Disclaimer: I do not own The Chronicles of Narnia or any of its affiliates. It all belongs to C.S. Lewis; I'm just a loyal fan.

Prologue

Emily walked into her house after a long day at school, carrying her school bag.

"Dad! I'm home!" she called for the entranceway as she dumped her bad on the floor.

"Emily, could you come here darling?" her father asked from the dining room.

Emily walked to the back of the house where the dining room was located. She found her father sitting at the head of the table with the afternoon tea set. It was very rare that they had together. Her father was usually at work, so she normally had tea next door at the Pevensie's with Susan, her best friend in the world.

Emily smiled at her father, but he didn't return it. Instead he had a very solemn look on his face.

"Dad?" she said, with a worried look on her face.

"Emily, why don't you sit down," he suggested. She did as he said; still unsure of what was happening. "How was your day at school?" Mr. Dawson asked, trying to make her more comfortable.

"What's going on?" she asked, getting to the point.

Mr. Dawson sighed, "You know that there has been a threat of war for months now. Well, it us finally upon us."

"Emily already knew what he was going to say next. "Couldn't you talk your way out of it? Tell them you have a daughter with no mother-."

"I have a duty to my country," her father interrupted her.

Emily went silent and nodded knowingly. She couldn't argue with that.

"When are you leaving?" she asked.

"Mr. Pevensie and I are leaving the day after tomorrow."

"What am I to do?" she questioned. Her mother died giving birth to her and her father had never remarried. It was always just the two of them. This is, until now. Now it was just her.

"Mrs. Pevensie said you could stay with them until I got back. And I will be back," he replied.

Tears instantly started falling down Emily's face. She jumped up and gave her father a hug, burying her face in his shoulder.

"Oh Daddy, I'm going to miss you so much. I don't know what I'll do without you."

"I'll miss you too, darling," he responded, his own tears falling.

Two days later they were all at the train station, the Pevensies and the Dawsons, saying good-bye.

Emily had dropped her things off at the Pevensie's earlier that morning and they had driven over to the train station.

Surrounding them were many people saying good-bye to their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons. All the women and children were in tears, even some of the men were trying to hold the tears back.

Emily had said good-bye to Mr. Pevensie and the Pevensies has said good-bye to Mr. Dawson. They were now taking time with their own families.

Emily was playing with the buttons on her father's Royal Air Force uniform.

"You look very handsome," she commented, not ready to say good-bye quite yet.

"Well I should hope so. It's very uncomfortable," her father replied. This made Emily smile in spite of the circumstances. "Don't forget to do that while I'm gone."

"Do what?" she asked.

"Smile. That's how I want to remember you and I need to know that you're doing that while I'm away."

"I promise," she assured him with a smile.

"That's my girl." The whistle of the train sounded. "That's my cue."

"Good-bye Daddy. I'll miss you," Emily said, her green eyes welling up with tears.

"I'll miss you more. I love you."

"I love you more," she replied.

"Remember what I said about smiling," he said, wiping her tears away, causing her to smile again. "That's better." He gave her a hug and boarded the train with Mr. Pevensie.

Emily just stood there and watched as the train pulled away. She didn't even realize it was gone until she felt someone hold her hand. She looked down and found it was Lucy.

"Mum said it was time to leave," Lucy stated.

"Oh, sorry."

"It's alright. I understand."

"Thanks Lucy."

They all walked to the car together in complete silence. Everyone was too lost in their thoughts to say anything.