My Dear Readers,

I have had to tweak C. S. Lewis's timeline a little bit because in 1944, when this story is set, Peter would have only been 17 and I need him to be 18. So I have taken the liberty and moved his birthdate back one year to account for that. With that said, I also moved Susan, Edmund and Lucy's birthdates back a year as well, that way their ages still matched up with Peter. So in this story, Peter was born in 1926, Susan in 1927, Edmund in 1929, and Lucy in 1931.

C.S. Lewis never gives us the first names of the Pevensies' parents so I have chosen to simply call them Doctor and Mrs. Pevensie. I have tried to make their regular life as believable as possible.

This is a story that I have always wanted to write. I have always wondered that if Peter was old enough, would he have fought in the war? After many years of wondering that, I decided to answer the question for myself. RAF stands for Royal Air Force

My friends and family think I am a little bit of a Narnia nerd, but the characters as so real to me. I understand Peter and Susan the best because I can relate to them the most. Over the years, I have learned to better understand cynical Edmund, and, of course, I greatly respect Lucy for her boundless faith in the True King.

This story begins several months after the events in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

~ narniagirl11

Prologue

July 24, 1944

Peter Pevensie's fascination with airplanes had always mystified his sister Susan. To be completely honest, it terrified her. With World War Two in full swing, Susan feared the day when her brother turned eighteen. He always assured her that the war would be over before he ever was old enough. Susan knew better. His eighteenth birthday approached rapidly and it was only mid-summer of 1944.

As Peter blew out the candles on the cake, Susan knew the adventure was about to begin. But she also knew that this really wasn't the beginning of the adventure. The adventure had started with their father's departure for the frontlines. Doctor Pevensie with the bombing in the London Blitz. She, Peter, and their younger siblings, Edmund and Lucy, had been sent to the country where they stayed with an aging professor.

One day, Lucy had discovered a wardrobe that led the four children into the magical world of Narnia. There they were thrust into an adventure complete with a Witch, Talking Animals, and of course, Him. He was the greatest of all. Without Him, they would have accomplished nothing. He was Aslan, the Great Lion, son of the Emperor-Over-The-Sea and rightful ruler of Narnia.

After the defeat of the Witch, Aslan made the four children Kings and Queens over the land. For fifteen years they ruled and they became known as High King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just and Queen Lucy the Valiant. But one day, they mysteriously fell through the wardrobe back to England. They found that hardly a moment had passed since they had first entered. They had become children again.

A year later, the four were called back to Narnia to save their beloved land from the oppressive usurper Miraz and reinstate his nephew, Caspian the Tenth, rightful heir to the throne. However, this time the Pevensie children didn't remain in Narnia. They returned to England. But their task wasn't finished. Peter and Susan were never to return to Narnia, but they were instructed to find Aslan in England, for He is called the King of Kings in every land.

Several months later, Edmund and Lucy traveled to Narnia for a third time which was to be their last. Their cousin, Eustace Clarence Scrubb (and he almost deserved that name) was dragged along with them. They sailed with King Caspian the Tenth to the end of the world. They had many thrilling adventures along the way with slave traders, a dragon, and even a sea serpent. When they returned to England, Aslan commanded them to also seek Him in England.

Two years later, they had found Him. It was no surprise that Lucy was the first. The Lion of Judah was another name for the Great Lion. The Pevensie children began to seek after Him with all their hearts.

And as Susan watched Peter blow out the candles on the cake, as she heard the clapping and felt the happiness around her, she knew that whatever became of his flying dreams, the Lion would look after her brother.

Chapter 1 – Decision

September 1944

"Ed! Edmund, come on! We're going to be late!" Peter shouted up the stairs at his brother as he finished buttoning his shirt.

"Again." Lucy reminded.

"Aunt Alberta can wait ten minutes," Edmund grumbled as he came down the stairs. Susan rushed through the door from the living room and began inspecting herself in the mirror.

"Edmund?" she called over her shoulder. "Did you remember to brush your hair?"

Edmund made a face at her back which Susan fortunately failed to notice. "Only Peter brushes his hair," he grumbled. "He never has a hair out of place."

"That's because I'm the High King!" Peter retorted. "I wouldn't brush my hair if I didn't have to!" Edmund didn't quite believe him.

"Has anyone seen my sketchbook?" Lucy wondered.

"No, sorry, Lu," Peter answered as he tied his shoes.

"I wanted to show Eustace the drawing I made of the Dawn Treader." Lucy sighed. "I guess it can wait until next time."

"Where do you think you are going?" Susan demanded. She had caught Edmund trying to sneak out the door without brushing his hair. "Whatever am I going to do with you, Ed?" she asked. She straightened his collar and brushed his hair over. Edmund tried to scowl at her, but his expression fell flat. It possessed none of its usual Edmundishness. "Ed?" Susan questioned. "Is something wrong?"

Edmund didn't answer right away. He looked over at Peter who slightly shook his head.

"Edmund, what is it that you and Peter aren't telling me?" Susan demanded in her older sister voice.

"I'm sorry, Su," was all that Edmund said before he dashed out the door.

"Peter?" Susan turned her mothering eye to her elder brother.

"We'll tell you later, Su," he answered. Then he too was out the door. Lucy looked over at Susan who sighed.

"I know, Lu," Susan remarked. "I hate it when the boys keep secrets from us."

"Come on," Lucy answered. "We're going to be late as it is."

In fact, they would be even later than they realized. The four Pevensies were on their way to pick up their aunt, their cousin Eustace and their mother from the train station. That was before Peter pulled the car over.

"Ed, look!" he shouted. He opened the door and jumped out.

"What?! Peter!" Edmund protested as he scrambled out. He shaded his eyes and looked up. At first he could see nothing in the cloudy sky. But he could hear rumbling. Edmund ducked in alarm when a plane swooped low overhead.

Peter laughed. "Come on, Ed! It's just the RAF practicing their maneuvers!" Peter followed the plane with his eyes. "Someday I will be up there," he whispered.

"No," Edmund answered. "Don't Peter. Who knows where it will take you! Don't go where I can't follow."

Peter looked back at Edmund. "Edmund, you must understand that you can't always follow. I wish you could be with me, but you won't be eighteen for three years yet! I would imagine that the War would be over by then."

"I will fight by your side again someday, Peter," Edmund vowed.

Susan interrupted them. "Can we please go?" she called as she rolled down the window. "We're going to be even later now!"

Peter nodded to Susan before whispering to Edmund, "We'll tell the girls later."

"They're not going to take it easily, Peter," Edmund warned.

Peter nodded again. "I know."

The next morning, Peter rose before anyone else was stirring. He snuck downstairs to the kitchen to begin making breakfast for his family. Pancakes were Lucy's favorite breakfast food. As Peter began making the batter, he heard a sigh from the table behind him. Startled, he turned around and saw Edmund, his head resting on the table, sleeping. In his hand was an empty glass that once contained milk. Peter smiled and moved across the kitchen to his brother.

"Ed," he whispered, brushing the dark hair out Edmund's face. "Ed, wake up." Edmund gave a little moan and released the cup, which clattered to the floor. Edmund jolted up. The first thing he saw was Peter's intense blue gaze.

"Peter!" he exclaimed, his heartbeat racing. "You scared me!"

"Obviously," Peter chuckled, looking into Edmund's startled brown eyes. "You fell asleep at the table, silly!"

"Tired," Edmund yawned. "I couldn't sleep so I came to get a glass of milk. Guess I fell asleep."

Peter watched his brother solemnly. "Ed, is there a reason why you couldn't sleep?"

"When are you going to tell them, Peter? You can't put it off forever," reminded Edmund.

"I know," Peter sighed. "If I thought it would make it any better I would leave without telling them, but I can't leave you behind to break it to them. I'll tell them after breakfast."

"Alright," Edmund agreed. "But don't put it off any longer."

"I know, Ed," Peter answered. "It was hard enough to tell you. Lucy is going to be very upset."

"Is that why you made pancakes?" Edmund asked.

"Partially." Peter smiled. He tousled Edmund's dark hair before straightening up and returning to the pancake batter. Just as the pancakes were sizzling on the griddle, a cheerful Lucy bounded into the kitchen, wearing a red floral sundress.

"Hello, Lu!" Peter greeted. "Or should I call you 'Sunshine'?" Lucy laughed brightly and stood on her tiptoes, trying to give her big brother a kiss on his cheek. She found she still wasn't quite tall enough. Peter laughed and stooped down so she could complete her mission successfully.

"Pancakes!" Lucy exclaimed, as she noticed them cooking. "Thank you, Peter!"

"You're welcome," Peter answered, flipping the golden-brown circles. Lucy noticed Edmund at the table and slid into the chair beside him.

"Hello, Ed!" Lucy greeted.

He smiled back. "Is Su up yet?" he asked.

Lucy nodded. "She'll be down soon."

For the next few minutes, Peter, Edmund and Lucy laughed and joked with each other. It was times like these that Peter thought his little sister was made of pure sunlight.

Susan hurried into the room, giving her siblings brief hellos. Peter wasn't surprised by her cold manner. Susan tended to shut herself off from everyone when she was upset or uneasy about things.

"Su," he whispered.

"Don't get syrup on that new shirt," Susan cautioned as she moved over to him.

"Thanks, Su," Peter answered. He looked closely at her face. She looked like she had been crying. "Are you alright, Su?" he asked.

"No," she sniffled.

"What is it, Susan?" he questioned.

"Come," she beckoned.

He nodded. "Edmund, keep an eye on the pancakes for a moment. I'll be right back." He followed Susan out of the kitchen, through the living room and up the stairs. They passed Mrs. Pevensie on the way. "The pancakes are almost done, Mum," Peter announced. "Susan and I will be back in a few minutes."

"Thank you, Peter." Mrs. Pevensie smiled. Peter nodded and Susan led him up the stairs. She directed him towards the room that he shared with Edmund. She pushed open the door and pointed towards a navy blue uniform hanging inside the open closet.

"What is that?" Susan demanded distastefully.

Peter sighed. "I was going to tell you after breakfast, Su."

"Is this what you and Edmund have been whispering about?" she questioned.

"Yes, it is," Peter admitted.

"You're joining the RAF?" Susan turned to him, tears streaming down her cheeks. She knew how brave Peter was and she knew that in Narnia he had always come back from battles, but here? With air battle fields, machine guns, tanks…this was a different kind of war. "Peter! What are you thinking?" she sobbed. "You could get killed! And you don't know a thing about flying a plane!"

"I'll learn," Peter answered. "You worry too much, Susan. You're listening to your fears again. God will keep me safe." He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Buck up, Su. This is just another adventure He has set before us."

Susan tried to smile but she couldn't shake her doubts.

Lucy's voice came floating up the stairs to them. "Peter! I think you better come down here. Edmund is burning the pancakes again!" Lucy shouted.

Peter smiled. "Come on, Queen Susan. Our royal siblings await us." He offered her his arm which she took and they glided down the stairs together. When they reached the kitchen, they silently slid into their seats at the table.

"Ready?" Edmund asked. Everyone bowed their heads as Edmund led them in prayer. "Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful morning with our family. Protect Dad as he cares for soldiers on the frontlines. Watch over our family today as we go about our day. In Your Name we pray, Amen."

"Amen." Everyone echoed. Soon the kitchen was filled with the normal sounds of breakfast. Forks and knives clattered, water was gulped, and pancakes quickly disappeared. At last, Peter pushed his plate away and cleared his throat.

"I have an announcement to make," he said. He looked around at the familiar faces at the table. Edmund shared a knowing look with his brother. Susan looked between the two, knowing what Peter was about to announced. Lucy was the only one who didn't know now. Peter had long ago consulted his mother on the matter and she knew of his decision. After all, she was the one who had ironed his uniform and shed a few tears for her son while she worked.

"What is it, Peter?" Lucy asked. She watched Peter expectantly.

"You know that I've always had a fascination with airplanes," Peter confessed nervously. "I'm eighteen now; old enough to enlist."

"No!" Lucy exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, Lu," Peter answered. "But I feel this is where God is leading me."

"You're joining the Royal Air Force?" Lucy questioned.

"Yes, Lucy." Peter nodded.

"When do you leave?" Susan asked.

"It's off to flight school first," Peter replied. "I leave next week. I should have told you sooner, but I didn't want you worry too much."

"Please be careful," Lucy begged. Peter reached his arm across the table and took his little sister's hand in his own.

"He will keep me safe, Lucy," Peter answered.

Author's note: Well, that was the first chapter! More is in story for the Pevensies. I actually had originally posted a different version of this chapter. But now that I have written farther, I went back and rewrote it. :) Hope you enjoyed it. Review!