Disclaimer: I own nothing!

The First King And Queen

Chapter 3. Off To War

"Oh daddy! I'm gonna miss you!" Lucy sobbed. Frank was going off to war. I knew the kids didn't understand what was happening. Lucy was only 7, Edmund was only 9, Susan was only 11, and Peter was only 12. None of them truely understood the concept of war yet.

"Its gonna be ok, Lucy. It's gonna be alright." Frank said.

She nodded her head and stepped back and let Edmund have his turn at saying good-bye. Edmund had been starring at the floor. I was worried he wouldn't even say or do anything. He had changed since he started school. Edmund looked up at Frank and then grabbed him and clung to him as if he'd never see him again. Ok, maybe he did understand the concept of war.

"It's gonna be ok Ed. Now will you stay strong for your little sister?" he asked. Edmund nodded. I could see Frank's smile. He stood up straight to face Susan. He had to bend down for Edmund and Lucy but Susan was growing quickly. A little to quickly than we wanted! But luckily, so far, she had no interest in any boys other than her brothers and her dad what-so-ever. Which I could see was a big reliefe in Frank and Peter's eyes. And sometimes even Edmund's. Susan clung to him as well crying hard into his shoulder.

"It's ok Su. Everything's gonna be fine." he said.

"How do you know?" she sobbed.

"Because, I'm a dad. And I know everything's gonna be fine." he replied. This seemed to calm her down a bit. Then he moved on to Peter. Peter also clung to him crying silently into Frank's shoulder.

"You'll take care of Susan, Edmund, and Lucy while I'm gone right?" Frank asked. Peter nodded his head. They seperated.

"And you'll help him right Ed?" he asked looking at Edmund. Edmund seemed to pause but nodded his head.

"And Lu you'll be my brave little girl right?" he asked. She nodded her head. And I saw the new Edmund lift and the old Edmund take his place once again as he put a comforting arm around Lucy's shoulders, which were now trembling again.

"And you'll be brave and help Peter too, right?" he asked looking at Susan. She nodded her head. And I wished he hadn't asked her that because a look came into her eyes that were so much older and she no longer looked like Susan anymore. I think Frank saw the mistake he made though.

"Alright. Good." he said before turning to me. I felt the tears stinging behind my eyes.

"Helen." he said desperately before grabbing me, finally breaking into tears himself.

"This isn't like your old battles Frank. I hope you know what your getting yourself into." I whispered crying hard.

"I know, but I feel as though I have to." he replied. I seperated from him.

"But your not a king anymore. And you can't pretend you are." I said even to where the kids could here it. But they just looked for a moment and went back to starring at the ground.

"I am deep down! Once a King OR Queen of Narnia always a King OR Queen! Remember what Aslan told us!" he said.

"Yes but still I don't want you to... to..." I started crying again and he grabbed me.

"I know you don't want to lose me. And you won't. Aslan WILL protect me." he said. I looked up at him. And I knew he was right. Aslan would protect him. And for the first time I believed it myself. I stood tall, kissed him, let him say his last good-byes to the children and watched him drive away.

"Be safe, my King" I whispered.

"Mummy." Lucy said tugging on my sleeve. I looked down. "What did daddy mean by once and king or queen in... somewhere, always a king or queen in... somewhere?" she asked.

I laughed. "It's just a game me and your father played when we were children. That's why he said it. To make me feel better." I said. I didn't want them to know. Frank and I had agreed we would never tell them about Narnia unless the time came for it! I saw the hate come back in Edmund's eyes as he ran into the house and slammed the door behind him. Peter and Susan looked at the ground, and Susan started crying again. Peter put his arm around her shoulder and she practically fell into him. He really had become a great big brother, even though he fought with Edmund alot. And he was still young. Susan hadn't even hit... the older years yet.

Then Lucy gave a slight cry and ran into the house.

"I'll take Edmund, you take Lucy." Susan said after she pulled herself together. She probably did this because she knew how Peter and Edmund could fight. Peter nodded his head and they walked into the house.

Soon I was left standing there alone, starring out at where Frank had riden off to in the jeep that would take him to war. Or at least to the train station that would take him to war.

"Mummy are you coming in?" Peter asked walking up beside me with a worred expression.

"Huh?. Oh yes. Oh I supposse I should start dinner huh?" I said.

He chuckled. "Don't worry Susan and I managed. Edmund and Lucy seem to like it." he said.

"What is it?" I asked somewhat worried.

"Our world famous... Macaroni and cheese." he replied.

Both of us burst out laughing and we walked inside.