Narnia : Love From Different Worlds [ON HOLD]

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - Too Different<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Have you ever returned to a place that made such a big impact on your life, and it just didn't feel right?<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Edmund bumped the large suitcase up a large staircase to a grand mansion. It was built with old grey stone and looked stunning from the outside, surrounded by perfectly green grass that ran inside a fence made of maple trees. Behind the house stood a forest of over 100acres. The houses on either side were more then a mile away. this is what it was like living in the county.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Sir, can I be of any assist to you?" Mr. Twaler noted as the suitcase thumped up the stairs, echoing between the large pillars at the front of the house supporting a balcony on the second floor.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"It's ok... I... Got it" Edmund breathed heavily as he thudded up the last few stairs. When he reached the top, he leaned on the suitcase, which standing up right was nearly as tall as Lucy. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Susan and Lucy walked up the steps, admiring the grand house. Peter came behind them, trying too see the house as he did the first time. It looked almost stranger-like, nothing at all like his first stay at the manor. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />There were no horses and no stables to keep them in. The pond had been drained and there was no sign of a dog running through the yard, excitedly greeting them. The house seemed much quieter. And proper too. The first time the Pevensies had been here, it was almost three years ago. The house was lively and strict. But not this strict. It seemed a little too quiet for any of the children's liking.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Where's Duke?" Lucy asked, looking around for the small but eager Beagle. He was no where in sight, neither were his paw-dug holes or chipper barks.<br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Professor Kirke requested for the dog to be sent away." Mr. Twaler said sophisticated. Lucy gasped.<br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Did he... Die?" <br style="line-height: 17px;" />"No miss, he was simply too much trouble for the home."<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Lucy's face turned into a frown. Duke had been one of the few reasons she wanted to return to the house. Last time the children had been at the house, Lucy spent most of her hours with him, as there weren't that many children close by. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Mr. Twaly noticed Lucy's expression. "The Professor was getting too old to take care of him. Therefore he as taken to another home that would tend to him better then we were capable of." <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Butler or not, Mr. Twaly was a good man. Although his job was only to work for Professor Kirke, he continued to pursue and make sure his clients were happy. Susan smiled and rapped her arm around Lucy's shoulder. <br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Let's go inside Lu." Susan motioned to the door and Mr. Twaly stepped in front of them, welcomingly opening the large newly-painted white door.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />The inside of the house was warm, Peter spotted a fireplace burning wood in the large room on the left. In fact, every room was large. Even the pantry was completed with 10 foot high ceilings. Everyone gazed around the entrance of the house, leading a glazed dark wood staircase. The floors and most of the walls were wood too. The house was furnished with antique furniture that look more then a decade old. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Tiredly, Lucy waddled over and plopped herself down on a large red velvet armchair. She sunk into it, relaxing and closing her eyes. Moments later a women dressed in a light blue dress strode down the stairs, stopping at the banister at the bottom to inspect the children. She looked at each of them disapprovingly as if they were covered in germs that they were bringing into the house.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />She coughed loudly on purpose, getting Lucy's attention. Her eyes shot open, startled and looked at the stern looking woman. None of the children recognized her from their last visit to the manor. The all looked at her, awaiting for the woman to speak.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />She looked around, returning their gaze then peered out one of the large windows at the front of the house.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Welcome, Pevensie children to Professor Kirke's mansion. I have been told that you have visited before so i assume you know the rules." The woman said, looking directly at Edmund, probably assuming he was the trouble maker. After she looked away, Edmund rolled his eyes. What profanity this woman had; a quick welcome and instantly started on the rules of the house. All four children could tell they would be having disagreements with her during their weekend at the house. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />She looked back at them and continued, after none of them had replied to her. "There will be no yelling, running, touching of anything delicate or leaving the house without mine or the Proffesor's consent. Is that understood?" Everyone nodded obediently, but they all knew the strict rules would be broken plenty of times during their visit. Why they had even agreed to come was starting to be questioned. The house had turned more into a jail then it had been before they came. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"You must ALL be in bed at 9 o'clock sharp." she looked this time at Peter. "I will show you to your room now." The woman returned up the steps, not picking up or even offering to help Edmund with the suitcase.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />The others darted up the stairs after her, Edmund lugging the suitcase after him. THUG, THUG, THUG went the suitcase as it was being dragged up the stairs. The woman adburtly stopped in her tracks and pivoted on her heel to face Edmund.<br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Do try and be a bit quieter." she instructed him as she continued up the steps. One they reached the top, the woman turned left, leading them all down a long hallway. One she reached the end, she pulled out a key from a pocket it her dress and slid it in the door handel, unlocking it. She opened the door, motioned everybody into the room and shut the door quickly. "Goodnight." she called from the other side of the door as she locked it.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Wait!" Lucy called. "It's only 7 and we haven't had supper yet!" by that time, footsteps lead away from the door, leaving the four kids in a large room with four single beds. Peter walked over and lay down the one closet to the window. He leaned back, sighing. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Edmund walked over and sat in the bed next to him. <br style="line-height: 17px;" />"I can't believe we came back here. I would much rather be with Aunt Helen and Uncle Simon right now, even if it meant doing chores."<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Susan, who was already unpacking the clothes and stuffing them in an empty wooden dresser looked up at her brothers. "I think we all would Ed, but we can't forget why we came." <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Why don't we go check now then?" Lucy moaned, playing with the tassel on a pillow.<br style="line-height: 17px;" />"We can't remember? She locked the door. We'll check tomorrow." <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />After unpacking and settling in, the four siblings sat in a circle on Lucy and Susan's bed pushed together. They were entertaining themselves by playing with a deck of cards Edmund had in his backpack.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Do you think it's always going to be like this?" Lucy said, dropping the 9 of spades on a pile of other cards in the middle of the beds.<br style="line-height: 17px;" />"I hope not." Peter said.<br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Why would it be?" Susan mentioned as Edmund laid down a 9 of hearts on the deck. "They would' t have agreed for us to visit if they were going keep us in our room the whole time." <br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Maybe that's why they did." Edmund replied. "If they knew we were'nt going to cause them any trouble, it wouldn't have made a difference if we were here or not." he reasoned.<br style="line-height: 17px;" />"We'll probably be able to go around the house tomorrow, maybe even go outside." Peter pointed out, obviously trying to lighten everyone's disappointed feelings.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"The only real way to know is to wait and find out." Susan said. She placed her last card down on the pile and slide under the covers of her bed, bumping Edmund and making him move onto the other bed.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Susan's right. And i think it's time we all get to bed, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." Peter stood up and walked over to his bed. Once everyone else had pulled the covers over them, Susan pulled the lamp's cord, making the whole room turn dark. The only light was the full moon shining through the satin drapes of the large window in the old manor. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Peter closed his eyes slowly. Hopefully, he thought, tomorrow they would find what they were looking for.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />The morning came earlier then expecting. Light once again shined through the windows of the Pevensie's room. They all awoke to the sound of someone pounding on the door.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Children wake up!" the voice boomed. So much for the "no yelling" rule. Peter automatically recognized it as the stern lady from last night's "welcoming". Apparently the rules didn't apply to adults.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />He rubbed his eyes wearily, sitting up in the warm bed. Each child was only given a knitted blanket, but the house was very well heated so he was fine during the night. Peter's topless body almost shimmered from the sun's rays. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Edmund was the first to talk as the noise of the key slipping into the lock was made. Although he didn't exactly talk- it was more of a groan. Edmund turned over on his stomach and pulled the pillow up to his ear trying to block out the woman's voice.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />As she pushed the door open with much force, making a loud creaking noise. "It is time for breakfast. Come downstairs." she ordered, looking disapprovingly at each child once more. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"What time is it?" Susan moaned, sitting up from her bed as well, scratching her head. <br style="line-height: 17px;" />"6am. Now get up, get prepared and come downstairs." the woman ordered. Her eyes shot to Peter and frowned.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"And young man, it is not appropriate to not be wearing a shirt in such of a place. Make sure you put one on before coming downstairs." with that, the woman closed the door once more, leaving it unlocked and trudged down the stairs.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />A giggle came from the bed next to Susan. All eyes turned in that direction. Lucy peeped out from under the covers. "You better put a shirt on Peter, who know's what punishment you would get for that one!" <br style="line-height: 17px;" />Edmund smiled, showing the smallest bit of enjoyment the whole trip. Susan and Peter joined in too. At least Lucy was making acceptable jokes now.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Slowly, they all managed to change into clothes and grouch down the stairs wearily. The house looked much nicer with natural light opposed to electric they had seen last night when they arrived.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Edmund lead the way, guiding his siblings through the almost- unrecognizable house they had once stayed in for almost a year. The children passed a woman dressed in a white dress, her hair in a bun. She was vacuuming a large room with a stunning red carpet, a grand fireplace and gold velvet couches. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Good morning children." she said as they passed, turning off the vacuum. Her voice was much more cheery then the other woman. The maid had blond hair and very pale skin. Her smile was huge however.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Peter nodded hello as he kept walking, the other muttered sleepy "hellos" and continued to the kitchen. The maid turned the vacuum back on and kept at her job.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />The kitchen was large, white stone floors and clear walls without a speck of dirt. Normally they would eat at the dinning table, but not being used to the posh life, they steered to the kitchen. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />The smell of bacon was strong and the clatter of spatulas and bowls hitting each other was vibrant. Three chefs hard at work stood with their backs faced to the children, preparing the second set of breakfast. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Lucy strode up to the chef, standing next to him. He jumped a little, starteled but slowly returned back to normal. <br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Miss, you're not supposed to be in here." he said calmly, his accent was very strong. "Please go to the dinning hall, food is already on the table." <br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Which way is that? Sorry, it's our first day here." Lucy replied. When the chef heard her say "our", he turned around, moved by the three other hungry kids watching him. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />He nodded towards the entrance they had come from. "Just to your left" Susan pivoted on her heel, exited for breakfast. The others followed her into the cream and royal blue coloured room. The stern woman was already there, sitting at the end of a large wood table. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Where's Professor Kirke?" Susan asked the woman after sitting down and snatching a small loaf, putting it on her plate. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />The woman didn't reply at first. She kept her head lowered, focused on spreading jam on her toast. Finally she raised her eyes to meet Susan's. "He's away. You are not to be asking questions about his where abouts is that understood?" <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />Susan nodded, wide eye, and took a bite of her loaf. If the woman had even bothered to mention the last bit, it meant he was away somewhere really secretive . It only made the children want to find out more. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />The woman raised her head again and gazed over the four tiered children. "until his return, I will be taking his place. You are all to address me as Madame Minx." she nodded to the four children, stood up and marched out of the room, leaving it silent.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"What's her problem?" Edmund mustered, chewing on a piece of waffle at the same time. "I mean, nobody can be that rude for no reason!" he spat out a piece of food while chewing, Lucy looked at him in disgust.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"She's not rude-" Susan began. "She's just strict." <br style="line-height: 17px;" />"Well she doesn't have to be that strict." Peter added, then sipping on a glass of milk. <br style="line-height: 17px;" />Susan sighed. "She's probably just afraid we're going to cause alot of trouble and thinks if she can scare us, we'll feel intimidated by her and won't do anything bad." <br style="line-height: 17px;" />Edmund started to laugh, it was almost impossible for him to go atleast one day without pulling some sort of joke. "Bully." Lucy joked, the tips of her mouth curved into a smile. So did the other's, realizing what they had to do so that their visit at Kirke's Manor would be entertaining.<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />"I've got an idea what we can do after breakfast." Lucy said proudly, chugging down the last bit of orange juice and standing up. "Follow me."<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />The others got up, leaving their un-finished dishes on the table and hurried up the stairs after Lucy. She turned corner, took side stairs and ran down hallways, finally reaching a door that looked identical to all the other ones in the house. It was dark brown, and had cream dust-boards. <br style="line-height: 17px;" /><br style="line-height: 17px;" />She placed her hand on the door knob and turned it carefully. Nobody bothered to ask what she was doing, they all knew exactly what.</pre>