Full Circle

Chapter One: Behold the King

Rating: PG (mild language)

Characters: Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Mike Patterson (OC), Robbie Walsh (OC), mention of Caspian

Summary: Not-so-completely AU. Peter and Caspian must learn to set aside their differences and work together to win the state baseball championship. Along the troubled road between their first meeting and the end of the story, the two develop respect for one another and a bond that goes beyond friendship.

Author's Note: I am a complete geek and though I already had older copies of four of the Narnia books, I bought the new unabridged version of all seven solely for the timeline that was included, which was created by C.S. Lewis. His story began with a thirteen year-old Peter Pevensie. I took some creative license and aged him up to late 17 for my story. I was trying to write a book-verse oneshot, but it evolved into this (eventual) monstrosity. I did however go with movie-verse appearances and personalities (at least, I tried, on the latter). If you love it or hate it, review away. And forgive any mistakes, as I don't yet have a beta reader to catch my goof-ups.

The end of summer vacation is always a dreaded time for most children. It signals a loss of freedom and the return to stuffy classrooms, uncomfortable desks, and seemingly endless lectures on this mathematical equation or that classical British author. On the brighter side, school promises the chance to see old friends or make new ones and the opportunity to tell stories of summer adventures. Peter's mood most often reflected that happier outlook. He was a senior at last, and class president, elected just before the end of the last spring term. In a class of 250, that was saying something, not to mention he played basketball and was captain of the school's championship baseball team. Peter was well-liked, both by his schoolmates and the teachers. He was charming and genuinely tried to do well at his studies. He had a smile that would disarm even the most tense of situations.

Of course, all the girls adored his golden good looks. A select few had the privilege of dating him, though these might tell you there was something untouchable in Peter, something just barely hinted at by the oldness in his eyes and the way he lived his life.

Nevertheless, Peter Pevensie was the king of Finchley High School.

His younger siblings all shared the limelight at some point or another. There was Susan, who was a junior and likely the prettiest girl in school. She had fair, alabaster skin and fathomless blue eyes, stark against the dark waves of her hair. The best parts of Susan had little to do with her looks, however. She was shy without being coy and was always well-intentioned, though she had a habit of mothering that occasionally went too far. Then there was Edmund, lean and a little rakish, with Susan's dark hair and his own serious brown eyes. Though just a freshman, he had already begun carving a niche for himself in middle school through debate and Model United Nations. He had a knack for seeing both sides of an argument and choosing the better of the two, at least on paper. Away from the conference table, he was a complete scamp, always pulling pranks on his siblings and friends. He also played baseball, though he was somewhat less spectacular with a bat than Peter. Last but not least was Lucy. As the youngest of the four and just beginning middle school, she was still the family's darling and Peter loved her dearly. She was a bright girl and eager to find the best in any circumstance. The others found her unwavering optimism exasperating at times, but accepted it as part of her charm. She possessed a profound imagination and was often writing little plays for her family to act out on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

In truth, all four of the children were ready for classes to resume. The weather was fine and they looked forward to seeing their friends. So, on the first day of the term, Peter drove everyone to school. After dropping Lucy off at the middle school, the three older Pevensies continued on to Finchley High. Two of Peter's friends and teammates, Robbie Walsh and Mike Patterson, were standing by Mike's truck when they arrived. Robbie came over to say hello and to walk Susan to class. Ed said he'd catch up with Peter later and trotted off as well.

"Hey Pete," Mike said, rolling the windows of his truck down a few inches.

"Hey Mike," Peter replied, tugging the strap of his messenger bag over his shoulder. "You ready?"

Mike laughed and made a show of buffing his nails on his shirt. "I was born ready for senior year, dude."

"Right. All those application essays and SATs and campus tours," Peter joked.

"Shut up, Pevensie. You know what I mean."

The two boys walked along in silence for a few yards, until Mike suddenly looked up.

"Oh, damn, I almost forgot," he said. "Coach Hinton says there's some new pitcher coming in this year. From Spain or Portugal or something. He's supposed to be pretty good."

Peter frowned thoughtfully. He hadn't talked to the baseball coach since early summer, but the man had said nothing about him sharing time on the mound with anyone except the backup pitcher Finchley already had. This was supposed to be his year to shine. There would be college and AAA scouts at their games and with that weighing on his mind, Peter didn't want to have to compete with a total newcomer for the starting position he'd worked hard to earn. He shook off the thought.

"When's he coming?"

"Next week, I think. Coach said he'd be staying with the Mitchells," Mike explained. The first baseman hesitated before asking, "Are you worried?"

"Nah," Peter said offhandedly, forcing a smile. "I need some better backup than Jesse Tucker anyway."

Mike laughed and Peter joined in after a moment.

"So what's this hombre's name anyhow?" he inquired, feeling a little better about things. There was no way Coach Hinton would hurt his chances with this new kid.

The other boy had to think. "Uh, Caspian something. I can't pronounce his last name."

Just then the warning bell rang, giving the boys five minutes to get to their respective homerooms. With a quick agreement to meet at lunch, they parted ways.

While listening to the morning announcements, Peter couldn't help but wonder what the new pitcher would be like. He knew a bit about international baseball and could speak a few words of Spanish, so maybe they'd end up friends. It took determination to ignore the tiny voice that said I doubt it. Rather than dwell on the subject, he turned and struck up a conversation with a classmate in the next row.