This is a bit of a spiritual successor to Azure, but posted as its own fic because I'm trying the actual challenge this time. Fics may be further polished after the encore is over. (10-6-21: minor edits and AN cleanup for all)
8-3-22 I've decided I want this chapter as its own fic, so I've removed most of it here.
Prompt: A change of location does not negate character. Show one of the Four being royal in England, whether Magnificent, Gentle, Just, Valiant, or some other trait they needed as rulers.
Chapter 1: So Far Away and So Near (1945)
Peter comes home the day after his eighteenth birthday, and tells them he has enlisted. He leaves tomorrow.
His parents take it as well as can be expected. Evelyn has known what it is to send a man to war and get him back, and what it is to send a man to war and not get him back. She says she loves him and has long foreseen this day. Justin has known what it is to go to war and return a changed man. He says he prays Peter will follow in his own footsteps and, at worst, return on a crutch instead of a bier.
Both of them embrace him and weep. They know their son, and that he is too greathearted to have done anything less, but love only makes the fear sharper.
Lucy and Edmund take it as well as can be expected. They have known war from all sides, both to fight in it and to be the ones awaiting the warriors' return, what it is to receive an army back with both joy and sorrow. Lucy says that if he fails to return, she will be extremely put out with him. Edmund says nothing, but they exchange nods.
Both of them embrace him. There are fewer tears, but they too weep. It is not the first time they have seen him off to war, and they know he is too magnificent to not do this, but fear is sharp when it reminds them that there is no cordial in this world, and what if this is the time he does not return?
Susan does not take it well. She flees, knocking her chair over with a clatter.
He finds her in her room, seated at the desk, yanking a brush through already-shining black hair with angry strokes.
"Why, Peter?" she flings at his reflection in her mirror. "Why do you have to go? Why is it not enough to serve the war effort here at home like the rest of us?"
Peter closes the bedroom door. "You know why."
"I'm sure I haven't the foggiest notion, so please do enlighten me!"
The full oneshot may now be found in its individual posting, So Far Away and So Near.
Further blabberings about any of Carmine's chapters will be linked on my Tumblr at: tmblr . co/ZrXgjTar3mooua00