All characters and character likenesses are copyright of C.S. Lewis and everyone affiliated with him and his estate. I only own parts of the plot and any miscellaneous characters I may introduce.

This is a heavily alternative universe based on the Chronicles of Narnia series, and I do not intend to offend any purists out there. Again, I own only parts of the plot.

Wow! Two reviews, three story alerts and one author fave and the story hasn't even been up twelve hours. Thank you! I hope my story can live up to your hopes.

'Return to Gold' – Chapter 2 – Home

Lucy flinched as each punch landed on Peter. Once again he was in a fight, trying to prove himself to not only the world but to himself as well. He had grown slightly bitter in the year that they had spent in their own world after they had accidentally left Narnia the first time. The years that he had spent as High King shaped him into the man he was now, the man trapped in a boy's body.

Peter wasn't the only one that was now trapped in a sort of limbo. They all were. Each of them were fully grown and capable adults trapped in children's bodies in a world where children were seen as useless. In Narnia, even as children they weren't seen as useless.

Edmund brushed past her and jumped into the fight as well. They were both warriors in a world where the only warriors were dressed in green and carried guns, not swords and chain mail. The fight was becoming more evenly matched until the local MPs came and broke up the fight, pulling Edmund and Peter away from the other boys. Huffing they bent and picked up their bags, wiping blood from various cuts and scrapes.

"Honestly, is it too much trouble to just walk away?" Susan asked in s dull voice, tiered of seeing the boys fight.

"Aren't you fed up with being treated like a kid?" Peter echoed Lucy's thoughts perfectly. It had always seemed that, besides Lucy, Peter was the one who longed for Narnia the most. He was the first to believe Aslan, to encourage her in her faith of the Great Lion.

"We are kids." Edmund scoffed, crossing his arms in an imitation of his old, petulant self.

"I wasn't always." Peter raged before sighing. Lucy rubbed his arm soothingly, trying to get him to calm down and not make a scene in the subway station. Beside her Lucy felt Susan cringe, knowing her older sister was always mindful of their attitude in public.

"It's been a year." The oldest of the four rubbed his face wearily. "How long does he expect us to wait?"

"I think it's time to face the fact that we live here." Susan repeated for the countless time since they crossed back over. Peter's face fell and Lucy whispered,

"But it doesn't feel like home anymore."

"No." He whispered just as softly.

There was a sharp, stabbing pain in the base of Lucy's back all of a sudden, making her cry out and jump up from the bench that they were all sitting on. Susan demanded to know what she was doing even as Peter jumped up at the same time. Edmund and Susan followed suit as a thrill raced through Lucy. She knew the feeling of magic and was becoming excited, praying that they would be going back to Narnia.

"It's magic!" She gasped aloud, wanting to make sure the others knew what was happening. Lucy grabbed her sisters slender hand as well as Peter's larger warm hand as the magic began to transfer them from their world back into Narnia.

Before their eyes the subway station tunnel crumbled to reveal a beach tunnel. A cool breeze blew the scent of the ocean into their faces, lifting their hair and tugging at their clothes. Lucy shivered as the wind slipped up her skirt a little farther than she would have liked. She glanced down and gasped before looking at her sister and brothers.

They were as she remembered them from their last days in Narnia, fully grown and regal. Except for the fact that they were still dressed in their school clothes; clothes that fit badly on the boys and looked scandalous on Susan. With a grin and a feeling of joy Lucy raced out of the cave and onto the beach, headed for the gently crashing waves.

Their laughter followed her as they raced after her, the sound like a balm to her soul.

"Finally!" Lucy cried out happily. "We're home."

They played in the waves for what seemed like hours, but soon Edmund's attention was drawn to the cliffs far above.

"I don't remember any ruins in Narnia." Edmund reflected, strong face showing his confusion as they found a winding path that led to the ruins. He took the lead, followed by Susan and then Lucy, with Peter bringing up the rear. It was just like old times, with the boys at the front and the back to protect the girls even though they were fully capable of taking care of themselves.

They explored the crumbled white marble, clambering over fallen rubble and columns. Lucy felt a sense of deja-vu as she stepped up onto a platform, and suddenly it hit her so hard that she had to gasp for breath. Tears leaked from her eyes as she called,

"I think you should see this."

Subconsciously the others stepped up onto the ledge in the correct places as Lucy continued,

"Imagine columns, and a glass roof."

"Cair Paravel." Peter's deep voice was troubled and full of doubt as Edmund looked about.

"This didn't just happen."

"What do you mean?" Susan asked quietly.

"He means that Cair Paravel was attacked." A grumbly voice spoke from the shadows of what was left of the eastern pavilion. A red dwarf stepped into the light, a frown on his face and a small sword gripped in his hand.

"Five years after you lot left us, the Telmarines invaded Narnia." He came up to them, hostility in his manner. Lucy felt herself shrink at the venom in the dwarves voice as he spoke of their leaving. She knew that he blamed them for the troubles that brought them back.

"They destroyed every last trace of your reign. They even tried to eradicate us Narnians, but some managed to ecsape. We have been in hiding ever since."

"How long has it been?" Peter demanded. "How many years have the Telmarines been in Narnia?"

"1,375 years have passed since you abandoned us."

"We didn't mean to leave you know." Susan told the dwarf, flicking her long black hair over her shoulder.

"It doesn't matter now." The dwarf sheathed his sword. "You should get changed before I tell you the reason why you are back."

"So much for being home." Lucy sighed.