The Golden Age of the Pevensies

Pranked

‘And no strolling off into the forest until we return, okay?’
‘Yes Pete! Got it,’ smiled Lucy.
‘I expect both of you to listen to him, and no fooling around the bushes.’
‘Of course, Su. You needn’t worry,’ reassured Edmund.

‘You’re not taking your horses?’ he questioned.

‘Nope, Ed. We’ll discuss just like the old times,’ saying so, Peter and Susan wandered into the forest. Peter and Susan Pevensies, the High King and Queen of Narnia, who had taken a day off, just to relax and spend time with their siblings    and talk over important matters regarding Edmund and Lucy, and their kingdom.

‘“Old times”, he said,’ Lucy was staring in the direction where Peter and Susan had just gone, with a slight smile on her lips. ‘Ed, can you really believe it’s been six months since we’ve become Kings and Queens of Narnia?’ she asked, looking up to her elder brother.

‘Not really, Lu. All I know is that I’m pretty much still the old Edmund who loved playing pranks on you,’ he teased.

‘Oh! Ed,’ Lucy laughed and he joined in.

Taking his eight year old sister’s hand, Edmund pointed towards Peter and Susan’s horses, which were tied to a tree trunk nearby. ‘Now, Queen Lucy, do you see what I mean?’

Lucy looked at Edmund and said, ‘You’re on’ and both of them walked towards the creatures, big, fat grins plastered on their faces.

                                                         … … …

‘No Lu, you take that branch. The other one’s too far. Besides, you’re going to fall off if you sit on such a thin branch!’

Edmund was helping Lucy climb a tree, to collect more fruits for their picnic. ‘I’ve got most of them Ed, I think I’ll come down now,’ Lucy sounded excited.

‘We’re back,’ announced Susan, coming into the clearing with a basket full of berries. ‘Found these delicacies on the way,’ she smiled. Peter followed, but he had a slight frown on his face. ‘Can’t find the horses, Su. Do you think they’ve just gone somewhere on their own?’ he asked, his voice a little troubled.

‘Gone? Pete, they were not Talking Beasts. They were the Dumb Ones, there’s no way they could’ve gone somewhere!’

Edmund helped Lucy down the tree, mischief playing in their eyes. Their eyes seemed to carry on a pretty good conversation all by themselves:

‘It’s taking shape, Lu. I can’t wait to see their reactions!’

‘Ed! You are a genius! Why didn’t we do this more often in Finchley?’

‘Well, I was a sad and miserable excuse for a big brother back then. But I’ve changed now, and I promise to be by your side, always; from now on.’

‘Ed! I always knew you were not a bully! But let’s not talk now, we need to hear what Su and Pete are saying. Come on!’

‘Peter! Someone’s helped them escape. Maybe even stolen them. What if, it’s one of the Witch’s followers?’

‘Su, we already checked this area twice, didn’t we? Nobody from the Witch’s army here. Are you…quite sure we tied them properly?’

‘Yes, they were tied Pete. We saw them, didn’t we Lu?’

‘We did. Edmund’s right, Su.’

‘I … I think there’s someone else in the woods, other than the four of us. For example, Lu was…’

‘Oh! Let me tell! Let me tell! I heard some footsteps of a man running through the trees. The horses could have gone with him.’

‘What? And you’re telling that to us now? Lu and Ed you do understand that we’re not completely safe here, don’t you? If you let your guard down, you may…’ At this, Lucy started laughing hysterically, clutching her stomach.

‘Lu! You should’ve kept it up a bit longer,’ scolded Edmund, but neither could he control his giggles. He gave up trying and joined Lucy, who was now sitting on the ground, and trying very hard not to roll on the grass, laughing her heart out.

Peter and Susan stood completely stunned for a while, recouping from the suddenness of the events. Finally, having recovered from the shock, Susan opened her mouth to scold her siblings for their childish ways and Peter wanted to smack both of them on their heads after the cardiac arrest they had almost given him, but neither could do so; all that actually happened was Peter and Susan themselves burst out laughing, and joined Edmund and Lucy, bringing all of them into a tight, warm and reassuring hug. And for the first time, High King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just and Queen Lucy the Valiant had become what they truly were-four thirteen, twelve, ten and eight year olds, sent away from home during the War, and who truly loved one another till the very end of their lives.