(Twelve years later)
Elia Kirke was sat in her favorite room in the house, the library. She was supposed to be focusing on her studies, but had become distracted by the sight of her favorite book Little Women.
She had become so immersed in the book that she had failed to hear the library door open, nor the footsteps coming ever closer to her.
"How's the algebra coming?"
Elia let out a frightened shriek and jumped out of her chair. Turning around to face her attacker, she found only the professor, her grandfather and tutor, standing behind her with an amused smirk.
"Grandpa!" She scolded, placing a hand over her racing hear, "Don't scare me like that. My poor heart can't take it."
Professor Kirke chuckled, "Oh tish, your heart is fine. Besides, what's life without a little fear once in a while?" He asked rhetorically.
Elia rolled her eyes, "Peaceful." She replied smartly, "Is there a reason you disturbed my studying time?"
"Oh yes, because you were obviously so busy," He snorted, "But indeed, there is a reason I sought you out. I have just received a letter requesting that we foster some children who are being evacuated from their home due to the war." He informed, coming to sit across from Elia, "Before I agreed to the request I wanted to receive your thoughts on the idea. After all having some children here will affect you more than I."
The young teenager frowned thoughtfully, she had never really spent much time with other children, and therefore didn't really know how to interact with them; but perhaps this could change that. Maybe she would make some friends, and besides that, these children needed a safe place to get away from the war, she couldn't turn them away.
Elia gave her grandfather a small smile, "I think it's a fine idea. These children need a place to go, and we have ample space for them."
Professor Kirke nodded in agreement, "Couldn't agree more, child." He stood to his feet, "Well I think I'll go get started on that letter. I shall see you at dinner." And with that he began to make his way to the library door, "Oh," He stopped and turned to look back at his granddaughter, "Do try and get some of your lessons fished today."
Elia smirked as he shut the door behind him, "Silly old man." She murmured, he should know her well enough to know she had already finished her work for the day."
Nearly a month had passed since her conversation with her grandfather, and at the moment Elia was anxiously awaiting the arrival of their guests. Mrs. Macready had left over two hours ago to pick the children up from the train station.
The young teen was trying to relax by reading while she waited, but it wasn't doing her much good. Elia was a giant ball of nervous energy, and she knew it wouldn't be calmed until she met these children.
Oh, she hoped they liked her.
After re-reading the same paragraph for the fifth time, Elia let out a frustrated sigh and slammed the book closed. Just at that moment she heard the sound of Mrs. Macready pulling the buggy up the gravel road.
Elia grinned and stood up, running out of the room to greet their new arrivals.
She nearly made it to the front entrance when she heard the door open.
"The professor is unaccustomed to having so many children in his house, and as such there are a few rules we need to follow." The older woman informed their guests as she led them into the house, "There will be no shouting' or running', no improper use of the dumbwaiter, NO touching of the historical artifacts." Mrs. Macready informed sharply as the elder girl reached for the bust on the stairway, "and above all, there shall be no disturbing' of the Professor. "
Elia took a deep breath and smoothed down her skirt before coming into the groups' line of sight and Mrs. Macready smiled at the young girl.
"Ah, Elia," She said capturing the siblings' attention, "Would you be a dear and show our guests to their rooms? I've got to get into the kitchen; supper's not going to cook itself." And with that the housekeeper left the five of them to their own devises, not even bothering to wait for a reply.
As soon as Mrs. Macready was out of sight four sets of eyes focused on the young girl and Elia smiled politely at the new arrivals as she took them in.
The youngest looked to be about eight or so judging by the amount of baby fat she still had, with short brown hair and big blue eyes. All in all she was absolutely adorable, and looked like a very sweet little girl; but she also appeared a bit shy and scared judging by how tightly she was gripping her elder sister's hand and trying to hide behind her leg.
The eldest girl seemed to be maybe a year or two younger than Elia. She, like her sister, had dark brown hair though hers was much longer; and they shared the same blue eyes as well.
While the youngest was full of innocence, the eldest girl gave off a slight air of superiority and judgment, but behind her façade, Elia could see that she was just as nervous as her little sister.
Standing next to her was the youngest boy. He too had dark hair, nearly black, but his brown eyes counteracted his two sisters' blue.
He was clearly the middle child, looking to be in the beginning stages of puberty, maybe eleven or twelve. While his two sisters clung to each other in this unfamiliar place, he seemed to distance himself from his family a bit, making it obvious that he considered himself the odd one out.
The final sibling stood on the youngest girl's other side, and was obviously the eldest, looking to be close in age with Elia at around fifteen or sixteen. She had to force herself not to react at the sight of him. He was the most handsome boy Elia had ever seen, granted she had not seen very many boys her own age.
He differed from his three siblings with his dirty blonde hair, but he shared his sisters' blue eyes, though his was a bit brighter. And one could see in the way he stood slightly in front of his family that he considered himself their protector. But he was still just a boy, and he was just as frightened as the rest of them.
Elia decided that she would try to make the situation as pleasant for this small family as possible.
"Hello," She began, giving the four a kind smile, "I'm Elia Kirke."
The siblings shared a look, but it was Lucy, the one who looked so shy moments ago, that stepped forward and returned her smile, "I'm Lucy Pevensie." The two girls shook hands and she pointed behind her at each of her siblings, "That's Edmund, Susan, and Peter."
Elia smiled and nodded to each of them. The two eldest smiled back, though they still looked a bit nervous, while the Edmund just sent her a small, shy grimace, "Well you all must be tired from your journey. Let me show you to your rooms so you can rest before dinner." She turned and lead them down the hall.
"So are you an evacuee too?" Susan asked as the four of them followed behind her.
Elia shook her head, "No, I live here with my grandfather and Mrs. Macready."
They were quiet for a moment after that until Edmund questioned, "Where are your parents?"
"Edmund!" Peter exclaimed.
"You can't just ask someone something like that." Susan scolded her younger brother who just sulked in reply, embarrassed.
Elia gave them a small smile as they came to a stop, "It's okay, I don't mind." She turned to Edmund, "I don't know where my parents are, they left me here with my grandfather when I was a baby and I haven't seen them since."
"Oh," The boy murmured.
"These are your rooms," She pointed to the doors on either side of her, "Girls on the left and boys on the right. My room is at the end of the hall on the right." She informed them, "If you need anything at all don't hesitate to come ask me."
"Thank you." Peter smiled at her thankfully, and Elia was captivated by what a beautiful sight it was.
She regained her senses and returned his smile, "You're welcome. I'll leave you all to get settled in and rest for a moment. Supper is at six o'clock on the dot every night. If you show up late you get a scolding about punctuality from the Macready."
She grinned when she got a amused smiles out of the siblings, "I'll come by a little early to show you all the way." And with that she headed down the hall back to the library.
Maybe now that introductions were done she could focus on her book.
Elia had stayed behind after supper to wash the dishes and put the leftovers away, one of her daily chores. After she finished, she began making her way to her bedroom, only to be stopped at the sight of a light on in the girls' bedroom.
She walked over and gave a soft knock on the door and a kind smile, "Is everyone doing alright?"
The three elders nodded their heads and Peter answered, "I think we're all doing fine."
But little Lucy looked up at the teen with tearful eyes and replied, "The sheets feel a bit scratchy."
Elia nodded as she walked over and sat on the edge of the girls bed, "I know they probably do. The first night away from home is never easy." She answered kindly, knowing that the little girls discomfort probably had nothing to do with the sheets, "But you must remember, wars don't last forever."
Lucy nodded her head in understanding and gave Elia a strained smile.
The teen stood back up and looked over at the two eldest who were giving her thankful smiles, "Well, I should be heading to bed myself. I will see you all tomorrow."
Goodnights were exchanged as Elia exited the room.