Disclaimer: I own nothing in this marvelous universe; it all belongs to C. S. Lewis and Walden Media.

Author's Note: ::rubs head sheepishly:: Lots of plot bunnies running around in my head at the moment, but the main thing with this is that I wanted to try a story from Helen Pevensie's perspective. I'm also trying something…rather new, and I'm curious to see how people like it: short chapters, brief but (hopefully) intense moments of reflection and epiphany that the Pevensies' mother goes through when the children return to her from the countryside. Please let me know what you think!

Rating: PG

Summary: It is four very different children Helen Pevensie greets at the train station after they have returned from the countryside…(Book and Moviebased) (Familyfic) (NO Slash) (PREQUEL TO NIGHTTIME DEMONS)

"Speech"

'Personal Thoughts' (Italics)

Peter's Age: 14

Susan's Age: 13

Edmund's Age: 11

Lucy's Age: 9

.:Helen's Children:.

By Sentimental Star

Euphoria

It is four very different children Helen Pevensie greets at the train station after they return from the countryside. Granted, she doesn't notice it at first-although whether her children meant it to happen that way, or some other divine power made it so, she'll never know.

If she is initially too lost in the euphoria of finally, finally having them back to notice that, although Peter and Edmund are still bickering over such small things as who should carry the suitcases, it is only because Peter wrenched his shoulder trying to help the Professor dismantle an old, oaken, extremely heavy bookcase that morning, and his younger brother will not hear of him carrying anything until it is fully healed. Or if she is too overjoyed to notice that, although Lucy emerges from the train in tears and fuming, it is not because Edmund teased her or Susan brushed her off, but rather, it is because she has seen how unhealthy some of their "age-mates" are and is helpless to aid them. If her sight is too clouded by happy tears to see that, although Susan still looks too prim and proper for a girl of twelve, it is only because she has seen a cadre of soldiers not much older than her brothers and it is her mask for coping. If she realizes none of these things that is all right, because she is so pleased to see her children again it doesn't matter.

Helen does notice that both girls are holding hands as they step off the train onto the platform and that Edmund has apparently lost (won) the two boys' argument, as he is carrying two suitcases in either hand. Peter is a step behind him, looking rather put out and absently rubbing his right shoulder.

"Such faces, my darlings!" she calls out brightly when they are almost all gathered on the platform, laughing warmly as she navigates her way through the stream of passengers disembarking from the train. "Are you so unhappy to see your Mum?"

She first realizes something has changed when her children react. The two girls start and, as Lucy presses into Susan's side, the older girl draws herself up stiffly.

"Mum!" the startled exclamation is Peter's, who, unfortunately, is so startled that he loses his footing on the final step down. His half-strangled yell, therefore, is all the warning Edmund has before his older brother tumbles down behind him.

The suitcases are forgotten immediately, as Edmund spins around to grab his brother by the waist. "You are a klutz," stated bluntly as he steadies the older boy.

Peter does not get angry, as Helen expects him to. He just rolls his eyes fondly as he straightens. "So you've always told me." He grins, lightly ruffling his younger brother's hair and once again hugging his right arm. "Thanks for breaking my fall, Eddy."

Helen holds her breath, expecting an explosion.

Edmund simply rolls his eyes with a warm snort. "I would've broken your fall, anyway. I'd rather not end up flattened like a pancake, thank you."

Their mother notices that Edmund has yet to turn around and face her. His hands still grip Peter's traveling coat and in the span of thirty seconds, half a dozen silent messages pass between her two boys.

She understands none of them.

Tbc.