Disclaimer: If I owned Chronicles of Narnia, I would have a goddaughter named Lucy. I do not. Therefore, I do not own Chronicles of Narnia
The boys came in sweaty around noon, so we put together a few sandwiches, made some lemonade, called Susan down, and sat on a blanket in the garden to eat them.
"I've added some lovely embellishments to a few of your tops, Lu," Susan told me. "And I was thinking of getting my hands on some beads, to make some of our dresses a bit nicer."
I grinned at her.
"Thanks, Su. Sounds perfect. How was sparring, boys? Get rid of the itch, Ed?"
"Not at all," Pete replied. "Made it worse. What I wouldn't give for a real sword!"
Ed nodded, "It's just not the same. The balance is off."
"That might be you," Su pointed out. "You're used to being a man."
Both boys acknowledged that this might be true.
"This garden is in a sad state," Peter said looking around. "I doubt Mum's had much time to look after it this summer."
I nodded. It needed a lot of weeding, and some new flowers planted.
"What do you say we put it to rights tomorrow?" Edmund suggested. "Pete and I could spend the morning weeding while you girls went and bought some flowers to plant, then in the afternoon we could all plant them together."
"That sounds lovely! It would make a great surprise for Mum," Susan said.
"It's settled then," Pete declared, and promptly lay back and closed his eyes. "Mmm…the sun feels wonderful on my face."
"Su, I was thinking it would be nice if we made dinner tonight."
"You and me, Lu?"
I nodded.
"I saw some ingredients when we were making sandwiches. I think I could make something a bit Narnian."
Susan grinned.
"Sounds great."
We left the boys to snooze, and went inside to look at the work Susan had done this morning.
"Oh, Su," I breathed when I saw what she had done to one of my plain blue blouses.
She had added silver and gold leaves entwining about the collar and sleeves. It was beautiful.
"Thought you'd like that," Susan grinned.
We went through both of our closets, finding things we could add a taste of Narnia to. Dresses, skirts, blouses, and even stockings went into the pile.
"I'll get started on these right away," Su said as she gathered the clothes into her arms.
I pulled the blue blouse out of the pile.
"I think I will wear this tonight."
Su smiled and left so I could change.
A few hours later, Susan and I met in the kitchen to begin working on dinner.
"I was thinking of salad--"
"With some cut apples--"
"And a simple vinaigrette?"
We both grinned. We had spent a great deal of time in the kitchens with the fauns and Animals who helped make our food. They had liked having us there, sharing different cooking techniques and recipes.
Susan stuck her head in the fridge to think about what we could make for a main course. Our options were limited. We finally decided on chicken, but we would make an herb sauce to put over it, some roasted potatoes, and some string beans. For dessert, Susan was going to put together a mint custard.
I pulled out the pan, which was heavy in my young arms, and got started on browning the chicken while Susan made her custard. When we were finished, and herb sauce was made, tasting of fresh thyme and sage, we made the salad together. We slicing apples, and laughing at stories from back home, when the boys came in from their long nap.
"Smells good," Pete said as he leaned over the sauce.
"Fingers out of the bowl," I snapped at him. "Ed, could you set the table?"
Edmund nodded, and set about the task. Peter sliced some bread. Susan and I were just tossing the salad with vinaigrette when Mum came in.
"Well! What a lovely surprise!" she cried as we began to bring food out to the table. "It smells wonderful. You girls made this together?"
I flushed and grinned.
We passed the food around and everyone served themselves. Mum kept exclaiming over how good everything was. I think she was especially excited to have come home to dinner already made.
"We'd be happy to make dinner every night, Mum," Susan volunteered.
Mum put a hand over Susan's.
"Thank you, darling. I would appreciate it."
"We could do the shopping, too," I added, "That way we can make sure we buy what we want to cook."
Mum smiled and agreed.
"I see you went to the music store this morning, too. Did you find someone to tune the piano?"
"Yes. And we found lots of music for Lu," Peter said. "Maybe she could play for us after dinner?"
I smiled.
"Only if Su sings."
Su agreed and we finished dinner. Edmund and Peter helped clear the table while Susan made tea. We sent the boys into have tea in the living room to have tea with Mother while we washed up and got things out for dessert.
When we brought the custard out, Mum was delighted all over again. Ed grinned. Mint custard was his favorite. Susan and I finished quickly and made our way over to the piano.
"I was thinking 'Aeliana,'" I said, naming an old song one of the dryads had taught us.
Susan smiled and nodded, so I put my fingers to the keys and let the music flow back into my mind. This song was one of my favorites. The dryads had written it during the Hundred Years of Winter. It was wistful, a longing for springtime and new love. After a few bars, Susan voice joined in. Her voice was as sweet as I remembered. Again, I found myself closing my eyes and letting the memories of home sweep through me.
By the time we finished, I had tears on my cheeks. I was beginning to feel silly; I had cried so much lately. My siblings all had tears on their cheeks as well. I think we were all thinking of home; of all the people we had left behind.
"That was beautiful," Mom said breaking the spell. "Where is it from."
I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand as I tried to think of where I could have learned it. I don't think "Oh, a dryad taught us," would go over well.
"Um," Susan started.
"I found it in a book. An old music book. At the professor's house," I explained. "It was so pretty I had to learn it."
"I can see why," Mother said, wiping away her own tears. "Lovely. And you play remarkably well for having taught yourself this summer."
"It rained a lot this summer. I was inspired."
Edmund laughed. The rain was how we ended up playing hide and seek, which lead to my discovery of Narnia, where I had learned the song. I grinned. I knew Ed would get it.
"It's getting quite late. Why don't you four head up to bed?"
"But the dishes from dessert--"
"Don't worry about them, Susan. After such a lovely meal, the least I can do is a few dishes."
I paused half way up the stairs to look back at Mum. She was standing by the piano, fingers ghosting over the keys and a sad smile on her face. I heard her let out a sad sigh.
"When did my little ones grow up?" I heard her say quietly.
I sent an equally sad smile her way, wishing I could explain, before turning up the stairs to head to bed.
I finished Chapter 3!! Now for review responses!
Suka: You are creepy. Please stop. I had to add music. A lot of people have Lucy be a very good artist, but I always thought that since she was such good friends with Tumnus, and he played the pipes, she would learn to play music.
Austra: I think yours may have been the review that made me smile most! Bad grammar and spelling make me cringe! It's one thing in texts, but it is another when other people are reading your work. I will do my best to keep my work at a professional level. If you ever spot anything wrong, let me know and I will fix it!Liz6363: I am honored you picked mine as your first! I hope I continue to live up to expectations.
Nek0Nek0: I am so glad you like it!!
Fan of the Just King: First of all, I love your name! Edmund is so under appreciated. I will do my very best to keep it up!
