whispered a "Good night." to the Pevensies before entering my room. Inside I sighed and undid the ties of my dress. I quickly peeled off my clothing and replaced it with an old night-gown. Papa had given the old gown to me as a present on my 12th birthday. Apparently the gown belonged to my mother when she was ten. Thankfully, I was still malnourished enough to fit in it.

I slipped underneath the silken bed sheets, my body aching in protest at the excessive movements. As I stared up at the ceiling, I couldn't help but think about my parents. It made sense seeing as they painted a small mural on the ceiling. It was a simple large heart made of their handprints, on the inside of the heart there was a small little pink hand print. It was mine.

The sounds of quiet footsteps brought me out of my thoughts. There was a door creaking open slowly. Don't they know that it doesn't creak if you open it fast? Hushed whispers followed the creak. I smiled knowingly before rolling over on my side.

I wish I had a sibling…

_-I would like to make it clear, when I say queer I mean the original definition "odd, weird, etc.". Just clarifying :) -_