The Golden Age of the Pevensies

Forever(Part 1)

Hello! Not a Golden Age story, but it's set just after the Pevensies returned from Narnia the first time. I would like to thank ineffable_narnia for sharing the story prompts with me! Enjoy.

                                 Forever(Part 1)

'Edmund! You cannot take every single one of your possessions out! We are just going out for one night,' Susan scolded.

'And in the backyard too,' Peter added.

'Ok fine! I lose...the backyard wouldn't have been hurt if I'd taken my games with me, anyway,' Edmund retorted. With only Peter to deal with, Edmund could have sneaked out one of his chess sets to play with Lucy after dinner, but with Susan literally shooing them out of the house, he knew better than arguing with his older sister. Sure, she was one of the gentlest creatures you'd ever encounter-that's what had earned her the title of the Gentle Queen in Narnia-but she could be really strict when she wanted to and her siblings knew it.

'Hurry up!!! We are going to be late!' shouted Lucy barging in and  grabbing Edmund's free hand, she almost dragged him out of the room.

'Lu! Lucy! Hold on, you're spilling everything!' Edmund laughed. Lucy finally let go of his hand when they had crossed the corridor that led to their rooms in Professor Kirke's house and were now at the top of the stairs leading to the living room.

'You're really excited about this, aren't you?' Edmund looked down at his little sister, who could not stop grinning ever since she had woken up this morning. In fact, she had barged into the boys' room at 6:03 am and leapt on Peter's bed, shouting with glee. A sleepy-eyed, yawning Susan had followed soon after, declaring that Lucy had been dreaming of the picnic they'd have the next day, all night; and hadn't let her sleep a wink, because she kept recalling the wonderful experiences they'd had in camps before.

'Of course, I am, Ed. This is our first camp after coming back from Narnia,' she beamed.

Edmund smiled too. Narnia...a word which had changed his life completely. It filled his heart with a pleasant feeling, and brought back his worst fears. It had given him his most precious memories...it had pained him enough to give him a lifetime's worth of nightmares. It had showed him how to love and be loved, and what the consequences of betrayal could be. Lucy saw her brother's painful smile and hugged him; she knew how much he'd appreciated it even though he hadn't said anything. And he knew that he didn't need to tell her how much he loved her for being there for him, whenever he needed someone by his side. Peter would go to any lengths to protect him, he knew that; as would Susan, to help him up whenever he was down, but Lucy was, well, Lucy. Her presence could cheer anyone up, she could radiate positive energy everywhere she went and was Edmund's partner in crime in all the traps they'd set up around the castle for an unsuspecting Susan and Peter to have the time of their lives! ('Perks of being a King or Queen and making laws for yourselves,' Edmund would grin.)

Besides, Lucy looked up to Edmund and appreciated his strengths more often than anyone else, because she knew he needed to know that he deserved the Narnians' love and support, especially when others often kept hinting at how he was overshadowed by Peter. Edmund pulled her down the stairs, carefully carrying their bags down. They walked towards the backyard, under the huge oak tree, where they were to set up the tents. They fell to unpacking their things when they noticed Peter and Susan heading towards them, laughing and excited. It seemed like Susan had stopped worrying about their father, even if it was just for a moment; and Peter had gone back to being the fun-loving, care-free boy he had been before suddenly being thrust into the position as protector of his family, and later, of an entire Kingdom. If only they could be like this...for ever....

The Professor had promised them that he would accompany them this time, and Mrs. Macready had graciously accepted the offer too. She was in the kitchen, baking cookies for them to enjoy. Susan soon declared she was going to check if she needed any help. The boys had already started putting up their tents and Lucy ran back and forth between them, handing them the tools they needed. It took them about half an hour to get the job done.

'We need firewood for the bonfire. Do you reckon we'll get any logs to sit on?'

'I don't think so...this IS a backyard after all, even if its awfully big,' Edmund smiled. He knew what had caused their faces to break into grins...they were thinking of the wardrobe in the spare room.

'I could get some cushions from the house!' Lucy piped up.

'Only if the Professor allows, Lu.'

'And what makes you think I wouldn't, young man?' said Professor Kirke and threw a cushion at Peter, who quickly swiveled his head right and caught it with an outstretched arm. Susan and Mrs. Macready came behind him, with more cushions and a tray full of delectable, chocolate cookies which smelled like Heaven!

...................................................