Title: Beginnings and Endings
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Note:
These are a series of drabbles anticipating and ending my last fanfic, "Under A Swift Sunrise". This first chapter precedes the fic, the second chapter comes after the epilogue. Do not read the second chapter unless you have finished "Under A Swift Sunrise", as there will be major spoilers. (I'll post the second chapter before I finish posting "Under A Swift Sunrise".)

Each chapter has 10 drabbles, alternating a scene in Narnia with a scene in our world. They are as in as much chronological order as can be. Enjoy!


1.

Kinarik of the Seacliffs frowned at the commission in his hand. Not that the design was unsatisfactory; King Edmund had imagined a memorial of simple elegance. It was fitting, an ownerless weapon for each lost warrior. No, Kinarik frowned because he had no material suitable for this. Every metal had a feel, a spirit; yet none in his possession held the proper spirit for those who gave their lives for their king.

Then it came to him like the strike of hammer on anvil. Kinarik turned and went to gather the Council. The time to use the Stone had come.

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2.

A group of trembling schoolboys cowered in the shadowed shelter. Whimpers echoed as the sound of bombs distantly rattled, but never from two boys, one older and golden, the other younger, darker. They held each other closer than most boys would, but no one would dare tease these two.

Another hit sounded, too close. Peter's hold tightened and Edmund winced. "Need to breathe, Peter."

"Sorry."

"No, you're not."

A soft laugh. "No, I'm not. You took your time getting here."

A shrug. "Knew you'd wait for me. I'd do the same."

Either could have been the one to say: "Always."

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3.

Ramandu stood as stone, staring west as the shooting stars rained in the distance. Behind him, the Mountain of Light stood guard; beyond the mountain he felt the darkness grow.

The small hand that held his own tugged softly, and he looked down. Blue eyes stared up at him, and he spoke the grief in his heart. "I cannot maintain this form and guard against Dark Island much longer."

Lilliandil smiled and Ramandu wept inwardly for his little girl. "Don't worry, Papa, you can go. And when I am bigger, I will help you."

His tears fell for her future.

.

4.

Susan's face was pinched as she and Lucy traversed the ruins of Hendon House, calling for their brothers. The tightness in her shoulders only lessoned when the two – dirty but alive – appeared out of the smoke. The four embraced tightly in their relief before regaining composure. Susan, as usual, searched her siblings' faces, reading their thoughts.

Lucy was happy, focused on her brothers. Peter looked tired but relieved, and he stood closer to Edmund than usual.

Edmund, though, was not looking at his siblings. Susan's heart twisted as dark, fierce eyes scanned the school's ruins. She recognized that righteous anger.

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5.

Rhoop snuck through the corridors, heart pounding. He daren't be found; for his oath's sake, for Argoz who awaited him outside, for those they would meet at the coast. Yet he couldn't leave her without a word.

She was alone, sleeping fitfully, the doctors in another room. His heart clenched at her pale face, which he gently brushed with his fingers. "Carulan." She didn't move, and he tucked his note beneath her pillow. "Farewell, my love. Be healed. Live well." Then he was gone as a ghost.

The next morning, Carulan found the note and her pale face grew grim.

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6.

Jonathon Pevensie enjoyed having his children home, despite the horrible reason their schools had closed. He'd missed so much when his duty called him away, and perhaps now he could breach the walls with which the four had surrounded themselves.

Then, happily, Edmund entered his study, alone. "Dad?"

"Yes, Eddie?"

"I…I need your help with something."

Jonathon was wary at his nervousness. "What is it?"

Edmund's eyes flitted to the side. "It's…well, don't tell the others…"

With those words wariness fled, replaced by happiness. Whatever it was, whatever was needed, Jonathon would help, because his son had come to him.

.

7.

The eyes of the ship's captain narrowed as they stared east. Something was out there, perhaps the mysterious enemy which they sought to apprehend. "Captain?" Turning, the captain looked at the first mate. "Time to eat. Now, don't give me that glare; the Commander will flay me if I don't bring you home safe and healthy."

The captain's mouth twitched. "Very well." As the mate left, the captain let a smile form at the thought of her husband. "I'll be home soon, Turion," she whispered, ignorant of the danger approaching.

Without warning, green enveloped the ship, and all was dark.

.

8.

Lucy thought nothing wrong until Edmund handed her the train ticket. It was an intangible, uneasy feeling. "Ed? What's wrong?"

Edmund glanced around the station. "Do you... think you'll be alright taking the train by yourself?"

Lucy's stomach plummeted and she grabbed his hand. "Edmund, what are you talking about?"

"I'm…not going with you." With a second ticket in hand, he also didn't mean to stay in London. Edmund's eyes solemnly looked into hers. "I'm going to Liverpool. Dad helped me get a place on a merchant ship berthed there."

And Lucy knew her world would never be the same.

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9.

Caspian strode down the docks, cheerfully greeting the workers as he passed. They were obviously making good progress, and Caspian's grin widened as he saw how close they were to finishing. Even the prow was nearly finished, as a Dryad and Naiad worked together to make the painted figure waterproof.

"Where will you take her first?"

Looking up at Glenstorm, who stood unsteadily on the dock, Caspian gave the general that smile which usually meant the king was about to do something dangerous.

Caspian turned to look at the morning sun. "We're going east," he whispered, and his eyes gleamed.

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10.

Kostas Michaelides hardly noticed the ship's rocking, his focus fixed on the porridge he stirred, on the prayers he sung, for the ship, the sailors, the young cabin boy working nearby with old, wise eyes. So as danger loomed, he sang to God his people's ancient prayer.

"Our God is refuge and strength, a helper in afflictions which mightily befall us. Therefore shall we not fear when the earth be shaken, nor when the mountains be removed into the heart of the seas. O God, who shall be likened unto Thee? Be Thou not silent, neither be still, O God."

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The prayer is a psalm sometimes sung during Eastern Orthodox matins. Our church sang it during the feast of St. Catherine the Great-Martyr.