Okay, I know it has been a long time since I last updated this story, but I am back! I know my last update was the 20th September (for I'm Not Holding Your Hand,) however I am going to pick up on updating this one and updating with new stories from the votes on my pole for pairings/friendship (which you can still vote on for one more week!) and others that I have ideas for in my mind, so I hope you'll stick with me.
P.S. If you haven't read the most recent chapter of I'm Not Holding Your Hand, then I've included the reason below: Firstly I got the part of Susan in my school's production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which took up a lot of my time with rehearsals (1 lunchtime/3 after school,) added to the fact that our school made up do 'duties' like cleaning, running after school and lunch time clubs etc. none of which were optional as they would look good on our CV's apparently. At the same time I had my exams to deal with and then had to look after my cousin while her Mum was in hospital.
I also have times to write bits at lunch now, so hopefully my updates will be quicker.
Sorry for the long note, but now on with the story (at last!)
Chapter 9 (End part for a recap)
"We will go back, I'm sure we will, don't you think so too?" No one replied and Lucy felt slightly put off and taken a back.
"Well," The Professor started sensing the tension between them all I think we should all head outside for some fresh air and a picnic before we hear the rest of this tale don't you?"
And so that was what they did.
The weather was nice on their picnic and even Mrs Macready had accompanied them on the small trip. The atmosphere was nicer out in the country than in the city schools and the children found that they were really enjoying having the peace and quiet that they had become used to back again.
Edmund wasn't joining in their game of rounders, because of his ankle and as he had reminded Peter of earlier, the last time he played rounders here, he did end up breaking a window. However Lucy had just replied to that comment with a simple, "It was good though," before running off to join in the game.
Mrs Macready was sorting out the food from the picnic basket and the Professor had joined in with the three Pevensie children's game of rounders.
After a while, the family continued to play and the Professor excused himself from the game, walking over to sit by Edmund who had been busy reading.
"It's a nice game," The Professor started, "But I haven't played it in a while, my back's a bit rusty."
"I don't play it very often, Sir," Edmund replied, "Peter does though, almost every day back at school."
"You can tell that," The Professor replied as he watched the game for a moment longer before turning to Edmund, "How's that ankle feeling?"
"A bit better thanks, Sir," Edmund replied, putting his book down to talk to the man, "Do you ever think we'll go back to Narnia?"
"Yes, of course you will." Digory answered a smile as he looked at Edmund.
"But what makes you think we'll get back if you never did?" The other asked, remembering the tales the Professor had told them before when they had returned from Narnia.
"Well, you and your family are Kings and Queens," The Professor answered, "You're needed more than a boy and his little friend."
"But you can't have not been important there!" Edmund insisted, "Especially if you helped Aslan."
"Sometimes things happen, because you aren't expecting them or looking for them," The elder man replied as he lent back against one the trees, "I certainly wasn't looking for Narnia or any of its magic. Just to help my Mother get better."
"Do you think I could try going through the wardrobe again?" The younger Pevensie brother queried.
"Oh you could try, but I don't think you'll get in that way," The Professor paused as Edmund looked up at him in wait for an answer, "You see things never happen the same way twice."
Edmund sat in thought over this for a moment before Peter, Lucy and Susan made their way over and sat down, as they all began to eat the picnic food that had been packed.
That night, after dinner, Edmund completely disappeared. Peter noticed this and sought out the Professor in panic for as to where his brother could be. The Professor looked at him for a moment in thought before telling Peter his idea of where the younger Pevensie brother would be.
Peter made his way through the house and took in a breath before opening the door that lead to the Spare room, or rather Spare Oom. The wardrobe stood at the back of the room still, in all of the same wonder as it had done the first time. The door to the wardrobe was slightly ajar, like one would leave it if they were hiding inside and were sensible enough to know not to shut themselves inside.
"Edmund?" Peter asked as he opened the wardrobe door completely and found his brother sat in the darkness of wooden confinement, with his arms around his knees and his head resting on top of them. The younger didn't raise his head or make any obvious action that he knew of the elder's presence, however Peter knew that his brother was aware that he was there.
Carefully Peter stepped into the wardrobe and sat down beside his brother, looking at him for a moment trying to think of what to say, but he didn't have to say anything before Edmund started to explain it all to him.
Peter placed an arm around Edmund's shoulder and pulled him closer to him. Edmund rested his head onto Peter's shoulder while he continued to tell the tale of the recent events at school in full, sometimes dipping into Narnia's lack of need for him. By the end of the explanation, Edmund was just mumbling pointless words that when linked together meant absolutely nothing to Peter and he knew that they definitely wouldn't to anyone else either.
The door of the beautiful, wooden wardrobe sung slightly further open as the two sat there in silence, but they didn't need words to understand. What they had said was already enough and Peter was fuming with anger.
And he had five weeks to wait and plan before they returned to school.
Okay, I know it is short, but I plan on updating again during the week as I already have half of the next chapter written, because it was originally going to go in with this one, but it didn't really work for me and I preferred to end it on this point. Also I am going to let you know now, that in the next chapter I won't be skipping those five weeks before school.
I will update again during the week (first half more likely,) because you have all been waiting for so long, so I will hurry up and write the rest of the chapter for you all. Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, favourite and alerted: it means a lot to me :)