"Professor, if you met someone in Narnia that you hadn't met here, what are the chances of meeting them again?" Peter asked. It had been several days since their return from Narnia and he couldn't get his mind off of one Sophie Andrews. He had never mustered enough courage to tell her what he should have been telling her every day from the day he met her: that is, he never told her that he loved her. Then again, what would have been the point? He might never see her again and waste his time pining for her. Peter would never consider her a waste of time, though, which made his thoughts run around in circles.
"It is a possibility, although it might not be probable considering the vast number of people here on Earth," Professor Kirke answered. He stood looking out of his office window, his back to his young charge. For a moment he found himself wondering what kind of logic they were teaching school children these days. It was slightly troubling how illogical they seemed to reason as they grew, but perhaps that was just their way of muddling from childhood to adulthood. At any rate, the least he could do was help Peter. "Just who did you meet?"
"A girl." The Professor turned and looked at him inquisitively. "And Su said that she'd seen her at school before," Peter elaborated. "She came the exact moment we did but none of us knew why. The prophecy only spoke of two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve, after all. Aslan wouldn't give us a straight answer either. Only now that we've come back, I've figured it out and I would never forgive myself if I didn't let her know in some way something that I've known from the start." He took a deep breath as he waited for a reaction.
"It seems like you've got a lot on your mind, m'boy," Professor Kirke said after a moment. "Why don't you take a walk out back and clear your head."
Peter nodded and left the Professor's study with his thoughts still circling each other. All he needed to know was whether or not he would see Sophie again. Once he was certain, then perhaps he would feel a little less sick all of the time. The oldest Pevensie wandered around until he found a rock, on which he sat until he heard Lucy calling him.
"Peter! Peter!" she shouted, joy the only emotion on her seven year old face. "Guess who's here! Guess! Guess!" she continued. She stopped right in front of him barely able to keep still.
"Er, I dunno, Lu. Mum?" he guessed.
Lucy didn't answer but took him by the hand and led him back into the house. Peter was thoroughly confused as she led him through the kitchen and several hallways towards the front entrance. Susan and Edmund were standing there with someone Susan's height, which ruled out the possibility of it being their mother. Mrs. Pevensie was taller than all of her children save Peter, for now.
"I found him," Lucy sang. Susan and Edmund moved away, revealing a very familiar face.
"Hello Peter."
"It was the strangest thing," Sophie recalled. "I was sitting in front of my looking glass getting ready for a party that Hannah Parker was throwing. Imagine having a party while there's a war going on around you! Mother was none too pleased about my going. She wanted to send me off so that I wouldn't die but Father wanted me at home in case he came back early.
"Well, I'm sitting there when all of a sudden I see a lion looking at me. Imagine that! I twist around to look behind me and there was no lion, so I thought nothing more of it. When I glance back in the glass, I see a valley full of colorful tents. I knew that certainly could not have been in my room, so I leaned in closer. My nose should have touched the surface, but it went straight though! And the next thing I knew, I'd fallen head over heels into Narnia."
"Sophie," Peter said in surprise. "What, how, why, when –"
"She's been here no more than ten minutes, Peter," Susan interrupted, fighting to keep the smile on her face from growing any bigger.
"I told you Mother wanted me away from the house. As soon as I got back from Hannah Parker's party I told her that I'd heard from Jackie, who'd heard from Abbey, who'd heard from Hannah that my very good friend Susan was staying with Professor Kirke and that I wanted to stay there," Sophie explained all in one large breath. She couldn't help smiling at her own cleverness. "Of course, Mother was confused as to who Susan Pevensie was because I rarely mentioned her name."
"Well we weren't very good friends last term," laughed Susan. She linked arms with Sophie, glad to have her friend back so soon.
"Yes, well last term was ages and ages ago," Sophie insisted.
"Come on, Sophie," Lucy said, tugging at her hand. "We can't stand here all day! Let's go see which room Mrs. Macready has given to you."
"Peter, er, Your Majesty," Sophie said. "You're nearing twenty-nine years of age. Your people are beginning to wonder when you will take a bride."
"What for? What will my getting married do to better Narnia? You know how tongue tied I get when I talk to girls."
"You sound like you're seventeen again, Peter. Aren't you talking to me?" She held up her hand when he started to protest. "Aside from the obvious idea of an heir, they want to see you happy. Your siblings and advisors can see that something is wrong."
"Nothing is wrong, Sophie. You of all people should know that. And what about what I want?" he asked angrily.
"You're absolutely right, Peter. I should, but I don't. Do you even know what you want, Peter?" she asked in return, sorrow in her eyes. The rift between them was growing wider with every passing day. When he didn't answer, Sophie curtsied and left his chambers.
"Sophie," he called softly, still rooted to the spot. He sighed in frustration and went to his desk. Unlocking the top drawer he pulled out an engagement band. It had been commissioned months ago when he had begun to seriously entertain thoughts of matrimony. "How could I even begin to tell you?"
Peter watched Sophie talking animatedly with Susan as he sat by the radio. They were still the close sisters they had been in Narnia. She was still no doubt the sister who would side with Ed and the sister who would spoil Lucy. Would she and Peter still share their bond of friendship? With his head in the clouds he hadn't imagined that Sophie would walk back into his life only days after they had left Narnia. On top of that, he had almost forgotten how strained their relationship had become as they had grown older. He wasn't ready to face her just yet.
Sophie and Susan left with Lucy to tuck her into bed. While Susan was brushing her teeth Lucy asked, "Will you sing me a lullaby like you used to Sophie?"
"What's the magic word?"
"Please," Lucy added.
The older girl smiled and obliged, "I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us were we go.
And help us to be wise, in times when we don't know.
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way.
Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace,
To a place where we'll be safe.
We ask that life be kind, and watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find another soul to love.
Let this be our prayer, just like every child.
Need to find a place, guide us with your grace.
Give us faith so we'll be safe."
She kissed the top of Lucy's head and looked up to see Peter watching her from the hall. Susan had just entered the room, so she went to him. He had been awkward with her since she arrived. Granted, he had become a little distant to her while they were still in Narnia. She had tried not to let that come between them, hoping that he might explain himself. He never did and she was still waiting. She knew that there was something he was holding inside of himself, something he hadn't even told Lu, Ed, or Susan. But she didn't want to pry, lest it break their fragile friendship.
"Peter," she called softly into the parlor. The only light came from the fireplace. She could see his outline against it. "Peter," she called again. Biting her bottom lip, she crossed over to where he stood. She comfortingly put her hand on his shoulder but he remained as silent as ever.
They remained there like that for some time until he looked down at her. The first thing that he noticed was that the firelight gave her golden curls a reddish tint. Then she looked into his eyes and he saw her grey orbs filled with confusion. She wanted so much for him to be the same Peter he was at this age in Narnia. That Peter hadn't been so guarded around her. That Peter had been kinder and less formal. Unfortunately, that Peter had grown up and was now standing before her.
"I'm so sorry, Sophie," he finally said. He gently kissed her forehead before leaving. If only he knew what his leaving would bring about…