A/N: Welcome to my very first fanfic ever, hope you enjoy it! Also just so anybody knows, the unknown names I automatically just gave them a real one for the fact that it just makes things flow better. Also the ages of the children may seem a bit off. In this part Peter is 14, Susan is 12 (nearly 13), Edmund is 10, and Lucy is 9. It takes place roughly about a year before they actually get into Narnia at all. Peter's birthday is in the summer, so he just had his. Susan's birthday is in autumn, her birthday is coming up. Edmund and Lucy's birthdays are respectively in winter and spring. This fic will extend through The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe at the least :) Have fun!

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of The Chronicles of Narnia, if I did I would probably be one of the most famous persons in the world. And we all know that has as much chance of being true as cows jumping over the moon and many other such things happening at the same time. However what I do own is what I wrote, nothing else.

There were certain things one could always count upon in life. Family, friends, and the general annoyances that never seem to go away. They are always there, whether anyone cared for them or not. The annoyance part was exactly what Peter was being at the moment and Edmund was trying his hardest to ignore it. So what if the school had called their mother? It wasn't anything new. If it was, there would be no desire in the world to put his fingers in his ears and start yelling out random nursery rhymes such as "Mary Had A Little Lamb" at the top of his lungs. Of course he would have to put his own variations in; surely no boy would be caught uttering such a thing. That is, unless it was in private and his little sister decided it would be much more fun to torment her brother by telling mum and dad that he'd do it.

"ED! Are you even listening?" snapped Peter, obviously getting frustrated at his younger sibling's display. It was worrisome and not in the least bit welcoming.

Edmund rolled his eyes. "If I was would that mean you would shut up?"

He really wanted to know. If Peter was just going to go on and on, he would just simply find things to do to keep him busy. So what if he had new friends? So what if they didn't behave themselves simply because an adult told them to? It wasn't any bit of his brother's life or problem. He didn't need the lecture, he would get it surely when his mother came and once more when his father came home from work.

The headmaster's (headmaster was what they called the principal of a school in those days) office was getting more and more crowded as time passed. They had let Peter out of the rest of his afternoon classes at a nearby school because the staff was starting to get worried. Until a couple of weeks ago, when school started up again after the summer holidays, they had not a single problem with the younger Pevensie boy. Clearly something was wrong, but no one could figure out what. They would need to chat with Helen Pevensie about that, or at least refer them to someone they felt could help with whatever Edmund's problem was.

Two weeks ago everything had been alright. The Pevensie siblings and their parents were all eating dinner together. Collin Pevensie, their father, was quiet but that wasn't a usual sighting. Everyone knew that working did some strange things to people and that if anything was terribly wrong, he would say so. Peter would make the most of it and model Collin down to posture, making him smile. Lucy would babble incessantly and Susan would help their mother bring out the food. No one except for Edmund knew that was where the normalcy of the family ended.

That unforgettable night, Edmund had woken up in the middle of it. He had been only going to get a glass of water from the kitchen, but he heard their parents from the stairs.

"You can't leave, Col!" Helen said, her voice pleading. "Peter needs you. So does the girls. What about Edmund? They need their father!"

"It's not that simple love," he tried to explain. "It's from the army. The war is only getting worse and it is my solemn duty to protect our country. It is also my duty to protect this family. I only got the letter today. I do not depart until nearly Christmas. Training and all."

Ed didn't stick around for afterwards. He had heard enough. He sauntered off, thinking as he made his way back to bed. His father was going off to war. He couldn't! Didn't the family mean anything to him? What if he died? Then he wouldn't know what to do and for goodness sakes he couldn't stand it if Peter decided that it was his job to take care of him! His mind was reeling and needless to say, he never got back to sleep that night.

"Hello loves," Mrs. Pevensie said, kissing each of the boys on top of the head and thus shaking Edmund from his thoughts.

Peter smiled and uttered a single "Hello mum" while Edmund just tried to wiggle away from his mother's reach (a very much impossible task while sitting in a chair that was up against a wall. She had come just before school let out for the day.

"Sorry I'm late," Helen Pevensie said. She ran a hand through her hair nervously. She knew this wasn't any good thing from what the message she had gotten said, and she hadn't gotten the message until she got back from the grocery store. "I got here as soon as I could"

"It's okay just go right into Headmaster Hastings' office" said the receptionist, gesturing to the door.

Edmund hung his head as his mother disappeared into the other room. This was going to be jolly good old fun. He fidgeted in his chair, becoming more and more restless the longer the people in the Headmaster's own office talking.

"I hope I find you well" said Headmaster Hastings, standing up roughly at his desk. "Do please come in. Have a seat, Mrs. Pevensie"

Helen took one glance at Mr. Hastings and immediately sat down in one of the two chairs available. She felt like she was a little girl in grammar school again.

"Do you have any ideas as to what is up with Edmund's behavior? We recently have teachers complaining about him and some other bullies."

"No sir. I am afraid that it can only get worse. His father, Mr. Pevensie, is getting ready to announce his deployment to the children soon." It was almost like shock. Her Edmund was hanging out with the wrong crowd? It was devastating news, yet she tried to remain composed. Surely there was some mistake.

"Very well." The Headmaster didn't look at the woman sitting in front of him. It was an awkward situation and he had hoped the problem would've been rectified immediately. He sighed heavily.

"I appreciate your concern, but I am sure this will pass. Edmund, like his brother, is a bright boy. I shall talk to him." Mrs. Helen Pevensie rose from her chair.

"Have a good day" Headmaster Hastings said, rising as well to see her out of his office.

Now surely while the adults were talking, Edmund didn't just stay there. It was too boring and if he was going to get in trouble, he might as well have some fun while he could.

"EDMUND!" yelled Peter, hopping up from his seat. He watched as his brother disappeared into the hallways just as the bell rung to let the kids out.

There was nothing but relief when he stood outside, just beside the steps of the school building. The flow of students were racing around, the majority of them happy that the school day had finally ended. It was cloudy and a bit cold, but that didn't seem to dampen their spirits. Ed looked around, smiling. He could see his new friends off in one corner with a scrawny looking girl with blond hair.

"Pevensie!" announced a black-haired boy, who was a bit big in the sense that he could easily squish anyone who dared cross him. He was backed up with a small boy, a person who had come to be friends with the bully as Edmund had.

"Hullo Chapman, Avery" Edmund had just barely mustered up the courage to sound like he was going through nothing and that Eric Chapman was just like any other boy. However the mousy, Benjamin Avery was an alright fellow (he never caused much trouble and teachers found it even harder to believe that Ben would do anything in regards to his fellow classmates). He walked over there with his head up. After all, it wasn't like the entire gang was there.

Chapman grinned toothily and slapped Avery on the back. "Didya get in trouble for Edwards, Pevensie?"

Edmund took a glance at the sniffling blond-haired girl. That was Chastity Edwards, the one who had cried wolf even though all he had been mostly was a look out. All persons even slightly involved had been in the Administration Office for some period of time. Sure he could've been a bit nicer to her and not have snapped so much, but he didn't want to deal with crybaby when he already living with one at home. He shrugged.

"I don't know. I didn't exactly stick around to find, did I?" He shoved his hands into his pockets, not looking at the girl. He still felt slightly bad for her, even though in his express opinion she had brought some of it upon herself. She was known as the residential person the teachers always looked to as a role model to the rest of the students. "No one can be that good," he thought to himself desperately.

"Hullo, earth to Ed!" Peter waved to his brother at the top of the steps. "Mum says its time to go, she's just getting Su" The fourteen-year-old suddenly looked huge to the ten-year-old Edmund. A small (well small by comparison to her surroundings) girl stood beside Peter, Lucy the youngest of the bunch at nine years old. She waved her hand at him as well and smiled. She was bouncing and bright and not too quickly tugging Peter over to him. Predictably Chapman and Avery scrambled, no one messed with an older kid that no longer went school there.

"We can't be late, mum said to go right home," said Lu, excitedly reaching out to take Edmund's hand. "She said there's a surprise!"

"No one ever said it was going to be good surprise," mumbled Ed, in a foul mood now that he realized that he had only just escaped his impending doom for a little while. He pretended he didn't see his younger sister's hand and walked in the direction of home, it only took about a half-hour to get there.

"Ed…" sighed Peter, shaking his head. He walked hand-in-hand with Lucy, keeping an eye ahead for Edmund. He could just hear Susan nagging some of the statistics of how many crimes or accidents happen either far from home or close, he couldn't remember which. Su had a small tendency to talk about boring grown-up stuff that even Peter struggled to pay attention to at times.

True to his word (though he wouldn't dare say it Edmund's face) that he told their mother, the three of them made it home safely. About ten minutes later, Helen walked inside with Susan. The family gathered in the kitchen, waiting for their usual after-school snack.

"What is it?" Lucy the eager said her blue eyes wide as she tugged on her mother's sleeve lightly. "What is the surprise?"

"Lucy!" Susan exclaimed indignantly, although all siblings could tell the elder girl wore a slightly amused expression. "She'll tell us when she's good and ready."

"Patience is a virtue," said Peter who was seemingly quoting Susan in a high sort of a voice. It was something routinely practiced just for the amusement of all four children. "Something none of us have until we're old or else too boring to think of anything to do besides wait."

Edmund snickered as Susan let loose a small glare at Peter. He would stay rather quiet, perhaps his mother would forget about the 'talk' he knew was coming if he kept his mouth shut. Mrs. Pevensie just chuckled softly. These were the children she knew.

"Your father's bringing it dear," she said as she ruffled her youngest daughter's hair affectionately. "It'll be here shortly."

By the time the sun was low in the sky and dinner was being prepared, Mr. Pevensie came home with an armful of things.

"Kids! Come to the living room please," announced Collin.

From all directions, they came. Susan walked into the room with Helen, seeing as she was helping prepare dinner. Peter came downstairs from his room, had he been studying and finishing up some coursework. Lucy and Edmund came together into the room, Lucy had been playing in the hall and Edmund had decidedly shut himself in the closet to be left alone. Nonetheless, they all wore curious looks upon their faces. They had all seen the rather large package sitting just behind their father.

"Good," he announced as he stood in the middle of the room. He turned to the package and pulled out a white stuffed rabbit. "Now would this be for?" Collin Pevensie's eyes twinkled as he looked around the room. "Perhaps Goosey Lucy?"

Lucy let out a squeal of delight, causing both of her brothers to wince and cover their ears since they were the closest to her. She ran over and hugged her father. "Thank you!" she said as he handed her the rabbit. She hugged the rabbit to her chest and seemingly danced her way over to the couch.

Collin smiled and kissed Lucy's cheek. Maybe this would help quell any horrible thoughts and soften the blow of his bit of news. The next thing he pulled out was fairly large book - a dictionary of sorts. "My lovely Susan, may you learn even more words and help your brothers and sister learn the meaning of them."

As Susan happily took the book, Peter and Edmund glanced worriedly at each other. Not only was their sister habitually a bit boring, but word games were her favorite pastime. Lucy was safe; Susan always went easy on her. But the boys were out of luck. They stood no chance of winning that game now, except for if Peter if he decided to apply himself to borrowing the dictionary often enough.

The very next thing Collin pulled out of the package was a long, feathery, and pink sort of rope. Recognizably, it was the sort of scarf-thing often found in little girls' dress-up chests (otherwise known as a pashmina today). He took in his hand and looked through the package for something. Apparently he didn't find what he was looking for. "Here Edmund," said Mr. Pevensie with a heavy sigh. He had already heard about his youngest son's antics from his wife. "It was supposed to be a jump-rope."

Edmund looked really appalled, maybe even revolted. "But but…" he started, but was instantly hushed by the stern looks of his mother and older siblings. "I guess it's alright" said Ed, wrinkling his nose and carrying away the dreadful thing with two fingers.

"Poor Ed" said Peter, trying to stop himself from laughing. Edmund had vowed never to touch one of those things, even back when he was good-natured enough to play with Lucy alone.

"He'll get over it" said Susan with a comforting smile.

"He better, or else he's going to be even worse than ever" said Lucy, not bothering to hide her giggles. "We all know what that means."

"Shhhh sweetie." Helen tried to console Edmund, who was positively seething at this point. "They're just making fun."

"Yeah, fun for everyone but me," grumbled an extremely unhappy Ed. He buried his face into his mother' side, trying to get what little comfort he could out of what was already a bad day. Why couldn't they just shut up for a change?

With a look from his wife, Collin Pevensie's face remained straight. One had to admit, it was rather funny. He dove back into the package and pulled out a bat-and-ball set. With a grin, he tossed it to Peter (who caught it with his hands seemingly without even trying, much to Edmund's disappointment). "Enjoy."

"Thank you sir," said Peter. He bowed his head in respect, no doubt the perfect image that Edmund should imitate more in the view of others.

Both parents beamed with pride at their firstborn. They knew Peter would be the strength and support of the family. Already he had grown up so much in their eyes. Lucy would be the cheerful one, the source of light when things seemed dark and quite frankly, dreary. Susan, without a doubt, the helpful one who would surely do her best to make everything as easy or smoothly-ran as possible. Then there was Edmund… They just prayed to God that something good would come out of it for him and for his siblings and mother's sakes. There was only so much that anyone could put up with.

"I also have a bit of news" said Mr. Pevensie. He was looking directly at all the kids in turn. Peter looked serious. Susan and Lucy looked confused. As for Edmund, he tried not to look at the boy's face seeing as it was a mixture of shock, recognization, and perhaps a small, nearly untraceable amount of fear. He took a deep breath before. "As you may have heard about the war-"

"No!" The yell from Ed seemed to echo around the room. "NO!"

"-I am soon being deployed to join in it for our side."

Suddenly Edmund seemingly flew from his mother's side. He ran out of the room, and up the stairs. The door to Peter and Edmund's room could be heard slamming not even a moment later.

"EDMUND JONATHAN PEVENSIE!" Helen yelled at the top of her voice. She knew she shouldn't be shocked at the outburst, but she was. She was also too furious to notice that when it took place, it meant that he had already known. Sometimes hearing things for a second time didn't help anybody.

"I'll talk to him" Peter's voice was quiet and steady. Before anyone could object, he already left the room and climbed the stairs.

Suddenly his legs felt heavy and his head somewhat dizzy. His thoughts had caught up to him on the short walk to his room. When he got there, Peter paused for a second. He leaned against the doorpost and sighed before rapping loudly on the door itself.

"Ed! Open up!"