Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia. The only thing I own is the plot that you might not recognise, any OC's that you will be introduced to throughout the story, and on occasion Peter and Edmund, because they're just so hot ;).
The howl of the German planes above us in the night sky told me that another raid was here and that I had to get my family to the shelter. Sirens and explosions echoed around, and I knew that everyone was in great danger now. I saw Mother run into the sitting room, and heard her cry of fear and slight disappointment.
"Edmund! Get away from there! Peter!?" Mother called my name, I knew this was no joke, so I ran into the sitting room, just in time to see Mother place her hands on Edmund's shoulders and look him in the eye. "What do you think you're doing!?" Her anguished cries were enough to make even the strongest of us stand frozen. "Peter, quickly, the shelter. Now!" She cried, as she pushed Edmund toward me. I tried to pull Edmund with me, as Mother gathered the last few bits and pieces that we would need. Edmund struggled, but I finally managed to get him to come with me, by telling him to leave it.
I saw Susan run into her room, and could faintly hear Lucy screaming for Mother, but I knew Susan would get her out in time. I swept around, looking for things that we would need in the shelter, only to see Lucy and Susan come down the stairs. Mother grabbed Lucy's hand, I grabbed Edmund's wrist, and we ran out into the backyard.
"Run!" I yelled, as if doing so would make them run even faster. Lucy's cries could be heard even with the sirens and explosions, and I could only imagine what this was doing to her.
Edmund then managed to break my grip on his wrist, as he said something about Dad, and dashed back into the house. I didn't have time for this.
"Edmund no!" I heard Mother cry, as fear pulsed through my veins.
"I'll get him!" I yelled to her, adrenaline kicked through my veins as I heard her scream.
"Peter, come back!" But I was too far gone
"Ed! Come here!" I yelled, as he raced back into the sitting room. I heard the whistle of a bomb, and I knew that it was too close.
"Edmund! Get down!" I yelled, as I tackled Ed onto the ground, just as the window of the sitting room exploded into tiny shards of glass. I couldn't believe that he would be so stupid as to risk his own life, not to mention give his own mother a heart attack.
"Come on, you idiot, run!" I yelled, as I pulled him up by his arm, but he picked up a fallen and cracked portrait of Father in his army uniform. I could hear the droning engines of the German planes, and see the breathe in front of my face, as I panted heavily as Edmund and I ran to our mother waiting anxiously in the bomb shelter.
I pushed Edmund down onto the floor of the shelter, and looked at him in disbelief.
"Why can't you think of anyone but yourself? You're so selfish! You could've gotten us killed!" I yelled at him. I would have said more, but Mother cut me off.
"Stop it!" She cried. She then looked down at Edmund, and pulled him into a comforting hug.
"Why can't you just do as you're told?" I whispered, as the disappointment started to settle deep inside my stomach. He looked at me with the brown eyes that I could never resist from him when he was younger, and even though he was stupid and reckless, he was still my brother, he was still my family, and I still loved him, cared for him, and respected him, and I would until the day I died.
I took a deep breathe, that was filled with rage, and slammed the door of the bomb shelter shut. It took hours for me to fall asleep that night, as all I could hear were the dropping bombs and explosions as they shook the ground around us.
TRAIN STATION
The next morning, it was time to say goodbye to Mother. She had enrolled all of us in a program that swore to protect the children of the war. There was chatter everywhere around me, everywhere I looked there were grief-stricken parents and children, weeping mothers, crying children. Some of them were saying goodbye for now, some of them might have even been saying goodbye forever. No Peter, don't think like that. A whistle was blown sharply to my right. I flinched slightly, covered my ear and received an apologetic look from the one who blew it.
"Alms for the poor!" I could hear someone repeating over and over.
"Children and evacuation staff…" The overhead announcement system started to say something, but I droned it out, as I turned my attention back to my mother. She was pinning one of the labels onto Lucy's jacket, as Lucy held her favourite stuffed toy, Tigs, under her arm.
"You need to keep this on, darling. Alright?" She whispered, as she looked at Lucy with loving eyes. I remembered when I used to hurt myself when I was younger, and mother would always show me those eyes as she tended to my injuries. I would miss her dearly, but I needed to remain strong for my family. "You warm enough?" Lucy nodded her head. "Good girl." Mother finally finished putting Lucy's label on, and rubbed her hands up and down Lucy's arms in a way of comforting her.
I looked to a poster about the war, only to see the picture captioned, "Housing Evacuees is a National Service". I wasn't too happy about leaving Mother here, but it was her decision to stay and help out in any way she could.
"If Dad were here, he wouldn't make us go." Edmund grumbled as Mother knelt down to his level to pin on his label. I couldn't help but turn to him and glare.
"If Dad were here, it'd mean the war was over, we wouldn't have to go." I said knowingly. Edmund just glared at me, until Mother pulled his attention back onto her, and my attention went back to the other evacuees around the station with their teary goodbyes. This war isn't going to last forever Peter, you'll be back home before you know it. Stay logical for Susan. Stay playful for Lucy. Stay protective for Edmund.
"You will listen to you brother, won't you Edmund?" Mother asked. Edmund just grumbled his agreement. Mother stood up, and tried to bring Edmund in for a hug, but he refused. Mother tried not to let it phase her, but you could see that it did. She placed a small kiss on his forehead, and let him go about a minute later so she could start saying goodbye to the others.
She pulled me in for a hug, and I knew that she was regretting not coming with us, every moment that passed.
"Promise me you'll look after the others." She whispered in my ear.
"I will, Mum. I promise." I whispered, hoping she didn't notice that my voice cracked.
She pulled away, but not before looking at me, and studying me. She probably saw a lot more of Dad in me than herself.
"Good man." She whispered. Another whistle was blown, and I heard a man cry.
"All aboard! All aboard!" That was our cue. Mother said her goodbyes to Susan and Lucy, and we all walked over to the woman with our tickets to the train.
"Hey, get off. I know how to get on a train by myself." Edmund whined, as Susan dragged him stubbornly behind her.
I saw a man in army uniform, and looked up to him. I wonder if I could be like him one day. Willing to sacrifice my life for my country. They would finally see me as a true leader. I only just realised that the woman was currently asking for the tickets in my hands, as Susan sighed and ripped them out of my hands, handed them over to the woman, smiling apologetically as she went.
"That's right. On you go." She smiled sadly.
"Yes. Thank you." I thanked the lady, as I was not raised without manners. Lucy tried to stop and look back at Mother, so I stopped and leant down to her level.
"Everything's gonna be alright. It's gonna be fine." I whispered, as Lucy and I walked onto the train, Lucy having a solid grip on my hand. We found the nearest window we could and stuck our heads out and started to look for our Mother. We found her at the exact moment she found us, and we started waving and yelling at her as the train started to move.
"Goodbye Mum! We'll miss you!" I cried. We found a small compartment with two other children in it. I picked up Lucy's suitcase and put it up in the overhead compartment. I tried to help with Edmund's, but he just brushed me off. We all sat down and got comfortable, and watched the countryside and hills roll past the window. I looked out, and wondered what it would be like at the Professor's. It had been a while since I visited the country.
We pulled up at many different stations along the way.
"Goosey Station. Goosey Station." The conductor cried. The two children that we were sharing the compartment with got off here, and it really got me wondering when our stop would finally come.
The trip continued for a few more hours, and I couldn't help but notice the green of the hills and trees that raced past the window of the train. Oh, how would it be to sit out in an apple orchard for hours on end.
We finally reached our destination, Coombe Halt Station. We heard the splutter of an engine, and raced down the platform to meet our ride. But unfortunately for us, it wasn't. The driver ignored us and kept driving across the railroad tracks, and down the dirt road.
"The professor knew we were coming." Susan said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Perhaps we've been incorrectly labelled." Edmund though aloud, as he picked his label up and studied it carefully. That's when we heard it. The slight crack of a whip and a woman's voice.
"Come on, hup!" She cried. Then from around the corner, came an incredible, white Percheron horse, pulling a wooden carriage. "And whoa. Whoa." The woman halted the horse, and he listened amazingly. She looked down at us, and Susan and I shared a look.
"Mrs Macready?" I asked, a little unsure.
"I'm afraid so." She replied, as she looked down on us still. This woman can really scare someone. Her Scottish accent was thick, and the glasses she wore only made her look more terrifying, as it made her eyes look even beadier. "Is this it, then? Haven't you brought anything else?" She asked, probably double checking.
"No, ma'am," I started as I looked at what we had. "It's just us." I finished.
"Small favours." She whispered. She left us to get ourselves up into the carriage, and turned the horse around for home. I had never wanted to live in the country. Too much space for me.
We came upon a dirt road with green pastures on either side, and as we trotted up along this road, a dapple grey horse came shooting next to us on the right side.
She looked magnificent, and I wasn't talking about the horse. The girl that sat upon the naked horse's back, had wavy blonde hair, and from what I could see the greenest eyes that could rival the pastures she was riding. She didn't wear a helmet, but then again who did? She laughed at the Macready, as she urged her horse forward. The white horse that pulled the carriage quickened its pace, but was quickly slowed down by Mrs Macready.
"Watch yourself Kelly!" Another strange voice followed. Another girl came out of the trees on a golden horse, also bareback, but she was younger than the first girl. She had blonde hair like the other girl, but she had brown eyes. I wouldn't be surprised if they were sisters.
"I've been watching myself since before you were born Danyelle. Do you really think I need to watch myself now?" The girl, I now knew as Kelly teased back.
"Those girls will be the death of us all." I heard the Macready sigh. We reached the manor that stood tall and proud, and got out of the carriage. I saw the two girls from the pasture, sneak into the house through another entrance, probably to avoid the scolding that would most definitely be coming later from the Macready.
We followed the Macready into the manor, and looked around in astonishment and awe. This place was incredible!
"Professor Kirke is not accustomed to havin' children other than his granddaughters in this house, and, as such, there are a few ruled we need to follow. There will be no shoutin', or runnin'. No improper use of the dumbwaiter. No touchin' of the historical artefacts!" She shouted as Susan went to touch a bust. I shared an amused look with Edmund, but Susan just looked annoyed. I saw a flash of blonde out of my peripheral vision, and looked up to see the two girls from before leaning over the balcony from one of the top floors, looking down at the Macready giving the tour. They stood there laughing at Susan's face. I might get along with them then.
"And above all, there shall be no disturbin' of the Professor." She whispered, and smiled a sadistic smile as she lead us to the sitting room.
"Kelly! Danyelle! Come down here and meet our guests!" She shouted. Not seconds after did she yell, did the two girls appear.
"Honoured to meet you. My name is Kelly." The girl curtsied, then stood straight with a smile. But I could tell that it was all fake. I could tell that the Macready made her do that to guests.
"My name is Danyelle." The other girl whispered as she also dipped into a curtsey.
"Please to meet you Kelly and Danyelle. My name is Peter, and these are my sisters, Susan and Lucy, and my brother Edmund." I introduced us all. There were some quiet and shy greetings from Susan and Lucy, but absolutely nothing from Edmund. I discreetly elbowed him in the ribs only for him to glare at me.
"Hello." He sneered.
"I'll show you to your rooms." Kelly said, as Danyelle walked off somewhere to do God knows what.
"So this is Kirke Manor. Yes it is big, yes it is like a maze, and no we will never find you again if you get lost." She joked. I laughed lightly, as did Lucy and that only made the girl smile even more.
We walked through many hallways, and I tried to keep it all in my head, in case I ever did get lost, but so far it wasn't helping.
"So these are your rooms. We have one for the boys to my left," She started and opened the door, "and the one on the right is for the girls." She finished as she opened up their door.
"My room is right in the middle, so if you need anything, anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. Dinner will be at six o'clock sharp, so please don't be late, and don't forget to freshen up." She smiled, and as she started to walk away, I did the only thing a gentleman would do.
"Kelly!" I cried. She turned around rather quickly, with a questionable look on her face.
"Thank you." I thanked her. Another broad grin appeared on her face, and I realised that I wanted to see more of it. More of her. Tomorrow, I made it my goal to get to know her before the war becomes non-existent and my family and I have to go back to Finchley.
"You're welcome Peter." She said back.
- -TMG- -
It was dinnertime, and I was starving. I walked down to the kitchen, (I got directions from a passing maid who was very helpful), and left the others to finish washing up. I walked into the kitchen to see Kelly with a bunch of plates all along her arm. One was about to fall, so I rushed over to her side, and grabbed it from her. She jumped in surprised, but luckily none of the other plates threatened to fall.
"Thank you Peter." She whispered, and smiled a beautiful smile.
"You're welcome. Would you like me to place this somewhere?" I asked her. She nodded her head and brought me over to the dining table. There at the head, sat the Professor.
"Grandpa, I would like you to meet Peter. He's one of the evacuees that is staying here until the war ends." She introduced me to him. He held out his hand.
"Professor Diggory Kirke. Whichever you would like to call me is fine dear boy." I shook his hand, and smiled a warm smile just like Mother taught me.
"The pleasure is all mine sir. I wish to thank you for extending this invitation to my family. We greatly appreciate it." I thanked him with all the politeness that I owned.
"Peter, dear boy, no need for the politeness. I'm sure if I was in your shoes, you would do the same for me." He whispered.
"Sorry we're late." Susan whispered, as Edmund, Lucy and herself slunk into the room. "We got lost." She put her head down like she was ashamed.
"No, do not be sorry. I should be the one apologising. I should have met you up there and walked down here with you. I'm so sorry, I forgot." Kelly bit her bottom lip, and I found that my eyes were trained on it, more often than they were for any girl. I forced myself to look away, but not before I caught the knowing gaze of Danyelle. She sent me a look that obviously said, "I know your secret, but don't worry I won't tell." I didn't know her. How do I know she won't tell? I looked at her and pleaded with my eyes. She sent a sly wink in my direction and sat down at the table.
Kelly sat on one side of the Professor, Danyelle on the other. Edmund sat next to Danyelle, Susan next to Edmund, the Macready at the other end of the table, Lucy, then myself, then Kelly. Both Lucy and Danyelle kept looking at me slyly all through dinner. Oh, what had I gotten myself into now?
Hello everybody! Welcome to my brand new Chronicles of Narnia Fanfiction called the Masked Guardians! This is not linked to any of my other Narnia fanfics, so it is not necessary to read those first. I'd actually prefer if you didn't read them! Haha :3
So I hope you enjoy the first chapter, as you can tell it is set in the first movie! Next chapter should be up very soon! I hope :)