Disclaimer: Anything you recognize from C.S. Lewis is not my own. Anything you do not recognize is mine. I would never pretend that the brilliance of his work could possibly be mine. Also anything you may recognize from the movie version is not mine as well. Only my character and her interactions with everyone.

A/N: This is my newest story. I had already posted it but a reviewer left me a review making me feel that a few changes needed to be made and this is that version. Since it was early in the story I thought it an okay time to change it. Sooner rather then later anyway. I hope the change works better. There are only a few changes but hopefully they'll make a difference. If you read the review then you'll understand what I'm talking about. And this story is based more off of the movie then the book. There is some of the same dialog but only when necessary. So, I will stop rambling now and please review and tell me what you think. Thanks for reading!!! =]

Prologue

The sky was painted with an array of oranges and reds as she watched the rising sun, a hint of pink at the base of the horizon. The world quiet as a soft breeze flowed over her. This place was far from the roars of planes and the cries from families being torn apart. Away from all of the darkness and the chaos of the way the war had made things. For once, she felt as if everything may be all right. She sat a top a tall hill as she looked out over the land near her uncle's farm, her horse standing nearby. The hills rolled over the land until they touched the horizon, greeting the sun into the new day. The grass was as green as ever, making her feel calm. It was quiet except for her horse and the neighboring farms, their livestock greeting the morning just as she was. Soon her horse was looming over her. She stroked the mare's legs before watching the sun finish rising. She sat only a few minutes longer before making her way back toward her current home. It was a two story farm house. It was old, having been in their family for quite some time. It was the original log cabin that had been resided with boards, a darker wood outlining the windows. It was dirt ridden but nice compared to some. It looked bigger on the outside and the thought of going in made her want to return to the hills she had just come from. She stopped and looked at the house, listening to the cows that could be heard from the other side of the house. She sighed and went inside, seeing her mother sitting in the study, a glass of wine in her hands. She hadn't acted like her mother since her father had gone to war. Her mother's sister had taken them in and away from the war. Giving them a place to stay where they would be safe. That's what she had been told. A safe place to wait it out. But while they were waiting it out her father was at war risking his life every day. The thought alone made her feel weak. She had no siblings and because of that he had instilled in her a sense of what's right and what's wrong. He had taught her all that he knew, telling her that it was never too early to learn how the world works. It was part of the reason why she wanted a part in the fight, feeling like she could help even though she knew she couldn't. She moved to the kitchen and got a glass of water before going to her room and closing the door behind her. She sat on her bed and took out her sketchbook. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the image of her horse, smiling as she refreshed her memory. She opened her eyes and her pencil went to work. She carefully etched the horse's frame on the paper before bolding the line down its back and forming the head and chest. She smiled as she worked hardly having to think about it. Her hand simply moved across the paper and soon enough it was complete. She pinned it to the wall amongst her other drawings. She stopped at one and stared at it, tracing the lines of her father's face. She smiled and sat in the window seat overlooking the barn. The horses' were grazing in the attached pasture. She smiled as we watched them. Her eyes moved past the barn. The field was barely visible from here. Her mind wandered to a place where there was no war. Where everything was beautiful and whole. Somewhere where she could be herself. Where she felt loved and like she had nothing to worry about.

"Kate!" A voice called from downstairs. Kate sighed, recognizing her mother's voice. "Honey?"

She thought a moment, deciding whether she wanted to see what she wanted or not. She was halfway to the door when there was a knock on the door. She stopped and looked at it before it creaked open.

"Kate…?" Her mother's voice said softly.

"Hi mum." She smiled.

"What are you doing?" She asked her daughter.

"Just drawing." Kate told her.

"Mind if I sit with you for a while?" Her mother asked.

"Of course." Kate smiled as she sat back in the window seat, bringing her legs up against herself to leave room for her mother.

Jane Watson sat down across from her daughter and peered out the window. "Did you have a nice ride with Lilly?" She asked.

"I did, very much." Kate replied.

"I'm glad." Jane replied softly. "You're being careful, aren't you?" She asked with a concerned tone.

"Of course mum." Kate smiled. "I'm very careful. I'm just lucky that you and dad taught me right."

Jane grinned at her. "Yes, your father and I used to love to go riding." She smiled. "Remember when he used to lead you around on your first pony?" She asked.

"Vaguely, but yes." Kate told her.

"Before you were born, your father and I used to go riding all the time." Jane smiled.

"Really?" Kate smiled.

Jane nodded. "I used to love it."

"What's stopping you from riding now?" Kate asked.

Her mum looked at her before pulling her over to her, turning her. She started to run her fingers through her daughters long brown hair. "You may be a little young for this but you are my daughter and I should be able to talk to you." Jane said and looked at Kate over her shoulder. "I don't ride because there are some things I just can't see doing without your father. I've been with your father for so long that I can't imagine my life without him."

"And then the war happened." Kate stated.

Jane nodded. "Yes, then the war happened." She said and sighed heavily as she looked out the window. "I love your father so much that part of me is missing because he's away. I know that I haven't been the mother you need and I'm sorry. I just miss your father."

"I understand mum. I miss him too." Kate said, turning, taking her mother's hand.

"I hope you find someone who will love you the way I love your father." She smiled wrapping her arms around Kate.

"Me too, mum." Kate smiled back.

Jane braided Kate's hair as they talked. Soon both went down to the kitchen to help their hostess, Paula, with dinner. Kate helped set the table as her relatives three sons came in full of dirt with the smell of cattle and horses on their bodies. Kate grinned at her cousin Reid as he smiled at her. He had been the big brother she never had. She took her seat next to her mother and their usual wild dinner started. There was talk of the day that turned into a verbal assault between the middle and youngest that then turned into story telling before it finally became joking and ratting out between everyone.

"I'm not the one who tried to ride the bull." The middle son, Evan, told the group.

"What have I told you about messing with those cattle?" Uncle Mitch said pointing his fork at his youngest son, Les.

"What's life without a little fun?" Les grinned at him.

"One day you'll regret it when the bull gets the best of you." Reid told his brother.

"And then maybe I'll say that you're right." Les told his brother.

Reid glared at his brother and he fell silent. Kate laughed and looked at her mother. She smiled but she knew that her mother was thinking of other things. To be more specific, she was thinking of her father. Her smile faltered and she listened to the rest of the family argue about meaningless things that made their dinners the funniest happenings Kate had ever seen. When her dad was home dinner was somewhat like this. Only with just the three of us it wasn't as loud or dragged out as this family could do. But she loved them. She wouldn't be her without her family.

A few days later Kate sat with her mother in her room. They sat in the window seat and looked out at the land that lay out before them. Kate was sketching the landscape when her mother interrupted her.

"It is beautiful out here." Jane told her.

"It really is." Kate smiled as she continued her sketch.

"Have I asked too much of you?" She asked quickly.

"What do you mean?" Kate asked frowning.

"Ever since dad left I haven't been a good mother to you. I dragged you away from home. Bringing you here to a new place and I feel like you have been taking care of me more than I've been taking care of you. I'm sorry if I've put too much on you. My own feelings along with your own." She told her.

Kate smiled at her mother. "I'm okay mum. I understand that you're worried about dad. I am too. I'll help with anything you need me to for as long as you need me to." She replied.

Jane smiled and put her hand on her daughter's cheek. "You're growing up too fast."

"No, just fast enough." Kate smiled putting her hand over her mothers.

Jane kissed her daughters cheek before leaving the room. Kate watched until the door was closed before her smile left her face and she rested her head against the wall. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As much as she meant what she said there was a weight on her shoulders that felt heavier and heavier everyday. She loved her mother with all of her but she missed the way things were. She had settled, but there was more to life than just settling. She wanted more in her life. She listened to her mother earlier and at this moment wished there was someone she could truly confide in. Someone who was there for her in a way that no one else was. She wanted her father. Not only that but the way her mother had talked about love and the way she felt left a longing inside of her that she couldn't place. She pushed the thought away and finished her sketch.

She was just about to go to bed when her door opened and Reid walked in, closing the door behind him. Kate smiled and sat up against the headboard, crossing her legs. Reid grinned and sat across from her.

"So, what brings you to this part of the house?" Kate grinned at him.

"Came for our weekly venting session." He replied.

"Who should go first?" Kate asked.

"Ladies always go first." Reid smiled.

Kate smiled with an annoyed look and pulled her knees up against her, resting her chin on top of them. "I think my mum is starting to lose it a little. She misses dad so much that she can't see straight."

"What are you going to do about it?" Reid asked.

Kate shrugged and thought a moment. "I'm out of ideas. I've played the supportive child. I've played the trying to take care of her card. I'm out of cards to play. Mostly I just feel like I'm too young to have to deal with her. She's supposed to be taking care of me." She told him.

He nodded and looked at her. "Maybe she doesn't realize how much you're affected."

"Maybe, but it's not just that. I look at her and I see the love she has for my father and I just hope that I feel that. I want what they have. But then I think of the war and what it's taking from us. From all of us." She said looking at him. "But I'm just a kid. I don't want to have to worry about it."

"I know. This is hard but soon the war will be over and your dad will be back for good." Reid told her reassuringly. "Then everything will go back to normal."

"What if I don't want it to?" Kate asked. "I am happy that I finally got a chance to know you and your family. You're a part of my family and I don't want to go home and never see you again." She told him.

"Not going to happen." Reid told her. "We'll write and the whole bit."

"Promise?" Kate asked with a smile.

"Of course." He smiled back.

"Okay." Kate smiled and nodded. "Your turn."

"All right." He said and thought a moment. "I am so sick of being the oldest brother." He told her.

"Why?" Kate asked.

"It's all about being responsible and making sure that the other two stay out of trouble. Having to cover for them and be the boss even though they will never let me be. I'm sick of it." He said sounding annoyed. She knew he had every right to be.

"It'll get better. I know that both of them are a pain in the ass, but they look up to you more than you think. Sometimes I wish I had siblings to look up to me. They'd come through for you if they needed to." She told him.

"Maybe." He said picking at the bed sheets. "But I feel like the world is on my shoulders. Both my parents expect me to keep everything in order. Not only my brothers but the farm when my dad is gone or has other things he needs to do. If something goes wrong they look to me even when it's not my fault. I will have no idea that whatever happened happened but it's always, somehow, my fault."

"You're the oldest. They trust you the most and that means more responsibility but don't let it get to you. Cherish your brothers and your parents. Someday you'll be on your own and you might miss them." Kate told him.

"Yeah, I know. But right now I feel that things could be better than what they are. My brothers have no respect for me and I can't do what I need to do without their support and cooperation." Reid replied.

"They have your back. It may not seem like it but they do. No matter what happens they will be there for you. It's just sibling rivalry. It'll pass someday and they will be the best friends you'll ever have. I know you're my best friend. It's only a matter of time before they realize how lucky they are to have a brother like you." She finished.

"Thanks Kate." He smiled and took her hands in his.

"Thank you Reid." She smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Ready for bed?" He asked.

"Staying?" She grinned.

"Night." He said and crawled under the covers.

"Night." Kate said doing the same.

She shut off the lights and they both turned onto their sides, their backs toward each other. Come morning Reid was already out working the farm. Kate watched her cousins' work until she decided that she wanted to help. She hadn't helped very often but she was going to change that today.

"Put me to work gentlemen." Kate said in her overalls and flannel shirt.

Reid looked at her and laughed. "I don't think so." He said shaking his head.

"Come on." Kate said grabbing a pitch fork. "I want to help."

Reid just looked at her a moment before smiling and nodding. "All right." He said and walked the wheelbarrow to her. "The horse's stalls still need to be mucked."

"Perfect." Kate grinned and headed for the nearest stall.

"I have never felt so dirty in my life." Kate said as they walked back to the house.

Reid laughed and draped an arm across her shoulders. "You'll get used to it."

"I don't mind it." Kate smiled putting an arm around his waist.

A moment later there was freezing water drenching their backs. They turned to see Les with a hose. Reid ran at his brother but Les sprayed his brother in the face as he ran away. Kate went after him and tackled Les to the ground, water going everywhere. Les got to his feet and grabbed Kate's ankle, dragging her through the mud. Soon Evan was there and even more water was poured over everyone. Reid grabbed her around the waist and spun her until they both fell in the mud. Soon even the dogs couldn't help but play with the laughing children. But the fun had to end and they had to endure being hosed off by Mitch so they wouldn't drag any mud into the house.

"Sorry about that." Les said later that night.

"It's okay." Kate replied. "It was worth it."

Her family was coming together and things felt like they were going to be okay. Even her mother was starting to come out of the shell she had put herself in. Kate had convinced her to go riding and they set aside an afternoon for some mother-daughter bonding time. It was nice for a change. There was no talk of the war or of her father. It was relaxing but it was time well spent with her mum.

Kate left the house early, going to the barn and the usual stall on the right. Lilly poked her head out of her stall and nickered as Kate walked toward her. Kate grinned at the horse and opened the stall door. The horse walked from her stall and Kate pulled herself up onto Lilly's bare back. She clicked her tongue and Lilly walked from the barn and headed toward their usual trail through the woods. They took their time until the field came into view. Lilly got antsy and Kate squeezed the horse's sides before clicking her tongue again as she gently kicked the horse's sides. Lilly started to trot, canter, and then as soon as they had cleared the trees she galloped across it. Kate grinned as Lilly picked up speed. They were across the field in no time and Lilly moved through the trees, maneuvering with ease. Kate held tight to her horse as they ran. When they had been running for quite some time Kate stopped her near the river so they both could catch their breath and drink from the cool water. Kate had never been this far from the farm before. She turned and looked around her. Up ahead was some rock formation and she walked toward it, curious. Lilly had stopped to graze on the grass as Kate moved away from her. Kate grinned as she moved through a gap in the rocks. There was an opening and she couldn't help but want to see what was inside. She slid inside of the rock, seeing only by the small amount of light that was coming in from the sun. She felt her way around in the dim light excited at this new finding. Something new compared to the calm monotone her life had become. She moved further in, only her excitement soon became fear as she lost her footing and she fell head over feet down a rocky slope. The temperature in the cave grew colder and colder as she continued to descend. When she finally hit the bottom her knee throbbed and a dull ache filled her body. She had landed on her side and she rolled to her back and closed her eyes. She took a moment before opening them and looking around. There was a crack of light shining and she slowly got to her feet before making her way toward it. The apparent door was blocked by rocks. She removed what she could only after a short while her fingers were nearly numb and most were bleeding. She had tried getting back up the embankment but there was no use. She threw her shoulder into the rocks and there was slight movement. She tried it again causing a little more. She stepped back and mustered up as much strength as she could before throwing herself against the rocks again. They gave way and she tumbled out on top of them. Pain erupted in her side as one of the rocks jagged edges cut into it.

"Perfect…" She said aloud and looked around. "What the…?" She asked as she looked around at the snow covered land. "Where am I?"

She stood and moved forward. There was nothing but snow as far as the eye could see. She moved forward, feeling the cold snow soaking into her dress and shoes. She wrapped her arms around herself but there was no protecting herself from the cold. She had just been in nice warm weather and had been tossed into a world of cold. Her mind was reeling with the possibilities and how she came to be here. There was no explanation. She was completely flabbergasted as she moved through the woods. Her body was hurt and cold and she wasn't sure how long she could walk. There were sounds all around her but there was no way to know what they were coming from. As she walked she thought she heard whispering. She looked up and a pair of birds flew from a branch above her. She frowned and kept moving, trying to stay as warm as possible.

"I'm fine. This is fine. This is perfectly normal. Summer to winter, home to here. There is a perfectly logical explanation for all of this. I'm just dreaming or something. Soon I'll wake up and wonder about the strange dream I was having. The whispering isn't real. It's all in my head." Kate told herself as she walked. Reassuring herself any way she could.

As she walked there was movement close by and snow fell from some branches. Kate froze and looked for the source of the sound. She was about to move on when she caught site of something red and soon a fox appeared in front of her. She stared at it as it walked right up to her. She bent and held out her hand. The fox put it's paw in her hand momentarily before taking it back.

"Hello." The fox said softly.

Kate's first reaction was to back away but the fox simply looked at her. "Hello." She replied cautiously. "You can talk." She told him. He nodded his head. "You've got to be kidding me."