DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE CHRONCILES OF NARNIA! If I did, I would be a whole lot richer, and would actually have money to buy decent earbuds.
A/N- For the Pevensie's ages, I did not write them as they are canon wise, I wrote them the way I thought they appeared in the movie. Of course, this means back then Peter would have probably been sent to World War Two during Prince Caspian, but for the sake of the story let's pretend not. However, I have read the books and the entire series, so I guess I'm not totally illiterate in the Narnia series. Because, would you expect Peter and Edmund to fight in a war at ages 13 and 10? No, I wouldn't, so I changed a few details and because this is fanfiction, so I am liberty to do so. Enough rambling, let's get on.
Irene swung her brown hair out of her face. Her brown hair reached just past her shoulders. She hated this war. It took away practically everything from her. Her father, her home, her few friends, her beloved older brothers, and now her mother. She loathed the Nazis deeply, and wished she were a boy so she could join the fight against Hitler. Yet she would keep her duty to her mother, and leave London. Also it was a government evacuation order. Her mother's teary eyes told her all she needed to know. Her mother may not survive this war, as the rest of her family did not. Her mother held her at an arm's length at the train station, staring into Irene's stunning ocean blue eyes.
"Irene, you're a strong, 16 year old girl. I love you so much. I'll see when we win this war against the Luftwaffe," Mrs. Wiśniewski said, smiling sadly.
Irene nodded her head firmly, she would stay strong, for her mother's sake. "When we win this war," she echoed with a brave tone.
The train whistled loudly, meaning that the children fleeing London must get on soon. Irene's mother hugged her beloved and only daughter one last time, before pushing her gently towards the train.
"Go, I love you dearly," Mrs. Wiśniewski said, smiling with a kind face.
Irene smiled as well, and rushed towards the train, dreading her mother's fate. I hope she lives, I've lost too much, and I can't lost her. Accidently, she bumped into a mother with four kids, and almost lost her luggage.
"I'm so sorry!" Irene apologized swiftly.
The mother smiled kindly. "Not at all, dear."
Somehow, the woman reminded Irene of her own, mother. A pang in her heart hit. But she kept her peace and rushed off.
She did notice the eldest, a son, give her a peculiar look.
Irene found an empty train compartment, and silently celebrated. She shoved her bag into the train compartment above and sat down, staring out the window. She watched many children hug their parents and run onto the train. She mentally prayed that no one else would come in her compartment, but life hated her. A boy with calm hazel eyes, who was also a year younger or the same age than her, slid into the compartment and put his bag next to hers. Oh well for the idea of getting a compartment all to herself. She put on a smile, her manners came first. The boy smiled back at her. Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all.
Jonas sighed, he had finally reached the train station. Anja took forever to get ready, and she was 60! Why does an elderly woman take years to get ready? Women, I'll never get them. Anja huffed and puffed, hurrying behind him. Why was she panting? He was the one carrying the two travel bags. After giving the lady his ticket, Anja stood in front of him sternly, and Jonas tried to smile brightly.
"Now Jonas, remember to behave yourself! I'll miss you," Anja's ancient voice croaked.
Jonas nodded his head, he promised himself he would a courteous gentleman, as best of a 15 year old gentleman as possible. He casually brushed a few stray strands of his light tan hair out of his vision.
"I will, please tell my father I love him and wishes him the best," Jonas responded calmly, and Anja sighed with a smile.
He always had this optimistic charm with him in everything, even when the war took much of his happiness away.
Jonas turned towards the train and searched for a compartment without many people in it. I hope I can find an empty compartment, though I doubt with this many people that's almost impossible. Thanks Anja.
He finally found one with only a girl, maybe a year or two older than he was. She was very beautiful, but looked, sad? Maybe more of solemn. He pushed open the door, and put his bag into the baggage storage above the seats. She smiled softly at him, and he smiled back at her.
Politeness, he reminded himself. He sat down across from her and pulled out a book from his small travel bag. He always loved books about historical places and epic battles. He and the girl sat comfortably for a few minutes, enjoying the comfortable silence was held. Until a girl, maybe around 12 or 13, burst inside. She wore a wild and joyful smile, and Jonas and the brown haired girl shared a look. There went their peaceful silence.
Maeve MacDuibhshíthe smiled happily, today was the day! Today she could leave her wretched mother and father. Maeve groaned, as she heard her mother bustling behind her. She sighed heavily, why couldn't her mother let her come by herself? Maeve had practically been on her own since she was born. Her fiery red hair swished around, reaching the middle of her back. Oh how she deeply missed Arthur and Oliver!
"Now Maeve dear, you mustn't leave me like that! You might get lost," Maeve's mother chided, though Maeve knew she was trying to look good in public. At home…..that was a different story.
Maeve resisted the urge to roll her emerald green eyes. "Yes mum," she gritted through her clenched teeth.
Her mother frowned disapprovingly, and a hidden threat lurked in her eyes. "Be a good girl in the country, understand?"
Maeve swore in her mind, why couldn't her mother leave her already? "Of course," she responded cordially.
Her mother smiled with false happiness. "Alright! Have fun!" She strolled away, with a giddy grin on her face. She received many, bewildered looks from other parents.
Maeve whooped happily, and did a short, victory dance. She was free! Freedom, oh sweet freedom! After giving the lady her ticket, Maeve bounced onto the train with a huge smile.
I can't believe it! Wait, of course I can believe it! I don't have to see mother or father until the war's over! Hooray! And by then, I can get a job and live by myself! Oh life is good! Maeve threw open a random door, and she noticed she startled the two other people in the compartment, a boy and a girl, both older than her. They both glanced at each other, while Maeve tossed her bag into the storage above and gleefully plopped down onto the seat next to the boy.
"Err, hello," the girl said awkwardly with a Slavic mix accent in her voice.
"What's your name?" The boy asked more politely, a Scandinavian accent and Maeve grinned.
"Maeve MacDuibhshíthe! Oh happy day!" She crowed with delight.
The boy and girl both shared uncertain looks, and the girl spoke. "How can you be happy to leave your parents?" She asked incredulously.
Maeve rolled her eyes and suppressed a groan. "Believe me, if you had my parents, you would be happy to leave them too," Maeve answered truthfully.
She saw the girl carry a thoughtful and concerned look, but was relieved when she didn't press the subject. Maeve heard the door open and a young boy, 10 or 11, entered. He had golden-brown hair and sparkling sapphire blue- emerald green eyes where you could see blue and green, but the two colors were still perfectly meshed together. He looked shy and nervous, Maeve decided to make him feel welcome.
"Hello! Welcome new person!" Maeve called out with a joyful tone, and the boy smiled faintly.
Theon struggled to keep up with his group, but with so many children pushing him and crowding the way, it was pretty hard. The London Children's Home had been overcrowded since before the war, but now children kept pouring in. Theon knew he wasn't going to have anyone else from his orphanage come with him, and he was over delighted.
He was considered a strange boy, that's what everyone said. He had practically no friends, and no one even tried to be friendly. But now he had freedom! The lady inspected his ticket, then sent him on his way. With a giddy smile, Theon prepared to board the train. That is, until the headmistress called all the orphans together one last time.
"Now! Be good little children while you're away! I'll see you when all this dreadful fighting's over," her beady little eyes and tightened grimace stared sternly at the mass of homeless children.
All the children nodded dully and Theon was the first to escape onto the train. It was slightly difficult, since he was slightly smaller than the average 10 year old. He looked more like 9. He hurried to find a compartment before the others, and carefully opened one. It already had people in it, but it was only three, so he entered. He felt shy and nervous, all of them were older than he was, but the red-headed girl slightly older than him gave him a bright smile.
"Hello! Welcome new person!" She called out with a joyful tone.
Theon shyly smiled back, and the older boy stood up and grabbed Theon's bag for him, lifting it into the compartment. "Thank you," Theon said quietly. He sat near the red-headed girl, who practically radiated with energy and light.
She twisted towards him, sticking out her hand. "Maeve MacDuibhshíthe. You?"
Theon hesitantly shook her hand, knowing she wouldn't be friendly later on. "Theon." Everyone leaves, it's like a curse. Maybe it's because people think I look down at them because it means "godly." But I don't!
To his ultimate surprise, she grinned even more. "That's a lovely name!" She looked expectantly at the other two, as if she was prodding them on.
The boy smiled as well, and offered to shake hands with Theon. "Jonas, from the House of Glücksburg," he said calmly.
The girl also stretched out her hand, and her vibrant blue eyes shimmered with longing and wisdom. "Irene Wiśniewski."
Maeve's eyes lit up with excitement as the train began to move, and many children waved goodbye to their loved ones, but they all stayed in their seats. As the train moved on, they stayed in a comfortable silence. Jonas pulled out his book again, Irene kept staring out the window with a distant expression. Maeve was asleep, snoring away her cares, and Theon also stared out the window, quietly thinking.
I'm surprised they stayed, usually people feel this unwanted charm around me and go away. But they didn't. Why? Did they feel pity? I've been in the Children's Home since I can remember. I've always been alone, but maybe that will change. Then Theon sighed. No, they're probably going to different stations, I'm probably going to the Professor's house by myself. I'm a fool for thinking they might want to be friends. They're all older than me, and probably have their own friends.
He turned his attention to idle thoughts, gazing at the bright blue sky. What he didn't know is that everyone in that same compartment was also just as alone as he was.
Once the train reached Goosey Station, Maeve jerked awake, scaring Jonas and causing him to drop his book. Maeve grinned sheepishly and picked up the book for him, apologizing.
"Where are all you guys from? I moved here from the Highlands of Scotland right before the war," Maeve said, a twinge of sadness creeping into her voice, which Theon noticed.
Maybe she had family there that she was sad to leave behind, he thought.
"I'm Polish, and I previously lived in Poland, but when Hitler took over, my mother took me and fled, after my father was killed flying for Poland in the Air Battles." Irene said, with a hard and cold look in her eyes.
(Air Battles- Battle of Britain, which lasted from July 1, 1940- October 10, 1940. In early September, the air raids began on London and other surrounding cities.)
Theon noticed she looked slightly taken back when no one scorned her on her wildly intense background. He guessed most people probably did, and could see why. But it was still extremely irrational, you can't judge someone by their heritage. Although he supposed that what's started this entire war, by Hitler trying to kill all the Jews. (Not entirely true, but he's 10)
Jonas appeared hesitant to disclose his background, but with a demanding glare from Maeve he quickly revealed it. "I used to live in Denmark but my father sent me away after the Germans invaded." Maeve gave him a satisfied look, which made Theon giggle a bit.
"I've lived in the London Children's Home all my life," Theon said, hoping no one would mock him on being an orphan.
Happily, none did. It had happened before.
Maeve shrugged. "I was just asking. We're all equals here. Where are you going?"
Irene seemed like she wanted to just disappear, but she held it back. "Some man named Professor Kirke's house."
Theon's eyes widened in shock, as did Jonas's and Maeve's. "That's where I'm going to!" The three of them exclaimed in unison, then stared at each other with disbelief.
"That's so queer! It's got to be fate!" Maeve declared dramatically, standing up, then the train hit a bump and she fell back onto the seat rather unelegantly.
"Quite graceful," Theon piped up, making Maeve giggle.
Irene stared at them for a minute then turned around to face the window, soon falling asleep. Jonas returned to his book and Maeve napped as well. Theon, he revisited his thoughts.
Fate…can fate truly be real?
"All off!" Theon heard the conductor yell the station he was supposed to get off at, Jonas helped him get all the bags out of the storage. Curse himself for being 10 and short! Theon had the grand task of waking everyone, Irene was apparently a light sleeper, and Maeve was not. The train almost took off with them still on it, Theon had to practically drag her off. Jonas had a raised eyebrow at them, as if he was asking what took them so long.
Theon then noticed four other people on the platform. The eldest was a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. The second was a girl with long, brown, wavy hair, the third had black hair and wore a sour expression that could rival the bullies back at the orphanage. The youngest was a girl around his own age, with blue eyes and rosy golden brown hair cropped to under her chin. Maybe they were going to the same place they were. Theon guessed they were siblings, by the way their facial structures looked.
Maeve bounded up next to the oldest and stuck out her pale hand. "Maeve MacDuibhshíthe!"
The oldest smiled back and shook Maeve's hand. "Peter Pevensie. Those are my sisters Susan and Lucy, and that's Edmund." Peter finished introducing him and his siblings.
Theon swore he heard Edmund mutter, "I could have introduced myself."
"Irene." "Jonas." "Theon."
Peter peered closely at Irene, who raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, you're the girl who bumped into Mum at the train station."
Irene coughed and appeared slightly abashed. "Ah yes, sorry about that."
Suddenly a car horn honked and all eight of them grabbed their bags and rushed down the steps, and gazed in confusion when the car drove right past them without giving a second glance.
"The professor knew we were coming," Susan stated, confusion in her eyes.
I was right, they're going to the professor's house as well, Theon thought with success.
"Perhaps we've been incorrectly labeled," Edmund said, squinting at his tag.
Maeve rolled her eyes. "I'm quite certain the person is just late," she said.
The sounds of a horse and carriage with an elderly woman reached their ears, and the stern faced lady driving the wagon stopped right next to them.
"Told you," Maeve gloated at Edmund, who glowered.
"Mrs. Macready?" Peter asked hesitantly.
She gave them a stern and cold look. "I'm afraid so." She noticed the group's lack of many bags. "Is that it? Haven't you brought anything else?"
Irene shook her head, Theon saw she didn't care much of Mrs. Macready. "No ma'am, just us."
She stared at them again, with a ghost of a smile vanishing. "Small favors. Well, come on then!"
They all clambered into the wagon, and Mrs. Macready began the trip to the Professor's house. Peter and Jonas started off on a nice conversation, with Susan and Irene discussing random girl stuff, Maeve chiming in her say at times. Edmund was in the back being sullen and sour. Lucy looked shy and curious. Theon decided to try to make her feel welcome, as Maeve did for him.
"I'm Theon," Theon said, smiling at the girl.
She smiled brightly, and shook his hand. "Lucy!"
She immediately asked many questions about what he liked to do, and he answered every question truthfully. Eventually they reached the house, no, more of the mansion of the grand Professor Kirke. Theon felt a connection with the manor, as if something enchanting protected the home and beckoned him to the source.
"I can just feel magic leading us to our fate here, can't you?" Lucy whispered in awe and excitement, leaning closer to his ear.
Theon nodded, knowing exactly what she meant. He himself couldn't wait to discover the adventures he yearned to have that awaited him. Mrs. Macready instructed them to get their backs and follow her inside. They all picked up their bags and bustled inside. Time for a fresh start, Theon thought.
As Mrs. Macready led them inside, she began to explain to them the loooooooooong list of rules. "Now, there will be no shouting. No running, no improper use of the dumbwaiter."
Theon sighed, this lady was strict. She didn't beat the Headmistress at the Children's Home though, he was grateful for that.
"No touching of the historical artifacts!" Mrs. Macready shouted at Susan, who recoiled from touching an antique looking bust of a lady.
Edmund, Peter and Jonas shared suppressed giggles. Irene actually let a small giggle escape and Mrs. Macready shot a disapproving glance at the girl. Irene's defiant face never falter, and Mrs. Macready just scoffed and turned away. Apparently Irene wasn't one to bow down from a fight.
You just broke one of your rules on the shouting thought Theon.
"And above all," Mrs. Macready turned back with a serious face. "There will be no disturbing of the professor." She showed the girls their room first then shoved the boys into their room.
In the boy's room, there were three beds, so Jonas became the unlucky boy to share a bed with Theon from drawing straws, and Theon spent five minutes apologizing about it.
"I'm so sorry Jonas!"
"You have nothing to apologize for, and I really don't mind."
"But I'm sorry!"
"It's really fine!"
"Buuuuuuut I'm sooooooooooooorry!"
Irene and Susan scolded the flustered Jonas on upsetting Theon, while Peter and Edmund laughed their faces off. The rest of the day dragged on, and when night fell, everyone changed into their night clothes. Everyone had invaded the girl's room, and Lucy sat under her bedcovers, letting a few tears slip. Theon gazed at her with concern, he hated when girls cried (he also had no idea what to do when they did cry) and his new friend was unhappy.
"The sheets feel so scratchy," she said, but Theon guessed she was just homesick.
Peter sat on the bed next to her. "Don't worry Lu, we'll be back home soon."
"Yeah, if home's still there," Edmund said, bringing in his negativity.
Both Irene and Jonas gave him an exasperated look, while Maeve glared at him.
"Oh thank you," She snapped.
Theon thought Edmund was being rude, yes. But he also thought Edmund felt like no one loved him, no one wanted to be his friend. Theon thought Edmund was a selfish boy, but that was because of the environment he was exposed to. I don't believe Edmund is fully cruel, just lonely and misunderstood. I know exactly how you feel, Theon said mentally, staring into Edmund's eyes.
"Isn't it time you were in bed?" Susan sighed, giving Edmund a tired look.
"Yes mum!" Edmund said sarcastically.
Jonas sighed at him.
"Ed!" Peter raised his voice, giving Edmund a warning tone. Edmund just grumbled and left the room.
Irene twisted her head in Peter's direction. "Is he always like this?"
Peter sighed, as if he was remembering the past. "No, something changed inside of him."
Maeve gave him a wry smirk. "How poetic." A gleam of mischief sparkled in her eyes. "I'm going to see how long it takes for me to bother Edmund and he snaps!"
Said girl darted out of the room to run after Edmund. Irene sighed at the Scottish girl's action.
Peter turned his attention back to Lucy. "You saw the outside, this place is huge! We can do whatever we like here."
He then went back to the other room, Jonas following. Susan sighed and climbed into her bed, Irene already sitting on the bed she and Maeve shared. Lucy looked at Theon with curiosity.
"Aren't you homesick?" She asked, snuggling deeper into the sheets.
Theon paused for a minute. Did he really miss the Children's Home? No, he was bullied, pushed around, and neglected there. "Not really."
Lucy stared at him for a minute, confusion on her face. Theon got up and said goodnight, returning to the boy's room. Maeve trotted out of the room, her lips curved in a frown and her eyes narrowed. Theon soon found the reason why. Edmund was already asleep, Peter was in bed but not asleep. No surprise, Jonas was reading a rather fat book. He really liked to read.
"What books do you fancy?" Theon asked curiously. Jonas twisted his head to glance at the 10 year old that should probably be asleep at this time.
"Historical fiction," Jonas replied. "Now you should go to sleep now."
"Yes mum," Peter mumbled sleepily from his bed.
Jonas raised his eyebrow. "You literally scolded Edmund for saying that ten minutes ago."
Theon smiled, and buried himself under the covers. "Dwelling over it won't help. Goodnight."
The lights flickered off, and everyone settled to sleep their first night away from home. Theon was excited for the adventures of tomorrow.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, this is a side-side project, since my other side project the main side project. My main fic, a Haikyuu one, is kind of on hold currently. But I have not forgotten any of them! It's my take on the "extra prophecy character" story, I tried to be original! I've taken a great deal of research and work on my OCs.